1 twilight暮色-第47部分

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herself　a　brief　grin。　And　then　her　hand　spun　out　again。　

This　time　the　bat　somehow　made　it　around　in　time　to　smash　into　the　
invisible　ball。　The　crack　of　impact　was　shattering；　thunderous；　it　echoed　
off　the　mountains　—　I　immediately　understood　the　necessity　of　the　
thunderstorm。　

The　ball　shot　like　a　meteor　above　the　field；　flying　deep　into　the　
surrounding　forest。　

〃Home　run；〃　I　murmured。　

〃Wait；〃　Esme　cautioned；　listening　intently；　one　hand　raised。　Emmett　was　a　
blur　around　the　bases；　Carlisle　shadowing　him。　I　realized　Edward　was　
missing。　

〃Out！〃　Esme　cried　in　a　clear　voice。　I　stared　in　disbelief　as　Edward　
sprang　from　the　fringe　of　the　trees；　ball　in　his　upraised　hand；　his　wide　
grin　visible　even　to　me。　

〃Emmett　hits　the　hardest；〃　Esme　explained；　〃but　Edward　runs　the　fastest。〃　

The　inning　continued　before　my　incredulous　eyes。　It　was　impossible　to　
keep　up　with　the　speed　at　which　the　ball　flew；　the　rate　at　which　their　
bodies　raced　around　the　field。　

I　learned　the　other　reason　they　waited　for　a　thunderstorm　to　play　when　
Jasper；　trying　to　avoid　Edward's　infallible　fielding；　hit　a　ground　ball　
toward　Carlisle。　Carlisle　ran　into　the　ball；　and　then　raced　Jasper　to　
first　base。　When　they　collided；　the　sound　was　like　the　crash　of　two　
massive　falling　boulders。　I　jumped　up　in　concern；　but　they　were　somehow　
unscathed。　

〃Safe；〃　Esme　called　in　a　calm　voice。　

Emmett's　team　was　up　by　one　—　Rosalie　managed　to　flit　around　the　bases　
after　tagging　up　on　one　of　Emmett's　long　flies　—　when　Edward　caught　the　
third　out。　He　sprinted　to　my　side；　sparkling　with　excitement。　

〃What　do　you　think？〃　he　asked。　

〃One　thing's　for　sure；　I'll　never　be　able　to　sit　through　dull　old　Major　

League　Baseball　again。〃　

〃And　it　sounds　like　you　did　so　much　of　that　before；〃　he　laughed。　

〃I　am　a　little　disappointed；〃　I　teased。　

〃Why？〃　he　asked；　puzzled。　

〃Well；　it　would　be　nice　if　I　could　find　just　one　thing　you　didn't　do　
better　than　everyone　else　on　the　pla。〃　

He　flashed　his　special　crooked　smile；　leaving　me　breathless。　

〃I'm　up；〃　he　said；　heading　for　the　plate。　

He　played　intelligently；　keeping　the　ball　low；　out　of　the　reach　of　
Rosalie's　alwaysready　hand　in　the　outfield；　gaining　two　bases　like　
lightning　before　Emmett　could　get　the　ball　back　in　play。　Carlisle　knocked　
one　so　far　out　of　the　field　—　with　a　boom　that　hurt　my　ears　—　that　he　and　
Edward　both　made　it　in。　Alice　slapped　them　dainty　high　fives。　

The　score　constantly　changed　as　the　game　continued；　and　they　razzed　each　
other　like　any　street　ballplayers　as　they　took　turns　with　the　lead。　
Occasionally　Esme　would　call　them　to　order。　The　thunder　rumbled　on；　but　
we　stayed　dry；　as　Alice　had　predicted。　

Carlisle　was　up　to　bat；　Edward　catching；　when　Alice　suddenly　gasped。　My　
eyes　were　on　Edward；　as　usual；　and　I　saw　his　head　snap　up　to　look　at　her。　
Their　eyes　met　and　something　flowed　between　them　in　an　instant。　He　was　at　
my　side　before　the　others　could　ask　Alice　what　was　wrong。　

〃Alice？〃　Esme's　voice　was　tense。　

〃I　didn't　see　—　I　couldn't　tell；〃　she　whispered。　

All　the　others　were　gathered　by　this　time。　

〃What　is　it；　Alice？〃　Carlisle　asked　with　the　calm　voice　of　authority。　

〃They　were　traveling　much　quicker　than　I　thought。　I　can　see　I　had　the　
perspective　wrong　before；〃　she　murmured。　

Jasper　leaned　over　her；　his　posture　protective。　〃What　changed？〃　he　asked。　

〃They　heard　us　playing；　and　it　changed　their　path；〃　she　said；　contrite；　
as　if　she　felt　responsible　for　whatever　had　frightened　her。　

Seven　pairs　of　quick　eyes　flashed　to　my　face　and　away。　

〃How　soon？〃　Carlisle　said；　turning　toward　Edward。　

A　look　of　intense　concentration　crossed　his　face。　

〃Less　than　five　minutes。　They're　running　—　they　want　to　play。〃　He　scowled。　

〃Can　you　make　it？〃　Carlisle　asked　him；　his　eyes　flicking　toward　me　again。　

〃No；　not　carrying　—〃　He　cut　short。　〃Besides；　the　last　thing　we　need　is　
for　them　to　catch　the　scent　and　start　hunting。〃　

〃How　many？〃　Emmett　asked　Alice。　

〃Three；〃　she　answered　tersely。　

〃Three！〃　he　scoffed。　〃Let　them　e。〃　The　steel　bands　of　muscle　flexed　
along　his　massive　arms。　

For　a　split　second　that　seemed　much　longer　than　it　really　was；　Carlisle　
deliberated。　Only　Emmett　seemed　unperturbed；　the　rest　stared　at　
Carlisle's　face　with　anxious　eyes。　

〃Let's　just　continue　the　game；〃　Carlisle　finally　decided。　His　voice　was　

cool　and　level。　〃Alice　said　they　were　simply　curious。〃　

All　this　was　said　in　a　flurry　of　words　that　lasted　only　a　few　seconds。　I　
had　listened　carefully　and　caught　most　of　it；　though　I　couldn't　hear　what　
Esme　now　asked　Edward　with　a　silent　vibration　of　her　lips。　I　only　saw　the　
slight　shake　of　his　head　and　the　look　of　relief　on　her　face。　

〃You　catch；　Esme；〃　he　said。　〃I'll　call　it　now。〃　And　he　planted　himself　in　
front　of　me。　

The　others　returned　to　the　field；　warily　sweeping　the　dark　forest　with　
their　sharp　eyes。　Alice　and　Esme　seemed　to　orient　themselves　around　where　
I　stood。　

〃Take　your　hair　down；〃　Edward　said　in　a　low；　even　voice。　

I　obediently　slid　the　rubber　band　out　of　my　hair　and　shook　it　out　around　
me。　

I　stated　the　obvious。　〃The　others　are　ing　now。〃　

〃Yes；　stay　very　still；　keep　quiet；　and　don't　move　from　my　side；　please。〃　
He　hid　the　stress　in　his　voice　well；　but　I　could　hear　it。　He　pulled　my　
long　hair　forward；　around　my　face。　

〃That　won't　help；〃　Alice　said　softly。　〃I　could　smell　her　across　the　
field。〃　

〃I　know。〃　A　hint　of　frustration　colored　his　tone。　

Carlisle　stood　at　the　plate；　and　the　others　joined　the　game　halfheartedly。　

〃What　did　Esme　ask　you？〃　I　whispered。　

He　hesitated　for　a　second　before　he　answered。　〃Whether　they　were　
thirsty；〃　he　muttered　unwillingly。　

The　seconds　ticked　by；　the　game　progressed　with　apathy　now。　No　one　dared　
to　hit　harder　than　a　bunt；　and　Emmett；　Rosalie；　and　Jasper　hovered　in　the　
infield。　Now　and　again；　despite　the　fear　that　numbed　my　brain；　I　was　
aware　of　Rosalie's　eyes　on　me。　They　were　expressionless；　but　something　
about　the　way　she　held　her　mouth　made　me　think　she　was　angry。　

Edward　paid　no　attention　to　the　game　at　all；　eyes　and　mind　ranging　the　
forest。　

〃I'm　sorry；　Bella；〃　he　muttered　fiercely。　〃It　was　stupid；　irresponsible；　
to　expose　you　like　this。　I'm　so　sorry。〃　

I　heard　his　breath　stop；　and　his　eyes　zeroed　in　on　right　field。　He　took　a　
half　step；　angling　himself　between　me　and　what　was　ing。　

Carlisle；　Emmett；　and　the　others　turned　in　the　same　direction；　hearing　
sounds　of　passage　much　too　faint　for　my　ears。　

===========================================================================　


18。　THE　HUNT　




They　emerged　one　by　one　from　the　forest　edge；　ranging　a　dozen　meters　
apart。　The　first　male　into　the　clearing　fell　back　immediately；　allowing　
the　other　male　to　take　the　front；　orienting　himself　around　the　tall；　
darkhaired　man　in　a　manner　that　clearly　displayed　who　led　the　pack。　The　
third　was　a　woman；　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　Edward's　

family；　exhibiting　the　natural　respect　of　a　troop　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　buttondown　shirts　in　heavy；　weatherproof　fabrics。　The　
clothes　were　frayed；　though；　with　wear；　and　they　were　barefoot。　Both　men　
had　cropped　hair；　but　the　woman's　brilliant　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；　stepped　guardedly　forward　to　
meet　them。　Without　any　seeming　munication　between　them；　they　each　
straightened　into　a　more　casual；　erect　bearing。　

The　man　in　front　was　easily　the　most　beautiful；　his　skin　olivetoned　
beneath　the　typical　pallor；　his　hair　a　glossy　black。　He　was　of　a　medium　
build；　hardmuscled；　of　course；　but　nothing　next　to　Emmett's　brawn。　He　
smiled　an　easy　smile；　exposing　a　flash　of　gleaming　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　pletely　still；　
somehow　seemed　the　most　vigilant。　

Their　eyes　were　different；　too。　Not　the　gold　or　black　I　had　e　to　
expect；　but　a　deep　burgundy　color　that　was　disturbing　and　sinister。　

The　darkhaired　man；　still　smiling；　stepped　toward　Carlisle。　

〃We　thought　we　heard　a　game；〃　he　said　in　a　relaxed　voice　with　the　
slightest　of　French　accents。　〃I'm　Laurent；　these　are　Victoria　and　James。〃　
He　gestured　to　the　vampires　beside　him。　

〃I'm　Carlisle。　This　is　my　family；　Emmett　and　Jasper；　Rosalie；　Esme　and　
Alice；　Edward　and　Bella。〃　He　pointed　us　out　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　Laurent's　friendly　tone。　〃Actually；　we　were　just　
finishing　up。　But　we'd　certainly　be　interested　another　time。　Are　you　
planning　to　stay　in　the　area　for　long？〃　

〃We're　headed　north；　in　fact；　but　we　were　curious　to　see　who　was　in　the　
neighborhood。　We　haven't　run　into　any　pany　in　a　long　time。〃　

〃No；　this　region　is　usually　empty　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　control　the　situation。　

〃What's　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　permanent　
residence　nearby。　There's　another　permanent　settlement　like　ours　up　near　
Denali。〃　

Laurent　rocked　back　on　his　heels　slightly。　

〃Permanent？　How　do　you　manage　that？〃　There　was　honest　curiosity　in　his　
voice。　

〃Why　don't　you　e　back　to　our　home　with　us　and　we　can　talk　
fortably？〃　Carlisle　invited。　〃It's　a　rather　long　story。〃　

James　and　Victoria　exchanged　a　surprised　look　at　the　mention　of　the　word　

〃home；〃　but　Laurent　controlled　his　expression　better。　

〃That　sounds　very　interesting；　and　wele。〃　His　smile　was　genial。　〃We've　
been　on　the　hunt　all　the　way　down　from　Ontario；　and　we　haven't　had　the　
chance　to　clean　up　in　a　while。〃　His　eyes　moved　appreciatively　over　
Carlisle's　refined　appearance。　

〃Please　don't　take　offense；　but　we'd　appreciate　it　if　you'd　refrain　from　
hunting　in　this　immediate　area。　We　have　to　stay　inconspicuous；　you　
understand；〃　Carlisle　explained。　

〃Of　course。〃　Laurent　nodded。　〃We　certainly　won't　encroach　on　your　
territory。　We　just　ate　outside　of　Seattle；　anyway；〃　he　laughed。　A　shiver　
ran　up　my　spine。　

〃We'll　show　you　the