Blood Vivicanti (9780989878586) Read Free Page B

the solitude was perfect. I was
alone with the ocean. She was with me.
    Too bad I couldn’t stop
thinking about Theo.
     
     
     
     
    I swam back long before the
storm reached the shore.
    I had hunger for food and
blood. But I had no appetite. The thought of maintaining myself
sickened me.
    Why had Theo gone off? Had
I done something wrong?
    I was in
torment.
    My whole being yearned to
be satisfied.
     
     
     
     
    I took a cab ride back to
the mansion that night, all the way from the coast to the mountains
ringing the desert valley. The ride took over three
hours.
    I loathe LA
traffic.
    I could’ve run that
distance six times if I’d had the energy. Wondering about boys was
new and enervating, and I didn’t like it.
    Besides, my mind was racing
faster than I ever could.
     
     
     
     
    To pay the cabbie I pierced
his throat with my tongue. I let my delicious venom seep into his
veins. He’d never had a better night in his life.
    Good for him.
    I didn’t want his Blood
Memories. I spit out his blood.
    It left a bad taste in my
mouth.
     
     
     
     
    I didn’t see Theo until the
next day.
    The morning sun felt too
bright for me.
    Theo and I almost collided
on the stairwell. He didn’t seem very different. He smiled at me
like nothing was wrong. “Ms. Crystobal is making pancakes this
morning.” Theo loved pancakes.
    I didn’t meet his eyes.
Couldn’t.
    He could see I hadn’t fed.
My porcelain skin had lost some luster. Only a Blood Vivicanti
could see it. I looked a little paler, sickly, like that girl who
was following me, Nell.
    Theo took my hand. “Let’s
get you some sugary good fuel for the day.”
    His invitation was all I
needed. Instantly I seemed to snap from my heartsick
feeling.
     
     
     
     
    He led me down to the
kitchen. I followed. I was good at following.
    His words, his touch – they
were hope. Hope eased my mind. Hope was invigorating.
    I used to be very good at
hoping.
     
     
     
     
    Breakfast was amazing. I
didn’t realize I was so hungry. I wolfed down a stack of pancakes
soaked in butter and maple syrup.
    But the urge for blood was
more intense. I would have to feed that day. Just a
pint.
    Wyn came into the kitchen.
He was reading The New York
Times . He folded the paper and set it
neatly down.
    Ms. Crystobal served him
his usual coffee.
    Wyn studied Theo. “Do you
like your new memories?”
    Theo chewed and nodded a
mouthful of food.
    Wyn sipped his coffee. “I’m
going to miss your violin playing.”
    Theo smiled wryly. He spoke
through his full mouth. “Me too.”
    Wyn studied me next. He
could see I hadn’t had any blood. He wasn’t displeased, just
analytical.
    “ Didn’t find anyone you
liked?” he asked.
    I shook my head. I didn’t
look at Theo.
    Wyn could tell that
something was bothering me.
    The three of us ate
breakfast together in silence. It wasn’t as lighthearted as usual.
Our conversations felt forced.
    Theo was lost in
thought.
    Wyn explained that he would
be researching for the rest of the day in the library. Theo said
he’d join him.
    Beta followed
Alpha.
    Where did I fit
in?
     
     
     
     
    Breakfast finished. Theo
and Wyn left.
    I was about to follow them,
but Ms. Crystobal grabbed my hand and held me back. She studied my
eyes intently. Her expression had changed. No longer sour or
impatient. I saw concern in her features, and anger too.
    Her voice had a pitch of
aggression. “Did anything unusual happen last night?”
    I looked at her sideways.
“Out of the ordinary for a Blood Vivicanti?”
    “ Did you see anyone
strange?”
    I didn’t think to mention
Lowen or Nell. My mind was fixed on Theo. He was acting strange. I
didn’t like his new Blood Memories.
    Ms. Crystobal stood a
little closer to me. Her voice lowered to a whisper. “Doors open
all the time. Some open because of good choices. Some open because
of choices that are not so good. Be careful about which door you
choose to go through.”
    I was more surprised that
she had said so