me effortlessly； taking only a fraction of my concentration。 I could feel it flex like just another muscle；
obedient to my will。 I pushed it； shaped it to a long； pointed oval。 Everything underneath the flexible iron
shield was suddenly a part of me—I could feel the life force of everything it covered like points of bright
heat； dazzling sparks of light surrounding me。 I thrust the shield forward the length of the clearing； and
exhaled in relief when I felt Edward's brilliant light within my protection。 I held there； contracting this new
muscle so that it closely surrounded Edward； a thin but unbreakable sheet between his body and our
enemies。
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Barely a second had passed。 Edward was still walking to Aro。 Everything had changed absolutely； but
no one had noticed the explosion except for me。 A startled laugh burst through my lips。 I felt the others
glancing at me and saw Jacob's big black eye roll down to stare at me like I'd lost my mind。
Edward stopped a few steps away from Aro； and I realized with some chagrin that though I certainly
could； I should not prevent this exchange from happening。 This was the point of all our preparations：
getting Aro to hear our side of the story。 It was almost physically painful to do it； but reluctantly I pulled
my shield back and left Edward exposed again。 The laughing mood had vanished。 I focused totally on
Edward； ready to shield him instantly if something went wrong。
Edward's chin came up arrogantly； and he held his hand out to Aro as if he were conferring a great
honor。 Aro seemed only delighted with his attitude； but his delight was not universal。 Renata fluttered
nervously in Aro：s shadow。 Caius's scowl was so deep it looked like his papery； translucent skin would
crease permanently。 Little Jane showed her teeth； and beside her Alec's eyes narrowed in concentration。
I guessed that he was ready； like me； to act at a second's notice。
Aro closed the distance without pause—and really； what did he have to fear？ The hulking shadows of
the lighter gray cloaks—the brawny fighters like Felix—were but a few yards away。 Jane and her burning
gift could throw Edward on the ground； writhing in agony。 Alec could blind and deafen him before he
could take a step in Aro's direction。 No one knew that I had the power to stop them； not even Edward。
With an untroubled smile； Aro took Edward's hand。 His eyes snapped shut at once； and then his
shoulders hunched under the onslaught of information。
Every secret thought； every strategy； every insight—everything Edward had heard in the minds around
him during the last month—was now Aro's。 And further back—every vision of Alice's； every quiet
moment with our family； every picture in Renesmee's head； every kiss； every touch between Edward and
me。。。 All of that was Aro's now； too。
I hissed with frustration； and the shield roiled with my irritation； shifting its shape and contracting around
our side。
〃Easy； Bella；〃 Zafrina whispered to me。
I clenched my teeth together。
Aro continued to concentrate on Edward's memories。 Edward's head bowed； too； the muscles in his
neck locking tight as he read back again everything that Aro took from him； and Aro's response to it all。
This twoway but unequal conversation continued long enough that even the guard grew uneasy。 Low
murmurs ran through the line until Caius barked a sharp order for silence。 Jane was edging forward like
she couldn't help herself； and Renata's face was rigid with distress。 For a moment； I examined this
powerful shield that seemed so panicky and weak； though she was useful to Aro； I could tell she was no
warrior。 It was not her job to fight but to protect。 There was no bloodlust in her。 Raw as I was； I knew
that if this were between her and me； I would obliterate her。
I refocused as Aro straightened； his eyes flashing open； their expression awed and wary。 He did not
release Edward's hand。
Edward's muscles loosened ever so slightly。
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〃You see？〃 Edward asked； his velvet voice calm。
〃Yes； I see； indeed；〃 Aro agreed； and amazingly； he sounded almost amused。 〃I doubt whether any two
among gods or mortals have ever seen quite so clearly。〃
The disciplined faces of the guard showed the same disbelief I felt。
〃You have given me much to ponder； young friend；〃 Aro continued。 〃Much more than I expected。〃 Still
he did not release Edward's hand； and Edward's tense stance was that of one who listens。
Edward didn't answer。
〃May I meet her？〃 Aro asked—almost pleaded—with sudden eager interest。 〃I never dreamed of the
existence of such a thing in all my centuries。 What an addition to our histories！〃
〃What is this about； Aro？〃 Caius snapped before Edward could answer。 Just the question had me pulling
Renesmee around into my arms； cradling her protectively against my chest。
〃Something you've never dreamed of； my practical friend。 Take a moment to ponder； for the justice we
intended to deliver no longer applies。〃
Caius hissed in surprise at his words。
〃Peace； brother；〃 Aro cautioned soothingly。
This should have been good news—these were the words we'd been hoping for； the reprieve we'd
never really
thought possible。 Aro had listened to the truth。 Aro had admitted that the law had not been broken。
But my eyes were riveted on Edward； and I saw the muscles in his back tighten。 I replayed in my head
Aro's instruction for Caius to ponder； and heard the double meaning。
〃Will you introduce me to your daughter？〃 Aro asked Edward again。
Caius was not the only one who hissed at this new revelation。
Edward nodded reluctantly。 And yet； Renesmee had won over so many others。 Aro always seemed the
leader of the ancients。 If he were on her side； could the others act against us？
Aro still gripped Edward's hand； and he now answered a question that the rest of us had not heard。
〃I think a promise on this one point is certainly acceptable； under the circumstance。 We will meet in
the middle。〃
Aro released his hand。 Edward turned back toward us； and Aro joined him； throwing one arm casually
over Edward's shoulder like they were the best of friends—all the while maintaining contact with
Edward's skin。 They began to cross the field back to our side。
The entire guard fell into step behind them。 Aro raised a hand negligently without looking at them。
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〃Hold； my dear ones。 Truly； they mean us no harm if we are peaceable。〃
The guard reacted to this more openly than before； with snarls and hisses of protest； but held their
position。 Renata； clinging closer to Aro than ever； whimpered in anxiety。
〃Master；〃 she whispered。
〃Don't fret； my love；〃 he responded。 〃All is well。〃
〃Perhaps you should bring a few members of your guard with us；〃 Edward suggested。 〃It will make them
more fortable。〃
Aro nodded as if this was a wise observation he