It's on his lips to say no.

But River's blood is still clinging to his clean fingertips, and he could still pinpoint the place Carlisle had hit him. (That boy was sent to mock me.) Maybe the press of his lips is enough of an answer.

Carlisle -- his Carlisle -- would never be considered a danger to people, even in keeping with being a capable and dangerous vampire.

But this is not his Carlisle.