 any brilliant insights. Maybe I was missing some vital piece of information.

What could have changed in the past three days that was so important that Jacob would break his long streak of refusing to answer my phone calls and contact me? What difference could three days make?

I froze in the middle of the kitchen. The package of icy hamburger in my hands slipped through my numb fingers. It took me a slow second to miss the thud it should have made against the floor.

Edward had caught it and thrown it onto the counter. His arms were already around me, his lips at my ear.

Whats wrong?

I shook my head, dazed.

Three days could change everything.

Hadnt I just been thinking about how impossible college was? How I couldnt be anywhere near people after Id gone through the painful three-day conversion that would set me free from mortality, so that I could spend eternity with Edward? The conversion that would make me forever a prisoner to my own thirst. . . .

Had Charlie told Billy that Id vanished for three days? Had Billy jumped to conclusions? Had Jacob really been asking me if I was still human? Making sure that the werewolves treaty was unbroken  that none of the Cullens had dared to bite a human . . . bite, not kill . . . ?

But did he honestly think I would come home to Charlie if that was the case?

Edward shook me. Bella? he asked, truly anxious now.

I think . . . I think he was checking, I mumbled. Checking to make sure. That Im human, I mean.

Edward stiffened, and a low hiss sounded in my ear.

Well have to leave, I whispered. Before. So that it doesnt break the treaty. We wont ever be able to come back.

His arms tightened around me. I know.

Ahem. Charlie cleared his voice loudly behind us.

I jumped, and then pulled free of Edwards arms, my face getting hot. Edward leaned back against the counter. His eyes were tight. I could see worry in them, and anger.

If you dont want to make dinner, I can call for a pizza, Charlie hinted.

No, thats okay, Im already started.

Okay, Charlie said. He propped himself against the doorframe, folding his arms.

I sighed and got to work, trying to ignore my audience.

If I asked you to do something, would you trust me? Edward asked, an edge to his soft voice.

We were almost to school. Edward had been relaxed and joking just a moment ago, and now suddenly his hands were clenched tight on the steering wheel, his knuckles straining in an effort not to snap it into pieces.

I stared at his anxious expression  his eyes were far away, like he was listening to distant voices.

My pulse sped in response to his stress, but I answered carefully. That depends.

We pulled into the school lot.

I was afraid you would say that.

What do you want me to do, Edward?

I want you to stay in the car. He pulled into his usual spot and turned the engine off as he spoke. I want you to wait here until I come back for you.

But . . .why ?

That was when I saw him. He would have been hard to miss, towering over the students the way he did, even if he hadnt been leaning against his black motorcycle, parked illegally on the sidewalk.

Oh.

Jacobs face was a calm mask that I recognized well. It was the face he used when he was determined to keep his emotions in check, to keep himself under control. It made him look like Sam, the oldest of the wolves, the leader of the Quileute pack. But Jacob could never quite manage the perfect serenity Sam always exuded.

Id forgotten how much this face bothered me. Though Id gotten to know Sam pretty well before the Cullens had come back  to like him, even  Id never been able to completely shake the resentment I felt when Jacob mimicked Sams expression. It was a strangers face. He wasnt my Jacob when he wore it.

You jumped to the wrong conclusion last night, Edward murmured. He asked about school because he knew that I would be where you were. He was looking for a safe place to talk to me. A place with witnesses.

So Id misinterpreted Jacobs motives last night. Missing information, that was the problem. Information like why in the world Jacob would want to talk to Edward.

Im not staying in the car, I said.

Edward groaned quietly. Of course not. Well, lets get this over with.

Jacobs face hardened as we walked toward him, hand in hand.

I noticed other faces, too  the faces of my classmates. I noticed how their eyes widened as they took in all six foot seven inches of Jacobs long body, muscled up the way no normal sixteen-and-a-half-year-old ever had been. I saw those eyes rake over his tight black t-shirt  short-sleeved, though the day was unseasonably cool  his ragged, grease-smeared jeans, and the glossy black bike he leaned against. Their eyes didnt linger on his face  something about his expression had them glancing quickly away. And I noticed the wide berth everyone gave him, the bubble of space that no one dared to encroach on.

With a sense of astonishment, I realized that Jacob lookeddangerous to them. How odd.

Edward stopped a few yards away from Jacob, and I could tell that he was uncomfortable having me so close to a werewolf. He drew his hand back slightly, pulling me halfway behind his body.

You could have called us, Edward said in a steel-hard voice.

Sorry, Jacob answered, his face twisting into a sneer. I dont have any leeches on my speed dial.

You could have reached me at Bellas house, of course.

Jacobs jaw flexed, and his brows pulled together. He didnt answer.

This is hardly the place, Jacob. Could we discuss this later?

Sure, sure. Ill stop by your crypt after school. Jacob snorted. Whats wrong with now?

Edward looked around pointedly, his eyes resting on the witnesses who were just barely out of hearing range. A few people were hesitating on the sidewalk, their eyes bright with expectation. Like they were hoping a fight might break out to alleviate the tedium of another Monday morning. I saw Tyler Crowley nudge Austin Marks, and they both paused on their way to class.

I already know what you came to say, Edward reminded Jacob in voice so low thatI could barely make it out. Message delivered. Consider us warned.

Edward glanced down at me for a fleeting second with worried eyes.

Warned? I asked blankly. What are you talking about?

You didnt tell her? Jacob asked, his eyes widening with disbelief. What, were you afraid shed take our side?

Please drop it, Jacob, Edward said in an even voice.

Why? Jacob challenged.

I frowned in confusion. What dont I know? Edward?

Edward just glared at Jacob as if he hadnt heard me.

Jake?

Jacob raised his eyebrow at me. He didnt tell you that his big . . .brother crossed the line Saturday night? he asked, his tone thickly layered with sarcasm. Then his eyes flickered back to Edward. Paul was totally justified in 

It was no-mans land! Edward hissed.

Was not!

Jacob was fuming visibly. His hands trembled. He shook his head and sucked in two deep lungfuls of air.

Emmett and Paul? I whispered. Paul was Jacobs most volatile pack brother. He was the one whod lost control that day in the woods  the memory of the snarling gray wolf was suddenly vivid in my head. What happened? Were they fighting? My voice strained higher in panic. Why? Did Paul get hurt?

No one fought, Edward said quietly, only to me. No one got hurt. Dont be anxious.

Jacob was staring at us with incredulous eyes. You didnt tell her anything at all, did you? Is that why you took her away? So she wouldnt know that ?

Leave now. Edward cut him off mid-sentence, and his face was abruptly frightening  truly frightening. For a second, he looked like . . . like avampire . He glared at Jacob with vicious, unveiled loathing.

Jacob raised his eyebrows, but made no other move. Why havent you told her?

They faced each other in silence for a long moment. More students gathered behind Tyler and Austin. I saw Mike next to Ben  Mike had one hand on Bens shoulder, like 