第57部分(第7/7 頁)

e　law　claims　them。〃

Edward　glared　at　Caius。　〃How　so？〃　he　demanded。　He　must　have　known　what　Caius

was　thinking；　but　he

seemed　determined　to　make　him　speak　it　aloud。

Caius　pointed　a　skeletal　finger　at　me。　〃She　knows　too　much。　You　have　exposed

our　secrets。〃　His　voice

was　papery　thin；　just　like　his　skin。

〃There　are　a　few　humans　in　on　your　charade　here；　as　well；〃　Edward　reminded

him；　and　I　thought　of　the

pretty　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　your

plan　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　it

is　true；　for　this；　only　her　life　is　forfeit。　You　may　leave　if　you　wish。〃

Edward　bared　his　teeth。

〃That's　what　I　thought；〃　Caius　said；　with　something　akin　to　pleasure。　Felix

leaned　forward；　eager。

〃Unless〃　Aro　interrupted。　He　looked　unhappy　with　the　way　the　conversation

had　gone。　〃Unless　you　do

intend　to　give　her　immortality？〃

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　friend

Carlisle。〃　His　expression　turned　more　hesitant。　〃But　I'm　afraid　you　w