Dance of Death by R.L. Stine Read Free Book Online

I hope you’ll believe that.”
    â€œI want to believe it,” Madeline answered.
    I didn’t mean to say that! she thought.
    Justin’s eyes burned with a brilliant blue fire as he looked down at her. Madeline felt her whole body begin to flush.
    How can I have such strong feelings for him already? I only just met him. Everything is happening much too fast!
    But she couldn’t seem to stop the feelings of warmth and dreamy contentment that spread through her. Warmth that seemed to pour into her from Justin’s eyes.
    Feeling hypnotized, she watched as he placed two fingers under her chin and tilted her face up.
    He’s going to kiss me, Madeline realized. She felt sleepy, almost drugged. A strange heaviness filled her limbs. She felt powerless to stop him. Not that she wanted to.
    Justin smiled, as if he knew her thoughts. Then he brought his lips down on hers.
    Justin’s lips were firm and demanding. Madeline felt herself beginning to respond. She wrapped her arms around his neck and put her whole being into her kiss. Justin’s arms tightened until she couldn’t catch her breath.
    I want to stay in his arms forever. This is where I belong.
    The kiss ended and Justin pressed his lips against Madeline’s forehead.
    â€œI knew it,” he murmured. “I knew you were the one.”
    They stood with their arms around each other for a moment. Madeline could feel Justin’s heart pounding. She knew hers beat just as furiously. She felt light-headed and weak.
    I mustn’t rush into anything. I should take more time, Madeline thought.
    â€œCome,” Justin finally murmured. “We better do something a little more proper or we’ll shock the whole neighborhood. I know, I’ll cut a rose for you.”
    He tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. Then he drew her toward the far end of the rose garden.
    â€œThis is my newest variety. My pride and joy. I’m going to call it a bridal rose. What do you think?”
    Madeline stared down at the roses. The delicate white petals were splashed with red, like drops of blood. Thick red thorns studded the slim stems.
    Madeline shivered.
    â€œWhat’s the matter?” Justin asked. “Don’t you think they are beautiful?”
    â€œOf course I do,” Madeline stammered. “I’ve just never seen roses like them. It looks like the whole bush is … spattered with blood.”
    â€œBlood,” Justin echoed. He studied the rose for a moment. “It does, doesn’t it,” he said. “I never thought of it that way before.”
    A strange smile flitted across his face. Madeline shivered again.
    Justin knelt and cut a single rose from the bush. He stripped the thorns from the stem with his pocket knife. Then he tenderly placed it in Madeline’s hands. He curled her fingers around it, pressing them tightly down.
    A sharp pain swept through Madeline’s palm and up her arm. “Justin,” Madeline cried. “Stop. You’re hurting me.”
    But Justin only pressed her hand more tightly around the stem. Fiery jolts of pain shot up Madeline’s arm. Justin pressed her hand again.
    Blood ran from between Madeline’s clenched fingers and dripped into the folds of her beautiful white dress.
    She struggled, trying to twist her hand out of Justin’s grasp. Her efforts only increased the pain.
    â€œJustin,” she gasped. “Please, let go.”
    Justin wrapped his other hand around hers and squeezed it, tighter. And tighter. Black spots danced in front of Madeline’s eyes. Her ears rang. Her lungs ached with the effort of breathing.
    â€œJustin,” she panted. “Justin. Let go!”
    â€œOh, Madeline,” Justin murmured. “We’re going to be so happy together. Can’t you just feel it?”
    He raised her bloody hand and pressed it to his lips.
    Madeline screamed.
    Justin jerked his head back. Blood ran from the corners of his