Stalking Dead (Vampire Hunter Book 2) by S.C. Reynolds Read Free Book Online Page A

either of us.”
    “Lucas,” I said.
    “Yep, and most importantly, he said you were going to have to make a decision.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “It’s like we talked about before.” Henry looked nervous. “You were brought back for something epic. Emmett doesn’t know what, exactly, but he said both sides wanted you.”
    “Both sides?”
    “Yeah, I guess like good vs. evil. Emmett didn’t really elaborate.”
    “I guess that information is worth failing Calculus for,” I said slowly.
    Henry laughed. “Yeah, I’m not too bummed out about it. I have to go to summer school on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays to make it up and start as a senior in the fall.”
    “I’m glad that’s out in the open now. I hate keeping secrets from you, Aurora.” Henry looked relieved.
    I tried to push my guilt to the back of my mind. If only Henry knew everything I’m keeping from him.
    “So I’ll tell you next time I meet with him,” Henry was saying, “if you want to come with me.”
    “Sure, that sounds like a plan.”
    “Hey, didn’t you have something you wanted to talk to me about?” Henry asked, changing the subject.
    By now I’d lost my nerve. “Um, just going to talk to you about tutoring me for school next year,” I fibbed. “But now that you’re in summer school, will you have the time?”
    “Of course. I couldn’t imagine starting next semester without you. We’ll make the time.”
    “Thanks, Henry,” I said, hoping that I sounded normal.
    “Anytime.” He punched my arm playfully. “That’s what friends are for.”

Chapter 15
    I had been looking forward to having Henry around more during the summer to help break up the long boring days, but with his summer school schedule and basketball practice I doubted I would see much of him.
    I used to love that feeling of the beginning of summer. Kayla and I would start counting down the days nearly a month in advance, fighting over who got to cross off another day on the calendar hanging in the kitchen.
    I wonder what Kayla is doing to celebrate this year?
    For as long as I could remember, we’d always had our end of the school year celebration. When we were both younger, mom would take us to the grocery store as soon as the last day of school let out. We’d head straight for the candy aisle.
    First, before making any choices, we’d carefully study each bag of candy. Once we had completed the initial ‘walk-thru’ then we’d start bargaining with mom for how much she would buy us.
    I always had a weakness for chocolate, while Kayla loved anything gummy and sour.
    “Please, Mom,” I’d beg. “This one has almonds, so it’s not as bad for me. Can’t I have two bags today?”
    “No,” she’d say sternly, although I think she was more amused than annoyed. “One bag each, then you can pick one candy bar for later.”
    After wheedling and begging to no avail, we would make our final selection and eagerly wait for Mom to check out so we could tear into the bags of candy. That first bite was always the best, the most satisfying. We were allowed a few pieces before Mom would make us hand over the bags of candy, which were then stuffed into her purse until after dinner.
    Even as we got older and stopped the last day of school candy ritual, Kayla and I would still reminisce about that time in our lives, and any taste of cand y was an instant reminder of that wonderful feeling of the beginning of summer and freedom from school for two and a half glorious months.
    I knew I didn’t have a heart, but I swear to god I felt an aching in my chest when I thought about my baby sister and everything I missed about her smiling face.
    Except that smiling face was now caked in makeup and her eyes were hard and untrusting. My death had changed her forever. And there was no guarantee that my return would make any difference. The damage was done.

Chapter 16
    Soon after I had spied on Henry’s dad at the hotel, he surprised Valerie with two tickets for a