Uh oh. Felix had decided to tell Bella – he’d probably told her by now – that…that they were coming back for us. It was all Chris’ idea; I had no idea who he was, so I wasn’t keeping tabs on him. Now that I was aware of this startling revelation, I had to keep it from Edward.

He had wanted to go after her despite her wish of independence, and if he figured out that they were just coming back to get us – Jasper, Edward and I – he would want to go even more.

“Carlisle,” Edward breathed, and I saw a flash of blond in the surrounding forest as he said it. I pulled over without instruction and hopped out. I wanted a chance to talk to our father alone.

I tailed him all ten miles to the cottage, knowing I would have thirty-four seconds to talk to him once inside. Edward would be within hearing range after that.

I heard muffled voices coming from the rear of the building, but I paid them no mind.

“Yes, Alice?” he smiled, allowing me to enter through the front door first. I whirled around to face him and gasped.

“Carlisle, some of the Volturi have come and taken Bella. They intend to come after Edward, Jasper and I as soon as Bella is back at Volterra. Aro has absolutely no notion of this at all. What should we do? Bella wants to rescue herself, and its torturing Edward to not be able to help her. Edward will be able to hear your thoughts in twelve seconds, so I suggest not thinking of this.

“Of course,” he closed his eyes in thought. Then he asked, “How soon?” and I raised two fingers, indicating days.

“Oh.”

“Now,” I hissed suddenly, and hurriedly began reciting major Parisian fashion houses in my head.

“Edward should come through the door in fourteen seconds,” I smiled, still busying my mind, this time with major American clothing franchises.

Indeed, fourteen seconds later Edward burst through the door, Jasper hot on his heels.

“Carlisle,” he said, and his voice rang deep with anger, “Emmett, take Jasper away from here now. I don’t care where you take him; haul him up the mountain for all I care.”