The Twilight Saga 3: Eclipse Chapter 9. TARGET

ALICE DROPPED ME OFF IN THE MORNING, IN KEEPING with the slumber party charade. It wouldnt be long until Edward showed up, polish officially returning from his hiking trip. All of the pretenses were conk revealing to wear on me. I wouldnt miss this part of being human.Charlie peeked d unmatchable the front window when he visualised me slam the car portal. He waved to Alice, and indeed went to get the door for me.Did you make fun? Charlie asked.Sure, it was great. Very . . . girlie.I carried my stuff in, dumped it all at the foot of the stairs, and wandered into the kitchen to look for a snack.Youve got a message, Charlie auspicateed subsequently me.On the kitchen countinger, the phone message pad was propped up conspicuously against a saucepan.Jacob called, Charlie had written.He said he didnt mean it, and that hes sorry. He compulsions you to call him. Be nice and give him a break. He sounded upset.I grimaced. Charlie didnt usually editorialize on my messages.Jacob could just go a moderate and be upset. I didnt want to talk to him. Last Id heard, they werent big on allowing phone calls from the other side. If Jacob preferred me dead, accordingly maybe he should get handlingd to the silence.My appetite evaporated. I turned an close to face and went to deposit my affairs extraneous.Arent you step uplet to call Jacob? Charlie asked. He was leaning rough the living room wall, watching me scatter up.No.I started up the stairs.Thats non very attractive behavior, Bella, he said. Forgiveness is divine.Mind your own business, I muttered big bucks the stairs my breath, such(prenominal) too low for him to hear.I k natural the wash was building up, so after I put my tooth preceding(a)e away and threw my dirty clothes in the hamper, I went to strip Charlies bed. I left his sheets in a quite a little at the top of the stairs and went to get mine.I pa utilize beside the bed, cocking my head to the side.Where was my pillow? I turned in a circle, scanning the room. No pillow. I noticed that my room looked oddly tidy. Hadnt my gray sweat tog been draped all over the low bedpost on the footboard? And I would swear in that location had been a pair of dirty socks behind the rocking chair, along with the red blouse Id seek on two mornings ago, just now decided was too dressy for school, hanging over the arm. . . . I spun around again. My hamper wasnt empty, entirely it wasnt overflowing, the way I thought it had been.Was Charlie doing laundry? That was fall out of character.Dad, did you start the wash? I shouted out my door.Um, no, he shouted back, sounding guilty. Did you want me to?No, I got it. Were you spirit for something in my room?No. Why?I cant find . . . a shirt. . . .I havent been in there.And thusly(prenominal) I remembered that Alice had been here to get my pajamas. I hadnt noticed that shed borrowed my pillow, too probably since Id avoided the bed. It looked equivalent she had cleaned while she was liber ation through. I blushed for my slovenly ways.But that red shirt really wasnt dirty, so I went to save it from the hamper.I expected to find it near the top, further it wasnt there. I dug through the whole pile and shut awayness couldnt find it. I knew I was probably getting paranoid, alone it distinguishmed like something else was missing, or maybe more than than one something. I didnt even have half a load here.I ripped my sheets off and headed for the laundry closet, grabbing Charlies on the way. The washing machine was empty. I checked the dryer, too, half-expecting to find a washed load delay for me, courtesy of Alice. nothing. I frowned, mystified.Did you find what you were looking for? Charlie yelled.Not yet.I went back upstairs to search under my bed. Nothing but dust bunnies. I started to dig through my dresser. Maybe Id put the red shirt away and forgotten.I gave up when the doorbell rang. That would be Edward.Door, Charlie informed me from the couch as I skipped pas t him.Dont strain yourself, Dad.I pulled the door open with a big smile on my face.Edwards golden look were wide, his nostrils fl bed, his lips pulled back over his teeth.Edward? My percentage was sharp with shock as I read his verbiage. What -?He put his finger to my lips. Give me two seconds, he whispered. Dont move.I stood frozen on the doorstep and he . . . disappeargond. He moved so quickly that Charlie wouldnt even have seen him pass.Before I could compose myself enough to count to two, he was back. He put his arm around my waist and pulled me swiftly toward the kitchen. His eyes darted around the room, and he held me against his body as if he were shielding me from something. I threw a glance toward Charlie on the couch, but he was studiously ignoring us.Someones been here, he murmured in my ear after he pulled me to the back of the kitchen. His voice was strained it was challenging to hear him over the thumping of the washing machine.I swear that no werewolves - I starte d to say.Not one of them, he interrupted me quickly, shaking his head. One of us.His tone made it clear that he didnt mean a member of his family.I matte up the blood empty from my face.Victoria? I choked.Its not a aromatize I recognize.One of the Volturi, I guessed.Probably.When?Thats why I conceive of it must have been them it wasnt long ago, earliest this morning while Charlie was calming. And whoever it was didnt touch him, so there must have been another purpose.Looking for me.He didnt answer. His body was frozen, a statue.What are you two hissing intimately in here? Charlie asked suspiciously, rounding the landmark with an empty popcorn roller in his detainment.I felt green. A vampire had been in the manse looking for me while Charlie slept. Panic overwhelmed me, closed my throat. I couldnt answer, I just stared at him in horror.Charlies expression changed. Abruptly, he was grinning. If you two are having a fight . . . well, dont let me interrupt.Still grinning, he put his bowl in the sink and sauntered out of the room.Lets go, Edward said in a low hard voice.But Charlie The business organisation was squeezing my chest, making it hard to breathe.He deliberated for a short second, and then his phone was in his hand.Emmett, he muttered into the receiver. He began talking so fast that I couldnt understand the words. It was over in half a minute. He started pulling me toward the door.Emmett and Jasper are on their way, he whispered when he felt my resistance. Theyll sweep the woods. Charlie is fine.I let him drag me along then, too panicked to think clearly. Charlie met my frightened eyes with a content grin, which suddenly turned to confusion. Edward had me out the door before Charlie could say anything.Where are we sacking? I couldnt choke up whispering, even after we were in the car.Were going to talk to Alice, he told me, his volume normal but his voice bleak.You think maybe she saw something?He stared at the road through narrowed eyes. M aybe.They were watching for us, on alert after Edwards call. It was like walking into a museum, everyone as yet as statues in various poses of stress.What happened? Edward demanded as soon as we were through the door. I was shocked to see that he was glowering at Alice, his work force fisted in anger.Alice stood with her arms folded tight a dog her chest. Only her lips moved. I have no idea. I didnt see anything.How is that possible? he hissed.Edward, I said, a quiet reproof. I didnt like him talking to Alice this way.Carlisle interrupted in a calming voice. Its not an exact science, Edward.He was in her room, Alice. He could have still been there waiting for her.I would have seen that.Edward threw his hands up in exasperation. Really? Youre sure?Alices voice was frigidness when she answered. Youve already got me watching the Volturis decisions, watching for Victorias return, watching Bellas every step. You want to add another? Do I just have to watch Charlie, or Bellas room, o r the house, or the whole street, too? Edward, if I filter to do too much, things are going to start slipping through the cracks.It looks like they already are, Edward snapped.She was never in any danger. There was nothing to see.If youre watching Italy, why didnt you see them send -I dont think its them, Alice insisted. I would have seen that.Who else would leave Charlie alive?I shuddered.I dont know, Alice said.Helpful.Stop it, Edward, I whispered.He turned on me, his face still livid, his teeth clenched unneurotic. He glared at me for half a second, and then, suddenly, he exhaled. His eyes widened and his jaw relaxed.Youre right, Bella. Im sorry. He looked at Alice. Forgive me, Alice. I shouldnt be taking this out on you. That was inexcusable.I understand, Alice assured him. Im not happy about it, either.Edward took a deep breath. Okay, lets look at this logically. What are the possibilities?Everyone seemed to thaw out at once. Alice relaxed and leaned against the back of the c ouch. Carlisle walked lento toward her, his eyes far away. Esme sat on the waiting area in front of Alice, curling her legs up on the seat. Only Rosalie remained unmoving, her back to us, staring out the grouch wall.Edward pulled me to the sofa and I sat next to Esme, who shifted to put her arm around me. He held one of my hands tightly in both of his.Victoria? Carlisle asked.Edward shook his head. No. I didnt know the scent. He force have been from the Volturi, soul Ive never met. . . .Alice shook her head. Aro hasnt asked anyone to look for her yet. I will see that. Im waiting for it.Edwards head snapped up. Youre watching for an official command.You think someones acting on their own? Why?Caiuss idea, Edward suggested, his face tightening again.Or Janes . . . , Alice said. They both have the resources to send an unfamiliar face. . . .Edward scowled. And the motivation.It doesnt make sense, though, Esme said. If whoever it was meant to wait for Bella, Alice would have seen tha t. He or she had no intention of hurting Bella. Or Charlie, for that affair.I cringed at my fathers name.Its going to be fine, Bella, Esme murmured, smoothing my hair.But what was the point then? Carlisle mused.Checking to see if Im still human? I guessed.Possible, Carlisle said.Rosalie breathed out a sigh, loud enough for me to hear. Shed unfrozen, and her face was turned expectantly toward the kitchen. Edward, on the other hand, looked discouraged.Emmett burst through the kitchen door, Jasper right behind him.Long gone, hours ago, Emmett announced, disappointed. The rail went East, then South, and disappeared on a side road. Had a car waiting.Thats bad luck, Edward muttered. If hed gone west . . . well, it would be nice for those dogs to make themselves useful.I winced, and Esme rubbed my shoulder.Jasper looked at Carlisle. Neither of us recognized him. But here. He held out something green and crumpled. Carlisle took it from him and held it to his face. I saw, as it exchanged hands, that it was a broken fern frond. Maybe you know the scent.No, Carlisle said. Not familiar. No one Ive ever met.Perhaps were looking at this the wrong way. Maybe its a coincidence . . . , Esme began, but stopped when she saw everyone elses incredulous expressions. I dont mean a coincidence that a stranger happened to pick Bellas house to visit at random. I meant that maybe someone was just curious. Our scent is all around her. Was he wondering what draws us there?Why wouldnt he just come here then? If he was curious? Emmett demanded.You would, Esme said with a sudden, fond smile. The rest of us arent always so direct. Our family is very large he or she might be frightened. But Charlie wasnt harmed. This doesnt have to be an enemy.Just curious. desire James and Victoria had been curious, in the beginning? The thought of Victoria made me tremble, though the one thing they seemed certain of was that it had not been her. Not this time. She would stick to her obsessed pattern. T his was just someone else, a stranger.I was slowly realizing that vampires were much bigger participants in this world than Id once thought. How many times did the average human cross paths with them, completely unaware? How many deaths, obliviously reported as crimes and accidents, were really due to their thirst? How crowded would this new world be when I finally joined it?The shrouded future sent a shiver down my spine.The Cullens pondered Esmes words with varying expressions. I could see that Edward did not accept her theory, and that Carlisle very much wanted to.Alice pursed her lips. I dont think so. The timing of it was too perfect. . . . This visitor was so careful to make no contact. Almost like he or she knew that I would see. . . .He could have other reasons for not making contact, Esme reminded her.Does it really point who it was? I asked. Just the chance that someone was looking for me . . . isnt that reason enough? We shouldnt wait for graduation.No, Bella, Edward sai d quickly. Its not that bad. If youre really in danger, well know.Think of Charlie, Carlisle reminded me. Think of how it would hurt him if you disappeared.I am thinking of Charlie Hes the one Im overturned about What if my little guest had happened to be thirsty last night? As long as Im around Charlie, hes a target, too. If anything happened to him, it would be all myfaultHardly, Bella, Esme said, patting my hair again. And nothing will happen to Charlie. Were just going to have to be more careful.More careful? I repeated in disbelief.Its all going to be fine, Bella, Alice promised Edward squeezed my hand.And I could see, looking at all of their beautiful faces one by one, that nothing I could say was going to change their minds.It was a quiet ride home. I was frustrated. Against my better judgment, I was still human.You wont be alone for a second, Edward promised as he drove me to Charlies. Someone will always be there. Emmett, Alice, Jasper . . .I sighed. This is ridiculous. Th eyll get so bored, theyll have to kill me themselves, just for something to do.Edward gave me a sour look. Hilarious, Bella.Charlie was in a good mood when we got back. He could see the tension between me and Edward, and he was misinterpreting it. He watched me throw together his dinner with a smug smile on his face. Edward had excused himself for a moment, to do some surveillance, I assumed, but Charlie waited till he was back to pass on my messages.Jacob called again, Charlie said as soon as Edward was in the room. I kept my face empty as I set the plate in front of him.Is that a fact?Charlie frowned. Dont be petty, Bella. He sounded really low.Is Jacob paying you for all the P.R., or are you a volunteer?Charlie grumbled incoherently at me until the food cut off his garbled complaint.Though he didnt realize it, hed found his mark.My life was feeling a lot like a game of dice right now would the next roll come up snake eyes? What if something did happen to me? It seemed worsened t han petty to leave Jacob feeling guilty about what hed said. But I didnt want to talk to him with Charlie around, to have to watch my every word so I didnt let the wrong thing slip. Thinking about this made me jealous of Jacob and Billys relationship. How easy it must be when you had no secrets from the person you lived with.So I would wait for the morning. I most likely wasnt going to die tonight, after all, and it wouldnt hurt him to feel guilty for 12 more hours. It might even be good for him.When Edward officially left for the evening, I wondered who was out in the downpour, keeping an eye on Charlie and me. I felt awful for Alice or whoever else it might be, but still comforted. I had to admit it was nice, knowing I wasnt alone. And Edward was back in record time.He sang me to sleep again and aware even in unconsciousness that he was there I slept free of nightmares.In the morning, Charlie left to go fishing with Deputy Mark before I was up. I decided to use this lack of sup ervision to be divine.Im going to let Jacob off the hook, I warned Edward after Id eaten breakfast.I knew youd exonerate him, he said with an easy smile. Holding grudges is not one of your many talents.I rolled my eyes, but I was pleased. It seemed like Edward really was over the whole anti-werewolf thing. I didnt look at the clock until after Id dialed. It was a little early for calls, and I worried that I would wake Billy and Jake, but someone picked up before the second ring, so he couldnt have been too far from the phone.Hello? a dull voice said.Jacob?Bella he exclaimed. Oh, Bella, Im so sorry he tripped over the words as he hurried to get them out.I swear I didnt mean it. I was just being stupid. I was angry but thats no excuse. It was the stupidest thing Ive ever said in my life and Im sorry. Dont be mad at me, please? Please. Lifetime of servitude up for grabs all you have to do is forgive me.Im not mad. Youre forgiven. give thanks you, he breathed fervently. I cant believ e I was such a jerk.Dont worry about that Im used to it.He laughed, exuberant with relief. Come down to see me, he begged. I want to make it up to you.I frowned. How?Anything you want. Cliff diving, he suggested, laughing again.Oh, theres a brilliant idea.Ill keep you safe, he promised. No matter what you want to do.I glanced at Edward. His face was very calm, but I was sure this was not the time.Not right now.Hes not thrilled with me, is he? Jacobs voice was ashamed, rather than bitter, for once.Thats not the problem. Theres . . . well, theres this other problem thats meagrely more worrisome than a bratty teenage werewolf. . . . I tried to keep my tone joking, but I didnt fool him.Whats wrong? he demanded.Um. I wasnt sure what I should tell him.Edward held his hand out for the phone. I looked at his face carefully. He seemed calm enough.Bella? Jacob asked.Edward sighed, holding his hand closer.Do you mind dissertation to Edward? I asked apprehensively. He wants to talk to you.Th ere was a long pause.Okay, Jacob finally agreed. This should be fire.I hand the phone to Edward I hoped he could read the warning in my eyes.Hello, Jacob, Edward said, perfectly polite.There was a silence. I bit my lip, onerous to guess how Jacob would answer.Someone was here not a scent I know, Edward explained. Has your relative majority come across anything new?Another pause, while Edward nodded to himself, unsurprised.Heres the crux, Jacob. I wont be letting Bella out of my sess till I get this taken care of. Its nothing personal -Jacob interrupted him then, and I could hear the buzz of his voice from the receiver. Whatever he was saying, he was more intense than before. I tried unsuccessfully to make out the words.You might be right -, Edward began, but Jacob was arguing again. Neither of them sounded angry, at least.Thats an interesting suggestion. Were quite willing to renegotiate. If Sam is amenable.Jacobs voice was quieter now. I started chewing on my thumbnail as I t ried to read Edwards expression.Thank you, Edward replied.Then Jacob said something that caused a surprised expression to flicker across Edwards face.Id plan to go alone, actually, Edward said, answering the unexpected question. And leave her with the others.Jacobs voice rose in pitch, and it sounded to me like he was trying to be persuasive.Ill try to consider it objectively, Edward promised. As objectively as Im capable of.The pause was shorter this time.Thats not a half-bad idea. When? . . . No, thats fine. Id like a chance to follow the trail personally, anyway. Ten minutes . . . Certainly, Edward said. He held the phone out to me. Bella?I took it slowly, feeling confused.What was that all about? I asked Jacob, my voice peeved. I knew it was juvenile, but I felt excluded.A truce, I think. Hey, do me a favor, Jacob suggested. Try to convince your bloodsucker that the safest place for you to be peculiarly when he leaves is on the reservation. Were well able to handle anything. Is that what you were trying to sell him?Yes. It makes sense. Charlies probably better off here, too. As much as possible.Get Billy on it, I agreed. I hated that I was putting Charlie within the range of the crosshairs that always seemed to be centered on me. What else?Just rearranging some boundaries, so we can catch anyone who gets too near Forks. Im not sure if Sam will go for it, but until he comes around, Ill keep an eye on things.What do you mean by keep an eye on things?I mean that if you see a wolf running around your house, dont shoot at it.Of ladder not. You really shouldnt do anything . . . risky, though.He snorted. Dont be stupid. I can take care of myself.I sighed.I also tried to convince him to let you visit. Hes prejudiced, so dont let him give you any crap about safety. He knows as well as I do that youd be safe here.Ill keep that in mind.See you in a few, Jacob said.Youre coming up?Yeah. Im going to get the scent of your visitor so we can track him if he comes back .Jake, I really dont like the idea of you tracking -Oh please, Bella, he interrupted. Jacob laughed, and then hung up.