Free Night World 1 by L.J. Smith Page B

interrupted,” he said with a gesture of dismissal. “How’s the pain?”
    â€œIt’s gone, ” Poppy said. “Isn’t that weird? It didn’t wake me up at all last night. And there’s something else. I think I’m starting to—well, read people’s thoughts.”
    James smiled slightly, just one corner of his mouth up. “That’s good. I was worried—” He broke off and went to turn Poppy’s CD player on. Plaintive Bantu wailings emerged.
    â€œI was worried you didn’t get enough blood last night,” James said quietly, resuming his seat. “You’ll have to take more this time—and so will I.”
    Poppy felt something tremble inside her. Her revulsion was gone. She was still afraid, but that was only because of the consequences of what they were going to do. It wasn’t just a way to get closer or to feed James. They were doing it to change Poppy.
    â€œThe only thing I don’t understand is why you never bit me before.” Her tone was light, but as she spoke the words, she realized that there was a serious question behind them.
    â€œI mean,” she said slowly, “you did it with Michaela and Jacklyn, didn’t you? And with other girls?”
    He looked away but answered steadily. “I didn’t exchange blood with them. But I fed on them, yes.”
    â€œBut not me.”
    â€œNo. How can I explain?” He looked up at her. “Poppy, taking blood can be a lot of different things—and the Elders don’t want it to be anything but feeding. They say all you should feel is the joy of the hunt. And that’s all I ever have felt—before.”
    Poppy nodded, trying to feel satisfied with this. She didn’t ask who the Elders were.
    â€œBesides, it can be dangerous, ” James said. “It can be done with hatred, and it can kill. Kill permanently, I mean.”
    Poppy was almost amused by this. “ You wouldn’t kill.”
    James stared at her. Outside, it was cloudy and the light in Poppy’s bedroom was pale. It made James’s face look pale, too, and his eyes silver.
    â€œBut I have,” James said. His voice was flat and bleak. “I’ve killed without exchanging enough blood, so the person didn’t come back as a vampire.”

CHAPTER 7
    â€œ T hen you must have had a reason,” Poppy said flatly. When he looked at her, she shrugged. “I know you.” She knew him in a way she’d never known anyone.
    James looked away. “I didn’t have a reason, but there were some…extenuating circumstances. You could say I was set up. But I still have nightmares.”
    He sounded so tired—so sad. It’s a lonely world, full of secrets, Poppy thought. And he’d had to keep the biggest secret of all from everyone, including her.
    â€œIt must have been awful for you,” she said, hardly aware that she was speaking out loud. “I mean, all your life—holding this in. Not telling anybody. Pretending…”
    â€œPoppy.” He gave a shiver of repressed emotion. “Don’t.”
    â€œDon’t sympathize with you?”
    He shook his head. “Nobody’s ever understood before.” After a pause he said, “How can you worry about me ? With what you’re facing?”
    â€œI guess because—I care about you.”
    â€œAnd I guess that’s why I didn’t treat you like Michaela or Jacklyn,” he said.
    Poppy looked at the sculpted planes of his face, at the wave of brown hair falling over his forehead like silk…and held her breath. Say “I love you,” she ordered mentally. Say it, you thickheaded male.
    But they weren’t connected, and James didn’t give the slightest sign of having heard. Instead he turned brisk and businesslike. “We’d better get started.” He got up and drew the window curtains shut. “Sunlight inhibits all vampire