The Taste of Night

  “You don’t understand—” Destiny started. “Knowing that she’s out there somewhere, prowling around, searching for God-knows-what, it’s…it’s worse than if she were dead.”

  Ari jumped up, a scowl on his face. “Give me a break,” he muttered. “Enough already.” He turned and stormed away, disappearing into the crowd on the dance floor.

  “Ari, no—wait!” Destiny jumped to her feet and started after him. She bumped into a guy on the dance floor, then pushed past another couple. The flashing lights started to hurt her eyes, made her blink. The steady, pulsating beats began to pound in her ears.

  “Ari—?”

  Where was he?

  I tried. I really tried, Destiny thought. I understand why he lost it. He’s been so patient. He wants to have a little fun before he goes off to college. And I haven’t been able to shake off this sadness.

  She edged her way to the other side of the dance floor. No sign of Ari. Ana-Li stood with a Coke in one hand, talking to Fletch Green and two other guys from their class.

  Destiny rushed up to her. “Have you seen Ari?”

  Ana-Li laughed. “You lost him?”

  “Kinda.” Destiny didn’t feel like telling her what happened.

  “Lookin’ hot, Dee,” Jerry Freed, one of the three guys, said, grinning at her. He flashed her a thumbs-up.

  Ana-Li pointed to the dance floor with her Coke can. “Isn’t that Ari over there? Who’s he dancing with?”

  Destiny spun around. Squinting into the blinking lights, she saw Ari dancing with his hands on the bare waist of another girl…the red-haired girl he’d been flirting with at the bar. He pulled her close, and they danced cheek-to-cheek even though the music pounded even faster.

  “I don’t believe it,” Destiny groaned.

  “Did you two break up or something?” Ana-Li asked.

  “Looks like it,” Destiny said. She started toward Ari and his new dancing partner.

  What is his problem? Is he just trying to hurt me?

  He’s been totally understanding the whole time, Destiny thought. Was it all an act?

  She grabbed his arm. “Ari?”

  He took his hands off the girl’s waist, blinking at Destiny. “Oh. Hi.” As if he didn’t recognize her.

  The red-haired girl frowned at Destiny and continued to move to the music.

  “Ari, what’s up with this?” Destiny couldn’t keep her voice from trembling. “I mean—”

  Ari shrugged.

  “I mean, what’s going on?”

  “Just dancing.”

  She realized her hands were balled into tight fists. Working the turntables, the DJ went into a scratching fit, then changed the rhythm, drum machine pounding in her ears.

  “Ari, I thought you and I—”

  “Give me a break,” Ari said.

  The second time he said that tonight, Destiny told herself.

  Well, okay. I’m not the kind of person who makes a big scene or screams or carries on in front of people. I can’t do that.

  So…I’ll give him a break.

  “Good night, Ari,” she said through gritted teeth.

  She spun away and ran along the side of the dance floor, ran without looking back, out the front door, bursting through a couple just arriving. Out into the cool night air, to the edge of the gravel parking lot, where she grabbed onto a wooden fence pole, held onto it, taking breath after breath.

  Okay, okay. I’ll give him a break, she thought.

  Was she angry or hurt, or both?

  Have fun, Ari. Have fun without me.

  See if I care.

  Destiny had no way of knowing that she would never see Ari again.

  part four

  chapter twelve

  LIVVY’S NEW LOVE

  LIVVY STOOD AT THE END OF THE BAR, TILTING A bottle of Rolling Rock to her mouth. The bartender was a fat, old guy; not interesting. Despite the cold beer, Livvy’s stomach growled, and the hunger gnawed at her.

  She turned and gazed around the dance floor, searching for Monica and Suzie. Squinting into the darting red and blue lights, she spotted them both. Whoa. Who was Suzie dancing with? Ari Stark?

  Uh-oh. Looks like Destiny left her boyfriend behind.

  Bad mistake, Dee. Look at the stupid grin on Ari’s face. He thinks he’s gotten lucky tonight.

  Monica stood at the edge of the dance floor, her pale arms around a big guy who looked like he could play middle linebacker. She nestled her head against his shoulder and led him toward the lounge.

  Way to go, Monica.

  Feeling the powerful hunger again, Livvy brushed back her blond hair, straightened her tube top, and gazed down the bar. A dark-haired guy a few stools down seemed to be staring at her.

  Livvy flashed him a smile. He had a beer glass in one hand. He raised it as if toasting her.

  Livvy didn’t hesitate. She strode over to him, a smile on her face. “I’m Livvy,” she said. “How ya doin’?”

  “Patrick,” he replied. He had dimples in his cheeks when he smiled. He was probably a college guy—in his early twenties—cute.

  Livvy clicked her bottle against his glass. “What’s up, Patrick?”

  He shrugged. “Just chillin’. You know.”

  He had short, wavy brown hair, dark, serious eyes with heavy, brown eyebrows, and a penetrating stare. Livvy felt that he was staring right through her.

  Did he like what he saw?

  Livvy did. If the good-looking guys have the tastiest blood, I’m in heaven tonight.

  Patrick was tall and athletic-looking. He wore black cargo pants and a dark brown leather vest over a soft gray long-sleeved shirt. An interesting look.

  He had a silver ring in one ear. And Livvy glimpsed a tattoo of a spider on the back of his hand when he raised his beer glass.

  “Like this club?” Livvy asked, squeezing beside him.

  Wouldn’t you rather go out for a drink, Patrick?

  Out to the woods maybe?

  “Yeah, it’s okay,” he said. “I don’t like the five-dollar beers. But it’s a pretty nice place to hang.”

  Livvy flashed him her sexiest smile. “I think it just got nicer,” she said. Not too subtle, but she felt too hungry to be subtle.

  He has a nice long neck, she thought. Easy to get to the vein.

  Was she staring at his throat? She quickly raised her eyes to his. “I wouldn’t mind dancing,” she said. “If someone wanted to ask me.”

  He was a good dancer, she discovered. He moved easily, gracefully, and never took his eyes off her. When he smiled, those dimples came out, and despite her hunger, Livvy could feel herself melting.

  Is this my night or what?

  Suzie came into view across the crowded dance floor. Over Ari’s shoulder, she flashed Livvy a thumbs-up.

  After a while, Patrick took Livvy’s hand and led her off the dance floor. She squeezed his hand and leaned against him. Even though they’d been dancing hard, he wasn’t sweating. He bought two more Rolling Rocks at the bar and handed one to her.

  “I haven’t seen you here before,” he said.

  Livvy grinned. “You’re seeing me now.” She took a sip of beer. “What do you do, Patrick?”

  He snickered. “As little as possible. How about you?”

  “I’m in school,” she lied. She put a hand on his shoulder. “It’s kinda hot in here. And noisy. Want to take a walk or something?”

  Say yes, Patrick—or I might attack you right here.

  “Yeah, sure,” he said, finishing his beer. “But I’ve gotta tell some guys I came with, okay?”

  Livvy nodded. Tell them you’re going out for a quick bite, Patrick. She felt her heart start to race. Her skin tingled.

  I’m finally going to feed.

  “Meet you outside,” she said. “I’m going to smoke.”

  She watched him make his way through the dance floor. He had a quick, confident stride. He’s hot, she thought. Too hot to die. Maybe I’ll bring him along slowly. Then give him a
chance to join me, to become an immortal. To live forever with me.

  She started toward the exit.

  Then what do I do with Ross?

  Good question.

  I still care for Ross. He was so brave to come with me to the other side. He’d be lost without me…

  Ross is so sweet. But maybe sweet isn’t what I need right now. I need thrills. I need action. I need to live this new life to the fullest.

  I need…Patrick.

  As Livvy passed the lounge, she glimpsed Monica in a dark corner, on a low couch, lip-locked with the guy she’d been dancing with. Monica was pressed against him, holding his head as she kissed him, moving her hands through the guy’s hair.

  He’s toast, Livvy thought.

  She stepped out into the night. The air felt cool on her hot skin. Clouds covered the moon. A car squealed out of the parking lot, music blaring.

  Livvy stepped to the side of the club, leaned against the stucco wall, and pulled a pack of Camel Reds from her bag. She slid a cigarette between her lips. And felt a soft tap on her shoulder.

  Patrick?

  She spun around—and let out a startled gasp. “You? What are you doing here? Get away!”

  chapter thirteen

  A SURPRISE REUNION

  THE CIGARETTE FELL FROM HER MOUTH. LIVVY stared at her sister, at her black skirt and white top, her blond hair pulled straight back so neatly, her plastic bracelets on one wrist, everything so neat and perfect.

  Except what was that expression on Destiny’s face? Eyes so wide and chin quivering. Destiny stared at Livvy as if she’d never seen her before.

  And was that fear in her eyes?

  “Destiny, go away,” Livvy repeated. “I don’t want to see you.”

  “I’m your sister.” Destiny’s voice trembled. “Why are you saying that?”

  Livvy stared at her. “I’m busy right now. I’m waiting for someone. Take a walk, Dee. I mean it.”

  Destiny swallowed. She didn’t move. “You look so different. You cut your hair. You’ve lost weight, haven’t you. And those dark rings around your eyes—”

  “Hey, no beauty tips, okay,” Livvy snarled. “I don’t read Cosmo Girl anymore.”

  “You’re so pale, Livvy,” Destiny continued. “You look as if you haven’t slept in weeks. Listen to me—”

  “No, you listen to me, Dee,” Livvy said through clenched teeth. “Read my lips: Go away.” She glanced over Destiny’s shoulder. Where was Patrick?

  “Was that you this afternoon?” Destiny asked, crossing her arms in front of her. “The bat?”

  “Excuse me?” Livvy pulled another cigarette from the pack. Her hand shook as she slid it between her lips. “What bat? I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”

  “It wasn’t you?”

  “No way. Were you dreaming or something?”

  I don’t know why I did that, Livvy thought, remembering the afternoon. I’ll never do it again.

  “I thought I saw you in the club,” Destiny said, motioning to the entrance with her head. “You didn’t see me, did you? I was with Ari. But I think he left. We had a fight. I feel terrible. He’s so sweet.”

  “Tell someone who cares,” Livvy said. She yawned.

  Destiny startled her by grabbing her arm. “Come home, Liv. Come home with me right now.”

  Livvy rolled her eyes. “Yeah, sure. Good idea.” She tugged her arm free.

  “No, really,” Destiny insisted. “Dad will find a cure. I know he will. He’s working so hard, Liv. He’ll find a cure for you, and you can be normal again. You know. Back home.”

  Livvy let out an angry cry. “You never could stand to see me have fun!” she shouted. “Get a clue, Dee. I don’t want to go back to that boring life.”

  “Yes, you do,” Destiny replied, tears in her eyes. “You don’t mean what you’re saying. You can’t like what you’re doing. The way you’re living. You can’t.” A sob escaped her throat.

  Livvy took a deep breath. Her hands were clenched into tight fists at her sides. “Don’t you see? I’ve made my choice. I’m going to live forever. That’s my choice. You want to stay home and see your boring friends and that boring geek Ari, and go to school like a nice girl and be a nice, boring person for the rest of your life. And I’ve made a different choice. That’s all. No big deal, right?”

  “But, Liv—”

  “I’m going to live forever. That’s my choice. So get out of my face, Dee. Go away and don’t come back.”

  “I…don’t believe you.” Destiny let the tears roll down her cheeks. “You’re my sister. My twin sister. And the two of us belong together. We—”

  “We belong together? Okay!” Livvy cried. She let her fangs slide down over her lips. “You want to stay together forever? Fine. You stay with me.”

  She grabbed Destiny around the waist and started to drag her across the parking lot toward the woods.

  “Hey—let go!” Destiny screamed, unable to hide her panic. “What are you doing?”

  “We’ll be together,” Livvy growled, saliva running down her fangs. “You and me. Together.”

  Destiny grabbed Livvy’s arms and tried to pull them off her. But Livvy held onto her tightly and dragged her over the gravel toward the tall trees.

  “You and me,” Livvy rasped. “Just the way you want it, Dee.”

  “Let go! Let go!” Destiny pleaded.

  Livvy pressed her mouth against the back of Destiny’s neck. “You and me—forever,” she whispered.

  chapter fourteen

  THE TASTE OF NIGHT

  LIVVY HELD ON TIGHT AS DESTINY SQUIRMED AND struggled to free herself. Finally, she gave Dee’s hair a hard tug—and let her go.

  Destiny staggered forward several steps. Then she spun around to face her sister. “Were you…were you…” She struggled to catch her breath. “What were you doing? Were you just trying to scare me?”

  Livvy grinned at her. She made loud sucking noises with her fangs. “Want to stay and find out?”

  Trembling, Destiny studied her for a long moment. Then she turned and ran across the parking lot.

  Livvy watched her sister run away. Her heart was pounding in her chest. She suddenly felt dizzy.

  I’m so confused. My feelings are all mixed up.

  I always loved Destiny. Do I really hate her now?

  Is it because she’s trying to ruin my new life?

  I made my choice. Why can’t she leave me alone?

  Livvy turned and saw Patrick watching her from the club exit. She slid her fangs back into her gums. Then she straightened her hair and forced a sexy smile to her face.

  “There you are,” he called, taking those long strides toward her. “I thought maybe you split or something.”

  “No way.” She took his arm. “It’s nice out, huh?”

  He nodded. She liked his serious, dark eyes, the way they seemed to lock on her as if holding her captive.

  The clouds floated away from the moon, and pale light washed over them. “I like the moonlight,” he said, glancing up at the sky.

  “How old are you?” she asked, leaning against him, guiding him to the trees.

  “Old enough,” he said. “How old did you think I was?”

  “I don’t know. Inside the club, you looked sixteen. But now you look older.” She let her hand slide down his arm and gripped his hand. “I’m going to be eighteen soon.”

  “Are you in college?” he asked. Their shoes crunched over the gravel. He didn’t wait for her to answer. He turned and kissed her. He held her chin in his hand and kissed her long and deep.

  Yes, she thought. And as she kissed him, a strange phrase played through her mind…

  The taste of night.

  The taste of night.

  Where did it come from? She didn’t know. But she knew she was enjoying it tonight—the taste of night. The taste of the cool, fresh air and the moonlight, the taste of his lips, the taste of an exciting, new adventure. And in a few moments…the taste o
f blood.

  It was all part of the taste of night.

  I’m totally into him, she thought. I mean I’m really attracted to him. He’s so good looking and mysterious and sexy.

  We just met, but I already have strong feelings for him, she realized.

  Almost as strong as my thirst…

  He pulled his face away. They were both breathing hard. He still had his hand on her chin. “Where are you leading me?” he asked.

  She grinned. “Astray?”

  He laughed. A big laugh that seemed to come from deep inside him.

  “I thought we’d take a walk in the woods,” Livvy said. “Such a nice night. We can talk. It’s so peaceful out here.”

  “You’re an outdoors-type person? You like to camp?”

  “Not really,” she replied. “But I like to do other things in the woods.” She pulled him into the trees. The moonlight seemed to follow them. She pulled him farther. She needed darkness.

  “Hey, where are we going? I can’t see a thing,” he said, tugging her to a stop.

  “That’s the idea,” she whispered. She grabbed the sides of his head and pulled his face to hers. They kissed again, moving their tongues together.

  I’m so hungry, she thought.

  I can’t wait another second.

  I need to drink. He’s driving me crazy.

  She pulled her lips from his and nuzzled his ear with her mouth. “Now, Patrick, I’m going to give you a kiss to remember,” she whispered. “But here’s the sad part. After I give it to you, I’m going to cloud your mind so you won’t remember it.”

  “Huh? I don’t understand.” He held her by the waist and stared into her eyes. “What are you saying?”

  So hungry…so hungry…Oh, damn—I’m so hungry…

  Livvy lowered her fangs and dug them into his throat. Deep, deep into the soft flesh.

  And then she pulled away—and opened her mouth in a scream of horror.

  chapter fifteen

  “I’M NOT JUST A VAMPIRE”

  LIVVY STAGGERED BACK, STUMBLING OVER AN upraised tree root and landing hard against the fat trunk of a maple tree. Patrick didn’t move. He stood still as a statue, a shadow against shadows.