thought you were happier. That you were okay with this, I finally whispered.

Jacob smiled down at me reassuringly. Yeah. Its really not so bad. Exciting sometimes, like with this thing tomorrow. But at first it sort of felt like being drafted into a war you didnt know existed. There was no choice, you know? And it was so final. He shrugged. Anyway, I guess Im glad now. It has to be done, and could I trust someone else to get it right? Its better to make sure myself.

I stared at him, feeling an unexpected kind of awe for my friend. He was more of a grown-up than Id ever given him credit for. Like with Billy the other night at the bonfire, there was a majesty here that Id never suspected.

Chief Jacob, I whispered, smiling at the way the words sounded together.

He rolled his eyes.

Just then, the wind shook more fiercely through the trees around us, and it felt like it was blowing straight off a glacier. The sharp sound of wood cracking echoed off the mountain. Though the light was vanishing as the grisly cloud covered the sky, I could still see the little white specks that fluttered past us.

Jacob stepped up the pace, keeping his eyes on the ground now as he flat out sprinted. I curled more willingly against his chest, recoiling from the unwelcome snow.

It was only minutes later that he dashed around to the lee side of the stony peak and we could see the little tent nestled up against the sheltering face. More flurries were falling around us, but the wind was too fierce to let them settle anywhere.

Bella! Edward called out in acute relief. Wed caught him in the middle of pacing back and forth across the little open space.

He flashed to my side, sort of blurring as he moved so swiftly. Jacob cringed, and then set me on my feet. Edward ignored his reaction and caught me in a tight hug.

Thank you, Edward said over my head. His tone was unmistakably sincere. That was quicker than I expected, and I truly appreciate it.

I twisted to see Jacobs response.

Jacob merely shrugged, all the friendliness wiped clean from his face. Get her inside. This is going to be bad  my hairs standing up on my scalp. Is that tent secure?

I all but welded it to the rock.

Good.

Jacob looked up at the sky  now black with the storm, sprinkled with the swirling bits of snow. His nostrils flared.

Im going to change, he said. I want to know whats going on back home.

He hung his jacket on a low, stubby branch, and walked into the murky forest without a backward glance.




22. FIRE AND ICE

THE WIND SHOOK THE TENT AGAIN, AND I SHOOK WITH IT.

The temperature was dropping. I could feel it through the down bag, through my jacket. I was fully dressed, my hiking boots still laced into place. It didnt make any difference. How could it be so cold? How could itkeep getting colder? It had to bottom out sometime, didnt it?

W-w-w-w-w-what t-t-t-t-time is it? I forced the words through my rattling teeth.

Two, Edward answered.

Edward sat as far from me as possible in the cramped space, afraid to even breathe on me when I was already so cold. It was too dark to see his face, but his voice was wild with worry, indecision, and frustration.

Maybe . . .

No, Im f-f-f-f-f-fine, r-r-r-really. I dont w-w-w-want to g-go outside.

Hed tried to talk me into making a run for it a dozen times already, but I was terrified of leaving my shelter. If it was this cold in here, protected from the raging wind, I could imagine how bad it would be if we were running through it.

And it would waste all our efforts this afternoon. Would we have enough time to reset ourselves when the storm was over? What if it didnt end? It made no sense to move now. I could shiver my way through one night.

I was worried that the trail I had laid would be lost, but he promised that it would still be plain to the coming monsters.

What can I do? he almost begged.

I just shook my head.

Out in the snow, Jacob whined unhappily.

G-g-g-get out of h-h-h-ere, I ordered, again.

Hes just worried about you, Edward translated. Hes fine.His body is equipped to deal with this.

H-h-h-h-h-h. I wanted to say that he should still leave, but I couldnt get it past my teeth. I nearly bit my tongue off trying. At least Jacobdid seem to be well equipped for the snow, better even than the others in his pack with his thicker, longer, shaggy russet fur. I wondered why that was.

Jacob whimpered, a high-pitched, grating sound of complaint.

What do you want me to do? Edward growled, too anxious to bother with politeness anymore. Carry her throughthat ? I dont see you making yourself useful. Why dont you go fetch a space heater or something?

Im ok-k-k-k-k-k-kay, I protested. Judging from Edwards groan and the muted growl outside the tent, I hadnt convinced anyone. The wind rocked the tent roughly, and I shuddered in harmony with it.

A sudden howl ripped through the roar of the wind, and I covered my ears against the noise. Edward scowled.

That was hardly necessary, he muttered. And thats the worst idea Ive ever heard, he called more loudly.

Better than anything youve come up with, Jacob answered, his human voice startling me.Go fetch a space heater, he grumbled. Im not a St. Bernard.

I heard the sound of the zipper around the tent door pulling swiftly down.

Jacob slid through the smallest opening he could manage, while the arctic air flowed in around him, a few flecks of snow falling to the floor of the tent. I shivered so hard it was a convulsion.

I dont like this, Edward hissed as Jake zipped the tent door shut. Just give her the coat and get out.

My eyes were adjusted enough to see shapes  Jacob was carrying the parka that had been hanging on a tree next to the tent.

I tried to ask what they were talking about, but all that came out of my mouth was, W-w-w-w-w-w, as the shivering made me stutter uncontrollably.

The parkas for tomorrow  shes too cold to warm it up by herself. Its frozen. He dropped it by the door. You said she needed a space heater, and here I am. Jacob held his arms as wide as the tent allowed. As usual, when hed been running around as a wolf, hed only thrown on the bare essentials  just a pair of sweats, no shirt, no shoes.

J-J-J-J-Jake, youll f-f-f-freez-z-z-ze, I tried to complain.

Not me, he said cheerfully. I run at a toasty one-oh-eight point nine these days. Ill have you sweating in no time.

Edward snarled, but Jacob didnt even look at him. Instead, he crawled to my side and started unzipping my sleeping bag.

Edwards hand was suddenly hard on his shoulder, restraining, snow white against the dark skin. Jacobs jaw clenched, his nostrils flaring, his body recoiling from the cold touch. The long muscles in his arms flexed automatically.

Get your hand off of me, he growled through his teeth.

Keep your hands off of her, Edward answered blackly.

D-d-d-dont f-f-f-f-fight, I pleaded. Another tremor rocked through me. It felt like my teeth were going to shatter, they were slamming together so hard.

Im sure shell thank you for this when her toes turn black and drop off, Jacob snapped.

Edward hesitated, then his hand fell away and he slid back to his position in the corner.

His voice was flat and frightening. Watch yourself.

Jacob chuckled.

Scoot over, Bella, he said, zipping the sleeping bag open farther.

I stared at him in outrage. No wonder Edward was reacting this way.

N-n-n-n-n, I tried to protest.

Dont be stupid, he said, exasperated. Dont youlike having ten toes?

He crammed his body into the nonexistent space, forcing the zipper up behind himself.

And then I couldnt object  I didnt want to anymore. He was so warm. His arms constricted around me, holding me snugly against his bare chest. The heat was irresistible, like air after being underwater for too long. He cringed when I pressed my icy fingers eagerly against his skin.

Jeez, youre freezing, Bella, he complained.

S-s-s-s-sorry, I stuttered.

