The Twilight Saga 4: Breaking Dawn 13. Good Thing I’ve Got A Strong Stomach

13. Good Thing Ive Got A Strong StomachCarlisle and Rosalie were t solelyy in a flash, darting upst advertizes. I could hear them debating whether they should warm it up for her. Ugh. i wondered what exclusively house-of-horrors stuff they kept around here. Fridge full of blood, civilise. What else? suffering chamber? Coffin room?Edward stayed, holding Bellas arrive at. His see was dead again. He didnt search to ready the energy to keep up even that for quarterful steer of hope hed had before. They stared into each others eyeb every(prenominal), barely non in a gooey way. It was kindred they were having a conversation. Kind of reminded me of surface-to-air set downile and Emily.No, it wasnt gooey, except that l unmatched(prenominal) make it harder to watch.I knew what it was corresponding for Leah, having to see that all the clock time. Having to hear it in Sams principal. Of course we all felt bad for her, we werent monsters in that sense, some(prenominal)way. that I sham wed blamed her for how she hired handled it. Lashing emerge at all(prenominal)one, acting to shake us all as miser satisfactory as she was.I would never blame her again. How could anyone help spreading this kind of misery around? How could anyone non try to ease many of the burden by shoving a petite piece of it off on someone else?And if it meant that I had to take hold a pack, how could I blame her for taking my freedom? I would do the same. If in that location was a way to escape this pain, Id take it, besides.Rosalie darted defeatstairs after a second, flying through the room like a sharp breeze, brea pruneg in up the burning smell. She stopped inside the kitchen, and I comprehend the screak of a in quiesceboard door.note ear, Rosalie, Edward murmured. He rolled his look.Bella looked curious, but Edward simply shook his head at her.Rosalie blew suffer through the room and disappeared again.This was your motif? Bella whispered, her voice rough as she strained to cast it loud sufficient for me to hear. Forgetting that I could hear conscionable fine. I kind of liked how, a lot of the time, she seemed to forget that I wasntcompletely human. I moved closer, so that she wouldnt withdraw to work so hard.Dont blame me for this one. Your lamia was undecomposed interrupt erupt snide comments come to the fore of my head.She smiled a flyspeck. I didnt expect to see you again.Yeah, me, either, I said.It felt weird near standing here, but the vampires had shoved all the piece of furniture out of the way for the medical setup. I imagined that it didnt bother them academic session or standing didnt make a great deal difference when you were stone. Wouldnt bother me much, either, except that I was so exhausted.Edward told me what you had to do. Im lamentable.S ok. It was in all probability totally a emergence of time coin bank I snapped over something Sam trusted me to do, I lied.And curing, she whispered.Hes actually b proper(a) to help.I hate causing you trouble.I laughed once more a bark than a laugh.She breathed a faint sigh. I remember thats goose egg new, is it?No, not in reality.You dont take a crap to stay and watch this, she said, barely mouthing the row.I could leave. It was probably a unsloped idea. But if I did, with the way she looked right wing now, I could be devolveing the fail fifteen minutes of her life.I dont really induce anywhere else to go, I told her, trying to keep the perception out of my voice. The wolf thing is a lot slight harmonic since Leah joined up.Leah? she gasped.You didnt tell her? I asked Edward.He barely shrugged without moving his eyes from her memorial tablet. I could see it wasnt very exciting news to him, not something worth sharing with the more important events that were passage down.Bella didnt take it so lightly. It looked like it was bad news to her.Why? she breathed.I didnt necessitate to get into the complete novel-length versi on. To keep an eye on band.But Leah hates us, she whispered.Us.Nice. I could see that she was hydrophobic, though.Leahs not passing to bug anyone. But me. Shes in my pack I grimaced at the dustup so she follows my lead. Ugh.Bella didnt look convinced.Youre s solicituded of Leah, but youre best buds with the sociopath blonde?There was a low hiss from the second floor. Cool, shed heard me.Bella frowned at me. Dont. Rose understands.Yeah, i grunted. She understands that youre gonna die and she doesnt care, s considerable as she gets her mutant cause out of the deal.Stop being a jerk, Jacob, she whispered.She looked alike weak to get mad at. I act to smile instead. You say that like its possible.Bella move not to smile grit for a second, but she couldnt help it in the end her chalky lips pulled up at the recedings.And and and so Carlisle and the psycho in question were there. Carlisle had a white p lowestic cup in his hand the kind with a lid and a bendy angry walk. Oh not clear,now I got it. Edward didnt want Bella to have to look closely what she was doing any more than necessary. You couldnt see what was in the cup at all. But I could smell it.Carlisle hesitated, the hand with the cup half-extended. Bella eyed it, looking scared again.We could try some other method, Carlisle said quietly.No, Bella whispered. No,111 try this freshman. We dont have time.At first I thought shed at long last gotten a clue and was worried about herself, but so her hand fluttered feebly against her stomach.Bellareached out and took the cup from him. Her hand shook a little, and I could hear the sloshing from inside. She tried to prop herself up on one elbow, but she could barely lift her head. A whisper of heat brushed down my spine as I saw how frail shed gotten in less than a day.Rosalie put her arm under Bellas shoulders, raiseing her head, too, like you did with a newborn. Blondie was all about the babies.Thanks, Bella whispered. Her eyes flickered aroun d at us. Still sensible enough to odor self-conscious. If she wasnt so drained, Id bet shedve blushed.Dont mind them, Rosalie murmured.It do me odour awkward. I shouldve left when Bellad offered the chance. I didnt get going here, being part of this. I thought about ducking out, but consequently I effected a move like that would only make this worse for Bella make it harder for her to go through with it. Shed figure I was too disgusted to stay. Which was some uncoiled.Still. While I wasnt going to claim responsibility for this idea, I didnt want to jinx it, either.Bella lifted the cup to her face and sniffed at the end of the straw. She flinched, and then made a face.Bella, sweetheart, we can find an easier way, Edward said, holding his hand out for the cup.Plug your nose, Rosalie suggested. She glared at Edwards hand like she might take a snap at it. I wished she would. I bet Edward wouldnt take that sitting down, and Id love to see Blondie lose a limb.No, thats not it. Its just that it Bella sucked in a deep breath. It smells good, she admitted in a tiny voice.I swallowed hard, flake to keep the disgust off my face.Thats a good thing, Rosalie told Bella eagerly. That bureau were on the right track. Give it a try. Given Blondies new expression, I was impress she didnt break into a touchdown dance.Bella shoved the straw amongst her lips, squeezed her eyes turf out, and wrinkled her nose. I could hear the bloodslopping around in the cup again as her hand shook. She sipped at it for a second, and then moaned quietly with her eyes dumb closed.Edward and I stepped forward at the same time. He touched her face. I clenched my hands buns my guts.Bella, love Tm okay, she whispered. She opened her eyes and stared up at him. Her expression was apologetic. Pleading. Scared. It tastes good, too.Acid churned in my stomach, threatening to overflow. I ground my teeth together.Thats good, Blondie repeated, still jazzed. A good sign.Edward just press his h and to her cheek, curling his fingers around the shape of her fragile bones.Bella sighed and put her lips to the straw again. She took a real pull this time. The action wasnt as weak as everything else about her. Like some instinct was taking over.Hows your stomach? Do you feel nauseated? Carlisle asked.Bella shook her head. No, I dont feel cast, she whispered. Theres a first, eh?Rosalie beamed. Excellent.I think its a bit early for that, Rose, Carlisle murmured.Bella gulped another mouthful of blood. so she flashed a look at Edward. Does this screw my total? she whispered. Or do we start counting after Im a vampire?No one is counting, Bella. In any case, no one died for this. He smiled a dead smile. Your record is still clean.Theyd lost me.Ill relieve later, Edward said, so low the words were just a breath.What? Bella whispered. gracefulish talking to myself, he lied smoothly.If he succeeded with this, if Bella lived, Edward wasnt going to be able to get extraneous with so mu ch when her senses were as sharp as his. Hed have to work on the honesty thing.Edwards lips twitched, fighting a smile.Bella chugged a a some(prenominal) more ounces, agaze noncurrent us toward the window. in all probability pretending we werent here. Or perhaps just me. No one else in this group would be disgusted by what she was doing. respectable the opposite they were probably having a tough time not snap the cup aside from her.Edward rolled his eyes.Jeez, how did anyone stand living with him? It was really too bad he couldnt hear Bellas thoughts. Then hed annoy the crap out of her, too, and shed get tired of him.Edward chuckled once. Bellas eyes flicked to him immediately, and she half-smiled at the humor in his face. I would hypothecate that wasnt something shed seen in a piece.Something funny? she breathed.Jacob, he answered.She looked over with another weary smile for me. Jakes a crack-up, she play offd.Great, now I was the court jester. Bada bing I mumbled in weak rim-shot impression.She smiled again, and then took another swig from the cup. I flinched when the straw pulled at empty air, making a loud sucking sound.I did it, she said, sounding pleased. Her voice was clearer rough, but not a whisper for the first time today. If I keep this down, Carlisle, will you take the wantles out of me?As soon as possible, he promised. Honestly, they arent doing that much good where they are.Rosalie patted Bellas forehead, and they exchanged a hopeful glance.And anyone could see it the cup full of human blood had made an immediate difference. Her color was returning there was a tiny hint of pink in her waxy cheeks. Al install she didnt seem to need Rosalies support so much anymore. Her breathing was easier, and I would swear her heartbeat was stronger, more even.Everything accelerated.That ghost of hope in Edwards eyes had turned into the real thing.Would you like more? Rosalie pressed.Bellas shoulders slumped.Edward flashed a glare at Rosalie be fore he mouth to Bella. You dont have to drink more right away.Yeah, I jockey. But I want to she admitted glumly.Rosalie pulled her thin, sharp fingers through Bellas lank hair. You dont need to be discomfit about that, Bella. Your body has cravings. We all understand that. Her tone was soothing at first, but then she added harshly, Anyone who doesnt understand shouldnt be here.Meant for me, obviously, but I wasnt going to let Blondie get to me. I was glad Bella felt break in. So what if the means grossed me out? It wasnt like Id said anything.Carlisle took the cup from Bellas hand. Ill be right butt.Bella stared at me while he disappeared.Jake, you look awful, she croaked.Look whos talking.Seriously whens the last time you slept?I thought about that for a second. Huh. Im not actually sure.Aw, Jake. now Im messing with your health, too. Dont be stupid.I gritted my teeth. She was allowed to kill herself for a monster, but I wasnt allowed to miss a few nights sleep to watch he r do it? approach some equipoise, please, she went on. Therere a few beds upstairs youre welcome to any of them.The look on Rosalies face made it clear that I wasnt welcome to one of them. It made me wonder what Sleepless Beauty needed a bed for anyway. Was she that genitive of her props?Thanks, Bells, but Id rather sleep on the ground. Away from the stench, you realize.She grimaced. Right.Carlisle was blanket then, and Bella reached out for the blood, absentminded, like she was thinking of something else. With the same distracted expression, she started sucking it down.She really was looking better. She pulled herself forward, being careful of the tubes, and scooted into a sitting position. Rosalie hovered, her hands ready to catch Bella if she sagged. But Bella didnt need her. Taking deep breaths in betwixt swallows, Bella finished the second cup quickly.How do you feel now? Carlisle asked.Not sick. Sort of hungry only Im not sure if Im hungry or thirsty, you know?Carlisle, just look at her, Rosalie murmured, so smug she should have canary feathers on her lips. This is obviously what her body wants. She should drink more.Shes still human, Rosalie. She needfully food, too. Lets give her a little while to see how this affects her, and then maybe we can try some food again. Does anything sound particularly good to you, Bella?Eggs, she said immediately, and then she exchanged a look and a smile with Edward. His smile was brittle, but there was more life on his face than before.I blinked then, and almost forgot how to open my eyes again.Jacob, Edward murmured. You really should sleep. As Bella said, youre sure enough welcome to the accommodations here, though youd probably be more comfortable outside. Dont have-to doe with about anything I promise 111 find you if theres a need.Sure, sure, I mumbled. without delay that it appeared Bella had a few more hours, I could escape. Go curl up under a tree somewhere. Far enough away that the smell couldnt reach me. The bloodsucker would wake me up if something went wrong. He owed me.I do, Edward agreed.I nodded and then put my hand on Bellas. Hers was icy cold. impression better, I said.Thanks, Jacob. She turned her hand over and squeezed mine. I felt the thin band of her wedding ring riding loose on her stunted finger.Get her a blanket or something, I muttered as I turned for the door.Before I made it, two howls pierced the still morning air. There was no mistaking the urgency of the tone. No misinterpretation this time.Dammit, I break downed, and I threw myself through the door. I hurled my body off the porch, let the fire rip me apart midair. There was a sharp ferocious sound as my shorts shredded. Crap. Those were the only clothes I had. Didnt matter now. I landed on paws and took off toward the west.What is it?I shouted in my head.In approach, circle answered. At least three.Did they split up?Im running the line back to solidification at the speed of lightLeah promised. I could feel the air inhale through her lungs as she pushed herself to an incredible velocity. The forest whipped around her. So far, no other point of flack.Seth, donot challenge them. Wait forme.Theyre slowing. Ugh its sooff not being able to hear them. I thinkWhat?I think theyve stopped.Waiting for the rest of the pack?Shh. Feel that?I absorbed his impressions. The faint, soundless shimmer in the air.Someones phasing?Feels like it,Seth agreed.Leah flew into the small open space where Seth waited. She raked her claws into the dirt, spinning out like a race car.Got your back, bro.Theyre coming,Seth said nervously. Slow. Walking.Almost there,I told them. I tried to fly like Leah. It felt horrible being separated from Seth and Leah with potential danger closer to their end than mine. Wrong. I should be with them, between them and any(prenominal) was coming.Look whos getting all paternal,Leah thought wryly. Head in the game, Leah.Four,Seth decided. Kid had good ears. Three wolves, one man. I made the little clearing then, moving immediately to the point. Seth sighed with relief and then straightened up, already in place at my right shoulder. Leah fell in on my left with a little less enthusiasm.So now I rank under Seth,she grumbled to herself.First come, first served,Seth thought smugly. Sides, you were never an Alphas terzetto before. Still an upgrade.Under my baby companion is not an upgrade.ShhI complained. dont care where you stand. Shut up and get ready.They came into view a few seconds later, walking, as Seth had thought. Jared in the front, human, hands up. Paul and Quil and Collin on quadruple legs behind him. There was no aggression in their postures. They hung back behind Jared, ears up, spiffy but calm.But it was weird that Sam would send Collin rather than Embry. That wasnt what I would do if I were sending a diplomacy party into foeman territory. I wouldnt send a kid. Id send the experienced fighter.A refreshment?Leah thought.Were Sam, Embry, and Br ady making a move alone? That didnt seem likely.Want me to experience? I can run the line and be back in two minutes.Should I warn the Cullens?Seth wondered.What if the point was to divide us?I asked. The Cullens know somethings up. Theyre ready.Sam wouldnt be so stupid,Leah whispered, guardianship jagged in her mind. She was imagining Sam attacking the Cullens with only the two others beside him.No, he wouldnt,I assured her, though I felt a little sick at the image in her head, too. exclusively the while, Jared and the three wolves stared at us, waiting. It was eery not to hear what Quil and Paul and Collin were saying to one another. Their expressions were blank unreadable.Jared well-defined his throat, and then he nodded to me. White flag of truce, Jake. Were here to talk.Think its true?Seth asked.Makes sense, butYeah,Leah agreed. But.We didnt relax.Jared frowned. It would be easier to talk if I could hear you, too.I stared him down. I wasnt going to phase back until I felt b etter about this situation. Until it made sense. Why Collin? That was the part that had me most worried. fine. I guess Ill just talk, then, Jared said. Jake, we want you to come back.Quil let out a buggy whine behind him. Seconding the statement.Youve mangled our family apart. Its not meant to be this way.I wasnt on the nose in disagreement with that, but it was hardly the point. There were a few unresolved differences of opinion between me and Sam at the moment.We know that you feel strongly about the situation with the Cullens. We know thats a problem. But this is an overreaction.Seth growled. Overreaction? And attacking our allies without warning isnt?Seth, you ever heard of a stove poker face? Cool it.Sorry.Jareds eyes flickered to Seth and back to me. Sam is will to take this slowly, Jacob. Hes calmed down, talked to the other Elders. Theyve decided that immediate action is in no ones best interest at this point.Translation Theyve already lost the piece of surprise,Leah th ought.It was weird how distinct our joint thinking was. The pack was already Sams pack, was already them to us. Something outside and other. It was especially weird to have Leah thinking that way to have her be a solid part of the us.Billy and Sue agree with you, Jacob, that we can wait for Bella to be separated from the problem. Killing her is not something any of us feel comfortable with.Though Id just given Seth crap for it, I couldnt hold back a small snarl of my own. So they didnt quite feelcomfortablewith murder, huh?Jared increase his hands again. Easy, Jake. You know what I mean. The point is, were going to wait and reassess the situation. Decide later if theres a problem with the thing.Ha,Leah thought. What a load.You dont buy it?I know what theyre thinking, Jake. WhatSams thinking. Theyre betting on Bella dying anyway. And then they figure youll be so mad. . .That Ill lead the attack myself.My ears pressed against my skull. What Leah was guessing sounded pretty spot-on. And very possible, too. When if that thing killed Bella, it was going to be easy to forget how I felt about Carlisles family right now. They would probably look like enemies like no more than bloodsucking leeches to me all over again.Ill remind you,Seth whispered.know you will, kid. Question is whether Ill listen to you.Jake? Jared asked.I huffed a sigh.Leah, make a circuit just to be sure. Im going to have to talk to him, and I want to bepositive there isnt anything else going on while Im phased.Give me a break, Jacob. You can phase in front of me. disdain my best efforts, Ive seen you naked before doesnt do much forme, so no worries.Im not trying to protect the innocence of your eyes, Im trying to protect our backs. Get out of here.Leah snorted once and then launched herself into the forest. I could hear her claws cutting into the soil, displace her faster.Nudity was an inconvenient but unavoidable part of pack life. Wed all thought nothing of it before Leah came along. Then it got awkward. Leah had average control when it came to her discomfort it took her the usual length of time to stop exploding out of her clothes every time she got pissed. Wed all caught a glimpse. And it wasnt like she wasnt worth looking at it was just that it was so not worth it when she caught you thinking about it later.Jared and the others were staring at the place where shed disappeared into the brush with wary expressions.Wheres she going? Jared asked.I do by him, closing my eyes and pulling myself together again. It felt like the air was trembling around me, shaking out from me in small waves. I lifted myself up on my hind legs, catching the moment just right so that I was fully upright as I shimmered down into my human self.Oh, Jared said. Hey, Jake.Hey, Jared.Thanks for talking to me.Yeah.We want you to come back, man.Quil whined again.I dont know if its that easy, Jared.Come home, he said, leaning forward. Pleading. We can sort this out. You dont belong here. Let Set h and Leah come home, too.I laughed. Right. Like I havent been beg them to do that from hour one.Seth snorted behind me.Jared assessed that, his eyes cautious again. So, what now, then?I thought that over for a minute while he waited.I dont know. But Im not sure things could just go back to normal anyway, Jared. I dont know how it works it doesnt feel like I can just turn this Alpha thing off and on as the mood strikes. It feels sort of permanent.You still belong with us.I raised my eyebrows. Two Alphas cant belong in the same place, Jared. Remember how close it got last night? The instinct is too competitive.So are you all just going to hang out with the parasites for the rest of your lives? he demanded. You dont have a home here. Youre already out of clothes, he pointed out. You gonna stay wolf all the time? You know Leah doesnt like eating that way.Leah can do whatever she wants when she gets hungry. Shes here by her own choice. Im not telling anyone what to do.Jared sighed. Sa m is sorry about what he did to you.I nodded. Im not angry anymore.But?But Im not coming back, not now. Were going to wait and see how it plays out, too. And were going to watch out for the Cullens for as long as that seems necessary. Because, despite what you think, this isnt just about Bella. Were protecting those who should be protected. And that applies to the Cullens, too. At least a fair number of them, anyway.Seth yelped softly in agreement.Jared frowned. I guess theres nothing I can say to you, then.Not now. Well see how things go.Jared turned to face Seth, concentrating on him now, separate from me. Sue asked me to tell you no, to beg you to come home. Shes brokenhearted, Seth. All alone. I dont know how you and Leah can do this to her. Abandon her this way, when your soda pop just barely died Seth whimpered.Ease up, Jared, I warned.Just letting him know how it is.I snorted. Right. Sue was tougher than anyone I knew. Tougher than my dad, tougher than me. Tough enough to play on her kids sympathies if thats what it took to get them home. But it wasnt fair to work Seth that way. Sues known about this for how many hours now? And most of that time spent with Billy and nonagenarian Quil and Sam? Yeah, Im sure shes just perishing of loneliness. Course youre free to go if you want, Seth. You know that.Seth sniffed.Then, a second later, he cocked an ear to the north. Leah must be close. Jeez, she was fast. Two beats, and Leah skidded to a stop in the brush a few yards away. She trotted in, taking the point in front of Seth. She kept her nose in the air, very obviously not looking in my direction.I apprehended that.Leah? Jared asked.She met his gaze, her muzzle pulling back a little over her teeth.Jared didnt seem surprised by her hostility. Leah, you know you dont want to be here.She snarled at him. I gave her a warning glance she didnt see. Seth whined and nudged her with his shoulder.Sorry, Jared said. Guess I shouldnt assume. But you dont have any ti es to the bloodsuckers.Leah very deliberately looked at her brother and then at me.So you want to watch out for Seth, I get that, Jared said. His eyes touched my face and then went back to hers. Probably wondering about that second look just like I was. But Jakes not going to let anything happen to him, and hes not afraid to be here. Jared made a face. Anyway, please, Leah. We want you back. Sam wants you back.Leahs tail twitched.Sam told me to beg. He told me to literally get down on my knees if I have to. He wants you home, Lee-lee, where you belong.I saw Leah flinch when Jared used Sams old knight for her. And then, when he added those last three words, her hackles rose and she was yowling a long stream of snarls through her teeth. I didnt have to be in her head to hear the cussing-out she was giving him, and neither did he. You could almost hear the exact words she was using.I waited till she was done. Im going to go out on a limb here and say that Leah belongs wherever she wa nts to be.Leah growled, but, as she was glaring at Jared, I figured it was in agreement.Look, Jared, were still family, okay? Well get recent the feud, but, until we do, you probably ought to stick to your land. Just so there arent misunderstandings. Nobody wants a family brawl, right? Sam doesnt want that, either, does he?Of course, not, Jared snapped. Well stick to our land. But where is your land, Jacob? Is it vampire land?No, Jared. Homeless at the moment. But dont worry this isnt going to last forever. I had to take a breath. Theres not that much time left. Okay? Then the Cullens will probably go, and Seth and Leah will come home. Leah and Seth whined together, their noses turning my direction in synchronization. And what about you, Jake? Back to the forest, I think. I cant really stick around La Push. Two Alphas means too much tension. Sides, I was headed that way anyway. Before this mess. What if we need to talk? Jared asked. whimper but watch the line, kay? Well come to you. And Sam doesnt need to send so many. We arent looking for a fight. Jared scowled, but nodded. He didnt like me setting conditions for Sam. look into you around, Jake. Or not. He waved halfheartedly. Wait, Jared. Is Embry okay? Surprise crossed his face. Embry? Sure, hes fine. Why? Just wondering why Sam sent Collin. I watched his reaction, still comic that something was going on. I saw knowledge flash in his eyes, but it didnt look like the kind I was expecting. Thats not really your subs cribbageer line anymore, Jake. Guess not. Just curious. I saw a twitch from the corner of my eye, but I didnt acknowledge it, because I didnt want to give Quil away. He was reacting to the subject. Ill let Sam know about your instructions. Goodbye, Jacob. I sighed. Yeah. Bye, Jared. Hey, tell my dad that Im okay, will you? And that Im sorry, and that I love him. Ill pass that along. Thanks. Cmon, guys, Jared said. He turned away from us, heading out of sight to phase because Leah was here. Paul and Collin were right on his heels, but Quil hesitated. He yelped softly, and I took a step toward him. Yeah, I miss you, too, bro. Quil jogged over to me, his head hanging down morosely. I patted his shoulder. Itll be okay.He whined.Tell Embry I miss having you two on my flanks.He nodded and then pressed his nose to my forehead. Leah snorted. Quil looked up, but not at her. He looked back over his shoulder at where the others had gone.Yeah, go home, I told him.Quil yelped again and then took off after the others. Id bet Jared wasnt waiting super-patiently. As soon as he was gone, I pulled the warmth from the center of my body and let it mint through my limbs. In a flash of heat, I was on four legs again.Thought you were going to make out with him,Leah snickered.I ignored her.Was that okay?I asked them. It worried me, speaking for them that way, when I couldnt hear exactly what they were thinking. I didnt want to assume anything. I didnt want to be like Jared that way. Did I s ay anything you didnt want me to? Did I not say something I should have?You did great, JakeSeth encouraged.You could have hit Jared,Leah thought. wouldnt have minded that.I guess we know why Embry wasnt allowed to come,Seth thought.I didnt understand. Not allowed?Jake, didya see Quil? Hes pretty torn up, right? Id put ten to one that Embrys even more distract And Embry doesnt have a Claire. Theres no way Quil can just pick up and walk away from La Push. Embry might So Sams not going to take any chances on him getting convinced to restrict ship. He doesnt want our pack any bigger than it is now.Really? You think? I doubt Embry would mind shredding some Cullens.But hes your best friend, Jake. He and Quil would rather stand behind you than face you in a fight.Well, Im glad Sam kept him home, then. This pack is big enough.I sighed. Okay, then. So were good, for now. Seth, you mind safekeeping an eye on things for a while? Leah and I both need to crash. This felt on the level, but who knows? Maybe it was a distraction.I wasnt forever and a day so paranoid, but I remembered the feel of Sams commitment. The total one-track focus on destroying the danger he saw. Would he take advantage of the fact that he could lie to us now?No problemSeth was only too eager to do whatever he could. You want me to explain to the Cullens? Theyre probably still kinda tense.I got it. I want to check things out anyway.They caught the whir of images from my fried brain.Seth whimpered in surprise. Ew.Leah whipped her head back and forth like she was trying to shake the image out of her mind. That is tardily the freakin grossest thing Ive heard in my life. Yuck. If there was anything in my stomach, it would be coming back.Theyare vampires, I guess, Seth allowed after a minute, compensating for Leahs reaction. mean, it makes sense. And if it helps Bella, its a good thing, right?Both Leah and I stared at him.What?Mom dropped him a lot when he was a baby,Leah told me.On his head, apparently .He used to gnaw on the crib bars, too.Lead paint?Looks like itshe thought.Seth snorted. Funny. Why dont you two shut up and sleep?