Neither one seemed to notice my
noisy reappearance。
〃You might control yourself on occasion； but these leeches you're taking her
to—〃 Jacob was furiously
accusing her。
〃Yes。 You're right； dog。〃 Alice was snarling； too。 〃The Volturi are the very
essence of our kind—they're
the reason your hair stands on end when you smell me。 They are the substance
of your nightmares； the
dread behind your instincts。 I'm not unaware of that。〃
〃And you take her to them like a bottle of wine for a party！〃 he shouted。
〃You think she'd be better off if I left her here alone； with Victoria
stalking her？〃
〃We can handle the redhead。〃
〃Then why is she still hunting？〃
Jacob growled； and a shudder rippled through his torso。
〃Stop that！〃 I shouted at them both； wild with impatience。 〃Argue when we get
back； let's go！〃
Alice turned for the car； disappearing in her haste。 I hurried after her；
pausing automatically to turn and
lock the door。
Jacob caught my arm with a shivering hand。 〃Please； Bella。 I'm begging。〃
His dark eyes were glistening with tears。 A lump filled my throat。
〃Jake； I have to—〃
〃You don't； though。 You really don't。 You could stay here with me。 You could
stay alive。 For Charlie。
For me。〃
The engine of Carlisle's Mercedes purred； the rhythm of the thrumming spiked
when Alice revved it
impatiently。
I shook my head； tears spattering from my eyes with the sharp motion。 I pulled
my arm free； and he
didn't fight me。
〃Don't die； Bella；〃 he choked out。 〃Don't go。 Don't。〃
What if I never saw him again？
The thought pushed me past the silent tears；