“But in the depth of Zachary's weary, determined eyes, I saw more than a desperate longing. I saw a future.”

“Zachary leaned in, and I thought he was going to kiss me.Instead he pressed his cheek to mine and held it there. It felt more intimate than a kiss.”

“I suppressed another shiver - I did not want Zachary taking off any more clothes on my account.”

“I shook my head. She kissed my cheek, then on her way out patted Zachary's shoulder in a way that said, If you upset Aura in her weakened state, I will end you.”

“I wish I could believe in Druids' otherworld, where other people go when they die here, where they can live another life.""And then come back to this world when they die there, over and over again. It does sound comforting" "Except for one thing" Zachary's finger wound in my hair. "This is the only life I ever want.”

“So do you have a kilt?" Megan asked him. When I glared at her, she said, "What? He only said you couldn't ask." She looked at him. "So do you?"Straightening up, Zachary rubbed the back of his neck and smirked. "I might, I might."God, he was gorgeous. And Scottish. But maybe kind of an ass.”

“That reminds me." I dug into my book bag and pulled out a white cardboard box tied with a string. "I brought these back for you."He looked at the box, then at me, before slowly reaching out. "What are they?""Poisonous snakes. Open it."Zachary untied the string. "They seem like very quiet snakes.""They're stealthy. Or maybe dead.”