Eighteen Summers Read Online Free PDF

toothbrush...”
    “ No, you do not need anything from this life. We have everything you require for the foreseeable future. Come along now please, we have a long drive ahead of us...” He steers me out of the door, his arm around my shoulders. We walk down the lane towards a black car parked between ours and the Jones' house. We all get inside. Gabriel is driving, Severina sits next to him, and I sit in between Sofia and Nico in the back.
    I can't believe I am actually going with them, without any real proof of what they say, and yet I know I must. Even so I am finding this all confusing and rather overwhelming. Obviously anyone would. It's not that I feel concerned about my safety or anything like that. I believe them when they say they mean me no harm. It's more that I feel my life has just changed forever. That nothing will be the same. Not that my life was anything great. It was pretty crappy in fact. Perhaps this isn't a bad thing.
    My stomach churns and my eyes fill when I think of Mum and Dad discovering I'm gone. What will they think? Will they call the police? I'm sure they will, despite the letter. I don't understand why this couldn't have been done in their presence? But then again perhaps not, it may have been too confrontational face to face. This is a cleaner break than being dragged out of their arms in tears. I sit and chew it over for a while. I don't know what to feel or think. A tear rolls down my cheek and I wipe it away, but that one tear sets me off. My shock has been holding it back, but that has passed and soon I am crying full flow.
    Nico puts his arm around my shoulders and Sofia takes my hand and passes me a tissue.
    “ Sshhh, there is no need for tears. This is a joyous occasion. We are very happy you are to rejoin us at last,” He says in a comforting voice.
    “ It's such a shock and so upsetting. Everything. You know...” I splutter tearfully.
    “ Yes, of course. How thoughtless of me. But come now, cheer up. Think upon it as an adventure.”
    “ I suppose so,” I sniff, pulling myself together.
    “ I expect you have many questions?” He asks me as we set off.
    “ Who am I? You said I'm of noble birth?” I can't help but be intrigued about that, obviously.
    “ You are Lady Calista Isadora Gianni, a titled Italian. A Princess, if you wish.”
    I burst into hysterical nervous laughter.
    “This is all a big joke, isn't it?”
    “ No, it is not. Why would I joke about a matter such as this?”
    He looks at me and I look at him, scanning his features for any sign of amusement. He certainly looks dead serious. As well as being the most gorgeous man I've ever laid eyes on.
    “Why did you ask me if I crave something usual?”
    “ Cravings tell you what you need.” I don't think this is an answer to my question exactly.
    I probe further, a little more bluntly. “You are telling me that if I crave something, for instance, blood, it is because I need it?”
    “ Nico, just tell her for God's sake!” Severina turns and blurts out. Nico tut-tuts quietly at her.
    “ You have no patience Severina. These things need to be done carefully. Gently.”
    “ Tell me what?” I urge, pushing for an answer.
    He sighs and studies me for a moment, as if deciding how to best phrase his reply. “Your blood lust is quite normal, My Lady... for a newly adjusting vampire. It will be all you crave soon. Blood, blood and more blood. For a while you will have a blood frenzy, feeding frequently. But it will pass in time and you will manage your cravings sensibly, as we all do.”
    My mouth is agape. But no words come forth.
    Fuck... They're as mad as I am....
    “Noooo...” I finally manage shakily. I take a long deep breath to calm my nerves.
    “ Yes. It's true.”
    “ But vampires aren't real. It's just a sick story.”
    “ Believe me, they are very real. You are sitting in this car with four such individuals now. Would you like a demonstration? Some proof of who and what we are?”
    “ Like what?”