 said, and he stared at a fixed point in the sky.

Automatically, my eyes followed his. There was a dark purple cloud hanging low over the trees. A cloud? But it was so abnormally sunny. . . . No, not a cloud  I recognized the thick column of smoke, just like the one at our campsite.

Edward, I said, my voice nearly inaudible. Edward, someone got hurt.

Id heard Seths agony, seen the torture in Edwards face.

Yes, he whispered.

Who? I asked, though, of course, I already knew the answer.

Of course I did. Of course.

The trees were slowing around us as we came to our destination.

It took him a long moment to answer me.

Jacob, he said.

I was able to nod once.

Of course, I whispered.

And then I slipped off the edge I was clinging to inside my head.

Everything went black.

I was first aware of the cool hands touching me. More than one pair of hands. Arms holding me, a palm curved to fit my cheek, fingers stroking my forehead, and more fingers pressed lightly into my wrist.

Then I was aware of the voices. They were just a humming at first, and then they grew in volume and clarity like someone was turning up a radio.

Carlisle  its been five minutes. Edwards voice, anxious.

Shell come around when shes ready, Edward. Carlisles voice, always calm and sure. Shes had too much to deal with today. Let her mind protect itself.

But my mind was not protected. It was trapped in the knowledge that had not left me, even in unconsciousness  the pain that was part of the blackness.

I felt totally disconnected from my body. Like I was caged in some small corner of my head, no longer at the controls. But I couldnt do anything about it. I couldnt think. The agony was too strong for that. There was no escape from it.

Jacob.

Jacob.

No, no, no, no, no . . .

Alice, how long do we have? Edward demanded, his voice still tense; Carlisles soothing words had not helped.

From farther away, Alices voice. It was brightly chipper. Another five minutes. And Bella will open her eyes in thirty-seven seconds. I wouldnt doubt that she can hear us now.

Bella, honey? This was Esmes soft, comforting voice. Can you hear me? Youre safe now, dear.

Yes,I was safe. Did that really matter?

Then cool lips were at my ear, and Edward was speaking the words that allowed me to escape from the torture that had me caged inside my own head.

Hes going to live, Bella. Jacob Black is healing as I speak. Hell be fine.

As the pain and dread eased, I found my way back to my body. My eyelids fluttered.

Oh, Bella, Edward sighed in relief, and his lips touched mine.

Edward, I whispered.

Yes, Im here.

I got my lids to open, and I stared into warm gold.

Jacob is okay? I asked.

Yes, he promised.

I watched his eyes carefully for some sign that he was placating me, but they were perfectly clear.

I examined him myself, Carlisle said then; I turned my head to find his face, only a few feet away. Carlisles expression was serious and reassuring at the same time. It was impossible to doubt him. His life is not in any danger. He was healing at an incredible rate, though his injuries were extensive enough that it will still be a few days before he is back to normal, even if the rate of repair holds steady. As soon as were done here, I will do what I can to help him. Sam is trying to get him to phase back to his human form. That will make treating him easier. Carlisle smiled slightly. Ive never been to veterinarian school.

What happened to him? I whispered. How bad are his injuries?

Carlisles face was serious again. Another wolf was in trouble 

Leah, I breathed.

Yes. He knocked her out of the way, but he didnt have time to defend himself. The newborn got his arms around him. Most of the bones on the right half of his body were shattered.

I flinched.

Sam and Paul got there in time. He was already improving when they took him back to La Push.

Hell be back to normal? I asked.

Yes, Bella. He wont have any permanent damage.

I took a deep breath.

Three minutes, Alice said quietly.

I struggled, trying to get vertical. Edward realized what I was doing and helped me to my feet.

I stared at the scene in front of me.

The Cullens stood in a loose semicircle around the bonfire. There were hardly any flames visible, just the thick, purple-black smoke, hovering like a disease against the bright grass. Jasper stood closest to the solid-seeming haze, in its shadow so that his skin did not glitter brilliantly in the sun the way the others did. He had his back to me, his shoulders tense, his arms slightly extended. There was something there, in his shadow. Something he crouched over with wary intensity. . . .

I was too numb to feel more than a mild shock when I realized what it was.

There were eight vampires in the clearing.

The girl was curled into a small ball beside the flames, her arms wrapped around her legs. She was very young. Younger than me  she looked maybe fifteen, dark-haired and slight. Her eyes were focused on me, and the irises were a shocking, brilliant red. Much brighter than Rileys, almost glowing. They wheeled wildly, out of control.

Edward saw my bewildered expression.

She surrendered, he told me quietly. Thats one Ive never seen before. Only Carlisle would think of offering. Jasper doesnt approve.

I couldnt tear my gaze away from the scene beside the fire. Jasper was rubbing absently at his left forearm.

Is Jasper all right? I whispered.

Hes fine. The venom stings.

He was bitten? I asked, horrified.

He was trying to be everywhere at once. Trying to make sure Alice had nothing to do, actually. Edward shook his head. Alice doesnt need anyones help.

Alice grimaced toward her true love. Overprotective fool.

The young female suddenly threw her head back like an animal and wailed shrilly.

Jasper growled at her and she cringed back, but her fingers dug into the ground like claws and her head whipped back and forth in anguish. Jasper took a step toward her, slipping deeper into his crouch. Edward moved with overdone casualness, turning our bodies so that he was between the girl and me. I peeked around his arm to watch the thrashing girl and Jasper.

Carlisle was at Jaspers side in an instant. He put a restraining hand on his most recent sons arm.

Have you changed your mind, young one? Carlisle asked, calm as ever. We dont want to destroy you, but we will if you cant control yourself.

How can you stand it? the girl groaned in a high, clear voice. Iwant her. Her bright crimson irises focused on Edward, through him, beyond him to me, and her nails ripped through the hard soil again.

You must stand it, Carlisle told her gravely. You must exercise control. It is possible, and it is the only thing that will save you now.

The girl clutched her dirt-encrusted hands around her head, yowling quietly.

Shouldnt we move away from her? I whispered, tugging on Edwards arm. The girls lips pulled back over her teeth when she heard my voice, her expression one of torment.

We have to stay here, Edward murmured. Theyare coming to the north end of the clearing now.

My heart burst into a sprint as I scanned the clearing, but I couldnt see anything past the thick pall of smoke.

After a second of fruitless searching, my gaze crept back to the young female vampire. She was still watching me, her eyes half-mad.

I met the girls stare for a long moment. Chin-length dark hair framed her face, which was alabaster pale. It was hard to tell if her features were beautiful, twisted as they were by rage and thirst. The feral red eyes were dominant  hard to look away from. She glared at me viciously, shuddering and writhing every few seconds.

I stared at her, mesmerized, wondering if I were looking into a mirror of my future.

Then Carlisle and Jasper began to back toward the rest of us. Emmett, Rosalie, and Esme all converged hastily around where Edward stood with Alice and me. A united front, as Edwar