2 new moon新月-第58章

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that　to　me　once—just　out　of　curiosity。〃　He　shook　his　head　in　admiration。　

Edward　glared；　disgusted。　

〃So　what　do　we　do　with　you　now？〃　Aro　sighed。　

Edward　and　Alice　stiffened。　This　was　the　part　they'd　been　waiting　for。　I　began　to　tremble。　

〃I　don't　suppose　there's　any　chance　that　you've　changed　your　mind？〃　Aro　asked　Edward　hopefully。　
〃Your　talent　would　be　an　excellent　addition　to　our　little　company。〃　

Edward　hesitated。　From　the　corner　of　my　eye；　I　saw　both　Felix　and　Jane　grimace。　

Edward　seemed　to　weigh　each　word　before　he　spoke　it。　〃I'd…　rather…　not。〃　

〃Alice？〃　Aro　asked；　still　hopeful。　〃Would　you　perhaps　be　interested　in　joining　with　us？〃　

〃No；　thank　you；〃　Alice　said。　

〃And　you；　Bella？〃　Aro　raised　his　eyebrows。　

Edward　hissed；　low　in　my　ears。　I　stared　at　Aro　blankly。　Was　he　joking？　Or　was　he　really　asking　me　if　I　
wanted　to　stay　for　dinner？　

It　was　the　white…haired　Caius　who　broke　the　silence。　

〃What？〃　he　demanded　of　Aro；　his　voice；　though　no　more　than　a　whisper；　was　flat。　

〃Caius；　surely　you　see　the　potential；〃　Aro　chided　him　affectionately。　〃I　haven't　seen　a　prospective　talent　
so　promising　since　we　found　Jane　and　Alec。　Can　you　imagine　the　possibilities　when　she　is　one　of　us？〃　

Caius　looked　away　with　a　caustic　expression。　Jane's　eyes　sparked　with　indignation　at　the　comparison。　

Edward　fumed　beside　me。　I　could　hear　a　rumble　in　his　chest；　building　toward　a　growl。　I　couldn't　let　his　
temper　get　him　hurt。　

〃No；　thank　you；〃　I　spoke　up　in　barely　more　than　a　whisper；　my　voice　breaking　in　fright。　

Aro　sighed。　〃That's　unfortunate。　Such　a　waste。〃　

Edward　hissed。　〃Join　or　die；　is　that　it？　I　suspected　as　much　when　we　were　brought　to　this　room。　So　
much　for　your　laws。〃　

The　tone　of　his　voice　surprised　me。　He　sounded　irate；　but　there　was　something　deliberate　about　his　
delivery—as　if　he'd　chosen　his　words　with　great　care。　

〃Of　course　not。〃　Aro　blinked；　astonished。　〃We　were　already　convened　here；　Edward；　awaiting　Heidi's　
return。　Not　for　you。〃　

〃Aro；〃　Caius　hissed。　〃The　law　claims　them。〃　

Edward　glared　at　Caius。　〃How　so？〃　he　demanded。　He　must　have　known　what　Caius　was　thinking；　but　he　
seemed　determined　to　make　him　speak　it　aloud。　

Caius　pointed　a　skeletal　finger　at　me。　〃She　knows　too　much。　You　have　exposed　our　secrets。〃　His　voice　
was　papery　thin；　just　like　his　skin。　

〃There　are　a　few　humans　in　on　your　charade　here；　as　well；〃　Edward　reminded　him；　and　I　thought　of　the　
pretty　receptionist　below。　

Caius's　face　twisted　into　a　new　expression。　Was　it　supposed　to　be　a　smiled。　

〃Yes；〃　he　agreed。　〃But　when　they　are　no　longer　useful　to　us；　they　will　serve　to　sustain　us。　That　is　not　your　
plan　for　this　one。　If　she　betrays　our　secrets；　are　you　prepared　to　destroy　her？　I　think　not；〃　he　scoffed。　

〃I　wouldn't—；〃　I　began；　still　whispering。　Caius　silenced　me　with　an　icy　look。　

〃Nor　do　you　intend　to　make　her　one　of　us；〃　Caius　continued。　〃Therefore；　she　is　a　vulnerability。　Though　it　
is　true；　for　this；　only　her　life　is　forfeit。　You　may　leave　if　you　wish。〃　

Edward　bared　his　teeth。　

〃That's　what　I　thought；〃　Caius　said；　with　something　akin　to　pleasure。　Felix　leaned　forward；　eager。　

〃Unless…〃　Aro　interrupted。　He　looked　unhappy　with　the　way　the　conversation　had　gone。　〃Unless　you　do　
intend　to　give　her　immortality？〃　

Edward　pursed　his　lips；　hesitating　for　a　moment　before　he　answered。　〃And　if　I　do？〃　

Aro　smiled；　happy　again。　〃Why；　then　you　would　be　free　to　go　home　and　give　my　regards　to　my　friend　
Carlisle。〃　His　expression　turned　more　hesitant。　〃But　I'm　afraid　you　would　have　to　mean　it。〃　

Aro　raised　his　hand　in　front　of　him。　

Caius；　who　had　begun　to　scowl　furiously；　relaxed。　

Edward's　lips　tightened　into　a　fierce　line。　He　stared　into　my　eyes；　and　I　stared　back。　

〃Mean　it；〃　I　whispered。　〃Please。〃　

Was　it　really　such　a　loathsome　idea？　Would　he　rather　die　than　change　me？　I　felt　like　I'd　been　kicked　in　
the　stomach。　

Edward　stared　down　at　me　with　a　tortured　expression。　

And　then　Alice　stepped　away　from　us；　forward　toward　Aro。　We　turned　to　watch　her。　Her　hand　was　
raised　like　his。　

She　didn't　say　anything；　and　Aro　waved　off　his　anxious　guard　as　they　moved　to　block　her　approach。　Aro　
met　her　halfway；　and　took　her　hand　with　an　eager；　acquisitive　glint　in　his　eyes。　

He　bent　his　head　over　their　touching　hands；　his　eyes　closing　as　he　concentrated。　Alice　was　motionless；　
her　face　blank。　I　heard　Edward's　teeth　snap　together。　

No　one　moved。　Aro　seemed　frozen　over　Alice's　hand。　The　seconds　passed　and　I　grew　more　and　more　
stressed；　wondering　how　much　time　would　pass　before　it　was　too　much　time。　Before　it　meant　something　
was　wrong—more　wrong　than　it　already　was。　

Another　agonizing　moment　passed；　and　then　Aro's　voice　broke　the　silence。　

〃Ha；　ha；　ha；〃　he　laughed；　his　head　still　bent　forward。　He　looked　up　slowly；　his　eyes　bright　with　
excitement。　〃That　was　fascinating！〃　

Alice　smiled　dryly。　〃I'm　glad　you　enjoyed　it。〃　

〃To　see　the　things　you've　seen—especially　the　ones　that　haven't　happened　yet！〃　He　shook　his　head　in　
wonder。　

〃But　that　will；〃　she　reminded　him；　voice　calm。　

〃Yes；　yes；　it's　quite　determined。　Certainly　there's　no　problem。〃　

Caius　looked　bitterly　disappointed—a　feeling　he　seemed　to　share　with　Felix　and　Jane。　

〃Aro；〃　Caius　complained。　

〃Dear　Caius；〃　Aro　smiled。　〃Do　not　fret。　Think　of　the　possibilities！　They　do　not　join　us　today；　but　we　can　
always　hope　for　the　future。　Imagine　the　joy　young　Alice　alone　would　bring　to　our　little　household…　
Besides；　I'm　so　terribly　curious　to　see　how　Bella　turns　out！〃　

Aro　seemed　convinced。　Did　he　not　realize　how　subjective　Alice's　visions　were。'　That　she　could　make　up　
her　mind　to　transform　me　today；　and　then　change　it　tomorrow？　A　million　tiny　decisions；　her　decisions　and　
so　many　others'；　too—Edward's—could　alter　her　path；　and　with　that；　the　future。　

And　would　it　really　matter　that　Alice　was　willing；　would　it　make　any　difference　if　I　did　become　a　vampire；　
when　the　idea　was　so　repulsive　to　Edward？　If　death　was；　to　him；　a　better　alternative　than　having　me　
around　forever；　an　immortal　annoyance？　Terrified　as　I　was；　I　felt　myself　sinking　down　into　depression；　
drowning　in　it…　

〃Then　we　are　free　to　go　now？〃　Edward　asked　in　an　even　voice。　

〃Yes；　yes；〃　Aro　said　pleasantly。　〃But　please　visit　again。　It's　been　absolutely　enthralling！〃　

〃And　we　will　visit　you　as　well；〃　Caius　promised；　his　eyes　suddenly　half…closed　like　the　heavy…lidded　gaze　
of　a　lizard。　〃To　be　sure　that　you　follow　through　on　your　side。　Were　I　you；　I　would　not　delay　too　long。　We　
do　not　offer　second　chances。〃　

Edward's　jaw　clenched　tight；　but　he　nodded　once。　

Caius　smirked　and　drifted　back　to　where　Marcus　still　sat；　unmoving　and　uninterested。　

Felix　groaned。　

〃Ah；　Felix。〃　Aro　smiled；　amused。　〃Heidi　will　be　here　at　any　moment。　Patience。〃　

〃Hmm。〃　Edward's　voice　had　a　new　edge　to　it。　〃In　that　case；　perhaps　we'd　better　leave　sooner　rather　than　
later。〃　

〃Yes；〃　Aro　agreed。　〃That's　a　good　idea。　Accidents　do　happen。　Please　wait　below　until　after　dark；　though；　
if　you　don't　mind。〃　

〃Of　course；〃　Edward　agreed；　while　I　cringed　at　the　thought　of　waiting　out　the　day　before　we　could　
escape。　

〃And　here；〃　Aro　added；　motioning　to　Felix　with　one　finger。　Felix　came　forward　at　once；　and　Aro　
unfastened　the　gray　cloak　the　huge　vampire　wore；　pulling　from　his　shoulders。　He　tossed　it　to　Edward。　
〃Take　this。　You're　a　little　conspicuous。〃　

Edward　put　the　long　cloak　on；　leaving　the　hood　down。　

Aro　sighed。　〃It　suits　you。〃　

Edward　chuckled；　but　broke　off　suddenly；　glancing　over　his　shoulder。　〃Thank　you；　Aro。　We'll　wait　
below。〃　

〃Goodbye；　young　friends；〃　Aro　said；　his　eyes　bright　as　he　stared　in　the　same　direction。　

〃Let's　go；〃　Edward　said；　urgent　now。　

Demetri　gestured　that　we　should　follow；　and　then　set　off　the　way　we'd　come　in；　the　only　exit　by　the　look　
of　things。　

Edward　pulled　me　swiftly　along　beside　him。　Alice　was　close　by　my　other　side；　her　face　hard。　

〃Not　fast　enough；〃　she　muttered。　

I　stared　up　at　her；　frightened；　but　she　only　seemed　chagrined。　It　was　then　that　I　first　heard　the　babble　of　
voices—loud；　rough　voices—coming　from　the　antechamber。　

〃Well　this　is　unusual；〃　a　man's　coarse　voice　boomed。　

〃So　medieval；〃　an　unpleasantly　shrill；　female　voice　gushed　back。　

A　large　crowd　was　coming　through　the　little　door；　filling　the　smaller　stone　chamber。　Demetri　motioned　for　
us　to　make　room。　We　pressed　back　against　the　cold　wall　to　let　them　pass。　

The　couple　in　front；　Americans　from　the　sound　of　them；　glanced　around　themselves　with　appraising　eyes。　

〃Welcome；　guests！　Welcome　to　Volterra！〃　I　could　hear　Aro　sing　from　the　big　turret　room。　

The　rest　of　them；　maybe　forty　or　more；　filed　in　after　the　couple。　Some　studied　the　setting　like　tourists。　A　
few　even　snapped　pictures。　Others　looked　confused；　as　if　the　story　that　had　led　them　to　this　room　was　
not　making　sense　anymore。　I　noticed　one　small；　dark　woman　in　particular。　Around　her　neck　was　a　
rosary；　and　she　gripped　the　cross　tightly　in　one　hand。　She　walked　more　slowly　than　the　others；　touching　
someone　now　and　then　and　asking　a　question　in　an　unfamiliar　language。　No　one　seemed　to　understand　
her；　and　her　voice　grew　more　panicked。　

Edward　pulled　my　face　against　his　chest；　but　it　was　too　late。　I　already　understood。　

As　soon　as　the　smallest　break　appeared；　Edward　pushed　me　quickly　toward　the　door。　I　could　feel　the　
horrified　expression　on　my　face；　and　the　tears　beginning　to　pool　in　my　eyes。　

The　ornate　golden　hallway　was　quiet；　empty　except　for　one　gorgeous；　statuesque　woman。　She　stared　at　
us　curiously；　me　in　particular。　

〃Welcome　home；　Heidi；〃　Demetri　greeted　her　from　behind　us。　

Heidi　smiled　absently。　She　reminded　me　of　Rosalie；　though　they　looked　nothing　alike—it　was　just　that　her　
beauty；　too；　was　exceptional；　unforgettable。　I　couldn't　seem　to　look　away。　

She　was　dressed　to　emphasize　that　beauty。　Her　amazingly　long　legs；　darkened　with　tights；　were　exposed　
by　the　shortest　of　miniskirts。　Her　top　was　long…sleeved　and　high…necked；　but　extremely　close…fitting；　and　
constructed　of　red　vinyl。　Her　long　mahogany　hair　was　lustrous；　and　her　eyes　were　the　strangest　shade　of　
violet—a　color　that　might　result　from　blue…tinted　contacts　over　red　irises。　

〃Demetri；〃　she　responded　in　a　silky　voice；　her　eyes　flickering　between　my　face　and　Edward's　gray　cloak。　

〃Nice　fishing；〃　Demetri　complimented　her；　and　I　suddenly　understood　the　attention…grabbing　outfit　she　
wore…　she　was　not　only　the　fisherman；　but　also　the　bait。　

〃Thanks。〃　She　flashed　a　stunning　smile。　〃Aren't　you　coming？〃　

〃In　a　minute。　Save　a　few　for　me。〃　

Heidi　nodded　and　ducked　through　the　door　with　one　last　curious　look　at　me。　

Edward　set　a　pace　that　had　me　running　to　keep　up。　But　we　still　couldn't　get　through　the　ornate　door　at　
the　end　of　the　hallway　before　the　screaming　started。　

22　FLIGHT　




DEMETRI　LEFT　US　IN　THE　CHEERFULLY　OPULENT　RECEPTION　area；　where　the　woman　
Gianna　was　still　at　her　post　behind　the　polished　counter。　Bright；　harmless　music　tinkled　from　hidden　
speakers。　

〃Do　not　leave　until　dark；〃　he　warned　us。　

Edward　nodded；　and　Demetri　hurried　away。