Blood Vivicanti (9780989878586) Read Online Free

much to me. It was the most I’d ever heard her say.
What she was saying didn’t quite sink in at that time. I assumed
that she was speaking figuratively.
     
     
     
     
    Wyn and Theo spent the rest
of the morning in the library. Wyn was cross-referencing astrology
with exobiology.
    Later I learned the truth:
He was trying to mentally dissect the Red Man, the source of the
glowing violet blood.
    Theo read an old manuscript
in Latin. Then he wrote in Latin in his journal. He hadn’t been
able to read Latin before the old man’s Blood Memories.
    I wondered if I’d have to
translate it for him once his Blood Memories faded and he forgot
his new ability.
    Me helping Theo was a nice
fantasy.
     
     
     
     
    I tried to read a book. But
no books could hold my attention.
    So I decided to wander
around Wyn’s mansion.
    I let myself get as lost as
I felt.
     
     
     
     
    The mansion was enormous.
There were twists and turns every which way. It felt a little like
the Winchester Mystery House.
    I came upon one hallway I
hadn’t seen before. It led into darkness.
    A little ways down the
hallway, sensory lights flickered on.
    The floor was black marble,
polished and glossy and bright.
    With each step down the
hallway, more sensory lights flickered on, marking my
progress.
    The smell of fresh cut
flowers was all around me.
    The last sensory lights
flickered on at the end.
    Against the back wall was a
white marble sarcophagus, like the kind from ancient
Rome.
    Fresh arrangements of
lovely flowers surrounded it.
    Around the base were small
figures carved into the stone. All of them were of the same woman.
Each figure displayed the woman doing different works of kindness.
Aiding the infirmed, nurturing children, consoling the sorrowful,
and giving food to the hungry.
    One small carving of the
woman depicted her playing the violin.
    Atop the sarcophagus was a
life-sized figure, also carved into the stone. It was the same
woman. Only this time she wasn’t working at all. She was sleeping
peacefully, turned on her side, the way she must have slept in
life. Her cushion and pillow had been carved with astounding
finesse. They looked soft and very real and comfortable. She looked
real. She looked soft, as if she might wake up at any
moment.
    Who was she?
     
     
     
     
    Ms. Crystobal appeared
behind me. I hadn’t heard her approach. She startled me half out of
my wits.
    She glanced at the
sarcophagus. Then she glared at me.
    “ Lunch is ready,” was all
she said.
     
     
     
     
    Lunch was light with
delicious cucumber sandwiches, tea, and crumpets.
    I’d never had cucumber
sandwiches before. They seemed strange at first. But I ate them the
way my mom taught me to eat anything dubious: I slathered them in
mayonnaise.
    Mayonnaise makes food much
better.
    Butter too.
     
     
     
     
    Theo asked me if I’d like
to go for a run after lunch.
    What was I going to say?
No? I was smitten.
    The invitation to be with
Theo made me happy. He could have invited me to Antarctica and I
would have gone with him. I would have gone with him
anywhere.
     
     
     
     
    Wyn stood between us. He
looked at me sternly. “You need to drink blood. You’re losing color
in your cheeks.”
    Theo took my hand. “She can
feed later. I’ll show her someone good to drink from.”
    Wyn rubbed his chin,
considering this.
    “ No,” he said at last. He
reached out and touched Theo’s shoulder. “I’ll show her someone
meaningful now.”
    Then he did something I
never expected: He tapped Theo’s shoulder. “Tag,” he said with a
playful grin. “You’re it.”
    Then he dashed fast through
the mansion.
    Theo smiled widely at me.
“Come on,” he said. “Let’s get him!”
    He chased after
Wyn.
    I chased after
Theo.
    Chasing him was becoming a
habit, the way it had with my china doll.
     
     
     
     
    The three of us raced
throughout the mansion. Over chairs and sofas. Under tables and
beds.
    We dashed through the front
door when Ms. Crystobal shouted at