The bell rang and Annie and I gathered our books, stuffing them into our backpacks. "Hey, Lisa," Annie said with a smile. "It was good to see you again." "Yeah," I agreed. "You, too." I thought for a minute, and then asked, "Annie, we're going to the city tonight to scope things out. You want to go?"Annie's eyes literally twinkled with excitement. "Sure!""But, before you agree," I interrupted her before she could break into a happy dance, "it's not a pleasure trip."And she got my meaning. "Like old times?" Meaning war, espionage, CIA jobs ...I nodded as she smiled broadly. "Then I'm definitely in!" Annie said excitedly, smiling with a devilish gleam in her eye. "I haven't had any fun for a while!" Then she did do a happy dance, but abruptly stopped. "Will Rick be there?" I laughed, nodding my head. I had really missed Annie. "Of course." Annie smiled mischievously, almost a leer, obviously contemplating possibilities. "You never change, do you?" I said, smiling, th
"What's so funny?" Zac said, his azure eyes dancing. I sighed, melting under his gaze, then turned my attention back to the food ... cafeteria food, that is. "Nothing," I said, smiling and almost laughed, then thought of something. "Hey, do they have any Mountain Dew?"Zac laughed, then replied. "In the soda machines in the back. We'll get some in a minute. You like Mountain Dew, huh?""You have no idea," I said, widening my eyes. "It's a weakness."Zac laughed, pulling a clear plastic salad container onto the tray for himself. I did the same. Then he slid the tray to the register and pulled out his wallet. "That's okay. I'll get mine," I said, stopping him. "I insist," Zac said, dazzling me with a smile. Then, he said in an aside, "Actually, I'm getting off easy. This isn't the Ritz, you know." He gestured around us in the cafeteria. I couldn't help but laugh. "Speaking of which," Zac added, a bit nervous. "Let me take you out to a real dinner, and maybe a movie, too? Say
"What are you doing tonight?" I asked, but from the look on his face, he thought I wanted to get together and do something."Not much, homework mainly. What about you?"I decided that telling him at least some of the truth was best. And I wanted to tell him the truth. Something about Zac made me not want to keep secrets from him. I sighed, and then replied, "Going to the city with my father." I didn't add that Annie was going, too. "Oh," Zac replied, looking at the circles he was drawing on the top of my hand. "Do you need a ride home this afternoon?" I smiled to myself, thinking. "Yes," I replied. "That would be nice." I would get hold of Annie this afternoon and have her meet us at the house. I paused by the door outside our English Lit. class, leaning against the wall. Saying nothing, Zac looked me directly in the eye. Funny how he felt no aversion to me whatsoever. Like I said, usually humans kept their distance. I'd been a lone wolf for a while now and it felt good to have
He simply smiled his sexy half smile, and held up a hand, watching me as I walked away. Away from him, I took deep breaths to clear my head. Being near him was a heady experience, intoxicating. I ran down the hall—perhaps a bit faster than human speed—to the gym. I needed to run, to exercise, to clear my head. I needed time to think. Inside the gym, I ran down the stairs and into the girl's locker room, my head still filled with Zac. What was I doing? I thought as other girls ran around the locker room in various stages of undress, preparing for gym class. Ignoring them, I quickly ripped open my backpack and pulled a gray T-shirt and navy shorts from it—not as sexy as I like, but typical gym attire—as thoughts of Zac assaulted my mind. How could I let Zac have this effect on me? I sighed, leaning my head back against a locker door, not sure I had a choice anymore. "Hi!" a familiar, perky voice said. Sandra. "You have gym now?" she asked, clearly excited, already dressed and ready to
Coach Sullivan suddenly blew the whistle. "Fowl!" he called as I helped Sandra up off the floor. "That's okay," Alicia said sarcastically. "She won't make it, anyway." "Since when did you become such a bitch?" I asked her, point blank. "Since when did you even give a damn?" she countered, ready this time. Good question."Since I met Zac," I answered and watched as her face contorted into a scowl. I smiled sweetly. Sandra made both her free throws. I cheered and Alicia sneered. Sandra was a bit apprehensive toward Alicia, until I told her low so no one could hear, "Like I said: I have your back. Go for it!" Sandra smiled. I took the ball out, then passed it to Sandra and guarded her so she could go toward the basket. Foreseeing her next move, I blocked Alicia, sneering at her, until she was unable to get around me. Sandra came down the court and I let Alicia go. Suddenly, Sandra stopped dead in her tracks, sending Alicia to the ground. Sandra had the ball and Alicia was the one wh
"Okay," I said to Rick-who had his arms crossed, wearing a smirk-as I walked into the door. "Go ahead. Say what you must."Rick said nothing, but just stood in the hallway, eyeing me. "Okay," I said in reply. "Don't say it." Rick burst into laughter. "Go ahead," I replied, placing my backpack on the small wooden bench Rick must have placed in the foyer this afternoon. "Have your fun.""The great Star!" Rick said, laughing as he backed out of my way. I stormed past him to the kitchen, knowing he would follow. "Falling in love! And with an assignment, no doubt!" I pulled a Mountain Dew out of the fridge and opened the top, sighing as I took a swig. "I know. I know!" I said, walking around the counter. "What was I thinking?" Then Rick's expression changed to one of concern. "You really do have feelings for him?" "Yes, damn it!" I replied, unable to believe what was happening. "I don't want to risk the mission and I sure as hell can't lose focus! Not now with Zac's life on th
"You need any weapons, Annie?" I called down the stairs. "No," she replied. "I'm all geared up!" "Good," I replied, darting at vamp speed down the stairs. "You never know what we might need."Rick rolled his eyes, familiar with my passion for toys. "Let's go, ladies!" he bellowed as he darted out the door, and we followed. "Now, who did you say was good?" Annie asked mischievously, getting into the back seat of Rick's vehicle, as I slipped into the front passenger's seat. Rick rolled his eyes again. "Never mind ..."I laughed, clearly enjoying Rick's discomfort. "Rick, here, was just telling me what a great agent I am!""Oh?" Annie asked, her eyebrows lifting, eying Rick. Rick gave me a look that said to watch it. "You're going to pay for this," Rick said, looking at me. Between Annie and me, he didn't stand a chance. "Sorry, Rick," I said, laughing. "I just couldn't help myself."Then, Rick gave me a look that said he was happy to see me laughing again. The three of us
After he ran the card and I signed the paperwork, the car was mine. When he ran the card, it went through with no problem. "Here you are, Miss," Cheap Suit said, handing me the keys to my new car. "And if there is anything else we can do for you ..." "Yeah, yeah," I said, taking the keys and slipping them into my pocket. "Just don't be so quick to judge a book by its cover next time, bud." The man nodded sheepishly, realizing again the sale his assumption almost cost him. "Also, we're going out for a bit. I'm leaving the car here and we'll pick it up later. Okay?""No problem, Miss." He was very accommodating now. "It will be here for you when you're ready." I nodded, and then Rick, Annie, and I climbed back into Rick's SUV."Can you believe that guy?" I asked rhetorically, out of Cheap Suit's earshot, as we headed back to New York City. "Hey," Annie said from the back seat. "Take it as a compliment! You look like a teenager! Enjoy it!""Yeah, a two-hundred-and-thirty-year-o
"Come on, everyone!" Rick announced, heading toward the door. "Let's not keep Abbott waiting." He looked at Zac, and added, "Uh ... sorry ... your father." "Hey, don't change anything on my account!" Zac replied with a shrug then took my hand as we walked out the door and climbed into the back of the van along with John. Rick and Annie took the front.Soon, we were on NY-28 S headed toward Washington D.C. when Annie announced, "Hey, maybe we can go shopping in D.C. after we see Abbott." Rick laughed, rolling his eyes and smiling. But this time, I couldn't argue with her. "Sounds good," I replied, as Zac laughed, watching Rick as he moaned and shook his head, rolling his eyes again. "I need some clothes badly." "Oh, goodie!" Annie replied, joyously clapping her hands and bouncing up and down in her seat as I laughed. "Annie, you'll never change," I replied, secretly glad of it. I'd really missed her over the last few years and was glad we were all together again. "But you w
When I finally opened my eyes, the sun was shining brightly through the windows, glistening off the contours of Zac's smooth, beautiful skin. I turned over, draping my arm over him and smiled, closing my eyes. "Good morning, sleepyhead," Zac said with a smile, and then kissed me gently on the cheek. I yawned, stretching before sitting up. It really felt good to relax and rejuvenate my body, especially since Zac was safe and our case was over. "Did you sleep?" I asked, not wanting the moment to end. "No," Zac replied, trailing a finger along my cheek, "but I enjoyed watching you sleep." I rolled my eyes and turned over."Here," Zac said, pulling me to a sitting position. "Time to get up, sleepyhead." "Why?" I asked in protest, then turned over with a smile and curled up on the pillow, shoving it under my head. Zac tried to pull it from me, but we ended up tearing it in half as feathers flew over the bed and I tackled him, laughing, then pushed him back onto the bed with a sm
Abbott took a seat, knowing what was coming, but said nothing. Zac took his mother's hands into his own, then said, "Mom, I can't stay here. At least, not for a while." Jennifer nodded, taking the news reasonably well. "You know what I am now, Mom," Zac continued, his eyebrows pulling together in concern. "I'm sure Dad told you." She nodded, looking at the table, listening. "Mom, do you understand why I can't live here with you?" Zac asked, worried. "Yes, I understand," Jennifer responded, putting on a brave face. Then, she looked her son directly in the eye. "Son, I know you won't hurt me." "I won't, Mom. You know that," Zac answered, then continued. "But I don't know that. I need a bit of time. I'm new, brand new, so I have a few things to learn first." Zac's mother nodded, as Abbott took her other hand. "Where will you stay, Zac? Where will you live?" Zac looked at me as I nodded, then took a deep breath. "I'm going to stay with Abigail and her family." "But you'
A moment later, Zac and I pulled out of the narrow driveway and made a left, heading toward town and Annie's house. We said nothing as I pulled in front of the house, hoping no one would notice the bullet holes decorating the side of the car. Regardless, we had tonight and I didn't want anything to spoil it. The house was dark when we pulled up. At vamp speed, Zac came around the car and opened my car door, then scooped me with ease into his arms. His super-human strength was going to come in handy. I wrapped my arms around his neck, letting him carry me to the door. "What's this all about?" I asked as a corner of my lips lifted into a mischievous grin. "What does it look like?" he answered, returning my smile. "I'm practicing carrying you over the threshold." "Practicing, huh?" I asked with a smile. "You still want to marry me after all this?""Marry you? Nah ..." Zac said, smiling, as my face fell slightly. Then, he placed a gentle finger under my chin to lift my eyes to his.
Zac's perfectly-shaped eyebrows pulled together in confusion. "What are you saying? Even my father?"I nodded, smiling. "That son of a ..." Zac yelled, his grief suddenly turning to rage. "Zac, now wait a minute," I replied, cutting him off. "V said your father tried to call you, but we were already on the road and he couldn't get hold of us." Then, I thought for a moment and added, "The cell phones are in the glove box. We'll have to ditch them soon, but go ahead and call them. I'm sure they'll answer." "But what about other shape shifters?" Zac asked, looking at the black cell phone he'd just pulled from the glove box. "Zac, Drake's dead," I replied, then smiled. "We're the only ones left. Just you and I." Zac nodded, and then looked at the cell one more time. "No, I'll call them tomorrow." Then, a thought appeared within his mind. "Do you think it's safe to go back to Cooperstown now?" "Well, Drake's dead and I'm sure word will get around that who was going to pay is de
Slamming the car door, I expertly wheeled the Challenger around, running over another rogue vamp in the process. I stopped the car on the corner where Rick, Annie, and John were waiting, taking down rogue vamps as shots of gunfire resonated throughout the neighborhood. It wouldn't be long, and the humans would respond. The men in blue would be crawling all over us in the matter of minutes. Quickly, I slung open the trunk and Rick and Annie were beside me in an instant, ripping open the cases. "Yes! A Gatlin gun!" Rick yelled, taking it from the case. "Good girl!" he yelled as he quickly loaded the bullet belt into it, then pulled it into his arms with ease, slinging the bullet belt over his shoulder. Annie, Zac, and John pulled weapons from the black leather cases, loading up, then quickly turned to stave off the rogue vamps coming toward us. Quickly, I flung open a case, finding what I was looking for, a grenade launcher. Pulling it from the case, I quickly loaded it with a case o
Feeling was slowly returning to my body, allowing me to sit up. I looked over at Zac and relief filled his eyes. I smiled, knowing he would be fine. "Well, aren't you worried about me at all?" another voice came from the landing; a voice I would always know, pulling my attention momentarily away from Zac. "Rick! You're alive!" I exclaimed, turning to face him. And John was on his heels, smiling. "Of course! What did you think? That I was going to die and let you have all the fun?" Rick asked, sitting on the ground beside me. "John came back for us. Once we dug out the bullets, Verus and I healed pretty quickly." Then, he ripped open his shirt. "You wanna see?""Please, Rick!" I exclaimed, shielding my eyes. "Too much info!" Rick laughed, until he saw Annie lying lifeless upon the floor. "Annie!" he exclaimed as he ran to her side. Slowly, I got to my feet and followed. Rick knelt beside her and I knelt on her other side as tears filled my eyes. For here was Annie-my friend Aca
"You'll never be the one to break me, Clark," I replied, my eyes narrowing. "We shall see," he replied with a sneer lighting his lips, clearly amused. "You see? My experiment was a success," Drake said, looking over at Zac. "And now that I have him, what do I need with you?" He then knelt over my body, with a knee on either side. He looked closely at the knife's long blade, then into my eyes. "Now that I know all I need is your blood, or his, what do I need you for?" Then a sneer lifted the corner of his lips. "After all, he's filled with your blood." "Get it over with, Drake," I taunted, my eyes flaring. "Go ahead and kill me. You always were a coward." Drake's eyes narrowed. "Coward? I am no coward!" So, I'd struck a nerve. "Years ago, my father invited you into our house to talk rationally, but you were too much of a coward to comply. Obviously, you were too scared to come into the house because you didn't know if you were outnumbered or not." I took a breath, feeling it go
I looked at Zac, and then at Annie. "Let's do it," I replied. Together, we fired our Uzis at every vampire in the room. "I want Star and the boy alive! Kill the blonde!" Drake yelled over the gunfire suddenly exploding within the room. Within a second, the vamps rushed us, and we took them all down. Zac ripped the heads off some, then shot another, placing the pistol right between the guy's eyes. Annie's karate and jujitsu moves were unsurpassed as she moved with lightning speed, ripping apart the vamps in her wake. As for me, I ripped apart every vamp in my way, blowing the heads off any who got in my way as I made my way purposefully across the room, my eyes never leaving Drake. Suddenly, Annie was shot in the chest, throwing her to the ground face down, but my eyes never left Drake. Venom filled my mouth in anticipation of the kill. I took my time, killing any vamps who got in my way, as I walked purposefully toward Drake. The corner of my lips curled into a menacing smile, as f