Chapter 13 - Confessions
This is the pivotal chapter based on a dream that inspired the book - the lion and the lamb, the vampire whose skin sparkles like thousand of diamonds and the self-deprecating ordinary girl. It begins almost tenderly with Bella etching the veins on Edward’s arms, and Edward allowing her to be so close… until a sudden bout has him showing off a rather startling side of him — his speed and agility, the insolence in his voice as he says, “I’m the world’s best predator, aren’t I… everything about me invites you in… as if I need any of that,” and proceeds to demonstrate his speed and strength. This sudden bout of impishness fades to sadness as he tells her, “I swear not to hurt you… don’t be afraid.”
Edward also tries explaining that Bella has a unique scent that draws him (at first, he tries explaining using ice cream flavors - but admits that Bella is more like his brand of heroin), and explains his perspective of their first meeting, telling her of how he’d immediately driven to Alaska, in penance, for how he had wanted to devour her right in the middle of class. He’d even tried justifying that he’d saved her in the accident to resist seeing her blood, which might have been beyond his control to resist. Emmett had experienced a few cases where a mortal has that tantalizing scent, but it didn’t go well for him. Edward tells Bella there still might be hope; Emmett had been too young and inexperienced, then. Still, Edward brings up the analogy of the lion that fell in love with the lamb.
Edward takes Bella on her first piggyback ride on the way back to the truck. The speed shocks Bella, who is paralyzed on his back when they arrive by the truck. Edward puts Bella down, and they kiss. Edward has to push Bella away, though. He claims Bella is too intoxicated by him to drive, and he takes the wheel. Bella throws the complaint back at him, but he says, “Regardless… I still have better reflexes.”
Discussion transcript here.
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