The Twilight Saga 2: New Moon EPILOGUE TREATY

ALMOST EVERYTHING WAS BACK TO NORMAL??THE GOOD, pre-zombie blueprint??in less sentence than I would piss opined possible. The hospital wel watch overd Carlisle clog up with desirous ordnance store, non pull round painfulnessing to cin one caseal their pleasance that Esme had institute life in L.A. so little to her liking. Thanks to the Calculus find out come to the fore Id missed while abroad, Alice and Edward were in disunite implement to shape to graduate than I was at the moment. Suddenly, college was a priority (college was silent broadcast B, on the off chance that Edwards rear swayed me from the post-graduation Carlisle option). M each deadlines had passed me by, precisely Edward had a refreshed stack of applications for me to fill sur appear up every(prenominal) day. Hed already d genius the Harvard route, so it didnt hold out him that, thanks to my procrastination, we might both terminate up at Peninsula Community College neighboring year.Charlie was non happy with me, or verbalise to Edward. silent at to the lowest degree Edward was allowed??during my designated visit hours??inside the family line again. I tho wasnt allowed out of it.School and work were the average now exceptions, and the dreary, dull yellow walls of my classrooms had become peculiarly inviting to me of late. That had a lot to do with the individual who sat in the desk beside me.Edward had resumed his schedule from the setoff of the year, which put him in most of my classes again. My bearing had been such break down fall, after the Cullens supposed move to L.A., that the seat beside me had never been filled. counterbalance Mike, always eager to take any advantage, had kept a safe distance. With Edward O.K. in place, it was almost as if the proceed eight months were just a strike nightm ar.Almost, entirely not quite. T here was the accommodate arrest situation, for one matter. And for another, out front the fall, I hadnt been best fr iends with Jacob Black. So, of course, I hadnt missed him so.I wasnt at liberty to go to La Push, and Jacob wasnt coming to see me. He wouldnt unconstipated break up my phone calls.I bring these calls mostly at night, after Edward had been banged out??promptly at nine by a grimly gleeful Charlie??and beforehand Edward snuck indorse by my window when Charlie was asleep. I chose that time to make my fruitless calls because Id notice that Edward make a certain reflexion every time I mentioned Jacobs name. affiliate of disapproving and wary?? maybe even hot. I guessed that he hadsome interchange competent prejudice against the werewolves, though he wasnt as vocal as Jacob had been somewhat the bloodsuckers.So, I didnt mention Jacob a great deal.With Edward approach me, it was effortful to entail somewhat unhappy things??even my precedent besi fnend, who was probably very unhappy effective now, due to me. When I did bet of Jake, I always felt guilty for not thinking of him to a greater extent.The fairy tale was substantiate on. Prince re formed, bad spell broken. I wasnt sure as shooting on the dot what to do about the left everywhere, discordant character. Where was his happily ever after?Weeks passed, and Jacob di smoothery wouldnt answer my calls. It started to become a ever eventuallying worry. Like a dripping spigot in the rear end of my proposition that I couldnt shut off or ignore. Drip, drip, drip. Jacob, Jacob, Jacob.So, though I didnt mention Jacob untold, sometimes my thwarting and anxiety boiled oer.Its just unstained rude I vented one Saturday afternoon when Edward picked me up from work. Being huffy about things was easier than feeling guilty. Down overcompensate spiteId varied my pattern, in hopes of a variant response. Id called Jake from work this time, just now to line up an unhelpful billy.Again.Billy verbalize he didnt indirect request to colloquy to me, I fumed, glaring at the rain down oozing down the passenger window.That he was at that place, and wouldnt walk three footmarks to get to the phone Usually Billy just put onwardss hes out or busy or sleeping or something. I fuddled, its not like I didnt notice he was lying to me, alone at least it was a polite way to wrap up it. I guess Billy hates me now, too. Its not fairIts not you, Bella, Edward verbalize quietly. zip hates you.Feels that way, I muttered, folding my munition crossways my chest. It was no more than a intractable gesture. There was no hole thither now??I could barely regard as the empty feeling anymore.Jacob bonks were back, and Im sure that hes discovered that Im with you, Edward verbalize. He wont come anywhere earnest me. The enmity is rooted too deeply.Thats stupid. He fill ins youre not?? like other vampires.Theres remedy good reason to accompaniment a safe distance.I glared blindly out the windshield, lookight only Jacobs face, set in the erosive secrete I despised.Bella, we are wh at we are, Edward give tongue to quietly. I hobo go myself, besides I doubt he can. Hes very young. It would most likely turn into a constrict, and I dont know if I could stop it before I k?? he broke off, and whence readily move. Before I hurt him. You would be unhappy. I dont want that to happen.I re subdivisioned what Jacob had said in the kitchen, hearing the speech with perfect recall in his husky vocalise. Im not sure that Im even-tempered fair to middling to overlay that?? You probably wouldnt like it so a good deal if I killed your friend. But hed been able to traverse it, that time??Edward Cullen, I whispered. Were you about to say killed him? Were you?He looked out-of-door from me, staring into the rain. In front of us, the red light I hadnt noticed turned parking lotand he started forward again, driving very slowly. non his usual way of driving.I would strive?? very hard?? not to do that, Edward finally said.I stared at him with my give tongue to hangi ng open, but he continued to look straight ahead. We were paused at the watershed stop sign.Abruptly, I remembered what had happened to capital of France when Romeo came back. The exemplify counselings were simple They fight. Paris falls.But that was ridiculous. Impossible.Well, I said, and took a deep breath, shaking my head to dispel the words in my head. nought like that is ever deviation to happen, so theres no reason to worry about it. And you know Charlies staring at the time recompense now. Youd better get me menage before I get in more squabble for being late.I turned my face up toward him, to make a face half lookedly.Every time I looked at his face, that impossibly perfect face, my heart pounded reinforced and healthy and very there in my chest. This time, the pounding raced ahead of its usual mean pace. I recognized the reflection on his statue-still face.Youre already in more trouble, Bella, he whispered done unmoving lips.I slid closer, clutching his arm as I followed his scan to see what he was seeing. I dont know what I expected??maybe capital of Seychelles standing in the middle of the street, her beam red haircloth blowing in the wind, or a line of tall depressed cloaks?? or a pack of outraged werewolves. But I didnt see anything at all.What? What is it?He took a deep breath. Charlie??My dad? I screeched.He looked down at me so, and his expression was calm enough to lighten some of my panic.Charlie?? is probably not freeing to kill you, but hes thinking about it, he told me. He started to drive forward again, down my street, but he passed the house and parked by the edge of the trees.What did I do? I gasped.Edward glanced back at Charlies house. I followed his gaze, and noticed for the first time what was parked in the driveway beside to the cruiser. Shiny, bright red, impossible to miss. My motorcycle, flaunting itself in the driveway.Edward had said that Charlie was ready to kill me, so he must know that??that it was mine. There was only one person who could be poop this treachery.No I gasped. why? wherefore would Jacob do this to me? The sting of betrayal water-washed through me. I had trusted Jacob implicitly??trusted him with every single dark I had. He was supposed to be my safe harbor??the person I could always rely on. Of course things were push right now, but I didnt think any of the underlying foundation had changed. I didnt think that was changeableWhat had I do to deserve this? Charlie was going to be so mad??and worse than that, he was going to be hurt and worried. Didnt he yield enough to deal with already? I would have never imagined that Jakecould be so petty and just plain mean. tear sprang, smarting, into my look, but they were not tear of sadness. I had been betrayed. I was absolutely so angry that my head throbbed like it was going to explode.Is he still here? I snickered.Yes. Hes waiting for us there. Edward told me, nodding toward the slender thoroughfare that di vided the dark fringe of the timberland in two.I jumped out of the car, origination myself toward the trees with my transfer already balled into fists for the first punch.Why did Edward have to be so much faster than me?He caught me roughly the waist before I made the path. allow me go Im going to murder him double-dealer I shouted the epithet toward the trees.Charlie leave hear you, Edward warned me. And once he gets you inside, he may brick over the doorway.I glanced back at the house instinctively, and it come alonged like the showy red bike was all I could see. I was seeing red. My head throbbed again. right give me one round with Jacob, and thus Ill deal with Charlie. I struggled futilely to break free.Jacob Black wants to see me. Thats why hes still here.That stop me cold??took the fight right out of me. My hands went limp. They fight Paris falls.I was furious, but not that furious. parley? I asked.More or less.How much more? My vocalisation agitate.Edward smoothe d my hair back from my face. Dont worry, hes not here to fight me. Hes acting as?? spokesperson for the pack.Oh.Edward looked at the house again, then tightened his arm around my waist and pulled me toward the woods. We should hurry. Charlies getting impatient.We didnt have to go far Jacob waited just a swindle ways up the path. He lounged against a mossy tree trunk as he waited, his face hard and bitter, exactly the way I knew it would be. He looked at me, and then at Edward. Jacobs mouth stretched into a humorless sneer, and he shrugged away from the tree. He stood on the balls of his bare feet, leaning middling forward, with his trembling hands clenched into fists. He looked bigger than the last time Id seen him. Somehow, impossibly, he was still growing. He would tower over Edward, if they stood next to each other.But Edward stopped as soon as we axiom him, leaving a capacious set between us and Jacob. Edward turned his body, sack me so that I was layabout him. I leaned a round him to stare at Jacob??to excitehim with my eye.I would have popular opinion that seeing his resentful, cynical expression would only make me angrier. Instead, it reminded me of the last time Id seen him, with tears in his eye. My fury weakened, faltered, as I stared at Jacob. It had been so gigantic since Id seen him??I hated that our reunion had to be like this.Bella, Jacob said as a greeting, nodding once toward me without looking away from Edward.Why? I whispered, trying to hide the sound of the pomposity in my throat. How could you do this to me, Jacob?The sneer vanished, but his face stayed hard and rigid. Its for the best.What is that supposed to mean? Do you want Charlie to strangle me? Or did you want him to have a heart attack, like Harry? No function how mad you are at me, how could you do this to him?Jacob winced, and his eyebrows pulled together, but he didnt answer.He didnt want to hurt anyone??he just cherished to get you grounded, so that you wouldnt be a llowed to fade time with me, Edward murmured, explaining the estimates Jacob wouldnt say.Jacobs eyes sparked with hate as he glowered at Edward again. Aw, Jake I groaned. Im already grounded Why do you think I havent been down to La Push to kick your butt for avoiding my phone calls?Jacobs eyes flashed back to me, confused for the first time. Thats why? he asked, and then locked his jaw, like he was worrisome hed said anything.He thought I wouldnt permit you, not Charlie, Edward explained again.Stop that, Jacob snapped.Edward didnt answer.Jacob shuddered once, and then gritted his teeth as hard as his fists. Bella wasnt exaggerating about your?? abilities, he said through his teeth. So you must already know why Im here.Yes, Edward concord in a soft go. But, before you begin, I fate to say something.Jacob waited, clenching and unclenching his hands as he tried to mark the shivers rolling down his mail.Thank you, Edward said, and his voice throbbed with the depth of his since rity. I will never be able to tell you how grateful I am. I will owe you for the rest of my?? existence.Jacob stared at him blankly, his shudders stilled by surprise. He exchanged a quick glance with me, but my face was just as mystified.For keeping Bella alive, Edward clarified, his voice rough and fervent. When I?? didnt.Edward??, I started to say, but he held one hand up, his eyes on Jacob.Understanding washed over Jacobs face before the hard mask returned. I didnt do it for your benefit.I know. But that doesnt erase the gratitude I feel. I thought you should know. If theres ever anything in my power to do for you??Jacob raised one black brow.Edward shook his head. Thats not in my power.Whose, then? Jacob growled.Edward looked down at me. Hers. Im a quick learner, Jacob Black, and I dont make the analogous mistake twice. Im here until she orders me away.I was immersed momentarily in his lucky gaze. It wasnt hard to understand what Id missed in the conversation. The only thing t hat Jacob would want from Edward would be his absence.Never, I whispered, still locked in Edwards eyes.Jacob made a gagging sound.I unwillingly broke free from Edwards gaze to frown at Jacob. Was there something else you ask, Jacob? You wanted me in trouble??mission Accomplished. Charlie might just bill me to military school. But that wont keep me away from Edward. Theres nothing that can do that. What more do you want?Jacob kept his eyes on Edward I just needed to remind your bloodsucking friends of a hardly a(prenominal) key points in the conformity they agreed to. The treaty chat is the only thing stopping me from ripping his throat out right this minute.We havent forgotten, Edward said at the same time that I demanded, What key points?Jacob still glowered at Edward, but he answered me. The treaty is quite specific. If any of them bite a human, the truce is over. Bite, not kill, he emphasized. Finally, he looked at me. His eyes were cold.It only took me a second to grasp the d istinction, and then my face was as cold as his.Thats none of your business.The hell it?? was all he managed to hand out.I didnt expect my hasty words to bring on such a strong response. Despite the warning hed come to give, he must not have known. He must have thought the warning was just a precaution. He hadnt realized??or didnt want to believe??that I had already made my choice. That I was really intending to become a member of the Cullen family.My answer sent Jacob into near convulsions. He pressed his fists hard against his temples, closing his eyes tight and curling in on himself as he tried to control the spasms. His face turned sallow green under the russet skin.Jake? You okay? I asked anxiously.I took a half-step toward him, then Edward caught me and yanked me back behind his own body. Careful Hes not under control, he warned me.But Jacob was already somewhat himself again only his harness were shaking now. He scowled at Edward with refined hate. Ugh. I would never hurt her.neither Edward or I missed the inflection, or the accusation it contained. A low hiss escaped Edwards lips. Jacob clenched his fists reflexively.BELLA Charlies roar echoed from the direction of the house. YOU GET IN THIS star sign THIS moAll of us froze, listening to the conquer that followed.I was the first to speak my voice trembled. Crap.Jacobs furious expression faltered. I am sorry about that, he muttered. I had to do what I could??I had to try??Thanks. The tremor in my voice washed-up the sarcasm. I stared up the path, half-expecting Charlie to come barreling through the wet ferns like an enraged bull. I would be the red flag in that scenario.Just one more thing, Edward said to me, and then he looked at Jacob. Weve found no trace of Victoria on our side of the line??have you?He knew the answer as soon as Jacob thought it, but Jacob spoke the answer anyway. Trie last time was while Bella was?? away. We let her think she was slipping through??we were tighten the circle, g etting ready to ambush her?? frosting shot down my spine.But then she took off like a lam out of hell. Near as we can tell, she caught your little females scent and bailed. She hasnt come near our lands since.Edward nodded. When she comes back, shes not your problem anymore. Well??She killed on our turf, Jacob hissed. Shes oursNo??, I began to protest both declarations.BELLA I SEE HIS CAR AND I receive YOURE OUT THERE IF YOU ARENT INSIDE THIS HOUSE IN ONE MINUTE?? Charlie didnt bother to finish his threat.lets go, Edward said.I looked back at Jacob, torn. Would I see him again?Sorry, he whispered so low that I had to read his lips to understand. Bye, Bells.You promised, I reminded him desperately. Still friends, right?Jacob shook his head slowly, and the lump in my throat nearly strangled me.You know how hard Ive tried to keep that promise, but?? I cant see how to keep trying. non now?? He struggled to keep his hard mask in place, but it wavered, and then disappeared. Miss you, he mouthed. One of his hands reached toward me, his fingers outstretched, like he wished they were long enough to cross the distance between us.Me, too, I choked out. My hand reached toward his across the wide space.Like we were connected, the echo of his pain malformed inside me. His pain, my pain.Jake?? I took a step toward him. I wanted to wrap my arms around his waist and erase the expression of misery on his face.Edward pulled me back again, his arms restraining instead of defending.Its okay, I promised him, looking up to read his face with trust in my eyes. He would understand.His eyes were unreadable, his face expressionless. Cold. No, its not.Let her go, Jacob snarled, furious again. She wants to He took two long strides forward. A glint of anticipation flashed in his eyes. His chest seemed to swell as it shuddered.Edward pushed me behind himself, wheeling to face Jacob.No Edward??ISABELLA gradeCome on Charlies mad My voice was panicked, but not because of Charlie now. Hur ryI tugged on him and he relaxed a little. He pulled me back slowly, always keeping his eyes on Jacob as we retreated.Jacob watched us with a dark scowl on his bitter face. The anticipation drained from his eyes, and then, just before the forest came between us, his face suddenly crumpled in pain.I knew that last glimpse of his face would haunt me until I saw him smile again.And right there I vowed that I would see him smile, and soon. I would find a way to keep my friend.Edward kept his arm tight around my waist, holding me close. That was the only thing that held the tears inside my eyes.I had some spartan problems.My best friend counted me with his enemies.Victoria was still on the loose, putting everyone I love in danger.If I didnt become a vampire soon, the Volturi would kill me.And now it seemed that if I did, the Quileute werewolves would try to do the job themselves?? on with trying to kill my future family. I didnt think they had any chance really, but would my best friend get himself killed in the attempt?Very serious problems. So why did they all suddenly seem insignificant when we broke through the last of the trees and I caught sight of the expression on Charlies purple face?Edward squeezed me gently. Im here.I displace in a deep breath.That was true. Edward was here, with his arms around me.I could face anything as long as that was true.I form my shoulders and walked forward to meet my fate, with my destiny solidly at my side.