ke it back to
La Push where it belonged and, when I no longer needed it anymore . . . well, then, I would insist that
Jacob profit from his work somehow. He could sell it or give it to a friend. It didnt matter to me.

 Tonight seemed like a good opportunity to return the bike to Jacobs garage. As gloomy as I was feeling
about things lately, every day seemed like a possible last chance. I didnt have time to procrastinate any
task, no matter how minor.

Edward only nodded when I explained what I wanted, but I thought I saw a flicker of consternation in
his eyes, and I knew he was no happier about the idea of me on a motorcycle than Charlie was.

I followed him back to his house, to the garage where Id left the bike. It wasnt until I pulled the truck in
and got out that I realized the consternation might not be entirely about my safety this time.

 Next to my little antique motorcycle, overshadowing it, was another vehicle. To call this other vehicle a
motorcycle hardly seemed fair, since it didnt seem to belong to the same family as my suddenly
shabby-looking bike.

It was big and sleek and silver and  even totally motionless  it looked fast.

What isthat ?

Nothing, Edward murmured.

It doesntlook like nothing.

 Edwards expression was casual; he seemed determined to blow it off. Well, I didnt know if you were
going to forgive your friend, or he you, and I wondered if you would still want to ride your bike anyway.
It sounded like it was something that you enjoyed. I thought I could go with you, if you wished. He
shrugged.

 I stared at the beautiful machine. Beside it, my bike looked like a broken tricycle. I felt a sudden wave of
sadness when I realized that this was not a bad analogy for the way I probably looked next to Edward.

I wouldnt be able to keep up with you, I whispered.

Edward put his hand under my chin and pulled my face around so that he could see it straight on. With
one finger, he tried to push the corner of my mouth up.

Id keep pace with you, Bella.

That wouldnt be much fun for you.

Of course it would, if we were together.

I bit my lip and imagined it for a moment. Edward, if you thought I was going too fast or losing control
of the bike or something, what would you do?

He hesitated, obviously trying to find the right answer. I knew the truth: hed find some way to save me
before I crashed.

Then he smiled. It looked effortless, except for the tiny defensive tightening of his eyes.

This is something you do with Jacob. I see that now.

Its just that, well, I dont slow him down so much, you know. I could try, I guess. . . .

I eyed the silver motorcycle doubtfully.

 Dont worry about it, Edward said, and then he laughed lightly. I saw Jasper admiring it. Perhaps its
time he discovered a new way to travel. After all, Alice has her Porsche now.

Edward, I 
He interrupted me with a quick kiss. I said not to worry. But would you do something for me?

Whatever you need, I promised quickly.

 He dropped my face and leaned over the far side of the big motorcycle, retrieving something he had
stashed there.

 He came back with one object that was black and shapeless, and another that was red and easily
identifiable.

Please? he asked, flashing the crooked smile that always destroyed my resistance.

I took the red helmet, weighing it in my hands. Ill look stupid.

 No, youll look smart. Smart enough not to get yourself hurt. He threw the black thing, whatever it
was, over his arm and then took my face in his hands. There are things between my hands right now that
I cant live without. You could take care of them.

Okay, fine. Whats that other thing? I asked suspiciously.

He laughed and shook out some kind of padded jacket. Its a riding jacket. I hear road rash is quite
uncomfortable, not that I would know myself.

 He held it out for me. With a deep sigh, I flipped my hair back and stuffed the helmet on my head. Then
I shoved my arms through the sleeves of the jacket. He zipped me in, a smile playing around the corners
of his lips, and took a step back.

I felt bulky.

Be honest, how hideous do I look?

He took another step back and pursed his lips.

That bad, huh? I muttered.

No, no, Bella. Actually . . . he seemed to be struggling for the right word. You look . . . sexy.

I laughed out loud. Right.

Very sexy, really.

You are just saying that so that Ill wear it, I said. But thats okay. Youre right, its smarter.

He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me against his chest. Youre silly. I suppose thats part of
your charm. Though, Ill admit it, this helmet does have its drawbacks.

And then he pulled the helmet off so that he could kiss me.

As Edward drove me toward La Push a little while later, I realized that this unprecedented situation felt
oddly familiar. It took me a moment of thought to pinpoint the source of the d?j? vu.
You know what this reminds me of? I asked. Its just like when I was a kid and Ren?e would pass
me off to Charlie for the summer. I feel like a seven-year-old.

Edward laughed.

 I didnt mention it out loud, but the biggest difference between the two circumstances was that Ren?e
and Charlie had been on better terms.

 About halfway to La Push, we rounded the corner and found Jacob leaning against the side of the red
Volkswagen hed built for himself out of scraps. Jacobs carefully neutral expression dissolved into a
smile when I waved from the front seat.

Edward parked the Volvo thirty yards away.

Call me whenever youre ready to come home, he said. And Ill be here.

I wont be out late, I promised.

 Edward pulled the bike and my new gear out of the trunk of his car  Id been quite impressed that it
had all fit. But it wasnt so hard to manage when you were strong enough to juggle full-sized vans, let
alone small motorcycles.

Jacob watched, making no move to approach, his smile gone and his dark eyes indecipherable.

I tucked the helmet under my arm and threw the jacket across the seat.

Do you have it all? Edward asked.

No problem, I assured him.

 He sighed and leaned toward me. I turned my face up for a goodbye peck, but Edward took me by
surprise, fastening his arms tightly around me and kissing me with as much enthusiasm as he had in the
garage  before long, I was gasping for air.

Edward laughed quietly at something, and then let me go.

Goodbye, he said. I really do like the jacket.

 As I turned away from him, I thought I saw a flash of something in his eyes that I wasnt supposed to
see. I couldnt tell for sure what it was exactly. Worry, maybe. For a second I thought it was panic. But I
was probably just making something out of nothing, as usual.

 I could feel his eyes on my back as I pushed my bike toward the invisible vampire-werewolf treaty line
to meet Jacob.

 Whats all that? Jacob called to me, his voice wary, scrutinizing the motorcycle with an enigmatic
expression.

I thought I should put this back where it belongs, I told him.
He pondered that for one short second, and then his wide smile stretched across his face.

 I knew the exact point that I was in werewolf territory because Jacob shoved away from his car and
loped quickly over to me, closing the distance in three long strides. He took the bike from me, balanced it
on the kickstand, and grabbed me up in another vice-tight hug.

I heard the Volvos engine growl, and I struggled to get free.

Cut it out, Jake! I gasped breathlessly.

 He laughed and set me down. I turned to wave goodbye, but the silver car was already disappearing
around the curve in the road.

Nice, I commented, allowing some acid to leak into my voice.

His eyes widened in false innocence. What?

Hes being pretty dang pleasant about this; you dont need to push your luck.

 He laughed again, louder than before  he found what Id said very funny indeed. I tried to see the joke
as he walked around the Rabbit to hold my door open for me.

Bella, he finally said  still chuckling  as he shut the door behind me, you cant push what you
dont have.



11. LEGENDS

 ARE YOU GONNA EAT THAT HOT DOG? PAUL ASKED JAcob, his eyes locked on the last
remnant of the huge meal the werewolves had consumed.

 Jacob leaned back against my knees and toyed with the hot dog he had spitted on a straightened wire
hanger; the flames at the edge of the bonfire licked along its blistered skin. He heaved a sigh and patted
his stomach. It was somehow still flat, though Id lost count of how many hot dogs hed eaten after his
tenth. Not to mention the super-sized bag of chips or the two-liter bottle of root beer.

 I guess, Jake said slowly. Im so full Im about to puke, but Ithink I can force it down. I wont enjoy
it at all, though. He sighed again sadly.

 Despite the fact that Paul had eaten at least as much as Jacob, he glowered and his hands balled up into
fists.

Sheesh. Jacob laughed. Kidding, Paul. Here.

He flipped the homemade skewer across the circle. I expected it to land hot-dog-first in the sand, but
Paul caught it neatly on the right end without difficulty.

Hanging out with no one but extremely dexterous people all the time was going to give me a complex.

Thanks, man, Paul said, already over his brief fit of temper.
 The fire crackled, settling lower toward the sand. Sparks blew up in a sudden puff of brilliant orange
against the black sky. Funny, I hadnt noticed that the sun had set. For the first time, I wondered how
late it had gotten. Id lost track of time completely.

It was easier being with my Quileute friends than Id expected.

 While Jacob and I had dropped off my bike at the garage  and he had admitted ruefully that the
helmet was a good idea that he should have thought of himself  Id started to worry about showing up
with him at the bonfire, wondering if the werewolves would consider me a traitor now. Would they be
angry with Jacob for inviting me? Would I ruin the party?

 But when Jacob had towed me out of the forest to the clifftop meeting place  where the fire already
roared brighter than the cloud-obscured sun  it had all been very casual and light.

Hey, vampire girl! Embry had greeted me loudly. Quil had jumped up to give me a high five and kiss
me on the cheek. Emily had squeezed my hand when wed sat on the cool stone ground beside her and
Sam.

Other than a few teasing complaints  mostly by Paul  about keeping the bloodsucker stench
downwind, I was treated like someone who belonged.

 It wasnt just kids in attendance, either. Billy was here, his wheelchair stationed at what seemed the
natural head of the circle. Beside him on a folding lawn chair, looking quite brittle, was Quils ancient,
white-haired grandfather, Old Quil. Sue Clearwater, widow of Charlies friend Harry, had a chair on his
other side; her two children, Leah and Seth, were also there, sitting on the ground like the rest of us. This
surprised me, but all three were clearly in on the secret now. From the way Billy and Old Quil spoke to
Sue, it sounded to me like shed taken Harrys place on the council. Did that make her children
automatic members of La Pushs most secret society?

 I wondered how horrible it was for Leah to sit across the circle from Sam and Emily. Her lovely face
betrayed no emotion, but she never looked away from the flames. Looking at the perfection of Leahs
features, I couldnt help but compare them to Emilys ruined face. What did Leah think of Emilys scars,
now that she knew the truth behind them? Did it seem like justice in her eyes?

 Little Seth Clearwater wasnt so little anymore. With his huge, happy grin and his long, gangly build, he
reminded me very much of a younger Jacob. The resemblance made me smile, and then sigh. Was Seth
doomed to have his life change as drastically as the rest of these boys? Was that future why he and his
family were allowed to be here?

 The whole pack was there: Sam with his Emily, Paul, Embry, Quil, and Jared with Kim, the girl hed
imprinted upon.

 My first impression of Kim was that she was a nice girl, a little shy, and a little plain. She had a wide
face, mostly cheekbones, with eyes too small to balance them out. Her nose and mouth were both too
broad for traditional beauty. Her flat black hair was thin and wispy in the wind that never seemed to let
up atop the cliff.

 That was my first impression. But after a few hours of watching Jared watch Kim, I could no longer find
anything plain about the girl.
 The way he stared at her! It was like a blind man seeing the sun for the first time. Like a collector finding
an undiscovered Da Vinci, like a mother looking into the face of her newborn child.

 His wondering eyes made me see new things about her  how her skin looked like russet-colored silk
in the firelight, how the shape of her lips was a perfect double curve, how white her teeth were against
them, how long her eyelashes were, brushing her cheek when she looked down.

 Kims skin sometimes darkened when she met Jareds awed gaze, and her eyes would drop as if in
embarrassment, but she had a hard time keeping her eyes away from his for any length of time.

Watching them, I felt like I better understood what Jacob had told me about imprinting before its
hard to resist that level of commitment and adoration.

Kim was nodding off now against Jareds chest, his arms around her. I imagined she would be very
warm there.

Its getting late, I murmured to Jacob.

 Dont startthat yet, Jacob whispered back  though certainly half the group here had hearing
sensitive enough to hear us anyway. The best part is coming.

Whats the best part? You swallowing an entire cow whole?

 Jacob chuckled his low, throaty laugh. No. Thats the finale. We didnt meet just to eat through a
weeks worth of food. This is technically a council meeting. Its Quils first time, and he hasnt heard the
stories yet. Well, hesheard them, but this will be the first time he knows theyre true. That tends to make
a guy pay closer attention. Kim and Seth and Leah are all first-timers, too.

Stories?

 Jacob scooted back beside me, where I rested against a low ridge of rock. He put his arm over my
shoulder and spoke even lower into my ear.

 The histories we always thought were legends, he said. The stories of how we came to be. The first is
the story of the spirit warriors.

 It was almost as if Jacobs soft whisper was the introduction. The atmosphere changed abruptly around
the low-burning fire. Paul and Embry sat up straighter. Jared nudged Kim and then pulled her gently
upright.

 Emily produced a spiral-bound notebook and a pen, looking exactly like a student set for an important
lecture. Sam twisted just slightly beside her  so that he was facing the same direction as Old Quil, who
was on his other side  and suddenly I realized that the elders of the council here were not three, but
four in number.

 Leah Clearwater, her face still a beautiful and emotionless mask, closed her eyes  not like she was
tired, but as if to help her concentration. Her brother leaned in toward the elders eagerly.

The fire crackled, sending another explosion of sparks glittering up against the night.

Billy cleared his throat, and, with no more introduction than his sons whisper, began telling the story in
his rich, deep voice. The words poured out with precision, as if he knew them by heart, but also with
feeling and a subtle rhythm. Like poetry performed by its author.

 The Quileutes have been a small people from the beginning, Billy said. And we are a small people
still, but we have never disappeared. This is because there has always been magic in our blood. It wasnt
always the magic of shape-shifting  that came later. First, we were spirit warriors.

 Never before had I recognized the ring of majesty that was in Billy Blacks voice, though I realized now
that this authority had always been there.

Emilys pen sprinted across the sheets of paper as she tried to keep up with him.

 In the beginning, the tribe settled in this harbor and became skilled ship builders and fishermen. But the
tribe was small, and the harbor was rich in fish. There were others who coveted our land, and we were
too small to hold it. A larger tribe moved against us, and we took to our ships to escape them.

Kaheleha was not the first spirit warrior, but we do not remember the stories that came before his. We
do not remember who was the first to discover this power, or how it had been used before this crisis.
Kahelehawas the first great Spirit Chief in our history. In this emergency, Kaheleha used the magic to
defend our land.

He and all his warriors left the ship  not their bodies, but their spirits. Their women watched over the
bodies and the waves, and the men took their spirits back to our harbor.

 They could not physically touch the enemy tribe, but they had other ways. The stories tell us that they
could blow fierce winds into their enemys camps; they could make a great screaming in the wind that
terrified their foes. The stories also tell us that the animals could see the spirit warriors and understand
them; the animals would do their bidding.

 Kaheleha took his spirit army and wreaked havoc on the intruders. This invading tribe had packs of big,
thick-furred dogs that they used to pull their sleds in the frozen north. The spirit warriors turned the dogs
against their masters and then brought a mighty infestation of bats up from the cliff caverns. They used the
screaming wind to aid the dogs in confusing the men. The dogs and bats won. The survivors scattered,
calling our harbor a cursed place. The dogs ran wild when the spirit warriors released them. The
Quileutes returned to their bodies and their wives, victorious.

The other nearby tribes, the Hohs and the Makahs, made treaties with the Quileutes. They wanted
nothing to do with our magic. We lived in peace with them. When an enemy came against us, the spirit
warriors would drive them off.

 Generations passed. Then came the last great Spirit Chief, Taha Aki. He was known for his wisdom,
and for being a man of peace. The people lived well and content in his care.

But there was one man, Utlapa, who was not content.

A low hiss ran around the fire. I was too slow to see where it came from. Billy ignored it and went on
with the legend.

 Utlapa was one of Chief Taha Akis strongest spirit warriors  a powerful man, but a grasping man,
too. He thought the people should use their magic to expand their lands, to enslave the Hohs and the
Makahs and build an empire.
 Now, when the warriors were their spirit selves, they knew each others thoughts. Taha Aki saw what
Utlapa dreamed, and was angry with Utlapa. Utlapa was commanded to leave the people, and never use
his spirit self again. Utlapa was a strong man, but the chiefs warriors outnumbered him. He had no
choice but to leave. The furious outcast hid in the forest nearby, waiting for a chance to get revenge
against the chief.

 Even in times of peace, the Spirit Chief was vigilant in protecting his people. Often, he would go to a
sacred, secret place in the mountains. He would leave his body behind and sweep down through the
forests and along the coast, making sure no threat approached.

 One day when Taha Aki left to perform this duty, Utlapa followed. At first, Utlapa simply planned to
kill the chief, but this plan had its drawbacks. Surely the spirit warriors would seek to destroy him, and
they could follow faster than he could escape. As he hid in the rocks and watched the chief prepare to
leave his body, another plan occurred to him.

Taha Aki left his body in the secret place and flew with the winds to keep watch over his people.
Utlapa waited until he was sure the chief had traveled some distance with his spirit self.

Taha Aki knew it the instant that Utlapa had joined him in the spirit world, and he also knew Utlapas
murderous plan. He raced back to his secret place, but even the winds werent fast enough to save him.
When he returned, his body was already gone. Utlapas body lay abandoned, but Utlapa had not left
Taha Aki with an escape  he had cut his own bodys throat with Taha Akis hands.

Taha Aki followed his body down the mountain. He screamed at Utlapa, but Utlapa ignored him as if
he were mere wind.

 Taha Aki watched with despair as Utlapa took his place as chief of the Quileutes. For a few weeks,
Utlapa did nothing but make sure that everyone believed he was Taha Aki. Then the changes began 
Utlapas first edict was to forbid any warrior to enter the spirit world. He claimed that hed had a vision
of danger, but really he was afraid. He knew that Taha Aki would be waiting for the chance to tell his
story. Utlapa was also afraid to enter the spirit world himself, knowing Taha Aki would quickly claim his
body. So his dreams of conquest with a spirit warrior army were impossible, and he sought to content
himself with ruling over the tribe. He became a burden  seeking privileges that Taha Aki had never
requested, refusing to work alongside his warriors, taking a young second wife and then a third, though
Taha Akis wife lived on  something unheard of in the tribe. Taha Aki watched in helpless fury.

Eventually, Taha Aki tried to kill his body to save the tribe from Utlapas excesses. He brought a fierce
wolf down from the mountains, but Utlapa hid behind his warriors. When the wolf killed a young man
who was protecting the false chief, Taha Aki felt horrible grief. He ordered the wolf away.

 All the stories tell us that it was no easy thing to be a spirit warrior. It was more frightening than
exhilarating to be freed from ones body. This is why they only used their magic in times of need. The
chiefs solitary journeys to keep watch were a burden and a sacrifice. Being bodiless was disorienting,
uncomfortable, horrifying. Taha Aki had been away from his body for so long at this point that he was in
agony. He felt he was doomed  never to cross over to the final land where his ancestors waited, stuck
in this torturous nothingness forever.

 The great wolf followed Taha Akis spirit as he twisted and writhed in agony through the woods. The
wolf was very large for its kind, and beautiful. Taha Aki was suddenly jealous of the dumb animal. At
least it had a body. At least it had a life. Even life as an animal would be better than this horrible empty
consciousness.

 And then Taha Aki had the idea that changed us all. He asked the great wolf to make room for him, to
share. The wolf complied. Taka Aki entered the wolfs body with relief and gratitude. It was not his
human body, but it was better than the void of the spirit world.

 As one, the man and the wolf returned to the village on the harbor. The people ran in fear, shouting for
the warriors to come. The warriors ran to meet the wolf with their spears. Utlapa, of course, stayed
safely hidden.

 Taha Aki did not attack his warriors. He retreated slowly from them, speaking with his eyes and trying
to yelp the songs of his people. The warriors began to realize that the wolf was no ordinary animal, that
there was a spirit influencing it. One older warrior, a man name Yut, decided to disobey the false chiefs
order and try to communicate with the wolf.

 As soon as Yut crossed to the spirit world, Taha Aki left the wolf  the animal waited tamely for his
return  to speak to him. Yut gathered the truth in an instant, and welcomed his true chief home.

 At this time, Utlapa came to see if the wolf had been defeated. When he saw Yut lying lifeless on the
ground, surrounded by protective warriors, he realized what was happening. He drew his knife and raced
forward to kill Yut before he could return to his body.

 Traitor, he screamed, and the warriors did not know what to do. The chief had forbidden spirit
journeys, and it was the chiefs decision how to punish those who disobeyed.

Yut jumped back into his body, but Utlapa had his knife at his throat and a hand covering his mouth.
Taha Akis body was strong, and Yut was weak with age. Yut could not say even one word to warn the
others before Utlapa silenced him forever.

 Taha Aki watched as Yuts spirit slipped away to the final lands that were barred to Taha Aki for all
eternity. He felt a great rage, more powerful than anything hed felt before. He entered the big wolf again,
meaning to rip Utlapas throat out. But, as he joined the wolf, the greatest magic happened.

 Taha Akis anger was the anger of a man. The love he had for his people and the hatred he had for
their oppressor were too vast for the wolfs body, too human. The wolf shuddered, and  before the
eyes of the shocked warriors and Utlapa  transformed into a man.

 The new man did not look like Taha Akis body. He was far more glorious. He was the flesh
interpretation of Taha Akis spirit. The warriors recognized him at once, though, for they had flown with
Taha Akis spirit.

 Utlapa tried to run, but Taha Aki had the strength of the wolf in his new body. He caught the thief and
c