I could only see the eyes. And as I scanned, straining to see more, it occurred to me that there were more than six pairs facing , two, three . . . I counted the pairs swiftly in my head.

Twice.

There were ten of them.

"Ten!" Emmett and Jasper chorused, Emmett excitedly, but Jasper more wary than ever.

"Fascinating," Edward murmured almost silently.

Carlisle took a slow, deliberate step forward. It was a careful movement, designed to reassure.

"Welcome," he greeted the invisible wolves.

"Thank you," Edward responded in a strange, flat tone, and I realized at once that the words came from Sam. I looked to the eyes shining in the center of the line, the highest up, the tallest of them all. It was impossible to separate the shape of the big black wolf from the darkness.

"For you maybe," Emmett muttered, amused.

Edward spoke again in the same detached voice, speaking Sam's words. "We will watch and listen, but no more. That is the most we can ask of our self-control."

"Good," Jasper said. "I don't think it would have been good if they got involved. Both our instincts would have screamed to fight for real."

"I bet you're still uncomfortable with them being there," Emmett chuckled.

"Obviously." Jasper shook his head.

"That is more than enough," Carlisle answered. "My son Jasper" - he gestured to where Jasper stood, tensed and ready - "has experience in this area. He will teach us how they fight, how they are to be defeated. I'm sure you can apply this to your own hunting style."

"They are different from you?" Edward asked for Sam.

Carlisle nodded. "They are all very new - only months old to this life. Children, in a way. They will have no skill or strategy, only brute strength. Tonight their numbers stand at twenty. Ten for us, ten for you - it shouldn't be difficult. The numbers may go down. The new ones fight amongst themselves."

A rumble passed down the shadowy line of wolves, a low growling mutter that somehow managed to sound enthusiastic.

"We are willing to take more than our share, if necessary," Edward translated, his tone less indifferent now.

"Hey, there will be none of that," Emmett said. "You're already making it hardly a challenge."

Carlisle smiled. "We'll see how it plays out."

"Do you know when and how they'll arrive?"

"They'll come across the mountains in four days, in the late morning. As they approach, Alice will help us intercept their path."

"Thank you for the information. We will watch."

With a sighing sound, the eyes sank closer to the ground one set at a time.

It was silent for two heartbeats, and then Jasper took a step into the empty space between the vampires and the wolves. It wasn't hard for me to see him - his skin was as bright against the darkness as the wolves' eyes. Jasper threw a wary glance toward Edward, who nodded, and then Jasper turned his back to the werewolves. He sighed, clearly uncomfortable.

"I wonder why," Jasper said. "At least Edward assured me they wouldn't attack."

"Carlisle's right." Jasper spoke only to us; he seemed to be trying to ignore the audience behind him. "They'll fight like children. The two most important things you'll need to remember are, first, don't let them get their arms around you and, second, don't go for the obvious kill. That's all they'll be prepared for. As long as you come at them from the side and keep moving, they'll be too confused to respond effectively. Emmett?"

Emmett stepped out of the line with a huge smile.

Jasper backed toward the north end of the opening between the allied enemies. He waved Emmett forward.

"Okay, Emmett first. He's the best example of a newborn attack."

"HEY!" Emmett exclaimed as the 'younger' Cullens laughed at him.

"What can I say?" Jasper said. "You do kind of barrel into things... and use your strength."

"But, I'm better than a newborn," Emmett pouted.

"Yeah, and a lot more dangerous," Jasper admitted. "You do come up with interesting strategies some times...but at other times..." he trailed off, laughing.

Emmett's eyes narrowed. "I'll try not to break anything," he muttered.

Jasper grinned. "What I meant is that Emmett relies on his strength. He's very straightforward about the attack. The newborns won't be trying anything subtle, either. Just go for the easy kill, Emmett."

Jasper backed up a few more paces, his body tensing.

"Okay, Emmett - try to catch me."

And I couldn't see Jasper anymore - he was a blur as Emmett charged him like a bear, grinning while he snarled. Emmett was impossibly quick, too, but not like Jasper. It looked like Jasper had no more substance than a ghost - any time it seemed Emmett's big hands had him for sure, Emmett's fingers clenched around nothing but the air.

"Wow, I didn't expect her to see so much," Jasper said.

"Really?" Edward asked. "I would have thought you would have learned by now that she sees more than anyone would think."

"I do," Jasper furrowed his eyebrows, "but it's still peculiar that she could see that."

Beside me, Edward leaned forward intently, his eyes locked on the brawl. Then Emmett froze.

Jasper had him from behind, his teeth an inch from his throat.

"Damn," Emmett pouted and Jasper grinned at him.

"He made you only attack head on, Em," Alice consoled her brother.

"Right," Emmett perked up at that. "That tactic never works on Jasper."

Emmett cussed.

There was a muttered rumble of appreciation from the watching wolves.

"Again," Emmett insisted, his smile gone.

"It's my turn," Edward protested. My fingers tensed around his.

"In a minute." Jasper grinned, stepping back. "I want to show Bella something first."