Life's Blood (Pulse Book 2) by Kailin Gow

Author:Kailin Gow
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub, pdf
Published: 2011-03-04T22:22:24.875000+00:00

“Kalina!” His face opened into a broad smile. “I'm sorry to hear you missed a week of school – but I must say, the administration is so proud of you.”

“...What?”

“Why didn't you tell us you were taking the training test?”

“...erm...”

“For the Math Olympiad at the Villa Octavio – in Italy.”

Villa Octavio?

“I'm surprised you've heard of it,” said Kalina.

His brows furrowed. “That's funny...” he said. “I can't recall...I can't remember where I...but I am so pleased! We thought you might have been ill, what with your...rough year – but training in secret for an International Olympiad? I shall make a note of that when I send my end-of-term recommendations along to Yale...”

Kalina looked more closely. His eyes bore the familiar glassy sheen of compulsion.

“I hope to do you proud,” she said, swallowing hard, before heading out to her next class.

By the end of the day, Kalina found that her stomach felt as if it had been turned inside out. Her nerves were frayed like electric cords, and the pounding in her heart refused to abate as she opened her front door. She found it unlocked.

“Hello?” she called.

Octavius greeted her with a grin.

She froze. “Where's...”

“Justin's fine.” Octavius smiled. “He left you a note. He's gone to a medical conference in Pasadena. For a week. Apparently, his employer at the hospital suddenly realized – all at once – that Justin's participation was essential to the success of the conference, and that furthermore such participation is well placed to gain Justin a more prestigious residency at the end of his internship...”

“Suddenly, huh?”

“It is a great career move for your brother.”

“Right,” said Kalina, unsure of how to feel. “Thanks.” She sighed. “And I take it I'll be doing lots of math on this trip?”

Octavius smiled. “If you like,” he said. “I have a bit more fun in mind. However, I'd advise you to take your schoolbooks and homework nonetheless. If you've applied early to Yale, you'll want to keep your grades up!”

“How do you know about that?”

Octavius shrugged. “I have ways.”

“You didn't – you didn't use compulsion on the admissions people, did you?”

“I doubt I'll need to,” said Octavius. “I took a look at your transcript while in Principal Barton's office. Apparently you have some of the best grades the school has seen in years. You won't need my help. Although I'd advise you to leave the school altogether for your final semester.”

“Why?”

“You want to be a history major, don't you?”

Kalina nodded slowly.

“Well, what better way to learn than by private tutor – vampires who have lived through the very eras you have studied! Greeks who did mathematics with Euclid. Romans who were with Virgil when he wrote The Aeneid. Renaissance men who saw the art of Florence when it was first painted.”

Even Kalina could not deny that this was exciting.

He led her into the living room, where a suitcase lay open, clothes neatly folded inside. “I took the liberty of purchasing you some clothes. They may fit you more...fashionably where we are going. I

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