Dead by Morning (Rituals of the Night Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

her anyways, even though she had turned him down. He was Chance Welfrey; he always got what he wanted.
                  He turned away from her door; he’d leave her alone. In the meantime, he had something else that he needed to do. He knew Luna wouldn’t dress up for the dates and that was fine for dinner but not for the dance. Not when he’d be with her in front of the entire school.
    She’d need to be flawless. He’d have to find some girls willing to make her over, but who would do it? He frowned racking his brains for the perfect people to ask and his mind finally selected someone.
                  He smiled to himself knowing she wouldn’t refuse as he left the Ketz’ home to get in the black Honda Ridgeline waiting silently for him outside.
                                                                          ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    “What, you’re taking her to the dance?” Susan asked bitterly. “Why of all people would you take her?”
    Chance looked at her un-amused- not the reaction that he had been hoping for. Susan was a rather popular girl, a cheerleader on the same squad as Kate Red. She was a pretty girl with a heart shaped face and waist length brown hair. A beautiful lacy white ribbon was usually tied into it. She didn’t look so pretty as her emerald eyes glittered with jealousy, and her face twisted in disgust.
    “This is utterly ridiculous,” Kate said from across the room obviously siding with Susan.
    “Yes, I’m taking her to the dance. Does it really matter why?” He scoffed at Susan, ignoring Kate.
    Maddie, a girl with dusty blonde hair and dark eyes spoke up from her spot on the bean bag chair on the floor. “I think it matters a lot Chance, I mean, she’s a loser. Do you want to put yourself through that? You know everyone there will be judging you for it.”
    A quiet girl with bright eyes (Susan’s sister, Sarah) who was sitting beside Maddie on the floor nodded in agreement.
    “I’m taking her because I am,” Chance snapped rubbing his temples and trying oh so hard to not let himself slip into That mind. There were too many people around for that. He needed to keep himself calm. “Now, will you help me with her or not?”
    None of the four girls in the room spoke up though they all cast disbelieving glances at each other.
    “So what? You’re all gonna join up against me because you don’t like what I have to say? C’mon, Susan, didn’t you say that you wanted to be a makeup artist when you get out of high school? Think of this as your greatest challenge yet, don’t shy away from it.”
    His words cut through Susan’s position, and instantly she changed her mind. With girls like her it didn’t really take much. “Hey, Chance, you’re right! I can do this! Oh, now that I think about it, it’ll be so great! We can find her a stunning dress and give her some blush; oh, she’ll look so pretty!”
    “Now, that’s the attitude that I was looking for,” Chance said proud that at least he was beginning to change their minds. He changed his attention to the other three girls in the room. “What do you three think? Pitch in? I’m sure Susan will want some help.”
    She nodded. “As a matter of fact, I might need a tiny bit of help.”
    Maddie sighed looking suddenly defeated. “Yeah, I guess I can help out,” she said reluctantly, “for Susan.”
    “Me too,” Sarah piped up and looked down at her hands honestly not caring much either way.
    Chance looked at the three girls, pleased they had agreed. He knew they would’ve eventually. He was charming and persuasive; girls were putty in his hands. Then, he remembered that Kate hadn’t spoken up yet, and he guessed it was time to put the charm on her.
    He turned to look at her. “Well, what about you? Are you going to help?”
    She stood up from the plastic pink chair she had been seated on. “I’m not helping with any part of this