2 new moon新月-第40章

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〃Oh；　that；〃　I　said；　remembering　Jacob　trying　to　choke　out　the　truth　to　me　last　night。　〃He　didn't。　I　guessed　
right。〃　

Embry　pursed　his　lips；　looking　surprised。　〃Hmm。　S'pose　that　would　work。〃　

〃Where　are　we　going？〃　I　asked。　

〃Emily's　house。　She's　Sam's　girlfriend…　no；　fiancee；　now；　I　guess。　They'll　meet　us　back　there　after　Sam　
gives　it　to　them　for　what　just　happened。　And　after　Paul　and　Jake　scrounge　up　some　new　clothes；　if　Paul　
even　has　any　left。〃　

〃Does　Emily　know　about…　？〃　

〃Yeah。　And　hey；　don't　stare　at　her。　That　bugs　Sam。〃　

I　frowned　at　him。　〃Why　would　I　stare？〃　

Embry　looked　uncomfortable。　〃Like　you　saw　just　now；　hanging　out　around　werewolves　has　its　risks。〃　He　
changed　the　subject　quickly。　〃Hey；　are　you　okay　about　the　whole　thing　with　the　black…haired　
bloodsucker　in　the　meadow？　It　didn't　look　like　he　was　a　friend　of　yours；　but。　。〃　Embry　shrugged。　

〃No；　he　wasn't　my　friend。〃　

〃That's　good。　We　didn't　want　to　start　anything；　break　the　treaty；　you　know。〃　

〃Oh；　yeah；　Jake　told　me　about　the　treaty　once；　a　long　time　ago。　Why　would　killing　Laurent　break　the　
treaty？〃　

〃Laurent；〃　he　repeated；　snorting；　like　he　was　amused　the　vampire　had　had　a　name。　〃Well；　we　were　
technically　on　Cullen　turf。　We're　not　allowed　to　attack　any　of　them；　the　Cullens；　at　least；　off　our　
land—unless　they　break　the　treaty　first。　We　didn't　know　if　the　black…haired　one　was　a　relative　of　theirs　or　
something。　Looked　like　you　knew　him。〃　

〃How　would　they　go　about　breaking　the　treaty？〃　

〃If　they　bite　a　human。　Jake　wasn't　so　keen　on　the　idea　of　letting　it　go　that　far。〃　

〃Oh。　Um；　thanks。　I'm　glad　you　didn't　wait。〃　

〃Our　pleasure。〃　He　sounded　like　he　meant　that　in　a　literal　sense。　

Embry　drove　past　the　easternmost　house　on　the　highway　before　turning　off　onto　a　narrow　dirt　road。　
〃Your　truck　is　slow；〃　he　noted。　

〃Sorry。〃　

At　the　end　of　the　lane　was　a　tiny　house　that　had　once　been　gray。　There　was　only　one　narrow　window　
beside　the　weathered　blue　door；　but　the　window　box　under　it　was　filled　with　bright　orange　and　yellow　
marigolds；　giving　the　whole　place　a　cheerful　look。　

Embry　opened　the　truck　door　and　inhaled。　〃Mmm；　Emily's　cooking。〃　

Jared　jumped　out　of　the　back　of　the　truck　and　headed　for　the　door；　but　Embry　stopped　him　with　one　
hand　on　his　chest。　He　looked　at　me　meaningfully；　and　cleared　his　throat。　

〃I　don't　have　my　wallet　on　me；〃　Jared　said。　

〃That's　okay。　I　won't　forget。〃　

They　climbed　up　the　one　step　and　entered　the　house　without　knocking。　I　followed　timidly　after　them。　

The　front　room；　like　Billy's　house；　was　mostly　kitchen。　A　young　woman　with　satiny　copper　skin　and　long；　
straight；　crow…black　hair　was　standing　at　the　counter　by　the　sink；　popping　big　muffins　out　of　a　tin　and　
placing　them　on　a　paper　plate。　For　one　second；　I　thought　the　reason　Embry　had　told　me　not　to　stare　was　
because　the　girl　was　so　beautiful。　

And　then　she　asked　〃You　guys　hungry？〃　in　a　melodic　voice；　and　she　turned　to　face　us　full　on；　a　smile　on　
half　of　her　face。　

The　right　side　of　her　face　was　scarred　from　hairline　to　chin　by　three　thick；　red　lines；　livid　in　color　though　

they　were　long　healed。　One　line　pulled　down　the　corner　of　her　dark；　almond…shaped　right　eye；　another　
twisted　the　right　side　of　her　mouth　into　a　permanent　grimace。　

Thankful　for　Embry's　warning；　I　quickly　turned　my　eyes　to　the　muffins　in　her　hands。　They　smelled　
wonderful—like　fresh　blueberries。　

〃Oh；〃　Emily　said；　surprised。　〃Who's　this？〃　

I　looked　up；　trying　to　focus　on　the　left　half　of　her　face。　

〃Bella　Swan；〃　Jared　told　her；　shrugging。　Apparently；　I'd　been　a　topic　of　conversation　before。　〃Who　else？〃　

〃Leave　it　to　Jacob　to　find　a　way　around；〃　Emily　murmured。　She　stared　at　me；　and　neither　half　of　her　
once…beautiful　face　was　friendly。　〃So；　you're　the　vampire　girl。〃　

I　stiffened。　〃Yes。　Are　you　the　wolf　girl？〃　

She　laughed；　as　did　Embry　and　Jared。　The　left　half　of　her　face　warmed。　〃I　guess　I　am。〃　She　turned　to　
Jared。　〃Where's　Sam？〃　

〃Bella；　er；　surprised　Paul　this　morning。〃　

Emily　rolled　her　good　eye。　〃Ah；　Paul；〃　she　sighed。　〃Do　you　think　they'll　be　long？　I　was　just　about　to　start　
the　eggs。〃　

〃Don't　worry；〃　Embry　told　her。　〃If　they're　late；　we　won't　let　anything　go　to　waste。〃　

Emily　chuckled；　and　then　opened　the　refrigerator。　〃No　doubt；〃　she　agreed。　〃Bella；　are　you　hungry？　Go　
ahead　and　help　yourself　to　a　muffin。〃　

〃Thanks。〃　I　took　one　from　the　plate　and　started　nibbling　around　the　edges。　It　was　delicious；　and　it　felt　
good　in　my　tender　stomach。　Embry　picked　up　his　third　and　shoved　it　into　his　mouth　whole。　

〃Save　some　for　your　brothers；〃　Emily　chastised　him；　hitting　him　on　the　head　with　a　wooden　spoon。　The　
word　surprised　me；　but　the　others　thought　nothing　of　it。　

〃Pig；〃　Jared　commented。　

I　leaned　against　the　counter　and　watched　the　three　of　them　banter　like　a　family。　Emily's　kitchen　was　a　
friendly　place；　bright　with　white　cupboards　and　pale　wooden　floorboards。　On　the　little　round　table；　a　
cracked　blue…and…white　china　pitcher　was　overflowing　with　wildflowers。　Embry　and　Jared　seemed　
entirely　at　ease　here。　

Emily　was　mixing　a　humongous　batch　of　eggs；　several　dozen；　in　a　big　yellow　bowl。　She　had　the　sleeves　of　
her　lavender　shirt　pushed　up；　and　I　could　see　that　the　scars　extended　all　the　way　down　her　arm　to　the　
back　of　her　right　hand。　Hanging　out　with　werewolves　truly　did　have　its　risks；　just　as　Embry　had　said。　

The　front　door　opened；　and　Sam　stepped　through。　

〃Emily；〃　he　said；　and　so　much　love　saturated　his　voice　that　I　felt　embarrassed；　intrusive；　as　I　watched　him　
cross　the　room　in　one　stride　and　take　her　face　in　his　wide　hands。　He　leaned　down　and　kissed　the　dark　
scars　on　her　right　cheek　before　he　kissed　her　lips。　

〃Hey；　none　of　that；〃　Jared　complained。　〃I'm　eating。〃　

〃Then　shut　up　and　eat；〃　Sam　suggested；　kissing　Emily's　ruined　mouth　again。　

〃Ugh；〃　Embry　groaned。　

This　was　worse　than　any　romantic　movie；　this　was　so　real　that　it　sang　out　loud　with　joy　and　life　and　true　
love。　I　put　my　muffin　down　and　folded　my　arms　across　my　empty　chest。　I　stared　at　the　flowers；　trying　to　
ignore　the　utter　peace　of　their　moment；　and　the　wretched　throbbing　of　my　wounds。　

I　was　grateful　for　the　distraction　when　Jacob　and　Paul　came　through　the　door；　and　then　shocked　when　I　
saw　that　they　were　laughing。　While　I　watched；　Paul　punched　Jacob　on　the　shoulder　and　Jacob　went　for　a　
kidney　jab　in　return。　They　laughed　again。　They　both　appeared　to　be　in　one　piece。　

Jacob　scanned　the　room；　his　eyes　stopping　when　he　found　me　leaning；　awkward　and　out　of　place；　against　
the　counter　in　the　far　corner　of　the　kitchen。　

〃Hey；　Bells；〃　he　greeted　me　cheerfully。　He　grabbed　two　muffins　as　he　passed　the　table　and　came　to　stand　
beside　me。　〃Sorry　about　before；〃　he　muttered　under　his　breath。　〃How　are　you　holding　up。'〃　

〃Don't　worry；　I'm　okay。　Good　muffins。〃　I　picked　mine　back　up　and　started　nibbhrg　again。　My　chest　felt　
better　as　soon　as　Jacob　was　beside　me。　

〃Oh；　man！〃　Jared　wailed；　interrupting　us。　

I　looked　up；　and　he　and　Embry　were　examining　a　fading　pink　line　on　Paul's　forearm。　Embry　was　grinning；　
exultant。　

〃Fifteen　dollars；〃　he　crowed。　

〃Did　you　do　that？〃　I　whispered　to　Jacob；　remembering　the　bet。　

〃I　barely　touched　him。　He'll　be　perfect　by　sundown。〃　

〃By　sundown？〃　I　looked　at　the　line　on　Paul's　arm。　Odd；　but　it　looked　weeks　old。　

〃Wolf　thing；〃　Jacob　whispered。　

I　nodded；　trying　to　not　look　weirded　out。　

〃You　okay？〃　I　asked　him　under　my　breath。　

〃Not　a　scratch　on　me。〃　His　expression　was　smug。　

〃Hey；　guys；〃　Sam　said　in　a　loud　voice；　interrupting　all　the　conversations　going　on　in　the　small　room。　Emily　
was　at　the　stove；　scraping　the　egg　mixture　around　a　big　skillet；　but　Sam　still　had　one　hand　touching　the　
small　of　her　back；　an　unconscious　gesture。　〃Jacob　has　information　for　us。〃　

Paul　looked　unsurprised。　Jacob　must　have　explained　this　to　him　and　Sam　already。　Or…　they'd　just　heard　
his　thoughts。　

〃I　know　what　the　redhead　wants。〃　Jacob　directed　his　words　toward　Jared　and　Embry。　〃That's　what　I　
was　trying　to　tell　you　before。〃　He　kicked　the　leg　of　the　chair　Paul　had　settled　into。　

〃And？〃　Jared　asked。　

Jacob's　face　got　serious。　〃She　is　trying　to　avenge　her　mate—only　it　wasn't　the　black…haired　leech　we　

killed。　The　Cullens　got　her　mate　last　year；　and　she's　after　Bella　now。〃　

This　wasn't　news　to　me；　but　I　still　shivered。　

Jared；　Embry；　and　Emily　stared　at　me　with　open…mouthed　surprise。　

〃She's　just　a　girl；〃　Embry　protested。　

〃I　didn't　say　it　made　sense。　But　that's　why　the　bloodsucker's　been　trying　to　get　past　us。　She's　been　
heading　for　Forks。〃　

They　continued　to　stare　at　me；　mouths　still　hanging　open；　for　a　long　moment。　I　ducked　my　head。　

〃Excellent；〃　Jared　finally　said；　a　smile　beginning　to　pull　up　the　corners　of　his　mouth。　〃We've　got　bait。〃　

With　stunning　speed；　Jacob　yanked　a　can　opener　from　the　counter　and　launched　it　at　Jared's　head。　
Jared's　hand　flicked　up　faster　than　I　would　have　thought　possible；　and　he　snagged　the　tool　just　before　it　
hit　his　face。　

〃Bellais　not　bait。〃　

〃You　know　what　I　mean；〃　Jared　said；　unabashed。　

〃So　we'll　be　changing　oar　patterns；〃　Sam　said；　ignoring　their　squabble。　〃We'll　try　leaving　a　few　holes；　and　
see　if　she　falls　for　it。　We'll　have　to　split　up；　and　I　don't　like　that。　But　if　she's　really　after　Bella；　she　
probably　won't　try　to　take　advantage　of　our　divided　numbers。〃　

〃Quit's　got　to　be　close　to　joining　us；〃　Embry　murmured。　〃Then　we'll　be　able　to　split　evenly。〃　

Everyone　looked　down。　I　glanced　at　Jacob's　face；　and　it　was　hopeless；　like　it　had　been　yesterday　
afternoon；　outside　his　house。　No　matter　how　comfortable　they　seemed　to　be　with　their　fate；　here　in　this　
happy　kitchen；　none　of　these　werewolves　wanted　the　same　fate　for　their　friend。　

〃Well；　we　won't　count　on　that；〃　Sam　said　in　a　low　voice；　and　then　continued　at　his　regular　volume。　〃Paul；　
Jared；　and　Embry　will　take　the　outer　perimeter；　and　Jacob　and　I　will　take　the　inner。　We'll　collapse　in　
when　we've　got　her　trapped。〃　

I　noticed　that　Emily　didn't　particularly　like　that　Sam　would　be　in　the　smaller　grouping。　Her　worry　had　me　
glancing　up　at　Jacob；　worrying；　too。　

Sam　caught　my　eye。　〃Jacob　thinks　it　would　be　best　if　you　spent　as　much　time　as　possible　here　in　La　Push。　
She　won't　know　where　to　find　you　so　easily；　just　in　case。〃　

〃What　about　Charlie？〃　I　demanded。　

〃March　Madness　is　still　going；〃　Jacob　said。　〃I　think　Billy　and　Harry　can　manage　to　keep　Charlie　down　
here　when　he's　not　at　work。〃　

〃Wait；〃　Sam　said；　holding　one　hand　up。　His　glance　flickered　to　Emily　and　then　back　to　me。　〃That's　what　
Jacob　thinks　is　best；　but　you　need　to　decide　for　yourself。　You　should　weigh　the　risks　of　both　options　very　
seriously。　You　saw　this　morning　how　easily　things　can　get　dangerous　here；　how　quickly　they　get　out　of　
hand。　If　you　choose　to　stay　with　us；　I　can't　make　any　guarantees　about　your　safety。〃　

〃I　won't　hurt　her；〃　Jacob　mumbled；　looking　down。　

Sam　acted　as　if　he　hadn't　heard　him　speak。　〃If　there　was　somewhere　else　you　felt　safe…〃　

I　bit　my　lip。　Where　could　I　go　that　wouldn't　put　someone　else　in　danger？　I　recoiled　again　from　the　idea　of　
bringing　Renee　into