Page 31 of Zachary

They’re back to staring at me.

“Yeah, sorry, we’re going to need more than that,” Zoe says eventually. “For starters, I know you and Zac are getting along better now, but I didn’t think you were besties or anything.”

For a second, I debate whether to keep it a secret still. But fuck it—this plan is more important. “Surprise,” I tell her. “I was planning to take you up for a flight in my dragon form. To see the snowy Alps from the air.”

She gasps, then throws herself into my arms. “Oh,Ronan! That’s the most amaz— I mean, oh no, I’m scared of heights!” She kisses my cheek. “But if I wasn’t, I’d be telling you that’s the best surprise anyone ever gave me.”

My face is hot. “You’ve been nice to me,” I mumble. “I wanted to do something nice for you.”

“Wait, but why is she scared of heights?” Garrett asks, and I pull my focus back to the task at hand.

“Today, I told Zac what I was planning, and he showed me some places on a map that I can take Zoe. If I call him and sound all panicky about needing to know where I can go if I have to stay within, say, twenty feet of the ground, he’ll…” I trail off. Zac’s not going to leave his house at midnight to come and look at a map for someone he barely knows. I sigh. “It won’t work.”

“Fuck if it won’t,” Cam says. “The Bailey cousins have a massive white knight complex. If you sound upset and apologize and say how all your plans are ruined and you can’t sleep, he’ll come to rescue you.”

“It’s like a compulsion,” Garrett adds. “They can’t help it. Just make him think it’s a disaster. Do you think you could cry a little?”

This might be getting out of control. “I can use magic to make it seem like I’m crying?”

They both nod approvingly.

“Good enough.” Garrett turns to Cam and Zoe. “Once Zac’s gone, it’ll be easy. Asher sleeps like the dead.”

Cam instantly shakes his head. “Nope. I know my limitations. Sneaking around is not my forte. If I knock something over and break it, he’ll know we’ve been there. I’ll wait in the kitchen.That way, if Asher does wake up or Zac comes home early, I can distract them.”

“And there’s no reason for me to be in the house at all,” Zoe says. “You being in Zac’s room can be fobbed off. If I’m there, it looks suspicious. I’ll wait outside and be lookout. But,” she adds, “I’ve got this handy little weave that deadens sound. That way Asher definitely won’t wake up.”

I look around the group. “Are we all set? I’ll go home and call Zac. You get ready to move. And then, as soon as you have the plans and you’re outside again, text me so I can let him go home. Then we meet back here to look at the plans.” I don’t know how I’ll keep him at my house if he solves the “problem” quickly and Garrett still hasn’t found anything. But that’s something for future me to worry about.

Wow, I’m really not myself tonight. I kinda like it. Fabian and the others won’t believe this.

Zoe puts out her hand, palm down, and I stare at it. What…?

Cam and Garrett stack theirs on top, and then they all look at me expectantly. Hesitantly, I add mine to the pile.

“Goooooo, team!” they yell, throwing their hands up.

“Go, team.” I’m a beat behind, but it counts.

I’m still part of the team.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Zac

The strident ringof my phone drags me from sleep. What the fuck? I didn’t get into bed until after eleven—who would call me at this time?

I grope for the device and hold it in front of my face.Ronan Calling…That wakes me all the way up. Why would Ronan be calling me this late? He’s supposed to be at movie night—has something happened?

But if it had, why would he call me and not Asher or Micah?

I answer tensely. “Hello? Ronan?”

A noise that sounds suspiciously like a sob comes down the line, and I throw back the covers, reaching for my pants.

“Zac?” His voice quavers.

“What’s wrong? Are you hurt?” I sandwich the phone between my shoulder and ear so I can zip up. “Are you still at Zoe’s? Is everyone okay?”

---