The Taste of Night (6 page)

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.

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 of 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.

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.

“You…you're a vampire too,” she whispered finally. She struggled to catch her breath. Her body still tingled from the excitement of nearly finding blood.

But Patrick's blood wouldn't nourish her.

He stepped closer, and she could see the smile on his face. “I'm sorry,” he said. “I wanted to see how far you'd go.”

Her surprise quickly turned to anger. “You were just playing a game? Having a little joke at my expense?”

He took her hand. “No. It wasn't just a joke. I really like you.”

“What were you doing in the club?” Livvy asked.

“Same as you. Looking to hook up.”

“But I wasn't looking to hook up with a vampire. I'm so hungry,” Livvy moaned. “You've wasted my time.”

He laughed. “Hey, don't hurt my feelings. I said I really like you.”

“But I don't need a vampire. I need—” Livvy started.

He put a finger over her lips. “I'm not just a vampire, Livvy. Things are going to change now that I'm here.”

“Excuse me?” She let go of his hand. “What are you talking about?”

“I'm going to take care of everyone. Make it a lot more exciting for all of us.”

Moonlight filtered through the trees, and Livvy could see his smile and his eyes, crazy eyes, intense and unblinking. He seemed to be aiming all his power at her.

She turned away.

“Where do you live?” she asked.

“Same building as you,” he replied.

She kept her eyes away from his. “How do you know where I live? You've seen me before?”

“Truth? I've had my eye on you.”

“You've been watching me? Why?” she asked.

He didn't answer. He pulled her close, lowered his face to hers, and kissed her. Kissed her hard, so hard she could feel his teeth pressing against her lips…so hard it hurt.

When the kiss ended, her lips throbbed with pain.
Heart pounding, she pressed her forehead against the front of his shirt.

Livvy realized she was trembling. I'm hot for him—and I'm afraid of him—at the same time.

Patrick took her by the shoulders and moved her away. “It's getting late. I'm thirsty too.”

“But I want to know more about you,” Livvy said. She flashed him a grin. “You can't just take a girl into the woods and leave her there.”

Once again, he brought his face to hers. And he whispered in her ear. “Later.”

He whirled away from her—and transformed quickly into a slender red fox. Squinting into the patch of silvery moonlight, Livvy watched the fox scamper away through the thick underbrush.

Yes, later, she thought.

Catch you later, Patrick. I think you and I are going to be seeing a lot of each other.

DESTINY SEARCHED FOR ARI IN THE CLUB BUT
couldn't find him. She wanted to apologize. He was only
dancing
with that red-haired girl, after all. She shouldn't have embarrassed him by acting so jealous.

This night is a disaster, she thought. No way is it a celebration.

She ended up walking home by herself. The night air felt cool against her hot skin. Crickets chirped. Fireflies danced in front of her, seeming to light her path. The moon appeared and disappeared behind high, gray clouds.

She walked through tall grass along the side of the road. Her shoes became wet from the dew. Cars rolled past without slowing.

She found herself thinking about Ross. She wondered
how he was. She couldn't picture Ross as a vampire. He was so good looking and athletic and…healthy.

Destiny had a crush on Ross for years, and Livvy knew it. But Livvy went after Ross anyway. And she took him away.

Forever.

The tiny lights of fireflies sparkled in Destiny's eyes, making the world appear unreal. The lights darted and danced around her.

Before she knew it, she arrived at Drake Park, three blocks from her house. As she crossed the street and stepped into the park, she could hear the trickle of water from the narrow creek and the rustle of the trees shaking in the warm breeze.

She followed the dirt path that curved toward her house. A creature scampered over her feet, startling her. A field mouse? A chipmunk?

She thought about Mikey. What did he do tonight? The poor kid. I hope he didn't spend the whole night shut up in his dark cave of a room.

Destiny told herself she should spend more time with Mikey. But it wasn't easy. Tomorrow morning she was starting her summer job at the Four Corners Diner. A waitress behind the lunch counter. Not a very challenging job. But at least the restaurant was across from the Community College campus. Maybe she'd meet some new people…

The moon disappeared behind a blanket of clouds. The fireflies had vanished. Destiny felt a chill as the darkness washed over her.

She kicked a stone in the path. The creek trickled behind her now. She knew she was almost home.

And then a figure stepped out from a thick clump of pine trees. A girl. She seemed to float silently onto the path.

“Hello—?” Destiny called in a whisper.

The girl didn't answer. She moved toward Destiny quickly. Startled, Destiny began to move out of the way, but she wasn't quick enough.

“Hey—” Destiny let out a cry—and then recognized her sister. “Livvy? What are you doing here?”

Livvy stared at her for a long moment, her expression intense, eyes locked on Destiny's.

Why did Livvy follow me? To apologize?

Did she change her mind about coming home?

And then to Destiny's shock, Livvy raised both arms and wrapped her in a tight hug.

The two sisters stood there on the dark path, hugging each other, faces pressed together, tears rolling down their cheeks, tears running together as they sobbed and held each other.

Finally, they backed away from each other. They both wiped away tears with their hands.

“Livvy, I'm so happy,” Destiny said in a trembling whisper. “Why did you follow me? Did you change your mind?”

“Yes,” Livvy replied. “Yes, I changed my mind. I…I'm so lonely, Dee. I need to come home. I need to be with my family again.”

“Dad and Mikey…they'll be so glad to see you,” Destiny said.

And then the two sisters were hugging again, hugging and crying.

Destiny finally released her sister. “Let's go home,” she whispered. “It's late, but Dad will still be awake. He doesn't sleep much—ever since…” Her voice trailed off.

Livvy clung to her sister. She didn't reply.

“I'm so glad,” Destiny said. “I mean, I'm so happy, Liv. I mean…I can't really say what I mean.”

Livvy's arms remained clamped tightly around Destiny. Her head was turned so that Destiny couldn't see her face.

“Please let go,” Destiny whispered. “I…can't breathe.”

Livvy didn't move.

“Let go,” Destiny repeated. “Come on. Let's go home, okay?”

Livvy didn't reply. Her arms remained clamped around Destiny's waist.

“Livvy—let go!” Destiny cried. “What's wrong? What are you doing? Let go of me. Let go!”

Destiny tried to pull free. And as she squirmed and twisted, she saw Livvy's body begin to transform.

“Livvy—stop! What are you doing? Let go of me—please!”

And now, scratchy brown feathers scraped Destiny's face. She heard a warble from deep inside Livvy's body. And she realized that powerful claws, hard as bone, had replaced her sister's arms.

Livvy had transformed into an enormous, throbbing bird, at least seven feet tall. A giant hawk! And Destiny was pressed tightly against the prickly feathers around its belly, held by the huge, powerful claws clamped around her waist.

“Livvy—NO!”

The bird raised its head, flapped its massive wings, sending a burst of air over Destiny. It dragged Destiny along the grass for a while before it lifted high enough into the air. And then, flapping its wings so slowly, so easily, it floated up into the dark sky, carrying Destiny in its claws like a prize…like dinner.

Destiny let out scream after scream as she floated over the treetops of the park, then the houses of her neighborhood.

Is she planning to drop me?

The houses looked like dollhouses now. The car headlights down below looked as tiny as the firefly light that had followed her as she walked.

“Livvy—please!”

She could feel the pattering heartbeat of the huge bird. The oily feathers grazed her cheeks.

And then they were soaring down, swooping with the wind. The onrushing wind blowing so hard in her face, Destiny struggled to breathe.

A hard bounce. The claws let go. Destiny landed on her back. Felt the air knocked out of her. Lay there on hard ground, gasping.

Where are we?

Livvy loomed over her, human once again. Livvy's hair fell over her face, but Destiny could see her eyes. Wild eyes, bulging with anger…with hate?

“Where are we? Where have you taken me?” Destiny cried. She raised herself on two arms and gazed around, blinking in the darkness.

Nothing to see. No trees here. No houses. Flat ground, a black strip against the blacker sky, stretching on forever.

“Where are we?”

“It doesn't matter, Dee.” Livvy spoke in a cold whisper. “It really doesn't matter.”

“Why? What do you mean?”

Livvy narrowed her eyes at Destiny, and her face hardened to stone. “Because you're never leaving.”

“I don't understand, Livvy. What—?”

Livvy's fangs slid quickly from her gums, making a loud
pok
sound. She opened her mouth wide, tongue playing over her teeth, drool running over her chin. Then she sank her fangs deep into Destiny's throat.