think so.

Alice  tell them no! I insisted. Theyll get killed!

Jacob, Quil, and Embry all laughed out loud.

Bella, Alice said, her voice soothing, placating, separately we all could get killed. Together 

Itll be no problem, Jacob finished her sentence. Quil laughed again.

How many? Quil asked eagerly.

No! I shouted.

Alice didnt even look at me. It changes  twenty-one today, but the numbers are going down.

Why? Jacob asked, curious.

Long story, Alice said, suddenly looking around the room. And this isnt the place for it.

Later tonight? Jacob pushed.

Yes, Jasper answered him. We were already planning a . . . strategic meeting. If youre going to fight
with us, youll need some instruction.

The wolves all made a disgruntled face at the last part.

No! I moaned.

This will be odd, Jasper said thoughtfully. I never considered working together. This has to be a first.

 No doubt about that, Jacob agreed. He was in a hurry now. Weve got to get back to Sam. What
time?
Whats too late for you?

All three rolled their eyes. What time? Jacob repeated.

Three oclock?

Where?

 About ten miles due north of the Hoh Forest ranger station. Come at it from the west and youll be able
to follow our scent in.

Well be there.

They turned to leave.

Wait, Jake! I called after him. Please!Dont do this!

 He paused, turning back to grin at me, while Quil and Embry headed impatiently for the door. Dont be
ridiculous, Bells. Youre giving me a much better gift than the one I gave you.

No! I shouted again. The sound of an electric guitar drowned my cry.

 He didnt respond; he hurried to catch up with his friends, who were already gone. I watched helplessly
as Jacob disappeared.




18. INSTRUCTION

THAT HAD TO BE THE LONGEST PARTY IN THE HISTORYof the world, I complained on the
way home.

Edward didnt seem to disagree. Its over now, he said, rubbing my arm soothingly.

Because I was the only one who needed soothing. Edward was fine now  all the Cullens were fine.

 Theyd all reassured me; Alice reaching up to pat my head as I left, eyeing Jasper meaningfully until a
flood of peace swirled around me, Esme kissing my forehead and promising me everything was all right,
Emmett laughing boisterously and asking why I was the only one who was allowed to fight with
werewolves. . . . Jacobs solution had them all relaxed, almost euphoric after the long weeks of stress.
Doubt had been replaced with confidence. The party had ended on a note of true celebration.

Not for me.

Bad enough  horrible  that the Cullens would fight for me. It was already too much that I would
have to allow that. It already felt like more than I could bear.

 Not Jacob, too. Not his foolish, eager brothers  most of them even younger than I was. They were
just oversized, over-muscled children, and they looked forward to this like it was picnic on the beach. I
could not have them in danger, too. My nerves felt frayed and exposed. I didnt know how much longer I
could restrain the urge to scream out loud.

I whispered now, to keep my voice under control. Youre taking me with you tonight.

Bella, youre worn out.

You think I could sleep?

He frowned. This is an experiment. Im not sure if it will be possible for us all to . . . cooperate. I dont
want you in the middle of that.

As if that didnt make me all the more anxious to go. If you wont take me, then Ill call Jacob.

His eyes tightened. That was a low blow, and I knew it. But there was no way I was being left behind.

He didnt answer; we were at Charlies house now. The front light was on.

See you upstairs, I muttered.

 I tiptoed in the front door. Charlie was asleep in the living room, overflowing the too-small sofa, and
snoring so loudly I could have ripped a chainsaw to life and it wouldnt have wakened him.

I shook his shoulder vigorously.

Dad! Charlie!

He grumbled, eyes still closed.

Im home now  youre going to hurt your back sleeping like that. Cmon, time to move.

 It took a few more shakes, and his eyes never did open all the way, but I managed to get him off the
couch. I helped him up to his bed, where he collapsed on top of the covers, fully dressed, and started
snoring again.

He wasnt going to be looking for me anytime soon.

Edward waited in my room while I washed my face and changed into jeans and a flannel shirt. He
watched me unhappily from the rocking chair as I hung the outfit Alice had given me in my closet.

Come here, I said, taking his hand and pulling him to my bed.

 I pushed him down on the bed and then curled up against his chest. Maybe he was right and Iwas tired
enough to sleep. I wasnt going to let him sneak off without me.

He tucked my quilt in around me, and then held me close.

Please relax.

Sure.

This is going to work, Bella. I can feel it.
My teeth locked together.

He was still radiating relief. Nobody but me cared if Jacob and his friends got hurt. Not even Jacob and
his friends. Especially not them.

 He could tell I was about to lose it. Listen to me, Bella. This is going to beeasy . The newborns will be
completely taken by surprise. Theyll have no more idea that werewolves even exist than you did. Ive
seen how they act in a group, the way Jasper remembers. I truly believe that the wolves hunting
techniques will work flawlessly against them. And with them divided and confused, there wont be
enough for the rest of us to do. Someone may have to sit out, he teased.

Piece of cake, I mumbled tonelessly against his chest.

Shhh, he stroked my cheek. Youll see. Dont worry now.

He started humming my lullaby, but, for once, it didnt calm me.

 People  well, vampires and werewolves really, but still  people I loved were going to get hurt. Hurt
because of me. Again. I wished my bad luck would focus a little more carefully. I felt like yelling up at the
empty sky:Its me you want  over here! Just me!

 I tried to think of a way that I could do exactly that  force my bad luck to focus on me. It wouldnt be
easy. I would have to wait, bide my time. . . .

I did not fall asleep. The minutes passed quickly, to my surprise, and I was still alert and tense when
Edward pulled us both up into a sitting position.

Are you sure you dont want to stay and sleep?

I gave him a sour look.

He sighed, and scooped me up in his arms before he jumped from my window.

He raced through the black, quiet forest with me on his back, and even in his run I could feel the elation.
He ran the way he did when it was just us, just for enjoyment, just for the feel of the wind in his hair. It
was the kind of thing that, during less anxious times, would have made me happy.

 When we got to the big open field, his family was there, talking casually, relaxed. Emmetts booming
laugh echoed through the wide space now and then. Edward set me down and we walked hand in hand
toward them.

 It took me a minute, because it was so dark with the moon hidden behind the clouds, but I realized that
we were in the baseball clearing. It was the same place where, more than a year ago, that first
lighthearted evening with the Cullens had been interrupted by James and his coven. It felt strange to be
here again  as if this gathering wouldnt be complete until James and Laurent and Victoria joined us.
But James and Laurent were never coming back. That pattern wouldnt be repeated. Maybe all the
patterns were broken.

 Yes, someone had broken out of their pattern. Was it possible that the Volturi were the flexible ones in
this equation?
I doubted it.

 Victoria had always seemed like a force of nature to me  like a hurricane moving toward the coast in a
straight line  unavoidable, implacable, but predictable. Maybe it was wrong to limit her that way. She
had to be capable of adaptation.

You know what I think? I asked Edward.

He laughed. No.

I almost smiled.

What do you think?

I think itsall connected. Not just the two, but all three.

Youve lost me.

Three bad things have happened since you came back. I ticked them off on my fingers. The
newborns in Seattle. The stranger in my room. And  first of all  Victoria came to look for me.

His eyes narrowed as he thought about it. Why do you think so?

 Because I agree with Jasper  the Volturi love their rules. They would probably do a better job
anyway. And Id be dead if they wanted me dead, I added mentally. Remember when you were
tracking Victoria last year?

Yes. He frowned. I wasnt very good at it.

Alice said you were in Texas. Did you follow her there?

His eyebrows pulled together. Yes. Hmm . . .

 See  she could have gotten the idea there. But she doesnt know what shes doing, so the newborns
are all out of control.

He started shaking his head. Only Aro knows exactly how Alices visions work.

 Aro would knowbest, but wouldnt Tanya and Irina and the rest of your friends in Denali knowenough
? Laurent lived with them for so long. And if he was still friendly enough with Victoria to be doing favors
for her, why wouldnt he also tell her everything he knew?

Edward frowned. It wasnt Victoria in your room.

 She cant make new friends? Think about it, Edward. If itis Victoria doing this in Seattle, shesmade a
lot of new friends. Shes created them.

He considered it, his forehead creased in concentration.

Hmm, he finally said. Its possible. I still think the Volturi are most likely . . . But your theory 
theres something there. Victorias personality. Your theory suits her personality perfectly. Shes shown a
remarkable gift for self-preservation from the start  maybe its a talent of hers. In any case, this plot
would put her in no danger at all from us, if she sits safely behind and lets the newborns wreak their
havoc here. And maybe little danger from the Volturi, either. Perhaps shes counting on us to win, in the
end, though certainly not without heavy casualties of our own. But no survivors from her little army to
bear witness against her. In fact, he continued, thinking it through, if there were survivors, Id bet shed
be planning to destroy them herself. . . . Hmm. Still, shed have to have at least one friend who was a bit
more mature. No fresh-made newborn left your father alive. . . .

 He frowned into space for a long moment, and then suddenly smiled at me, coming back from his
reverie. Definitely possible. Regardless, weve got to be prepared for anything until we know for sure.
Youre very perceptive today, he added. Its impressive.

I sighed. Maybe Im just reacting to this place. It makes me feel like shes close by . . . like she sees me
now.

His jaw muscles tensed at the idea. Shell never touch you, Bella, he said.

 In spite of his words, his eyes swept carefully across the dark trees. While he searched their shadows,
the strangest expression crossed his face. His lips pulled back over his teeth and his eyes shone with an
odd light  a wild, fierce kind of hope.

 Yet, what I wouldnt give to have her that close, he murmured. Victoria, and anyone else whos ever
thought of hurting you. To have the chance to end this myself. To finish it with my own hands this time.

 I shuddered at the ferocious longing in his voice, and clenched his fingers more tightly with mine, wishing
I was strong enough to lock our hands together permanently.

We were almost to his family, and I noticed for the first time that Alice did not look as optimistic as the
others. She stood a little aside, watching Jasper stretching his arms as if he were warming up to exercise,
her lips pushed out in a pout.

Is something wrong with Alice? I whispered.

Edward chuckled, himself again. The werewolves are on their way, so she cant see anything that will
happen now. It makes her uncomfortable to be blind.

Alice, though the farthest from us, heard his low voice. She looked up and stuck her tongue out at him.
He laughed again.

Hey, Edward, Emmett greeted him. Hey, Bella. Is he going to let you practice, too?

Edward groaned at his brother. Please, Emmett, dont give her any ideas.

When will our guests arrive? Carlisle asked Edward.

 Edward concentrated for a moment, and then sighed. A minute and a half. But Im going to have to
translate. They dont trust us enough to use their human forms.

Carlisle nodded. This is hard for them. Im grateful theyre coming at all.
I stared at Edward, my eyes stretched wide. Theyre coming as wolves?

He nodded, cautious of my reaction. I swallowed once, remembering the two times Id seen Jacob in his
wolf form  the first time in the meadow with Laurent, the second time on the forest lane where Paul
had gotten angry at me. . . . They were both memories of terror.

 A strange gleam came into Edwards eyes, as though something had just occurred to him, something that
was not altogether unpleasant. He turned away quickly, before I could see any more, back to Carlisle
and the others.

Prepare yourselves  theyve been holding out on us.

What do you mean? Alice demanded.

Shh, he cautioned, and stared past her into the darkness.

The Cullens informal circle suddenly widened out into a loose line with Jasper and Emmett at the spear
point. From the way Edward leaned forward next to me, I could tell that he wished he was standing
beside them. I tightened my hand around his.

I squinted toward the forest, seeing nothing.

Damn, Emmett muttered under his breath. Did you ever see anything like it?

Esme and Rosalie exchanged a wide-eyed glance.

What is it? I whispered as quietly as I could. I cant see.

The pack has grown, Edward murmured into my ear.

 Hadnt I told him that Quil had joined the pack? I strained to see the six wolves in the gloom. Finally,
something glittered in the blackness  their eyes, higher up than they should be. Id forgotten how very
tall the wolves were. Like horses, only thick with muscle and fur  and teeth like knives, impossible to
overlook.

I could only see the eyes. And as I scanned, straining to see more, it occurred to me that there were
more than six pairs facing us.One, two, three . . . I counted the pairs swiftly in my head. Twice.

There were ten of them.

Fascinating, Edward murmured almost silently.

Carlisle took a slow, deliberate step forward. It was a careful movement, designed to reassure.

Welcome, he greeted the invisible wolves.

 Thank you, Edward responded in a strange, flat tone, and I realized at once that the words came from
Sam. I looked to the eyes shining in the center of the line, the highest up, the tallest of them all. It was
impossible to separate the shape of the big black wolf from the darkness.

Edward spoke again in the same detached voice, speaking Sams words. We will watch and listen, but
no more. That is the most we can ask of our self-control.

 That is more than enough, Carlisle answered. My son Jasper  he gestured to where Jasper stood,
tensed and ready  has experience in this area. He will teach us how they fight, how they are to be
defeated. Im sure you can apply this to your own hunting style.

They are different from you? Edward asked for Sam.

Carlisle nodded. They are all very new  only months old to this life. Children, in a way. They will
have no skill or strategy, only brute strength. Tonight their numbers stand at twenty. Ten for us, ten for
you  it shouldnt be difficult. The numbers may go down. The new ones fight amongst themselves.

 A rumble passed down the shadowy line of wolves, a low growling mutter that somehow managed to
sound enthusiastic.

We are willing to take more than our share, if necessary, Edward translated, his tone less indifferent
now.

Carlisle smiled. Well see how it plays out.

Do you know when and how theyll arrive?

Theyll come across the mountains in four days, in the late morning. As they approach, Alice will help
us intercept their path.

Thank you for the information. We will watch.

With a sighing sound, the eyes sank closer to the ground one set at a time.

 It was silent for two heartbeats, and then Jasper took a step into the empty space between the vampires
and the wolves. It wasnt hard for me to see him  his skin was as bright against the darkness as the
wolves eyes. Jasper threw a wary glance toward Edward, who nodded, and then Jasper turned his back
to the werewolves. He sighed, clearly uncomfortable.

 Carlisles right. Jasper spoke only to us; he seemed to be trying to ignore the audience behind him.
Theyll fight like children. The two most important things youll need to remember are, first, dont let
them get their arms around you and, second, dont go for the obvious kill. Thats all theyll be prepared
for. As long as you come at them from the side and keep moving, theyll be too confused to respond
effectively. Emmett?

Emmett stepped out of the line with a huge smile.

 Jasper backed toward the north end of the opening between the allied enemies. He waved Emmett
forward.

Okay, Emmett first. Hes the best example of a newborn attack.

Emmetts eyes narrowed. Illtry not to break anything, he muttered.

 Jasper grinned. What I meant is that Emmett relies on his strength. Hes very straightforward about the
attack. The newborns wont be trying anything subtle, either. Just go for the easy kill, Emmett.
Jasper backed up a few more paces, his body tensing.

Okay, Emmett  try to catch me.

 And I couldnt see Jasper anymore  he was a blur as Emmett charged him like a bear, grinning while
he snarled. Emmett was impossibly quick, too, but not like Jasper. It looked like Jasper had no more
substance than a ghost  any time it seemed Emmetts big hands had him for sure, Emmetts fingers
clenched around nothing but the air. Beside me, Edward leaned forward intently, his eyes locked on the
brawl. Then Emmett froze.

Jasper had him from behind, his teeth an inch from his throat.

Emmett cussed.

There was a muttered rumble of appreciation from the watching wolves.

Again, Emmett insisted, his smile gone.

Its my turn, Edward protested. My fingers tensed around his.

In a minute. Jasper grinned, stepping back. I want to show Bella something first.

I watched with anxious eyes as he waved Alice forward.

I know you worry about her, he explained to me as she danced blithely into the ring. I want to show
you why thats not necessary.

 Though I knew that Jasper would never allow any harm to come to Alice, it was still hard to watch as he
sank back into a crouch facing her. Alice stood motionlessly, looking tiny as a doll after Emmett, smiling
to herself. Jasper shifted forward, then slinked to her left.

Alice closed her eyes.

My heart thumped unevenly as Jasper stalked toward where Alice stood.

Jasper sprang, disappearing. Suddenly he was on the other side of Alice. She didnt appear to have
moved.

 Jasper wheeled and launched himself at her again, only to land in a crouch behind her like the first time;
all the while Alice stood smiling with her eyes closed.

I watched Alice more carefully now.

 Shewas moving  Id just been missing it, distracted by Jaspers attacks. She took a small step
forward at the exact second that Jaspers body flew through the spot where shed just been standing.
She took another step, while Jaspers grasping hands whistled past where her waist had been.

 Jasper closed in, and Alice began to move faster. She was dancing  spiraling and twisting and curling
in on herself. Jasper was her partner, lunging, reaching through her graceful patterns, never touching her,
like every movement was choreographed. Finally, Alice laughed.
Out of nowhere she was perched on Jaspers back, her lips at his neck.

Gotcha, she said, and kissed his throat.

Jasper chuckled, shaking his head. You truly are one frightening little monster.

The wolves muttered again. This time the sound was wary.

 Its good for them to learn some respect, Edward murmured, amused. Then he spoke louder. My
turn.

He squeezed my hand before he let it go.

Alice came to take his place beside me. Cool, huh? she asked me smugly.

 Very, I agreed, not looking away from Edward as he glided noiselessly toward Jasper, his movements
lithe and watchful as a jungle cat.

Ive got my eye on you, Bella, she whispered suddenly, her voice pitched so low that I could barely
hear, though her lips were at my ear.

 My gaze flickered to her face and then back to Edward. He was intent on Jasper, both of them feinting
as he closed the distance.

Alices expression was full of reproach.

Ill warn him if your plans get any more defined, she threatened in the same low murmur. It doesnt
help anything for you to put yourself in danger. Do you think either of them would give up if you died?
Theyd still fight, we all would. You cant change anything, so just be good, okay?

I grimaced, trying to ignore her.

Im watching, she repeated.

 Edward had closed on Jasper now, and this fight was more even than either of the others. Jasper had the
century of experience to guide him, and he tried to go on instinct alone as much as he could, but his
thoughts always gave him away a fraction of a second before he acted. Edward was slightly faster, but
the moves Jasper used were unfamiliar to him. They came at each other again and again, neither one able
to gain the advantage, instinctive snarls erupting constantly. It was hard to watch, but harder to look
away. They moved too fast for me to really understand what they were doing. Now and then the sharp
eyes of the wolves would catch my attention. I had a feeling the wolves were getting more out of this than
I was  maybe more than they should.

Eventually, Carlisle cleared his throat.

Jasper laughed, and took a step back. Edward straightened up and grinned at him.

Back to work, Jasper consented. Well call it a draw.

Everyone took turns, Carlisle, then Rosalie, Esme, and Emmett again. I squinted through my lashes,
cringing as Jasper attacked Esme. That one was the hardest to watch. Then he slowed down, still not
quite enough for me to understand his motions, and gave more instruction.

 You see what Im doing here? he would ask. Yes, just like that, he encouraged. Concentrate on the
sides. Dont forget where their target will be. Keep moving.

Edward was always focused, watching and also listening to what others couldnt see.

 It got more difficult to follow as my eyes got heavier. I hadnt been sleeping well lately, anyway, and it
was approaching a solid twenty-four hours since the last time Id slept. I leaned against Edwards side,
and let my eyelids droop.

Were about finished, he whispered.

 Jasper confirmed that, turning toward the wolves for the first time, his expression uncomfortable again.
Well be doing this tomorrow. Please feel welcome to observe again.

Yes, Edward answered in Sams cool voice. Well be here.

Then Edward sighed, patted my arm, and stepped away from me. He turned to his family.

The pack thinks it would be helpful to be familiar with each of our scents  so they dont make
mistakes later. If we could hold very still, it will make it easier for them.

Certainly, Carlisle said to Sam. Whatever you need.

There was a gloomy, throaty grumble from the wolf pack as they all rose to their feet.

My eyes were wide again, exhaustion forgotten.

 The deep black of the night was just beginning to fade  the sun brightening the clouds, though it hadnt
cleared the horizon yet, far away on the other side of the mountains. As they approached, it was
suddenly possible to make out shapes . . . colors.

Sam was in the lead, of course. Unbelievably huge, black as midnight, a monster straight out of my
nightmares  literally; after the first time Id seen Sam and the others in the meadow, theyd starred in
my bad dreams more than once.

Now that I could see them all, match the vastness with each pair of eyes, it looked like more than ten.
The pack was overwhelming.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw that Edward was watching me, carefully evaluating my reaction.

Sam approached Carlisle where he stood in the front, the huge pack right on his tail. Jasper stiffened, but
Emmett, on the other side of Carlisle, was grinning and relaxed.

Sam sniffed at Carlisle, seeming to wince slightly as he did. Then he moved on to Jasper.

 My eyes ran down the wary brace of wolves. I was sure I could pick out a few of the new additions.
There was a light gray wolf that was much smaller than the others, the hackles on the back of his neck
raised in distaste. There was another, the color of desert sand, who seemed gangly and uncoordinated
beside the rest. A low whine broke through the sandy wolfs control when Sams advance left him
isolated between Carlisle and Jasper.

 I stopped at the wolf just behind Sam. His fur was reddish-brown and longer than the others, shaggy in
comparison. He was almost as tall as Sam, the second larges