The Taste of Night (9 page)

“DAD, MIKEY IS SERIOUSLY SICK,” DESTINY SAID
, shaking her head. “And I guess I don't have to tell you it's all Livvy's fault.”

Dr. Weller had his elbows on his desk, supporting his chin in his hands. The fluorescent ceiling light reflected in his glasses. “His therapist says he's making progress.”

Destiny sighed. She crossed her arms in front of her. “I'm not so sure. You saw his arm. Those bite marks…”

“Pretty awful,” he agreed. He sat up straight, pulled off the glasses, and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Mikey has suffered a terrible loss, Dee. We all have. But you and I are a little better equipped to deal with it. He's too young to know how to cope.”

A dog howled in the holding pen in the back room, and
that set off all the other dogs yipping and barking.

“We have to stop him from pretending to be a vampire all the time,” Destiny said. She shuddered. “It's not helping him.”

“And in a way, it might be,” her dad said softly. “By playing the role, maybe it helps him work out his fears. Maybe it helps him deal with the frightening thoughts he's having.”

Destiny stared at the floor. She didn't know what to say. And she hated seeing her father so sad and tired-looking. He's aged twenty years this summer, she thought.

When she finally looked up, he was crumpling the papers on his desk.

“Dad—what are you doing?”

He angrily ripped the papers in half.

“Dad—?”

“I want to bring Livvy home. I want to restore her to a normal life. Ross, too. But my work is going nowhere, Dee. I…I can't find the formula. I've missed time and time again. I'm a failure. We have to face the fact.”

Destiny wanted to say something to comfort him. But what could she say?

“So many pressures,” he muttered. “So many pressures…”

And that's when he told her about the abandoned apartment building near campus. Vampires had been tracked there. Vampires were living there.

“My hunters and I…we have to clean the building out,”
he told her. “The pressure is on to take care of the vampire problem in Dark Springs. I'm the leader of the Hunters. I have no choice. My hunters and I have to go in there and kill as many vampires as we can. In two weeks. Sunday at dawn. After the night of the full moon. That's when we'll strike.”

All Destiny could think about was Livvy and Ross.

Were they living in that unfinished apartment building too?

Could her father kill his own daughter?

He couldn't—could he?

 

“I'm sorry to lay this on you,” Destiny told Ana-Li. “But I don't have anyone else I can tell.”

Ana-Li sighed. “I just came to say good-bye, Dee. I'm leaving tomorrow morning. I…I'm so sorry I won't be here to help you.”

She wrapped Destiny in a hug.

“I'll e-mail you as soon as I get moved into the dorm. I promise,” Ana-Li said, raising one hand as if swearing an oath. “If I can't get my laptop hooked up, I'll call you.”

“Thanks,” Destiny said, holding onto her friend.

“What about the new boyfriend?” Ana-Li asked. “Can't you confide in him?”

“Harrison? He's been very sweet. And we've been seeing each other just about every night. But…I can't tell him about Livvy yet. I just can't. I don't know him well enough.”

Ana-Li grinned at her. “But you'd like to know him really well—right?”

“Well…yeah. But I can't think about that now.” Destiny started to pace back and forth along the room above the garage. She kept staring at Livvy's bed. Livvy's
empty
bed.

“I have to find a way to warn Livvy. Livvy and Ross.”

“Even after she was so horrible to you?” Ana-Li asked. “Even after she dragged you off in that parking lot and threatened to drink your blood?”

Destiny stopped pacing. She gripped the back of her desk chair as if holding herself up. “She's my sister,” she said through gritted teeth. A tear slid down one cheek. “She's my sister, and I want her back. For her sake. For Mikey's sake. For all of us.”

She took a breath and let it out slowly. “But if Dad finds her in that apartment building near campus…if Dad finds her…” The words caught in her throat.

“He wouldn't drive a stake through Livvy's heart,” Ana-Li insisted.

A chill ran down Destiny's back. “He might.”

 

Destiny couldn't sleep that night. Her thoughts swirled round and round until the room spun and her head pounded.

“Dad might kill Livvy.”

She pictured her mother, tall and blond and pretty, like her twin daughters. And so young. Destiny only remembered her mother young.

Her mother was bitten by a vampire, a vampire who wanted to take her away, to make her his. She killed herself instead. She killed herself to escape the vampire's clutches.

That's why Dad became leader of the Hunters. That's why he is determined to wipe them out. They took away the love of his life.

And that's why he has been searching for a cure, a formula to restore vampires to a normal life. But he has failed. His daughter is a vampire, and he has failed to find a cure.

And now he will hunt her down. And his hatred for vampires will force him to kill her. If he doesn't do it, one of his hunters will.

Unless I get there first, Destiny thought, rolling onto her side, scrunching the sheet to her chin.

Unless I can warn Livvy.

But how?

After that fight in the club parking lot, I don't think she'll talk to me. If she sees me coming, she'll change into a creature and fly away. If I tell her what Dad and his hunters are planning, she won't believe me. She'll think it's a trick to get her to come home.

So…what can I do?

The ceiling spun above Destiny's head. Light and shadows danced crazily, like wild creatures let loose in the room. Somewhere in the distance, a siren wailed.

What can I do?

And then she had an idea.

DESTINY SAT STRAIGHT UP AND KICKED THE COVERS
away.

Yes. Yes.

Ross.

Ross will talk to me. Ross always liked me. And he was always easy to talk to.

I'll find Ross. I'll tell him what's going to happen. Then Ross can talk to Livvy. And maybe…maybe they'll both be saved.

I'll go at dawn, Destiny decided. When the vampires have been out all night and are falling asleep.

At least I have a plan. I'll go into that building. I'll find Ross. I'll tell him…I'll tell him…

She settled back down and shut her eyes. But she knew she'd never fall asleep this night.

 

At a few minutes before six, she crept silently down the stairs, into the dark kitchen, dishwasher light blinking, and out the back door. Her old Civic refused to start until the third try. She looked to the house to make sure the grinding sounds hadn't awakened her father.

Then she slid the gearshift into drive and headed off, into a gray world, high clouds blocking the rising sun, bare black trees shivering in the cool, morning breeze.

Not many cars on the road. A few sleepy-eyed people on their way to early morning jobs.

Destiny realized she was gritting her teeth so hard, her jaw ached. This is the best time to look for Ross, she assured herself for the hundredth time. The vampires will all be heading in to sleep, weary after a night of prowling.

Will I be able to wake him? Will he recognize me?

Of course he will. He's still Ross.

She drove her car around the campus square. Squirrels scampered over the lawn. The sun still hadn't burned through the clouds.

A few moments later, Destiny pulled the car up to the side of the unfinished apartment building. She climbed out, legs rubbery, heart suddenly pounding. And gazed up the side of the redbrick wall at the rows of open, unglassed windows.

Two large crows stared back at her from a third-floor window ledge. She heard a fluttering sound and saw a bat shoot into a window near the top.

“Oh, wow.”

So many apartments, she thought. How will I ever find Ross?

I'll just have to be lucky, she decided. I have to save him and my sister.

Taking a deep breath, she made her way through the front entrance, into the dark lobby. She stepped past rolls of wire and cable and a stack of Sheetrock squares, past the open elevator shaft, and started up the concrete stairs.

Her shoes echoed hollowly in the stairwell. The only sound until she reached the first floor—and heard the moans and sighs and groans of the sleeping vampires. Squinting into the gray light, she gazed in horror at the row of open apartment doorways.

I'll start here, she decided, gripping the railing. I can't call out his name. It would wake everyone up. I'll have to peek into every apartment until I find him.

Her whole body trembling now, she forced herself to move away from the stairs, into the trash-cluttered hall, up to the first door.

I should have brought a flashlight. I thought there would be some sun. The pale, gray light from the hall windows seemed to lengthen the shadows and make everything appear darker.

Sticking her head through the doorless opening, Destiny peered into the dark apartment. She couldn't see anything, but she heard low, steady breathing. She took a step inside. Then one more step.

And in the soupy gray, she saw two girls asleep on their
backs on low cots against the wall, dark hair spread over their pillows, mouths open revealing curled fangs that slid up and down with each breath they took.

Destiny backed into the hall. The next two apartments appeared empty. No furniture. No sounds of sleep.

A long, mournful sigh echoed down the hallway. It sent a shiver down Destiny's back.

She peered into the third apartment. And saw a scrawny, little man asleep on the floor, a pillow under his bald head, his sunken eyes wide open. Destiny gasped and backed away, thinking he could see her. But he was sound asleep.

Moans and harsh snoring followed her to the next apartment. A man and woman, sleeping on a bare mattress, holding hands, their fangs dripping with saliva.

Back into the hall. Nearly at the end now, and no sign of Ross. She stepped around a pile of trash, mostly newspapers and magazines, tossed carelessly against the wall.

The papers rustled. Destiny stopped. What made them move? There was no wind here.

She stared as the papers crinkled. She heard scratching sounds from underneath the pile. “Oh.” She uttered a soft cry as two fat rats slithered out.

They turned and gazed up at her, staring for the longest while, as if challenging her.

Her whole body tensed, Destiny backed away. Are these really rats? she wondered. Or are they vampires in rat bodies?

The swooping bat in her living room flashed into her mind. Livvy? Had it been Livvy?

The two rats raised up on their hind legs and took a step toward Destiny. One of them bared its teeth and uttered a shrill hiss.

Destiny wanted to turn and run. But she knew she shouldn't turn her back on the advancing rats.

They stood still now, on their back legs, long, pink tails whipping back and forth, scraping the concrete floor. Their eyes glowed dully like black pearls. They both opened their mouths and uttered warning screeches, furiously waving their front paws up and down in slashing motions.

I have to get away.

Destiny spun away from them, tried to run—and collided full force with a figure standing behind her.

“Hey—!” She stumbled and fell into him, and they both staggered back. Her cheek brushed the rough fabric of his sweater.

“Ross—?” She grabbed his shoulders to pull herself back on her feet, shoulders hard as bone. Not Ross.

“S—sorry,” she choked out. “I didn't see you. I was—”

She stared at him. He was good looking. Young. About Destiny's age. Short, dark hair, dark eyes, a thin, straight nose.

Then he turned—and Destiny opened her mouth in a horrified gasp.

The other half of his face—
missing
! The flesh ended in the middle, a line right down the center of his face, giving way to solid skull.

Destiny stared open-mouthed, too horrified to breathe. No eye in the gaping, empty socket, no flesh over the toothless jaw.

Half a face, Destiny saw. Normal looking on one side, even handsome. An eyeless skull on the other half.

Trembling, Destiny tried to back away.

“What's wrong?” he whispered. His teeth clicked as he talked, and his single eye rolled around in its socket. “Don't be frightened. Don't worry. I'll save my
good
side for you, babe.”

He grabbed her. Circled his arms tightly around her. Arms like bones—and powerful, clamping her to him.

“No, please—”

She couldn't breathe.

He held her so tightly, her ribs ached. Her chest felt about to burst.

He lowered his face to her. She could see both sides at once now, the skeleton and the good-looking face. Both grinning at her coldly, half-lips pulled back so she could see his teeth.

He pressed his lips to hers.

Ohh. She felt soft flesh and bone.

Her stomach heaved.

He pulled his mouth away quickly, single eye flashing.

And then she saw the fangs, yellow and curled, slide down from his open mouth.

“So sweet, so sweet,” he whispered, sour breath washing over her, making her choke. And then he sank the disgusting fangs into her throat.

SHE FELT A STAB OF PAIN
.

Then heard a loud shout.

“GET AWAY FROM HER!”

The vampire seemed to spin to the voice. But then Destiny realized someone had pulled him off her. Another vampire, face hidden in shadow, had grabbed him by the shoulders.

“First come, first served,” the half-faceless one said softly, teeth clicking. He tensed his body as if preparing for a fight.

“I don't think so,” the other replied.

And then they flung themselves at each other. Growling, cursing, they wrestled from one side of the hall to the other, smashing each other against the concrete walls.

Gasping for breath, Destiny felt the pinprick wounds in her neck as she tried to back away to safety.

They're fighting over which one gets me, she realized. Frozen in horror, she watched the battle.

Their cries and shouts had awakened others, who stood in the dark doorways all down the hall, staring in silence as the two vampires slashed at each other, shoving and biting.

I'm pinned here, Destiny thought. I can't run. If I do, the others will get me.

She backed into a corner, hands pressed against the sides of her face, still gasping for breath.

Fighting over me…

Fighting to see who gets to drink my blood…

With his back to Destiny, the new arrival hoisted up the half-faced vampire by the waist, lifted him high over his head and, with a powerful heave, tossed him out an open window.

Destiny heard the vampire's scream as he fell down the side of the building. Down…down…And then the scream was replaced by an angry bird cry, which rose up until Destiny could see a hawk, wings spread wide, through the window, sailing up, turning and taking one last glance at her, then floating away.

And now the winner of the battle, panting noisily, brushing his wet hair off his face, turned to claim his prize. He lurched toward Destiny arms outstretched…

…And Destiny recognized him. “Ross—!” she screamed. “Ross—it's me!”

His mouth dropped open. He wiped sweat from his eyes—and squinted at her in the inky light. “Destiny—?”

“Yes. Yes, it's me!”

“Whoa.” He was still breathing hard, chest heaving up and down. He had deep scratch marks on one side of his neck, and a red welt had formed under one eye.

“I don't believe it,” he said, shaking his head hard. Then he lurched forward and wrapped her in a hug. “Dee, I'm so glad to see you.”

Destiny let out a sigh of relief. It
is
the same Ross, she thought.

She gazed over his shoulder and saw eyes staring at them in doorways all down the hall, cold faces, angry and frightening.

“Can we…go somewhere?” she whispered.

Ross took her by the hand and led her to the stairway. He helped her up the steep, concrete steps to the second floor. Then he led the way to a small apartment halfway down the hall.

The clouds had finally started to burn away, and morning sunlight peeked into the open window. Destiny hugged herself. The room still had the chill of night.

She glanced around quickly. A pile of clothes, mostly jeans and T-shirts, in one corner. A couch with one cushion missing. A metal folding chair. A clock radio on the floor. The only furnishings.

Ross led her over to the couch. “Dee, I can't believe you're here. I'm so happy to see you,” he said. He motioned
for her to sit down. Then he dropped down beside her, sweeping his hair back with both hands.

He's changed, Destiny thought, studying him. He used to have that spark in his eyes, that flash of fire. But it's gone. He looks so tired…exhausted. And not because of the fight with the other vampire.

“How are you?” he asked. “How's Mikey? And your dad?”

“Not great,” Destiny replied. “It's been really hard with Livvy gone. I mean, it's hard to explain to yourself why—”

“Livvy,” Ross interrupted, shaking his head. “Livvy. Livvy. She's hard to figure, you know?”

“I…saw her the other night,” Destiny continued, the words catching in her throat. “She was so horrible to me, Ross. Like she
hated
me. And what did I do to her? Nothing. I only wanted to talk with her.”

“She's gotten weird,” Ross said, lowering his head. “This was supposed to be so exciting. You know. Livvy and me. Living forever and everything. She promised. She promised me it would be awesome. But now…” He glanced to the window. “Now she usually doesn't want to hang with me. She's got new friends that she cares about.”

Destiny nodded. She didn't know what to say. “Ross—?”

He kept his eyes down at the floor. “I'm so unhappy,” he said finally. “I mean, this life is so hard. I wish…I wish I'd never followed Livvy.”

“I'm sorry too,” Destiny murmured.

“She likes it. I really think she does,” he continued,
finally turning to face her. “I don't understand it. But I think Livvy enjoys the excitement. You know, the adventure. She likes the…
badness
of it. And the idea that she never has to grow old.”

Destiny nodded. “When she was little, her favorite cartoon was
Peter Pan
. You know. The Disney one. Now I guess she liked it because Peter and the Lost Boys never grew up, either.

“I don't know why I went with her,” Ross said. He climbed to his feet and moved to the window. He leaned on the sill, keeping his back to the rising sunlight as he spoke. “It was crazy. I guess I went a little nuts or something. But now…”

He swallowed. “Now I'd give anything to have my old life back. I mean it, Dee. Anything. I'm so unhappy. I just want to see my sister again…and Mom and Dad. I just want—”

“Maybe it can happen,” Destiny interrupted.

He squinted at her. “Why? Has your dad—?”

“No. He hasn't found anything. Not yet. But he's working on it, Ross. He won't quit till he finds a cure.”

“That's great,” Ross said. “I don't know how much more I can take. Really.”

Destiny climbed to her feet and hugged herself tightly. “Listen, Ross, I came here for a reason. I came to warn you. The Hunters are going to come. They know about this place. They're going to kill as many vampires as they can.”

Ross nodded. He didn't seem surprised. “We knew
they'd come after us sooner or later.”

“You and Livvy have got to get out,” Destiny said. “You've got to talk to her, Ross. She won't talk to me.”

He scratched his head. “I…I'll try.”

Destiny could feel her emotions tightening her throat. “You've got to tell her,” she said. “You've got to tell her to get away from here. Maybe you can convince her, Ross. Have you told her you want to give up the vampire life? Maybe you can convince her too.”

Ross hesitated. “I don't think so. Whenever I start to talk about it…” His voice trailed off in a sigh.

Destiny felt tears rolling down her cheeks. She didn't make any attempt to stop them. “Tell her. Tell her, Ross.”

Ross nodded. “I'll see what I can do. Really. I'll try, Dee.”

A sob escaped Destiny's throat. Tears blurred her vision. “Tell her I still love her,” she choked out. “Tell her I'll do anything to have her back.”

And then she ran, out the door of the shabby apartment and down the long hallway…ran away from this world of darkness…back to her own life.