2 new moon新月-第29章

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were　innocent　of　any　intended　offense。　

I　smiled　wryly。　〃Something　like　that。〃　

〃Hmm；〃　he　said；　thoughtful　again。　

At　that　precise　moment；　I　realized　why　he　looked　the　same—too　much　the　same。　After　Carlisle　told　us　
that　Laurent　had　stayed　with　Tanya's　family；　I'd　begun　to　picture　him；　on　the　rare　occasions　that　I　thought　
of　him　at　all；　with　the　same　golden　eyes　that　the…　Cullens—I　forced　the　name　out；　wincing—had。　That　
all　good　vampires　had。　

I　took　an　involuntary　step　back；　and　his　curious；　dark　red　eyes　followed　the　movement。　

〃Do　they　visit　often？〃　he　asked；　still　casual；　but　his　weight　shifted　toward　me。　

〃Lie；〃　the　beautiful　velvet　voice　whispered　anxiously　from　my　memory。　

I　started　at　the　sound　of　his　voice；　but　it　should　not　have　surprised　me。　Was　I　nor　in　the　worst　danger　
imaginable？　The　motorcycle　was　safe　as　kittens　next　to　this。　

I　did　what　the　voice　said　to　do。　

〃Now　and　again。〃　I　tried　to　make　my　voice　light；　relaxed。　〃The　time　seems　longer　to　me；　I　imagine。　You　
know　how　they　get　distracted…〃　I　was　beginning　to　babble。　I　had　to　work　to　shut　myself　up。　

〃Hmm；〃　he　said　again。　〃The　house　smelled　like　it　had　been　vacant　for　a　while…〃　

〃You　must　lie　better　than　that；　Bella；〃　the　voice　urged。　

I　tried。　〃I'll　have　to　mention　to　Carlisle　that　you　stopped　by。　He'll　be　sorry　they　missed　your　visit。〃　I　

pretended　to　deliberate　for　a　second。　〃But　I　probably　shouldn't　mention　it　to…　Edward；　I　suppose—〃　I　
barely　managed　to　say　his　name；　and　it　twisted　my　expression　on　the　way　out；　ruining　my　bluff　〃—he　has　
such　a　temper…　well；　I'm　sure　you　remember。　He's　still　touchy　about　the　whole　James　thing。〃　I　rolled　my　
eyes　and　waved　one　hand　dismissively；　like　it　was　all　ancient　history；　but　there　was　an　edge　of　hysteria　to　
my　voice。　I　wondered　if　he　would　recognize　what　it　was。　

〃Is　he　really？〃　Laurent　asked　pleasantly…　skeptically。　

I　kept　my　reply　short；　so　that　my　voice　wouldn't　betray　my　panic。　〃Mm…hmm。〃　

Laurent　took　a　casual　step　to　the　side；　gazing　around　at　the　little　meadow。　I　didn't　miss　that　the　step　
brought　him　closer　to　me。　In　my　head；　the　voice　responded　with　a　low　snarl。　

〃So　how　are　things　working　out　in　Denali？　Carlisle　said　you　were　staying　with　Tanya？〃　My　voice　was　too　
high。　

The　question　made　him　pause。　〃I　like　Tanya　very　much；〃　he　mused。　〃And　her　sister　Irina　even　more…　
I've　never　stayed　in　one　place　for　so　long　before；　and　I　enjoy　the　advantages；　the　novelty　of　it。　But；　the　
restrictions　are　difficult…　I'm　surprised　that　any　of　them　can　keep　it　up　for　long。〃　He　smiled　at　me　
conspiratorially。　〃Sometimes　I　cheat。〃　

I　couldn't　swallow。　My　foot　started　to　ease　back；　but　I　froze　when　his　red　eyes　flickered　down　to　catch　
the　movement。　

〃Oh；〃　I　said　in　a　faint　voice。　〃Jasper　has　problems　with　that；　too。〃　

〃Don't　move；〃　the　voice　whispered。　I　tried　to　do　what　he　instructed。　It　was　hard；　the　instinct　to　take　flight　
was　nearly　uncontrollable。　

〃Really？〃　Laurent　seemed　interested。　〃Is　that　why　they　left？〃　

〃No；〃　I　answered　honestly。　〃Jasper　is　more　careful　at　home。〃　

〃Yes；〃　Laurent　agreed。　〃I　am；　too。〃　

The　step　forward　he　took　now　was　quite　deliberate。　

〃Did　Victoria　ever　find　you？〃　I　asked；　breathless；　desperate　to　distract　him。　It　was　the　first　question　that　
popped　into　my　head；　and　I　regretted　it　as　soon　as　the　words　were　spoken。　Victoria—who　had　hunted　
me　with　James；　and　then　disappeared—was　not　someone　I　wanted　to　think　of　at　this　particular　moment。　

But　the　question　did　stop　him。　

〃Yes；〃　he　said；　hesitating　on　that　step。　〃I　actually　came　here　as　a　favor　to　her。〃　He　made　a　face。　〃She　
won't　be　happy　about　this。〃　

〃About　what？〃　I　said　eagerly；　inviting　him　to　continue。　He　was　glaring　into　the　trees；　away　from　me。　I　
took　advantage　of　his　diversion；　taking　a　furtive　step　back。　

He　looked　back　at　me　and　smiled—the　expression　made　him　look　like　a　black…haired　angel。　

〃About　me　killing　you；〃　he　answered　in　a　seductive　purr。　

I　staggered　back　another　step。　The　frantic　growling　in　my　head　made　it　hard　to　hear。　

〃She　wanted　to　save　that　part　for　herself；〃　he　went　on　blithely。　〃She's　sort　of…　put　out　with　you；　Bella。〃　

〃Me？〃　I　squeaked。　

He　shook　his　head　and　chuckled。　〃I　know；　it　seems　a　little　backward　to　me；　too。　But　James　was　her　
mate；　and　your　Edward　killed　him。〃　

Even　here；　on　the　point　of　death；　his　name　tore　against　my　unhealed　wounds　like　a　serrated　edge。　

Laurent　was　oblivious　to　my　reaction。　〃She　thought　it　more　appropriate　to　kill　you　than　Edward—fair　
turnabout；　mate　for　mate。　She　asked　me　to　get　the　lay　of　the　land　for　her；　so　to　speak。　I　didn't　imagine　
you　would　be　so　easy　to　get　to。　So　maybe　her　plan　was　flawed—apparently　it　wouldn't　be　the　revenge　
she　imagined；　since　you　must　not　mean　very　much　to　him　if　he　left　you　here　unprotected。〃　

Another　blow；　another　tear　through　my　chest。　

Laurent's　weight　shifted　slightly；　and　I　stumbled　another　step　back。　

He　frowned。　〃I　suppose　she'll　be　angry；　all　the　same。〃　

〃Then　why　not　wait　for　her？〃　I　choked　out。　

A　mischievous　grin　rearranged　his　features。　〃Well；　you've　caught　me　at　a　bad　time；　Bella。　I　didn't　come　
to　this　place　on　Victoria's　mission—I　was　hunting。　I'm　quite　thirsty；　and　you　do　smell…　simply　
mouthwatering。〃　

Laurent　looked　at　me　with　approval；　as　if　he　meant　it　as　a　compliment。　

〃Threaten　him；〃　the　beautiful　delusion　ordered；　his　voice　distorted　with　dread。　

〃He'll　know　it　was　you；〃　I　whispered　obediently。　〃You　won't　get　away　with　this。〃　

〃And　why　not？〃　Laurent's　smile　widened。　He　gazed　around　the　small　opening　in　the　trees。　〃The　scent　will　
wash　away　with　the　next　rain。　No　one　will　find　your　body—you'll　simply　go　missing；　like　so　many；　many　
other　humans。　There's　no　reason　for　Edward　to　think　of　me；　if　he　cares　enough　to　investigate。　This　is　
nothing　personal；　let　me　assure　you；　Bella。　Just　thirst。〃　

〃Beg；〃　my　hallucination　begged。　

〃Please；〃　I　gasped。　

Laurent　shook　his　head；　his　face　kind。　〃Look　at　it　this　way；　Bella。　You're　very　lucky　I　was　the　one　to　find　
you。〃　

〃Am　I？〃　I　mouthed；　faltering　another　step　back。　

Laurent　followed；　lithe　and　graceful。　

〃Yes；〃　he　assured　me。　〃I'll　be　very　quick。　You　won't　feel　a　thing；　I　promise。　Oh；　I'll　lie　to　Victoria　about　
that　later；　naturally；　just　to　placate　her。　But　if　you　knew　what　she　had　planned　for　you；　Bella…〃　He　shook　
his　head　with　a　slow　movement；　almost　as　if　in　disgust。　〃I　swear　you'd　be　thanking　me　for　this。〃　

I　stared　at　him　in　horror。　

He　sniffed　at　the　breeze　that　blew　threads　of　my　hair　in　his　direction。　〃Mouthwatering；〃　he　repeated；　

inhaling　deeply。　

I　tensed　for　the　spring；　my　eyes　squinting　as　I　cringed　away；　and　the　sound　of　Edward's　furious　roar　
echoed　distantly　in　the　back　of　my　head。　His　name　burst　through　all　the　walls　I'd　built　to　contain　it。　
Edward；　Edward；　Edward。　I　was　going　to　die。　It　shouldn't　matter　if　I　thought　of　him　now。　Edward；　I　
love　you。　

Through　my　narrowed　eyes；　I　watched　as　Laurent　paused　in　the　act　of　inhaling　and　whipped　his　head　
abruptly　to　the　left。　I　was　afraid　to　look　away　from　him；　to　follow　his　glance；　though　he　hardly　needed　a　
distraction　or　any　other　trick　to　overpower　me。　I　was　too　amazed　to　feel　relief　when　he　started　slowly　
backing　away　from　me。　

〃I　don't　believe　it；〃　he　said；　his　voice　so　low　that　I　barely　heard　it。　

I　had　to　look　then。　My　eyes　scanned　the　meadow；　searching　for　the　interruption　that　had　extended　my　life　
by　a　few　seconds。　At　first　I　saw　nothing；　and　my　gaze　flickered　back　to　Laurent。　He　was　retreating　more　
quickly　now；　his　eyes　boring　into　the　forest。　

Then　I　saw　it；　a　huge　black　shape　eased　out　of　the　trees；　quiet　as　a　shadow；　and　stalked　deliberately　
toward　the　vampire。　It　was　enormous—as　tall　as　a　horse；　but　thicker；　much　more　muscular。　The　long　
muzzle　grimaced；　revealing　a　line　of　dagger…like　incisors。　A　grisly　snarl　rolled　out　from　between　the　teeth；　
rumbling　across　the　clearing　like　a　prolonged　crack　of　thunder。　

The　bear。　Only；　it　wasn't　a　bear　at　all。　Still；　this　gigantic　black　monster　had　to　be　the　creature　causing　all　
the　alarm。　From　a　distance；　anyone　would　assume　it　was　a　bear。　What　else　could　be　so　vast；　so　
powerfully　built？　

I　wished　I　were　lucky　enough　to　see　it　from　a　distance。　Instead；　it　padded　silently　through　the　grass　a　
mere　ten　feet　from　where　I　stood。　

〃Don't　move　an　inch；〃　Edward's　voice　whispered。　

I　stared　at　the　monstrous　creature；　my　mind　boggling　as　I　tried　to　put　a　name　to　it。　There　was　a　distinctly　
canine　cast　to　the　shape　of　it；　the　way　it　moved。　I　could　only　think　of　one　possibility；　locked　in　horror　as　I　
was。　Yet　I'd　never　imagined　that　a　wolf　could　get　so　big。　

Another　growl　rumbled　in　its　throat；　and　I　shuddered　away　from　the　sound。　

Laurent　was　backing　toward　the　edge　of　the　trees；　and；　under　the　freezing　terror；　confusion　swept　
through　me。　Why　was　Laurent　retreating？　Granted；　the　wolf　was　monstrous　in　size；　but　it　was　just　an　
animal。　What　reason　would　a　vampire　have　for　fearing　an　animal？　And　Laurent　was　afraid。　His　eyes　were　
wide　with　horror；　just　like　mine。　

As　if　in　answer　to　my　question；　suddenly　the　mammoth　wolf　was　not　alone。　Flanking　it　on　either　side；　
another　two　gigantic　beasts　prowled　silently　into　the　meadow。　One　was　a　deep　gray；　the　other　brown；　
neither　one　quite　as　tall　as　the　first。　The　gray　wolf　came　through　the　trees　only　a　few　feet　from　me；　its　
eyes　locked　on　Laurent。　

Before　I　could　even　react；　two　more　wolves　followed；　lined　up　in　a　V；　like　geese　flying　south。　Which　
meant　that　the　rusty　brown　monster　that　shrugged　through　the　brush　last　was　close　enough　for　me　to　
touch。　

I　gave　an　involuntary　gasp　and　jumped　back—which　was　the　stupidest　thing　I　could　have　done。　I　froze　
again；　waiting　for　the　wolves　to　turn　on　me；　the　much　weaker　of　the　available　prey。　I　wished　briefly　that　

Laurent　would　get　on　with　it　and　crush　the　wolf　pack—it　should　be　so　simple　for　him。　I　guessed　that；　
between　the　two　choices　before　me；　being　eaten　by　wolves　was　almost　certainly　the　worse　option。　

The　wolf　closest　to　me；　the　reddish　brown　one；　turned　its　head　slightly　at　the　sound　of　my　gasp。　

The　wolf's　eyes　were　dark；　nearly　black。　It　gazed　at　me　for　a　fraction　of　a　second；　the　deep　eyes　seeming　
too　intelligent　for　a　wild　animal。　

As　it　stared　at　me；　I　suddenly　thought　of　Jacob—again；　with　gratitude。　At　least　I'd　come　here　alone；　to　
this　fairytale　meadow　filled　with　dark　monsters。　At　least　Jacob　wasn't　going　to　die；　too。　At　least　I　
wouldn't　have　his　death　on　my　hands。　

Then　another　low　growl　from　the　leader　caused　the　russet　wolf　to　whip　his　head　around；　back　toward　
Laurent。　

Laurent　was　staring　at　the　pack　of　monster　wolves　with　unconcealed　shock　and　fear。　The　first　I　could　
understand。　But　I　was　stunned　when；　without　warning；　he　spun　and　disappeared　into　the　trees。　

He　ran　away。　

The　wolves　were　after　him　in　a　second；　sprinting　across　the　open　grass　with　a　few　powerful　bounds；　
snarling　and　snapping　so　loudly　that　my　hands　flew　up　instinctively　to　cover　my　ears。　The　sound　faded　
with　surprising　swiftness　once　they　disappeared　into　the　woods。　

And　then　I　was　alone