e wanted me? Jacob challenged. Okay, its a long shot, Ill give you that.

I would let her go.

Just like that?

In the sense that Id never show her how hard it was for me, yes. But I would keep watch. You see, Jacob,you might leaveher someday. Like Sam and Emily, you wouldnt have a choice. I would always be waiting in the wings, hoping for that to happen.

Jacob snorted quietly. Well, youve been much more honest than I had any right to expect . . . Edward. Thanks for letting me in your head.

As I said, Im feeling oddly grateful for your presence in her life tonight. It was the least I could do. . . . You know, Jacob, if it werent for the fact that were natural enemies and that youre also trying to steal away the reason for my existence, I might actually like you.

Maybe . . . if you werent a disgusting vampire who was planning to suck out the life of the girl I love . . . well, no, not even then.

Edward chuckled.

Can I ask you something? Edward said after a moment.

Why would you have to ask?

I can only hear if you think of it. Its just a story that Bella seemed reluctant to tell me about the other day. Something about a third wife . . . ?

What about it?

Edward didnt answer, listening to the story in Jacobs head. I heard his low hiss in the darkness.

What? Jacob demanded again.

Of course, Edward seethed. Of course! I rather wish your elders had keptthat story to themselves, Jacob.

You dont like the leeches being painted as the bad guys? Jacob mocked. You know, theyare. Thenand now.

I really couldnt care less about that part. Cant you guess which character Bella would identify with?

It took Jacob a minute. Oh. Ugh. The third wife. Okay, I see your point.

She wants to be there in the clearing. To do what little she can, as she puts it. He sighed. That was the secondary reason for my staying with her tomorrow. Shes quite inventive when she wants something.

You know, your military brother gave her the idea just as much as the story did.

Neither side meant any harm, Edward whispered, peace-making now.

And when doesthis little truce end? Jacob asked. First light? Or do we wait until after the fight?

There was a pause as they both considered.

First light, they whispered together, and then laughed quietly.

Sleep well, Jacob, Edward murmured. Enjoy the moment.

It was quiet again, and the tent held still for a few minutes. The wind seemed to have decided that it wasnt going to flatten us after all, and was giving up the fight.

Edward groaned softly. I didnt mean that quite so literally.

Sorry, Jacob whispered. You could leave, you know  give us a little privacy.

Would you like me tohelp you sleep, Jacob? Edward offered.

You could try, Jacob said, unconcerned. It would be interesting to see who walked away, wouldnt it?

Dont tempt me too far, wolf. My patience isntthat perfect.

Jacob whispered a laugh. Id rather not move just now, if you dont mind.

Edward started humming to himself, louder than usual  trying to drown out Jacobs thoughts, I assumed. But it was my lullaby he hummed, and, despite my growing discomfort with this whispered dream, I sank deeper into unconsciousness . . . into other dreams that made better sense. . . .



23. MONSTER

WHEN I WOKE UP IN THE MORNING, IT WAS VERYbright  even inside the tent, the sunlight hurt my eyes. And Iwas sweating, as Jacob had predicted. Jacob was snoring lightly in my ear, his arms still wrapped around me.

I pulled my head away from his feverishly warm chest and felt the sting of the cold morning on my clammy cheek. Jacob sighed in his sleep; his arms tightened unconsciously.

I squirmed, unable to loosen his hold, struggling to lift my head enough to see. . . .

Edward met my gaze evenly. His expression was calm, but the pain in his eyes was unconcealed.

Is it any warmer out there? I whispered.

Yes. I dont think the space heater will be necessary today.

I tried to get to the zipper, but I couldnt free my arms. I strained, fighting against Jacobs inert strength. Jacob muttered, still fast asleep, his arms constricting again.

Some help? I asked quietly.

Edward smiled. Did you want me to take his arms all the way off?

No, thank you. Just get me free. Im going to get heat stroke.

Edward unzipped the sleeping bag in a swift, abrupt movement. Jacob fell out, his bare back hitting the icy floor of the tent.

Hey! he complained, his eyes flying open. Instinctively, he flinched away from the cold, rolling onto me. I gasped as his weight knocked the breath out of me.

And then his weight was gone. I felt the impact as Jacob flew into one of the tent poles and the tent shuddered.

The growling erupted from all around. Edward was crouching in front of me, and I couldnt see his face, but the snarls were ripping angrily out of his chest. Jacob was half-crouched, too, his whole body quivering, while growls rumbled through his clenched teeth. Outside the tent, Seth Clearwaters vicious snarls echoed off the rocks.

Stop it, stop it! I yelled, scrambling awkwardly to put myself between them. The space was so small that I didnt have to stretch far to put one hand on each of their chests. Edward wrapped his hand around my waist, ready to yank me out of the way.

Stop it, now, I warned him.

Under my touch, Jacob began to calm himself. The shaking slowed, but his teeth were still bared, his eyes furiously focused on Edward. Seth continued to growl, a long unbroken sound, a violent background to the sudden silence in the tent.

Jacob? I asked, waiting until he finally dropped his glare to look at me. Are you hurt?

Of course not! he hissed.

I turned to Edward. He was looking at me, his expression hard and angry. That wasnt nice. You should say sorry.

His eyes widened in disgust. You must be joking  he was crushing you!

Because you dumped him on the floor! He didnt do it on purpose, and he didnt hurt me.

Edward groaned, revolted. Slowly, he looked up to glare at Jacob with hostile eyes. My apologies, dog.

No harm done, Jacob said, a taunting edge to his voice.

It was still cold, though not as cold as it had been. I curled my arms around my chest.

Here, Edward said, calm again. He took the parka off the floor and wrapped it over the top of my coat.

Thats Jacobs, I objected.

Jacob has a fur coat, Edward hinted.

Ill just use the sleeping bag again, if you dont mind. Jacob ignored him, climbing around us and sliding into the down bag. I wasnt quite ready to wake up. That wasnt the best nights sleep I ever had.

It was your idea, Edward said impassively.

Jacob was curled up, his eyes already closed. He yawned. I didnt say it wasnt the best night Ive ever spent. Just that I didnt get a lot of sleep. I thought Bella was never going to shut up.

I winced, wondering what might have come out of my mouth in my sleep. The possibilities were horrifying.

Im glad you enjoyed yourself, Edward murmured.

Jacobs dark eyes fluttered open. Didnt you have a nice night, then? he asked, smug.

It wasnt the worst night of my life.

Did it make the top ten? Jacob asked with perverse enjoyment.

Possibly.

Jacob smiled and closed his eyes.

But, Edward went on, if I had been able to take your place last night, it would not have made the top ten of thebest nights of my life. Dream about that.

Jacobs eyes opened into a glare. He sat up stiffly, his shoulders tense.

You know what? I think its too crowded in here.

I couldnt agree more.

I elbowed Edward in the ribs  probably giving myself a bruise.

Guess Ill catch up on my sleep later, then. Jacob made a face. I need to talk to Sam anyway.

He rolled to his knees and grabbed the doors zipper.

Pain crackled down my spine and lodged in my stomach as I abruptly realized that this could be the last time I would see him. He was going back to Sam, back to fight the horde of bloodthirsty newborn vampires.
