ters？　What　was　the　point　of

forming　such　a　society　when　no　vampires　lived　in　Forks　anymore？　Why　would

Jacob　start　believing　the

stories　about　the　Cullens　now；　when　the　evidence　of　them　was　long　gone；　never

to　return？

It　took　me　too　long　to　e　up　with　the　correct　response。　〃Don't　tell　me

you're　listening　to　Billy's

superstitious　nonsense　now；〃　I　said　with　a　feeble　attempt　at　mockery。

〃He　knows　more　than　I　gave　him　credit　for。〃

〃Be　serious；　Jacob。〃

He　glared　at　me；　his　eyes　critical。

〃Superstitions　aside；〃　I　said　quickly。　〃I　still　don't　see　what　you're　accusing

the。。。　Cullens〃—wince—〃of。

They　left　more　than　half　a　year　ago。　How　can　you　blame　them　for　what　Sam　is

doing　now？〃

〃Sam　isn't　doing　anything；　Bella。　And　I　know　they're　gone。　But　sometimes

things　are　set　in　motion；　and

then　it's　too　late。〃

〃What's　set　in　motion？　What's　too　late？　What　are　you　blaming　them　for？〃

He　was　suddenly　right　in　my　face；　his　fury　glowing　in　his　eyes。　〃For

existing；〃　he　hissed。

I　was　surprised　and　distracted　as　the　warning　words　came　in　Edward's　voice

again；　when　I　wasn't　even

scared。

〃Quiet　now；　Bella。　Don't　push　him；〃　Edward　cautioned　in　my　ear。

Ever　since　Edward's　name　had　broken　through　the　careful　walls　I'd　buried　it

behind；　I'd　been　unable　to

lock　it　up　again。　It　didn't　hurt　now—not　during　the　precious　seconds　when　I

could　hear　his　voice。

Jacob　was　fuming　in　front　of　me；　quivering　with　anger。

I　didn't　understand　why　the　Edward　delusion　was　unexpectedly　in　my　mind。　Jacob

was　livid；　but　he　was

Jacob。　There　was　no　adrenaline；　no　danger。

〃Give　him　a　chance　to　calm　do