。 〃I'd forgotten how exuberant you are；〃 she said； and her tone
was disapproving。
I looked up at her through my streaming eyes。 Alice's neck was tight；
straining away from me； her lips
pressed together firmly。 Her eyes were black as pitch。
〃Oh；〃 I puffed； as I realized the problem。 She was thirsty。 And I smelled
appetizing。 It had been a while
since I'd had to think about that kind of thing。 〃Sorry。〃
〃It's my own fault。 It's been too long since I hunted。 I shouldn't let myself
get so thirsty。 But I was in a
hurry today。〃 The look she directed at me then was a glare。 〃Speaking of
which； would you like to
explain to me how you're alive？〃
That brought me up short and stopped the sobs。 I realized what must have
happened immediately； and
why Alice was here。
I swallowed loudly。 〃You saw me fall。〃
〃No；〃 she disagreed； her eyes narrowing。 〃I saw you jump。〃
I pursed my lips as I tried to think of an explanation that wouldn't sound
nuts。
Alice shook her head。 〃I told him this would happen； but he didn't believe me。
'Bella promised；'〃 her
voice imitated his so perfectly that I iroze in shock while the pain ripped
through my torso。 〃'Don't be
looking for her future； either；'〃 she continued to quote him。 '〃We've done
enough damage。〃
〃But just because I'm not looking； doesn't mean I don't see〃 she went on。 〃I
wasn't keeping tabs on you；
I swear； Bella。 It's just that I'm alreacy attuned to you when I saw you
jumping； I didn't think； I just got
on a plane。 I knew I would be too late； but I couldn't do nothing。 And then I
get here； thinking maybe I
could help Charli