Dangerous Girls Read Free

Italy?”
    Renz nodded. I don’t want to talk. I didn’t bring you down here to talk.
    â€œI grew up in the north, in the hills where there is poverty—and strangeness.”
    He squeezed her hands. The pale moonlightsparkled in her blond hair.
    â€œStrangeness? Like what?”
    â€œThe people in my village had many superstitions and many fears,” he told her, speaking softly, holding her close. “They were most terrified of the ancient vampires who lived in the caves that circled our village. The vampires were said to fly out at night in the shapes of blackbirds and bats. They would attack the villagers—men, women, and children—and empty their veins of blood.”
    Destiny gave him a playful shove. “You’re trying to scare me, right?”
    Renz nodded. “Yes. Actually, I was born in Philadelphia.”
    She laughed at his joke.
    Pulling her closer, Renz’s skin tingled with excitement. His mouth, his throat—they suddenly felt so dry…. He felt alert. Alive. Ready.
    He held her by her arms and lowered his face to hers. He whispered, “Do you believe in vampires, Laura?”
    With a short gasp, Destiny jerked her head back. “Excuse me? Vampires? And who’s Laura?”
    He stared at her, licking his lips. His wholebody tingled. He knew his hands would tremble if he let go of her. “Laura? Well…you remind me of someone, that’s all.”
    He pulled her close again. Her expression softened. “I’ve thought about you, too, this summer,” she said, avoiding his eyes.
    She’s shy like Laura, he thought. Not like her twin.
    â€œAnd did you notice me watching you?” he asked eagerly.
    She hesitated. “Well…”
    He kissed her again. Lightly. He was so afraid to move too fast. He had waited so long to bring her here, to bring her to this moment.
    But now the moment was here.
    â€œI’m so happy I found you again, Laura,” he whispered, gazing into her eyes. “I’ve been searching for you for so many years. I knew I’d find you again.”
    Those words made her struggle to pull free. But he grasped her arms tightly and held her in front of him. “Don’t pull away, Laura. Tonight we are reunited.”
    â€œRenz—what the hell are you talking about? Let go of me! Now you’re really scaring me.”
    â€œDon’t be scared, darling. I know you havewaited for this moment as I have. It won’t hurt for long. I promise it won’t hurt for long. And then we will be together once more, together forever.”
    She squirmed, struggled to swing her arms, to lash out at him with both fists. “Let go. Let go, you creep! Are you crazy?”
    Staring into her eyes, he let her struggle. Staring deeply…penetrating her mind.
    She uttered a long sigh and settled back, limp in his arms.
    â€œThat’s better, Laura. You feel calm now. You don’t want to resist me. Tonight under the full moon I shall drink your blood, and you shall drink mine. Two long drinks, that’s all it will take, darling. And then you will be Laura again. Then you will be immortal like me. And we will live together forever.”
    Destiny made a weak attempt to squirm free.
    â€œShh,” he whispered. “Don’t try to move. Don’t try to think, darling. Keep staring into my eyes. That’s right. See? Your mind is emptying. You remember nothing. You are floating in a cloud.”
    Bleating sounds escaped her lips, like a tiny, frightened animal caught in a trap. Her head fellback, her throat pale in the moonlight.
    Pale and soft. And delicious.
    â€œI have fogged your mind, and you won’t remember a word I’ve said. You won’t even remember me until I want you to. Until I am ready to fly with you, to spend every night—for eternity—with you.”
    Renz leaned forward, lowering his face to her throat. “You feel nice, don’t you, Laura?