 twitching; grasping at blades of grass, Rileys arm began to drag itself mindlessly
across the ground.

Seth was circling Riley again, and now Riley was retreating. He backed away from the advancing
werewolf, his face rigid with pain. He raised his one arm defensively.

 Seth rushed Riley, and the vampire was clearly off-balance. I saw Seth sink his teeth into Rileys
shoulder and tear, jumping back again.

With an earsplitting metallic screech, Riley lost his other arm.

 Seth shook his head, flinging the arm into the woods. The broken hissing noise that came through Seths
teeth sounded like snickering.
Riley screamed out a tortured plea. Victoria!

Victoria did not even flinch to the sound of her name. Her eyes did not flicker once toward her partner.

 Seth launched himself forward with the force of a wrecking ball. The thrust carried both Seth and Riley
into the trees, where the metallic screeching was matched by Rileys screams. Screams that abruptly cut
off, while the sounds of rock being ripped to shreds continued.

 Though she spared Riley no farewell glance, Victoria seemed to realize that she was on her own. She
began to back away from Edward, frenzied disappointment blazing in her eyes. She threw me one short,
agonized stare of longing, and then she started to retreat faster.

No, Edward crooned, his voice seductive. Stay just a little longer.

She wheeled and flew toward the refuge of the forest like an arrow from a bow.

But Edward was faster  a bullet from a gun.

He caught her unprotected back at the edge of the trees and, with one last, simple step, the dance was
over.

 Edwards mouth brushed once across her neck, like a caress. The squealing clamor coming from Seths
efforts covered every other noise, so there was no discernible sound to make the image one of violence.
He could have been kissing her.

And then the fiery tangle of hair was no longer connected to the rest of her body. The shivering orange
waves fell to the ground, and bounced once before rolling toward the trees.




25. MIRROR

 IFORCED MY EYES FROZEN WIDE OPEN WITH SHOCK to move, so that I could not
examine too closely the oval object wrapped in tendrils of shivering, fiery hair.

Edward was in motion again. Swift and coolly businesslike, he dismembered the headless corpse.

 I could not go to him  I could not make my feet respond; they were bolted to the stone beneath them.
But I scrutinized his every action minutely, looking for any evidence that he had been harmed. My heart
slowed to a healthier rhythm when I found nothing. He was lithe and graceful as ever. I couldnt even see
a tear in his clothes.

 He did not look at me  where I stood frozen to the cliff wall, horrified  while he piled the quivering,
twitching limbs and then covered them with dry pine needles. He still did not meet my shocked gaze as he
darted into the forest after Seth.

I didnt have time to recover before both he and Seth were back, Edward with his arms full of Riley.
Seth was carrying a large chunk  the torso  in his mouth. They added their burden to the pile, and
Edward pulled a silver rectangle from his pocket. He flipped open the butane lighter and held the flame to
the dry tinder. It caught at once; long tongues of orange fire licked rapidly across the pyre.

Get every piece, Edward said in a low aside to Seth.

 Together, the vampire and the werewolf scoured the campsite, occasionally tossing small lumps of white
stone into the blaze. Seth handled the pieces with his teeth. My brain wasnt working well enough for me
to understand why he didnt change back to a form with hands.

Edward kept his eyes on his work.

 And then they were done, and the raging fire was sending a pillar of choking purple toward the sky. The
thick smoke curled up slowly, looking more solid than it should; it smelled like burning incense, and the
scent was uncomfortable. It was heavy, too strong.

Seth made that snickering sound again, deep in his chest.

A smile flickered across Edwards tense face.

 Edward stretched out his arm, his hand curled into a fist. Seth grinned, revealing the long row of dagger
teeth, and bumped his nose against Edwards hand.

Nice teamwork, Edward murmured.

Seth coughed a laugh.

Then Edward took a deep breath, and turned slowly to face me.

I did not understand his expression. His eyes were as wary as if I were another enemy  more than
wary, they were afraid. Yet hed shown no fear at all when hed faced Victoria and Riley. . . . My mind
was stuck, stunned and useless as my body. I stared at him, bewildered.

 Bella, love, he said in his softest tone, walking toward me with exaggerated slowness, his hands held
up, palms forward. Dazed as I was, it reminded me oddly of a suspect approaching a policeman,
showing that he wasnt armed. . . .

Bella, can you drop the rock, please? Carefully. Dont hurt yourself.

Id forgotten all about my crude weapon, though I realized now that I was grasping it so hard that my
knuckle was screaming in protest. Was it rebroken? Carlisle would put me in a cast for sure this time.

Edward hesitated a few feet from me, his hands still in the air, his eyes still fearful.

It took me a few long seconds to remember how to move my fingers. Then the rock clattered to the
ground, while my hand stayed frozen in the same position.

Edward relaxed slightly when my hands were empty, but came no closer.

You dont have to be afraid, Bella, Edward murmured. Youre safe. I wont hurt you.

The mystifying promise only confused me further. I stared at him like an imbecile, trying to understand.
 Its going to be all right, Bella. I know youre frightened now, but its over. No one is going to hurt you.
I wont touch you. I wont hurt you, he said again.

My eyes blinked furiously, and I found my voice. Why do you keep saying that?

I took an unsteady step toward him, and he leaned away from my advance.

Whats wrong? I whispered. What do you mean?

Are you . . . His golden eyes were suddenly as confused as I felt. Arent you afraid of me?

Afraid of you?Why? 

 I staggered forward another step, and then tripped over something  my own feet probably. Edward
caught me, and I buried my face in his chest and started to sob.

Bella, Bella, Im so sorry. Its over, its over.

Im fine, I gasped. Im okay. Im just. Freaking out. Give me. A minute.

His arms tightened around me. Im so sorry, he murmured again and again.

 I clung to him until I could breathe, and then I was kissing him  his chest, his shoulder, his neck 
every part of him that I could reach. Slowly, my brain started to work again.

Are you okay? I demanded between kisses. Did she hurt you at all?

I am absolutely fine, he promised, burying his face in my hair.

Seth?

Edward chuckled. More than fine. Very pleased with himself, in fact.

The others? Alice, Esme? The wolves?

All fine. Its over there, too. It went just as smoothly as I promised. We got the worst of it here.

I let myself absorb that for a moment, let it sink in and settle in my head.

My family and my friends were safe. Victoria was never coming after me again. It was over.

We were all going to be fine.

But I couldnt completely take in the good news while I was still so confused.

Tell me why, I insisted. Why did you think I would be afraid of you?

 Im sorry, he said, apologizing yet again  for what? I had no idea. So sorry. I didnt want you to
see that. Seeme like that. I know I must have terrified you.

I had to think about that for another minute, about the hesitant way hed approached me, his hands in the
air. Like I was going to run if he moved too fast. . . .

Seriously? I finally asked. You . . . what? Thought youd scared me off? I snorted. Snorting was
good; a voice couldnt tremble or break during a snort. It sounded impressively offhand.

He put his hand under my chin and tilted my head back to read my face.

 Bella, I just  he hesitated and then forced the words out  I just beheaded and dismembered a
sentient creature not twenty yards from you. That doesntbother you?

He frowned at me.

I shrugged. Shrugging was good, too. Very blas?. Not really. I was only afraid that you and Seth were
going to get hurt. I wanted to help, but theres only so much I can do. . . .

His suddenly livid expression made my voice fade out.

Yes, he said, his tone clipped. Your little stunt with the rock. You know that you nearly gave me a
heart attack? Not the easiest thing to do, that.

His furious glower made it hard to answer.

I wanted to help . . . Seth was hurt. . . .

Seth was only feigning that he was hurt, Bella. It was a trick. And then you . . . ! He shook his head,
unable to finish. Seth couldnt see what you were doing, so I had to step in. Seths a bit disgruntled that
he cant claim a single-handed defeat now.

Seth was . . . faking?

Edward nodded sternly.

Oh.

 We both looked at Seth, who was studiously ignoring us, watching the flames. Smugness radiated from
every hair in his fur.

 Well, I didnt know that, I said, on the offense now. And its not easy being the only helpless person
around. Just you wait till Im a vampire! Im not going to be sitting on the sidelines next time.

 A dozen emotions flitted across his face before he settled on being amused. Next time? Did you
anticipate another war soon?

With my luck? Who knows?

He rolled his eyes, but I could see that he was flying  the relief was making us both lightheaded. It was
over.

Or . . . was it?

Hold on. Didnt you say something before  ? I flinched, remembering whatexactly it had been
before  what was I going to say to Jacob? My splintered heart throbbed out a painful, aching beat. It
was hard to believe, almost impossible, but the hardest part of this day wasnot behind me  and then I
soldiered on. About a complication? And Alice, needing to nail down the schedule for Sam. You said it
was going to be close. What was going to be close?

Edwards eyes flickered back to Seth, and they exchanged a loaded glance.

Well? I asked.

Its nothing, really, Edward said quickly. But we do need to be on our way. . . .

He started to pull me into place on his back, but I stiffened and drew away.

Define nothing.

 Edward took my face between his palms. We only have a minute, so dont panic, all right? I told you
that you had no reason to be afraid. Trust me on that, please?

 I nodded, trying to hide the sudden terror  how much more could I handle before I collapsed? No
reason to be afraid. Got it.

He pursed his lips for a second, deciding what to say. And then he glanced abruptly at Seth, as if the
wolf had called him.

Whats she doing? Edward asked.

Seth whined; it was an anxious, uneasy sound. It made the hair on the back of my neck rise.

Everything was dead silent for one endless second.

 And then Edward gasped, No! and one of his hands flew out as if to grab something that I couldnt
see. Dont !

A spasm rocked through Seths body, and a howl, blistering with agony, ripped from his lungs.

 Edward fell to his knees at the exact same moment, gripping the sides of his head with two hands, his
face furrowed in pain.

I screamed once in bewildered terror, and dropped to my knees beside him. Stupidly, I tried to pull his
hands from his face; my palms, clammy with sweat, slid off his marble skin.

Edward! Edward!

His eyes focused on me; with obvious effort, he pulled his clenched teeth apart.

Its okay. Were going to be fine. Its  He broke off, and winced again.

Whats happening? I cried out while Seth howled in anguish.

Were fine. Were going to be okay, Edward gasped. Sam  help him 
And I realized in that instant, when he said Sams name, that he was not speaking of himself and Seth.
No unseen force was attacking them. This time, the crisis was not here.

He was using the pack plural.

 Id burned through all my adrenaline. My body had nothing left. I sagged, and Edward caught me before
I could hit the rocks. He sprang to his feet, me in his arms.

Seth! Edward shouted.

Seth was crouched, still tensed in agony, looking as if he meant to launch himself into the forest.

No! Edward ordered. You gostraight home. Now. As fast as you can!

Seth whimpered, shaking his great head from side to side.

Seth. Trust me.

 The huge wolf stared into Edwards agonized eyes for one long second, and then he straightened up and
flew into the trees, disappearing like a ghost.

 Edward cradled me tightly against his chest, and then we were also hurtling through the shadowy forest,
taking a different path than the wolf.

Edward. I fought to force the words through my constricted throat. What happened, Edward? What
happened to Sam? Where are we going? Whats happening?

We have to go back to the clearing, he told me in a low voice. We knew there was a good
probability of this happening. Earlier this morning, Alice saw it and passed it through Sam to Seth. The
Volturi decided it was time to intercede.

The Volturi.

Too much. My mind refused to make sense of the words, pretended it couldnt understand.

The trees jolted past us. He was running downhill so fast that it felt as if we were plummeting, falling out
of control.

 Dont panic. They arent coming for us. Its just the normal contingent of the guard that usually cleans
up this kind of mess. Nothing momentous, theyre merely doing their job. Of course, they seem to have
timed their arrival very carefully. Which leads me to believe that no one in Italy would mourn if these
newbornshad reduced the size of the Cullen family. The words came through his teeth, hard and bleak.
Ill know for sure what they were thinking when they get to the clearing.

 Is that why were going back? I whispered. Could I handle this? Images of flowing black robes crept
into my unwilling mind, and I flinched away from them. I was close to a breaking point.

 Its part of the reason. Mostly, it will be safer for us to present a united front at this point. They have no
reason to harass us, but . . . Janes with them. If she thought we were alone somewhere away from the
others, it might tempt her. Like Victoria, Jane will probably guess that Im with you. Demetri, of course,
is with her. He could find me, if Jane asked him to.
I didnt want to think that name. I didnt want to see that blindingly exquisite, childlike face in my head.
A strange sound came out of my throat.

Shh, Bella, shh. Its all going to be fine. Alice can see that.

Alice could see? But . . . then where were the wolves? Where was the pack?

The pack?

They had to leave quickly. The Volturi do not honor truces with werewolves.

I could hear my breathing get faster, but I couldnt control it. I started to gasp.

 I swear they will be fine, Edward promised me. The Volturi wont recognize the scent  they wont
realize the wolves are here; this isnt a species they are familiar with. The pack will be fine.

I couldnt process his explanation. My concentration was ripped to shreds by my fears.Were going to
be fine, he had said before . . . and Seth, howling in agony . . . Edward had avoided my first question,
distracted me with the Volturi. . . .

I was very close to the edge  just clinging by my fingertips.

The trees were a racing blur that flowed around him like jade waters.

What happened? I whispered again. Before. When Seth was howling? When you were hurt?

Edward hesitated.

Edward! Tell me!

It was all over, he whispered. I could barely hear him over the wind his speed created. The wolves
didnt count their half . . . they thought they had them all. Of course, Alice couldnt see. . . .

What happened?!

 One of the newborns was hiding. . . . Leah found him  she was being stupid, cocky, trying to prove
something. She engaged him alone. . . .

Leah, I repeated, and I was too weak to feel shame for the relief that flooded through me. Is she
going to be okay?

Leah wasnt hurt, Edward mumbled.

I stared at him for a long second.

Sam  help him Edward had gasped. Him, not her.

Were almost there, Edward said, and he stared at a fixed point in the sky.

Automatically, my eyes followed his. There was a dark purple cloud hanging low over the trees. A
cloud? But it was so abnormally sunny. . . . No, not a cloud  I recognized the thick column of smoke,
just like the one at our campsite.

Edward, I said, my voice nearly inaudible. Edward, someone got hurt.

Id heard Seths agony, seen the torture in Edwards face.

Yes, he whispered.

Who? I asked, though, of course, I already knew the answer.

Of course I did. Of course.

The trees were slowing around us as we came to our destination.

It took him a long moment to answer me.

Jacob, he said.

I was able to nod once.

Of course, I whispered.

And then I slipped off the edge I was clinging to inside my head.

Everything went black.

 I was first aware of the cool hands touching me. More than one pair of hands. Arms holding me, a palm
curved to fit my cheek, fingers stroking my forehead, and more fingers pressed lightly into my wrist.

 Then I was aware of the voices. They were just a humming at first, and then they grew in volume and
clarity like someone was turning up a radio.

Carlisle  its been five minutes. Edwards voice, anxious.

 Shell come around when shes ready, Edward. Carlisles voice, always calm and sure. Shes had
too much to deal with today. Let her mind protect itself.

But my mind was not protected. It was trapped in the knowledge that had not left me, even in
unconsciousness  the pain that was part of the blackness.

 I felt totally disconnected from my body. Like I was caged in some small corner of my head, no longer
at the controls. But I couldnt do anything about it. I couldnt think. The agony was too strong for that.
There was no escape from it.

Jacob.

Jacob.

No, no, no, no, no . . .
Alice, how long do we have? Edward demanded, his voice still tense; Carlisles soothing words had
not helped.

 From farther away, Alices voice. It was brightly chipper. Another five minutes. And Bella will open her
eyes in thirty-seven seconds. I wouldnt doubt that she can hear us now.

Bella, honey? This was Esmes soft, comforting voice. Can you hear me? Youre safe now, dear.

Yes,I was safe. Did that really matter?

 Then cool lips were at my ear, and Edward was speaking the words that allowed me to escape from the
torture that had me caged inside my own head.

Hes going to live, Bella. Jacob Black is healing as I speak. Hell be fine.

As the pain and dread eased, I found my way back to my body. My eyelids fluttered.

Oh, Bella, Edward sighed in relief, and his lips touched mine.

Edward, I whispered.

Yes, Im here.

I got my lids to open, and I stared into warm gold.

Jacob is okay? I asked.

Yes, he promised.

I watched his eyes carefully for some sign that he was placating me, but they were perfectly clear.

 I examined him myself, Carlisle said then; I turned my head to find his face, only a few feet away.
Carlisles expression was serious and reassuring at the same time. It was impossible to doubt him. His
life is not in any danger. He was healing at an incredible rate, though his injuries were extensive enough
that it will still be a few days before he is back to normal, even if the rate of repair holds steady. As soon
as were done here, I will do what I can to help him. Sam is trying to get him to phase back to his human
form. That will make treating him easier. Carlisle smiled slightly. Ive never been to veterinarian school.

What happened to him? I whispered. How bad are his injuries?

Carlisles face was serious again. Another wolf was in trouble 

Leah, I breathed.

 Yes. He knocked her out of the way, but he didnt have time to defend himself. The newborn got his
arms around him. Most of the bones on the right half of his body were shattered.

I flinched.

Sam and Paul got there in time. He was already improving when they took him back to La Push.
Hell be back to normal? I asked.

Yes, Bella. He wont have any permanent damage.

I took a deep breath.

Three minutes, Alice said quietly.

I struggled, trying to get vertical. Edward realized what I was doing and helped me to my feet.

I stared at the scene in front of me.

 The Cullens stood in a loose semicircle around the bonfire. There were hardly any flames visible, just the
thick, purple-black smoke, hovering like a disease against the bright grass. Jasper stood closest to the
solid-seeming haze, in its shadow so that his skin did not glitter brilliantly in the sun the way the others
did. He had his back to me, his shoulders tense, his arms slightly extended. There was something there, in
his shadow. Something he crouched over with wary intensity. . . .

I was too numb to feel more than a mild shock when I realized what it was.

There were eight vampires in the clearing.

The girl was curled into a small ball beside the flames, her arms wrapped around her legs. She was very
young. Younger than me  she looked maybe fifteen, dark-haired and slight. Her eyes were focused on
me, and the irises were a shocking, brilliant red. Much brighter than Rileys, almost glowing. They
wheeled wildly, out of control.

Edward saw my bewildered expression.

She surrendered, he told me quietly. Thats one Ive never seen before. Only Carlisle would think of
offering. Jasper doesnt approve.

 I couldnt tear my gaze away from the scene beside the fire. Jasper was rubbing absently at his left
forearm.

Is Jasper all right? I whispered.

Hes fine. The venom stings.

He was bitten? I asked, horrified.

He was trying to be everywhere at once. Trying to make sure Alice had nothing to do, actually.
Edward shook his head. Alice doesnt need anyones help.

Alice grimaced toward her true love. Overprotective fool.

The young female suddenly threw her head back like an animal and wailed shrilly.

Jasper growled at her and she cringed back, but her fingers dug into the ground like claws and her head
whipped back and forth in anguish. Jasper took a step toward her, slipping deeper into his crouch.
Edward moved with overdone casualness, turning our bodies so that he was between the girl and me. I
peeked around his arm to watch the thrashing girl and Jasper.

Carlisle was at Jaspers side in an instant. He put a restraining hand on his most recent sons arm.

Have you changed your mind, young one? Carlisle asked, calm as ever. We dont want to destroy
you, but we will if you cant control yourself.

 How can you stand it? the girl groaned in a high, clear voice. Iwant her. Her bright crimson irises
focused on Edward, through him, beyond him to me, and her nails ripped through the hard soil again.

 You must stand it, Carlisle told her gravely. You must exercise control. It is possible, and it is the only
thing that will save you now.

The girl clutched her dirt-encrusted hands around her head, yowling quietly.

Shouldnt we move away from her? I whispered, tugging on Edwards arm. The girls lips pulled back
over her teeth when she heard my voice, her expression one of torment.

We have to stay here, Edward murmured. Theyare coming to the north end of the clearing now.

 My heart burst into a sprint as I scanned the clearing, but I couldnt see anything past the thick pall of
smoke.

After a second of fruitless searching, my gaze crept back to the young female vampire. She was still
watching me, her eyes half-mad.

 I met the girls stare for a long moment. Chin-length dark hair framed her face, which was alabaster pale.
It was hard to tell if her features were beautiful, twisted as they were by rage and thirst. The feral red
eyes were dominant  hard to look away from. She glared at me viciously, shuddering and writhing
every few seconds.

I stared at her, mesmerized, wondering if I were looking into a mirror of my future.

 Then Carlisle and Jasper began to back toward the rest of us. Emmett, Rosalie, and Esme all converged
hastily around where Edward stood with Alice and me. A united front, as Edward had said, with me at
the heart, in the safest place.

I tore my attention away from the wild girl to search for the approaching monsters.

 There was still nothing to see. I glanced at Edward, and his eyes were locked straight ahead. I tried to
follow his gaze, but there was only the smoke  dense, oily smoke twisting low to the ground, rising
lazily, undulating against the grass.

It billowed forward, darker in the middle.

Hmm, a dead voice murmured from the mist. I recognized the apathy at once.

Welcome, Jane. Edwards tone was coolly courteous.

 The dark shapes came closer, separating themselves from the haze, solidifying. I knew it would be Jane
in the front  the darkest cloak, almost black, and the smallest figure by more than two feet. I could just
ba