Read Online Night World 1 by L.J. Smith - Free Book Online Page A

her?”
    James couldn’t come up with an answer immediately. Yesterday he could have truthfully said no, he didn’t want to move in on Poppy. Because it would have meant a death sentence for him and Poppy both. It was only when Poppy had received a death sentence of her own that he’d allowed himself to look at his feelings.
    And now…now he’d been close to Poppy. He’d touched her mind, and had found that she was even braver and more gallant than he’d thought; even more compassionate—and more vulnerable.
    He wanted to be that close to Poppy again. He cared about her in a way that made his throat ache. He belonged with Poppy.
    He also realized that that might not be enough.
    Sharing blood forged a powerful bond between two people. It would be wrong of him to take advantage of that bond—or of Poppy’s gratitude to him. Until he was sure that Poppy’s mind was clear and her decisions were her own, he should keep a little distance. It was the only honorable thing to do.
    â€œThe last thing I want to do is hurt her,” he repeated. “Why can’t you believe that?” He made a half-hearted attempt to capture Phil’s gaze as he said it. It failed, just as it had in the hospital. Phillip seemed to be one of those rare humans who couldn’t be influenced by mind control.
    â€œWhy can’t I believe it? Because I know you. You and your—girlfriends.” Phil managed to make the word sound like a curse. “You go through six or seven a year—and when you’re through with them, you dump them like trash.”
    James was distracted briefly by amusement, because Phil was dead on. He needed six girlfriends a year. After two months the bond between them became dangerously strong.
    â€œPoppy’s not my girlfriend and I’m not going to dump her,” he said, pleased at his own cleverness. He’d avoided an outright lie—Poppy wasn’t his girlfriend in any normal sense. They’d merged their souls, that was all—they hadn’t talked about dating or anything.
    â€œSo you are telling me you’re not gonna try to put the moves on her. Is that it? Because you’d better be sure. ” As he spoke, Phil did what was probably the most dangerous thing he’d ever done in his life. He grabbed James by the front of the shirt.
    You stupid human, James thought. He briefly considered breaking every bone in Phil’s hand. Or picking Phil up and throwing him across the garage into somebody’s windshield. Or…
    â€œYou’re Poppy’s brother,” he said through his teeth. “So I’m going to give you a chance to let go.”
    Phil stared into his face a moment, then let go, looking slightly shaken. But not shaken enough to keep quiet.
    â€œYou have to leave her alone,” he said. “You don’t understand. This disease she’s got—it’s serious. She doesn’t need anything messing up her life right now. She just needs…” He stopped and swallowed.
    Suddenly James felt very tired. He couldn’t blame Phil for being upset—Phil’s mind was full of crystal-clear pictures of Poppy dying. Usually James got only general images about what humans were thinking, but Phillip was broadcasting so loud it nearly deafened him.
    Half-truths and evasions hadn’t worked. It was time for Outright Lies. Anything to satisfy Phil and get James away from this.
    â€œI know that what Poppy has is serious,” he said. “I found an article about it on the Net. That’s why I was here, okay? I feel sorry for her. I’m not interested in Poppy except as a friend, but it makes her feel better if I pretend that I like her.”
    Phillip hesitated, looking at him hard and suspiciously. Then he shook his head slowly. “Being friends is one thing, but it’s wrong to mix her up. In the end, pretending isn’t going to do her any good. I don’t even