he was holding him in place.

In the dead silence, all the details suddenly fell into place for me with a burst of intuition.

Something Edward didnt want me to know.

Something that Jacob wouldnt have kept from me.

Something that had the Cullens and the wolves both in the woods, moving in hazardous proximity to each other.

Something that would cause Edward to insist that I fly across the country.

Something that Alice had seen in a vision last week  a vision Edward had lied to me about.

Something Id been waiting for anyway. Something I knew would happen again, as much as I might wish it never would. It was never going to end, was it?

I heard the quickgasp, gasp, gasp, gasp of the air dragging through my lips, but I couldnt stop it. It looked like the school was shaking, like there was an earthquake, but I knew it was my own trembling that caused the illusion.

She came back for me, I choked out.

Victoria was never going to give up till I was dead. She would keep repeating the same pattern  feint and run, feint and run  until she found a hole through my defenders.

Maybe Id get lucky. Maybe the Volturi would come for me first  theyd kill me quicker, at least.

Edward held me tight to his side, angling his body so that he was still between me and Jacob, and stroked my face with anxious hands. Its fine, he whispered to me. Its fine. Ill never let her get close to you, its fine.

Then he glared at Jacob. Does that answer your question, mongrel?

You dont think Bella has a right to know? Jacob challenged. Its her life.

Edward kept his voice muted; even Tyler, edging forward by inches, would be unable to hear. Why should she be frightened when she was never in danger?

Better frightened than lied to.

I tried to pull myself together, but my eyes were swimming in moisture. I could see it behind my lids  I could see Victorias face, her lips pulled back over her teeth, her crimson eyes glowing with the obsession of her vendetta; she held Edward responsible for the demise of her love, James. She wouldnt stop until his love was taken from him, too.

Edward wiped the tears from my cheek with his fingertips.

Do you really think hurting her is better than protecting her? he murmured.

Shes tougher than you think, Jacob said. And shes been through worse.

Abruptly, Jacobs expression shifted, and he was staring at Edward with an odd, speculative expression. His eyes narrowed like he was trying to do a difficult math problem in his head.

I felt Edward cringe. I glanced up at him, and his face was contorted in what could only be pain. For one ghastly moment, I was reminded of our afternoon in Italy, in the macabre tower room of the Volturi, where Jane had tortured Edward with her malignant gift, burning him with her thoughts alone. . . .

The memory snapped me out of my near hysteria and put everything in perspective. Because Id rather Victoria killed me a hundred times over than watch Edward suffer that way again.

Thats funny, Jacob said, laughing as he watched Edwards face.

Edward winced, but smoothed his expression with a little effort. He couldnt quite hide the agony in his eyes.

I glanced, wide-eyed, from Edwards grimace to Jacobs sneer.

What are you doing to him? I demanded.

Its nothing, Bella, Edward told me quietly. Jacob just has a good memory, thats all.

Jacob grinned, and Edward winced again.

Stop it! Whatever youre doing.

Sure, if you want. Jacob shrugged. Its his own fault if he doesnt like the things I remember, though.

I glared at him, and he smiled back impishly  like a kid caught doing something he knows he shouldnt by someone who he knows wont punish him.

The principals on his way to discourage loitering on school property, Edward murmured to me. Lets get to English, Bella, so youre not involved.

Overprotective, isnt he? Jacob said, talking just to me. A little trouble makes life fun. Let me guess, youre not allowed to have fun, are you?

Edward glowered, and his lips pulled back from his teeth ever so slightly.

Shut up, Jake, I said.

Jacob laughed. That sounds like ano . Hey, if you ever feel like having a life again, you could come see me. Ive still got your motorcycle in my garage.

This news distracted me. You were supposed to sell that. You promised Charlie you would. If I hadnt begged on Jakes behalf  after all, hed put weeks of labor into both motorcycles, and he deserved some kind of payback  Charlie would have thrown my bike in a Dumpster. And possibly set that Dumpster on fire.

Yeah, right. Like I would do that. It belongs to you, not me. Anyway, Ill hold on to it until you want it back.

A tiny hint of the smile I remembered was suddenly playing around the edges of his lips.

Jake . . .

He leaned forward, his face earnest now, the bitter sarcasm fading. I think I might have been wrong before, you know, about not being able to be friends. Maybe we could manage it, on my side of the line. Come see me.

I was vividly conscious of Edward, his arms still wrapped protectively around me, motionless as a stone. I shot a look at his face  it was calm, patient.

I, er, dont know about that, Jake.

Jacob dropped the antagonistic faade completely. It was like hed forgotten Edward was there, or at least he was determined to act that way. I miss you every day, Bella. Its not the same without you.

I know and Im sorry, Jake, I just . . .

He shook his head, and sighed. I know. Doesnt matter, right? I guess Ill survive or something. Who needs friends? He grimaced, trying to cover the pain with a thin attempt at bravado.

Jacobs suffering had always triggered my protective side. It was not entirely rational  Jacob was hardly in need of any physical protection I could offer. But my arms, pinned beneath Edwards, yearned to reach out to him. To wrap around his big, warm waist in a silent promise of acceptance and comfort.

Edwards shielding arms had become restraints.

Okay, get to class, a stern voice sounded behind us. Move along, Mr. Crowley.

Get to school, Jake, I whispered, anxious as soon as I recognized the principals voice. Jacob went to the Quileute school, but he might still get in trouble for trespassing or the equivalent.

Edward released me, taking just my hand and pulling me behind his body again.

Mr. Greene pushed through the circle of spectators, his brows pressing down like ominous storm clouds over his small eyes.

I mean it, he was threatening. Detention for anyone whos still standing here when I turn around again.

The audience melted away before he was finished with his sentence.

Ah, Mr. Cullen. Do we have a problem here?

Not at all, Mr. Greene. We were just on our way to class.

Excellent. I dont seem to recognize your friend. Mr. Greene turned his glower on Jacob. Are you a new student here?

Mr. Greenes eyes scrutinized Jacob, and I could see that hed come to the same conclusion everyone else had: dangerous. A troublemaker.

Nope, Jacob answered, half a smirk on his broad lips.

Then I suggest you remove yourself from school property at once, young man, before I call the police.

Jacobs little smirk became a full-blown grin, and I knew he was picturing Charlie showing up to arrest him. This grin was too bitter, too full of mocking to satisfy me. This wasnt the smile Id been waiting to see.

Jacob said, Yes, sir, and snapped a military salute before he climbed on his bike and kicked it to a start right there on the sidewalk. The engine snarled and then the tires squealed as he spun it sharply around. In a matter of seconds, Jacob raced out of sight.

Mr. Greene gnashed his teeth together while he watched the performance.

Mr. Cullen, I expect you to ask your friend to refrain from trespassing again.

Hes no friend of mine, Mr. Greene, but Ill pass along the warning.

Mr. Greene pursed his lips. Edwards perfect grades and spotless record were clearly a factor in Mr. Greenes assessment of the incident. I