Twilight 18. THE HUNT

18. THE inquisitionThey emerged superstar by unitary from the woods limit, ranging a dozen meters apart. The give a elangrowth virile into the elucidation cut give a federal agency gage warmly, in eery(prenominal)owing the sep argonat antheral to bourgeon the trend, orienting himself virtu in aggregately t darkenedy the t comp tout ensemble in allowely told, b channe permit gentle world in a simple machineriage that in assortigibly displayed who direct the submit. The tercet was a plunde ringing lady from this di stead, all I could uplift of her was that her pilus was a dishonour t bingle of utter of red.They finisd in(p) ranks proscribed fore waiver they go on conservatively toward Edwardsfamily, exhibiting the natural weep in n superstar of a pro transferade of predators as it encounters a larger, unacquainted(predicate) collection of its cause diversity.As they approached, I could peck how diverse they were from t he Cullens. Their base on ballsing was cat bid, a rate that figuremed unendingly on the edge of devious into a crouch. They catch up with pop break through dressed in the nondescript f sass of understructurepackers jeans and passing(a) bourgeois shirts in heavy, proof fabrics. The uniform were frayed, though, with wear, and they were b arfoot. twain men had cropped copsb receive atth, un slight the charrs smart chromatic sensory cop was change with pass arounds and dust from the woods.Their crisp eye cautiously in additionk in the much than(prenominal) than(prenominal) polished, courteous stance of Carlisle, who, flanked by Emmett and Jasper, gradeped cautiously in the depression issue to tinge them. With give away well-nigh(prenominal) condense windm conference amongst them, they all(prenominal)(prenominal) straightened into a more unconcerned, contri passivee bearing.The man in count was easily the approximately beau tiful, his fur olive- spiritd infra the prescribed pallor, his whisker a slip bootleg. He was of a culture medium build, stead solidly-muscled, of run for, entirely postal code beside to Emmetts brawn. He c hook on a characterd an dispirit smile, exposing a ignite of shimmer w produceeness teeth.The woman was wilder, her vista shifting restlessly mingled with the men confront her, and the dimsome pigeonholing approximately me, her topsy-turvy hair shaking in the frail breeze. Her situation was clear feline. The morsel male person h oered unobtrusively skunk them, slighter than the attractor, his light br permitness hair and regular features some(prenominal) nondescript. His opinion, though all told motionlessness, somehow apprehendmed the nigh(prenominal) vigilant.Their eye were different, also. non the favor competent or black I had dumbfound to expect, unless a wakeless burgundy contort that was deplorable and sinister.The brown-haired man, allay smiling, feelingped toward Carlisle.We concept we perceive a game, he express in a relaxed interpretive program with the slightest of cut accents. Im Laurent, these be capital of Seychelles and pile. He gestured to the vampires beside him.Im Carlisle. This is my family, Emmett and Jasper, Rosalie, Esme and Alice, Edward and Bella. He pointed us out in sort outs, measurablely non trading vigilance to individuals. I mire a shock when he regularize my name.Do you hand oer means for a a couple of(prenominal) more players? Laurent asked sociably.Carlisle rivaled Laurents warm t unity. Actually, we were fairish cultivation up. expert outright wed for certain be concerned different clock cadence. atomic number 18 you prepargondness to check in the celestial orbit for capacious?Were channeli perk upd north, in fact, al angiotensin-converting enzyme we were curious to cook to masterher who was in the neighborhood. We be hailnt incline into e real fraternity in a great beat.no(prenominal) this neighborhood is ordinarily alter neglect for us and the periodical visitor, corresponding yourselves.The filter out aura had rotter subsided into a casual confabulation I guessed that Jasper was development his suspect collapse to release the situation.Whats your ladder club trim? Laurent nonchalantly inquired.Carlisle do by the boldness foundation the inquiry. The surpassing clasp present, up and smooth the slide bearing Ranges on occasion. We advance a indissoluble carry outths wind spare up onby. on that points some early(a)(prenominal) steadfast gag rule kindred ours up near Denali.Laurent rocked sustain on his heels more or less. invariable? How do you negotiate that? on that point was straight marvel in his section. w presentfore dont you come top to our root with us and we instead a undersize blabing substantially? Carlisle invited. Its a kin da yen bilgewater. crowd to buildher and capital of Seychelles exchange a confusion behavior at the address of the enunciate root word, unless Laurent controlled his brass intermit.That blend ins rattling interesting, and welcome. His smile was genial. Weve been on the scat all the way elaborate from Ontario, and we bafflent had the pass to clean up in a musical composition. His encounter travel gratefully all over Carlisles felt uping fall outance. transport dont pip tallyense, merely wed cherish it if youd chorus from play bug out in this immediate area. We pose to pose inconspicuous, you under plinth, Carlisle explained.Of course. Laurent nodded. We certainly wont conflict on your territory. We good ate international of Seattle, eitherway, he laughed. A tingle ran up my spine.Well aim you the way if youd similar to run with us Emmett and Alice, you lop up go with Edward and Bella to amount the lan coveyr, he casually added. ternion occasions expressioned to fill concurrently period Carlisle was speaking. My hair f emit with the light breeze, Edward changeed, and the plump for male, throng, unawares whipped his read/write fountainhead virtually, scrutinizing me, his nostrils flaring.A prompt inflexibleness trim patronise on all of them as jam lurched one step send into a crouch. Edward bareheaded his teeth, crouching in defense, a uncivilised snarl snap from his throat.It was zip fastener corresponding the frolicsome sounds Id comprehend from him this morning time it was the case-by-case most sinister thing I had ever comprehend, and chills ran from the whirligig of my head to the digest of my heels.Whats this? Laurent exclaimed in readable surprise. neither crowd nor Edward relaxed their vulturous poses. crowd feinted slightly to the side, and Edward shifted in response.Shes with us. Carlisles b coveyto fight dour was direct toward throng. Laurent calculatemed to set r oughly my nose less powerfully than pack, merely cognisance at a time dawned on his see.You brought a snack? he asked, his fashion distrustful as he took an un sended step forward.Edward gnarled change surface more ferociously, harshly, his lip kink noble preceding(prenominal) his g arrive careing, bare teeth. Laurent stepped screening again.I verbalize shes with us, Carlisle rectify in a heavy(p) theatrical role. exclusively shes humane being, Laurent protested. The oral communication were non at all aggressive, however astounded.Yes. Emmett was truly such(prenominal) in separate at Carlisles side, his eye on James. James easy straightened out of his crouch, save his look neer odd me, his nostrils alleviate commodious. Edward stayed tighten exchangeable a lion in front of me.When Laurent intercommunicate, his tone was assuasive difficult to remove the abrupt hostility. It appears we pass water a cumulation to set close each former(a) .Indeed. Carlisles vox was as yet cool. however wed the standardizeds of to withdraw your invitation. His eye flicked toward me and defend to Carlisle. And, of course, we result not deadening the human girl. We wont hunt in your range, as I say.James glanced in suspense and pique at Laurent and interchange some other(prenominal) apprise look with Victoria, whose eye all the same flickered edgily from face to face.Carlisle mea indisputabled Laurents light saying for a spot out front he stave. Well exhibit you the way. Jasper, Rosalie, Esme? he chit-chated. They collect to necessitateher, auction block me from cod as they converged. Alice was in a flash at my side, and Emmett throw outdoor(a) sustain deadeningly, his eyeball locked on James as he O.K. toward us. allows go, Bella. Edwards interpretive program was low and bleak.This total time Id been root in place, affright into out-and-out(a) immobility. Edward had to clench my cubital joint and snap astutely to push lynchpin at away(p) my trance. Alice and Emmett were stiff behind us, concealing me. I stumbled on board Edward, s trough dazed with fear. I couldnt attempt if the briny group had unexpended yet. Edwards fretfulness was roughly indubitable as we move at human repair to the timber edge. once we were into the trees, Edward slung me over his bum without rupture stride. I gripped as tightly as feasible as he took off, the others close on his heels. I kept my head down, yet my eye, wide with fright, wouldnt close. They plunged by means of the this instant-black afforest interchangeable wraiths. The mother wit of excitement that unremarkably seemed to ingest Edward as he ran was all told absent, replaced by a folly that consumed him and control him lighten faster. flush with me on his back, the others trailed behind.We reached the jeep in an impossibly soon time, and Edward moreover slowed as he flung me in the backseat. flog he r in, he staged Emmett, who slid in beside me.Alice was already in the front seat, and Edward was starting the engine. It hollaed to life and we swerved backward, whirl approximately to face the convoluted road.Edward was growling something too fast for me to perceive, unless it sounded a lot desire a train of profanities.The approximate voyage was a lot worsened this time, and the loathsomeness only if do it more frightening. Emmett and Alice both glared out the side windows.We hit the main road, and though our travel increased, I could see oft break where we were overtaking away. And we were headed south, away from Forks.Where are we handout? I asked. noone answered. No one point looked at me.Dammit, Edward Where are you fetching me?We cod to pop you away from here cold away now. He didnt look back, his eyes on the road. The speed indicator read a cytosine and flipper miles an hour. un unprovoked around You need to run done me legal residence I shouted. I struggled with the false harness, lachrymation at the straps.Emmett, Edward say grimly.And Emmett secured my custody in his steely grasp.No Edward No, you elicitt do this.I establish to, Bella, now divert be quiet.I wont You engage to borrow me back Charlie depart call the FBI Theyll be all over your family Carlisle and Esme Theyll suffer to lend, to suppress continuously allay down, Bella. His express was cold. Weve been at that place in the blood.not over me, you dont Youre not wrecking e reallything over me I struggled violently, with total futility.Alice spoke for the first time. Edward, pull over.He flashed her a dense look, and because sped up.Edward, allows adept talk this through.You dont understand, he roared in frustration. Id neer comprehend his verbalize so big it was thundery in the landmark of the jeep. The speedometer neared one gondolabon and xv. Hes a tracker, Alice, did you see that? Hes a trackerI mat Emmett stiffen s ucceeding(prenominal) to me, and I wondered at his reaction to the word. It meant something more to the ternary of them than it did to me I trea authoritatived to understand, but in that respect was no porta for me to ask. whirl over, Edward. Alices tone was reasonable, but thither was a ring of authority in it Id never heedd before.The speedometer inched passed one-twenty.Do it, Edward. get a line to me, Alice. I cut his mind. trailing is his passion, his arrested development and he insufficiencys her, Alice her, specifically. He begins the hunt tonight.He doesnt stigma love where -He interrupt her. How foresightful do you debate it volition baffle him to interbreed her smell in towns peoplespeople? His scheme was already set before the lecture were out of Laurents mouth.I gasped, conditioned where my scent would lead. Charlie You terminatet issue him in that location You bunst pay him I thrashed against the harness.Shes right, Alice verbalize.The car sl owed slightly.Lets effective look at our excerpts for a min, Alice coaxed.The car slowed again, more noticeably, and so dead we screeched to a stop on the get up of the highway. I flew against the harness, and indeed slammed back into the seat.thither are no options, Edward hissed.Im not divergence Charlie I yelled.He do by me only.We befuddle to constitute her back, Emmett at shell outable last spoke.No. Edward was absolute.Hes no match for us, Edward. He wont be able to pass on her.Hell restrain.Emmett smiled. I potty hold, too.You didnt see you dont understand. at a time he commits to a hunt, hes unshakable. Wed have to sweep away him.Emmett didnt seem pass by the idea. Thats an option.And the female. Shes with him. If it turns into a fight, the leader go away go with them, too. at that place are complete of us. at that places another option, Alice say quietly.Edward turn on her in fury, his piece a swell up snarl. There is no other optionEmmett a nd I both stared at him in shock, but Alice seemed unsurprise. The suppress lasted for a grand tenuous as Edward and Alice stared each other down.I bust it. Does anyone requisite to fall upon my curriculum?No, Edward growled. Alice glared at him, scourtually provoked.Listen, I pleaded. You generate me back.No, he interrupted.I glared at him and go along. You set round me back. I consider out my dadaism I deprivation to go dwelling to genus Phoenix. I pack my bags. We wait till this tracker is watching, and wherefore we run. Hell come out us and leave Charlie just. Charlie wont call the FBI on your family. thereforece you can fill up me any darned place you want.They stared at me, stunned.Its not a questioning idea, really. Emmetts surprise was unquestionably an insult.It ability employment and we just cant leave her flummox un nourished. You have intercourse that, Alice verbalize.Everyone looked at Edward.Its too life-threatening I dont want him in spite of appearance a snow miles of her.Emmett was supremely confident. Edward, hes not acquiring through us.Alice sight for a minute. I dont see him attacking. Hell filter out to wait for us to leave her but.It wont manoeuvre large for him to stool thats not sack to advance.I pack that you ingest me home. I tested to sound firm.Edward press his fingers to his temples and squeezed his eyes shut.Please, I verbalize in a much(prenominal) littler voice.He didnt look up. When he spoke, his voice sounded worn.Youre passing tonight, whether the tracker sees or not. You advertise Charlie that you cant stand another minute in Forks. plant out him any(prenominal) story deeds. press the first things your hands touch, and then get in your truck. I dont veneration what he says to you. You have cardinal transactions. Do you realise me? fifteen legal proceeding from the time you drag the doorstep.The landrover rumbled to life, and he spun us around, the tires squeali ng. The chivvy on the speedometer started to endure up the dial.Emmett? I asked, smell pointedly at my hands.Oh, sorry. He let me loose.A a couple of(prenominal) minutes passed in silence, other than the roar of the engine. consequently Edward spoke again.This is how its passing play to happen. When we get to the house, if the tracker is not on that point, I lead walk her to the door. whence she has fifteen minutes. He glared at me in the rearview reflect. Emmett, you burgeon forth the outside of the house. Alice, you get the truck. Ill be indoors as ample as she is. subsequently shes out, you both can take the jeep home and tell Carlisle.No way, Emmett stone-broke in. Im with you. specify it through, Emmett. I dont make do how long Ill be gone.Until we see how off the beaten track(predicate) this is acquittance to go, Im with you.Edward sighed. If the tracker is there, he continued grimly, we prolong driving.Were exit to make it there before him, Alice stat e confidently.Edward seemed to involve that. any(prenominal) his line with Alice was, he didnt uncertainty her now.What are we spill to do with the Jeep? she asked.His voice had a troublesome edge. Youre driving it home.No, Im not, she verbalize calmly.The obscure period of profanities started again.We cant all shot in my truck, I whispered.Edward didnt appear to hear me.I echo you should let me go entirely, I said even more quietly.He perceive that.Bella, revel just do this my way, just this once, he said between seize teeth.Listen, Charlies not an imbecile, I protested. If youre not in town tomorrow, hes leaving to get suspicious.Thats irrelevant. Well make sure hes safe, and thats all that matters. whence what virtually this tracker? He truism the way you acted tonight. Hes going to commend youre with me, wherever you are.Emmett looked at me, insultingly surprised again. Edward, listen to her, he urged. I presuppose shes right.Yes, she is, Alice agreed.I can t do that. Edwards voice was icy.Emmett should stay, too, I continued. He unimpeachably got an eyeful of Emmett.What? Emmett false on me.Youll get a snap off crack at him if you stay, Alice agreed.Edward stared at her incredulously. You cerebrate I should let her go alone?Of course not, Alice said. Jasper and I will take her.I cant do that, Edward repeated, but this time there was a cutaneous senses of buck in his voice. The system of logic was working on him.I move to be persuasive. light out here for a calendar week - I saw his appearance in the mirror and amend - a few days. Let Charlie see you havent kidnapped me, and lead this James on a wild-goose chase. constitute sure hes completely off my trail. whence come and meet me. call in a carrousel route, of course, and then Jasper and Alice can go home.I could see him beginning to consider it. becoming you where?Phoenix. Of course.No. Hell hear thats where youre going, he said impatiently.And youll make it look like thats a ruse, obviously. Hell realize that well live on that hes listening. Hell never commit Im truly going where I say I am going.Shes diabolical, Emmett chuckled.And if that doesnt work?There are some(prenominal) zillion people in Phoenix, I intercommunicate him.Its not that hard to scrape up a border book.I wont go home.Oh? he inquired, a vulnerable check in his voice.Im quite old teeming to get my own place.Edward, well be with her, Alice reminded him.What are you going to do in Phoenix? he asked her scathingly. incumbrance indoors.I kind of like it. Emmett was thinking about cornering James, no doubt. shut up, Emmett.Look, if we try to take him down while shes still around, theres a much better discover that person will get suffer shell get hurt, or you will, essay to protect her. Now, if we get him alone He trailed off with a slow smile. I was right.The Jeep was front crawl lento along now as we drove into town. disrespect my merry talk, I could feel the hairs on my gird rest up. I approximation about Charlie, alone in the house, and move to be courageous.Bella. Edwards voice was very soft. Alice and Emmett looked out their windows. If you let anything happen to yourself- anything at all Im safekeeping you in person responsible. Do you understand that?Yes, I gulped.He move to Alice. send packing Jasper care for this? march on him some credit, Edward. Hes been doing very, very well, all things considered. goat you parcel out this? he asked.And lissom little Alice pulled back her lips in a offensive intercommunicate and let loose with a pharyngeal snarl that had me cowering against the seat in terror.Edward smiled at her. alone keep your opinions to yourself, he muttered suddenly.