Chapter 19

           Charliewaswaitingupforme.Allthehouselightswereon.MymindwasblankasItriedtothinkofawaytomakehimletmego.Thiswasn’tgoingtobepleasant.

           Edwardpulledupslowly,stayingwellbackfrommytruck.Allthreeofthemwereacutelyalert,ramrodstraightintheirseats,listeningtoeverysoundofthewood,lookingthrougheveryshadow,catchingeveryscent,searchingforsomethingoutofplace.Theenginecutoff,andIsat,motionless,astheycontinuedtolisten.

           "He’snothere,"Edwardsaidtensely."Let’sgo."Emmettreachedovertohelpmegetoutoftheharness.

           "Don’tworry,Bella,"hesaidinalowbutcheerfulvoice,"we’lltakecareofthingsherequickly."

           IfeltmoisturefillingupmyeyesasIlookedatEmmett.Ibarelyknewhim,andyet,somehow,notknowingwhenIwouldseehimagainaftertonightwasanguishing.IknewthiswasjustafainttasteofthegoodbyesIwouldhavetosurviveinthenexthour,andthethoughtmadethetearsbegintospill.

           "Alice,Emmett."Edward’svoicewasacommand.Theyslitheredsoundlesslyintothedarkness,instantlydisappearing.Edwardopenedmydoorandtookmyhand,thendrewmeintotheprotectingenclosureofhisarm.Hewalkedmeswiftlytowardthehouse,eyesalwaysrovingthroughthenight.

           "Fifteenminutes,"hewarnedunderhisbreath.

           "Icandothis."Isniffled.Mytearshadgivenmeaninspiration.

           Istoppedontheporchandtookholdofhisfaceinmyhands.Ilookedfiercelyintohiseyes.

           "Iloveyou,"Isaidinalow,intensevoice.