Twilight 18. THE HUNT

18. THE HUNTThey emerged one by one from the forest butt on, ranging a dozen meters apart. The first male into the clearing fell top immediately, allowing the other male to take the front, orienting himself some the tall, dark- haired man in a manner that clearly displayed who led the convey. The third was a charr from this distance, all I could see of her was that her hair was a startling shade of red.They closed ranks before they continued cautiously toward Edwardsfamily, exhibiting the natural respect of a plenty of predators as it encounters a larger, unfamiliar group of its own kind.As they approached, I could see how different they were from the Cullens. Their walk was catlike, a gait that seemed constantly on the edge of shifting into a crouch. They dressed in the ordinary gear of backpackers jeans and casual button- kill shirts in heavy, weatherproof fabrics. The clothes were frayed, though, with wear, and they were barefoot. Both men had cropped hair, but the womans h opeful orange hair was filled with leaves and debris from the woods.Their sharp eyes carefully took in the more polished, urbane stance of Carlisle, who, flanked by Emmett and Jasper, footprintped guardedly forward to converge them. With unwrap any seeming communication between them, they each straightened into a more casual, erect bearing.The man in front was easily the most(prenominal) beautiful, his skin olive-toned on a lower floor the typical pallor, his hair a glossy black. He was of a medium build, hard-muscled, of course, but nothing next to Emmetts brawn. He smiled an easy smile, exposing a flash of glare white teeth.The woman was wilder, her eyes shifting restlessly between the men facing her, and the loose grouping around me, her chaotic hair quivering in the slight breeze. Her posture was distinctly feline. The second male hovered unobtrusively behind them, slighter than the leader, his light brown hair and regular features both nondescript. His eyes, though complete ly unagitated, in some manner seemed the most vigilant.Their eyes were different, too. Not the gold or black I had come to expect, but a deep burgundy color that was disturbing and sinister.The dark-haired man, sleek over smiling, stepped toward Carlisle.We thought we heard a game, he said in a relaxed voice with the slightest of French accents. Im Laurent, these are Victoria and crowd to give wayher. 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 off in groups, deliberately not calling attention to individuals. I felt a shock when he said my name.Do you have room for a few more players? Laurent asked sociably.Carlisle matched Laurents friendly tone. Actually, we were just finishing up. But wed certainly be interested other time. Are you planning to stay in the theatre of operations for massive?Were headed north, in fact, but we were curious to see who was in the neighborhood. We havent run into any company in a long time.No, this region is usually waste except for us and the occasional visitor, like yourselves.The tense atmosphere had slowly subsided into a casual conversation I guessed that Jasper was using his peculiar gift to lock the situation.Whats your hunting range? Laurent casually inquired.Carlisle ignored the assumption behind the inquiry. The Olympic Range here, up and down the Coast Ranges on occasion. We keep a fixed residence nearby. Theres another permanent settlement like ours up near Denali.Laurent rocked back on his heels slightly.Permanent? How do you manage that? There was honest queerness in his voice.Why dont you come back to our home with us and we can talk comfortably? Carlisle invited. Its a rather long story.James and Victoria interchange a surprised look at the mention of the wordhome, but Laurent controlled his style better.That sounds very interesting, and welcome. His smile was genial. Weve been on the hunt all the wa y down from Ontario, and we havent had the chance to clean up in a while. His eyes moved appreciatively over Carlisles refined appearance.Please dont take offense, but wed appreciate it if youd refrain from hunting in this immediate area. We have to stay inconspicuous, you understand, Carlisle explained.Of course. Laurent nodded. We certainly wont encroach on your territory. We just ate outside of Seattle, anyway, he laughed. A shiver ran up my spine.Well show you the way if youd like to run with us Emmett and Alice, you can go with Edward and Bella to subscribe the Jeep, he casually added.Three things seemed to happen simultaneously while Carlisle was speaking. My hair ruffled with the light breeze, Edward stiffened, and the second male, James, suddenly whipped his head around, scrutinizing me, his nostrils flaring.A swift rigidity fell on all of them as James lurched one step forward into a crouch. Edward bared his teeth, crouching in defense, a feral snarl ripping from his thr oat.It was nothing like the playful sounds Id heard from him this morning it was the single most menacing thing I had ever heard, and chills ran from the crown of my head to the back of my heels.Whats this? Laurent exclaimed in open surprise. Neither James nor Edward relaxed their aggressive poses. James feinted slightly to the side, and Edward shifted in response.Shes with us. Carlisles firm rebuff was directed toward James. Laurent seemed to catch my scent less powerfully than James, but awareness right off dawned on his face.You brought a snack? he asked, his expression incredulous as he took an involuntary step forward.Edward snarled even more ferociously, harshly, his lip curling high above his glistening, bared teeth. Laurent stepped back again.I said shes with us, Carlisle corrected in a hard voice.But shes human, Laurent protested. The words were not at all aggressive, merely astounded.Yes. Emmett was very more in indorse at Carlisles side, his eyes on James. James slowly straightened out of his crouch, but his eyes never left me, his nostrils still wide. Edward stayed tensed like a king of beasts in front of me.When Laurent spoke, his tone was soothing trying to defuse the sudden hostility. It appears we have a lot to learn about each other.Indeed. Carlisles voice was still cool.But wed like to accept your invitation. His eyes flicked toward me and back to Carlisle. And, of course, we will not harm the human girl. We wont hunt in your range, as I said.James glanced in disbelief and aggravation at Laurent and exchanged another brief look with Victoria, whose eyes still flickered edgily from face to face.Carlisle measured Laurents open expression for a second before he spoke. Well show you the way. Jasper, Rosalie, Esme? he called. They gathitherd to puther, blocking me from view as they converged. Alice was instantly at my side, and Emmett fell back slowly, his eyes locked on James as hebacked toward us.Lets go, Bella. Edwards voice was low and b leak.This whole time Id been rooted in place, terrified into absolute immobility. Edward had to grip my elbow and pull shrewdly to break my trance. Alice and Emmett were close behind us, hiding me. I stumbled alongside Edward, still stunned with fear. I couldnt hear if the main group had left yet. Edwards impatience was nigh tangible as we moved at human speed to the forest edge. at one time we were into the trees, Edward slung me over his back without breaking stride. I gripped as tightly as possible as he took off, the others close on his heels. I kept my head down, but my eyes, wide with fright, wouldnt close. They plunged through the now-black forest like wraiths. The sense of agitation that usually seemed to possess Edward as he ran was completely absent, replaced by a fury that consumed him and drove him still faster. Even with me on his back, the others trailed behind.We reached the Jeep in an impossibly short time, and Edward barely slowed as he flung me in the backseat.St rap her in, he ordered Emmett, who slid in beside me.Alice was already in the front seat, and Edward was starting the engine. It roared to life and we swerved backward, revolve around to face the winding road.Edward was growling something too fast for me to understand, but it sounded a lot like a string of profanities.The jolting trip was frequently worse this time, and the darkness only made it more frightening. Emmett and Alice both glared out the side windows.We hit the main road, and though our speed increased, I could see much better where we were going. And we were headed south, away from Forks.Where are we going? I asked.No one answered. No one even looked at me.Dammit, Edward Where are you taking me?We have to witness you away from here far away now. He didnt look back, his eyes on the road. The speedometer read a hundred and five miles an hour.Turn around You have to take me home I shouted. I struggled with the stupid harness, tearing at the straps.Emmett, Edward said grimly.And Emmett secured my hands in his steely grasp.No Edward No, you cant do this.I have to, Bella, now gratify be quiet.I wont You have to take me back Charlie will call the FBI Theyll be all over your family Carlisle and Esme Theyll have to leave, to becloud foreverCalm down, Bella. His voice was cold. Weve been there before.Not over me, you dont Youre not ruining everything over me I struggled violently, with total futility.Alice spoke for the first time. Edward, pull over.He flashed her a hard look, and thusly sped up.Edward, lets just talk this through.You dont understand, he roared in frustration. Id never heard his voice so loud it was deafening in the edge of the Jeep. The speedometer neared one hundred and fifteen. Hes a tracker, Alice, did you see that? Hes a trackerI felt Emmett stiffen next to me, and I wondered at his reaction to the word. It meant something more to the iii of them than it did to me I wanted to understand, but there was no opening for me to a sk.Pull over, Edward. Alices tone was reasonable, but there was a ring of authority in it Id never heard before.The speedometer inched passed one-twenty.Do it, Edward.Listen to me, Alice. I saw his mind. Tracking is his passion, his obsession and he wants her, Alice her, specifically. He begins the hunt tonight.He doesnt know where -He discontinue her. How long do you think it will take him to cross her scent in town? His plan was already set before the words were out of Laurents mouth.I gasped, knowing where my scent would lead. Charlie You cant leave him there You cant leave him I thrashed against the harness.Shes right, Alice said.The car slowed slightly.Lets just look at our options for a twinkling, Alice coaxed.The car slowed again, more noticeably, and then suddenly we screeched to a stop on the shoulder of the highway. I flew against the harness, and then slammed back into the seat.There are no options, Edward hissed.Im not leaving Charlie I yelled.He ignored me completel y.We have to take her back, Emmett at last spoke.No. Edward was absolute.Hes no match for us, Edward. He wont be able to touch her.Hell wait.Emmett smiled. I can wait, too.You didnt see you dont understand. Once he commits to a hunt, hes unshakable. Wed have to kill him.Emmett didnt seem upset by the idea. Thats an option.And the female. Shes with him. If it turns into a fight, the leader will go with them, too.There are enough of us.Theres another option, Alice said quietly.Edward saturnine on her in fury, his voice a blistering snarl. There is no other optionEmmett and I both stared at him in shock, but Alice seemed unsurprised. The silence lasted for a long minute as Edward and Alice stared each other down.I broke it. Does anyone want to hear my plan?No, Edward growled. Alice glared at him, finally provoked.Listen, I pleaded. You take me back.No, he interrupted.I glared at him and continued. You take me back. I tell my dad I want to go home to Phoenix. I pack my bags. We w ait till this tracker is watching, and then we run. Hell follow us and leave Charlie alone. Charlie wont call the FBI on your family. Then you can take me any damned place you want.They stared at me, stunned.Its not a bad idea, really. Emmetts surprise was definitely an insult.It might work and we simply cant leave her father unprotected. You know that, Alice said.Everyone looked at Edward.Its too dangerous I dont want him within a hundred miles of her.Emmett was supremely confident. Edward, hes not getting through us.Alice thought for a minute. I dont see him attacking. Hell try to wait for us to leave her alone.It wont take long for him to realize thats not going to happen.I demand that you take me home. I tried and true to sound firm.Edward pressed his fingers to his temples and squeezed his eyes shut.Please, I said in a much smaller voice.He didnt look up. When he spoke, his voice sounded worn.Youre leaving tonight, whether the tracker sees or not. You tell Charlie that you c ant stand another minute in Forks. Tell him whatever story works. Pack the first things your hands touch, and then get in your truck. I dont care what he says to you. You have fifteen minutes. Do you hear me? Fifteen minutes from the time you cross the doorstep.The Jeep rumbled to life, and he spun us around, the tires squealing. The needle on the speedometer started to race up the dial.Emmett? I asked, looking pointedly at my hands.Oh, sorry. He let me loose.A few minutes passed in silence, other than the roar of the engine. Then Edward spoke again.This is how its going to happen. When we get to the house, if the tracker is not there, I will walk her to the door. Then she has fifteen minutes. He glared at me in the rearview mirror. Emmett, you take the outside of the house. Alice, you get the truck. Ill be inside as long as she is. After shes out, you two can take the Jeep home and tell Carlisle.No way, Emmett broke in. Im with you.Think it through, Emmett. I dont know how long Ill be gone.Until we know how far this is going to go, Im with you.Edward sighed. If the tracker is there, he continued grimly, we keep driving.Were going to move in it there before him, Alice said confidently.Edward seemed to accept that. Whatever his fuss with Alice was, he didnt doubt her now.What are we going to do with the Jeep? she asked.His voice had a hard edge. Youre driving it home.No, Im not, she said calmly.The unintelligible stream of profanities started again.We cant all tot up in my truck, I whispered.Edward didnt appear to hear me.I think you should let me go alone, I said even more quietly.He heard that.Bella, please just do this my way, just this once, he said between clenched teeth.Listen, Charlies not an imbecile, I protested. If youre not in town tomorrow, hes going to get suspicious.Thats irrelevant. Well make sure hes safe, and thats all that matters.Then what about this tracker? He saw the way you acted tonight. Hes going to think youre with me, wherever you are.Emmett looked at me, insultingly surprised again. Edward, listen to her, he urged. I think shes right.Yes, she is, Alice agreed.I cant do that. Edwards voice was icy.Emmett should stay, too, I continued. He definitely got an eyeful of Emmett.What? Emmett turned on me.Youll get a better crack at him if you stay, Alice agreed.Edward stared at her incredulously. You think 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 trace of defeat in his voice. The logic was working on him.I tried to be persuasive. Hang out here for a workweek - I saw his expression in the mirror and amended - a few days. Let Charlie see you havent kidnapped me, and lead this James on a wild-goose chase. perplex sure hes completely off my trail. Then come and meet me. Take a roundabout route, of course, and then Jasper and Alice can go home.I could see him line of descent to consider it.Meet you where?Phoenix. Of cours e.No. Hell hear thats where youre going, he said impatiently.And youll make it look like thats a ruse, obviously. Hell know that well know that hes listening. Hell never believe Im actually going where I say I am going.Shes diabolical, Emmett chuckled.And if that doesnt work?There are several million people in Phoenix, I informed him.Its not that hard to find a phone book.I wont go home.Oh? he inquired, a dangerous note in his voice.Im quite old enough 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.Stay 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 chance that someone will get hurt shell get hurt, or you will, trying to protect her. Now, if we get him alone He trailed off with a slow smile. I was right.The Jeep was crawling slowly along now as we drove into town. Despite my bra ve talk, I could feel the hairs on my arms standing up. I thought about Charlie, alone in the house, and tried 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 holding you personally responsible. Do you understand that?Yes, I gulped.He turned to Alice.Can Jasper handle this?Give him some credit, Edward. Hes been doing very, very well, all things considered.Can you handle this? he asked.And graceful little Alice pulled back her lips in a extortionate grimace and let loose with a guttural snarl that had me cowering against the seat in terror.Edward smiled at her. But keep your opinions to yourself, he muttered suddenly.