[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
himself, he wasn't ready. He could use the hours that she slept to immerse himself
in her scent and mentally prepare for the change.
"Fine," he said. He rolled onto his side, keeping the girl trapped under half of his
body, and buried his nose in her neck. "You can have until morning, but I'm not
moving."
~ * ~
CHAPTER 15
The morning came too quickly for both Bella and Edward. He wasn't ready for the
change, but then again, he didn't think he ever would be. The girl had been with
him for a week. He feared he would never be more acclimated to her scent than he
was at this very moment. The flavor of her blood served as too much a temptation,
and he was terrified that he'd lose control again.
Bella just wasn't ready. She was no closer to being at peace with her future now
than when Edward had granted her more time. During the night she had tried to
rest but was too distracted by the vampire at her side. His body was hard and
didn't give way as he pressed himself against her. He was constantly moving
grazing his nose along her neck and collar bone, brushing her hair to the side,
pulling her closer. At least she hadn't been cold. When she had shivered for the
first time, Edward drew the blankets over them, and her body heat had eventually
warmed them both.
"Good morning," Edward whispered as she began to stir. His breath was cool and
sweet as it washed across Bella's face, and she found herself struggling to collect
her thoughts.
"There's nothing good about it," she retorted.
Edward disagreed but decided not to challenge her. The girl was breathing, she
was there with him, and his mind was peaceful. "Would you like something to eat
before . . .?"
"No." Bella shook her head. "I'm not hungry." Her lack of appetite disappointed
Edward. He had hoped to stall the inevitable a little longer. True to her word, she
didn't ask for more time. Still, there was one last thing she wanted to do. "Can I call
my dad first?"
"What?" Edward looked at her like she sprouted a second head. "No!"
"Please?"
"That's not a good idea," he warned.
"But he's going to be worried about me. It's been a week. He probably already
knows I'm gone. I can't just disappear."
"It's not necessary for you to contact him," Edward said. "We already have a story
for your disappearance."
"Well then let me help!" Bella said quickly. "You can tell me what to say. Just let me
talk to him."
For the first time, Edward realized he wasn't aware of the story Jasper had
fabricated. The girl had monopolized his attention, and he wasn't used to asking
for information. In the past he always just knew what was going on.
"No."
"Why not?" she demanded. Edward looked at her guiltily. "Edward, why not?"
"I don't trust you."
Bella's jaw dropped. "You don't trust me?" she screeched. "What am I going to do?"
"You know humans can't know about us. If you tell him "
"You don't even believe that crap! And why would I tell him the truth anyway?
There's no doubt in my mind you would kill him. I wouldn't endanger his life like
that. Please, Edward," she begged. "You have to trust me."
"No, you have to trust me! We've done this before. It's worked every time."
"You were covering up murders," she hissed. "This is different. He's going to be
alone. He's going to miss me."
"He's going to miss you regardless," Edward snapped. "He's losing you whether he
figures it out today or months from now."
Bella thought about the last time she spoke with her father. Was he still mad? Was
he hurt by her words? She would do anything to take back that day. Briefly, she
thought of what might have happened if she hadn't gotten angry with him for
checking in with her every night. He would have continued to call, he'd have the
comfort of knowing he did everything in his power to protect his only daughter,
and she wouldn't feel guilty. But he would have also noticed she was missing right
away, and Charlie wasn't the type to sit back and do nothing. Surely Edward or his
family would have done damage control, possibly resulting in the end of her
father's life. Maybe it's better that things happened the way they did.
"Please?" she asked again. "I need to say goodbye. At least tell him I won't see him
for a while. Tell him I'm sorry. Get some closure."
"I know it seems like it now, but it's not as big a deal as you think it is." Edward
thought carefully about his next words. "Your mind is going to be occupied with
other things. You'll be busy adjusting to your new senses and instincts. It's going
to be a while before you feel like yourself again. The blood lust alone will be
enough to distract you from your surroundings. You aren't going to be concerned
with your father."
Bella held back her tears as she glared at Edward. She would never forget what
was important to her, and she refused to act like the monster he was turning her
into. Taking a deep breath, she put as much bitterness into her words as she could
muster. "I hate you."
Outwardly, Edward appeared unaffected. He suspected she felt that way, but
hearing the words caused an ache in his chest that had nothing to do with his
venom. He didn't bother disguising the pain in his voice. "I know you do."
They were interrupted by the bedroom door opening slowly. The movement
caused them both to freeze. Edward gasped when he realized it was Esme. He was
off the bed faster than Bella's eyes could process his movements. "Stay," he
commanded gently.
Esme opened her arms and pulled him in to a tight embrace.
"I'm sorry," he chanted over and over again. "I'm sorry." Esme shushed him as she
stroked his hair. "Please forgive me."
"There's nothing to forgive, sweetheart," she whispered. "I'll do whatever it takes
to make you happy."
"I never meant to hurt you." He pulled back slightly and traced the faint fracture
on her neck. "I shouldn't have done it. I was so scared. Esme, I "
"Hush. It's over now," she said and placed a kiss on his cheek.
Bella watched in astonishment as Edward collapsed into Esme's arms again. She
had trouble reconciling this version of him with the one she had spent time with
for the past week. He had never appeared so vulnerable, so innocent, so young. It
was strange to see him interacting with someone so intimately.
"I just wanted to wish you luck." Esme glanced over his shoulder at Bella and
smiled softly. "We'll be out for the day. We won't interfere."
"No . . . I can't "
"Yes you can. We have faith in you. All of us," she stressed.
"How can you say that? I've failed so many times."
"You haven't failed, sweetheart. Bella's still alive." Esme gestured to the girl. "That
alone is enough for me to believe that you have the strength." She released him
from her hold and patted his cheek. "I have to go. They're waiting. I'll see you two
tonight."
Edward nodded. He wished he had as much confidence in himself. So far, half the
bites he had inflicted on her would have been fatal had his family not intervened.
And that didn't include the time he tried to attack her when she sliced her arm
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]