〃This is a happy surprise！
Wonderful！〃
I stared in shock as he called our names informally； as if we were old friends
dropping in for an
unexpected visit。
He turned to our hulking escort。 〃Felix； be a dear and tell my brothers about
our pany。 I'm sure they
wouldn't want to miss this。〃
〃Yes； Master。〃 Felix nodded and disappeared back the way we had e。
〃You see； Edward？〃 The strange vampire turned and smiled at Edward like a fond
but scolding
grandfather。 〃What did I tell you？ Aren't you glad that I didn't give you what
you wanted yesterday？〃
〃Yes； Aro； I am；〃 he agreed； tightening his arm around my waist。
〃I love a happy ending。〃 Aro sighed。 〃They are so rare。 But I want the whole
story。 How did this
happen？ Alice？〃 He turned to gaze at Alice with curious； misty eyes。 〃Your
brother seemed to think you
infallible； but apparently there was some mistake。〃
〃Oh； I'm far from infallible。〃 She flashed a dazzling smile。 She looked
perfectly at ease； except that her
hands were balled into tight little fists。 〃As you can see today； I cause
problems as often as I cure them。〃
〃You're too modest；〃 Aro chided。 〃I've seen some of your more amazing
exploits； and I must admit I've
never observed anything like your talent。 Wonderful！〃
Alice flickered a glance at Edward。 Aro did not miss it。
〃I'm sorry； we haven't been introduced properly at all； have we？ It's just
that I feel like I know you
already； and I tend get ahead of myself。 Your brother introduced us yesterday；
in a peculiar way。 You
see； I share some of your brother's talent； only I am limited in a way that he