er 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.

Anxiousis 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.

Easily  theres 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 isonly 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 something  when it comes to all thisenemies 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 Jake  during my brief window of opportunity when Edward took the Volvo home before climbing back in through my window  to 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 Switzerland  just 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 youthat 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 food  the good stuff, all the way from Port Angeles  and 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 list  maybe 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 sofawas 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 c