The Twilight Saga 4: Breaking Dawn 35. Deadline

Headed out? Edward conveyed, his tone nonchalant. There was a sort of forced apathy near his expression. He hugged Renesmee dear a little eccentric tighter to his chest.Yes, a few demise-minute things, I responded just as casu entirelyy.He smiled my positron emission tomography smile. Hurry moxie to me.Always.I took his Volvo again, wondering if hed read the odometer after my snuff it errand. How practically had he tackd to pick outher? That I had a secret, absolutely. Would he hasten deduced the reason why I didnt confide in him? Did he guess that Aro might shortly go through everything he knew? I suasion Edward could have come to that conclusion, which explained why he had demanded no reasons from me. I guessed he was trying not to speculate too much, trying to keep my doings off his mind. Had he put this together with my odd performance the sunup after Alice leave, burning my book in the fire? I didnt know if he could have made that leap.It was a dreary afternoon , already unsung as dusk. I sped through the gloom, my eyeball on the heavy clouds. Would it carbon tonight? Enough to layer the ground and create the ikon from Alices visual modality? Edward estimated that we had about two more days. Then we would set ourselves in the clearing, sketch the Volturi to our chosen place.As I headed through the shadowening fo residual, I con locating personnel casualty my exsert trip to Seattle. I thought I knew Alices purpose in move me to the dilapidated drop point where J. Jenks referred his shadier clients. If Id gone to one of his separate, more countenance offices, would I have ever cognise what to ask for? if Id met him as Jason Jenks or Jason Scott, legitimate lawyer, would I ever have unearthed J. Jenks, purveyor of illegal documents? Id had to go the driveway that made it clear I was up to no good. That was my clue.It was black when I pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant a few transactions early, ignoring the eager vale ts by the accounting entry. I popped in my contacts and wherefore went to wait for J at bottom the restaurant. Though I was in a hurry to bethrough with this depressing necessity and linchpin with my family, J have the appearance _or_ semblanceed careful to keep himself undefiled by his baser associations i had a relishing a massoff in the dark parking lot would offend his sensibilities.I gave the name Jenks at the podium, and the bootlicking maftre d led me upstairs to a small private room with a fire crackling in a stone hearth. He took the calf-length bone trench coat Id worn to disguise the fact that I was wear Alices whim of appropriate attire, and gasped quietly at my oyster sit downin cocktail dress. I couldnt serving beingness a little flattered I still wasnt used to being beautiful to everyone rather than just Edward. The mattre d stuttered half-formed compliments as he support unsteadily from the room.I stood by the fire to wait, h honest-to-goding my finger s close to the break open to warm them a little before the inevit satisfactory handshake. Not that J wasnt obviously cognisant that there was whatsoeverthing up with the Cullens, provided it was still a good habit to practice.For one half second, I wondered what it would feel wish to put my hand in the fire. What it would feel bid when I burned___Js entrance distracted my morbidity. The maftre d took his coat, too, and it was evident that I was not the lone(prenominal) one who had change up for this meeting.Im so sorry Im late, J said as soon as we were alone.No, youre exactly on metre.He held out his hand, and as we move I could feel that his fingers were still quite noticeably warmer than mine. It didnt seem to bother him.You front stunning, if I may be so bold, Mrs. Cullen. give thanks you, J. Please, call me Bella.I must say, its a different experience functional with you than it is with Mr. Jasper. Much less unsettling. He smiled hesitantly.Really? Ive forever ins tal Jasper to have a very soothing presence.His eyebrows pulled together. Is that so? he murmured politely sequence clearly still in disagreement. How odd. What had Jasper done to this man?Have you known Jasper great?He sighed, looking uncomfortable. Ive been working with Mr. Jasper for more than twenty years, and my old partner knew him for fifteen years before that. He never changes. J cringed delicately.Yeah, Jaspers kind of funny that way.J shook his head as if he could shake out 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 hand it to him.Oh, he said, a little catch of disappointment in his voice. He tucked the envelope into an inside pocket of his poll 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 satisf ied.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 run crosswise and changed the coloring so that it wasnt immediately evident that it was the alike(p) picture on both his liberty chit and drivers license. Both looked perfectly sound to me, just that meant little. I glanced at the picture on Vanessa Wolfes passport for a fraction of a second, and accordingly looked away quickly, a lump rising in my throat. convey you, I told him.His eyes narrowed slightly, and I felt he was disappointed that my trial was not more thorough. I can assure you every piece is perfect. All will pass the most rigorous scru comminuted 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 some(prenominal)thing the Cullen family needs. He didnt even hint at it really, further this sounded bid an invitation for me to take over Jaspers place as liaison.There was something you cherished 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 lively silk handkerchief from his pocket and began mopping.You are the sister of Mr. Jaspers wife? Or espouse to his brother? he asked.Married to his brother, I clarified, wondering where this was leading.You would be Mr. Edwards bride, therefore?Yes.He smiled apologetically. Ive seen all the names many ms, you see. My belated congratulations. Its nice that Mr. Edward has found such a copely partner after all this period.Thank you very much.He paused, dabbing at the sweat. Over the years, you might imagine that Ive substantial a very healthy level of respect for Mr. Jasper and the entire family.I nodded cautiously.He took a ambiguous breath and then exhaled without speaking.J, revel 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 filch the little girl from her father, I would sleep better tonight.Oh, I said, stunned. It took me a minute to under get up the erroneous conclusion hed drawn. Oh no. Its nothing like that at all. I smiled weakly, trying to reassure him. Im simply preparing a safety device place for her in casesomething were to happen to my husband and me.His eyes narrowed. be 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 fleur-de-lis as I often was that I was not the average newborn. J seemed a nice affluent 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, entirely if Mr. Jasper should come to me and ask what names I put on these documents Of path you should certify 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. genuinely good, he said. And I cant prevail upon you to stay for dinner?Im sorry, J. Im short on time at present(a).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(a) with my contraband, glancing tush to see that J was staring after me, his expression a kind 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 handed-dow n vampires were going as far away as possible to farce their thirst. I tried not to think of their hunting in the night, wince at the mental picture of their victims.Only Kate and Garrett were in the front room, leaning playfully about the nutritional value of animal blood. I inferred that Garrett had try 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 olfactory perception 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 root silently through their long closet until I found the sort out sort of bag. It must have been Alices it was a small black strap backpack, the kind that was usually used as a purse, little en ough that even Renesmee could carry it without looking out of place. Then I raided their lowly 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 exonerate of the money. Then I sat on the edge of Alice and Jaspers bed and looked at the pitifully insignificantpackage that was all I could give my missy and my best friend to friend save their lives. I slumped against the bedpost, feeling helpless. further 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.IfIf 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 Renesme e? 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 rascal 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 we re 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 closed book of Renesmees future, the terror of her racing age. Wed been headed south anyway. Now it would be Jacobs, and hopefully Alices, business concern to search for the legends.I bowed my head again against a jerky 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 bottom of the duffel bag, where Jacob would find it soon enough.I crossed my fingers that since it was marvellous that his high school offered Portuguese Jake 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 s ummer. I wondered if it felt repetitive to Carlisle, like deja vu. For me, it would be all new. This time Edward and I would stand with our family.We could wholly 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 was hopefully invisible 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 all(prenominal) 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 deja vu as we found ourselves camp 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 sorrow that could not be avoided. Now everything was in perfect balance. It seemed hideously humorous 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. fleck Renesmee and Jacob slept Jacob snoring so loudly I wondered how Renesmee didnt wake the 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 preparations some light gold, some exuberant crimson. Soon after we all were together, we could hear the wolves moving in the woods. Jacob emerged from the tent, divergence Renesmee still sleeping, to join them.Edward and Carlisle were ar irradiationing 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 apparel Id carefully picked out two days before. Clothes that looked frilly and feminine but that were actually sturdy enough to not show any wear even 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 making love notes for her and Jacob, Charlie and Renee. 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 t han 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 reverse 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.7In my head, I maxim 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 cherishe d box stuffed high overhead on a shelf in an untouched corner. I considered it for a moment and then shrugged. After displace together Alices clues, I couldnt hope that the coming confrontation would be settle 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 all blind, senseless hope because Id scaled the shelves and retrieved Aros wedding present to me.Now I fastened the thick gold rope somewhat my neck and felt the weight of the enormous diamond nestle into the jab of my throat.Pretty, Renesmee whispered. Then she wrapped her arms like a vise roughly 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 appurtenance or Renesmees. He just put his arms tight slightly 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 bread and butter 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 take care 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 hemorrhoid 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 nigher than others those 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 dissolving agent?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 time the 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 thefur over his huge 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 centre on the forest due north of where we stood.We stared where he did, and waited as the last seconds passed.