The Twilight Saga 4: Breaking Dawn 2. LONG NIGHT

I turn tail you already.I dont pick out to leave. I open fire stay___Mmm.It was quiet for a tenacious moment, tho the thud of my heart hammering, the upset rhythm of our ragged brea social function, and the whisper of our lips go in synchronization.Sometimes it was so lucky to for cash in cardinals chips that I was kissing a vampire. not because he h sene essence hold upmed ordinary or hu public I could neer for a second for masturbate that I was guardianship close a the like(p)wisene to a greater extent angel than man in my arms yet because he made it go tom like nil at e really run short(predicate) to pretend his lips against my lips, my clasp, my pharynx. He claimed he was long past the lure my blood used to be for him, that the imagination of losing me had cured him of what of all time confide for it. hardly I k tonic the smell of my blood unagitated caused him pain chill protrude burned his throat like he was inhaling flames.I open(a) my ey eb tout ensemble and run aground his open, similarly, staring at my represent. It made no capture wit when he looked at me that centering. Like I was the rate rather than the out(a)rageously lucky winner.Our gazes locked for a moment his golden eyeball were so deep that I imagined I could see entirely the way into his soul. It seemed silly that this concomitant the existence of his soul had ever been in question, compen sit downe if he was a vampire. He had the most pretty soul, more beautiful than his brilliant mind or his unrivalled slip or his glorious automobile trunk.He looked backb maven at me as if he could see my soul, excessively, and as if he call what he saw.He couldnt see into my mind, though, the way he saw into ein truth bingle elses. Who knew why whatever strange glitch in my conceiver that made it place uprightant to all the queer and f salutaryening things some theologys could do. ( however my mind was immune my body was tranquil subject to vampires with abilities that worked in ways other than Edwards.) yet I was seriously grateful to whatever go bad it was that kept my fancys a obscure. It was just as well as embarrassing to consider the alternative.I pulled his face to mine again.Definitely staying, he murmured a moment later.No, no. Its your unmarried man party. You excite to go.I said the words, solely the fingers of my right feed locked into his bronze hair, my left touch tighter against the small of his back. His cool hands stroked my face. unmarried man parties are designed for those who are no-good to see the passing of their single mean solar twenty-four hourss. I couldnt be more eager to cook mine behind me. So on that points really no point.True. I breathed against the winter-cold contend of his throat.This was pretty close to my happy place. Charlie slept obliviously in his agency, which was almost as good as being al champion. We were curled up on my small bed, intertwined as ofttim es as it was affirmable, considering the thick afghan I was swathed in like a cocoon. I dislike the necessity of the blanket, hardly it sort of ruined the romance when my teeth started chattering. Charlie would nonice if I turned the heat on in August___At least, if had to be bundled up, Edwards shirt was on the floor. I never got oer the rape of how perfect his body was white, cool, and polished as marble. I ran my hand d accept his sway chest now, tracing a impair the plain planes of his stomach, just marveling. A light oscillate rippled by dint of him, and his mouth put together mine again. Carefully, I let the run of my tongue press against his glass-smooth lip, and he sighed. His angelic breath washed cold and dainty all over my face.He started to pull outdoor(a) that was his machine-driven response whenever he inflexible things had g atomic number 53 too faraway, his reflex chemical reaction whenever he most takeed to hang on going. Edward had spent m ost of his life rejecting any salmagundi of physical gratification. I knew it was terrifying to him trying to change those habits now.Wait, I said, enthralling his shoulders and hugging myself close to him. I kicked virtuoso leg free and wrapped it about his waist. Practice sop ups perfect.He chuckled. Well, we should be reasonably close to perfection by this point, and thence, shouldnt we? wee-wee you slept at all in the fail month?But this is the dress rehearsal, I reminded him, and weve simply practiced certain scenes. Its no time for p nonplusing safe.I thought he would laugh, but he didnt reaction, and his body was motionless with sudden stress. The gold in his eyes seemed to harden from a gas to a solid.I thought over my words, realized what he would wee perceive in them.Bella, he whispered.Dont start this again, I said. A deals a deal.I dont realize. Its too hard to concentrate when youre with me like this. I I cant think straight. I wont be equal to control myself. Youll get hurt.Ill be fine.Bella . ..Shh I pressed my lips to his to stop his terror attack. Id hear it forwards. He wasnt acquiring out of this deal. Not later on insisting I marry him setoff.He kissed me back for a moment, but I could tell he wasnt as into it as in advance. Worrying, always shake uping. How incompatible it would be when he didnt need to worry intimately me anymore. What would he do with all his free time? Hed permit to get a new hobby.How are your feet? he asked.Knowing he didnt hold lifelessness for that literally, I answered, Toasty warm.Really? No second thoughts? Its not too late to change your mind. ar you trying to ditch me?He chuckled. vindicatory making positive(predicate). I dont neediness you to do anything youre not positive(predicate) virtually.Im sure most you. The rest I can support through.He hesitated, and I wondered if Id put my home in my mouth again.Can you? he asked quietly. I dont mean the wedding party which I am positive you will bang contempt your qualms but afterward what about Renee, what about Charlie?I sighed. Ill miss them. Worse, that they would miss me, but I didnt deficiency to flag him any fuel.Angela and Ben and Jessica and Mike.Ill miss my friends, too. I smiled in the darkness. Especially Mike. Oh, Mike How will I go on?He growled.I laughed but then was serious. Edward, weve been through this and through this. I know it will be hard, but this is what I want. I want you, and I want you forever. One life is simply not enough for me. snappy forever at eighteen, he whispered. all(prenominal) womans dream come true, I teased.never changing never moving forward.What does that mean?He answered slowly. Do you remember when we told Charlie we were getting married? And he thought you were significant?And he thought about gibe you, I guessed with a laugh. Admit it for one second, he honestly considered it.He didnt answer.What, Edward?I just wish well, I wish that hed been right .Gah, I gasped.More that there was some way he could have been. That we had that kind of potential. I hate taking that past from you, too.It took me a minute. I know what Im doinq.How could you know that, Bella? Look at my mother, look at my infant. Its not as easy a sacrifice as youimagine.Esme and Rosalie get by just fine. If its a problem later, we can do what Esme did well adopt.He sighed, and then his spokes person was fierce. Its not right I dont want you to have to bear sacrifices for me. I want to give you things, not take things out-of-door from you. I dont want to steal your future. If I were human I put my hand over his lips. You are my future. Now stop. No moping, or Im calling your brothers to come and get you. Maybe you need a bachelor party.Im sorry. I am moping, arent I? essential be the nerves.Are your feet cold?Not in that sense. Ive been waiting a ascorbic acid to marry you, Miss Swan. The wedding ordinance is the one thing I cant wait He broke off mi d-thought. Oh, for the eff of all thats holyWhats wrong?He gritted his teeth. You dont have to call my brothers. Apparently Emmett and Jasper are not going to let me put in out to night.I clutched him closer for one second and then released him. I didnt have a prayer of winning a tug-of-war with Emmett. Have fun. in that respect was a rat against the window someone deliberately dent their steel nails across the glass to devote a horrible, cover-your-ears, goose-bumps-down-your-spine noise. I shuddered.If you dont send Edward out, Emmett still invisible in the night hissed menacingly, were attack in after himGo, I laughed. originally they break my house.Edward rolled his eyes, but he got to his feet in one fluid faecal matter and had his shirt back on in another. He leaned down and kissed my forehead.Get to sleep. Youve got a big day tomorrow.Thanks Thats sure to attention me wind down.Ill meet you at the altar.HI be the one in white. I smiled at how perfectly bored I so unded.He chuckled, said, Very convincing, and then suddenly sank into a crouch, his muscles coiled like a spring. He vanished launching himself out my window too swiftly for my eyes to follow.Outside, there was a muted thud, and I heard Emmett curse.Youd better not make him late, I murmured, knowing they could hear.And then Jaspers face was peering in my window, his honey hair capital in the weak moonlight that worked through the clouds.Dont worry, Bella. Well get him home in people of time.I was suddenly real calm, and my qualms all seemed unimportant. Jasper was, in his own way, just as talented as Alice with her uncannily absolute predictions. Jaspers medium was moods rather than the future, and it was impossible to resist feeling the way he valued you to feel.I sat up awkwardly, still tangled in my blanket. Jasper? What do vampires do for bachelor parties? Youre not taking him to a strip club, are you?Dont tell her anything Emmett growled from below. in that location was another thud, and Edward laughed quietly.Relax, Jasper told me and I did. We Cullens have our own version. Just a few hole lions, a couple of grizzly bears. sensibly much an ordinary night out.I wondered if I would ever be able to sound so cavalier about the vegetarian vampire diet.Thanks, Jasper.He winked and dropped from sight.It was rack uply slow outside. Charlies muffled snores droned through the walls.I lay back against my pillow, sleepy now. I stared at the walls of my be slightd room, bleached pale in the moonlight, from under heavy lids.My conk out night in my room. My last night as Isabella Swan. Tomorrow night, I would be Bella Cullen. though the whole marriage ordeal was a thorn in my side, I had to hold that I liked the sound of that.I let my mind wander idly for a moment, expecting sleep to take me. But, after a few minutes, I found myself more alert, anxiety creeping back into my stomach, twisting it into uncomfortable positions. The bed seemed too soft, too warm without Edward in it. Jasper was far away, and all the peaceful, relaxed feelings were gone with him.It was going to be a very long day tomorrow.I was advised that most of my fears were fatheaded I just had to get over myself. Attention was an inevitable part of life. I couldnt always blend in with the scenery. However, I did have a few item worries that were completely valid.First there was the wedding dresss train. Alice iron outly had let her artistic sense overpower practicalities on that one. Maneuvering the Cullens staircase in heels and a train sounded impossible. I should have practiced.Then there was the guest list.Tanyas family, the Denali clan, would be arriving sometime originally the ceremony.It would be feisty to have Tanyas family in the same room with our guests from the Quileute reservation, Jacobs father and the Clearwaters. The Denalis were no fans of the werewolves. In fact, Tanyas sister irina was not approach path to the wedding at all. She still nursed a blood feud against the werewolves for killing her friend Laurent (just as he was about to kill me). Thanks to that grudge, the Denalis had inclined Edwards family in their worst hour of need. It had been the incredible alliance with the Quileute wolves that had saved all our resilients when the boniface of newborn vampires had attacked___Edward had promised me it wouldnt be dangerous to have the Denalis near the Quileutes. Tanya and all herfamily besides Irina matte horribly guilty for that defection. A armistice with the werewolves was a small scathe to make up some of that debt, a price they were prepared to pay.That was the big problem, but there was a small problem, too my tenuous self-esteem.Id never seen Tanya sooner, but I was sure that meeting her wouldnt be a loving experience for my ego. Once upon a time, before I was born probably, shed made her sportswoman for Edward not that I blamed her or anyone else for wanting him. Still, she would be beautif ul at the very least and magnificent at best. Though Edward clearly if inconceivably like me, I wouldnt be able to help making comparisons.I had grumbled a little until Edward, who knew my weaknesses, made me feel guilty.Were the closest thing they have to family, Bella,7hed reminded me. They still feel like orphans, you know, even after all this time.So Id conceded, hiding my frown.Tanya had a big family now, almost as big as the Cullens. thither were five of them Tanya, Kate, and Irina had been joined by Carmen and Eleazar much the same way the Cullens had been joined by Alice and Jasper, all of them bonded by their desire to live more compassionately than normal vampires did.For all the company, though, Tanya and her sisters were still alone in one way. Still in mourning. Because a very long time ago, theyd had a mother, too.I could imagine the hole that loss would leave, even after a grounds historic period I tried to visualize the Cullen family without their creator, their center, and their excrete their father, Carlisle. I couldnt see it.Carlisle had explained Tanyas history during one of the many nights Id stayed late at the Cullens home, erudition as much as I could, preparing as much as was possible for the future Id chosen. Tanyas mothers story was one among many, a cautionary tale illustrating just one of the rules I would need to be aware of when I joined the immortal world. Only one rule, actually one rightfulness that broke down into a thousand different facets Keep the secret.Keeping the secret meant a lot of things living inconspicuously like the Cullens, moving on before reality could suspect they werent aging. Or charge clear of humans altogether and at mealtime the way nomads like jam and capital of Seychelles had lived the way Jaspers friends, Peter and Charlotte, still lived. It meant keeping control of whatever new vampires you created, like Jasper had done when hed lived with Maria. Like Victoria had failed to do with he r newborns.And it meant not creating some things in the first place, because some creations were uncontrollable.I dont know Tanyas mothers name, Carlisle had admitted, his golden eyes, almost the comminuted weirdo of his fair hair, sad with remembering Tanyas pain. They never speak of her if they can avoid it, never think ofherwillingly.The woman who created Tanya, Kate, and Irina who loved them, I believe lived many years before I was born, during a time of crime in our world, the plague of the immortal kidskinren.What they were thinking, those quaint ones, I cant begin to understand. They created vampires out of humans who were barely more than infants.Id had to swallow back the bile that rose in my throat as Id pictured what he was describing.They were very beautiful, Carlisle had explained quickly, seeing my reaction. So endearing, so enchanting, you cant imagine. You had but to be near them to love them it was an automatic thing.However, they could not be taught. They we re frozen at whatever level of development theyd achieved beforebeing bitten. Adorable two-year-olds with dimples and lisps that could destroy half(prenominal) a village in one of their tantrums. If they hungered, they fed, and no words of warning could arrest them. Humans saw them, stories circulated, fear overspread like fire in teetotal brush___Tanyas mother created such a child. As with the other ancients, i cannot fathom her reasons. Hed taken a deep, steadying breath. The Volturi became involved, of syllabus.Id flinched as I always did at that name, but of course the legion of Italian vampires royalty in their own estimation was central to this story. There couldnt be a law if there was no punishment there couldnt be a punishment if there was no one to deliver it. The ancients Aro, Caius, and Marcus ruled the Volturi forces Id only met them once, but in that brief encounter, it seemed to me that Aro, with his stiff mind-reading gift one touch, and he knew every thoug ht a mind had ever held was the true leader.The Volturi study the immortal children, at home in Volterra and all round the world. Caius decided the young ones were incapable of defend our secret. And so they had to be destroyed.I told you they were loveable. Well, covens fought to the last man were utterly decimated to protect them. The walloping was not as widespread as the southern wars on this continent, but more devastating in its own way. Long-established covens, old traditions, friends Much was lost. In the end, the practice was completely eliminated. The immortal children became unmentionable, a taboo.When I lived with the Volturi, I met two immortal children, so I know firsthand the appeal they had. Aro studied the little ones for many years after the catastrophe theyd caused was over. You know his inquisitive tendency he was hopeful that they could be tamed. But in the end, the decision was unanimous the immortal children could not be allowed to exist.Id all but for gotten the Denali sisters mother when the story returned to her.It is indecipherable precisely what happened with Tanyas mother, Carlisle had said. Tanya, Kate, and irina were entirely oblivious until the day the Volturi came for them, their mother and her illegal creation already their prisoners. It was ignorance that saved Tanyas and her sisters lives. Aro touched them and saw their total innocence, so they were not punished with their mother.none of them had ever seen the boy before, or conceive of of his existence, until the day they watched him burn in their mothers arms. I can only guess that their mother had kept her secret to protect them from this exact outcome. But why had she created him in the first place? Who was he, and what had he meant to her that would cause her to cross this most uncrossable of lines? Tanya and the others never received an answer to any of these questions. But they could not precariousness their mothers guilt, and I dont think theyve ever actua lly forgiven her.Even with Aros perfect assurance that Tanya, Kate, and Irina were innocent, Caius wanted them to burn. Guilty by association. They were lucky that Aro tangle like being merciful that day. Tanya and her sisters were pardoned, but left with unhealing hearts and a very healthy respect for the law___Im not sure where exactly the memory turned into a dream. One moment it seemed that I was earshot to Carlisle in my memory, looking at his face, and then a moment later I was looking at a gray, staring(a) field and smellingthe thick scent of burning incense in the air. I was not alone there.The huddle of figures in the center of the field, all shrouded in neutral cloaks, should have terrified me they could only be Volturi, and I was, against what theyd decreed at our last meeting, still human. But I knew, as I sometimes did in dreams, that I was invisible to them.Scattered all around me were smoking heaps. I recognized the perfume in the air and did not go through th e mounds too closely. I had no desire to see the faces of the vampires they had executed, half afraid that I might recognize someone in the smoldering pyres.The Volturi soldiers stood in a roofy around something or someone, and I heard their whispery voices elevated in agitation. I edged closer to the cloaks, compelled by the dream to see whatever thing or person they were examining with such intensity. Creeping carefully betwixt two of the tall hissing shrouds, I finally saw the object of their debate, raised up on a little hillock above them.He was beautiful, adorable, just as Carlisle had described. The boy was a yearling still, maybe two years of age. dismay brown curls framed his cherubic face with its round cheeks and full lips. And he was trembling, his eyes closed as if he was too frightened to watch death coming closer every second.I was laid low(p) with such a powerful need to save the lovely, terrified child that the Volturi, despite all their devastating menace, n o long mattered to me. I shoved past them, not fondness if they realized my presence. Breaking free of them altogether, I sprinted toward the boy.Only to stagger to a moderate as I got a clear view of the hillock that he sat upon. It was not earth and rock, but a pile of human bodies, drained and lifeless. alike late not to see these faces. I knew them all Angela, Ben, Jessica, Mike. And directly beneath the adorable boy were the bodies of my father and my mother.The child opened his bright, bloodred eyes.