Ravenous Read Free

rice pudding.”
    “I’m just saying, that’s what they said.”
    “That’s gross. Liam did not eat anyone. Can you imagine how nasty a serial killer would taste?”
    Katy made a face and sipped her hot chocolate. “It does sound kind of disgusting. Even for Liam. The weirdo. He’s way too dark and gloomy for me.” She licked her finger, wiped it on the empty plate to catch any stray cookie crumbs, and popped it in her mouth. “Oh, I brought the book for you.”
    “I told you, I’m not going to read it. It’s stupid.”
    “It’s not stupid.” Katy dug into the backpack at her feet and pulled out a hardcover book. “It’s the best series that’s ever been written.” She slid it across the table. “You’re the only person I know who hasn’t read it, or seen the movies.”
    “I don’t understand how you can like it. You said they got a lot of things wrong about vampires. And Bella makes out with a werewolf?” Kaleigh made a face of disgust. “I’ve met a werewolf, Katy. They slobber. They’re disgusting. There’s no way you’d give a werewolf tongue.”
    “Please? Just read it. You should know what everyone is talking about, at least.”
    Kaleigh reluctantly accepted the book and crammed it in her backpack.
    “And then we can watch the movies together. I have all the DVDs!”
    “I’m not watching the movies with you,” Kaleigh warned.
    Katy exhaled. “Change of subject. You taking the SATs tomorrow?”
    “My mom paid the money, but I don’t know.” She started picking her schoolbooks up off the floor and sticking them into her backpack.
    “You don’t know what? ”
    “I don’t know if I’m taking them.”
    “You don’t know if you’re taking your SATs? Kaleigh, this is our last chance! College applications have to be in soon. You can’t go to college if you don’t take your SATs.”
    Her books packed, Kaleigh worked the zipper of her backpack. The stupid thing stuck all the time.
    Katy watched her. “You’re not really considering not going to college, are you? We finally all get permission to leave town for college and you don’t want to go? Are you out of your cotton-pickin’ ”—she glanced around the mostly empty shop to make sure she saw no humans—“bloodsucking mind? Me, I’m going. I’m going as far as I can get from here. Stanford’s at the top of my list.”
    “Stanford isn’t on the list. We can only go to colleges approved by the General Council. It has to be a place where they think we’ll be safe, where there’s one of them close enough to get there if we get into trouble.”
    Katy sat back in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest. “Guess they better add Stanford to the list, because I just might get in. And if I do, I’m going, and those old farts on the Council aren’t going to stop me.”
    “Weren’t you one of those old farts a couple of years ago before you were reborn?”
    “We’re not talking about me. We’re talking about you, Kaleigh.” She leaned forward, elbows on the table. “Why wouldn’t you go to college?” she asked, softening her tone.
    “I have responsibilities here. The world’s changing. It’s getting harder and harder to keep our cover and the humans seem to be cranking out more psychos every year. It’s more dangerous when we’re spread thin, all over the world. I think my place is here.”
    “Bullshit, Miss Wisewoman. If you’re going to help us keep our cover, you need to be a part of the world. You need to know what we’re facing.”
    Kaleigh knew Katy made a good point; she just didn’t know if it was good enough. “Mom already paid, so I guess maybe I’ll go.”
    “Great. Can you drive? We have to be at Cape Henlopen High School by seven forty-five.”
    “You grounded again? ” Kaleigh laughed, finishing her iced tea. “What’d you do now?”
    “Total misunderstanding.” Katy got up, taking her backpack off.
    “I can borrow Arlan’s truck. He and Fia went somewhere for the