are 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 didntspecifically 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 me  Jacob 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. Ihave been tortured  Alice 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.

Theirhearts ! he scoffed.

Sorry about Saturday, I apologized. Ive got to hit the sack  the couch, I corrected mentally  but 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 CDs  to 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.

What the hell is all this? I spluttered.

You didnt really think he would make you sleep on the couch, did you?

I mumbled unintelligibly as I stalked forward to snatch my things off the bed.

Ill give you some privacy, Alice laughed. See you in the morning.

After my teeth were brushed and I was dressed, I grabbed a puffy feather pillow off the huge bed and dragged the gold cover to the couch. I knew I was being silly, but I didnt care. Porsches as bribes and king-sized beds in houses where nobody slept  it was beyond irritating. I flipped off the lights and curled up on the sofa, wondering if I was too annoyed to sleep.

In the dark, the glass wall was no longer a black mirror, doubling the room. The light of the moon brightened the clouds outside the window. As my eyes adjusted, I could see the diffused glow highlighting the tops of the trees, and glinting off a small slice of the river. I watched the silver light, waiting for my eyes to get heavy.

There was a light knock on the door.

What, Alice? I hissed. I was on the defensive, imagining her amusement when she saw my makeshift bed.

Its me, Rosalie said softly, opening the door enough that I could see the silver glow touch her perfect face. Can I come in?




7. UNHAPPY ENDING

ROSALIE HESITATED IN THE DOORWAY, HER BREATHTAKing face unsure.

Of course, I replied, my voice an octave high with surprise. Come on in.

I sat up, sliding to the end of the sofa to make room. My stomach twisted nervously as the one Cullen who did not like me moved silently to sit down in the open space. I tried to come up with a reason why she would want to see me, but my mind was a blank on that point.

Do you mind talking to me for a few minutes? she asked. I didnt wake you or anything, did I? Her eyes shifted to the stripped bed and back to my couch.

No, I was awake. Sure, we can talk. I wondered if she could hear the alarm in my voice as clearly as I could.

She laughed lightly, and it sounded like a chorus of bells. He so rarely leaves you alone, she said. I figured Id better make the best of this opportunity.

What did she want to say that couldnt be said in front of Edward? My hands twisted and untwisted around the edge of the comforter.

Please dont think Im horribly interfering, Rosalie said, her voice gentle and almost pleading. She folded her hands in her lap and looked down at them as she spoke. Im sure Ive hurt your feelings enough in the past, and I dont want to do that again.

Dont worry about it, Rosalie. My feelings are great. What is it?

She laughed again, sounding oddly embarrassed. Im going to try to tell you why I think you should stay human  why I would stay human if I were you.

Oh.

She smiled at the shocked tone of my voice, and then she sighed.

Did Edward ever tell you what led to this? she asked, gesturing to her glorious immortal body.

I nodded slowly, suddenly somber. He said it was close to what happened to me that time in Port Angeles, only no one was there to saveyou . I shuddered at the memory.

Is that really all he told you? she asked.

Yes, I said, my voice blank with confusion. Was there more?

She looked up at me and smiled; it was a harsh, bitter  but still stunning  expression.

Yes, she said. There was more.

I waited while she stared out the window. She seemed to be trying to calm herself.

Would you like to hear my story, Bella? It doesnt have a happy ending  but which of ours does? If we had happy endings, wed all be under gravestones now.

I nodded, though I was frightened by the edge in her voice.

I lived in a different world than you do, Bella. My human world was a much simpler place. It was nineteen thirty-three. I was eighteen, and I was beautiful. My life was perfect.

She stared out the window at the silver clouds, her expression far away.

My parents were thoroughly middle class. My father had a stable job in a bank, something I realize now that he was smug about  he saw his prosp