Chapter 34: Truth, Part 2

Within a flash, I grabbed the massive bear by the throat as its paws raked across my arms, sending trickles of blood beading upon my arms. I quickly bared my teeth and sank them fiercely into the thick folds of the great beast's neck. I love it when breakfast gets feisty.

Within seconds, rich, gamey blood rushed down my throat, promising to quench my unending thirst, giving me life. The delicious substance quenched my thirst nicely, as the great beast thrashed its paws futilely into the air. Then, its life force began to slip away as it slowly lost consciousness with one last whimper. Once it was drained and its eyes fixed, I laid it gently upon the ground. Too bad I couldn't take the carcass home and donate the meat to a homeless shelter. But, then again, someone might question it if I appeared in town, carrying the eight-foot carcass of a giant black bear singlehandedly.

The burn felt much better, so I headed home as rays of sunlight streamed brightly through the thick canapé above. Within minutes, I was in the house, darting upstairs, and jumping into the shower. The hot water washed over my cool skin, washing away the blood from the wounds now healed upon my arms. Soon, I was wrapped in a thick blue towel, searching my closet for something to wear, settling on a black mini skirt and white uniform shirt, wishing for the days without school uniforms. I also threw a set of work clothes into my backpack, just in case.

Looking in the full-length mirror, I tucked in my shirt and unbuttoned another button on my shirt, thinking of Zac, then donned black high heels. I was going to put my hair up, but instead let it fall into loose waves down my back, then slung my backpack over my shoulder and headed downstairs.

When I opened the door, Zac was waiting in the driveway in his candy apple red convertible. It was a thing of beauty, but paled next to its owner. Zac was holding the car door open for me, as a pale lock of sun-streaked hair fell loosely over one eye. The muscles in his arms flexed as he held open the door. He wore a white shirt cut to perfection over his frame, and khaki pants that clung just right to his tush. Thank goodness for school uniforms.

"Good morning," Zac greeted me with a smile. His face lit up as I walked purposefully toward him.

"Good morning," I replied seductively, as he reached down and softly kissed my lips, sending shock waves throughout my body. "Did you sleep well? I asked as I slid into the car.

"Yeah," he said with a slight laugh as he gently shut my car door. He was still grinning as he slid agilely into the driver's seat.

"What?" I asked, feigning innocence. Don't tell me he saw me in his room last night. I studied his face for a clue, but saw nothing but amusement.

"Nothing," Zac said, shaking his head as he threw the car expertly into reverse and backed out the driveway.

"There's no 'nothing' now," I said, holding my breath nervously. Wow. He was the only one I'd ever met who could do that to me ... knock me off my feet with just a smile.

"Nothing," Zac said, catching a glimpse of me from the corner of his eye. "I was just dreaming of a beautiful girl all night." Then, he looked at me and winked.

I laughed, and the sound reverberated off the walls, sounding like bells. "Oh, yeah?" I teased. "Anyone I know?"

"No," Zac teased as I laughed. "How about you? Did you sleep well?"

"Pretty much," I answered, laughing, imagining his face if I told him I spent the night impersonating the bouncer of a vamp bar, and killed two vamps ... or, at least, one of two. Then spent the remainder of the night watching him sleep in his room. Some things were better left unsaid.

"Now what's that supposed to mean?" Zac asked, laughing, having caught something in my expression I didn't want him to see. He was much more astute than I imagined.

"Nothing." It was my turn to hedge. Then, I watched him as he drove expertly to the school, wishing the ride wasn't so short. I wanted to go somewhere, just the two of us, and spend the day together. I sighed. Well, maybe someday.

"What?" Zac asked, taking his eyes off the road to look at me.

"Nothing," I hedged, motioning toward the road, then remembered something. Annie's place tonight. It might be fun, and if Zac was there, it would be. Besides, Annie would be disappointed if we didn't show. "You want to go with me to Annie's house for dinner tonight?"

"Sure," Zac replied with a smile, and then added, "but I wouldn't mind being alone either."

If he could only read my mind.

I laughed again as Zac pulled the car into the school parking lot. He pulled the car into the nearest parking space, and threw it into park. "Come here," he said, pulling me gently toward him between the bucket seats. His lips lightly brushed mine, a gentle caress as I slid my hand into his hair, pulling him closer as hunger enveloped us both. His lips moved over mine as he pulled me tightly into his arms. My lips trailed kisses down to his neck, letting him breathe as I took a breath to control the burn within my throat, but it wasn't bad. Controllable after such a hefty breakfast. My lips found his again, but this time with a gentle caress. Then, a few moments later, Zac pulled away and moved to the hollow under my ear. "Keep that up and we won't be going anywhere."

I laughed and gave him one more last sweet kiss. "Come on," I said, opening my car door, as much as I hated to. I wanted nothing more than to sweep him away to a safe place where we could spend the rest of eternity together, but, alas, I knew we had to face this thing head on. We just couldn't run away. And I knew he wouldn't be safe again until we did.