d shook his head. Her scent is too strong and, combined with mine, especially distinct. Even if I carried her, it would leave a trail.Our trace is all over the range, but in conjunction with Bellas scent, it would catch their attention. Were not sure exactly which path theyll take, becausethey dont know yet. If they crossed her scent before they found us . . .

Both of them grimaced at the same time, their eyebrows pulling together.

You see the difficulties.

There has to be a way to make it work, Jacob muttered. He glared toward the forest, pursing his lips.

I swayed on my feet. Edward put his arm around my waist, pulling me closer and supporting my weight.

I need to get you home  youre exhausted. And Charlie will be waking up soon. . . .

Wait a sec, Jacob said, wheeling back to us, his eyes bright. My scent disgusts you, right?

Hmm, not bad. Edward was two steps ahead. Its possible. He turned toward his family. Jasper? he called.

Jasper looked up curiously. He walked over with Alice a half step behind. Her face was frustrated again.

Okay, Jacob. Edward nodded at him.

Jacob turned toward me with a strange mixture of emotion on his face. He was clearly excited by whatever this new plan of his was, but he was also still uneasy so close to his enemy allies. And then it was my turn to be wary as he held his arms out toward me.

Edward took a deep breath.

Were going to see if I can confuse the scent enough to hide your trail, Jacob explained.

I stared at his open arms suspiciously.

Youre going to have to let him carry you, Bella, Edward told me. His voice was calm, but I could hear the subdued distaste.

I frowned.

Jacob rolled his eyes, impatient, and reached down to yank me up into his arms.

Dont be such a baby, he muttered.

But his eyes flickered to Edward, just like mine did. Edwards face was composed and smooth. He spoke to Jasper.

Bellas scent is so much more potent to me  I thought it would be a fairer test if someone else tried.

Jacob turned away from them and paced swiftly into the woods. I didnt say anything as the dark closed around us. I was pouting, uncomfortable in Jacobs arms. It felt too intimate to me  surely he didnt need to hold mequite so tightly  and I couldnt help but wonder what it felt like to him. It reminded me of my last afternoon in La Push, and I didnt want to think about that. I folded my arms, annoyed when the brace on my hand intensified the memory.

We didnt go far; he made a wide arc and came back into the clearing from a different direction, maybe half a football field away from our original departure point. Edward was there alone and Jacob headed toward him.

You can put me down now.

I dont want to take a chance of messing up the experiment. His walk slowed and his arms tightened.

You areso annoying, I muttered.

Thanks.

Out of nowhere, Jasper and Alice stood beside Edward. Jacob took one more step, and then set me down a half dozen feet from Edward. Without looking back at Jacob, I walked to Edwards side and took his hand.

Well? I asked.

As long as you dont touch anything, Bella, I cantimagine someone sticking their nose close enough to that trail to catch your scent, Jasper said, grimacing. It was almost completely obscured.

A definite success, Alice agreed, wrinkling her nose.

And it gave me an idea.

Which will work, Alice added confidently.

Clever, Edward agreed.

How do youstand that? Jacob muttered to me.

Edward ignored Jacob and looked at me while he explained. Were  well,youre  going to leave a false trail to the clearing, Bella. The newborns are hunting, your scent will excite them, and theyll come exactly the way we want them to without being careful about it. Alice can already see that this will work. When they catchour scent, theyll split up and try to come at us from two sides. Half will go through the forest, where her vision suddenly disappears. . . .

Yes! Jacob hissed.

Edward smiled at him, a smile of true comradeship.

I felt sick. How could they be so eager for this? How could I stand havingboth of them in danger? I couldnt.

I wouldnt.

Not a chance, Edward said suddenly, his voice disgusted. It made me jump, worrying that hed somehow heard my resolve, but his eyes were on Jasper.

I know, I know, Jasper said quickly. I didnt even consider it, not really.

Alice stepped on his foot.

If Bella was actually there in the clearing, Jasper explained to her, it would drive them insane. They wouldnt be able to concentrate on anything but her. It would make picking them off truly easy. . . .

Edwards glare had Jasper backtracking.

Of course its too dangerous for her. It was just an errant thought, he said quickly. But he looked at me from the corner of his eyes, and the look was wistful.

No, Edward said. His voice rang with finality.

Youre right, Jasper said. He took Alices hand and started back to the others. Best two out of three? I heard him ask her as they went to practice again.

Jacob stared after him in disgust.

Jasper looks at things from a military perspective, Edward quietly defended his brother. He looks at all the options  its thoroughness, not callousness.

Jacob snorted.

Hed edged closer unconsciously, drawn by his absorption in the planning. He stood only three feet from Edward now, and, standing there between them, I could feel the physical tension in the air. It was like static, an uncomfortable charge.

Edward got back to business. Ill bring her here Friday afternoon to lay the false trail. You can meet us afterward, and carry her to a place I know. Completely out of the way, and easily defensible, not that it will come to that. Ill take another route there.

And then what? Leave her with a cell phone? Jacob asked critically.

You have a better idea?

Jacob was suddenly smug. Actually, I do.

Oh. . . . Again, dog, not bad at all.

Jacob turned to me quickly, as if determined to play the good guy by keeping me in the conversation. We tried to talk Seth into staying behind with the younger two. Hes still too young, but hes stubborn and hes resisting. So I thought of a new assignment for him  cell phone.

I tried to look like I got it. No one was fooled.

As long as Seth Clearwater is in his wolf form, hell be connected to the pack, Edward said. Distance isnt a problem? he added, turning to Jacob.

Nope.

Three hundred miles? Edward asked. Thats impressive.

Jacob was the good guy again. Thats the farthest weve ever gone to experiment, he told me. Still clear as a bell.

I nodded absently; I was reeling from the idea that little Seth Clearwater was already a werewolf, too, and that made it difficult to concentrate. I could see his bright smile, so much like a younger Jacob, in my head; he couldnt be more than fifteen, if he was that. His enthusiasm at the council meeting bonfire suddenly took on new meaning. . . .

Its a good idea. Edward seemed reluctant to admit this. Ill feel better with Seth there, even without the instantaneous communication. I dont know if Id be able to leave Bella there alone. To think its come to this, though! Trusting werewolves!

Fightingwith vampires instead of against them! Jacob mirrored Edwards tone of disgust.

Well, you still get to fight against some of them, Edward said.

Jacob smiled. Thats the reason were here.



19. SELFISH

EDWARD CARRIED ME HOME IN HIS ARMS, EXPECTINGthat I wouldnt be able to hang on. I must have fallen asleep on the way.

When I woke up, I was in my bed and the dull light coming through my windows slanted in from a strange angle. Almost like it was afternoon.

I yawned and stretched, my fingers searching for him and coming up empty.

Edward? I mumbled.

My seeking fingers encountered something cool and smooth. His hand.

Are you really awake this time? he murmured.

Mmm, I sighed in assent. Have there been a lot of false alarms?

Youve been very restless 