The Twilight Saga 3: Eclipse Chapter 17. ALLIANCE

BELLA?Edwards soft voice came from behind me. I turned to come upon him spring lightly up the porch steps, his hair windblown from be activening. He pulled me into his ordnance at once, incisively like he had in the parking lot, and kissed me again.This kiss f decentened me. on that point was in any case much tension, too strong an limit to the mode his lips crushed mine like he was afraid we hardly had so much time left to us.I couldnt let myself think about that. not if I was pass to have to act human for the next several hours. I pulled away from him.Lets run short this stupid company over with, I mumbled, not meeting his eyeb on the whole.He contrive his work force on both status of my cheek, waiting until I looked up.I wont let anything happen to you.I touched his lips with the fingers of my faithful hold pass. Im not worried about myself so much.Why am I not surprised by that? he muttered to himself. He took a deep breath, and at that placefore he smiled slightly. Ready to celebrate? he asked.I groaned.He held the door for me, keeping his fort securely around my waist. I stood frozen there for a minute, then I slowly shook my mental capacity.Unbelievable.Edward shrugged. Alice will be Alice.The interior of the Cullens home had been transformed into a nightclub the kind that didnt often exist in real life, only on TV.Edward Alice c anyed from beside a gigantic speaker. I invite your advice. She gestured toward a towering stack of CDs. Should we give them familiar and comforting? Or she gestured to a different pile educate their taste in music?Keep it comforting, Edward recommended. You can only lead the horse to water.Alice nodded seriously, and started throwing the educational CDs into a box. I find that she had changed into a sequined tank top and red leather pants. Her bare skin reacted oddly to the pulsing red and purple lights.I think Im underdressed.Youre perfect, Edward disagreed.Youll do, Alice amended.Thanks. I sighe d. Do you sincerely think people will come? Any unitary could hear the hope in my voice. Alice made a face at me.Everyone will come, Edward answered. Theyre all dying to see the inside of the reclusive Cullens mystery house.Fabulous, I moaned.There wasnt anything I could do to help. I doubted that however after I didnt need ease and moved at a much faster speed I would ever be able to get things done the way Alice did.Edward refused to let me go for a second, dragging me a considerable with him as he hunted up Jasper and then Carlisle to tell them of my epiphany. I listened with quiet horror as they discussed their attack on the army in Seattle. I could tell that Jasper was not pleased with the way the numbers stood, but theyd been unable to contact anyone besides Tanyas unwilling family. Jasper didnt try to obliterate his desperation the way Edward would have. It was easy to see that he didnt like gambling with stakes this high.I couldnt stay behind, waiting and hoping for th em to come home. I wouldnt. I would go mad.The doorbell rang.All at once, everything was surreally normal. A perfect smile, genuine and warm, replaced the stress on Carlisles face. Alice turned the volume of the music up, and then danced to get the door.It was a Suburban-load of my friends, either too nervous or too intimidated to arrive on their own. Jessica was the first one in the door, with Mike right behind her. Tyler, Conner, Austin, Lee, Samantha . . . even Lauren trailing in bear, her critical eyes alight with curiosity. They all were curious, and then overwhelmed as they took in the huge fashion decked out like a chic rave. The way of life wasnt empty all the Cullens had taken their places, ready to put on their usual perfect human charade. Tonight I felt like I was playacting every bit as much as they were.I went to greet Jess and Mike, hoping the edge inmy voice sounded like the right kind of excitement. Before I could get to anyone else, the bell rang again. I let An gela and Ben in, leaving the door wide, because Eric and Katie were just reaching the steps.I didnt get another chance to panic. I had to talk to everyone, concentrate on being upbeat, a hostess. Though the party had been billed as a joint event for Alice, Edward, and me, there was no denying that I was the most popular home run for congratulations and thanks. Maybe because the Cullens looked just slightly wrong under Alices party lights. Maybe because those lights left the room dim and mysterious. Not an atmosphere to make your bonny human feel relaxed when standing next to someone like Emmett. I saw Emmett grin at Mike over the food table, the red lights sheen off his teeth, and watched Mike take an automatic step back.Probably Alice had done this on purpose, to force me into the center of worry a place she thought I should enjoy more. She was forever severe to make me be human the way she thought humans should be.The party was a clear success, despite the instinctive uneas e cause by the Cullens presence or maybe that simply added a thrill to the atmosphere. The music was infectious, the lights close hypnotic. From the way the food disappeared, that must have been neat, too. The room was soon crowded, though never claustrophobic. The entire senior class seemed to be there, along with most of the juniors. Bodies swayed to the beat that rumbled under the soles of their feet, the party constantly on the edge of breaking into a dance.It wasnt as hard as Id thought it would be. I followed Alices lead, mingling and chatting for a minute with everyone. They seemed easy enough to please. I was sure this party was far cooler than anything the town of Forks had experienced before. Alice was almost purring no one here would forget this night.Id circled the room once, and was back to Jessica. She babbled excitedly, and it was not necessary to pay fastidious attention, because the odds were she wouldnt need a response from me anytime soon. Edward was at my si de still refusing to let go of me. He kept one hand securely at my waist, pulling me closer now and then in response to thoughts I probably didnt deprivation to hear.So I was immediately suspicious when he dropped his arm and edged away from me.Stay here, he murmured in my ear. Ill be right back.He passed gracefully through the crowd without seeming to touch any of the compact bodies, gone too quickly for me to ask why he was leaving. I stared after him with narrowed eyes while Jessica shouted over the music eagerly, respite on to my elbow, oblivious to my distraction.I watched him as he reached the dark shadow beside the kitchen doorway, where the lights only shone intermittently. He was leaning over someone, but I couldnt see erstwhile(prenominal) all the heads between us.I stretched up on my toes, craning my neck. Right then, a red light flashed crosswise his back and glinted off the red sequins of Alices shirt. The light only touched her face for half a second, but it was e nough.Excuse me for a minute, Jess, I mumbled, pulling my arm away. I didnt pause for her reaction, even to see if Id sustain her feelings with my abruptness.I ducked my way through the bodies, getting shoved around a bit. A few people were dancing now. I hurried to the kitchen door.Edward was gone, but Alice was still there in the dark, her face blank the kind of thoughtfulnessless look you see on the face of someone who has just witnessed a horrible accident. One of her hands gripped the door frame, like she needed the support.What, Alice, what? What did you see? My hands were clutched in front of me begging.She didnt look at me, she was staring away. I followed her gaze and watched as she caught Edwards eye across the room. His face was empty as a stone. He turned and disappeared into the shadows under the stair.The doorbell rang just then, hours after the last time, and Alice looked up with a puzzled conceptualisation that quickly turned into one of disgust.Who invited the werewolf? she griped at me.I scowled. Guilty.Id thought Id rescinded that invitation not that Id ever dreamed Jacob would come here, regardless.Well, you go take care of it, then. I have to talk to Carlisle.No, Alice, wait I tried to reach for her arm, but she was gone and my hand clutched the empty air.Damn it I grumbled.I knew this was it. Alice had seen what shed been waiting for, and I honestly didnt feel I could stand the suspense long enough to answer the door. The doorbell peeled again, too long, someone holding down the button. I turned my back toward the door resolutely, and scanned the darkened room for Alice.I couldnt see anything. I started pushing for the stairs.Hey, BellaJacobs deep voice caught a lull in the music, and I looked up in spite of myself at the sound of my name.I made a face.It wasnt just one werewolf, it was three. Jacob had let himself in, flanked on either side by Quil and Embry. The two of them looked terribly tense, their eyes flickering around the r oom like theyd just walked into a haunted crypt. Embrys trembling hand still held the door, his body half-turned to run for it.Jacob was waving at me, calmer than the others, though his nose was wrinkled in disgust. I waved back waved goodbye and turned to look for Alice. I squeezed through a billet between Conners and Laurens backs.He came out of nowhere, his hand on my shoulder pulling me back toward the shadow by the kitchen. I ducked under his grip, but he grabbed my good wrist and yanked me from the crowd.Friendly reception, he noted.I pulled my hand free and scowled at him. What are you doing here?You invited me, remember?In case my right hook was too subtle for you, let me translate that was me uninvitingyou.Dont be a poor sport. I brought you a graduation present and everything.I folded my arms across my chest. I didnt want to fightwith Jacob right now. I wanted to love what Alice had seen and what Edward and Carlisle were saying about it. I craned my head around Jacob, searching for them.Take it back to the store, Jake. Ive got to do something. . . .He stepped into my derivation of sight, demanding my attention.I cant take it back. I didnt get it from the store I made it myself. Took a really long time, too.I leaned around him again, but I couldnt see any of the Cullens. Where had they gone? My eyes scanned the darkened room.Oh, cmon, Bell. Dont pretend like Im not hereIm not. I couldnt see them anywhere. Look, Jake, Ive got a lot on my mind right now.He put his hand under my chin and pulled my face up. Could I please have just a few seconds of your undivided attention, Miss confirm?I jerked away from his touch. Keep your hands to yourself, Jacob, I hissed.Sorry he said at once, holding his hands up in surrender. I really am sorry. About the other day, I mean, too. I shouldnt have kissed you like that. It was wrong. I guess . . . well, I guess I deluded myself into thinking you wanted me to.Deluded what a perfect descriptionBe nice. You could accept my apology, you know.Fine. Apology accepted. Now, if youll just excuse me for a moment . . .Okay, he mumbled, and his voice was so different from before that I stoppd searching for Alice and scrutinized his face. He was staring at the floor, hiding his eyes. His lower lip jutted out just a little bit.I guess youd rather be with your real friends, he said in the same defeated tone. I get it.I groaned. Aw, Jake, you know thats not fair.Do I?You should. I leaned forward, peering up, trying to look into his eyes. He looked up then, over my head, avoiding my gaze.Jake?He refused to look at me.Hey, you said you made me something, right? I asked. Was that just talk? Wheres my present? My start to fake enthusiasm was pretty sad, but it worked. He rolled his eyes and then grimaced at me.I kept up the lame pretense, holding my hand decipherable in front of me. Im waiting.Right, he grumbled sarcastically. But he also reached into the back pocket of his jeans and pulled out a small bag of a loose-woven, multi-colored fabric. It was tie shut with leather drawstrings. He set it on my palm.Hey, thats pretty, Jake. ThanksHe sighed. The present is inside, Bella.Oh.I had some trouble with the strings. He sighed again and took it from me, sliding the ties open with one easy tug of the right cord. I held my hand out for it, but he turned the bag upside down and shook something ash gray into my hand. Metal links clinked quietly against each other.I didnt make the bracelet, he admitted. Just the charm.Fastened to one of the links of the silver bracelet was a midget wooden carving. I held it between my fingers to look at it closer. It was amazing the amount of detail involved in the little figurine the miniature wolf was dead realistic. It was even carved out of some red-brown wood that matched the color of his skin.Its beautiful, I whispered. You made this? How?He shrugged. Its something Billy taught me. Hes better at it than I am.Thats hard to believe, I murmured, tu rning the tiny wolf around and around in my fingers.Do you really like it?Yes Its unbelievable, Jake.He smiled, happily at first, but then the expression soured. Well, I figured that maybe it would make you remember me once in a while. You know how it is, out of sight, out of mind.I ignored the attitude. Here, help me put it on.I held out my left wrist, since the right was stuck in the brace. He fastened the catch easily, though it looked too delicate for his big fingers to manage.Youll wear it? he asked. Of contour I will.He grinned at me it was the happy smile that I loved to see him wear.I returned it for a moment, but then my eyes shot reflexively around the room again, anxiously scanning the crowd for some sign of Edward or Alice.Whyre you so distracted? Jacob wondered.Its nothing, I lied, trying to concentrate. Thanks for the present, really. I love it.Bella? His brows pulled together, throwing his eyes deep into their shadow. Somethings going on, isnt it?Jake, I . . . no, t heres nothing.Dont lie to me, you suck at lying. You should tell me whats going on. We want to know these things,he said, slipping into the plural at the end.He was probably right the wolves would certainly be interested in what was happening. Only I wasnt sure what that was yet. I wouldnt know for sure until I found Alice.Jacob, I will tell you. Just let me figure out whats happening, okay? I need to talk to Alice.Understanding lit his expression. The psychic saw something.Yes, just when you showed up.Is this about the bloodsucker in your room? he murmured, pitching his voice below the thrum of the music.Its related, I admitted.He processed that for a minute, leaning his head to one side while he read my face. You know something youre not telling me . . . something big.What was the point in lying again? He knew me too well. Yes.Jacob stared at me for one short moment, and then turned to catch his pack brothers eyes where they stood in the entry, awkward and uncomfortable. When they took in his expression, they started moving, weaving their way agilely through the partiers, almost like they were dancing, too. In half a minute, they stood on either side of Jacob, towering over me.Now. Explain, Jacob demanded.Embry and Quil looked back and forth between our faces, confused and wary.Jacob, I dont know everything. I kept searching the room, now for a rescue. They had me backed into a corner in every sense.What you do know, then.They all folded their arms across their chests at exactly the same moment. It was a little bit funny, but mostly menacing.And then I caught sight of Alice descending the stairs, her white skin glowing in the purple light.Alice I squeaked in relief.She looked right at me as soon as I called her name, despite the thudding bass that should have drowned my voice. I waved eagerly, and watched her face as she took in the three werewolves leaning over me. Her eyes narrowed.But, before that reaction, her face was full of stress and fear. I bit my l ip as she skipped to my side. Jacob, Quil, and Embry all leaned away from her with uneasy expressions. She put her arm around my waist.I need to talk to you, she murmured into my ear.Er, Jake, Ill see you later . . . , I mumbled as we eased around them.Jacob threw his long arm out to block our way, bracing his hand against the wall. Hey, not so fast.Alice stared up at him, eyes wide and incredulous. Excuse me?Tell us whats going on, he demanded in a growl.Jasper appeared quite literally out of nowhere. One second it was just Alice and me against the wall, Jacob blocking our exit, and then Jasper was standing on the other side of Jakes arm, his expression terrifying.Jacob slowly pulled his arm back. It seemed like the best move, going with the assumption that he wanted to keep that arm.We have a right to know, Jacob muttered, still dazzling at Alice.Jasper stepped in between them, and the three werewolves braced themselves.Hey, hey, I said, adding a slightly hysterical chuckle. This is a party, remember?Nobody paid any attention to me. Jacob glared at Alice while Jasper glowered at Jacob. Alices face was suddenly thoughtful.Its okay, Jasper. He actually has a point.Jasper did not relax his position.I was sure the suspense was going to make my head explode in about one second. What did you see, Alice?She stared at Jacob for one second, and then turned to me, evidently having chosen to let them hear.The decisions been made.Youre going to Seattle?No.I felt the color drain out of my face. My stomach lurched. Theyre coming here, I choked out.The Quileute boys watched silently, reading every unconscious play of emotion on our faces. They were root in place, and yet not completely still. All three pairs of hands were trembling.Yes.To Forks, I whispered.Yes.For?She nodded, understanding my question. One carried your red shirt.I tried to swallow.Jaspers expression was disapproving. I could tell he didnt like discussing this in front of the werewolves, but he had someth ing he needed to say. We cant let them come that far. There arent enough of us to encourage the town.I know, Alice said, her face suddenly desolate. But it doesnt matter where we stop them. There still wont be enough of us, and some of them will come here to search.No I whispered.The noise of the party overwhelmed the sound of my denial. All around us, my friends and neighbors and petty enemies ate and laughed and swayed to the music, oblivious to the fact that they were about to face horror, danger, maybe death. Because of me.Alice, I mouthed her name. I have to go, I have to get away from here.That wont help. Its not like were dealing with a tracker. Theyll still come looking here first.Then I have to go to meet them If my voice hadnt been so hoarse and strained, it might have been a shriek. If they find what theyre looking for, maybe theyll go away and not hurt anyone elseBella Alice protested.Hold it, Jacob ordered in a low, forceful voice. What is coming?Alice turned her icy g aze on him. Our kind. Lots of them.Why?For Bella. Thats all we know.There are too many for you? he asked.Jasper bridled. We have a few advantages, dog. It will be an even fight.No, Jacob said, and a strange, fierce half-smile spread across his face. It wont be even.Excellent Alice hissed.I stared, still frozen in horror, at Alices new expression. Her face was alive with exultation, all the despair wiped clean from her perfect features.She grinned at Jacob, and he grinned back.Everything just disappeared, of course, she told him in a smug voice. Thats inconvenient, but, all things considered, Ill take it.Well have to coordinate, Jacob said. It wont be easy for us. Still, this is our job more than yours.I wouldnt go that far, but we need the help. We arent going to be picky.Wait, wait, wait, wait, I interrupted them.Alice was on her toes, Jacob leaning down toward her, both of their faces lit up with excitement, both of their noses wrinkled against the smell. They looked at me impatie ntly.Coordinate? I repeated through my teeth.You didnt honestly think you were going to keep us out of this? Jacob asked.You are staying out of thisYour psychic doesnt think so.Alice tell them no I insisted. Theyll get killedJacob, 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 this night? 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 togethe r. 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 referable 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. enthrall Dont do thisHe 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 impotently as Jacob disappeared.