Breaking Dawn

  J shook his head as if he could shake away the disturbing thoughts. Wont you have a seat, Bella?

  Actually, Im in a bit of a hurry. Ive got a long drive home. As I spoke, I took the thick white envelope with his bonus from my bag and handed it to him.

  Oh, he said, a little catch of disappointment in his voice. He tucked the envelope into an inside pocket of his jacket without bothering to check the amount. I was hoping we could speak for just a moment.

  About? I asked curiously.

  Well, let me get you your items first. I want to make sure youre satisfied.

  He turned, placed his briefcase on the table, and popped the latches. He took out a legal-sized manila envelope.

  Though I had no idea what I should be looking for, I opened the envelope and gave the contents a cursory glance. J had flipped Jacobs picture and changed the coloring so that it wasnt immediately evident that it was the same picture on both his passport and drivers license. Both looked perfectly sound to me, but that meant little. I glanced at the picture on Vanessa Wolfes passport for a fraction of a second, and then looked away quickly, a lump rising in my throat.

  Thank you, I told him.

  His eyes narrowed slightly, and I felt he was disappointed that my examination was not more thorough. I can assure you every piece is perfect. All will pass the most rigorous scrutiny by experts.

  Im sure they are. I truly appreciate what youve done for me, J.

  Its been my pleasure, Bella. In the future, feel free to come to me for anything the Cullen family needs. He didnt even hint at it really, but this sounded like an invitation for me to take over Jaspers place as liaison.

  There was something you wanted to discuss?

  Er, yes. Its a bit delicate. . . . He gestured to the stone hearth with a questioning expression. I sat on the edge of the stone, and he sat beside me. Sweat was dewing up on his forehead again, and he pulled a blue silk handkerchief from his pocket and began mopping.

  You are the sister of Mr. Jaspers wife? Or married to his brother? he asked.

  Married to his brother, I clarified, wondering where this was leading.

  You would be Mr. Edwards bride, then?

  Yes.

  He smiled apologetically. Ive seen all the names many times, you see. My belated congratulations. Its nice that Mr. Edward has found such a lovely partner after all this time.

  Thank you very much.

  He paused, dabbing at the sweat. Over the years, you might imagine that Ive developed a very healthy level of respect for Mr. Jasper and the entire family.

  I nodded cautiously.

  He took a deep breath and then exhaled without speaking.

  J, please just say whatever you need to.

  He took another breath and then mumbled quickly, slurring the words together.

  If you could just assure me that you are not planning to kidnap the little girl from her father, I would sleep better tonight.

  Oh, I said, stunned. It took me a minute to understand the erroneous conclusion hed drawn. Oh no. Its nothing like that at all. I smiled weakly, trying to reassure him. Im simply preparing a safe place for her in case something were to happen to my husband and me.

  His eyes narrowed. Are you expecting something to happen? He blushed, then apologized. Not that its any of my business.

  I watched the red flush spread behind the delicate membrane of his skin and was gladas I often wasthat I was not the average newborn. J seemed a nice enough man, criminal behavior aside, and it would have been a shame to kill him.

  You never know. I sighed.

  He frowned. May I wish you the best of luck, then. And please dont be put out with me, my dear, but if Mr. Jasper should come to me and ask what names I put on these documents . . .

  Of course you should tell him immediately. Id like nothing better than to have Mr. Jasper fully aware of our entire transaction.

  My transparent sincerity seemed to ease a bit of his tension.

  Very good, he said. And I cant prevail upon you to stay for dinner?

  Im sorry, J. Im short on time at present.

  Then, again, my best wishes for your health and happiness. Anything at all the Cullen family needs, please dont hesitate to call on me, Bella.

  Thank you, J.

  I left with my contraband, glancing back to see that J was staring after me, his expression a mixture of anxiety and regret.

  The return trip took me less time. The night was black, and so I turned off my headlights and floored it. When I got back to the house, most of the cars, including Alices Porsche and my Ferrari, were missing. The traditional vampires were going as far away as possible to satiate their thirst. I tried not to think of their hunting in the night, cringing at the mental picture of their victims.

  Only Kate and Garrett were in the front room, arguing playfully about the nutritional value of animal blood. I inferred that Garrett had attempted a hunting trip vegetarian-style and found it difficult.

  Edward must have taken Renesmee home to sleep. Jacob, no doubt, was in the woods close by the cottage. The rest of my family must have been hunting as well. Perhaps they were out with the other Denalis.

  Which basically gave me the house to myself, and I was quick to take advantage.

  I could smell that I was the first one to enter Alice and Jaspers room in a long while, maybe the first since the night theyd left us. I rooted silently through their huge closet until I found the right sort of bag. It must have been Alices; it was a small black leather backpack, the kind that was usually used as a purse, little enough that even Renesmee could carry it without looking out of place. Then I raided their petty cash, taking about twice the yearly income for the average American household. I guessed my theft would be less noticeable here than anywhere else in the house, since this room made everyone sad. The envelope with the fake passports and IDs went into the bag on top of the money. Then I sat on the edge of Alice and Jaspers bed and looked at the pitifully insignificant package that was all I could give my daughter and my best friend to help save their lives. I slumped against the bedpost, feeling helpless.

  But what else could I do?

  I sat there for several minutes with my head bowed before the inkling of a good idea came to me.

  If

  If I was to assume that Jacob and Renesmee were going to escape, then that included the assumption that Demetri would be dead. That gave any survivors a little breathing room, Alice and Jasper included.

  So why couldnt Alice and Jasper help Jacob and Renesmee? If they were reunited, Renesmee would have the best protection imaginable. There was no reason why this couldnt happen, except for the fact that Jake and Renesmee both were blind spots for Alice. How would she begin to look for them?

  I deliberated for a moment, then left the room, crossing the hall to Carlisle and Esmes suite. As usual, Esmes desk was stacked with plans and blueprints, everything neatly laid out in tall piles. The desk had a slew of pigeonholes above the work surface; in one was a box of stationery. I took a fresh sheet of paper and a pen.

  Then I stared at the blank ivory page for a full five minutes, concentrating on my decision. Alice might not be able to see Jacob or Renesmee, but she could see me. I visualized her seeing this moment, hoping desperately that she wasnt too busy to pay attention.

  Slowly, deliberately, I wrote the words RIO DE JANEIRO in all caps across the page.

  Rio seemed the best place to send them: It was far away from here, Alice and Jasper were already in South America at last report, and it wasnt like our old problems had ceased to exist just because we had worse problems now. There was still the mystery of Renesmees future, the terror of her racing age. Wed been headed south anyway. Now it would be Jacobs, and hopefully Alices, job to search for the legends.

  I bowed my head again against a sudden urge to sob, clenching my teeth together. It was better that Renesmee go on without me. But I already missed her so much I could barely stand it.

  I took a deep breath and put the note at the bot
tom of the duffel bag, where Jacob would find it soon enough.

  I crossed my fingers thatsince it was unlikely that his high school offered PortugueseJake had at least taken Spanish as his language elective.

  There was nothing left now but waiting.

  For two days, Edward and Carlisle stayed in the clearing where Alice had seen the Volturi arrive. It was the same killing field where Victorias newborns had attacked last summer. I wondered if it felt repetitive to Carlisle, like dj vu. For me, it would be all new. This time Edward and I would stand with our family.

  We could only imagine that the Volturi would be tracking either Edward or Carlisle. I wondered if it would surprise them that their prey didnt run. Would that make them wary? I couldnt imagine the Volturi ever feeling a need for caution.

  Though I washopefullyinvisible to Demetri, I stayed with Edward. Of course. We only had a few hours left to be together.

  Edward and I had not had a last grand scene of farewell, nor did I plan one. To speak the word was to make it final. It would be the same as typing the words The End on the last page of a manuscript. So we did not say our goodbyes, and we stayed very close to each other, always touching. Whatever end found us, it would not find us separated.

  We set up a tent for Renesmee a few yards back into the protective forest, and then there was more dj vu as we found ourselves camping in the cold again with Jacob. It was almost impossible to believe how much things had changed since last June. Seven months ago, our triangular relationship seemed impossible, three different kinds of heartbreak that could not be avoided. Now everything was in perfect balance. It seemed hideously ironic that the puzzle pieces would fit together just in time for all of them to be destroyed.

  It started to snow again the night before New Years Eve. This time, the tiny flakes did not dissolve into the stony ground of the clearing. While Renesmee and Jacob sleptJacob snoring so loudly I wondered how Renesmee didnt wakethe snow made first a thin icing over the earth, then built into thicker drifts. By the time the sun rose, the scene from Alices vision was complete. Edward and I held hands as we stared across the glittering white field, and neither of us spoke.

  Through the early morning, the others gathered, their eyes bearing mute evidence of their preparationssome light gold, some rich crimson. Soon after we all were together, we could hear the wolves moving in the woods. Jacob emerged from the tent, leaving Renesmee still sleeping, to join them.

  Edward and Carlisle were arraying the others into a loose formation, our witnesses to the sides like galleries.

  I watched from a distance, waiting by the tent for Renesmee to wake. When she did, I helped her dress in the clothes Id carefully picked out two days before. Clothes that looked frilly and feminine but that were actually sturdy enough to not show any weareven if a person wore them while riding a giant werewolf through a couple of states. Over her jacket I put on the black leather backpack with the documents, the money, the clue, and my love notes for her and Jacob, Charlie and Rene. She was strong enough that it was no burden to her.

  Her eyes were huge as she read the agony on my face. But she had guessed enough not to ask me what I was doing.

  I love you, I told her. More than anything.

  I love you, too, Momma, she answered. She touched the locket at her neck, which now held a tiny photo of her, Edward, and me. Well always be together.

  In our hearts well always be together, I corrected in a whisper as quiet as a breath. But when the time comes today, you have to leave me.

  Her eyes widened, and she touched her hand to my cheek. The silent no was louder than if shed shouted it.

  I fought to swallow; my throat felt swollen. Will you do it for me? Please?

  She pressed her fingers harder to my face. Why?

  I cant tell you, I whispered. But youll understand soon. I promise.

  In my head, I saw Jacobs face.

  I nodded, then pulled her fingers away. Dont think of it, I breathed into her ear. Dont tell Jacob until I tell you to run, okay?

  This she understood. She nodded, too.

  I took from my pocket one last detail.

  While packing Renesmees things, an unexpected sparkle of color had caught my eye. A chance ray of sun through the skylight had hit the jewels on the ancient precious box stuffed high overhead on a shelf in an untouched corner. I considered it for a moment and then shrugged. After putting together Alices clues, I couldnt hope that the coming confrontation would be resolved peacefully. But why not try to start things out as friendly as possible? I asked myself. What could it hurt? So I guess I must have had some hope left after allblind, senseless hopebecause Id scaled the shelves and retrieved Aros wedding present to me.

  Now I fastened the thick gold rope around my neck and felt the weight of the enormous diamond nestle into the hollow of my throat.

  Pretty, Renesmee whispered. Then she wrapped her arms like a vise around my neck. I squeezed her against my chest. Interlocked this way, I carried her out of the tent and to the clearing.

  Edward cocked one eyebrow as I approached, but otherwise did not remark on my accessory or Renesmees. He just put his arms tight around us both for one long moment and then, with a deep sigh, let us go. I couldnt see a goodbye anywhere in his eyes. Maybe he had more hope for something after this life than hed let on.

  We took our place, Renesmee climbing agilely onto my back to leave my hands free. I stood a few feet behind the front line made up by Carlisle, Edward, Emmett, Rosalie, Tanya, Kate, and Eleazar. Close beside me were Benjamin and Zafrina; it was my job to protect them as long as I was able. They were our best offensive weapons. If the Volturi were the ones who could not see, even for a few moments, that would change everything.

  Zafrina was rigid and fierce, with Senna almost a mirror image at her side. Benjamin sat on the ground, his palms pressed to the dirt, and muttered quietly about fault lines. Last night, hed strewn piles of boulders in natural-looking, now snow-covered heaps all along the back of the meadow. They werent enough to injure a vampire, but hopefully enough to distract one.

  The witnesses clustered to our left and right, some nearer than othersthose who had declared themselves were the closest. I noticed Siobhan rubbing her temples, her eyes closed in concentration; was she humoring Carlisle? Trying to visualize a diplomatic resolution?

  In the woods behind us, the invisible wolves were still and ready; we could only hear their heavy panting, their beating hearts.

  The clouds rolled in, diffusing the light so that it could have been morning or afternoon. Edwards eyes tightened as he scrutinized the view, and I was sure he was seeing this exact scene for the second timethe first time being Alices vision. It would look just the same when the Volturi arrived. We only had minutes or seconds left now.

  All our family and allies braced themselves.

  From the forest, the huge russet Alpha wolf came forward to stand at my side; it must have been too hard for him to keep his distance from Renesmee when she was in such immediate danger.

  Renesmee reached out to twine her fingers in the fur over his massive shoulder, and her body relaxed a little bit. She was calmer with Jacob close. I felt a tiny bit better, too. As long Jacob was with Renesmee, she would be all right.

  Without risking a glance behind, Edward reached back to me. I stretched my arm forward so that I could grip his hand. He squeezed my fingers.

  Another minute ticked by, and I found myself straining to hear some sound of approach.

  And then Edward stiffened and hissed low between his clenched teeth. His eyes focused on the forest due north of where we stood.

  We stared where he did, and waited as the last seconds passed.

  36. BLOODLUST

  They came with pageantry, with a kind of beauty.

  They came in a rigid, formal formation. They moved together, but it was not a march; they flowed in perfect synchronicity from the treesa dark, unbroken shape that seemed to hover a few inches above the white snow, so smooth was the advance.

/>   The outer perimeter was gray; the color darkened with each line of bodies until the heart of the formation was deepest black. Every face was cowled, shadowed. The faint brushing sound of their feet was so regular it was like music, a complicated beat that never faltered.

  At some sign I did not seeor perhaps there was no sign, only millennia of practicethe configuration folded outward. The motion was too stiff, too square to resemble the opening of a flower, though the color suggested that; it was the opening of a fan, graceful but very angular. The gray-cloaked figures spread to the flanks while the darker forms surged precisely forward in the center, each movement closely controlled.

  Their progress was slow but deliberate, with no hurry, no tension, no anxiety. It was the pace of the invincible.

  This was almost my old nightmare. The only thing lacking was the gloating desire Id seen on the faces in my dreamthe smiles of vindictive joy. Thus far, the Volturi were too disciplined to show any emotion at all. They also showed no surprise or dismay at the collection of vampires that waited for them herea collection that looked suddenly disorganized and unprepared in comparison. They showed no surprise at the giant wolf that stood in our midst.