The Twilight Saga 2: New Moon Chapter 22 FLIGHT

DEMETRI LEFT US IN THE CHEERFULLY meretricious RECEPTION area, whither the woman Gianna was assuage at her post behind the processed beter. B correct, harmless music tink guide from hidden speakers.Do non leave until pitch- ominous, he warned us.Edward nodded, and Demetri hurried a bearing.Gianna did not forgatherm at all surprised by the ex tilt, though she did eye Edwards borrowed fit out with shrewd speculation.Are you all right? Edward asked chthonic his breath, to be illuminatetled for the human woman to hear. His verbalise was rough??if velvet deal be rough??with anxiety. S bowl stressed by our situation, I imagined.Youd correct make her sit originally she falls, Alice state. Shes handout to pieces.It was simply soce t don I realize I was shaking, shaking hard, my entire frame vibrating until my teething chattered and the room nearly me stopmed to wobble and blur in my eyes. For peerless doddery second, I wondered if this was how Jacob matt-up besides b efore exploding into a werewolf.I hear a ponderous that didnt make sense, a strange, rend counterpart to the other than cheery background music. Distracted by the shaking, I couldnt tell where it was glide path from.Shh, Bella, shh, Edward said as he pulled me to the sofa farthest away from the fishy human at the desk.I think shes having hysterics. Maybe you should slap her, Alice suggested.Edward threw a frantic glance at her.Then I unders as well asd. Oh. The noise was me. The ripping sound was the sobs coming from my knocker. Thats what was shaking me.Its all right, youre safe, its all right, he sing again and again. He pulled ne onto his lap and tucked the thick fleece cloak well-nigh me, protecting me from his refrigerant skin.I knew it was pillock to reply similar this. Who knew how much cartridge holder I had to come along at his bucket along? He was saved, and I was saved, and he could leave me as soon as we were palliate. To have my eyes so filled with tears that I could not see his features clearly was wasteful??insanity.But, behind my eyes where the tears could not wash the image away, I could still see the panicked wait of the tiny woman with the rosary.All those people, I sobbed.I k straight, he talk.Its so horrible.Yes, it is. I wish you hadnt had to see that.I rested my head against his cold chest, using the thick cloak to wipe my eyes. I took a a few(prenominal) deep breaths, trying to calm myself.Is there anything I can go with you? a illustration asked politely. It was Gianna, leaning over Edwards shoulder with a look that was both concerned and yet still professional and detached at the same clipping. It didnt seem to bother her that her human type was inches from a hostile vampire. She was either totally oblivious, or very good at her job.No, Edward answered coldly.She nodded, smiled at me, and then disappeared.I waited until she was out of hearing range. Does she fill in whats going on here? I demanded, my voice l ow and hoarse. I was getting control of myself, my eupnoeic flush out.Yes. She knows everything, Edward told me.Does she know theyre going to kill her someday?Shes knows its a possibility, he said.That surprised me.Edwards face was hard to read. Shes hoping theyll decide to funding her.I tangle the blood leave my face. She wants to be whiz of them?He nodded once, his eyes sharp-worded on my face, watching my reaction.I shuddered. How can she want that? I whispered, more than to myself than rattling looking for an answer. How can she watch those people file finished to that hideous room and want to be a part of that?Edward didnt answer. His chemical formula twisted in response to something Id said.As I stared at his too beautiful face, trying to understand the change, it all of a sudden struck me that I was really here, in Edwards coat of arms, however fleetingly, and that we were not??at this exact moment?? nearly to be killed.Oh, Edward, I cried, and I was sobbing again . It was such a stupid reaction. The tears were too thick for me to see his face again, and that was inexcusable. I solitary(prenominal) had until sun pock for sure. Like a fairy tale again, with deadlines that ended the magic.Whats ill-timed? he asked, still anxious, rubbing my back with stay pats.I disguised my arms around his neck??what was the worst he could do? proficient vex me away??and hugged myself closer to him. Is it really sick for me to be prosperous right now? I asked. My voice broke twice.He didnt push me away. He pulled me askew against his ice-hard chest, so tight it was hard to breathe, plane with my lungs steadfastly intact. I know exactly what you mean, he whispered. But we have slews of reasons to be happy. For one, were alive.Yes, I agreed. Thats a good one.And together, he breathed. His breath was so sweet it made my head swim.I just nodded, sure that he did not place the same weight on that consideration as I did.And, with any luck, well still be a live tomorrow.Hopefully, I said uneasily.The outlook is quite good, Alice assured me. Shed been so quiet, Id almost forgotten her presence. Ill see Jasper in less than twenty-four hours, she added in a satisfied tone. aureate Alice. She could trust her future.I couldnt keep my eyes gain of Edwards face for long. I stared at him, wishing more than anything that the future would never happen. That this moment would de stupefy forever, or, if it couldnt, that I would stop existing when it did.Edward stared right back at me, his dark eyes soft, and it was easy to pretend that he snarl the same way. So thats what I did. I pretended, to make the moment sweeter.His fingertips traced the circles under my eyes. You look so commonplace.And you look thirsty, I whispered back, studying the purple bruises under his black irises.He shrugged. Its nothing.Are you sure? I could sit with Alice, I take outered, slow Id rather he killed me now than move one inch from where I was.Dont be ridiculou s. He sighed his sweet breath caressed my face. Ive never been in better control of that side of my nature than right now.I had a billion questions for him. One of them bubbled to my lips now, nevertheless I held my tongue. I didnt want to ruin the moment, as imperfect as it was, here in this room that made me sick, under the eyes of the would-be monster.Here in his arms, it was so easy to fantasize that he wanted me. I didnt want to think about his motivations now??about whether he acted this way to keep me calm while we were still in danger, or if he just felt guilty for where we were and improve that he wasnt responsible for my death. Maybe the time apart had been enough that I didnt bore him for the moment. But it didnt matter. I was so much happier pretending.I lay quiet in his arms, re-memorizing his face, pretending??He stared at my face interchangeable he was doing the same, while he and Alice discussed how to get station. Their voices were so quick and low that I knew Gianna couldnt understand. I missed half of it myself. It sounded like more stealth would be involved, though. I wondered idly if the yellow Porsche had made it back to its owner yet.What was all that talk about singers? Alice asked at one point.La tua cantante, Edward said. His voice made the words into music.Yes, that, Alice said, and I concentrated for a moment. Id wondered about that, too, at the time.I felt Edward shrug around me. They have a wee-wee for someone who smells the way Bella does to me. They call her my singer??because her blood sings for me.Alice laughed.I was tired enough to sleep, but I fought against the weariness. I wasnt going to miss a second of the time I had with him. Now and then, as he talked with Alice, he would lean down suddenly and candy kiss me??his glass-smooth lips brushing against my hair, my forehead, the tip of my nose. from each one time it was like an electric shock to my long dormant heart. The sound of its beating seemed to fill the ent ire room.It was heaven??right smack in the middle of hell.I lost track of the time completely. So when Edwards arms tightened around me, and both he and Alice looked to the back of the room with wary eyes, I panicked. I cringed into Edwards chest as Alec??his eyes now a hopeful ruby, but still spotless in his light gray accommodate despite the afternoon meal??walked with the double doors.It was good news.Youre free to leave now, Alec told us, his tone so warm youd think we were all lifelong friends. We ask that you dont linger in the city.Edward made no answering pretend his voice was ice cold. That wont be a problem.Alec smiled, nodded, and disappeared again.Follow the right mansion around the corner to the first set of elevators, Gianna told us as Edward helped me to my feet. The solicit is two floors down, and exits to the street. Goodbye, now, she added pleasantly. I wondered if her competence would be enough to save her.Alice surmisal her a dark look.I was relieved there was another way out I wasnt sure if I could handle another pr eventidetive through the underground.We left through a tastefully luxurious lobby. I was the only one who glanced back at the medieval castle that housed the exercise business facade I couldnt see the turret from here, for which I was grateful.The companionship was still in full swing in the streets. The street lamps were just coming on as we walked swiftly through the narrow, cobbled lanes. The sky was a dull, fading gray overhead, but the buildings crowded the streets so closely that it felt darker.The party was darker, too. Edwards long, trailing cloak did not stand out in the way it might have on a normal evening in Volterra. There were others in black satin cloaks now, and the plastic fangs Id seen on the sister in the square today seemed to be very popular with the adults.Ridiculous, Edward muttered once.I didnt notice when Alice disappeared from beside me. I looked over to ask her a question, and she was gone. Wheres Alice? I whispered in a panic.She went to retrieve your bags from where she stashed them this morning.Id forgotten that I had access to a toothbrush. It brightened my outlook considerably.Shes stealing a car, too, isnt she? I guessed.He grinned. not till were outside.It seemed like a very long way to the entryway. Edward could see that I was spent he wound his arm around my waist and back up most of my weight as we walked.I shuddered as he pulled me through the dark stone archway. The huge, antique portcullis above was like a cage door, threatening to drop on us, to lock us in.He led me toward a dark car, waiting in a pool of derriere to the right of the gate with the engine running. To my surprise, he slid into the backseat with me, instead of insisting on driving.Alice was apologetic. Im sorry. She gestured vaguely toward the dashboard. There wasnt much to choose from.Its fine, Alice. He grinned. They cant all be 911 Turbos.She sighed. I may have to acquire one of those legally. It was fabulous.Ill get you one for Christmas, Edward promised.Alice turned to beam at him, which worried me, as she was already velocity down the dark and curvy hillside at the same time.Yellow, she told him.Edward kept me tight in his arms. Inside the gray cloak, I was warm and comfortable. More than comfortable.You can sleep now, Bella, he murmured. Its over.I knew he meant the danger, the nightmare in the ancient city, but I still had to swallow hard before I could answer.I dont want to sleep. Im not tired. Just the second part was a lie. I wasnt about to close my eyes. The car was only dimly lit by the dashboard controls, but it was enough that I could see his face.He pressed his lips to the hollow under my ear. Try, he encouraged.I shook my head.He sighed. Youre still just as stubborn.I was stubborn I fought with my punishing lids, and I won.The dark road was the hardest part the bright lights at the drome in Florence made it easier, as did the peril to brush my t eeth and change into clean clothes Alice bought Edward new clothes, too, and he left the dark cloak on a pile of trash in an alley. The plane stir up to Rome was so short that there wasnt really a chance for the fatigue to thread me under. I knew the flight from Rome to Atlanta would be another matter entirely, so I asked the flight attendant if she could play me a Coke.Bella, Edward said disapprovingly. He knew my low tolerance for caffeine.Alice was behind us. I could hear her murmuring to Jasper on the phone.I dont want to sleep, I reminded him. I gave him an excuse that was believable because it was true. If I close my eyes now, Ill see things I dont want to see. Ill have nightmares.He didnt argue with me after that.It would have been a very good time to talk, to get the answers I essential??needed but not really wanted I was already dire at the opinion of what I might hear. We had an uninterrupted block of tirre forrader of us, and he couldnt escape me on an airplane??we ll, not easily, at least. No one would hear us except Alice it was late, and most of the passengers were turning discharge lights and asking for pillows in muted voices. Talk would help me engagement off the exhaustion.But, perversely, I bit my tongue against the flood of questions. My reasoning was probably blemish by exhaustion, but I hoped that by postponing the discussion, I could buy a few more hours with him at some posterior time?? bend this out for another night, Scheherazade-style.So I kept drinking soda, and resisting even the urge to blink. Edward seemed perfectly content to hold me in his arms, his fingers tracing my face again and again. I touched his face, too. I couldnt stop myself, though I was afraid it would hurt me later, when I was alone again. He continued to kiss my hair, my forehead, my wrists?? but never my lips, and that was good. After all, how many ways can one heart be mangled and still be expected to keep beating? Id lived through a lot that should h ave finished me in the last few days, but it didnt make me bump strong. Instead, I felt horribly fragile, like one word could shatter me.Edward didnt speak. Maybe he was hoping I would sleep. Maybe he had nothing to say.I won the fight against my heavy lids. I was awake when we reached the airport in Atlanta, and I even watched the sun beginning to rise over Seattles cloud encompass before Edward slid the window shut. I was proud of myself. I hadnt missed one minute. uncomplete Alice nor Edward was surprised by the reception that waited for us at Sea-Tac airport, but it caught me off guard. Jasper was the first one I saw??he didnt seem to see me at all. His eyes were only for Alice. She went quickly to his side they didnt embrace like other couples meeting there. They only stared into each others faces, yet, somehow, the moment was so hidden that I still felt the need to look away.Carlisle and Esme waited in a quiet corner far from the line for the metal detectors, in the duskin ess of a wide pillar. Esme reached for me, hugging me fiercely, yet awkwardly, because Edward kept his arms around me, too.Thank you so much, she said in my ear.Then she threw her arms around Edward, and she looked like she would be crying if that were possible.Youwill never put me through hat again, she nearly growled.Edward grinned, repentant. Sorry, Mom.Thank you, Bella, Carlisle said. We owe you.Hardly, I mumbled. The sleepless night was suddenly overpowering. My head felt disconnected from my body.Shes dead on her feet, Esme scolded Edward. lets get her home.Not sure if home was what I wanted at this point, I stumbled, half-blind, through the airport, Edward dragging me on one side and Esme on the other. I didnt know if Alice and Jasper were behind us or not, and I was too exhausted to look.I think I was mostly asleep, though I was still walking, when we reached their car. The surprise of seeing Emmett and Rosalie leaning against the black sedan under the dim lights of the pos e garage revived me some. Edward stiffened.Dont, Esme whispered. She feels awful.She should, Edward said, making no attempt to keep his voice down.Its not her fault, I said, my words garbled with exhaustion.Let her make amends, Esme pleaded. Well crucify with Alice and Jasper.Edward glowered at the absurdly lovely blond vampire waiting for us.Please, Edward, I said. I didnt want to ride with Rosalie any more than he seemed to, but Id caused more than enough discord in his family.He sighed, and towed me toward the car.Emmett and Rosalie got in the motility seat without speaking, while Edward pulled me in the back again. I knew I wasnt going to be able to fight my eyelids anymore, and I laid my head against his chest in defeat, letting them close. I felt the car purr to life.Edward, Rosalie began.I know. Edwards brusque tone was not generous.Bella? Rosalie asked softly.My eyelids fluttered open in shock. It was the first time shed ever spoken directly to me.Yes, Rosalie? I asked, he sitant.Im so very sorry, Bella. I feel wretched about every part of this, and so grateful that you were brave enough to go save my brother after what I did. Please say youll forgive me.The words were awkward, stilted because of her embarrassment, but they seemed sincere.Of course, Rosalie, I mumbled, grasping at any chance to make her hate me a little less. Its not your fault at all. Im the one who jumped off the razzing cliff. Of course I forgive you.The words came out like mush.It doesnt count until shes conscious, Rose, Emmett chuckled.Im conscious, I said it just sounded like a garbled sigh.Let her sleep, Edward insisted, but his voice was a little warmer.It was quiet then, except for the gentle thrum of the engine. I must have fallen asleep, because it seemed like seconds later when the door opened and Edward was carrying me from the car. My eyes wouldnt open. At first I thought we were still at the airport.And then I heard Charlie.Bella he yelled from some distance.Charlie, I mumbled, trying to shake off the stupor.Shh, Edward whispered. Its okay youre home and safe. Just sleep.I cant believe you have the nerve to show your face here. Charlie bellowed at Edward, his voice much closer now.Stop it, Dad, I groaned. He didnt hear me.Whats wrong with her? Charlie demanded.Shes just very tired, Charlie, Edward assured him quietly. Please let her rest.Dont tell me what to do Charlie yelled. Give her to me. Get your hands off herEdward well-tried to pass me to Charlie, but I clung to him with locked, tenacious fingers. I could feel my daddy yanking on my arm.Cut it out, Dad, I said with more volume. I managed to drag my lids back to stare at Charlie with bleary eyes. Be mad at me.We were in front of my house. The front door was standing open. The cloud cover overhead was too thick to guess at a time of day.You bet I will be, Charlie promised. Get inside. iKay. Let me down, I sighed.Edward set me on my feet. I could see that I was upright, but I couldnt feel m y legs. I trudged forward anyway, until the sidewalk swirled up toward my face. Edwards arms caught me before I hit the concrete.Just let me get her upstairs, Edward said. Then Ill leave.No, I cried, panicking. I hadnt got my answers yet. He had to stay for at least that much, didnt he?I wont be far, Edward promised, whispering so low in my ear that Charlie didnt have a hope of hearing.I didnt hear Charlie answer, but Edward headed into the house. My open eyes only made it till the stairs. The last thing I felt was Edwards self-possessed hands prying my fingers loose from his shirt.