He slowed our pace further, letting me absorb this.

"What do you mean, she communicates effectively?" I demanded.

"I think it will be easier for you to... see for yourself. It's rather difficult to describe."

I considered that. I knew there was a lot that I needed to see for myself before it would be real. I wasn't
sure how much more I was ready for, so I changed the subject.

"Why is Jacob still here?" I asked. "How can he stand it? Why should he?" My ringing voice trembled a
little. "Why should he have to suffer more?"

"Jacob isn't suffering," he said in a strange new tone. "Though I might be willing to change his condition,"
Edward added through his teeth.




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"Edward!" I hissed, yanking him to a stop (and feeling a little thrill of smugness that I was able to do it).
"How can you say that? Jacob has given up everything to protect us! What I've put him through—!" I
cringed at the dim memory of shame and guilt. It seemed odd now that I had needed him so much then.
That sense of absence without him near had vanished; it must have been a human weakness.

"You'll see exactly how I can say that," Edward muttered. "I promised him that I would let him explain,
but I doubt you'll see it much differently than I do. Of course, I'm often wrong about your thoughts, aren't
I?" He pursed his lips and eyed me.