I smiled to myself and shook my head. “Hey, V, how goes it?” I asked, as he sat down in a nearby chair.
“Pretty good, actually. I visited Marilyn last night …”
Immediately, I held up a hand with a smile. “Too much info, Verus!”
He laughed as Abbott called us to order. “I’ve called you here today so you can meet your team,” Abbott said, gesturing to everyone within the room. “Take a look around the room. This is your new team, that is, if you all agree.”
“Please tell me you don’t have another assignment for us yet …” I said, rolling my eyes, but Abbot once again held up a hand to cut me off. That was twice.
“I realized that some of you are green,” Abbott continued, and everyone knew he was speaking of John and Zac, “but they will receive the necessary training and you more experienced members will also help them in their training.”
“Okay, that’s it!” I said, standing, pulling Zac to his feet and headed toward the door. “I’ve heard enough.”
“Sit down, Star!” Abbott said, and without thinking about it I crossed the room at vamp speed, once again going for his throat when Rick stopped me.
“Don’t think that anything has changed between us, Abbott,” I replied as my eyes flared. “You can ask, but you will never order me to do anything.”
“Very well, then,” Abbott replied sarcastically, his voice sickening sweet. “Star, would you please hear me out?” Then he indicated a nearby chair. Zac watched the exchange, ready to intervene if needed, but said nothing.
“I’d rather stand,” I said, crossing my arms, watching, my green eyes flaring.
“Very well,” Abbott said, then continued. “Like I was saying, this will be your new team, if you so choose.”
I was about to say something, when Rick gingerly touched my arm, indicating to let him handle it. “Why are you telling us this, Abbott?”
“Well, you all did such a great job bringing down Drake I thought you should stay together,” Abbott said, then smiled. I looked around the room and honestly couldn’t imagine a better team. We all were different with different talents, but we complemented one another, as well. Whether Abbott knew it or not, we were already a team. But Abbott knew it, as he indicated in his next words, “I have an assignment for you.”
“That’s what I thought,” I said, smiling, as I headed for the door, but Zac stopped me.
“Abbott, we need some down time,” Rick said, then took Annie’s hand with a smile and joined us at the door.
“I need to finish high school,” Zac said, smiling, melting my heart with its brilliance.
“And so do I,” John said, also joining us at the door, smiling. We were already sticking together, much to Sam’s dismay.
Abbott laughed in spite of himself, then he turned to Verus. “Well? What about you?”
“Hey, wherever they go, I go,” Verus replied, joining us as we all laughed.
“Take all the time you need …” Abbott replied, but I ignored him.
“Shall we?” I asked my new team with a grin as Abbott droned on.
“Yeah,” Rick replied, as Annie, Zac, and the rest of my team smiled. “Let’s do it.”
“Call me when you’re ready!” Abbott said, calling after us as I walked out the door with my new team members, some old members, some new, but one thing I knew for sure, we were definitely a team. More than that. We were a family. “You guys are great together!” Abbott’s voice called after us as we laughed and headed toward the elevator. “Star?” Abbott called after me, rushing from his office as Mrs. Holloway frowned, watching the exchange.
“Bye, Abbott!” I said sweetly with a smile as we stepped onto the elevator. “I already have an assignment,” I added, holding the door open, looking at Zac. “Finishing high school!”
“But, Star! Rick!”
“Bye, Abbott,” Rick said with a grin as Annie waved discreetly, smiling.
As the elevator doors closed, I knew it was true. After all we had just been through, high school was all the adventure I needed. At least, for a while.
Theresa Oliver
About the Author
I grew up in southern Indiana, across from Louisville, Kentucky, in Clarksville, Indiana. In my childhood, I fell in love with the power of the written word, a love affair which has continued my whole life. I moved to Florida, where I have lived much of my adult life. I attended the University of Tennessee at Martin, Martin, TN, and earned my Bachelor of Arts in Communications, News Editorial sequence, and then a Master of Arts in Teaching, Early Childhood Education sequence, from Armstrong Atlantic State University, Savannah, GA. I am currently a writer and a full-time teacher. However, my biggest adventure is as a mother of three beautiful boys. But most of all, I love writing and want to share it with you! I currently reside in Kissimmee, Florida, with my husband and children.
Table of Contents
DEDICATION
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
CH. 1: BODYGUARD
CH. 2: REVOLUTION
CH. 3: LOW PROVILE
CH. 4: FIRST MEETING
CH. 5: VISITOR
CH. 6: FRIEND OR FOE?
CH. 7: DECISION
CH. 8: THE MIRAGE
CH. 9: HEART
CH. 10: TRUTH
CH. 11: CHANGES
CH. 12: HUNGER
CH. 13: CONTRONTATION
CH. 14: SAFE HOUSE
CH. 15: VERUS
CH. 16: TEAMWORK
CH. 17: TURNING
CH. 18: TIME TO DIE
CH. 19: HOME
CH. 20: TEAM
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
COPYRIGHT
DEDICATION
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Chapter 1: Bodyguard
Chapter 2: Revolution
Chapter 3: Low Profile
Chapter 4: First Meeting
Chapter 5: Visitor
Chapter 6: Friend or Foe?
Chapter 7: Decision
Chapter 8: The Mirage
Chapter 9: Heart
Chapter 10: Truth
Chapter 11: Changes
Chapter 12: Hunger
Chapter 13: Confrontation
Chapter 14: Safe House
Chapter 15: Verus
Chapter 16: Teamwork
Chapter 17: Turning
Chapter 18: Time to Die
Chapter 19: Home
Chapter 20: Team
About the Author
Star, Starland Vamp Series, Book 1 Page 31