Emmett bounded into the house grinning from ear to ear, and I felt a flash of petty jealousy. It was bad enough this would-be monster turned Edward's head, did she have to catch Emmett's eye, too? Not that Emmett was attracted to her — the idea was laughable, really — but she made him smile. That was my job.

Alice gave Bella the present she and Edward had made and everyone crowded around her like a ... a coven of vampires around a human. All this attention on Bella — something bad was bound to happen, and then everyone would feel sorry for her.

I had wondered more than once if she did it on purpose, but Alice had reassured me Bella's mishaps were never premeditated. But they always seemed to happen. Maybe she'd sprain her wrist opening the present, or fall out her chair. Maybe she'd gag on the cake, I thought and grinned. It would serve her right. I used to love cake, once upon a time, but it gagged me now. It had been my favorite dessert, one of the many things I lost when Royce...

Edward threw me a sharp, worried glance, and I redirected my thoughts. Momma would make cake on Sunday afternoons and give Father the first piece, but I always got the second slice.

"Shoot!"

The scent of Bella's blood burned me, making my body taught with thirst, and I exhaled sharply in exasperation. That was over the top. Honestly.

I didn't dare to inhale again. I wasn't going to let Bella be the one to ruin my perfect record.

Jasper lunged at her, but Edward was quicker. And then the table exploded under her. Emmett, powerful and gallant as always, caught Jasper and wrestled him away, while Edward tried to decided whether to kill his brother or Bella. How could she do this to him? Didn't she see that she was tearing our family apart? What a drama.

"Emmett, Rosalie, get Jasper outside," Carlisle told us. Bella's arm was sliced from wrist to elbow, and I couldn't help but smile into her wide eyes. I knew she would do something clumsy, but this was a real show-stopper. Suicide by birthday party. Not even Alice could have foreseen that one.

Jasper was snapping madly at everything that moved, and I kept carefully away. I'd let my brother have her before I'd let him scar me over Bella. This was ridiculous in the extreme — a farce turned to horror. I led the way while Esme held the door for us, struggling against the thirst almost as much as Edward.

She sobbed an apology before following us into the night.

It was safe to breathe out here, away from the scent of her blood, and Jasper sagged limply in Emmett's arms. Esme eyes met mine for a brief second, shame still plain on her face as she no doubt remembered all the times she didn't walk away. I smiled softly at her, and gratitude warmed her stricken face. I wouldn't have let her slip tonight, not over Bella. And she knew it. I would be holding her just like Emmett held Jasper, if it had come to that. "She'll be alright," I reassured my adopted mother. She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes.

Esme affectionately squeezed my arm then crossed to Jasper, trying to catch his gaze. "Listen to me, Jasper. I know you feel horrible right now, but it could have been any one of us." She knelt in front of him. "You simply happened to be the first to move." He snapped at her, and she barely rocked back in time.

"Damn it, Jasper!" Emmett hissed with a grimace, squeezing him more tightly, and I heard something crack. Alice wasn't going to forgive him for that one.

"Jasper, calm down," Esme tried again, but he struggled futilely against Emmett's iron grasp.

"Easy, Emmett," I said softly.

Whiter than usual, Esme nodded toward the river. "We have to clear his head of her scent."

Emmett nodded grimly and walked unsteadily into the water as Jasper continued to thrash, growls ripping from his chest. Esme calmly followed them both into the river. Then Emmett pushed him in, throwing his weight on top of Jasper. Esme held his head down until his body finally went limp. I watched quietly from the bank as we tortured the bloodlust out of my brother. But Esme knew what she was doing. Twice, Carlisle had to do this to her after she'd been thwarted.

I watched as Jasper's writhing slowed and weakened. After tonight, Bella would have to see just how dangerous her infatuation with Edward was. She'd have to see how she was hurting the people she claimed to love. Flirting with disaster just so she could play with Edward's feelings. So selfish!

Jasper finally waved his hand in defeat and Emmett warily let him up. They eyed each other, waist-deep and drenched as mist curled off the surface of the black water. Then something relaxed between them, and Emmett laid a steadying hand on Jasper's shoulder. Jasper caught his breath and panted slightly. "What have I done?"

He hadn't done anything.

"Nothing," Esme said urgently, catching him in a tight embrace. "Nothing, Jasper. You didn't touch her. Or us, for that matter. You've done nothing."

His glance flitted to mine, then shamefaced, he looked to his footing while Emmett and Esme led him back onto dry ground. He staggered slightly, then fell to all fours, fingers clawing the earth beneath him. "I can smell her."

"I'll clean it up," Esme said briskly.

"You can't," he panted more quickly, "the scent of her blood is in my head. It's been eating at me for months, Esme. It's was James' vengeance, his curse on me for killing him. I'll kill Bella."

"Don't be ridiculous," I snarled. "I'll smack you if you talk like that again." For one thing, I didn't believe in such nonsense. For another, that would have meant Emmett was cursed, too.

"Rose..."

"I mean it," I cut Emmett off, glaring him down. "No more sophomoric stupidity about curses. We're cursed enough as it is; we don't need to borrow trouble."

Esme shook her head in exasperation but didn't say anything.

"I have to go," Jasper whispered, ignoring me.

"That's a good idea," Emmett said, pulling Jasper to his feet again. "Let's go hunt."

"No." His black eyes raked across us. "I have to leave. Forever."

"Jasper," Esme pleaded.

I mentally cussed out Bella, but of course I wouldn't be so unladylike as to say anything like that out loud. "Don't get all theatrical on us, Jasper. Of course you don't have to go."

His breath was still labored. "I'm too dangerous to her. I can't be near her. Not while she's human."

"I'll be damned before I see Bella tear this family apart," I said firmly. "You belong here; she doesn't."

"She's Edward's mate," he answered, his entire countenance weighed down by grief and shame. "I'm no better than James."

"Of course you are!" It was bad enough Edward was into melancholy self-loathing. We didn't need Jasper — of all people — on a guilt trip.

"Stay," Esme pleaded, reaching to embrace him again.

"I can't." He darted away from her arms and into the forest.

Emmett was instantly after him. "Come back!"

Lovely. I looked at Esme, but her eyes were anxiously searching the forest. Why was is it that no one ever said a word when I was right, and everyone jumped down my throat when I was wrong? Why hadn't she sided more vocally with me? Bella didn't belong in our family. She didn't belong with vampires. And she most certainly did NOT belong with vampires who fought to keep their humanity when she was willing to just throw hers away.

A moment later, Edward flew past us, following after Jasper. Good. Emmett was fast, but both Jasper and Edward were just a smidgen quicker. Edward would catch Jasper and bring him back. I was relieved. Otherwise, Alice would be intolerable.

I didn't show it, but I was honestly surprised when Alice joined Esme and me a couple of minutes later. I looked into my sister's eyes and managed a strained smile. "So. Nice party."