 be easy for us. Still, this is our job more than yours.

I wouldnt go that far, but we need the help. We arent going to be picky.

Wait, wait, wait, wait, I interrupted them.

Alice was on her toes, Jacob leaning down toward her, both of their faces lit up with excitement, both of their noses wrinkled against the smell. They looked at me impatiently.

Coordinate? I repeated through my teeth.

You didnt honestly think you were going to keep us out of this? Jacob asked.

Youare staying out of this!

Your psychic doesnt think so.

Alice  tell them no! I insisted. Theyll get killed!

Jacob, Quil, and Embry all laughed out loud.

Bella, Alice said, her voice soothing, placating, separately we all could get killed. Together 

Itll be no problem, Jacob finished her sentence. Quil laughed again.

How many? Quil asked eagerly.

No! I shouted.

Alice didnt even look at me. It changes  twenty-one today, but the numbers are going down.

Why? Jacob asked, curious.

Long story, Alice said, suddenly looking around the room. And this isnt the place for it.

Later tonight? Jacob pushed.

Yes, Jasper answered him. We were already planning a . . . strategic meeting. If youre going to fight with us, youll need some instruction.

The wolves all made a disgruntled face at the last part.

No! I moaned.

This will be odd, Jasper said thoughtfully. I never considered working together. This has to be a first.

No doubt about that, Jacob agreed. He was in a hurry now. Weve got to get back to Sam. What time?

Whats too late for you?

All three rolled their eyes. What time? Jacob repeated.

Three oclock?

Where?

About ten miles due north of the Hoh Forest ranger station. Come at it from the west and youll be able to follow our scent in.

Well be there.

They turned to leave.

Wait, Jake! I called after him. Please!Dont do this!

He paused, turning back to grin at me, while Quil and Embry headed impatiently for the door. Dont be ridiculous, Bells. Youre giving me a much better gift than the one I gave you.

No! I shouted again. The sound of an electric guitar drowned my cry.

He didnt respond; he hurried to catch up with his friends, who were already gone. I watched helplessly as Jacob disappeared.




18. INSTRUCTION

THAT HAD TO BE THE LONGEST PARTY IN THE HISTORYof the world, I complained on the way home.

Edward didnt seem to disagree. Its over now, he said, rubbing my arm soothingly.

Because I was the only one who needed soothing. Edward was fine now  all the Cullens were fine.

Theyd all reassured me; Alice reaching up to pat my head as I left, eyeing Jasper meaningfully until a flood of peace swirled around me, Esme kissing my forehead and promising me everything was all right, Emmett laughing boisterously and asking why I was the only one who was allowed to fight with werewolves. . . . Jacobs solution had them all relaxed, almost euphoric after the long weeks of stress. Doubt had been replaced with confidence. The party had ended on a note of true celebration.

Not for me.

Bad enough  horrible  that the Cullens would fight for me. It was already too much that I would have to allow that. It already felt like more than I could bear.

Not Jacob, too. Not his foolish, eager brothers  most of them even younger than I was. They were just oversized, over-muscled children, and they looked forward to this like it was picnic on the beach. I could not have them in danger, too. My nerves felt frayed and exposed. I didnt know how much longer I could restrain the urge to scream out loud.

I whispered now, to keep my voice under control. Youre taking me with you tonight.

Bella, youre worn out.

You think I could sleep?

He frowned. This is an experiment. Im not sure if it will be possible for us all to . . . cooperate. I dont want you in the middle of that.

As if that didnt make me all the more anxious to go. If you wont take me, then Ill call Jacob.

His eyes tightened. That was a low blow, and I knew it. But there was no way I was being left behind.

He didnt answer; we were at Charlies house now. The front light was on.

See you upstairs, I muttered.

I tiptoed in the front door. Charlie was asleep in the living room, overflowing the too-small sofa, and snoring so loudly I could have ripped a chainsaw to life and it wouldnt have wakened him.

I shook his shoulder vigorously.

Dad! Charlie!

He grumbled, eyes still closed.

Im home now  youre going to hurt your back sleeping like that. Cmon, time to move.

It took a few more shakes, and his eyes never did open all the way, but I managed to get him off the couch. I helped him up to his bed, where he collapsed on top of the covers, fully dressed, and started snoring again.

He wasnt going to be looking for me anytime soon.

Edward waited in my room while I washed my face and changed into jeans and a flannel shirt. He watched me unhappily from the rocking chair as I hung the outfit Alice had given me in my closet.

Come here, I said, taking his hand and pulling him to my bed.

I pushed him down on the bed and then curled up against his chest. Maybe he was right and Iwas tired enough to sleep. I wasnt going to let him sneak off without me.

He tucked my quilt in around me, and then held me close.

Please relax.

Sure.

This is going to work, Bella. I can feel it.

My teeth locked together.

He was still radiating relief. Nobody but me cared if Jacob and his friends got hurt. Not even Jacob and his friends. Especially not them.

He could tell I was about to lose it. Listen to me, Bella. This is going to beeasy . The newborns will be completely taken by surprise. Theyll have no more idea that werewolves even exist than you did. Ive seen how they act in a group, the way Jasper remembers. I truly believe that the wolves hunting techniques will work flawlessly against them. And with them divided and confused, there wont be enough for the rest of us to do. Someone may have to sit out, he teased.

Piece of cake, I mumbled tonelessly against his chest.

Shhh, he stroked my cheek. Youll see. Dont worry now.

He started humming my lullaby, but, for once, it didnt calm me.

People  well, vampires and werewolves really, but still  people I loved were going to get hurt. Hurt because of me. Again. I wished my bad luck would focus a little more carefully. I felt like yelling up at the empty sky:Its me you want  over here! Just me!

I tried to think of a way that I could do exactly that  force my bad luck to focus on me. It wouldnt be easy. I would have to wait, bide my time. . . .

I did not fall asleep. The minutes passed quickly, to my surprise, and I was still alert and tense when Edward pulled us both up into a sitting position.

Are you sure you dont want to stay and sleep?

I gave him a sour look.

He sighed, and scooped me up in his arms before he jumped from my window.

He raced through the black, quiet forest with me on his back, and even in his run I could feel the elation. He ran the way he did when it was just us, just for enjoyment, just for the feel of the wind in his hair. It was the kind of thing that, during less anxious times, would have made me happy.

When we got to the big open field, his family was there, talking casually, relaxed. Emmetts booming laugh echoed through the wide space now and then. Edward set me down and we walked hand in hand toward them.

It took me a minute, because it was so dark with the moon hidden behind the clouds, but I realized that we were in the baseball clearing. It was the same place where, more than a year ago, that first lighthearted evening with the Cullens had been interrupted by James and his coven. It felt strange to be here again  as if this gathering wouldnt be complete until James and Laurent and Victoria joined us. But James and Laurent were never coming back. That pattern wouldnt be repeated. Maybe all the patterns were broken.

Yes, someone h