isle mused.

Checking to see if Im still human? I guessed.

Possible, Carlisle said.

Rosalie breathed out a sigh, loud enough for me to hear. Shed unfrozen, and her face was turned expectantly toward the kitchen. Edward, on the other hand, looked discouraged.

Emmett burst through the kitchen door, Jasper right behind him.

Long gone, hours ago, Emmett announced, disappointed. The trail went East, then South, and disappeared on a side road. Had a car waiting.

Thats bad luck, Edward muttered. If hed gone west . . . well, it would be nice for those dogs to make themselves useful.

I winced, and Esme rubbed my shoulder.

Jasper looked at Carlisle. Neither of us recognized him. But here. He held out something green and crumpled. Carlisle took it from him and held it to his face. I saw, as it exchanged hands, that it was a broken fern frond. Maybe you know the scent.

No, Carlisle said. Not familiar. No one Ive ever met.

Perhaps were looking at this the wrong way. Maybe its a coincidence . . . , Esme began, but stopped when she saw everyone elses incredulous expressions. I dont mean a coincidence that a stranger happened to pick Bellas house to visit at random. I meant that maybe someone was just curious. Our scent is all around her. Was he wondering what draws us there?

Why wouldnt he just come here then? If he was curious? Emmett demanded.

You would, Esme said with a sudden, fond smile. The rest of us arent always so direct. Our family is very large  he or she might be frightened. But Charlie wasnt harmed. This doesnt have to be an enemy.

Just curious. Like James and Victoria had been curious, in the beginning? The thought of Victoria made me tremble, though the one thing they seemed certain of was that it had not been her. Not this time. She would stick to her obsessed pattern. This was just someone else, a stranger.

I was slowly realizing that vampires were much bigger participants in this world than Id once thought. How many times did the average human cross paths with them, completely unaware? How many deaths, obliviously reported as crimes and accidents, were really due to their thirst? How crowded would this new world be when I finally joined it?

The shrouded future sent a shiver down my spine.

The Cullens pondered Esmes words with varying expressions. I could see that Edward did not accept her theory, and that Carlisle very much wanted to.

Alice pursed her lips. I dont think so. The timing of it was too perfect. . . . This visitor was so careful to make no contact. Almost like he or she knew that I would see. . . .

He could have other reasons for not making contact, Esme reminded her.

Does it really matter who it was? I asked. Just the chance that someonewas looking for me . . . isnt that reason enough? We shouldnt wait for graduation.

No, Bella, Edward said quickly. Its not that bad. If youre really in danger, well know.

Think of Charlie, Carlisle reminded me. Think of how it would hurt him if you disappeared.

Iam thinking of Charlie! Hes the one Im worried about! What if my little guest had happened to be thirsty last night? As long as Im around Charlie, hes a target, too. If anything happened to him, it would be all my fault!

Hardly, Bella, Esme said, patting my hair again. And nothing will happen to Charlie. Were just going to have to be more careful.

Morecareful? I repeated in disbelief.

Its all going to be fine, Bella, Alice promised; Edward squeezed my hand.

And I could see, looking at all of their beautiful faces one by one, that nothing I could say was going to change their minds.

It was a quiet ride home. I was frustrated. Against my better judgment, I was still human.

You wont be alone for a second, Edward promised as he drove me to Charlies. Someone will always be there. Emmett, Alice, Jasper . . .

I sighed. This is ridiculous. Theyll get so bored, theyll have to kill me themselves, just for something to do.

Edward gave me a sour look. Hilarious, Bella.

Charlie was in a good mood when we got back. He could see the tension between me and Edward, and he was misinterpreting it. He watched me throw together his dinner with a smug smile on his face. Edward had excused himself for a moment, to do some surveillance, I assumed, but Charlie waited till he was back to pass on my messages.

Jacob called again, Charlie said as soon as Edward was in the room. I kept my face empty as I set the plate in front of him.

Is that a fact?

Charlie frowned. Dont be petty, Bella. He sounded really low.

Is Jacob paying you for all the P.R., or are you a volunteer?

Charlie grumbled incoherently at me until the food cut off his garbled complaint.

Though he didnt realize it, hed found his mark.

My life was feeling a lot like a game of dice right now  would the next roll come up snake eyes? What if somethingdid happen to me? It seemed worse than petty to leave Jacob feeling guilty about what hed said.

But I didnt want to talk to him with Charlie around, to have to watch my every word so I didnt let the wrong thing slip. Thinking about this made me jealous of Jacob and Billys relationship. How easy it must be when you had no secrets from the person you lived with.

So I would wait for the morning. I most likely wasnt going to die tonight, after all, and it wouldnt hurt him to feel guilty for twelve more hours. It might even be good for him.

When Edward officially left for the evening, I wondered who was out in the downpour, keeping an eye on Charlie and me. I felt awful for Alice or whoever else it might be, but still comforted. I had to admit it was nice, knowing I wasnt alone. And Edward was back in record time.

He sang me to sleep again and  aware even in unconsciousness that he was there  I slept free of nightmares.

In the morning, Charlie left to go fishing with Deputy Mark before I was up. I decided to use this lack of supervision to be divine.

Im going to let Jacob off the hook, I warned Edward after Id eaten breakfast.

I knew youd forgive him, he said with an easy smile. Holding grudges is not one of your many talents.

I rolled my eyes, but I was pleased. It seemed like Edward really was over the whole anti-werewolf thing.

I didnt look at the clock until after Id dialed. It was a little early for calls, and I worried that I would wake Billy and Jake, but someone picked up before the second ring, so he couldnt have been too far from the phone.

Hello? a dull voice said.

Jacob?

Bella! he exclaimed. Oh, Bella, Im so sorry! he tripped over the words as he hurried to get them out. I swear I didnt mean it. I was just being stupid. I was angry  but thats no excuse. It was the stupidest thing Ive ever said in my life and Im sorry. Dont be mad at me, please? Please. Lifetime of servitude up for grabs  all you have to do is forgive me.

Im not mad. Youre forgiven.

Thank you, he breathed fervently. I cant believe I was such a jerk.

Dont worry about that  Im used to it.

He laughed, exuberant with relief. Come down to see me, he begged. I want to make it up to you.

I frowned. How?

Anything you want. Cliff diving, he suggested, laughing again.

Oh,theres a brilliant idea.

Ill keep you safe, he promised. No matter what you want to do.

I glanced at Edward. His face was very calm, but I was sure this was not the time.

Not right now.

Hes not thrilled with me, is he? Jacobs voice was ashamed, rather than bitter, for once.

Thats not the problem. Theres . . . well, theres this other problem thats slightly more worrisome than a bratty teenage werewolf. . . . I tried to keep my tone joking, but I didnt fool him.

Whats wrong? he demanded.

Um. I wasnt sure what I should tell him.

Edward held his hand out for the phone. I looked at his face carefully. Heseemed calm enough.

Bella? Jacob asked.

Edward sighed, holding his hand closer.

Do you mind speaking to Edward? I asked apprehensiv