ir presence does tend to draw in others.

And their numbers have forced a larger pack than the tribe has ever seen, Old Quil said, and for one moment his black eyes, all but buried in the wrinkles of skin folded around them, seemed to rest on me. Except, of course, in Taha Akis time, he said, and then he sighed. And so the sons of our tribe again carry the burden and share the sacrifice their fathers endured before them.

All was silent for a long moment. The living descendants of magic and legend stared at one another across the fire with sadness in their eyes. All but one.

Burden, he scoffed in a low voice. I think its cool. Quils full lower lip pouted out a little bit.

Across the dying fire, Seth Clearwater  his eyes wide with adulation for the fraternity of tribal protectors  nodded his agreement.

Billy chuckled, low and long, and the magic seemed to fade into the glowing embers. Suddenly, it was just a circle of friends again. Jared flicked a small stone at Quil, and everyone laughed when it made him jump. Low conversations murmured around us, teasing and casual.

Leah Clearwaters eyes did not open. I thought I saw something sparkling on her cheek like a tear, but when I looked back a moment later it was gone.

Neither Jacob nor I spoke. He was so still beside me, his breath so deep and even, that I thought he might be close to sleep.

My mind was a thousand years away. I was not thinking of Yaha Uta or the other wolves, or the beautiful Cold Woman  I could pictureher only too easily. No, I was thinking of someone outside the magic altogether. I was trying to imagine the face of the unnamed woman who had saved the entire tribe, the third wife.

Just a human woman, with no special gifts or powers. Physically weaker and slower than any of the monsters in the story. But she had been the key, the solution. Shed saved her husband, her young sons, her tribe.

I wish theyd remembered her name. . . .

Something shook my arm.

Cmon, Bells, Jacob said in my ear. Were here.

I blinked, confused because the fire seemed to have disappeared. I glared into the unexpected darkness, trying to make sense of my surroundings. It took me a minute to realize that I was no longer on the cliff. Jacob and I were alone. I was still under his arm, but I wasnt on the ground anymore.

How did I get in Jacobs car?

Oh, crap! I gasped as I realized that I had fallen asleep. How late is it? Dang it, wheres that stupid phone? I patted my pockets, frantic and coming up empty.

Easy. Its not even midnight yet. And I already called him for you. Look  hes waiting there.

Midnight? I repeated stupidly, still disoriented. I stared into the darkness, and my heartbeat picked up when my eyes made out the shape of the Volvo, thirty yards away. I reached for the door handle.

Here, Jacob said, and he put a small shape into my other hand. The phone.

You called Edward for me?

My eyes were adjusted enough to see the bright gleam of Jacobs smile. I figured if I played nice, Id get more time with you.

Thanks, Jake, I said, touched. Really, thank you. And thanks for inviting me tonight. That was . . . Words failed me. Wow. That was something else.

And you didnt even stay up to watch me swallow a cow. He laughed. No, Im glad you liked it. It was . . . nice for me. Having you there.

There was a movement in the dark distance  something pale ghosting against the black trees. Pacing?

Yeah, hes not so patient, is he? Jacob said, noticing my distraction. Go ahead. But come back soon, okay?

Sure, Jake, I promised, cracking the car door open. Cold air washed across my legs and made me shiver.

Sleep tight, Bells. Dont worry about anything  Ill be watching out for you tonight.

I paused, one foot on the ground. No, Jake. Get some rest, Ill be fine.

Sure, sure, he said, but he sounded more patronizing than agreeing.

Night, Jake. Thanks.

Night, Bella, he whispered as I hurried into the darkness.

Edward caught me at the boundary line.

Bella, he said, relief strong in his voice; his arms wound tightly around me.

Hi. Sorry Im so late. I fell asleep and 

I know. Jacob explained. He started toward the car, and I staggered woodenly at his side. Are you tired? I could carry you.

Im fine.

Lets get you home and in bed. Did you have a nice time?

Yeah  it was amazing, Edward. I wish you could have come. I cant even explain it. Jakes dad told us the old legends and it was like . . . like magic.

Youll have to tell me about it. After youve slept.

I wont get it right, I said, and then I yawned hugely.

Edward chuckled. He opened my door for me, lifted me in, and buckled my seat belt around me.

Bright lights flashed on and swept across us. I waved toward Jacobs headlights, but I didnt know if he saw the gesture.

That night  after Id gotten past Charlie, who didnt give me as much trouble as Id expected because Jacob had called him, too  instead of collapsing in bed right away, I leaned out the open window while I waited for Edward to come back. The night was surprisingly cold, almost wintry. I hadnt noticed it at all on the windy cliffs; I imagined that had less to do with the fire than it did with sitting next to Jacob.

Icy droplets spattered against my face as the rain began to fall.

It was too dark to see much besides the black triangles of the spruces leaning and shaking with the wind. But I strained my eyes anyway, searching for other shapes in the storm. A pale silhouette, moving like a ghost through the black . . . or maybe the shadowy outline of an enormous wolf. . . . My eyes were too weak.

Then there was a movement in the night, right beside me. Edward slid through my open window, his hands colder than the rain.

Is Jacob out there? I asked, shivering as Edward pulled me into the circle of his arm.

Yes . . . somewhere. And Esmes on her way home.

I sighed. Its so cold and wet. This is silly. I shivered again.

He chuckled. Its only cold toyou, Bella.

It was cold in my dream that night, too, maybe because I slept in Edwards arms. But I dreamt I was outside in the storm, the wind whipping my hair in my face and blinding my eyes. I stood on the rocky crescent of First Beach, trying to understand the quickly moving shapes I could only dimly see in the darkness at the shores edge. At first, there was nothing but a flash of white and black, darting toward each other and dancing away. And then, as if the moon had suddenly broken from the clouds, I could see everything.

Rosalie, her hair swinging wet and golden down to the back of her knees, was lunging at an enormous wolf  its muzzle shot through with silver  that I instinctively recognized as Billy Black.

I broke into a run, but found myself moving in the frustrating slow motion of dreamers. I tried to scream to them, to tell them to stop, but my voice was stolen by the wind, and I could make no sound. I waved my arms, hoping to catch their attention. Something flashed in my hand, and I noticed for the first time that my right hand wasnt empty.

I held a long, sharp blade, ancient and silver, crusted in dried, blackened blood.

I cringed away from the knife, and my eyes snapped open to the quiet darkness of my bedroom. The first thing I realized was that I was not alone, and I turned to bury my face in Edwards chest, knowing the sweet scent of his skin would chase the nightmare away more effectively than anything else.

Did I wake you? he whispered. There was the sound of paper, the ruffling of pages, and a faintthump as something light fell to the wooden floor.

No, I mumbled, sighing in contentment as his arms tightened around me. I had a bad dream.

Do you want to tell me about it?

I shook my head. Too tired. Maybe in the morning, if I remember.

I felt a silent laugh shake through him.

In the morning, he agreed.

What were you reading? I muttered, not really awake at all.

Wuthering Heights,he said.

I frowned sleepily. I thought you didnt like