better
than the window shade。
I was grateful that I'd had so many months' practice with controlling my
thoughts。 Instead of dwelling on
the terrifying possibilities that； no matter what Alice said； I did not intend
to survive； I concentrated on
lesser problems。 Like； what I was going to say to Charlie if I got back：' That
was a thorny enough
problem to occupy several hours。 And Jacob？ He'd promised to wait for me； but
did that promise still
apply？ Would I end up home alone in Forks； with no one at all？ Maybe I didn't
want to survive； no
matter what happened。
It felt like seconds later when Alice shook my shoulder—I hadn't realized I'd
fallen asleep。
〃Bella；〃 she hissed； her voice a little too loud in the darkened cabin full of
sleeping humans。
I wasn't disoriented—I hadn't been out long enough for that。
〃What's wrong？〃
Alice's eyes gleamed in the dim light of a reading lamp in the row behind us。
〃It's not wrong。〃 She smiled fiercely。 〃It's right。 They're deliberating； but
they've decided to tell him no。〃
〃The Volturi？〃 I muttered； groggy。
〃Of course； Bella； keep up。 I can see what they're going to say。〃
〃Tellme。〃
An attendant tiptoed down the aisle to us。 〃Can I get you ladies a pillow？〃
His hushed whisper was a
rebuke to our paratively loud conversation。
〃No； thank you。〃 Alice beamed at up at him； her smile shockingly lovely。 The
attendant's expression was
dazed as he turned and stumbled his way back。
〃Tell me；〃 I breathed almost silently。
She whispered into my ear。 〃They're interested in him—they think his talent
could be uselul。 They're goi