I reached out and took the food with one hand, holding it away, at arms length. Id go dump it under a tree or something. I didnt want her to feel bad.
Then I remembered Edward.
Dont you say anything to her! Let her think I ate it.
I didnt look at him to see if he was in agreement. Hed better be in agreement. Bloodsucker owed me.
Thank you, Jacob, Esme said, smiling at me. How did a stone face have dimples, for crying out loud?
Um, thank you, I said. My face felt hothotter than usual.
This was the problem with hanging out with vampiresyou got used to them. They started messing up the way you saw the world. They started feeling like friends.
Will you come back later, Jake? Bella asked as I tried to make a run for it.
Uh, I dont know.
She pressed her lips together, like she was trying not to smile. Please? I might get cold.
I inhaled deeply through my nose, and then realized, too late, that that was not a good idea. I winced. Maybe.
Jacob? Esme asked. I backed toward the door as she continued; she took a few steps after me. I left a basket of clothes on the porch. Theyre for Leah. Theyre freshly washedI tried to touch them as little as possible. She frowned. Do you mind taking them to her?
On it, I muttered, and then I ducked out the door before anyone could guilt me into anything else.
15. TICK TOCK TICK TOCK TICK TOCK
Hey Jake, thought you said you wanted me at dusk. How come you didnt have Leah wake me up before she crashed?
Cause I didnt need you. Im still good.
He was already picking up the north half of the circle. Anything?
Nope. Nothing but nothing.
You did some scouting?
Hed caught the edge of one of my side trips. He headed up the new trail.
YeahI ran a few spokes. You know, just checking. If the Cullens are going to make a hunting trip
Good call.
Seth looped back toward the main perimeter.
It was easier to run with him than it was to do the same with Leah. Though she was tryingtrying hardthere was always an edge to her thoughts. She didnt want to be here. She didnt want to feel the softening toward the vampires that was going on in my head. She didnt want to deal with Seths cozy friendship with them, a friendship that was only getting stronger.
Funny, though, Idve thought her biggest issue would just be me. Wed always gotten on each others nerves when we were in Sams pack. But there was no antagonism toward me now at all, just the Cullens and Bella. I wondered why. Maybe it was simply gratitude that I wasnt forcing her to leave. Maybe it was because I understood her hostility better now. Whichever, running with Leah wasnt nearly as bad as Id expected.
Of course, she hadnt eased up that much. The food and clothes Esme had sent for her were all taking a trip downriver right now. Even after Id eaten my sharenot because it smelled nearly irresistible away from the vampire burn, but to set a good example of self-sacrificing tolerance for Leahshed refused. The small elk shed taken down around noon had not totally satisfied her appetite. Did make her mood worse, though. Leah hated eating raw.
Maybe we should run a sweep east? Seth suggested. Go deep, see if theyre out there waiting.
I was thinking about that, I agreed. But lets do it when were all awake. I dont want to let down our guard. We should do it before the Cullens give it a try, though. Soon.
Right.
That got me thinking.
If the Cullens were able to get out of the immediate area safely, they really ought to keep on going. They probably should have taken off the second wed come to warn them. They had to be able to afford other digs. And they had friends up north, right? Take Bella and run. It seemed like an obvious answer to their problems.
I probably ought to suggest that, but I was afraid they would listen to me. And I didnt want to have Bella disappearto never know whether shed made it or not.
No, that was stupid. I would tell them to go. It made no sense for them to stay, and it would be betternot less painful, but healthierfor me if Bella left.
Easy to say now, when Bella wasnt right there, looking all thrilled to see me and also clinging to life by her fingernails at the same time
Oh, I already asked Edward about that, Seth thought.
What?
I asked him why they hadnt taken off yet. Gone up to Tanyas place or something. Somewhere too far for Sam to come after them.
I had to remind myself that Id just decided to give the Cullens that exact advice. That it was best. So I shouldnt be mad at Seth for taking the chore out of my hands. Not mad at all.
So what did he say? Are they waiting for a window?
No. Theyre not leaving.
And that shouldnt sound like good news.
Why not? Thats just stupid.
Not really, Seth said, defensive now. It takes some time to build up the kind of medical access that Carlisle has here. Hes got all the stuff he needs to take care of Bella, and the credentials to get more. Thats one of the reasons they want to make a hunting run. Carlisle thinks theyre going to need more blood for Bella soon. Shes using up all the O negative they stored for her. He doesnt like depleting the stockpile. Hes going to buy some more. Did you know you can buy blood? If youre a doctor.
I wasnt ready to be logical yet. Still seems stupid. They could bring most of it with them, right? And steal what they need wherever they go. Who cares about legal crap when youre the undead?
Edward doesnt want to take any risks moving her.
Shes better than she was.
Seriously, Seth agreed. In his head, he was comparing my memories of Bella hooked up to the tubes with the last time hed seen her as hed left the house. Shed smiled at him and waved. But she cant move around much, you know. That thing is kicking the hell out of her.
I swallowed back the stomach acid in my throat. Yeah, I know.
Broke another of her ribs, he told me somberly.
My stride faltered, and I staggered a step before I regained my rhythm.
Carlisle taped her up again. Just another crack, he said. Then Rosalie said something about how even normal human babies have been known to crack ribs. Edward looked like he was gonna rip her head off.
Too bad he didnt.
Seth was in full report mode nowknowing it was all vitally interesting to me, though Id neverve asked to hear it. Bellas been running a fever off and on today. Just low gradesweats and then chills. Carlisles not sure what to make of itshe might just be sick. Her immune system cant be in peak form right now.
Yeah, Im sure its just a coincidence.
Shes in a good mood, though. She was chatting with Charlie, laughing and all
Charlie! What?! What do you mean, she was talking to Charlie?!
Now Seths pace stuttered; my fury surprised him. Guess he calls every day to talk to her. Sometimes her mom calls, too. Bella sounds so much better now, so she was reassuring him that she was on the mend
On the mend? What the hell are they thinking?! Get Charlies hopes up just so that he can be destroyed even worse when she dies? I thought they were getting him ready for that! Trying to prepare him! Why would she set him up like this?
She might not die, Seth thought quietly.
I took deep breath, trying to calm myself. Seth. Even if she pulls through this, shes not doing it human. She knows that, and so do the rest of them. If she doesnt die, shes going to have to do a pretty convincing impersonation of a corpse, kid. Either that, or disappear. I thought they were trying to make this easier on Charlie. Why ?
Think its Bellas idea. No one said anything, but Edwards face kinda went right along with what youre thinking now.
On the same wavelength with the bloodsucker yet again.
We ran in silence for a few minutes. I started off along a new line, probing south.
Dont get too far.
Why?
Bella asked me to ask you to stop by.
My teeth locked together.
/> Alice wants you, too. She says shes tired of hanging out in the attic like the vampire bat in the belfry. Seth snorted a laugh. I was switching off with Edward before. Trying to keep Bellas temperature stable. Cold to hot, as needed. I guess, if you dont want to do it, I could go back
No. I got it, I snapped.
Okay. Seth didnt make any more comments. He concentrated very hard on the empty forest.
I kept my southern course, searching for anything new. I turned around when I got close to the first signs of habitation. Not near the town yet, but I didnt want to get any wolf rumors going again. Wed been nice and invisible for a long while now.
I passed right through the perimeter on my way back, heading for the house. As much as I knew it was a stupid thing to do, I couldnt stop myself. I must be some kind of masochist.
Theres nothing wrong with you, Jake. This isnt the most normal situation.
Shut up, please, Seth.
Shutting.
I didnt hesitate at the door this time; I just walked through like I owned the place. I figured that would piss Rosalie off, but it was a wasted effort. Neither Rosalie or Bella were anywhere in sight. I looked around wildly, hoping Id missed them somewhere, my heart squeezing against my ribs in a weird, uncomfortable way.
Shes all right, Edward whispered. Or, the same, I should say.
Edward was on the couch with his face in his hands; he hadnt looked up to speak. Esme was next to him, her arm wrapped tight around his shoulders.
Hello, Jacob, she said. Im so glad you came back.
Me, too, Alice said with a deep sigh. She came prancing down the stairs, making a face. Like I was late for an appointment.
Uh, hey, I said. It felt weird to try to be polite.
Wheres Bella?
Bathroom, Alice told me. Mostly fluid diet, you know. Plus, the whole pregnancy thing does that to you, I hear.
Ah.
I stood there awkwardly, rocking back and forth on my heels.
Oh, wonderful, Rosalie grumbled. I whipped my head around and saw her coming from a hall half-hidden behind the stairway. She had Bella cradled gently in her arms, a harsh sneer on her face for me. I knew I smelled something nasty.
And, just like before, Bellas face lit up like a kids on Christmas morning. Like Id brought her the greatest gift ever.
It was so unfair.
Jacob, she breathed. You came.
Hi, Bells.
Esme and Edward both got up. I watched how carefully Rosalie laid Bella out on the couch. I watched how, despite that, Bella turned white and held her breathlike she was set on not making any noise no matter how much it hurt.
Edward brushed his hand across her forehead and then along her neck. He tried to make it look as if he was just sweeping her hair back, but it looked like a doctors examination to me.
Are you cold? he murmured.
Im fine.
Bella, you know what Carlisle told you, Rosalie said. Dont downplay anything. It doesnt help us take care of either of you.
Okay, Im a little cold. Edward, can you hand me that blanket?
I rolled my eyes. Isnt that sort of the point of me being here?
You just walked in, Bella said. After running all day, Id bet. Put your feet up for a minute. Ill probably warm up again in no time.
I ignored her, going to sit on the floor next the sofa while she was still telling me what to do. At that point, though, I wasnt sure how. She looked pretty brittle, and I was afraid to move her, even to put my arms around her. So I just leaned carefully against her side, letting my arm rest along the length of hers, and held her hand. Then I put my other hand against her face. It was hard to tell if she felt colder than usual.
Thanks, Jake, she said, and I felt her shiver once.
Yeah, I said.
Edward sat on the arm of the sofa by Bellas feet, his eyes always on her face.
It was too much to hope, with all the super-hearing in the room, that no one would notice my stomach rumbling.
Rosalie, why dont you get Jacob something from the kitchen? Alice said. She was invisible now, sitting quietly behind the back of the sofa.
Rosalie stared at the place Alices voice had come from in disbelief.
Thanks, anyway, Alice, but I dont think Id want to eat something Blondies spit in. Id bet my system wouldnt take too kindly to venom.
Rosalie would never embarrass Esme by displaying such a lack of hospitality.
Of course not, Blondie said in a sugar-sweet voice that I immediately distrusted. She got up and breezed out of the room.
Edward sighed.
Youd tell me if she poisoned it, right? I asked.
Yes, Edward promised.
And for some reason I believed him.
There was a lot of banging in the kitchen, andweirdlythe sound of metal protesting as it was abused. Edward sighed again, but smiled just a little, too. Then Rosalie was back before I could think much more about it. With a pleased smirk, she set a silver bowl on the floor next to me.
Enjoy, mongrel.
It had once probably been a big mixing bowl, but shed bent the bowl back in on itself until it was shaped almost exactly like a dog dish. I had to be impressed with her quick craftsmanship. And her attention to detail. Shed scratched the word Fido into the side. Excellent handwriting.
Because the food looked pretty goodsteak, no less, and a big baked potato with all the fixingsI told her, Thanks, Blondie.
She snorted.
Hey, do you know what you call a blonde with a brain? I asked, and then continued on the same breath, a golden retriever.
Ive heard that one, too, she said, no longer smiling.
Ill keep trying, I promised, and then I dug in.
She made a disgusted face and rolled her eyes. Then she sat in one of the armchairs and started flicking through channels on the big TV so fast that there was no way she could really be surfing for something to watch.
The food was good, even with the vampire stink in the air. I was getting really used to that. Huh. Not something Id been wanting to do, exactly
When I was finishedthough I was considering licking the bowl, just to give Rosalie something to complain aboutI felt Bellas cold fingers pulling softly through my hair. She patted it down against the back of my neck.
Time for a haircut, huh?
Youre getting a little shaggy, she said. Maybe
Let me guess, someone around here used to cut hair in a salon in Paris?
She chuckled. Probably.
No thanks, I said before she could really offer. Im good for a few more weeks.
Which made me wonder how long she was good for. I tried to think of a polite way to ask.
So um whats the, er, date? You know, the due date for the little monster.
She smacked the back of my head with about as much force as a drifting feather, but didnt answer.
Im serious, I told her. I want to know how long Im gonna have to be here. How long youre gonna be here, I added in my head. I turned to look at her then. Her eyes were thoughtful; the stress line was there between her brows again.
I dont know, she murmured. Not exactly. Obviously, were not going with the nine-month model here, and we cant get an ultrasound, so Carlisle is guesstimating from how big I am. Normal people are supposed to be about forty centimeters hereshe ran her finger right down the middle of her bulging stomachwhen the baby is fully grown. One centimeter for every week. I was thirty this morning, and Ive been gaining about two centimeters a day, sometimes more. . . .
Two weeks to a day, the days flying by. Her life speeding by in fast-forward. How many days did that give her, if she was counting to forty? Four? It took me a minute to figure out how to swallow.
You okay? she asked.
I nodded, not really sure how my voice would come out.
Edwards face was turned away from us as he listened to my thoughts, but I could see his reflection in the glass wall. He was the burning man again.
Funny how having a deadline made it
harder to think about leaving, or having her leave. I was glad Sethd brought that up, so I knew they were staying here. It would be intolerable, wondering if they were about to go, to take away one or two or three of those four days. My four days.
Also funny how, even knowing that it was almost over, the hold she had on me only got harder to break. Almost like it was related to her expanding bellyas if by getting bigger, she was gaining gravitational force.
For a minute I tried to look at her from a distance, to separate myself from the pull. I knew it wasnt my imagination that my need for her was stronger than ever. Why was that? Because she was dying? Or knowing that even if she didnt, stillbest case scenarioshed be changing into something else that I wouldnt know or understand?
She ran her finger across my cheekbone, and my skin was wet where she touched it.