Blood Beast Read Online Free PDF Page A

party.”
    “Great,” Reni smiles. “I hope we’re invited?”
    “Of course,” I say miles too quickly. Then, aiming for cool, “But don’t tell anyone. I want to keep it exclusive — just a select handful of my more discerning acquaintances.”
    “Nice,” Reni says, and strides away, sharing a giggle with Shannon.
    “‘More discerning acquaintances,’” Leon mimics as the others poke me in the ribs and make catcalls. “You’re full of it sometimes, Grady.”
    Word spreads quickly about the party. I’ve never been so popular, surrounded before and after classes, pumped for details, besieged with requests for an invite. I think the location of the party is as much of a draw as anything else. Everyone in the Vale knows about the spooky old mansion where I live, but most people have never been inside. At lunch I’m faced with a steady stream of party-hungry teens, all in search of a golden ticket. I feel like a king, hearing petitions, flanked by my royal advisers (Loch and Co.). I play it cool at Loch’s advice, saying numbers are limited, I can only invite a select few. I don’t say an absolute no to anyone, and promise to take all requests into consideration. So I’m a poseur. So sue me.
    Just before the bell rings for class, my last petitioner approaches. Bill-E. He’s smiling awkwardly, even more so than usual. “Hi, Grubbs.”
    “Hi.”
    “How’s tricks, Spleenio?” Loch says, putting out his hand. I groan as Bill-E falls for the trick again, makes to shake, and is humiliated when Loch whips his hand away. “Sucker!”
    I don’t wait for Bill-E or Loch to say anything else. “Have you heard about the party?” I ask quickly.
    “Yeah,” Bill-E says. “I know I was supposed to come over this weekend, but —”
    “You’re not going to back out, are you?” I cut him short. “C’mon, Bill-E, this is my first party. I need you there for moral support.”
    A rosy glow of happiness spreads outwards from the center of the chubby boy’s cheeks. “You want me to come?” he asks quietly, half suspecting a cruel joke.
    “Of course,” I say firmly. “In fact, if you don’t, the party’s off.”
    “Now hold on a minute . . .” Loch begins, startled.
    “I mean it,” I silence him, eyes on Bill-E, trying to put right at least some of the wrong things between us.
    “Well. . . I mean. . . I guess. . . OK.” Bill-E grins. “Sure. Why not?”
    “Great.” I raise a warning finger. “But don’t tell Ma and Pa Spleen it’s a party or they’ll never let you come.”
    “No sheet, Sherlock!” Bill-E laughs and heads off, much happier than I’ve seen him in a long while.
    Dervish is getting ready to leave. In his leather pants and jacket, pulling the straps out of his helmet. His motorcycle’s outside the front door, primed to go. “Is the party tonight or tomorrow?” he asks.
    “Tomorrow. Too awkward for people to come tonight.
    Plus it gives me time to go shopping in the Vale in the morning.”
    “You know I’ll be back early Sunday afternoon,” he reminds me.
    “I know.”
    “If I walk in and find pools of puke and mountains of trash. . . ”
    “You won’t,” I assure him. “There aren’t many coming, and a few are sleeping over, to help clean up in the morning. The only thing is, I’m not sure if I’ll be able to do all the laundry before you return.”
    “That’s fine,” Dervish says, then raises an eyebrow. “Those staying over are all boys, I presume?”
    “Of course.”
    “They’d better be. Because if I find out otherwise. . . ”
    “You won’t.”
    “Good.”
    The pair of massive front doors are already open. Dervish walks out, breathing in fresh spring air. “It’s supposed to be cold over the weekend,” he says. “Don’t leave the windows open or the house will be freezing.”
    “I have everything under control,” I tell him.
    “I doubt it.” He climbs onto his bike.
    “Say hi to Meera for me.”
    “Sure.”
    “Give her a kiss for me