“You’re always so cold Z,” Zac said quietly. “I mean, with Angela and everything – you didn’t need to be so... look, the girl just found out she has this power-giving-gene, which is mutating to the point where she has wings growing out of her back. Couldn’t you have at least waited before you started on about how her dad might be a werewolf? I mean, c’mon, even I wouldn’t do that.”
“Zac we have already spent too long trying to track him down. His pack are trained assassins.”
“Not unlike you?”
“I kill for defensive purposes only. And even then only as a last resort.”
Suddenly Z stood up, shaking her head at Zac.
“I can’t believe I’m defending myself to you. I have more important things to do."
Z started heading for the door. Suddenly Zac grabbed her wrist, pulled her over to him and kissed her. They were lip locked for about thirty seconds before he pushed her away again.
“Oh, man, I’m sorry,” Zac apologised.
“Whatever happened to Mary Anne?” Z asked warily.
“We broke up. She moved to Arizona. It’s only temporary, but it’s long enough to... y’know.”
Z grunted.
“Why are you here anyway?” Zac asked suddenly.
“Angela.”
“How come I’m not surprised? Can’t you leave the girl alone?”
“Sure I can. I’m interested in her father, thank you. We haven’t been this close before. And we’ve been trying to track them down for years. Years!”
“Weren’t you just trying to track down a vampire?”
“I’m perfectly capable of tracking multiple targets at once. Learnt to. Have to.”
Zac paused for a moment.
“Y’know, she came in here before,” he said slowly. “I think she may have left her bag in here.”
On that, Zac turned his back, and wandered out onto the balcony. Z watched him for a moment, then looked around and noticed a girl’s handbag on the table.
A minute or so later, Zac heard the hotel door open and close. He bit his lip and hoped he had done the right thing.
**********
When Isaac and Taylor returned home that night, they found Zac fretting and channel surfing.
“What’s wrong man?” Taylor asked.
“Z came over before – but that’s not what’s wrong.”
“Really? What was she doing here?” Isaac inquired.
“I kissed her,” Zac blurted out.
They stared.
“Umm, excuse me?” Taylor said. “Could you repeat that please Zac? For a moment there I thought you said you kissed Z.”
“I did!” Zac moaned. “We were freaking arguing and the next thing I know, I’m kissing her! I mean... what the heck? Why would I do something like that?”
“Well, we’ve always thought you had a few screws loose Zac,” Isaac grinned. “I guess this proves it.”
Zac gave his brother a disgusted look.