"Then I'm not going anywhere, Abbey," Zac whispered into my ear, his voice low and husky. Then, he pulled back to look directly into my eyes, and said with all the conviction ever spoken, "I love you, Abbey. And as long as you'll have me, I'll be here." "That's what I wanted to hear," I replied, but turned away, as a tear slid slowly down my cheek. Zac forced me to look into his eyes. "What is it, Abigail?" Zac asked so sweetly, his eyes filled with so much love that the tears spilled over onto my cheeks. "But how will this work, Zac?" I asked, for once, unable to see my way into the future. "I mean, I'm a vamp and you're human ..." "Shush ..." Zac softly replied, placing a gentle finger to my lips. "Everything will work out, Abbey." And the sound of my name on his lips was very, very sweet. Zac looked out the front windshield for a moment, then looked down at me, still cradled within his arms. "Abbey, some people have a lifetime to love each other, others have a few days or a
"Looks good," Zac said, worriedly. "I have the money for this, but I won't have access to it until the morning." "Don't sweat it," I said, giving him a wink. "I got us covered." "Abbey, I can't let you do this," Zac replied, looking around nervously. "Like I said, don't worry about it," I replied, as the corner of my lips mischievously raised. "Your father might end up paying for it, anyway. I have an unlimited expense account with the agency." Not that I needed it. I had more money than I would ever spend in a lifetime, but didn't say that to Zac. Zac smiled broadly. "Wait a minute," Zac said, smiling wickedly, then pulled a credit card from his wallet. "Dad gave me this and told me to use it only in emergencies. I think this constitutes as an emergency. Besides, after what you told me, I'm sure he can afford it." I laughed. "I like your style. Come on," I replied, taking his hand. "Let's get a car before anyone else shows up." Then suddenly my cell phone vibrated in my jean
I pulled the car around to the back and Zac was waiting for me, quietly gunning the engine, getting a feel for his new wheels. And from the look on his face, it was definitely his new baby. As I drew near, he leaned across the black interior, opening the passenger door for me. "Shall we?" he asked, as I slid into the comfortable seat. "I could definitely get used to this," Zac said with a smile, leaning over to give me one sweet kiss, before he gunned the engine and quickly sped off the lot and back onto the Pennsylvania Turnpike. As soon as we were safely a distance away, Zac took the exit onto I-81toward Maryland. "Are you hungry?" Zac asked, this time as if I was any other person, sending a thrill through my body. I looked at him with a half smile, unable to resist the temptation. "I could eat," I said with a sly smile, then added, "What you have in mind?" Zac smiled, mischievously. "No comment!" he said, laughing, shaking his head, and then looked directly at me. "You k
Zac and I chatted casually, leaving the rogue vamps outside, just enjoying the night and the company, almost like a real date. "You're truly amazing, you know that?" Zac asked me, smiling. I just laughed, enjoying our time together. A few moments later, our meals were there and we were slurping our Fettuccini Alfredo and enjoying the night. When we were almost through with our meal, Zac looked out the window into the dark night, then back to me. "Do you think my father will still be in the office tonight?""Doubtful," I replied, nibbling on a bread stick. "Come on," Zac said, taking my hand, leaving some twenties on the table. A few minutes later, he ushered me out the door. Outside, my eyes quickly scanned the parking lot and it was still clear. No rogue vamps in sight. My heart fluttered as he opened my car door for me. "Where are we going?" I asked, already having an idea, as he buckled his seatbelt and sped out of the parking lot. "Well," Zac began, not taking his eyes off the
I watched Zac sleeping peacefully throughout the night, as the pale light of morning peered through the windows. I laid my head gently on his broad chest, listening to the rhythm of his heart and his steady breathing, thinking of the night before, and unable to believe the direction the night had taken. As I remembered sharing my blood with him, and Zac sharing his with me, it was the most sensual experience of my life. Watching him sleep, I knew everything had changed and that my life, and my love, was irrevocably his. "Zac …" I gently whispered into his ear, kissing his neck. "Zac, honey, it's time to wake up." I gingerly kissed his chest, then his neck and his cheek. "We need to get going." "Hum …" Zac said, smiling, his eyes still closed. Then, he wrapped his arms around me. My breath caught as he slowly opened his beautiful azure eyes to look into mine. "Good morning, dear," he said with a smile, as he gently kissed my lips. Content, my lips moved with his in familiar ways, as h
Quickly, I reached for my Glock, when suddenly, the vampire thrust his hands through the plate glass window, grabbing my throat, then pinned me against the wall as he stepped through the glass. I stretched toward my Glock, but it wasn't within reach, when Zac rammed my Ballistics knife into the guy's back, sending him momentarily to the ground, giving me enough time to grab my Glock and unload a clip into his brain, as gray matter and blood splattered against the wall. Zac watched, wrapped only in a towel, still holding the bloody knife. "Thanks, honey," I said, popping another clip into my Glock. "We'd better get out of here.""Yeah ..." Zac said, quickly slipping into his clothes, as we heard sirens already coming in the distance, getting closer. I quickly slipped into my leather jacket and boots, then shoved my Glock into the back of my pants. I wiped my Ballistics knife on the gray T-shirt of the dead rogue vamp, then replaced it in the sheath still strapped to my ankle. Wit
"What's wrong?" Zac asked, noticing the change in my demeanor."I just can't believe that Abbot didn't protect you while you were visiting," I began, trying to calm myself. "And vamps met him at his home with you there. Very irresponsible of him." Zac shrugged. "I never knew this world existed. He never told me anything about it." We drove through a series of underground tunnels until we finally came to a secluded underground parking garage, dark and lined with gray steel beams, then came to a security guard. I flashed him my ID and he waved me through, getting a good look at Zac, but didn't recognize him. I laughed and shook my head as I found a parking spot near the elevator. "What?" Zac asked, not smiling, unable to see the humor. "Your father's really going to be surprised when he sees you here!" I replied, then looked directly into his eyes, as I turned the ignition off and gave Zac back the keys. With the engine off, the silence was deafening, but I broke the silence w
"That's why I sent Star and Rick," Abbott interjected, then asked, "Is your mother safe?""Yes," Zac said, then added before I could stop him. "Rick and Annie are protecting her.""Annie?" Abbott's demeanor suddenly changed, and his eyes narrowed. "Who's Annie?""Acantha," I replied. "You remember, Acantha. She is now called Annie." "Annie?" Sam Abbott's voice raised several octaves. "Acantha Bree?""Yeah," I replied, my eyebrows pulling together. I knew Annie left the agency years ago, but I didn't understand why Abbott was having a heart attack about it now. If not anything else, you would think he would be happy for the extra protection for his son. "What of it?" "Ms. Starland," Abbott retorted, using the tone I hated. "Abigail, please," I said, smiling sweetly, not letting Sam get to me. "Star," Abbott continued, ignoring my request. "Did you know that she left the agency?"Yes, of course," I responded, my eyebrows pulling together. "But there's no crime in leaving the
"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