A Hunger for Darkness Read Online Free PDF

face.
     
    This is what I am , she thought. A wave of revulsion swept through her, washing away any remaining thoughts of pleasure. Nausea settled in the pit of her stomach. If this is what feeding would be like, she would never be able to do it. She stared at the curtains and realized what must lay behind them. Surely there was a window or even a balcony. A vampire would want the sunlight kept out.
     
    Kenzi slipped the t-shirt over her head, this time grateful for her lack of underwear. She listened for any sound from Connor. There was none, not even the sound of breathing. Vampires were often mistaken for dead when sleeping during the day.
     
    Kenzi unbuttoned her jeans and wiggled them over her hips and down her long legs. She stood and crossed to the curtains. She looked to Connor and thought briefly of killing him. He was entirely vulnerable now, while she had just enough of her humanity left to be capable of exertion during the day. The thought left her just as quickly. He had tried to save her; she would honor that.
     
    Pulling the curtain to the side exposed a sliding door onto the balcony she had hoped for. The sun had risen and bathed the barren platform in a golden light. Her naked skin tingled in the light that passed through the glass. The realization that her transformation had come so far steadied her as she opened the door and stepped through.
     
    The pleasant tingling she had felt inside now became more painful. In a moment she felt full effect like a blast furnace on her bare flesh; she forced herself not to turn from it. Instead, she opened her arms and leaned into the sun’s embrace, willing the pain to take her away from her fate. A gasp escaped her as she felt her body begin to shake.
     
    “Kenzi, you idiot!” She recognized Connor’s voice even as he roared at her. Strong arms gripped her around her waist and pulled her back into the cool darkness. She struggled against his grasp even as her body welcomed the relief. Connor spun her through the doorway and shielded her body with his own. His final push sent her reeling across the room.
     
    “Leave me,” she cried as tears began to spill down her cheeks. “I don’t want this!”
     
    Connor had shut the door and the curtains and turned to face her. He stood without speaking and slowly sank to his knees. Kenzi’s eyes had to adjust to the gloom before she could see him clearly. His torso and legs were now almost black, and bright red seams opened in his skin even as she watched. The smell of burning flesh nearly made her gag.
     
    In two steps she was next to him as he pitched forward. Now she could see his back, also blackened. As she caught him she felt his skin crack like dry parchment. He moaned.
     
    “Can’t let you die,” he croaked. “You have too much left to do.”
     
    Kenzi gently lowered him to the floor. “There’s nothing more for me, why couldn’t you let me go?” She spoke softly, almost gently.
     
    “There’s a lot more I need to tell you. Please wait and hear me out.” Connor’s eyes were tightly closed, and his jaws clenched in obvious pain.
     
    “What can I do for you?” Even as she said the words, Kenzi marveled at the difference a few days had made. Before she would have cheered this creature’s death, now she sought to help his pain.
     
    She also became aware of two other facts. One, she was in pain. It wasn’t terrible, more like a severe sunburn. The second fact was her nakedness.
     
    She stood and started back to her T-shirt and jeans. The moment her hand touched them, she knew the fabric would torture her skin.
     
    “I have a silk shirt hanging by the bed.” Connor was said, equal parts pain and amusement in his voice.
     
    Kenzi padded to the clothes rack that had been hidden from her view earlier. She found the white silk shirt and slipped it on. The silk felt cool and soft against her burned skin. She returned to Connor and knelt beside him.
     
    “What can I get for