The Twilight Saga 2: New Moon Chapter 22 FLIGHT

DEMETRI LEFT US IN THE CHEERFULLY OPULENT reception area, w present the woman Gianna was facilitate at her post behind(predicate) the polished counter. Bright, guiltless music tinkled from hidden speakers.Do non leave until nighted, he warned us.Edward nodded, and Demetri speed away.Gianna did not seem at all surprised by the exchange, though she did eye Edwards borrowed cloak with shrewd speculation.Are you all right? Edward asked beneath his breath, to low for the human woman to hear. His vo internal-combustion engine was roughif velvet flush toilet be roughwith anxiety. S manger stressed by our teaseuation, I imagined.Youd better give way her sit originally she falls, Alice utter. Shes going to pieces.It was only then that I realize I was thrill, shaking hard, my entire frame vibrating until my teeth chattered and the room al near me seemed to pitch and blur in my eyeball. For unmatch subject wild second, I wondered if this was how Jacob mat up scarce before exploding into a werewolf.I heard a sound that didnt thrust sense, a strange, ripping counterpart to the otherwise cheery background music. distract by the shaking, I couldnt tell where it was coming from.Shh, Bella, shh, Edward say as he pulled me to the sofa farthest away from the curious human at the desk.I think shes having hysterics. Maybe you should slap her, Alice suggested.Edward threw a frantic glance at her.Then I unders excessivelyd. Oh. The noise was me. The ripping sound was the sobs coming from my chest. Thats what was shaking me.Its all right, youre safe, its all right, he chanted again and again. He pulled ne onto his lap and tucked the thick wool cloak around me, defend me from his cold skin.I knew it was stupid to react exchangeable this. Who knew how frequently sentence I had to look at his race? He was saved, and I was saved, and he could leave me as soon as we were free. To demand my eyes so filled with crying that I could not see his features clearly wa s wastefulinsanity.But, behind my eyes where the tears could not wash the image away, I could quench see the panicked panorama of the tiny woman with the rosary.All those people, I sobbed.I do, he whispered.Its so horrible.Yes, it is. I wish you hadnt had to see that.I rested my conduce against his cold chest, using the thick cloak to rinse my eyes. I took a few deep breaths, trying to steady down myself.Is on that point anything I can get you? a enunciate asked politely. It was Gianna, contestation everywhere Edwards shoulder with a look that was both concerned and yet mollify professional and detached at the same time. It didnt seem to bother her that her demonstrate was inches from a hostile vampire. She was either totally oblivious, or very favorable at her job.No, Edward answered coldly.She nodded, smiled at me, and then disappeared.I waited until she was out of hearing range. Does she k instantly whats going on here? I demanded, my example low and hoarse. I was getting control of myself, my breathing flushing out.Yes. She knows everything, Edward told me.Does she know theyre going to annihilate her someday?Shes knows its a possibility, he said.That surprised me.Edwards face was hard to read. Shes hoping theyll steady down to ware her.I entangle the blood leave my face. She pauperizations to be 1 of them?He nodded once, his eyes sharp on my face, group meeting my reaction.I shuddered. How can she deficiency that? I whispered, much to myself than really looking for an answer. How can she watch those people file through to that hideous room and want to be a part of that?Edward didnt answer. His expression twisted in response to something Id said.As I gazed at his too beautiful face, trying to understand the change, it short struck me that I was really here, in Edwards fortify, however fleetingly, and that we were notat this exact moment approximately to be killed.Oh, Edward, I cried, and I was sobbing again. It was such a stupi d reaction. The tears were too thick for me to see his face again, and that was inexcusable. I only had until sunset(a) for undisputable. Like a fairy tale again, with deadlines that ended the magic.Whats violate? he asked, calm down anxious, rubbing my back with gentle pats.I wrapped my arms around his neckwhat was the worst he could do? ripe push me awayand hugged myself close-hauled to him. Is it really sick for me to be happy right now? I asked. My voice broke twice.He didnt push me away. He pulled me tight against his ice-hard chest, so tight it was hard to breathe, eventide with my lungs securely intact. I know exactly what you mean, he whispered. But we have lots of reasons to be happy. For peerless, were alive.Yes, I agreed. Thats a ripe virtuoso.And together, he breathed. His breath was so angelic it make my head swim.I fair(a) nodded, sure that he did not place the same tilt on that consideration as I did.And, with any luck, well still be alive tomorrow.Hopefu lly, I said uneasily.The outlook is quite good, Alice certified me. Shed been so quiet, Id almost forgotten her presence. Ill see Jasper in less than cardinal hours, she added in a satisfied quality.Lucky Alice. She could trust her future.I couldnt retain my eyes finish of Edwards face for long. I stared at him, wishing more than anything that the future would never happen. That this moment would last forever, or, if it couldnt, that I would stop existing when it did.Edward stared right back at me, his unlit eyes soft, and it was easy to guess that he felt the same way. So thats what I did. I pretended, to make the moment sweeter.His finger periods traced the circles under my eyes. You look so tired.And you look thirsty, I whispered back, studying the purple bruises under his black irises.He shrugged. Its nothing.Are you sure? I could sit with Alice, I offered, unwilling Id rather he killed me now than move one inch from where I was.Dont be ridiculous. He sighed his sweet br eath caressed my face. Ive never been in better control of that side of my personality than right now.I had a million questions for him. One of them bubbled to my lips now, further I held my tongue. I didnt want to ruin the moment, as imperfect as it was, here in this room that make me sick, under the eyes of the would-be monster. present in his arms, it was so easy to fantasize that he valued me. I didnt want to think about his motivations nowabout whether he acted this way to keep me calm objet dart we were still in danger, or if he just felt guilty for where we were and relieved that he wasnt responsible for my death. Maybe the time obscure had been tolerable that I didnt bore him for the moment. But it didnt military issue. I was so much happier pretending.I lay quiet in his arms, re-memorizing his face, pretendingHe stared at my face like he was doing the same, while he and Alice discussed how to get star sign. Their voices were so quick and low that I knew Gianna could nt understand. I send awayed half of it myself. It sounded like more theft would be involved, though. I wondered idly if the yellow Porsche had made it back to its owner yet.What was all that talk about singers? Alice asked at one point.La tua cantante, Edward said. His voice made the words into music.Yes, that, Alice said, and I concentrated for a moment. Id wondered about that, too, at the time.I felt Edward shrug around me. They have a name for someone who smells the way Bella does to me. They call her my singerbecause her blood sings for me.Alice laughed.I was tired complete to sleep, scarcely I fought against the weariness. I wasnt going to miss a second of the time I had with him. Now and then, as he talked with Alice, he would lean down suddenly and court mehis glass-smooth lips brushing against my hair, my forehead, the tip of my nose. Each time it was like an electric shock to my long dormant(ip) heart. The sound of its beating seemed to fill the entire room.It was hea venright smack in the mall of hell.I lost track of the time completely. So when Edwards arms tightened around me, and both he and Alice looked to the back of the room with wary eyes, I panicked. I cringed into Edwards chest as Alechis eyes now a vivid ruby, but still spotless in his light color in suit scorn the afternoon mealwalked through the double doors.It was good news.Youre free to leave now, Alec told us, his tonicity so warm youd think we were all lifelong friends. We ask that you dont lollygag in the city.Edward made no answering pretence his voice was ice cold. That wont be a problem.Alec smiled, nodded, and disappeared again.Follow the right hallway around the quoin to the first set of elevators, Gianna told us as Edward answered me to my feet. The lobby is two floors down, and exits to the street. Goodbye, now, she added pleasantly. I wondered if her competence would be enough to save her.Alice shot her a repulsiveness look.I was relieved there was another way ou t I wasnt sure if I could handle another tour through the underground.We left-hand(a) through a tastefully luxurious lobby. I was the only one who glanced back at the medieval castle that housed the elaborate business front lineage I couldnt see the turret from here, for which I was grateful.The party was still in full swing in the streets. The street lamps were just coming on as we walked swiftly through the narrow, cobbled lanes. The sky was a dull, fading gray overhead, but the buildings crowded the streets so closely that it felt unsunger.The party was darker, too. Edwards long, tracking cloak did not stand out in the way it office have on a normal evening in Volterra. thither were others in black satin cloaks now, and the plastic fangs Id seen on the child in the public square today seemed to be very popular with the adults.Ridiculous, Edward muttered once.I didnt notice when Alice disappeared from beside me. I looked over to ask her a question, and she was gone.Wheres A lice? I whispered in a panic.She went to retrieve your bags from where she stashed them this morning.Id forgotten that I had access to a toothbrush. It brightened my outlook considerably.Shes thievery a car, too, isnt she? I guessed.He grinned. Not till were outside.It seemed like a very long way to the entryway. Edward could see that I was spent he wound his arm around my waist and supported most of my weight as we walked.I shuddered as he pulled me through the dark orchestra pit archway. The huge, ancient portcullis above was like a cage door, threatening to sweep on us, to lock us in.He led me toward a dark car, waiting in a pool of shadow to the right of the provide with the engine running. To my surprise, he slid into the backseat with me, instead of insisting on driving.Alice was apologetic. Im sorry. She gestured vaguely toward the splashboard. there wasnt much to choose from.Its fine, Alice. He grinned. They cant all be 911 Turbos.She sighed. I may have to acquire one of those legally. It was fabulous.Ill get you one for Christmas, Edward promised.Alice turned to glitter at him, which worried me, as she was already speeding down the dark and curvy hillside at the same time.Yellow, she told him.Edward kept me tight in his arms. within the gray cloak, I was warm and comfortable. More than comfortable.You can sleep now, Bella, he murmured. Its over.I knew he meant the danger, the nightmare in the ancient city, but I still had to swallow hard before I could answer.I dont want to sleep. Im not tired. Just the second part was a lie. I wasnt about to close my eyes. The car was only dimly lit by the dashboard controls, but it was enough that I could see his face.He pressed his lips to the hollow under my ear. Try, he encouraged.I shook my head.He sighed. Youre still just as stubborn.I was stubborn I fought with my heavy lids, and I won.The dark road was the hardest part the bright lights at the airport in Florence made it easier, as did the chance to brush my teeth and change into clean vesture Alice bought Edward new clothes, too, and he left the dark cloak on a pile of trash in an alley. The plane trip to Rome was so short that there wasnt really a chance for the fatigue to dishevel me under. I knew the flight from Rome to Atlanta would be another matter entirely, so I asked the flight attendant if she could bring me a Coke.Bella, Edward said disapprovingly. He knew my low tolerance for caffeine.Alice was behind us. I could hear her mussitation to Jasper on the phone.I dont want to sleep, I reminded him. I gave him an excuse that was credible because it was true. If I close my eyes now, Ill see things I dont want to see. Ill have nightmares.He didnt argue with me after that.It would have been a very good time to talk, to get the answers I neededneeded but not really wanted I was already despairing at the thought of what I force hear. We had an uninterrupted block of tirre ahead of us, and he couldnt escape me on an airpla newell, not easily, at least. No one would hear us except Alice it was late, and most of the passengers were turning off lights and asking for pillows in muted voices. Talk would help me fight down off the exhaustion.But, perversely, I bit my tongue against the flood of questions. My argumentation was probably flawed by exhaustion, but I hoped that by postponing the discussion, I could buy a few more hours with him at some ulterior timespin this out for another night, Scheherazade-style.So I kept drinking soda, and resisting even the urge to blink. Edward seemed perfectly content to hold me in his arms, his fingers tracing my face again and again. I touched his face, too. I couldnt stop myself, though I was afraid it would hurt me later, when I was alone again. He continued to kiss my hair, my forehead, my wrists but never my lips, and that was good. After all, how many ways can one heart be mangled and still be expected to keep beating? Id lived through a lot that should have fi nished me in the last few days, but it didnt make me feel strong. Instead, I felt horribly fragile, like one word could shatter me.Edward didnt speak. Maybe he was hoping I would sleep. Maybe he had nothing to narrate.I won the fight against my heavy lids. I was awake when we reached the airport in Atlanta, and I even watched the sun beginning to rise over Seattles cloud cover before Edward slid the window shut. I was proud of myself. I hadnt missed one minute.neither Alice nor Edward was surprised by the reception that waited for us at Sea-Tac airport, but it caught me off guard. Jasper was the first one I sawhe didnt seem to see me at all. His eyes were only for Alice. She went quickly to his side they didnt embrace like other couples meeting there. They only stared into each others faces, yet, somehow, the moment was so private that I still felt the need to look away.Carlisle and Esme waited in a quiet receding far from the line for the metal detectors, in the shadow of a chil dlike pillar. Esme reached for me, hugging me fiercely, yet awkwardly, because Edward kept his arms around me, too. give thanks you so much, she said in my ear.Then she threw her arms around Edward, and she looked like she would be crying if that were possible.Youwill never put me through hat again, she nearly growled.Edward grinned, repentant. Sorry, Mom.Thank you, Bella, Carlisle said. We owe you.Hardly, I mumbled. The sleepless night was suddenly overpowering. My head felt disconnected from my body.Shes dead on her feet, Esme scolded Edward. Lets get her home.Not sure if home was what I wanted at this point, I stumbled, half-blind, through the airport, Edward dragging me on one side and Esme on the other. I didnt know if Alice and Jasper were behind us or not, and I was too exhausted to look.I think I was mostly asleep, though I was still walking, when we reached their car. The surprise of seeing Emmett and Rosalie leaning against the black sedan under the dim lights of the parki ng garage bring round me some. Edward stiffened.Dont, Esme whispered. She feels awful.She should, Edward said, making no attempt to keep his voice down.Its not her fault, I said, my words garbled with exhaustion.Let her make amends, Esme pleaded. Well ride with Alice and Jasper.Edward glowered at the absurdly lovely blond vampire waiting for us.Please, Edward, I said. I didnt want to ride with Rosalie any more than he seemed to, but Id caused more than enough discord in his family.He sighed, and towed me toward the car.Emmett and Rosalie got in the front seat without speaking, while Edward pulled me in the back again. I knew I wasnt going to be able to fight my eyelids anymore, and I laid my head against his chest in defeat, allow them close. I felt the car purr to life.Edward, Rosalie began.I know. Edwards brusque tone was not generous.Bella? Rosalie asked softly.My eyelids fluttered open in shock. It was the first time shed ever speak directly to me.Yes, Rosalie? I asked, hesit ant.Im so very sorry, Bella. I feel pitiable about every part of this, and so grateful that you were brave enough to go save my brother after what I did. Please say youll forgive me.The words were awkward, stilted because of her embarrassment, but they seemed sincere.Of course, Rosalie, I mumbled, grasping at any chance to make her hate me a little less. Its not your fault at all. Im the one who jumped off the damn cliff. Of course I forgive you.The words came out like mush.It doesnt count until shes conscious, Rose, Emmett chuckled.Im conscious, I said it just sounded like a garbled sigh.Let her sleep, Edward insisted, but his voice was a little warmer.It was quiet then, except for the gentle thrum of the engine. I must have fallen asleep, because it seemed like seconds later when the door unfastened and Edward was carrying me from the car. My eyes wouldnt open. At first I thought we were still at the airport.And then I heard Charlie.Bella he shouted from some distance.Charlie, I mumbled, trying to shake off the stupor.Shh, Edward whispered. Its okay youre home and safe. Just sleep.I cant believe you have the nerve to show your face here. Charlie bellowed at Edward, his voice much closer now.Stop it, Dad, I groaned. He didnt hear me.Whats wrong with her? Charlie demanded.Shes just very tired, Charlie, Edward assured him quietly. Please let her rest.Dont tell me what to do Charlie yelled. Give her to me. Get your hands off herEdward tried to pass me to Charlie, but I clung to him with locked, tenacious fingers. I could feel my dad yanking on my arm. uprise it out, Dad, I said with more volume. I managed to drag my lids back to stare at Charlie with bleary eyes. Be mad at me.We were in front of my house. The front door was standing open. The cloud cover overhead was too thick to guess at a time of day.You bet I will be, Charlie promised. Get inside. iKay. Let me down, I sighed.Edward set me on my feet. I could see that I was upright, but I couldnt feel my leg s. I trudged forward anyway, until the sidewalk swirled up toward my face. Edwards arms caught me before I hit the concrete.Just let me get her upstairs, Edward said. Then Ill leave.No, I cried, panicking. I hadnt got my answers yet. He had to get for at least that much, didnt he?I wont be far, Edward promised, whispering so low in my ear that Charlie didnt have a hope of hearing.I didnt hear Charlie answer, but Edward headed into the house. My open eyes only made it till the stairs. The last thing I felt was Edwards cool hands lever my fingers loose from his shirt.