Read Online Darkness Falls by Mia James - Free Book Online Page B

making perfect sense. You’ll see. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to have another of these delicious cream sodas.’
    April walked back into the main party room, wondering what Layla had been trying to say to her. ‘You’re the odd one out?’ What did that mean? She shook her head. Maybe Layla was drunk, and it was as simple as that. Maybe she’d been drunk at school too.
    ‘Hey, Beautiful,’ said Ben ambling over, stuffing some crisps in his mouth and smiling at April. ‘Do you like the new look for the old place?’
    ‘It’s great,’ said April distractedly.
    ‘You all right? Are you feeling okay? I mean, your first day out and all that.’
    ‘I’m fine,’ she said forcing a smile, aware that she needed to snap back into her role.
    ‘Well in that case, would you like to dance?’
    Ben gave a little bow and put out his hand like some Regency gentleman. April smiled and nodded. ‘Thank you, Mr Darcy,’ she said.
    As it turned out, Ben was a pretty good dancer and with Caro waving her arms around and making her laugh, Aprilsoon found she was genuinely enjoying herself. Everyone was dancing. All the sausages on sticks had gone. It seemed that everyone, even vampires, liked to let their hair down once in a while. Benjamin leant in and whispered in her ear.
    ‘See? You look so much better when you smile.’
    ‘Oh thanks,’ said April. ‘Nice to hear you think I’m usually a misery.’
    ‘I meant you haven’t been well, it’s good to see you better.’
    ‘Sorry, I’m not good at accepting compliments. Thank you.’
    ‘You’re welcome,’ he smiled. ‘I’ll see you later on, okay?’ he said, kissing her hand.
    ‘Ooh, I think someone’s sweet on you,’ said Davina as they all walked out to the terrace.
    ‘Oh no, he’s just being friendly.’ April blushed.
    ‘No. I know my brother and he doesn’t look at other girls the way he does at you.’
    ‘Really? How does he look at me?’
    ‘Like he’s a puppy who just wants to play.’
    ‘Oh.’
    ‘I think he’s a bit worried about you and Gabe, though.’
    ‘Well, I don’t think he needs to be.’
    ‘Well that’s good because I just saw him heading upstairs with Chessy,’ said Davina with a little too much relish. ‘I’m not sure there’s much future in that one.’
    April turned towards the garden, trying not to let Davina see her reaction. Gabriel was sneaking off with another girl? Just how seriously was he taking this cooling-off’ idea? April dug her fingernails into her palm, struggling to control her temper. How could he? Was he just using her to get the Dragon’s Breath? She just didn’t know what to think any more – but she couldn’t let Davina know how hurt she was. She blinked back her tears, concentrating on the line of trees and the dark slab of wall at the end of the Osbournes’ garden. Beyond that was the cemetery, the place Marcus had hunted her. Then Gabriel had come and given his life for hers, an act of pure love. Yet here he was, ignoring her and finding opportunities to go offwith other girls. It just didn’t make sense, any of it. Davina put a hand on her arm.
    ‘You okay honey?’ she said, following April’s gaze. ‘I didn’t know whether I’d done the right thing having the party here, but Caro said it was better if you faced up to it.’
    April nodded, relieved that Davina had misread her misery.
    ‘No, Caro’s right,’ she said. ‘I can’t spend the rest of my life being scared of the dark. It was horrible, but I need to move on.’
    ‘Why did he do it? Why was he so angry?’
    April looked at Davina. She was fairly sure the girl was a vampire – did Davina know Marcus was a Sucker too? She must have done, she was head of recruiting at the school and Marcus was her brother’s best friend. Even if she hadn’t known before, Marcus’s attack on April would have convinced her. April wondered how Davina felt about it. Angry, probably. Gabriel had told her again and again that vampires