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THE SILVER KISS

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THE SILVER KISS

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by

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ree)

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

The Silver Kiss copyright © 1990 by Annette Curtis Klause“The Summer of Love” copyright © 2001 by Annette Curtis Klause“The Christmas Cat” copyright © 2009 by Annette Curtis Klause

All rights reserved. Published in the United States by Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House,Inc., New York. The Silver Kiss was originally published in hardcover in the

United States by Delacorte Press in 1990. Published here with two short stories, “The Summer of Love” and “The Christmas Cat.”

Delacorte Press is a registered trademark and the colophon is a trademark of Random House, Inc.

“The Summer of Love” was originally published in The Color of Absence,edited by James Howe, published by Simon & Schuster, Inc.,

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request.

ISBN 978-0-375-85782-9

Printed in the United States of America

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A L S O B Y

A N N E T T E C U R T I S K L A U S E

Blood and

Chocolate

Turn the page for an excerpt from Blood & Chocolate

The morning was tentatively warm, and the smell

of early roses drifted over from a neighbor’s yard.

The day would be hot later; she was glad she’d

decided to wear shorts. Not much school left now, Vivian

thought as she walked down the tree-lined street.

What will I do in the summer? Move, she hoped. Get out

of this place.

“Hey, Viv.”

A lean, muscular figure peeled out from behind a

stone gatepost, and her eyes widened briefly. “Rafe,”

she said in casual greeting, and kept on walking. If

she hadn’t been daydreaming she would have sniffed

him out.

Rafe fell in beside her. She noticed that he was now

cultivating a goatee and mustache. He ran a hand

through his thick, long brown hair and shifted his grip

on a package wrapped in newspaper he carried under

one arm. “Going to school?”

“Some of us do.”

The Five were more likely to be found hanging

”iVVi“H

of this place.

What will I do inthought as sh

decided to wea

The day wou

of early roses

The morning

Move, she hn the summer?ehe walked down the tr

Not much school ts. ar shor

uld be hot later; she w

om a nedrifted over fr

m, g was tentatively war

hoped. Get out

ee-lined street.

ivianVVi,left noww,was glad she’d

s yard.eighbor’

and the smell

th h hi thi

cultivating a g

Rafe fell in b

him out.

t beeshe hadn’

she said in cas

stone gatepost,

A lean, mus

.”vi, VVi“Heyy,

i k l b h i d

goatee and mustache. H

. She noticed thbeside her

n daydreaming she woul

sual greeting, and kept o

, and her eyes widened b

scular figure peeled out f

hift d hi i

He ran a hand

hat he was now

ld have sniffed

on walking. If

. “Rafe,”briefly

from behind a

The Five w

“Some of us

one arm. “Goin

on a package w

through his thi

were more likely to be f

do.”

ng to school?”

wrapped in newspaper he

ick, long brown hair and s

found hanging

e carried under

shifted his grip

1

out by the diner around the corner from school, or

down by the river.

“Yaaaaahhhhhh!”

“Whoooooooooooooooo!”

Two boys dropped from a roadside tree in a jingling

of chains, hair flying. This time she did start slightly,

and cursed herself. She should have known the others

were near. The twins, Willem and Finn, looked pleased

with themselves. Round-faced Willem slipped an arm

around her waist and gave her a friendly squeeze.

“Didn’t scare you, did we?” he asked, obviously

hoping he had.

“You are such a puppy,” Vivian said, removing his

arm. He’d been her favorite of the twins as they were

growing up. He was sweeter and more predictable

than his brother, but his affectionate gestures had lost

a great deal of their innocence in the last year or so.

Finn, the gaunter twin, smiled sardonically.

She was expecting the others now, so it came as no

surprise when Gregory, the twins’ lanky, fair-haired

cousin, stepped silently out from behind another tree

and folded in with them, and Ulf hopped over a white

picket fence to dance his jittery way backward up

the sidewalk, laughing wildly, until Rafe cuffed him to

the rear.

They wore their usual uniform of boots, black jeans,

T-shirts, and assorted tattoos. Rafe had his sleeves

rolled up to show off his biceps. My bodyguards, Vivian

thought.

“Saw your mother go into Tooley’s bar with Gabriel

down by the riv

out by the din

.ver

er around the corner froom school, or

around her wa

with themselves

. The were near

and cursed hers

of chains, hair

wo boys droTTw

“Whooooooo

aaaaahhhh“YYa

aist and gave her a frie

illem ss. Round-faced WWi

illem and Finn, ltwins, WWi

self. She should have kno

flying. This time she did

opped from a roadside tre

oooooooooo!”

hhh!”

endly squeeze.

lipped an arm

looked pleased

own the others

,d start slightlyy,

ee in a jingling

Sh

Finn, the gau

a great deal of t

than his brothe

growing up. H

arm. He’d been

ou are suc“YYo

hoping he had.

t scare “Didn’

i h h

unter twin, smiled sardoni

their innocence in the last

, but his affectionate gesrr,

He was sweeter and mor

n her favorite of the twins

ivian said,,” VVich a puppyy,

you, did we?” he ask

i

.ically

year or so.

stures had lost

re predictable

s as they were

removing his

ed, obviously

hi t dTT

They wore th

.the rear

the sidewalk, la

picket fence to

and folded in w

cousin, stepped

surprise when

She was expe

t d t tt R f h

heir usual uniform of boot

, until Rafeaughing wildlyy,

o dance his jittery way

with them, and Ulf hopped

d silently out from behind

, the twins’ lankGregoryy,

, soecting the others noww,

d hi l

ts, black jeans,

e cuffed him to

backward up

d over a white

d another tree

-haired, fairkyy,

o it came as no

“Saw your m

thought.

rolled up to sho

-shirts, and aTT-

s barooley’mother go into TTo

My bodyow off his biceps.

assorted tattoos. Rafe ha

r with Gabriel

ivianVViyguards,ad his sleeves

2

last night,” Finn said. “She was all over him.” His lips

sketched a spiteful thin leer, and his eyes narrowed

expectantly.

Vivian bristled, but she wasn’t going to say anything.

“Yeah, Astrid wasn’t far behind,” said Rafe. “And

she looked pissed.” He laughed.

“Hey, leave my mom out of it,” Ulf piped up.

So that’s who they were fighting over, Vivian thought.

Gabriel. That was disgusting. He was only twenty-four.

And full of himself, from what she could tell.

Rafe took the parcel he carried out from beneath his

arm, and Vivian heard Ulf giggle. Rafe pulled at the

knotted string to loosen it. His eyes were more red

than brown when he glanced up at her, a wicked grin

playing about his lips, and Vivian knew he was up to

mischief.

“Vivian, I’d like to give you my heart,” Rafe said,

suddenly serious, then immediately grinning again.

“But since that might be inconvenient, I’ve brought

you someone else’s.”

The newspaper unrolled, and he slapped a brown

slimy gob down on the sidewalk.

“Rafe!” She looked around wildly, hoping no neigh-

bors were in sight. “What the hell are you up to?”

The Five were helpless with laughter.

Vivian grabbed the newspaper from Rafe’s hand and

scooped up the mess.

“Give you my heart . . . ,” he gasped, and bent over

laughing again.

Where could she put this? Where was the body?

sketched a spi

last night,” Fin

, and his eiteful thin leerr,

nn said. “She was all over

eyes narrowed

r him.” His lips

And full of him

That wGabriel.s whoSo that’’s

, leave m“Heyy,

she looked piss

eah, Astri“YYe

ivian bristleVVi

.expectantly

mself, from what she could

was disgusting. He was on

V,o they were fighting overr,my mom out of it,” Ulf pip

sed.” He laughed.

t far behind,” said wasn’

t going toed, but she wasn’

d tell.

.ly twenty-four

ivian thought.VVi

ped up.

aid Rafe. “And

o say anything.

“B i h

suddenly serio

ivian, I’d “VVi

mischief.

playing about h

than brown wh

knotted string

iviaarm, and VVi

Rafe took th

i h b i i

ous, then immediately g

like to give you my hea

ivian knewhis lips, and VVi

,hen he glanced up at herr,

to loosen it. His eyes w

an heard Ulf giggle. Rafe

he parcel he carried out fro

I’ b h

grinning again.

art,” Rafe said,

w he was up to

a wicked grin

were more red

e pulled at the

om beneath his

d th

ivian grabbVVi

The Five we

bors were in sig

“Rafe!” She

slimy gob down

The newspa

you someone el

“But since tha

bed the newspaper from R

.ere helpless with laughter

ght. “What the hell are yo

, holooked around wildlyy,

n on the sidewalk.

aper unrolled, and he sla

s.”lse’

at might be inconvenient

s hand andRafe’

ou up to?”

oping no neigh-

apped a brown

t, I’ve brought

Where could

laughing again

“Give you m

scooped up the

d she put this? Where w

.

,” he gasped, ...my heart

e mess.

was the body?

and bent over

3

She started to rewrap the disgusting trophy. Then,

“Rafe, you jerk,” she cried. “This is a sheep’s heart.”

More howls of laughter exploded from the Five.

She didn’t know whether to be angry or relieved.

“You were over at Uncle Rudy’s store, weren’t you?”

Rudy was a meat cutter at Safeway. When no one

answered her, she growled and flung the whole

package in Rafe’s face. That set the others off even

worse. Ulf had tears in his eyes.

She turned and left them, but they followed at a dis-

tance anyway, and she heard their bursts of laughter

all the way to school.

Mom thinks the Five have learned their lesson, Vivian

thought. “Hah!” she said out loud.

When Axel had come home from jail, her father had

passed judgment swiftly. The punishment for endan-

gering the pack was death.

Vivian couldn’t save Axel, but she pleaded with her

father for the Five. They were just kids like her. They

had only killed to prove the witness wrong and protect

the secret of the pack. They wouldn’t do it again. So

Ivan Gandillon made them beg forgiveness of the

Moon and run the Trial of the Fang down a narrow

path lined with the pack in their fur, and all could take

their bites. Some said that he let the Five off too

lightly, although they licked their wounds for weeks.

Maybe those people were right. Vivian hadn’t quite

trusted the Five ever since.

It wasn’t until almost lunchtime that Vivian remem-

bered that she wanted to track down Aiden Teague.

“Rafe, you jerk,

She started to

,” she cried. “This is a she

rewrap the disgusting t

s heart.”eep’

. Then,trophy

She turned an

worse. Ulf had

package in Raf

, answered herr,

Rudy was a m

ou were over“YYo

t knShe didn’

More howls o

nd left them, but they foll

tears in his eyes.

s face. That set the otfe’

she growled and flun

. Wmeat cutter at Safeway

s store, r at Uncle Rudy’

now whether to be angr

of laughter exploded from

lowed at a dis-

thers off even

ng the whole

When no one

t you?”weren’

ry or relieved.

m the Five.

f h f h F

ivian couldnVVi

gering the pack

passed judgmen

When Axel h

thought. “Hah!

Mom thinks tall the way to sc

, tance anywayy,

Fi Th j kid

t save Axel, but she plen’

k was death.

. The punishment swiftly

had come home from jail, h

” she said out loud.

the Five have learned their chool.

and she heard their burs

Thlik h

eaded with her

ent for endan-

her father had

ivianVVilesson,

sts of laughter

M b th

, althoughlightlyy,

their bites. Som

path lined with

Moon and run

Ivan Gandillon

the secret of th

had only killed

father for the F

i il i ht VVi

h they licked their woun

me said that he let the

, andthe pack in their furr,

rial of the Fang dothe TTr

n made them beg forgiv

t dhe pack. They wouldn’

to prove the witness wron

Five. They were just kids

t ith d ’

nds for weeks.

Five off too

d all could take

own a narrow

veness of the

do it again. So

ng and protect

. Theylike her

bered that she

t untiIt wasn’

trusted the Five

Maybe those p

wanted to track down A

il almost lunchtime that V

e ever since.

ivianpeople were right. VVi

eague.Aiden TTe

ivian remem-VVi

t quiten hadn’

4

Yeah, why don’t I have a look at this poet, she told her-

self. See if I like him writing about things he shouldn’t knowabout. That was better than sitting around being mis-

erable. Where should she look? She decided to ask her

art teacher. He was one of the advisers to The Trumpet.“Oh, yeah. He’s a junior,” Mr. Antony said, shaking

some brushes out over the art-room sink.

“How would I find him?” Vivian asked.

“Well, if you hang around for another half an hour

until second lunch, all you’ll have to do is look out that

window. He hangs out with his friends in the quad-

rangle, under those arches over there.” He pointed

with the brushes to a section of the covered walkway

that ran around the perimeter of the square courtyard.

“What does he look like?”

“Oh, I dunno. He’s tall, bohemian.”

Whatever that means, she thought.

Mr. Antony must have noticed her blank look. “You

know, a throwback to the sixties, jeans and beads, an

MTV hippie.”

The way he said that made her suspect that he

thought he’d been the real thing at one time.

“Oh, I know,” the teacher added. “He was wearing

this flowery shirt this morning—lots of yellow and

blue. It made me smile. Listen, I’ve got to grab a sand-

wich. Close the door when you leave.”

“Sure.”

Luckily she’d brought her lunch with her. She

relaxed on the warm windowsill and chewed on a

piece of steak while she waited. Groups of kids were

See if I likeself.

eah, why don’t YYee him writing about things he

I have a look at this poet,e shouldn’t know

-she told her

until second lun

ell, if you“WWe

“How would

some brushes o

“Oh, yeah. H

. Heart teacher

erable. Where

That waabout.

nch, all you’ll have to do i

u hang around for anothe

ivian asked I find him?” VVi

out over the art-room sink

. Antony,” Mrs a juniorr,He’

e was one of the advisers t

should she look? She dec

as better than sitting arou

is look out that

er half an hour

ed.

k.

y said, shaking

.rumpetThe TTrto

cided to ask her

und being mis-

hk

. Antony Mr

Whatever that“Oh, I dunno

“What does h

that ran around

with the brush

rangle, under

. He hwindow

b k h i i j

must have noticed her bla

she thought.t means,s tall, bohemian.”o. He’

he look like?”

d the perimeter of the squ

hes to a section of the cov

those arches over there

angs out with his friend

d b d

ouank look. “YYo

uare courtyard.

vered walkway

e.” He pointed

ds in the quad-

“S ”

wich. Close the

blue. It made m

this flowery sh

“Oh, I know

thought he’d be

The way he

MTV hippie.”

, a throwknow

e door when you leave.”

me smile. Listen, I’ve got t

hirt this morning—lots

,” the teacher added. “Hw

een the real thing at one t

e said that made her su

wback to the sixties, jeans

to grab a sand-

of yellow and

He was wearing

time.

uspect that he

and beads, an

piece of steak

relaxed on the

Luckily she

“Sure.”

while she waited. Group

e warm windowsill and

e’d brought her lunch w

ps of kids were

chewed on a

. Shewith her

5

scattered across the quad, eating, talking, and sun-

bathing. Some of the boys had their shirts off, their

flesh golden and slick as if they’d swallowed the sun.

They were sweet to look upon. Her eyes lingered on

them tenderly as she bit into her meat.

At the next bell, the shift changed. Kids reluctantly

scooped up T-shirts, soda cans, and books, and hurried

to class, while others hardly distinguishable from them

took their places.

I’ll be late to French, Vivian thought. It didn’t matter,

the teacher loved her. She had a perfect accent. Vivian

sat upright, and her hands kneaded her empty lunch

bag. She kept her eye on the arches.

Two young men walked into view. One had dark,

shoulder-length hair and wore a flowered shirt. That

must be him. Another boy joined them, then a girl.

They stood laughing under the canopy, the shadows

hiding their faces.

So that’s you, Poet Boy, Vivian thought, but she

couldn’t see him clearly. She wanted a closer look.

Why am I bothering? she asked herself as she went

through the side door. Because I’m a pirate of the night andI want to see who’s trespassing in my territory, she

answered. But maybe he was one of her kind from

some other pack. Or maybe he just knows too much, she

thought. She laughed aloud at her melodramatic

thoughts as she crossed the grass, and a spotty tenth-

grader eyed her curiously. The sun was hot, so she

peeled off her shirt to reveal the tank top underneath.

Shall I only have a look, or will I say something? she

wondered. “Ooooh I loved your poem.” Instantly she felt

bathing. Some

scattered acros

of the boys had their sh

ss the quad, eating, talk

hirts off, their

king, and sun-

I’ll be late to Ftook their place

to class, while o

-shscooped up T

At the next b

them tenderly a

They were swe

flesh golden an

ivian thought. It VViFrench,es.

others hardly distinguisha

hirts, soda cans, and book

bell, the shift changed. Ki

as she bit into her meat.

eet to look upon. Her eye

nd slick as if they’d swallo

,t matterr,didn’

able from them

ks, and hurried

ids reluctantly

es lingered on

owed the sun.

S h ’hiding their face

They stood lau

must be him. A

-lengthshoulder

wo young mTTw

bag. She kept h

sat upright, and

the teacher love

i i hVViP Bes.

ughing under the canopyy,

Another boy joined them

h hair and wore a flower

. Omen walked into view

her eye on the arches.

d her hands kneaded her

. She had a perfect ed her

h b h

, the shadowsyy,

m, then a girl.

red shirt. That

One had dark,

r empty lunch

ivianaccent. VVi

th ht h

thought. She

some other pac

answered. But

I want to see through the side

Why am I bott see himcouldn’

s youSo that’’s

d th d

laughed aloud at her

Or maybe he just knowsck.

maybe he was one of h

s trespassing in my who’’sBecause I’m a pirate.e door

she asked herselthering?. She wanted a clm clearly

ivian thouVVi,u, Poet Boyy,

tt t th

melodramatic

shes too much,her kind from

she,territoryy, of the night andlf as she went

oser look.

ught, but she

“Ooowondered.

Shall I only hpeeled off her sh

grader eyed he

thoughts as she

Insooh I loved your poem.” have a look, or will I say shirt to reveal the tank top

. The sun waer curiously

e crossed the grass, and a

tantly she felt

shesomething?p underneath.

as hot, so she

a spotty tenth-

6

like playing wicked games. She put a sway in her walk.

Maybe I’ll make him look.The boy to Aiden’s left noticed her first. He was a

burly blond with a good-natured face and eyes that

glazed over slightly at her approach. Vivian couldn’t

resist, she winked, and his cheeks turned pink. It was

so easy. The other kid, wearing some kind of funny

lopsided haircut, kept on yakking away, but the girl

looked over and wrinkled her nose. She was small,

with close-cropped dark hair—the sort of girl that

wore black stockings even on days like these. I’ll put afew more runs in those tights, honey, if you look at me like thatagain, Vivian promised silently.

Then Aiden Teague turned around to see what had

captured his friends’ attention. The crystal stud in his

left ear reflected the sun in a burst of rainbow, and his

slow easy smile sent a shock through her.

She was staring, she knew, but his face was deli-

cious. His eyes were amused and dreamy, as if

observing life from the outside and finding it vaguely

funny. He seemed languid, not intense like the Five—

those jangly, nervy, twitching, squirming, fighting,

snapping, sharp-edged creatures who demanded so

much from her. She noticed his tall dancer’s frame and

his long-fingered hands, and the thought crossed her

mind that she would enjoy him touching her.

“Do I know you?” he asked. He waited expectantly,

a bemused look on his face.

Maybe I’ll makelike playing wic

look.him

cked games. She put a swway in her walk.

with close-crop

looked over an

lopsided haircu

. The oso easy

resist, she wink

glazed over sli

burly blond w

The boy to A

pped dark hair—the so

nd wrinkled her nose. S

ut, kept on yakking awa

other kid, wearing some

ked, and his cheeks turne

ightly at her approach. V

with a good-natured face

s left noticed her fiAiden’

rt of girl that

She was small,

, but the girlayy,

kind of funny

ed pink. It was

tivian couldn’VVi

and eyes that

first. He was a

i Hi

She was sta

slow easy smile

left ear reflecte

captured his fr

Then Aiden

ivian prVViagain,few more runs in wore black sto

d d

, but his aring, she knew

e sent a shock through her

ed the sun in a burst of ra

riends’ attention. The cry

eague turned around toT

.romised silently

, if you loothose tights, honeyy,ckings even on days like

ifd

face was deli-

.r

, and hisainbow

stal stud in his

o see what had

ok at me like thatI’ll put athese.

“D I k

mind that she w

his long-finger

much from her

snapping, shar

, those janglyy,

. He seemfunny

observing life f

cious. His ey

?” h k d H it

would enjoy him touching

ed hands, and the thoug

. She noticed his tall dancr

rp-edged creatures who

, twitching, squirmnervyy,

med languid, not intense l

from the outside and find

yes were amused and

d t tl

.g her

ght crossed her

s frame andcer’

demanded so

ming, fighting,

like the Five—

ding it vaguely

, as ifdreamyy,

a bemused look

“Do I know

k on his face.

you?” he asked. He waite ,ed expectantlyy,

7

Vivian said the first thing that came into her head.

“Um. I liked your poem in The Trumpet.” I don’t believethat stupid sentence came out of my mouth, she thought.

“Hey, thanks,” Aiden said. He still looked puzzled.

He’s not a werewolf, she thought in dismay. How can Ireact this way when he’s not one of us? His smell of sweet

perspiration and soap was purely human. Get a grip,girl, Vivian told herself. She didn’t like this off-balance

feeling. She put a hand on her hip and dared his dark

eyes to try and drown her now. “Your poem was facing

a print of mine. I was glad I wasn’t next to some trash.”

The blond kid brayed with laughter.

“Shut up, Quince,” Aiden said, but he grinned.

“That was like some forest scene, wasn’t it?” the kid

with the funny haircut said. “Spooky, man.”

The dark-haired girl put a hand on Aiden’s arm.

“Bingo’s waiting for us.”

“Hold on, Kelly.” Aiden gently disengaged his arm,

and the girl frowned sulkily. “Cool picture,” he said to

Vivian. “It’s like you read my mind.”

i i ldVVii lperspiration an

react this way whs not a wereHe’’s

, thanks“Heyy,

that stupid senten“Um. I liked yo

ivian said tVVi

lik hh lf Sh did ’

nd soap was purely hum

His ss not one of us?hen he’’sshe thought in dismrewolf,

s,” Aiden said. He still look

shnce came out of my mouth,.rumpetThe TTrour poem in

he first thing that came i

hi ff b l

Get a grip,an.

smell of sweet

How can I. may

ked puzzled.

he thought.

I don’t believe”

into her head.

Th d k h

with the funny h

“That was lik

“Shut up, Qu

The blond kid

a print of mine.

eyes to try and d

feeling. She put

ivian toldVVigirl,

i d i l t h d

, mahaircut said. “Spookyy,

ke some forest scene, wasn

uince,” Aiden said, but he

.d brayed with laughter

t next tI was glad I wasn’

our po. “YYodrown her now

t a hand on her hip and d

t like th herself. She didn’

Aid ’

an.”

t it?” the kidn’

grinned.

to some trash.”

oem was facing

dared his dark

his off-balance

s likeivian. “It’VVi

and the girl frow

“Hold on, Ke

s waiting“Bingo’

The dark-ha

e you read my mind.”

. “Cool pictuwned sulkily

.” Aiden gently disengelly

g for us.”

aired girl put a hand on

ure,” he said to

gaged his arm,

s arm. Aiden’

8

“That’s what I thought about your poem,” Vivian

answered. Her response to him was disturbing but she

wanted to explore it. She took his hand and turned it

up, then ran her nails down the length of his fingers.

He didn’t resist.

“What are you going to do, tell my fortune?” Aiden

asked.

“Yes,” she answered. She slid a felt pen from her

purse. Then, while he watched mesmerized, she wrote

her phone number in his palm. On a whim she out-

lined it with a five-pointed star.

“What’s that?” Quince said. “You Jewish or

something?”

“Nah,” said Aiden softly. “That’s a pentagram.”

“So she’s a witch,” Kelly snapped.

No, my dear, Vivian thought. You don’t watch enoughlate-night movies. The person who sees a pentagram in hispalm becomes a werewolf’s victim.

“Are you a witch?” Aiden asked, his eyes twinkling.

Her voice was husky. “Why don’t you find out?”

She folded his hand around the sign that made him

hers. Inside, her heart was thumping crazily in

response to her charade, but she refused to lose her

nerve.

As she walked away she heard Kelly raise her voice,

but she didn’t bother listening. Was that his girlfriend

then? He could do better. Much better.

All afternoon her thoughts returned to him like a

song she couldn’t get out of her head. After a while it

became annoying. What am I, a pervert? she asked her-

self. He was human, for Moon’s sake—half a person.

answered. Her

s what“That’

r response to him was dist

t I thought about your

turbing but she

ivianpoem,” VVi

her phone num

purse. Then, w

es,” she a“YYe

asked.

“What are y

t resistHe didn’

up, then ran h

wanted to expl

mber in his palm. On a w

while he watched mesmeri

answered. She slid a felt

ou going to do, tell my fo

t.

er nails down the length

lore it. She took his hand

whim she out-

ized, she wrote

pen from her

ortune?” Aiden

of his fingers.

d and turned it

“A

palm becomes a wlate-night movies

No, my dearr,s a w“So she’

“Nah,” said A

something?”

s tha“What’

lined it with a fi

i h?” Aid k d hi

s victim.’’werewolfs. The person who sees a pe

ou donYYoivian thought.VVi

witch,” Kelly snapped.

s a pen. “That’Aiden softly

oat?” Quince said. “YYo

.five-pointed star

i kli

entagram in hisn’t watch enough

ntagram.”

ou Jewish or

th ? H ld

t bbut she didn’

As she walke

nerve.

response to he

hers. Inside,

She folded his

Her voice w

“Are you a w

M h b ttd d b tt

as thabother listening. WWa

ed away she heard Kelly r

er charade, but she refus

her heart was thumpi

s hand around the sign t

t y. “Why don’was husky

witch?” Aiden asked, his e

at his girlfriend

raise her voice,

sed to lose her

ing crazily in

that made him

you find out?”

eyes twinkling.

self. He was hu

became annoyi

song she could

All afternoon

then? He could

s sake—human, for Moon’

What am I, a pervert?ing.

t get out of her head. Adn’

n her thoughts returned

.. Much betterd do better

half a person.

she asked her-

After a while it

to him like a

9

It’s only a game, she told herself, to see if I can snarehim. But she wanted to know what was in a human

head to make him write that poem, and she wanted to

know why he’d stolen the breath from her lips.

As she reached home the front door opened.

Gabriel, the inspiration for her mother’s latest fight,

was leaving. He filled the door frame, blocking her

way. His T-shirt clung to his wide chest.

“Hi, Viv,” he said. “Lookin’ good.” His voice rumbled

like lazy thunder.

The teasing in his blue eyes made her want to spit.

“Save that for Esmé.”

Gabriel rubbed his chin and grinned. She noticed

the puckered white scar tissue on the back of his right

hand. The tip of another scar showed at his throat.

“We don’t see you down at Tooley’s,” he said, ignoring

her anger.

She glared up at him. “I’m too young to drink.”

He looked her over, taking his time. Before she

could help it she tugged at the hemline of her shorts.

Her shirt felt too tight. She was aware of a droplet of

sweat that tickled its way down between her breasts.

“Could have fooled me,” he finally said.

She stared him in the eye, challenging him; she was

out of her depth, but defiant anyway, willing her lip

not to tremble. There was silence for a moment and

she couldn’t read his strong, chiseled face. He reached

for her. She jerked back. Then he laughed like a giant

and moved aside. She slid past him into the house,

angry that she’d flinched, but showing him that she

dared go by. She closed the door on his arrogant face.

But she whim.s only a gamIt’’s

wanted to know what wa

to seeshe told herself,me,as in a human

e if I can snare

like lazy thunde

,” he ivv,“Hi, VVi

-shir. His TT-way

was leaving. H

Gabriel, the in

As she reac

know why he’d

head to make h

.er

said. “Lookin’ good.” His

rt clung to his wide chest.

He filled the door frame,

spiration for her mother

ched home the front

stolen the breath from he

him write that poem, and

umbledvoice r

blocking her

s latest fight,r’

door opened.

er lips.

she wanted to

H l k d h

She glared up

.her anger

t see ye don’“WWe

hand. The tip

the puckered w

Gabriel rubb

“Save that for E

The teasing i

ki hi ih

p at him. “I’m too young t

s,” he ooley’you down at TTo

of another scar showed

white scar tissue on the ba

bed his chin and grinned

Esmé.”

in his blue eyes made her

B f h

to drink.”

said, ignoring

at his throat.

ack of his right

d. She noticed

r want to spit.

h ld ’

not to tremble.

out of her dept

She stared hi

“Could have foo

sweat that tickl

Her shirt felt to

could help it sh

He looked h

d hi t hi l d f

There was silence for a

, wth, but defiant anywayy,

im in the eye, challenging

oled me,” he finally said.

led its way down betwee

oo tight. She was aware o

he tugged at the hemline

, taking his timher overr,

H h d

a moment and

willing her lip

g him; she was

en her breasts.

of a droplet of

of her shorts.

e. Before she

. Shdared go by

angry that she’

and moved asid

. She jerkfor her

t reashe couldn’

he closed the door on his a

’d flinched, but showing

de. She slid past him in

ked back. Then he laugh

ad his strong, chiseled fac

arrogant face.

g him that she

nto the house,

ed like a giant

ce. He reached

10

“Mom!” she yelled shrilly.

Esmé poked her head out from the dining room.

“How long’s he been here?” Vivian demanded.

“Only a few minutes,” Esmé answered. She looked

smug. “He dropped by to invite me for a late-night

drink.”

“Dammit, Mom. He’s twenty-four.”

“So?”

“You’re almost forty.”

“Well, rub it in.” But nothing was wiping the smile

off Esmé’s face.

“Don’t you think it’s a little bit disgusting?”

Esmé flung her hands in the air. “Well, for goodness’

sake, I’m not serious about him.”

“Oh great. Now he’s your boy toy.”

Esmé smirked. “Some boy.” She danced up the

stairs, her rear end wagging like a tail. Vivian followed

Esmé up and slammed the door of her room.

Rudy had gone to Tooley’s bar after work, so there

were just Vivian and Esmé at the dinner table. Vivian

was still brooding about Gabriel’s visit. She thought of

her father and the aching emptiness that still gnawed

at her. Her parents had seemed so happy together.

She’d thought her mother shared that ache, but now

Esmé was acting like a stupid fourteen-year-old.

“Didn’t you love Dad?” she finally said.

Esmé looked startled at this question out of the blue.

“Yes, I loved him.”

“Then why are you out running around?”

“A year’s a long time, Vivian. I’m tired of crying. I’m

lonely. Sometimes I want a man in my bed.”

Esmé poked

“Mom!” she

her head out from the din

.yelled shrilly

ning room.

ell, rub it“WWe

ou’re almo“YYo

“So?”

“Dammit, M

drink.”

smug. “He dro

“Only a few

s “How long’

t in.” But nothing was wi

.”ost forty

.”s twenty-fourMom. He’

opped by to invite me fo

w minutes,” Esmé answere

ivian dehe been here?” VVi

iping the smile

or a late-night

ed. She looked

emanded.

R d h d

Esmé up and sl

stairs, her rear

Esmé smirk

“Oh great. N

sake, I’m not se

Esmé flung h

t you t“Don’

s faceoff Esmé’

b fl ’TT

lammed the door of her ro

end wagging like a tail. V

.” She dked. “Some boy

.”s your boy toyNow he’

erious about him.”

ell. “WWeher hands in the air

s a little bit disgustthink it’

e.

k h

oom.

ivian followedVVi

danced up the

l, for goodness’

ting?”

E é l k d

t you “Didn’

Esmé was actin

She’d thought

. Her paat her

her father and

was still broodi

iviawere just VVi

Rudy had go

d t tl d t thi ti

love Dad?” she finally sai

ng like a stupid fourteen-y

her mother shared that

arents had seemed so ha

the aching emptiness tha

s visit. ing about Gabriel’

an and Esmé at the dinne

s bar after ooley’one to TTo

t f th bl

id.

-old.year

ache, but now

.appy together

at still gnawed

She thought of

ivianer table. VVi

work, so there

. Sometimlonely

s a lo“A year’

“Then why a

es, I loved hi“YYe

Esmé looked

mes I want a man in my b

ivian. I’m tiredong time, VVi

are you out running aroun

im.”

d startled at this question o

ed.”

d of crying. I’m

nd?”

out of the blue.

11

Vivian grabbed her plate abruptly and headed for

the kitchen. Couldn’t her mother talk to her as if she

was a daughter? She scraped her leftovers into the

trash with a squeal of knife against porcelain.

“Watch those dishes!” her mother yelled.

That’s more like it, Vivian thought.

An hour later Vivian was on her bed doing some

halfhearted studying for Chemistry, when the phone

rang. She picked up the phone on the second-floor

hallway, expecting to hear one of the pack, but it was

Aiden.

“There’s a free concert at the university this

weekend,” he said. “Sunday afternoon. You wanna go

. . . maybe?”

Her eyes half closed and she licked her lips.

“Maybe. Who’s playing?”

He mentioned a band she’d never heard of in rev-

erent tones that suggested it was well known and one

of his favorites. He was sharing a special treat with

her. “I’ll have to see if my family has anything

planned,” she told him. “I’ll let you know tomorrow.”

No sense in letting him think her too eager. “No. Don’t

worry. I’ll find you.”

Vivian hung up and stretched her arms to the ceiling

contentedly, arching her back. Should she go, or was

having him rise to the bait good enough?

But a shadow slid across her pleasant mood. If they

went on a date he would want to kiss her. Would he be

safe if he came close enough to fill her nostrils with his

scent?

Esmé walked out of her bedroom. She was wearing

the kitchen. Co

ivian grabbVVi

t her mother talk toouldn’

bed her plate abruptly an

o her as if she

nd headed for

, expecthallwayy,

rang. She pick

halfhearted stu

An hour late

s more likThat’’satch those“WWa

trash with a squ

was a daughter

ting to hear one of the pa

ked up the phone on the

, whdying for Chemistryy,

ivian was on her beer VVi

ivian thought.VVike it,e dishes!” her mother yell

ueal of knife against porce

r? She scraped her lefto

ack, but it was

e second-floor

hen the phone

d doing some

ed.

elain.

overs into the

f hi f i

erent tones that

He mentione

s“Maybe. Who’

Her eyes h

. maybe?”..

weekend,” he sa

s a “There’

Aiden.

H h i

t suggested it was well kn

ed a band she’d never he

s playing?”

alf closed and she lick

aid. “Sunday afternoon. Y

free concert at the u

i l i h

nown and one

eard of in rev-

ked her lips.

ou wanna goYYo

niversity this

B t h d

having him rise

, arccontentedlyy,

ivian hung uVVi

. I’ll find yworry

No sense in lett

planned,” she t

. “I’ll haveher

of his favorites

lid h l t

to the bait good enough?

ching her back. Should s

up and stretched her arms

you.”

ting him think her too eag

old him. “I’ll let you kno

to see if my family

s. He was sharing a spec

d If th

?

she go, or was

s to the ceiling

t. “No. Don’ger

.”ow tomorrow

has anything

cial treat with

Esmé walked

scent?

safe if he came

went on a date h

But a shadow

d out of her bedroom. She

close enough to fill her no

he would want to kiss her

w slid across her pleasant

e was wearing

ostrils with his

ould he be. WWor

mood. If they

12

the tight black dress she used for waitressing. “Whowas that?” she asked casually as she put in an earring.

“A boy from school.”Esmé paused. “Oh?”“He asked me to a concert.”“One of them asked you out?” Her mother’s expres-

sion combined repulsion and surprise. “I won’t allow it.”Vivian bristled. “You can’t tell me who to date.”Esmé put her hands on her hips. “ ‘Don’t date if you

can’t mate,’ the saying goes.” Human and wolf-kindwere biologically incapable of breeding.

“I’m going to a concert, not having his baby,” Viviansnapped. “And don’t tell me wolf-kind only start rela-tionships when they want children. I know better.”

“You’ve got a smart mouth, girl,” Esmé called as shewalked off.

Now Vivian was sure she was going.He had phoned, and she wasn’t an outsider any-

more—untouchable and strange, perhaps invisible.But why should she care so much? He was a humanafter all: a meat-boy scantily furred, an incompletecreature who had only one form.

How sad, she thought, and suddenly she craved thechange.

Like all her people, at the full moon she had tochange whether she wanted to or not, the urge was toostrong to refuse. Other times she could change at will,either partway or fully. Right now the moon swelledlike a seven-month belly, and she wanted to changebecause it was possible. She wanted to run for the joyof it.

was that?” she the tight black

asked casually as she putk dress she used for wait

t in an earring.tressing. “Who

t mate,’ thcan’Esmé put he

ivian bristlVVision combined r

them“One of “He asked mEsmé paused“A boy from

he saying goes.” Human ‘Doer hands on her hips. “

t tell me whoou can’ed. “YYorepulsion and surprise. “I

asked you out?” Her mmme to a concert.”d. “Oh?” school.”

and wolf-kindt date if youon’

o to date.”t allow it.”won’s expres-’mother

hHe had pho

ivian Now VViwalked off.

ou’ve got a“YYotionships whensnapped. “And

“I’m going towere biological

h bl d ht anoned, and she wasn’

was sure she was going.

a smart mouth, girl,” Esmn they want children. I kn

t tell me wolf-kind od don’o a concert, not having hislly incapable of breeding.

h i i ibl outsider any-

mé called as she.”ow better

only start rela-ivian,” VVis babyy,

t t fchange whethe

Like all herchange.

sheHow sad,creature who hafter all: a meBut why shoulmore—untouch

Oth ti h lder she wanted to or not, thr people, at the full moo

e thought, and suddenly shad only one form.eat-boy scantily furred, ld she care so much? Hehable and strange, perh

h t illhe urge was tooon she had to

she craved the

an incompletea humanwase

haps invisible.

of it.because it was like a seven-meither partwaystrong to refus

possible. She wanted to , and she wanmonth bellyy,

. Right now the y or fullye. Other times she could

run for the joynted to change

moon swelledchange at will,

13

She stalked through the backyard dusk, across the

bat-grazed clearing in the narrow ribbon of woods out

back, over the stream, up the embankment, and down

into the wide grassy valley that held the river.

The grass was already high. Here and there might

be nests made by kids making out or getting high, but

she sniffed the air and smelled no human flesh.

Down by the river was a giant tumble of rocks that

screened the riverbank. Behind the rocks, amid the

shoulder-high weeds, she slowly slid off her clothes.

Already her skin prickled with the sprouting pelt. A

trickle of breeze curled around her buttocks, and her

nipples tightened in the cool air off the river. She

laughed and threw her panties down.

Her laugh turned to a moan at the first ripple in her

bones. She tensed her thighs and abdomen to will the

change on, and clutched the night air like a lover as

her fingers lengthened and her nails sprouted. Her

blood churned with heat like desire. The night, she

thought, the sweet night. The exciting smells of rabbit,

damp earth, and urine drenched the air.

The flesh of her arms bubbled and her legs buckled

to a new shape. She doubled over as the muscles of her

abdomen went into a brief spasm, then grimaced as her

teeth sharpened and her jaw extended. She felt the

momentary pain of the spine’s crunch and then the

sweet release.

She was a creature much larger and stronger than

any natural wolf. Her toes and legs were too long, her

ears too big, and her eyes held fire. Wolf was only a con-

venient term they had adopted. Those who preferred

bat-grazed clear

She stalked t

ring in the narrow ribbon

through the backyard du

n of woods out

usk, across the

-high wshoulder

screened the ri

Down by the

she sniffed the a

be nests made b

The grass wa

into the wide gr

back, over the s

weeds, she slowly slid of

iverbank. Behind the ro

e river was a giant tumble

air and smelled no human

by kids making out or get

as already high. Here an

rassy valley that held the r

stream, up the embankme

ff her clothes.

cks, amid the

e of rocks that

n flesh.

tting high, but

nd there might

.river

ent, and down

bl d h d

her fingers len

change on, and

bones. She tens

Her laugh tu

laughed and thr

nipples tighten

trickle of breez

Already her sk

i h h lik d i

ngthened and her nails s

d clutched the night air l

sed her thighs and abdom

rned to a moan at the firs

rew her panties down.

ned in the cool air off t

ze curled around her butt

kin prickled with the spro

hTh i hsprouted. Her

like a lover as

men to will the

st ripple in her

. Shethe river

tocks, and her

outing pelt. A

t l

momentary pai

teeth sharpened

abdomen went i

to a new shape.

The flesh of h

damp earth, and

the swethought,

blood churned

s crunch in of the spine’

d and her jaw extended

into a brief spasm, then gr

She doubled over as the m

her arms bubbled and he

.d urine drenched the air

The exciting smeet night.with heat like desire.

and then the

d. She felt the

rimaced as her

muscles of her

r legs buckled

mells of rabbit,

sheThe night,

venient term th

ears too big, and

any natural wol

She was a cr

sweet release.

hey had adopted. Those w

wolfWWod her eyes held fire.

elf. Her toes and legs wer

reature much larger and

who preferred

was only a con-

e too long, her

stronger than

14

science to myth said they descended from somethingolder—some early mammal that had absorbed proteanmatter brought to Earth by a meteorite.

Vivian stretched and pawed at the ground, shesniffed the glorious air. She felt as if her tail couldsweep the stars from the sky.

I will howl for you, human boy, she thought. I will huntyou in my girl skin but I’ll celebrate as wolf.

And she ran the length of the river to the edge ofthe city slums and back, under the hopeful early-summer moon.

older—some eascience to myt

arly mammal that had absth said they descended fr

oteansorbed prrom something

the city slumsAnd she ran

you in my girl skI will howl for

sweep the starssniffed the glo

ivian stretVVimatter brought

s and back, under the n the length of the river kin but I’ll celebrate as wolf.

she thou,r you, human boyy,.s from the sky

. She felt as if orious airtched and pawed at thet to Earth by a meteorite.

hopeful early-to the edge of

I will huntught.

her tail coulde ground, she

summer moon.

15

ANNETTECURTISKLAUSE

was born in Bristol, England, and moved tothe United States when she was a teenager.She daydreamed constantly while growingup, and she turned some of those fantasiesinto stories and poems. Her first novel wasinspired by vampire poems she wrote whenshe was fifteen years old. Annette currentlylives in the Maryland suburbs with her husband and cats and works full-time as achildren’s librarian—but in her imagina-tion, she’s a werewolf girl. Sometimes sheforgets herself and howls out loud.

ABOUT THE AUTHORABOUT THE AUTHOR

ANNETTECURTISKLAUSE

was born in Bristol, England, and moved tothe United States when she was a teenager.She daydreamed constantly while growingup, and she turned some of those fantasiesinto stories and poems. Her first novel wasinspired by vampire poems she wrote whenshe was fifteen years old. Annette currentlylives in the Maryland suburbs with her husband and cats and works full-time as achildren’s librarian—but in her imagina-tion, she’s a werewolf girl. Sometimes sheforgets herself and howls out loud.

Published by Delacorte Pressan imprint of Random House Children’s Books

a division of Random House, Inc.New York

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents eitherare the productof the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any

resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Text copyright © 1997 by Annette Curtis KlausePart title decorations copyright © 1997 by Cliff Nielsen

Cover illustration copyright © 2007 by Shane Rebenschied

All rights reserved.

Delacorte Press and colophon are registered trademarks of Random House, Inc.

www.randomhouse.com/teens

Educators and librarians, for a variety of teaching tools, visit us at www.randomhouse.com/teachers

The Library of Congress has cataloged the hardcover edition of this work as follows:

Klause, Annette Curtis.Blood and Chocolate/by Annette Curtis Klause.

p. cm.Summary: Having fallen for a human boy, a beautiful teenage werewolf

must battle both her packmates and the fear of the townspeople to decidewhere she belongs and with whom.ISBN 978-0-385-32305-5 (alk. paper)

[1. Werewolves—Fiction.] I. TitlePZ7.K67815B1 1997

[Fic]— dc20 96-35247CIP AC

ISBN 978-0-385-73421-9 (trade pbk)ISBN 978-0-385-90434-6 (GLB)

Printed in the United States of America

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