Before long, we were on NY 17 W headed toward Cooperstown. I loved driving-the feel of the tires pulling against the black asphalt, the roar of the powerful engine as I gunned it. Most of all, I liked the speed. I looked at the speedometer and I was going 110 mph, but it felt like 80. The car, my new baby, handled like a dream. Too bad I didn't have one of these two hundred years ago. Then my thoughts turned to Zac, his azure blue eyes, his sun-streaked hair, broad shoulders falling to narrow, sexy hips ..."What are you thinking about?" Annie asked, noticing my quiet mood. She had been prattling on, but seeing I was blocking her out, she suddenly stopped. "Nothing," I said, smiling a half smile, taking my eyes off the road. My peripheral vision was perfect. I could carry on a whole conversation, never looking directly at the road, and still not have an accident. "Come now," Annie said, lowering her head, looking directly into my green eyes. "You're talking to me, Acantha. Your fr

I watched Zac for hours, until the sunlight streamed gently through the window. I loved watching him sleep, tossing and turning. His body glistened in the faint sunlight as it caressed his gorgeous body, warming my heart. Suddenly, I heard a familiar bird call out the window. It was Rick, using the same signal he used during the Revolutionary War. I sighed as I pulled myself away from Zac, and then slid agilely out the window, landing silently upon the ground. "Hey, what did you find out?" I asked about our intruder. "Who was it?" Whoever it was got way too close for comfort. "Don't know," Rick said, his eyebrows pulling together as he sighed. "It was a male, though, but I didn't recognize his scent.""What do you think he was after?" I asked, trying to think about it rationally. I wasn't worried about myself or Rick; we could handle ourselves. "You think they were after Zac?""Probably," Rick replied, then continued. "Since he has a million dollar price tag on his head." "Do

Zac gave me a crooked smile, got out of the car and opened my door, then flung his backpack onto his shoulder. Quite the gentleman. I doubt if it came from his father. Everyone watched in awe as we walked toward the front plate glass doors of the school, but I saw only him. Then Zac gently slid his hand down my arm, taking my hand, sending chills throughout my body with just this simple gesture. Man, if he only knew what he did to me. Inside the school, I pulled Zac close to my side protectively as we made our way to our Government class. Zac subtly slid his arm around my waist as we walked, then glanced at me and grinned, dazzling me beyond belief. I had to shake my head to return my focus. My eyes darted down the hallway. I couldn't place it, but something was wrong. I took a deep breath, checking to see if I could catch a scent, but there was nothing."Good morning!" Ms. Parks greeted us with a warm smile as we took two seats together in the back of the class. The all-too-perky M

I darted into the dingy men's locker room, carrying my backpack. Inside, young men were walking around in various stages of undress, preparing for gym class. Knowing Zac would recognize my backpack, I stashed it into the nearest locker, and I lucked out. There was a gym uniform lying at the bottom. I looked around and didn't see Zac. Quickly, I pulled the navy shorts and gray T-shirt over my muscular frame. The clothes were a bit tight, but would do for now. I looked over my shoulder to the right, still looking for Zac, when a big burly guy with blonde hair stepped out of the way, and there he was. Noticing the burly guy-dressed only in a towel-I realized that morphing into Steve probably wouldn't have been such a stretch. My heart fluttered as I eyed Zac sitting on the end of the bench with his bare, tanned chest. He was dressing, but his eyebrows were drawn together with a forlorn look in his eyes. He was in his underwear and stood to pull up his shorts, when he spotted me looking

"He's mine!" the rogue vamp yelled through gritted teeth, his glowing green eyes boring into mine. Then, he hit me in the chest with his fist, sending me flying into the parking lot, as I slid across the hard pavement, trying to regain consciousness. He was definitely one of The Others, rogue vamps who didn't care about human life. Having completely lost their humanity, they cared for nothing more than self gratification and the kill. "Hey, you're pretty!" he said with a half smile as he started toward me, arms outstretched, grinning seductively. "I don't think so," I replied as I picked myself up off the asphalt. I was still feeling a bit dazed, but was healing quickly. "Who sent you?" "Like I'm really going to tell you!" He laughed, rushing toward me again. I expertly dodged his attack and punched him on the side of his head, then turned quickly, giving him a flying side kick into his chest, crushing his rib cage. He'd be on the ground for a bit until he healed and could breathe