I ambled toward the kitchen, looking for busy work. Unfortunately, Charlie had already cleaned up his lunch. I stood there for a few minutes, staring at the bright patch of light the sun made on the floor. But I knew I couldnt delay this forever.
Im going to go study, I announced glumly as I headed up the stairs.
See you later, Charlie called after me.
If I survive, I thought to myself.
I shut my bedroom door carefully before I turned to face my room.
Of course he was there. He stood against the wall across from me, in the shadow beside the open window. His face was hard and his posture tense. He glared at me wordlessly.
I cringed, waiting for the torrent, but it didnt come. He just continued to glare, possibly too angry to speak.
Hi, I finally said.
His face could have been carved from stone. I counted to a hundred in my head, but there was no change.
Er . . . so, Im still alive, I began.
A growl rumbled low in his chest, but his expression didnt change.
No harm done, I insisted with a shrug.
He moved. His eyes closed, and he pinched the bridge of his nose between the fingers of his right hand.
Bella, he whispered. Do you have any idea how close I came to crossing the line today? To breaking the treaty and coming after you? Do you know what that would have meant?
I gasped and his eyes opened. They were as cold and hard as night.
You cant! I said too loudly. I worked to modulate the volume of my voice so Charlie wouldnt hear, but I wanted to shout the words. Edward, theyd use any excuse for a fight. Theyd love that. You cant ever break the rules!
Maybe they arent the only ones who would enjoy a fight.
Dont you start, I snapped. You made the treatyyou stick to it.
If hed hurt you
Enough! I cut him off. Theres nothing to worry about. Jacob isnt dangerous.
Bella. He rolled his eyes. You arent exactly the best judge of what is or isnt dangerous.
I know I dont have to worry about Jake. And neither do you.
He ground his teeth together. His hands were balled up in fists at his sides. He was still standing against the wall, and I hated the space between us.
I took a deep breath, and crossed the room. He didnt move when I wrapped my arms around him. Next to the warmth of the last of the afternoon sun streaming through the window, his skin felt especially icy. He seemed like ice, too, frozen the way he was.
Im sorry I made you anxious, I muttered.
He sighed, and relaxed a little. His arms wound around my waist.
Anxious is a bit of an understatement, he murmured. It was a very long day.
You werent supposed to know about it, I reminded him. I thought youd be hunting longer.
I looked up at his face, at his defensive eyes; I hadnt noticed in the stress of the moment, but they were too dark. The rings under them were deep purple. I frowned in disapproval.
When Alice saw you disappear, I came back, he explained.
You shouldnt have done that. Now youll have to go away again. My frown intensified.
I can wait.
Thats ridiculous. I mean, I know she couldnt see me with Jacob, but you should have known
But I didnt, he broke in. And you cant expect me to let you
Oh, yes, I can, I interrupted him. Thats exactly what I expect
This wont happen again.
Thats right! Because youre not going to overreact next time.
Because there isnt going to be a next time.
I understand when you have to leave, even if I dont like it
Thats not the same. Im not risking my life.
Neither am I.
Werewolves constitute a risk.
I disagree.
Im not negotiating this, Bella.
Neither am I.
His hands were in fists again. I could feel them against my back.
The words popped out thoughtlessly. Is this really just about my safety?
What do you mean? he demanded.
You arent . . . Angelas theory seemed sillier now than before. It was hard to finish the thought. I mean, you know better than to be jealous, right?
He raised one eyebrow. Do I?
Be serious.
Easilytheres nothing remotely humorous about this.
I frowned suspiciously. Or . . . is this something else altogether? Some vampires-and-werewolves-are-always-enemies nonsense? Is this just a testosterone-fueled
His eyes blazed. This is only about you. All I care is that youre safe.
The black fire in his eyes was impossible to doubt.
Okay, I sighed. I believe that. But I want you to know somethingwhen it comes to all this enemies nonsense, Im out. I am a neutral country. I am Switzerland. I refuse to be affected by territorial disputes between mythical creatures. Jacob is family. You are . . . well, not exactly the love of my life, because I expect to love you for much longer than that. The love of my existence. I dont care whos a werewolf and whos a vampire. If Angela turns out to be a witch, she can join the party, too.
He stared at me silently through narrowed eyes.
Switzerland, I repeated again for emphasis.
He frowned at me, and then sighed. Bella . . . , he began, but he paused, and his nose wrinkled in disgust.
What now?
Well . . . dont be offended, but you smell like a dog, he told me.
And then he smiled crookedly, so I knew the fight was over. For now.
Edward had to make up for the missed hunting trip, and so he was leaving Friday night with Jasper, Emmett, and Carlisle to hit some reserve in Northern California with a mountain lion problem.
Wed come to no agreement on the werewolf issue, but I didnt feel guilty calling Jakeduring my brief window of opportunity when Edward took the Volvo home before climbing back in through my windowto let him know Id be coming over on Saturday again. It wasnt sneaking around. Edward knew how I felt. And if he broke my truck again, then Id have Jacob pick me up. Forks was neutral, just like Switzerlandjust like me.
So when I got off work Thursday and it was Alice rather than Edward waiting for me in the Volvo, I was not suspicious at first. The passenger door was open, and music I didnt recognize was shaking the frame when the bass played.
Hey, Alice, I shouted over the wailing as I climbed in. Wheres your brother?
She was singing along to the song, her voice an octave higher than the melody, weaving through it with a complicated harmony. She nodded at me, ignoring my question as she concentrated on the music.
I shut my door and put my hands over my ears. She grinned, and turned the volume down until it was just background. Then she hit the locks and the gas in the same second.
Whats going on? I asked, starting to feel uneasy. Where is Edward?
She shrugged. They left early.
Oh. I tried to control the absurd disappointment. If he left early, that meant hed be back sooner, I reminded myself.
All the boys went, and were having a slumber party! she announced in a trilling, singsong voice.
A slumber party? I repeated, the suspicion finally settling in.
Arent you excited? she crowed.
I met her animated gaze for a long second.
Youre kidnapping me, arent you?
She laughed and nodded. Till Saturday. Esme cleared it with Charlie; youre staying with me two nights, and I will drive you to and from school tomorrow.
I turned my face to the window, my teeth grinding together.
Sorry, Alice said, not sounding in the least bit penitent. He paid me off.
How? I hissed through my teeth.
The Porsche. Its exactly like the one I stole in Italy. She sighed happily. Im not supposed to drive it around Forks, but if you want, we could see how long it takes to get from here to L.A.I bet I could have you back by midnight.
I took a deep breath. I think Ill pass, I sighed, repressing a shudder.
We wound, always too fast, down the long drive. Alice pulled around to the garage, and I quickly looked over the cars. Emmetts big jeep was there, with a shiny canary yellow Porsche between it and Rosalies red convertible.
Alice hopped out gracefully and went to stroke her hand along the length of her bribe. Pretty, isnt it?
Pretty over-the-top, I grumbled, incredulous. He gave you that just for two days of holding me hostage?
Alice made a face.
A second later, comprehension came and I gasped in horror. Its for every time hes gone, isnt it?
She nodded.
I slammed my door and stomped toward the house. She danced along next to me, still unrepentant.
Alice, dont you think this is just a little bit controlling? Just a tiny bit psychotic, maybe?
Not really. She sniffed. You dont seem to grasp how dangerous a young werewolf can be. Especially when I cant see them. Edward has no way to know if youre safe. You shouldnt be so reckless.
My voice turned acidic. Yes, because a vampire slumber party is the pinnacle of safety conscious behavior.
Alice laughed. Ill give you a pedicure and everything, she promised.
It wasnt so bad, except for the fact that I was being held against my will. Esme brought Italian foodthe good stuff, all the way from Port Angelesand Alice was prepared with my favorite movies. Even Rosalie was there, quietly in the background. Alice did insist on the pedicure, and I wondered if she was working from a listmaybe something shed compiled from watching bad sitcoms.
How late do you want to stay up? she asked when my toenails were glistening a bloody red. Her enthusiasm remained untouched by my mood.
I dont want to stay up. We have school in the morning.
She pouted.
Where am I supposed to sleep, anyway? I measured the couch with my eyes. It was a little short. Cant you just keep me under surveillance at my house?
What kind of a slumber party would that be? Alice shook her head in exasperation. Youre sleeping in Edwards room.
I sighed. His black leather sofa was longer than this one. Actually, the gold carpet in his room was probably thick enough that the floor wouldnt be half bad either.
Can I go back to my place to get my things, at least?
She grinned. Already taken care of.
Am I allowed to use your phone?
Charlie knows where you are.
I wasnt going to call Charlie. I frowned. Apparently, I have some plans to cancel.
Oh. She deliberated. Im not sure about that.
Alice! I whined loudly. Cmon!
Okay, okay, she said, flitting from the room. She was back in half a second, cell phone in hand. He didnt specifically prohibit this . . . , she murmured to herself as she handed it to me.
I dialed Jacobs number, hoping he wasnt out running with his friends tonight. Luck was with meJacob was the one to answer.
Hello?
Hey, Jake, its me. Alice watched me with expressionless eyes for a second, before she turned and went to sit between Rosalie and Esme on the sofa.
Hi, Bella, Jacob said, suddenly cautious. Whats up?
Nothing good. I cant come over Saturday after all.
It was silent for a minute. Stupid bloodsucker, he finally muttered. I thought he was leaving. Cant you have a life when hes gone? Or does he lock you in a coffin?
I laughed.
I dont think thats funny.
Im only laughing because youre close, I told him. But hes going to be here Saturday, so it doesnt matter.
Will he be feeding there in Forks, then? Jacob asked cuttingly.
No. I didnt let myself get irritated with him. I wasnt that far from being as angry as he was. He left early.
Oh. Well, hey, come over now, then, he said with sudden enthusiasm. Its not that late. Or Ill come up to Charlies.
I wish. Im not at Charlies, I said sourly. Im kind of being held prisoner.
He was silent as that sunk in, and then he growled. Well come and get you, he promised in a flat voice, slipping automatically into a plural.
A chill slid down my spine, but I answered in a light and teasing voice. Tempting. I have been torturedAlice painted my toenails.
Im serious.
Dont be. Theyre just trying to keep me safe.
He growled again.
I know its silly, but their hearts are in the right place.
Their hearts! he scoffed.
Sorry about Saturday, I apologized. Ive got to hit the sackthe couch, I corrected mentallybut Ill call you again soon.
Are you sure theyll let you? he asked in a scathing tone.
Not completely. I sighed. Night, Jake.
See you around.
Alice was abruptly at my side, her hand held out for the phone, but I was already dialing. She saw the number.
I dont think hell have his phone on him, she said.
Ill leave a message.
The phone rang four times, followed by a beep. There was no greeting.
You are in trouble, I said slowly, emphasizing each word. Enormous trouble. Angry grizzly bears are going to look tame next to what is waiting for you at home.
I snapped the phone shut and placed it in her waiting hand. Im done.
She grinned. This hostage stuff is fun.
Im going to sleep now, I announced, heading for the stairs. Alice tagged along.
Alice, I sighed. Im not going to sneak out. You would know if I was planning to, and youd catch me if I tried.
Im just going to show you where your things are, she said innocently.
Edwards room was at the farthest end of the third floor hallway, hard to mistake even when the huge house had been less familiar. But when I switched the light on, I paused in confusion. Had I picked the wrong door?
Alice giggled.
It was the same room, I realized quickly; the furniture had just been rearranged. The couch was pushed to the north wall and the stereo shoved up against the vast shelves of CDsto make room for the colossal bed that now dominated the central space.
The southern wall of glass reflected the scene back like a mirror, making it look twice as bad.
It matched. The coverlet was a dull gold, just lighter than the walls; the frame was black, made of intricately patterned wrought iron. Sculpted metal roses wound in vines up the tall posts and formed a bowery lattice overhead. My pajamas were folded neatly on the foot of the bed, my bag of toiletries to one side.