WE WERE IN A BRIGHTLY LIT, UNREMARKABLE HALLWAY. The walls were off-white, thefloor carpeted in industrial gray. Common rectangular fluorescent1 lights were spaced evenly along theceiling. It was warmer here, for which I was grateful. This hall seemed very benign2 after the gloom of theghoulish stone sewers3.
Edward didn't seem to agree with my assessment4. He glowered5 darkly down the long hallway, towardthe slight, black shrouded6 figure at the end, standing7 by an elevator.
He pulled me along, and Alice walked on my other side. The heavy door creaked shut behind us, andthen there was the thud of a bolt sliding home.
Jane waited by the elevator, one hand holding the doors open for us. Her expression was apathetic8.
Once inside the elevator, the three vampires9 that belonged to the Volturi relaxed further. They threwback their cloaks, letting the hoods12 fall back on their shoulders. Felix and Demetri were both of a slightlyolive complexion—it looked odd combined with their chalky pallor. Felix's black hair was cropped short,but Demetri's waved to his shoulders. Their irises13 were deep crimson14 around the edges, darkening untilthey were black around the pupil. Under the shrouds15, their clothes were modern, pale, and nondescript. Icowered in the corner, cringing16 against Edward. His hand still rubbed against my arm. He never took hiseyes off Jane.
The elevator ride was short; we stepped out into what looked like a posh office reception area. The wallswere paneled in wood, the floors carpeted in thick, deep green. There were no windows, but large,brightly lit paintings of the Tuscan countryside hung everywhere as replacements17. Pale leather coucheswere arranged in cozy18 groupings, and the glossy19 tables held crystal vases full of vibrantly20 coloredbouquets. The flowers' smell reminded me of a funeral home.
In the middle of the room was a high, polished mahogany counter. I gawked in astonishment21 at thewoman behind it.
She was tall, with dark skin and green eyes. She would have been very pretty in any othercompany—but not here. Because she was every bit as human as I was. I couldn't comprehend what thishuman woman was doing here, totally at ease, surrounded by vampnes.
She smiled politely in welcome. "Good afternoon, Jane," she said. There was no surprise in her face asshe glanced at Jane's company. Not Edward, his bare chest glinting dimly in the white lights, or even me,disheveled and comparatively hideous22.
Jane nodded. "Gianna." She continued toward a set of double doors in the back of the room, and wefollowed.
As Felix passed the desk, he winked23 at Gianna, and she giggled24.
On the other side of the wooden doors was a different kind of reception. The pale boy in the pearl graysuit could have been Jane's twin. His hair was darker, and his lips were not as full, but he was just aslovely. He came forward to meet us. He smiled, reaching for her. "Jane.""Alec," she responded, embracing the boy. They kissed each other's cheeks on both sides. Then helooked at us.
"They send you out for one and you come back with two… and a half," he noted25, looking at me. "Nicework."She laughed—the sound sparkled with delight like a baby's cooing.
"Welcome back, Edward," Alec greeted him. "You seem in a better mood.""Marginally," Edward agreed in a flat voice. I glanced at Edward's hard face, and wondered how hismood could have been darker before.
Alec chuckled26, and examined me as I clung to Edward's side. "And this is the cause of all the trouble?"he asked, skeptical27.
Edward only smiled, his expression contemptuous. Then he froze.
"Dibs," Felix called casually28 from behind.
Edward turned, a low snarl29 building deep in his chest. Felix smiled—his hand was raised, palm up; hecurled his fingers twice, inviting30 Edward forward.
Alice touched Edward's arm. "Patience," she cautioned him.
They exchanged a long glance, and I wished I could hear what she was telling him. I figured that it wassomething to do with not attacking Felix, because Edward took a deep breath and turned back to Alec.
"Aro will be so pleased to see you again," Alec said, as if nothing had passed.
"Let's not keep him waiting," Jane suggested.
Edward nodded once.
Alec and Jane, holding hands, led the way down yet another wide, ornate hall—would there ever be anend?
They ignored the doors at the end of the hall—doors entirely31 sheathed32 in gold—stopping halfway33 downthe hall and sliding aside a piece of the paneling to expose a plain wooden door. It wasn't locked. Alecheld it open for Jane.
I wanted to groan34 when Edward pulled me through to the other side of the door. It was the same ancientstone as the square, the alley35, and the sewers. And it was dark and cold again.
The stone antechamber was not large. It opened quickly into a brighter, cavernous room, perfectly37 roundlike a huge castle turret38… which was probably exactly what it was.
Two stories up, long window slits39 threw thin rectangles of bright sunlight onto the stone floor below.
There were no artificial lights. The only furniture in the room were several massive wooden chairs, likethrones, that were spaced unevenly40, flush with the curving stone walls. In the very center of the circle, in aslight depression, was another drain. I wondered if they used it as an exit, like the hole in the street.
The room was not empty. A handful of people were convened41 in seemingly relaxed conversation. Themurmur of low, smooth voices was a gentle hum in the air. As I watched, a pair of pale women insummer dresses paused in a patch of light, and, like prisms, their skin threw the light in rainbow sparklesagainst the sienna walls.
The exquisite42 faces all turned toward our party as we entered the room. Most of the immortals44 weredressed in inconspicuous pants and shirts—things that wouldn't stick out at all on the streets below. Butthe man who spoke46 first wore one of the long robes. It was pitch-black, and brushed against the floor.
For a moment, I thought his long, jet-black hair was the hood11 of his cloak.
"Jane, dear one, you've returned!" he cried in evident delight. His voice was just a soft sighing.
He drifted forward, and the movement flowed with such surreal grace that I gawked, my mouth hangmgopen. Even Alice, whose every motion looked like dancing, could not compare.
I was only more astonished as he floated closer and I could see his face. It was not like the unnaturallyattractive faces that surrounded him (for he did not approach us alone; the entire group convergedaround him, some following, and some walking ahead of him with the alert manner of bodyguards47). Icouldn't decide if his face was beautiful or not. I suppose the features were perfect. But he was asdifferent from the vampires beside him as they were from me. His skin was translucently48 white, likeonionskin, and it looked just as delicate—it stood in shocking contrast to the long black hair that framedhis face. I felt a strange, horrifying49 urge to touch his cheek, to see if it was softer than Edward's orAlice's, or if it was powdery, like chalk. His eyes were red, the same as the others around him, but thecolor was clouded, milky50; I wondered if his vision was affected51 by the haze52.
He glided53 to Jane, took her face in his papery hands, kissed her lightly on her full lips, and then floatedback a step.
"Yes, Master." Jane smiled; the expression made her look like an angelic child. "I brought him back alive,just as you wished.""Ah, Jane." He smiled, too. "You are such a comfort to me." He turned his misty54 eyes toward us, and the smile brightened—became ecstatic.
"And Alice and Bella, too!" he rejoiced, clapping his thin hands together. "This is a happy surprise!
Wonderful!"I stared in shock as he called our names informally, as if we were old friends dropping in for anunexpected visit.
He turned to our hulking escort. "Felix, be a dear and tell my brothers about our company. I'm sure theywouldn't want to miss this.""Yes, Master." Felix nodded and disappeared back the way we had come.
"You see, Edward?" The strange vampire10 turned and smiled at Edward like a fond but scoldinggrandfather. "What did I tell you? Aren't you glad that I didn't give you what you wanted yesterday?""Yes, Aro, I am," he agreed, tightening55 his arm around my waist.
"I love a happy ending." Aro sighed. "They are so rare. But I want the whole story. How did thishappen? Alice?" He turned to gaze at Alice with curious, misty eyes. "Your brother seemed to think youinfallible, but apparently56 there was some mistake.""Oh, I'm far from infallible." She flashed a dazzling smile. She looked perfectly at ease, except that herhands were balled into tight little fists. "As you can see today, I cause problems as often as I cure them.""You're too modest," Aro chided. "I've seen some of your more amazing exploits, and I must admit I'venever observed anything like your talent. Wonderful!"Alice flickered57 a glance at Edward. Aro did not miss it.
"I'm sorry, we haven't been introduced properly at all, have we? It's just that I feel like I know youalready, and I tend get ahead of myself. Your brother introduced us yesterday, in a peculiar58 way. Yousee, I share some of your brother's talent, only I am limited in a way that he is not." Aro shook his head;his tone was envious59.
"And also exponentially more powerful," Edward added dryly. He looked at Alice as he swiftlyexplained. "Aro needs physical contact to hear your thoughts, but he hears much more than I do. Youknow I can only hear what's passing through your head in the moment. Aro hears every thought yourmind has ever had."Alice raised her delicate eyebrows60, and Edward inclined his head.
Aro didn't miss that either.
"But to be able to hear from a distance…" Aro sighed, gesturing toward the two of them, and theexchange that had just taken place. "That would be so convenient."Aro looked over our shoulders. All the other heads turned in the same direction, including Jane, Alec,and Demetri, who stood silently beside us.
I was the slowest to turn. Felix was back, and behind him floated two more black-robed men. Bothlooked very much like Aro, one even had the same flowing black hair. The other had a shock ofsnow-white hair—the same shade as his face—that brushed against his shoulders. Their faces hadidentical, paper-thin skin.
The trio from Carlisle's painting was complete, unchanged by the last three hundred years since it waspainted.
"Marcus, Caius, look!" Aro crooned. "Bella is alive after all, and Alice is here with her! Isn't thatwonderful?"Neither of the other two looked as if wonderful would be their first choice of words. The dark-hairedman seemed utterly61 bored, like he'd seen too many millennia62 of Aro's enthusiasm. The other's hice wassour under the snowy hair.
Their lack of interest did not curb63 Aro's enjoyment64.
"Let us have the story," Aro almost sang in his feathery voice.
The white-haired ancient vampire drifted away, gliding65 toward one of the wooden thrones. The otherpaused beside Aro, and he reached his hand out, at first I thought to take Aro's hand. But he justtouched Aro's palm briefly66 and then dropped his hand to his side. Aro raised one black brow. Iwondered how his papery skin did not crumple67 in the effort.
Edward snorted very quietly, and Alice looked at him, curious.
"Thank you, Marcus," Aro said. "That's quite interesting."I realized, a second late, that Marcus was letting Aro know his thoughts.
Marcus didn't look interested. He glided away from Aro to join the one who must be Caius, seatedagainst the wall. Two of the attending vampires followed silently behind him—bodyguards, like I'dthought before. I could see that the two women in the sundresses had gone to stand beside Caius in thesame manner. The idea of any vampire needing a guard was faintly ridiculous to me, but maybe theancient ones were as frail68 as their skin suggested.
Aro was shaking his head. "Amazing,"' he said. "Absolutely amazing."Alice's expression was frustrated70. Edward turned to her and explained again in a swift, low voice.
"Marcus sees relationships. He's surprised by the intensity71 of ours."Aro smiled. "So convenient," he repeated to himself. Then he spoke to us. "It takes quite a bit to surpriseMarcus, I can assure you."I looked at Marcus's dead face, and I believed that.
"It's just so difficult to understand, even now," Aro mused72, staring at Edward's arm wrapped around me.
It was hard for me to follow Aro's chaotic73 train of thought. I struggled to keep up. "How can you standso close to het like that?""It's not without effort," Edward answered calmly.
"Butstill—la tua cantante! What a waste!"Edward chuckled once without humor. "I look at it more as a price."Aro was skeptical. "A very high price.""Opportunity cost." Aro laughed. "If I hadn't smelled her through your memories, I wouldn't have believed the call of anyone'sblood could be so strong. I've never felt anything like it myself. Most of us would trade much for such agift, and yet you…""Waste it," Edward finished, his voice sarcastic74 now.
Aro laughed again. "Ah, how I miss my friend Carlisle! You remind me of him—only he was not soangry.""Carlisle outshines me in many other ways as well.""I certainly never thought to see Carlisle bested for self-control of all things, but you put him to shame.""Hardly." Edward sounded impatient. As if he were tired of the preliminaries. It made me more afraid; Icouldn't help but try to imagine what he expected would follow.
"I am gratified by his success," Aro mused. "Your memories of him are quite a gift for me, though theyastonish me exceedingly. I am surprised by how it… pleases me, his success in this unorthodox path he'schosen. I expected that he would waste, weaken with time. I'd scoffed75 at his plan to find others whowould share his peculiar vision. Yet, somehow, I'm happy to be wrong."Edward didn't reply.
"But your restraint!" Aro sighed. "I did not know such strength was possible. To inure76 yourself againstsuch a siren call, not just once but again and again—if I had not felt it myself, I would not have believed."Edward gazed back at Aro's admiration77 with no expression. I knew his face well enough—time had notchanged that—to guess at something seething78 beneath the surface. I fought to keep my breathing even.
"Just remembering how she appeals to you…" Aro chuckled. "It makes me thirsty."Edward tensed.
"Don't be disturbed," Aro reassured79 him. "I mean her no harm. But I am so curious, about one thing inparticular." He eyed me with bright interest. "May I?" he asked eagerly, lifting one hand.
"Ask her," Edward suggested in a flat voice.
"Of course, how rude of me!" Aro exclaimed. "Bella," he addressed me directly now. "I'm fascinated thatyou are the one exception to Edward's impressive talent—so very interesting that such a thing shouldoccur! And I was wondering, since our talents are similar in many ways, if you would be so kind as toallow me to try—to see if you are an exception for me, as well?"My eyes flashed up to Edward's face in terror. Despite Aro's overt81 politeness, I didn't believe I really hada choice. I was horrified82 at the thought of allowing him to touch me, and yet also perversely83 intrigued84 bythe chance to feel his strange skin.
Edward nodded in encouragement—whether because he was sure Aro would not hurt me, or becausethere was no choice, I couldn't tell.
I turned back to Aro and raised my hand slowly in front of me. It was trembling.
He glided closer, and I believe he meant his expression to be reassuring85. But his papery features weretoo strange, too alien and frightening, to reassure80. The look on his face was more confident than hiswords had been.
Aro reached out, as if to shake my hand, and pressed his insubstantial-looking skin against mine. It washard, but felt brittle—shale rather than granite—and even colder than I expected.
His filmy eyes smiled down at mine, and it was impossible to look away. They were mesmerizing86 in anodd, unpleasant way.
Aro's face altered as I watched. The confidence wavered and became first doubt, then incredulity beforehe calmed it into a friendly mask.
"So very interesting," he said as he released my hand and drifted back.
My eyes flickered to Edward, and, though his face was composed, I thought he seemed a little smug.
Aro continued to drift wnh a thoughtful expression. He was quiet for a moment, his eyes flickeringbetween the three of us. Then, abruptly88, he shook his head.
"A first," he said to himself "I wonder if she is immune to our other talents… Jane, dear?""No!" Edward snarled89 the word. Alice grabbed his arm with a restraining hand. He shook her off.
Little Jane smiled up happily at Aro. "Yes, Master?"Edward was truly snarling90 now, the sound ripping and tearing from him, glaring at Aro with baleful eyes.
The room had gone still, everyone watching him with amazed disbelief, as if he were committing someembarrassing social faux pas. I saw Felix grin hopefully and move a step forward. Aro glanced at himonce, and he froze in place, his grin turning to a sulky expression.
Then he spoke to Jane. "I was wondering, my dear one, if Bella is immune to you."I could barely hear Aro over Edward's furious growls91. He let go of me, moving to hide me from theirview. Caius ghosted in our direction, with his entourage, to watch.
Jane turned toward us with a beatific93 smile.
"Don't!" Alice cried as Edward launched himself at the little girl.
Before I could react, before anyone could jump between them, before Aro's bodyguards could tense,Edward was on the ground.
No one had touched him, but he was on the stone floor writhing94 in obvious agony, while I stared inhorror.
Jane was smiling only at him now, and it all clicked together. What Alice had said about formidable gifts, why everyone treated Jane with such deference95, and why Edward had thrown himself in her path beforeshe could do that to me.
"Stop!" I shrieked96, my voice echoing in the silence, jumping forward to put myself between them. ButAlice threw her arms around me in an unbreakable grasp and ignored my struggles. No sound escapedEdward's lips as he cringed against the stones. It felt like my head would explode from the pain ofwatching this.
"Jane," Aro recalled her in a tranquil97 voice. She looked up quickly, still smiling with pleasure, her eyesquestioning. As soon as Jane looked away, Edward was still.
Aro inclined his head toward me.
Jane turned her smile in my direction.
I didn't even meet her gaze. I watched Edward from the prison of Alice's arms, still struggling pointlessly.
"He's fine," Alice whispered in a tight voice. As she spoke, he sat up, and then sprang lightly to his feet.
His eyes met mine, and they were horror-struck. At first I thought the horror was for what he had justsuffered. But then he looked quickly at Jane, and back to me—and his face relaxed into relief.
I looked at Jane, too, and she no longer smiled. She glared at me, her jaw98 clenched99 with the intensity ofher focus. I shrank back, waiting for the pain.
Nothing happened.
Edward was by my side again. He touched Alice's arm, and she surrendered me to him.
Aro started to laugh. "Ha, ha. ha," he chuckled. "This is wonderful!"Jane hissed100 in frustration101, leaning forward like she was preparing to spring.
"Don't be put out, dear one," Aro said in a comforting tone, placing a powder-light hand on her shoulder.
"She confounds us all."Jane's upper lip curled back ever her teeth as she continued to glare at me.
"Ha, ha, ha," Aro chortled again. "You're very brave, Edward, to endure in silence. I asked Jane to dothat to me once—just out of curiosity." He shook his head in admiration.
Edward glared, disgusted.
"So what do we do with you now?" Aro sighed.
Edward and Alice stiffened102. This was the part they'd been waiting for. I began to tremble.
"I don't suppose there's any chance that you've changed your mind?" Aro asked Edward hopefully.
"Your talent would be an excellent addition to our little company."Edward hesitated. From the corner of my eye, I saw both Felix and Jane grimace103.
Edward seemed to weigh each word before he spoke it. "I'd… rather… not.""Alice?" Aro asked, still hopeful. "Would you perhaps be interested in joining with us?""No, thank you," Alice said.
"And you, Bella?" Aro raised his eyebrows.
Edward hissed, low in my ears. I stared at Aro blankly. Was he joking? Or was he really asking me if Iwanted to stay for dinner?
It was the white-haired Caius who broke the silence.
"What?" he demanded of Aro; his voice, though no more than a whisper, was flat.
"Caius, surely you see the potential," Aro chided him affectionately. "I haven't seen a prospective104 talentso promising105 since we found Jane and Alec. Can you imagine the possibilities when she is one of us?" Caius looked away with a caustic106 expression. Jane's eyes sparked with indignation at the comparison.
Edward fumed107 beside me. I could hear a rumble108 in his chest, building toward a growl92. I couldn't let histemper get him hurt.
"No, thank you," I spoke up in barely more than a whisper, my voice breaking in fright.
Aro sighed. "That's unfortunate. Such a waste."Edward hissed. "Join or die, is that it? I suspected as much when we were brought to this room. Somuch for your laws."The tone of his voice surprised me. He sounded irate109, but there was something deliberate about hisdelivery—as if he'd chosen his words with great care.
"Of course not." Aro blinked, astonished. "We were already convened here, Edward, awaiting Heidi'sreturn. Not for you.""Aro," Caius hissed. "The law claims them."Edward glared at Caius. "How so?" he demanded. He must have known what Caius was thinking, but heseemed determined110 to make him speak it aloud.
Caius pointed111 a skeletal finger at me. "She knows too much. You have exposed our secrets." His voicewas papery thin, just like his skin.
"There are a few humans in on your charade112 here, as well," Edward reminded him, and I thought of thepretty receptionist below.
Caius's face twisted into a new expression. Was it supposed to be a smiled.
"Yes," he agreed. "But when they are no longer useful to us, they will serve to sustain us. That is not yourplan for this one. If she betrays our secrets, are you prepared to destroy her? I think not," he scoffed.
"I wouldn't—," I began, still whispering. Caius silenced me with an icy look.
"Nor do you intend to make her one of us," Caius continued. "Therefore, she is a vulnerability. Though itis true, for this, only her life is forfeit113. You may leave if you wish."Edward bared his teeth.
"That's what I thought," Caius said, with something akin69 to pleasure. Felix leaned forward, eager.
"Unless…" Aro interrupted. He looked unhappy with the way the conversation had gone. "Unless you dointend to give her immortality114?"Edward pursed his lips, hesitating for a moment before he answered. "And if I do?"Aro smiled, happy again. "Why, then you would be free to go home and give my regards to my friendCarlisle." His expression turned more hesitant. "But I'm afraid you would have to mean it."Aro raised his hand in front of him.
Caius, who had begun to scowl115 furiously, relaxed.
Edward's lips tightened116 into a fierce line. He stared into my eyes, and I stared back.
"Mean it," I whispered. "Please."Was it really such a loathsome117 idea? Would he rather die than change me? I felt like I'd been kicked inthe stomach.
Edward stared down at me with a tortured expression.
And then Alice stepped away from us, forward toward Aro. We turned to watch her. Her hand wasraised like his.
She didn't say anything, and Aro waved off his anxious guard as they moved to block her approach. Aromet her halfway, and took her hand with an eager, acquisitive glint in his eyes.
He bent118 his head over their touching119 hands, his eyes closing as he concentrated. Alice was motionless,her face blank. I heard Edward's teeth snap together.
No one moved. Aro seemed frozen over Alice's hand. The seconds passed and I grew more and morestressed, wondering how much time would pass before it was too much time. Before it meant somethingwas wrong—more wrong than it already was.
Another agonizing120 moment passed, and then Aro's voice broke the silence.
"Ha, ha, ha," he laughed, his head still bent forward. He looked up slowly, his eyes bright withexcitement. "That was fascinating!"Alice smiled dryly. "I'm glad you enjoyed it.""To see the things you've seen—especially the ones that haven't happened yet!" He shook his head inwonder.
"But that will," she reminded him, voice calm.
"Yes, yes, it's quite determined. Certainly there's no problem."Caius looked bitterly disappointed—a feeling he seemed to share with Felix and Jane.
"Aro," Caius complained.
"Dear Caius," Aro smiled. "Do not fret121. Think of the possibilities! They do not join us today, but we canalways hope for the future. Imagine the joy young Alice alone would bring to our little household…Besides, I'm so terribly curious to see how Bella turns out!"Aro seemed convinced. Did he not realize how subjective122 Alice's visions were.' That she could make upher mind to transform me today, and then change it tomorrow? A million tiny decisions, her decisions andso many others', too—Edward's—could alter her path, and with that, the future.
And would it really matter that Alice was willing, would it make any difference if I did become a vampire,when the idea was so repulsive123 to Edward? If death was, to him, a better alternative than having mearound forever, an immortal43 annoyance124? Terrified as I was, I felt myself sinking down into depression,drowning in it…"Then we are free to go now?" Edward asked in an even voice.
"Yes, yes," Aro said pleasantly. "But please visit again. It's been absolutely enthralling125!" "And we will visit you as well," Caius promised, his eyes suddenly half-closed like the heavy-lidded gazeof a lizard126. "To be sure that you follow through on your side. Were I you, I would not delay too long. Wedo not offer second chances."Edward's jaw clenched tight, but he nodded once.
Caius smirked127 and drifted back to where Marcus still sat, unmoving and uninterested.
"Ah, Felix." Aro smiled, amused. "Heidi will be here at any moment. Patience.""Hmm." Edward's voice had a new edge to it. "In that case, perhaps we'd better leave sooner rather thanlater.""Yes," Aro agreed. "That's a good idea. Accidents do happen. Please wait below until after dark, though,if you don't mind.""Of course," Edward agreed, while I cringed at the thought of waiting out the day before we couldescape.
"And here," Aro added, motioning to Felix with one finger. Felix came forward at once, and Arounfastened the gray cloak the huge vampire wore, pulling from his shoulders. He tossed it to Edward.
"Take this. You're a little conspicuous45."Edward put the long cloak on, leaving the hood down.
Aro sighed. "It suits you."Edward chuckled, but broke off suddenly, glancing over his shoulder. "Thank you, Aro. We'll waitbelow.""Goodbye, young friends," Aro said, his eyes bright as he stared in the same direction.
"Let's go," Edward said, urgent now.
Demetri gestured that we should follow, and then set off the way we'd come in, the only exit by the lookof things.
Edward pulled me swiftly along beside him. Alice was close by my other side, her face hard.
"Not fast enough," she muttered.
I stared up at her, frightened, but she only seemed chagrined129. It was then that I first heard the babble130 ofvoices—loud, rough voices—coming from the antechamber.
"Well this is unusual," a man's coarse voice boomed.
"So medieval," an unpleasantly shrill131, female voice gushed132 back.
A large crowd was coming through the little door, filling the smaller stone chamber36. Demetri motioned forus to make room. We pressed back against the cold wall to let them pass.
The couple in front, Americans from the sound of them, glanced around themselves with appraising133 eyes.
"Welcome, guests! Welcome to Volterra!" I could hear Aro sing from the big turret room.
The rest of them, maybe forty or more, filed in after the couple. Some studied the setting like tourists. Afew even snapped pictures. Others looked confused, as if the story that had led them to this room wasnot making sense anymore. I noticed one small, dark woman in particular. Around her neck was arosary, and she gripped the cross tightly in one hand. She walked more slowly than the others, touchingsomeone now and then and asking a question in an unfamiliar134 language. No one seemed to understandher, and her voice grew more panicked.
Edward pulled my face against his chest, but it was too late. I already understood.
As soon as the smallest break appeared, Edward pushed me quickly toward the door. I could feel thehorrified expression on my face, and the tears beginning to pool in my eyes.
The ornate golden hallway was quiet, empty except for one gorgeous, statuesque woman. She stared atus curiously135, me in particular.
"Welcome home, Heidi," Demetri greeted her from behind us.
Heidi smiled absently. She reminded me of Rosalie, though they looked nothing alike—it was just that herbeauty, too, was exceptional, unforgettable. I couldn't seem to look away.
She was dressed to emphasize that beauty. Her amazingly long legs, darkened with tights, were exposedby the shortest of miniskirts. Her top was long-sleeved and high-necked, but extremely close-fitting, andconstructed of red vinyl. Her long mahogany hair was lustrous136, and her eyes were the strangest shade ofviolet—a color that might result from blue-tinted contacts over red irises.
"Demetri," she responded in a silky voice, her eyes flickering87 between my face and Edward's gray cloak.
"Nice fishing," Demetri complimented her, and I suddenly understood the attention-grabbing outfit137 shewore… she was not only the fisherman, but also the bait.
"Thanks." She flashed a stunning138 smile. "Aren't you coming?""In a minute. Save a few for me."Heidi nodded and ducked through the door with one last curious look at me.
Edward set a pace that had me running to keep up. But we still couldn't get through the ornate door atthe end of the hallway before the screaming started.
21 宣判
我们来到一条明亮的、普通的走廊。两边的墙壁是白色的，地板是灰色的。天花板上均匀地挂着很平常的矩形煤油灯。这个地方暖和些，我感到很开心，在走过阴森的下水道后感觉这个大厅尤其温馨。
爱德华的感受似乎和我很不一样。他眉头紧锁，看着长长的走廊，走廊尽头的电梯口似乎站着一身黑色的人。
简等在电梯旁，一只手扶着门，她面无表情。
进了电梯后，那三个沃尔图里的吸血鬼更加没有顾忌了。他们拿掉斗篷，把帽子留在肩上。费力克斯和德米特里的肤色都有点儿橄榄绿——和整体粉笔般的苍白很不协调。费力克斯的黑头发减得很短，但是德米特里的头发却长及肩膀。他们的眼膜周边鲜红，越往中央越黑，到了眼珠子那里已经是漆黑的了。他们的斗篷里面的衣服是现代的、苍白的，说不上有什么特色。我蜷缩在角落，紧紧靠着爱德华，他的手依然在我手臂上搓着，他的双眼死死地盯着简。
我们乘电梯时间很短，走出电梯，来到一个像是邮局前台的地方。墙壁是木头做成的，地板是很深很深的蓝色。没有窗户，取而代之的是大幅的色彩鲜艳的托斯卡纳风格的乡村风景画。白色的皮沙发整齐地摆放着，光滑的桌面上摆着水晶花瓶，插满了艳丽的花束，这些花的香气使我联想到殡仪馆。
房间的中间是一个高高的、光泽的桃花心木柜台，我惊奇地看着柜台上的女人。
她很高挑，皮肤黝黑，眼睛是绿色的。换个地方她可以说是美人——但在这里她算不上，因为她和我一样是人类。我不明白为什么这个女人会在这里，那么从容地整天和吸血鬼在一起。
她微笑表示欢迎，
“下午好，简。”她说。
看到和简一起的这班人她一点也不惊奇。就算看到爱德华袒露的胸膛在白色的光线下微微发光，还有我蓬头垢面，狼狈不堪的样子，她也毫不奇怪。
简点了点头，打个招呼。
“吉安娜。”她径直朝房间的两层门走去，我们跟在后面。
木门的后面的接待处和前面的那个完全不一样，有个穿着白珍珠颜色西装的男孩儿看起来像简的双胞胎兄弟。他的头发比简黑，嘴唇没有简饱满，但是同样那么讨人喜爱。他迎上来，微笑地和简打招呼：“简。”
“亚力克。”简回应他，拥抱那个男孩儿，互相亲吻对方的脸颊，然后他看着我们。
“他们派你出去带他一个回来，你带回来了两个....半，”看着我，他纠正了一下，“干得不错！”
她笑了——笑声像小孩子的声音一样，让人觉得很开心。
“欢迎回来，爱德华，”亚力克对他说，“你看起来情绪不错。”
“还好。”爱德华冷淡地应了声。我看了看爱德华僵硬的脸，丝毫不记得什么时候他的情绪比此时更低落过。
亚力克冷笑了几声，打量了爱德华身旁的我。“这就是问题的根源吧？”他怀疑地问道。
爱德华微笑了一下，一脸的不屑，然后他愣住了。
“迪布斯。”费力克斯在身后随意地喊了一声。
爱德华转过身去，胸中充满了怒火。费力克斯微笑着——他举起手，掌心朝上，手指弯了两下，叫爱德华过去一下。
爱丽丝碰了碰爱德华的手臂。
“忍耐。”她提醒他。
他们交换了一个眼神，我真希望自己能听见她对他说了什么。我猜大概是让爱德华不要出手打费力克斯，因为爱德华深吸一口气，然后转向亚力克。
“阿罗看到你会很高兴的。”亚力克说道，好像什么事情都没有发生过一样。
“不要让他久等了。”简提醒道。
爱德华点了点头。
亚力克和简牵着手带领我们穿过另一个宽敞、华丽的大厅——这样何时是个尽头？
他们走过大厅尽头的几扇门——这几扇门完全镀了一层金——在大厅中间停下，拉开一块嵌板，露出一扇普通的木门。这门没上锁，亚力克推开门让简过去。
爱德华把我推过门的时候，我都快呻吟了。和广场、小巷、下水道一样，又是一些古老的石头，又变得又冷又暗了。
石头砌成的接待室不大。很快我们就来到一个亮堂些，洞穴般的房间，圆圆的像极了一座城堡的大灯塔.....可能它就是座灯塔。
再往上两层楼，两道阳光从长长的窗户射到石板地面上，没有其他的光源。房间里仅有的家具就是几张很大的木椅，像君主的宝座，毫无秩序地摆在那里，和弯弯绕绕的石墙相互反光。在圆圈的中间，光线很暗，又是一个排水道。我猜想他们是不是把它当成一个出口。就像街上的洞那样。
这房间不是空着的，有几个人好像正在轻松地开会讨论什么，他们低沉、平淡的声音在空气中嗡嗡作响。我正看着，两个穿着夏装的女人停在一束光中，她们的皮肤像棱镜一样，把阳光反射到黄色的墙上，像彩虹般色彩斑斓。
我们一走进房间，那些尊贵的脸孔都转过来。大部分的吸血鬼都穿着普通的裤子和衬衫，在街上不会被认出来，但是第一个说话的人穿着长袍，长袍很黑，拖地的长度。一开始，我还以为他那很长的黑发是他斗篷的头巾。
“亲爱的简，你回来啦！”他很高兴地叫道，他的声音就像柔和的叹息声。
他轻快地走过来，那动作是如此的优雅，显得不真实，我看傻了眼，嘴巴张得大大的，即使是举手投足都像是在跳舞的爱丽丝也望尘莫及。
当他飘得更近了，看到了他的脸，我更是惊呆了。他那迷人的脸不像其他人那样美得不自然（因为不仅仅他走进我们，所有人围绕着他，有些跟在后面，有些像保镖似的警觉地走在前方）。我说不清楚他的脸是不是很美丽，我认为五官长得很完美，但是和我一样，他长得和他身边的吸血鬼不一样。他的皮肤白得透明，像洋葱的皮，看起来也非常精致——这张脸镶嵌在他那头乌黑的头发衬托出的轮廓中显得异常突出。我突然有种奇怪、可怕的冲动，我想摸摸他的脸，看看是不是比爱德华或爱丽丝的脸柔软，还是像粉笔那样粗糙。他的眼睛和其他人一样是红色的，但是红色上面有朦朦胧胧的薄膜，我怀疑他的视力会不会受这个影响。
他滑到简那儿，白纸般的双手捧起她的脸，轻轻地亲吻她那饱满的双唇，然后他后退了几步。
“是，主人。”简微笑道，这个表情让她看起来像个小天使，“如你所愿，我把他活着带回来了。”
“啊，简，”他微笑着，“你真是我最大的安慰。”
他那朦胧的双眼转向我们，笑得更灿烂了——几乎欣喜若狂了。
“还有爱丽丝和贝拉！”他开心极了，那双纤瘦的手不停地拍着，“真是很大的惊喜！太好了！”
我奇怪地盯着他，听他亲切地叫我的名字，好像我们是多年不见得老朋友意外地遇见一般。
他转向我们的护卫：“亲爱的费力克斯，麻烦通知我的兄弟们我们的客人到了，我肯定他们不会错过这样的场景。”
“是，主人。”费力克斯点点头，沿着我们来时的路原路返回。
“现在明白了吗，爱德华？”那个奇异的吸血鬼转向爱德华，对着他微笑，就像是一位慈爱同时又严厉的祖父，
“我以前怎么跟你说的？以前我没有给你想要的东西，你现在还耿耿于怀吗？”
“不，阿罗，我很开心。”他表示赞同，把我的腰搂得更紧了。
“我太爱圆满的结局了。”阿罗长叹一声，“这样的结局很少见的，但是我还想知道事情的前因后果。这一切是怎么发生的？爱丽丝？”他转向爱丽丝，用他那双充满好奇的迷离的眼睛看着她，“你的兄弟认为你很可靠，但是显然他还是看错了你。”
“我一点都不可靠。”她微微一笑，看起来很从容，但是她的小手握起了小拳头，
“正像你今天看到的一样，我经常出娄子，不过往往能挽救过来的。”
“你太谦虚了，”阿罗责备道，“我看到过你的一些成就，我得承认你的能力是我见过最棒的，简直是太棒了！”
爱丽丝向爱德华使了个眼色，但是被阿罗看到了。
“很抱歉，我们还没有正式地相互认识吧？只是我觉得自己已经和你认识了，我这人意识有点超前。你的兄弟昨天和我说过你，他从很意外的方式介绍了你。你看，我和你兄弟的能力相当，只是我比他多一些限制。”阿罗无奈地摇了摇头，语气中透露出嫉妒之情。
“他的能力比我强上千百倍。”爱德华冷冷地插话，他看着爱丽丝简短地解释了一番，“阿罗他接触到你就能了解你在想些什么，比我更敏锐，你知道我只能了解你当时的想法，但是他能知道你所有的念头。”
爱丽丝扬了一下漂亮的眉毛，爱德华随即低下把头凑近些。
阿罗又看见了。
“至于远处听音.....”阿罗叹了一声，指指他们两个刚刚做的动作，“那就太容易了。”
阿罗朝我们身后看去，其他人，包括站在我们边上的简、亚力克和德米特里都不约而同地往后看。
我最后一个转过头去，费力克斯回来了，还带了两个穿黑袍的人。两个人都很像阿罗，其中一个也有随风飘动的黑发。另外一个有着一头雪白的头发——和他的脸一个颜色——头发往肩后梳着。他们的脸一模一样，仿佛吹弹击破。
“马库斯，凯厄斯，你们快过来看看！”阿罗轻声叫着，“贝拉还活着，爱丽丝和她一起来了！多好啊？”
他们两个看起来都不认为有“多好”。那个黑头发的看起来无聊极了，好像见够了阿罗一贯的大惊小怪。另外一个白头发的也是一副苦脸。
他们的毫无兴趣并不影响阿罗的兴致。
那个白头发的老吸血鬼径直走向一张椅子。另外一个走到阿罗身边，伸出手来，我以为是要和阿罗握手，但是他只是轻轻碰了下阿罗的手掌，就垂下手去，阿罗皱了下眉头。我都担心，他那纸般的皮肤会皱了。
爱德华轻轻地哼了一下，爱丽丝奇怪地看着他。
“谢谢，马库斯，”阿罗说道，“这样挺有趣。”
我过了一会儿才意识到，马库斯刚才是告诉阿罗他的想法。
马库斯看上去不怎么感兴趣。他走到那个凯厄斯那边，和他一起坐在墙角。两个随从吸血鬼跟着他，大概也是保镖。我看到那两个穿背心裙的女人也站到凯厄斯的身后，吸血鬼还需要保镖？真滑稽，不过可能老的吸血鬼需要，像他们衰老的皮肤那样。
阿罗摇着头。“太奇妙了，”他说，“简直奇妙极了。”
爱丽丝一头雾水。爱德华转向她，低声解释道：“马库斯可以看透人与人之间的关系，他对我们之间深厚的感情很惊讶。”
阿罗笑着。“我一听就听到了，”他自言自语，然后对我们说，“我说啊，让马库斯感到惊讶可不是很容易的。”
“即使到现在，我还是很难理解。”阿罗笑道，看着爱德华紧紧拥着我，阿罗的话语毫无逻辑，我努力地跟上他的思路，“你怎么能够和她站得这么近？”
“一点不难。”爱德华平静地回答。
“但是——我们的歌唱家！多浪费！”
爱德华不带感情地冷笑一声：“我认为这是必然的代价。”
阿罗反驳道：“代价也高了点吧。”
“机会成本嘛！”
阿罗笑了笑：“如果不是我从你的记忆力闻到她的味道，我还真不能相信会有人血的味道这么强烈，从来没有这样的感受。我们大部分人都会不惜代价想得到这样的礼物，可是你.....”
“却浪费了。”爱德华接过他的话，声音里满是嘲讽。
阿罗又笑了笑：“啊，我多么想念我的朋友卡莱尔！你让我想起了他——只不过他没你这么怒气冲冲的。”
“卡莱尔还有很多方面比我强。”
“我从未见过卡莱尔为了任何东西克制自己，你让他蒙羞了。”
“不见得。”爱德华不耐烦了，好像他已经受够了这开场的客套。这使我更加害怕起来，我不禁猜想接下来会发生什么。
“对他的成功我感到很满意，”阿罗笑道，“
虽然出乎意料，但是你对他的记忆对我来说很珍贵。没想到它能使我.....这么开心。我指的是他选择了一条叛逆的道路，而且成功了。我曾经还拿他的计划开玩笑，以此警告其他有同样想法的人。不管怎样，我很高兴是我错了。”爱德华没有回答他。
“但是你的忍耐力！”阿罗叹声道，“我一直以为你没有这样的忍耐力。能够经受住这么强大的诱惑，而且不是一次，而是经常性的——要不是我从你脑袋感受到，我是不会相信的。”
面对阿罗的赞扬，爱德华无动于衷。我对他的表情很熟悉——时间没有使他改变——所以能猜到他冷静的表面掩盖下的激动的内心。我努力保持呼吸平稳。
“仅仅想到她对你的吸引力.....”阿罗笑道，“就让我感到饥渴。”
爱德华紧张起来。
“不要担心，”阿罗安慰他，“我不会伤害她的，但是我对一件事很好奇。”他饶有兴趣地看着我，“我可以请教下吗？”他急切地问，举起一只手。
“问她吧。”爱德华平静地说。
“好吧，恕我冒昧！”阿罗大声说道，“贝拉，”他叫我的名字，“我很惊奇，爱德华惊人的才能在你身上失效了。这可不常见！我想，既然我和他的能力相当，你能不能让我尝试一下——看看我的能力在你身上是否也会失效？”
我恐慌德看着爱德华，尽管阿罗的措辞优雅，我不认为我有其他选择。一想到要他触碰到我，我恐惧的同时，对于能够感触他奇怪的肌肤报有强烈的好奇心。
爱德华对我点头，略带鼓励。也许是因为他确定阿罗不会伤害我，或者我们确实没有其他选择。我无从判断。
我转向阿罗，慢慢把颤抖的手伸向前面。
他滑动到离我更近的地方，他努力使他的表情看起来很可靠。但是他如纸一般的皮肤太奇怪，太陌生，太吓人了。他脸上的表情比他之前说的话更有信心.
阿罗伸出手，好像要与我握手。他虚幻的皮肤按压在我的上面。我感觉到他的皮肤，比起花岗岩更像粘性页岩，比我预计的更冰冷。他朦胧的眼睛对我微笑，使人很难不看着他的眼睛。它们如此使人着迷，令我感到古怪，并不舒服。
阿罗的脸变色了，从前的自信消失了，开始怀疑的神情，接着恢复了镇定，换回友善的表情。“非常有趣”他说着，松开我的手，退回去。
我看了爱德华一眼，尽管他的表情沉着，在我看来那表情甚至有点沾沾自喜。阿罗继续沉思着，他的眼睛在我们三个之间来回看着，突然，他摇了摇头。
“首先”他自言自语“我要知道她是不是对我们其他天赋也免疫。。。简？”
“不要！”爱德华喊。爱丽丝拽着他的胳膊。他把她摇开。
简微笑地看着阿罗“在，主人？”
爱德华咆哮着，声音嘶哑，眼神凶恶地盯着阿罗。
房间空气瞬间静止了似的，每个人都不置信地盯着他，好像他正在犯言语行为上的失礼的罪过。我看到FELIX露齿笑着，向前移了一步。阿罗朝他看了一眼，他在那里站住，表情变得有些愠怒。
阿罗对简说，“我很好奇，亲爱的，是否贝拉对你免疫”
在爱德华的狂暴的咆哮声中我勉强听到阿罗的话。爱德华松开我，紧紧把我护在身后。凯厄斯带着他的随从鬼魅般朝我们的方向过来，监视着。简转向我们，天使般地笑着。
“不要！”爱丽丝哭喊着，在我反应过来之前，在任何人可以跑到他们之间之前，在阿罗的侍卫处于紧张状态之前，爱德华冲向这个女孩。
爱德华跌倒在地上。
没有人触碰到他，但是他此刻躺在石头地板上，因极度痛苦身体扭曲着，我惊恐地看到简只是微笑的面对着他。爱丽丝说出了简的天赋，为什么每个人对简如此顺从，为什么爱德华在她能这样对待我之前冲向她。
“停下！”我尖叫着，声音在一片安静中回响，我跳起来冲到他们之间。但是爱丽丝紧紧地抱着我无视我的抵抗。爱德华撞到石头上嘴里没有发出任何声音。看到这些我的头快要爆炸了。
“简，”阿罗平静地叫住她。她很快收手，仍然微笑着。她的
眼睛略带疑问。爱德华平静了下来。阿罗转向我。
简对我微笑。
我没有看到她的注视。我在爱丽丝的紧紧怀抱中挣扎着，看着爱德华。
“他没事”爱丽丝紧张地对我低语。她正说着，他坐着，慢慢站起来。
他看到我，眼睛中带着惊恐。起初我以为他的惊恐源自刚刚他经历的痛苦。但是他立刻又转向简，然后又看向我——然后他的表情变得放松起来。
我也看着简，看到她再也没笑。她盯着我，我退缩了一下，以为会有巨大的pain。
但什么也没有发生.
爱德华重新回到我身边，他碰碰爱丽丝的胳膊，让她把我交给他。
阿罗大笑起来。“哈哈哈，太奇妙啦~”
简对于自己的挫败发出嘶嘶的不满声，身体前倾，象是准备进攻。
“不要这样，亲爱的。”阿罗安慰道，把苍白的手搭在她的肩膀上。
“她把我们弄糊涂了。”
简继续盯着我，上嘴唇向后张开露出牙齿。
“哈哈哈”阿罗又笑起来“你很勇敢，爱德华，能够不发出声。我曾经要简这样对待我——仅仅因为好奇。”他摇摇头，羡慕德说。
爱德华厌倦地看着他。
“现在我们该怎样对待你呢？”阿罗轻语。
爱德华和爱丽丝身体僵硬。他们一直在等待这部分。我开始发抖。
“你会不会改变主意呢”（原文I don't suppose there's any chance that you've changed your mind?）阿罗充满希望地看着爱德华。
“你的天赋很精彩”爱德华犹豫了一下。我的眼角瞥见费力克斯和简表情变得因厌恶而扭曲。
爱德华斟酌他的字“我。。不改变主意。”
“爱丽丝呢？”阿罗问，仍然满怀希望。“你可能对加入我们感兴趣呢”
“不，谢谢”爱丽丝说
“你呢？贝拉？”阿罗挑起眉毛。
爱德华在我耳边发出嘶嘶声。我茫然地看着阿罗。他在开玩笑吗？或者他只是问问我是不是要留下来吃晚餐？
长着白发的凯厄斯打破了沉默。“什么？”他对阿罗低语。“凯厄斯，你肯定看见了她的潜力。”阿罗亲切地对他说“自从见到简和ALEC之后，我再没见过这么有期望的未知的能力了。你能想象到她假如我们之后的可能性么？”
凯厄斯表情怪异地转开，听到阿罗把我和她作比较，简眼中充满了愤怒。
爱德华在我身边暗暗发怒，我可以感受到他胸中的怒气再聚集就要爆发了，我不想他发脾气而受到伤害。
“不，谢谢。”我很小声地说，都被吓傻了。
阿罗叹气道：“真不幸，太浪费了。”
爱德华说道：“要么加入，要么死，是不是这样？我来这之前就预料到了，这是你的规矩。”
他的声音让我吃了一惊。他好像很生气，但是语气中好像有点儿故意挑衅——好像他是特意这么说的。
“当然不是这样。”阿罗惊奇地眨了眨眼，“我们本来就在这里开会，等待海蒂，而不是等你。”
“阿罗，”凯厄斯叫道，“按照规矩他们得死。”
爱德华瞪了凯厄斯一眼，问道：“凭什么？”他肯定明白凯厄斯的意思，但是他就是想让凯厄斯说出来。
凯厄斯用他那消瘦的手指指着我：“她知道的太多了，你暴露我们的机密。”他的声音很细，和他的皮肤一样。
“你们的队伍本来就有人类。”爱德华提醒他，我马上想到下面服务台那位漂亮的女人。
凯厄思的脸换了一副表情，他是要笑吗？
“不错，”他承认道，“但是如果他们对我们不再有用，我们就会吸干他们的血。对于她你没有这样的打算吧。如果她泄露了我们的秘密，你会毁了她吗？我想不会。”他指责道。
“我不会的.....”还是很小声。凯厄思冷冷地看了我一眼，示意我闭嘴。
“你也不打算把她变成我们的一员，”凯厄思接着说，“所以，她是潜在的隐患。因此她必须死，你们想离开的话请便。”
爱德华露出了他的牙齿。
“我是这么认为的。”凯厄思说，似乎很开心。费力克斯等不及地向前倾。
“除非.....”阿罗打断他的话，他好像对谈话的进展不太满意，“除非你愿意让她成为不死的吸血鬼？”
爱德华抿了抿嘴，犹豫了一下说：“如果我真这么认为呢？”
阿罗又开心地笑了：“那你们就可以离开了，然后代表我向我的朋友卡莱尔问好。”他的表情变得更加急切，“但是恐怕你不是说真的。”
阿罗把手伸到他面前。
凯厄思本来是怒目而视的，现在也舒开眉头。
爱德华的嘴抿成一条线，他注视着我的眼睛，我也看着他的双眼。
“就这么决定吧，”我轻声说，“拜托了。”
变成吸血鬼真的有这么糟糕吗？他真的宁可死也不这么做？我感到心口阵阵疼痛。（这里的贝拉认为爱德华是因为不再爱她，不愿意和她在一起而难过）
爱德华带着痛苦的表情看着我。
然后爱丽丝向阿罗走去。我转过头看她，他的双手和阿罗一样举了起来。
她什么也没说，阿罗示意紧张的护卫让开。阿罗迎上前去，急切而好奇地抓住她的手。
他低下头看着他们的手，他闭上眼睛，集中注意力。爱丽丝一动不动，面无表情。我听到爱德华牙齿咯咯的响声。
没有一个人动一下，阿罗似乎被爱丽丝的手冻结在那里。时间一秒一秒地过去，我越来越紧张。不知道还要多久才到头，事情还会变得有多糟糕。
又过了难耐的一会儿，阿罗打破沉默。
“哈哈哈哈，”他大笑着，头还是低着。他突然抬起头，眼中异常兴奋，“太神奇了！”
爱丽丝冷冷地笑了笑：“很高兴你喜欢。”
“看到你见过的食物——特别是那些还未发生的！”阿罗惊奇地摇着头。
“它们会发生的。”她平静地提醒他。
“是的，是的，这是注定的，毫无疑问。”
凯厄思看起来非常失望——费力克斯和简看上去也一样。
“阿罗。”费力克斯抱怨道。
“亲爱的凯厄思，”阿罗笑道，“不要心急。想想潜在的可能性！他们现在不愿意加入我们，我们可以等啊。只要想想要是小爱丽丝愿意加入我们，这个家庭就会更加快乐.....另外，我很好奇贝拉今后会怎样！”
阿罗似乎很有把握，难道他没有意识到爱丽丝的决定很主观么？今天她可以这么想象我，明天又可以换个想法，许许多多小的决定，她自己的，还有别人的——爱德华的——会改变她的人生，随之也会改变未来。
真的只要爱丽丝愿意就可以么？如果我不顾爱德华的反对，真的变成吸血鬼，事情会有什么不同么？对他来说，我整天围绕在他身边，永远地烦他比真地让他死还糟糕？我充满恐惧，陷入压抑之中，几乎窒息……
“那么我们可以走了？”爱德华平静地问。
“是的，是的，”阿罗愉快地回答，“但是请下次再来，这真得很令人开心！”
“我们也会拜访你们的，”凯厄斯说，他的双眼像厚眼睑的蜥蜴那样半开着，“回去的时候注意点。如果我是你们，我不会再耽搁了，我们可不会给两次机会。”
爱德华牙咬得更紧了，但他还是点了一下头。
凯厄斯假笑了一声，然后回到马库斯坐的地方。马库斯一直坐着，漠不关心。
费力克斯叹了口气。
“啊，费力克斯，”阿罗笑着说，“海蒂随时会到，耐心点！”
“恩。”爱德华更加认真地说，“那样的话，我们还是走得越快越好。”
“是的，”阿罗赞同地说，“不错，难保会发生什么意外。但是，如果不介意的话，请在下面等到天黑再走吧。”
“没问题，”爱德华回答，尽管我希望在离开之前在外面等着。
“还有，”阿罗补充说，用一只手指示意费力克斯。费力克斯立克走上前来，阿罗解开高大吸血鬼批的斗篷，脱了下来扔给爱德华。“拿着，你走在街上有点儿显眼。”
爱德华穿上斗篷，没把帽子戴上。
阿罗叹了一口气：“很适合你啊。”
爱德华冷笑了一声，看着身后，突然说：“谢谢你，阿罗，我们是在地下等着吧。”
“再见了，年轻的朋友们。”阿罗说，他朝着爱德华看的方向望去，眼前一亮。
“我们走吧。”爱德华催促着说。
德米特里示意我们跟他走，原路返回，好像那是唯一的一条出路。爱德华快速地拉着我走，爱丽丝走在我的另一边，表情显得很僵硬。
“再走快点。”她说。
我惊恐地盯着她，但她好像只是随口说的。这时我听到阵阵声音——很响、很粗糙——从接待室那边传来。
“好像不太对劲啊。”一个粗粗的声音传来。
“好像是中古世纪似的。”一个女人尖尖的声音，不太高兴地回答 。
一大群人从小门挤进小房间，德米特里示意我们让开，我们紧靠着墙给他们让路。
那对夫妻走在前头，从口音上听出是美国人，他们的眼睛不停地四处观赏。
“欢迎，各位！欢迎来到沃特拉！”我听见阿罗在搭楼里招呼他们的声音。
还有大概四十多人跟着那对夫妻走进房间，有些人像游客一样欣赏室内的摆设，有一些人开始拍照，还有一些人很是迷惑，好像是把他们吸引到这里的故事不符合事实，我特别注意到一个矮小、黝黑的女人。她脖子上套了一圈玫瑰，一手紧紧抓着十字架 。她比别人走得慢，时不时地逮到个人问问，我听不懂她的语言。没人听得懂，她越来越恐慌。
爱德华把我的脸埋到他胸膛前，但是晚了一步，我已经明白一切了。
那个小缝隙一出现，爱德华就把我快速地推出门去。我几乎可以看到自己脸上的惊恐的表情，眼泪忍不住地往外涌。
那金碧辉煌的走廊很安静，除了一个衣着华丽的女人没有任何人。她惊奇地看着我们，尤其是我。
“欢迎回来，海蒂。”德米特里在我们后门和这个女人打招呼。
海蒂不在意地笑了笑。她使我想起了罗莎莉，虽然他们长得一点也不像——只是她们的美貌是那么出众，难以忘记。我无法将目光移开。
“德米特里。”她的声音像丝绸那般柔和，她的双眼在我的脸和爱德华灰色的斗篷间移动。
“钓鱼收获不小啊。”德米特里赞扬道，我这才注意到她身上穿的那引人注目的外套.....她不仅是钓鱼，她还是诱饵。
“谢谢。”她露出一个迷人的微笑，“你不一起来吗？”
“马上，给我留几条。”
海蒂点点头，串过门去之前又看了我一眼。
我必须小跑才能跟上爱德华的速度，但是我们还是没能在尖叫声之前穿过那扇门。
收听单词发音 |
1
fluorescent
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| adj.荧光的，发出荧光的 | |
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benign
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| adj.善良的，慈祥的；良性的，无危险的 | |
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sewers
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| n.阴沟，污水管，下水道( sewer的名词复数 ) | |
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assessment
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| n.评价；评估；对财产的估价，被估定的金额 | |
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glowered
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| v.怒视( glower的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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shrouded
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| v.隐瞒( shroud的过去式和过去分词 )；保密 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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apathetic
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| adj.冷漠的，无动于衷的 | |
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vampires
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| n.吸血鬼( vampire的名词复数 )；吸血蝠；高利贷者；（舞台上的）活板门 | |
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vampire
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| n.吸血鬼 | |
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hood
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| n.头巾，兜帽，覆盖；v.罩上，以头巾覆盖 | |
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12
hoods
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| n.兜帽( hood的名词复数 )；头巾；（汽车、童车等的）折合式车篷；汽车发动机罩v.兜帽( hood的第三人称单数 )；头巾；（汽车、童车等的）折合式车篷；汽车发动机罩 | |
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irises
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| n.虹( iris的名词复数 )；虹膜；虹彩；鸢尾（花） | |
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crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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15
shrouds
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| n.裹尸布( shroud的名词复数 )；寿衣；遮蔽物；覆盖物v.隐瞒( shroud的第三人称单数 )；保密 | |
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cringing
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| adj.谄媚，奉承 | |
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replacements
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| n.代替( replacement的名词复数 )；替换的人[物]；替代品；归还 | |
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cozy
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| adj.亲如手足的，密切的，暖和舒服的 | |
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glossy
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| adj.平滑的；有光泽的 | |
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vibrantly
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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23
winked
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| v.使眼色( wink的过去式和过去分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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giggled
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| v.咯咯地笑( giggle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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skeptical
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| adj.怀疑的，多疑的 | |
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casually
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| adv.漠不关心地，无动于衷地，不负责任地 | |
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snarl
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| v.吼叫，怒骂，纠缠，混乱；n.混乱，缠结，咆哮 | |
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inviting
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| adj.诱人的，引人注目的 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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sheathed
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| adj.雕塑像下半身包在鞘中的；覆盖的；铠装的；装鞘了的v.将（刀、剑等）插入鞘( sheathe的过去式和过去分词 )；包，覆盖 | |
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halfway
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| adj.中途的，不彻底的，部分的；adv.半路地，在中途，在半途 | |
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34
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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alley
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| n.小巷，胡同；小径，小路 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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turret
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| n.塔楼，角塔 | |
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39
slits
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| n.狭长的口子，裂缝( slit的名词复数 )v.切开，撕开( slit的第三人称单数 )；在…上开狭长口子 | |
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unevenly
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| adv.不均匀的 | |
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41
convened
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| 召开( convene的过去式 )； 召集； （为正式会议而）聚集； 集合 | |
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42
exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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43
immortal
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| adj.不朽的；永生的，不死的；神的 | |
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44
immortals
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| 不朽的人物( immortal的名词复数 )； 永生不朽者 | |
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45
conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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46
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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47
bodyguards
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| n.保镖，卫士，警卫员( bodyguard的名词复数 ) | |
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48
translucently
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| 半透明的； 透亮的，有光泽的 | |
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49
horrifying
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| a.令人震惊的，使人毛骨悚然的 | |
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50
milky
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| adj.牛奶的，多奶的；乳白色的 | |
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51
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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52
haze
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| n.霾，烟雾；懵懂，迷糊；vi.(over)变模糊 | |
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53
glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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54
misty
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| adj.雾蒙蒙的，有雾的 | |
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55
tightening
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| 上紧，固定，紧密 | |
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56
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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57
flickered
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| （通常指灯光）闪烁，摇曳( flicker的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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58
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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59
envious
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| adj.嫉妒的，羡慕的 | |
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60
eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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61
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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62
millennia
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| n.一千年，千禧年 | |
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63
curb
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| n.场外证券市场，场外交易；vt.制止，抑制 | |
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64
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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65
gliding
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| v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
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66
briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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67
crumple
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| v.把...弄皱，满是皱痕，压碎，崩溃 | |
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68
frail
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| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
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69
akin
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| adj.同族的，类似的 | |
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70
frustrated
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| adj.挫败的，失意的，泄气的v.使不成功( frustrate的过去式和过去分词 )；挫败；使受挫折；令人沮丧 | |
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71
intensity
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| n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度 | |
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72
mused
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| v.沉思，冥想( muse的过去式和过去分词 )；沉思自语说（某事） | |
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73
chaotic
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| adj.混沌的，一片混乱的，一团糟的 | |
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74
sarcastic
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| adj.讥讽的，讽刺的，嘲弄的 | |
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75
scoffed
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| 嘲笑，嘲弄( scoff的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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76
inure
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| v.使惯于 | |
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77
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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78
seething
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| 沸腾的，火热的 | |
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79
reassured
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| adj.使消除疑虑的；使放心的v.再保证，恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词) | |
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80
reassure
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| v.使放心，使消除疑虑 | |
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81
overt
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| adj.公开的，明显的，公然的 | |
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82
horrified
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| a.(表现出)恐惧的 | |
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83
perversely
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| adv. 倔强地 | |
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84
intrigued
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| adj.好奇的，被迷住了的v.搞阴谋诡计(intrigue的过去式)；激起…的兴趣或好奇心；“intrigue”的过去式和过去分词 | |
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85
reassuring
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| a.使人消除恐惧和疑虑的，使人放心的 | |
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86
mesmerizing
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| adj.有吸引力的，有魅力的v.使入迷( mesmerize的现在分词 ) | |
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87
flickering
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| adj.闪烁的，摇曳的，一闪一闪的 | |
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88
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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89
snarled
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| v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的过去式和过去分词 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说 | |
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90
snarling
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| v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的现在分词 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说 | |
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91
growls
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的第三人称单数 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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92
growl
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| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
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93
beatific
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| adj.快乐的，有福的 | |
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94
writhing
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| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的现在分词 ) | |
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95
deference
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| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
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96
shrieked
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| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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97
tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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98
jaw
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| n.颚，颌，说教，流言蜚语；v.喋喋不休，教训 | |
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99
clenched
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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100
hissed
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| 发嘶嘶声( hiss的过去式和过去分词 )； 发嘘声表示反对 | |
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101
frustration
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| n.挫折，失败，失效，落空 | |
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102
stiffened
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| 加强的 | |
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103
grimace
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| v.做鬼脸，面部歪扭 | |
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104
prospective
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| adj.预期的，未来的，前瞻性的 | |
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105
promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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106
caustic
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| adj.刻薄的，腐蚀性的 | |
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107
fumed
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| 愤怒( fume的过去式和过去分词 )； 大怒； 发怒； 冒烟 | |
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108
rumble
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| n.隆隆声；吵嚷；v.隆隆响；低沉地说 | |
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109
irate
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| adj.发怒的，生气 | |
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110
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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111
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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112
charade
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| n.用动作等表演文字意义的字谜游戏 | |
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113
forfeit
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| vt.丧失；n.罚金，罚款，没收物 | |
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114
immortality
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| n.不死，不朽 | |
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115
scowl
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| vi.(at)生气地皱眉，沉下脸，怒视；n.怒容 | |
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116
tightened
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| 收紧( tighten的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）变紧； （使）绷紧； 加紧 | |
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117
loathsome
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| adj.讨厌的，令人厌恶的 | |
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118
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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119
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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120
agonizing
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| adj.痛苦难忍的；使人苦恼的v.使极度痛苦；折磨(agonize的ing形式) | |
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121
fret
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| v.(使)烦恼；(使)焦急；(使)腐蚀，(使)磨损 | |
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122
subjective
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| a.主观(上)的，个人的 | |
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123
repulsive
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| adj.排斥的，使人反感的 | |
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124
annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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125
enthralling
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| 迷人的 | |
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126
lizard
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| n.蜥蜴，壁虎 | |
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127
smirked
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| v.傻笑( smirk的过去分词 ) | |
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128
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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129
chagrined
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| adj.懊恼的，苦恼的v.使懊恼，使懊丧，使悔恨( chagrin的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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130
babble
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| v.含糊不清地说，胡言乱语地说，儿语 | |
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131
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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132
gushed
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| v.喷，涌( gush的过去式和过去分词 )；滔滔不绝地说话 | |
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133
appraising
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| v.估价( appraise的现在分词 )；估计；估量；评价 | |
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134
unfamiliar
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| adj.陌生的，不熟悉的 | |
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135
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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136
lustrous
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| adj.有光泽的；光辉的 | |
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137
outfit
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| n.（为特殊用途的）全套装备，全套服装 | |
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138
stunning
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| adj.极好的；使人晕倒的 | |
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