like his skin was made
of a million diamond facets—was burned into my memory。 No human who saw that
would ever forget。
The Volturi couldn't possibly allow it。 Not if they wanted to keep their city
inconspicuous。
I looked at the slight gray glow that shone through the opened windows。 〃We'll
be too late；〃 I whispered；
my throat closing in panic。
She shook her head。 〃Right now； he's leaning toward the melodramatic。 He wants
the biggest audience
possible； so he'll choose the main plaza； under the clock tower。 The walls are
high there。 He'll wait till the
sun is exactly overhead。〃
〃So we have till noon？〃
〃If we're lucky。 If he sticks with this decision。〃
The pilot came on over the inter； announcing； first in French and then in
English； our imminent
landing。 The seat belt lights dinged and flashed。
〃How far is it from Florence to Volterra？〃
〃That depends on how fast you drive Bella？〃
〃Yes？〃
She eyed me speculatively。 〃How strongly are you opposed to grand theft auto？〃
A bright yellow Porsche screamed to a stop a few feet in front of where I
paced； the word TURBO
scrawled in silver cursive across its back。 Everyone beside me on the crowded
airport sidewalk stared。
〃Hurry； Bella！〃 Alice shouted impatiently through the open passenger window。
I ran to the door and threw myself in； feeling as though I might as well be
wearing a black stocking over
my head。
〃Sheesh； Alice；〃 I plained。 〃Could you pick a more conspicuous car to
steal？〃
The interior was black leather； and the windows were tinted dark。 It felt
safer inside； like nighttime。
Alice wa