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'
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
"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
"You can have a seat, Ms. Star." A pretty receptionist in her mid-twenties greeted me with a friendly smile. "I'll let Dr. Abbott know you're here. He's expecting you." Nodding curtly, my stiletto heels tapped rhythmically as I walked toward the seat she had indicated. I like heels. They make me look older. I know, usually women want to look younger. But I'm not like most women. Most women aren't vampires. Once seated, I looked around the sparse, metallic room and breathed in a sigh, feeling the rush of air fill my lungs. I really don't need air to live. In fact, I can go for long periods of time without the lifegiving substance; hours, possibly a day if I have to. But to go without it for an extended period of time feels more and more uncomfortable the longer I go without it, until finally, my lungs feel as if they might explode if I don't breathe in. Breathing deeply now, feeling the air rush into my lungs, feels comforting, life giving. Although I don't need air to live, blood
As I said before, I work for a covert branch of the CIA that doesn't exist, and Dr. Sam Abbott is my contact. Or, at least, that's the name I know him by. This branch is so secretive and covert that we are only called in times of dire emergency to do a job. It doesn't take many of us. Yes, don't be so shocked, I'm not the only one. Anyway, a few of us can go in without anyone knowing and create the devastation of a whole army. Ten of us can take down a human army with ease. Then, of course, humans take the credit. That suits me just fine, since our existence must remain secret.Also, vampires are not made frivolously. For one thing, most of us do not want to take over the human race. Notice I said most. But every few years, a sadistic idiot comes along that wants to take over the human race and thinks he can rule the world. Then we're called in to take him, or her, down quietly. Does Hitler ring a bell? Another oxymoron. He wanted the perfect human race, but if they only knew what he
Rick steered his Mercedes SUV onto US-50 E on our way to Maryland. Great. I wondered where we were going, but didn't feel the inclination to ask. "Clothes?" I asked Rick, who was concentrating intently on the road even though he didn't need to. His reflexes were so great that he could deflect an accident in the time it takes to flutter an eyelash. "Packed," Rick responded. His bright green eyes never left the road. All vampire's eyes are green. He must have a lot on his mind. Out of anyone in the world, he was the one person I trusted the most. I would give my life for him, since he once gave me mine. I nodded. Not that it mattered. I could always get something when we arrived. But if we were going to some remote area, it might draw attention if I started receiving weekly deliveries from Sacks Fifth Avenue. I leaned back, settling in for a long ride, thinking of Rick, and how it all began. ***My father and I lived in Boston, Massachusetts when we first met Rick, Fredrick, as
Although I was supposed to be in the other room actively working on my embroidery sampler, I stood with my ear pressed tightly to the door, listening and intrigued. I so much wanted to join in their cause. It didn't seem fair that I should be left out, as I was as ardent a patriot as my father and Fredrick. The lights grew dim in the firelight as I listened silently to their plotting through the door. Suddenly, the sound of horse's hooves pounding against the dirt, the roaring of burning torches, and the shout of men's voices created a great commotion outside. Immediately, I jumped back as the solid oak doors of the drawing room flew open. I looked at the men with wide eyes. The horse's hooves dug into the dirt, stopping abruptly outside our door. "Douglas Starland!" a man yelled from outside, not bothering to knock on the door. "I know you're in there!" My father held a hand to his lips, then spoke quickly in hushed tones. "Stay here and be silent," he told the men and I. "I'll
Outside, I heard screaming as I struggled to open the door. Men screamed as they flew from their horses and thudded deftly against the house and upon the ground. A few of the men inside jumped out the back window, while another pushed me forcefully out of the way and opened the front door. Immediately, he was shot down in cold blood by a British soldier. Crimson blood spewed from his chest within the cold night air. I quickly flew to my father's side as I rushed out the door. His starched white shirt was drenched in maroon blood, muted in the moonlight. I held his head in my lap as the fighting continued, for he was in no condition to be moved. "Father ..." I struggled with the words, but they wouldn't move past the lump forming within my throat. Tears coursed down my cheeks and onto my father's shirt, mixing with his blood. "Abigail, run!" Father said as loudly as he could, but it was more of a whisper. Crimson blood trickled from the side of his mouth. He coughed, and more blood s
"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