〃Alec；〃 she responded； embracing the boy。 They kissed each other's cheeks on
both sides。 Then he
looked at us。
〃They send you out for one and you e back with two and a half；〃 he noted；
looking at me。 〃Nice
work。〃
She laughed—the sound sparkled with delight like a baby's cooing。
〃Wele back； Edward；〃 Alec greeted him。 〃You seem in a better mood。〃
〃Marginally；〃 Edward agreed in a flat voice。 I glanced at Edward's hard face；
and wondered how his
mood could have been darker before。
Alec chuckled； and examined me as I clung to Edward's side。 〃And this is the
cause of all the trouble？〃
he asked； skeptical。
Edward only smiled； his expression contemptuous。 Then he froze。
〃Dibs；〃 Felix called casually from behind。
Edward turned； a low snarl building deep in his chest。 Felix smiled—his hand
was raised； palm up； he
curled his fingers twice； inviting Edward forward。
Alice touched Edward's arm。 〃Patience；〃 she cautioned him。
They exchanged a long glance； and I wished I could hear what she was telling
him。 I figured that it was
something to do with not attacking Felix； because Edward took a deep breath
and turned back to Alec。
〃Aro will be so pleased to see you again；〃 Alec said； as if nothing had
passed。
〃Let's not keep him waiting；〃 Jane suggested。
Edward nodded once。
Alec and Jane； holding hands； led the way down yet another wide； ornate hall—
would there ever be an
end？
They ignored the doors at the end of the hall—doors entirely sheathed in gold
—stopping halfway down
the hall and sliding aside a piece of the paneling to expose a plain wooden
doo