He didn't like people getting too close to him, and women had a nasty tendency of viewing sex as meaningful.
He didn't. Sex was sex. It was basic and animalistic. Something the body needed like it needed food.
But a guy didn't have to promise a steak he was going to date it before he ate it.
So why did women need a testament of affection before they opened their legs?
He didn't get it.
And he would never become involved withSharon . Sex with her was one complication he didn't need.
"Zarek, is that you?
"
He lowered the scarf over his face and shouted back. "Yeah, it's me.
"
"Are you coming in?
"
"I'll be back in a minute. I have to go buy a few things.
"
She nodded, then went back inside and shut the door.
Zarek made his way to the store down the street from her house. Frank's General Store had some of everything in it. Best of all, it had a wide variety of electronics and generators. Unfortunately, he wouldn't be able to use the shop much longer. He'd been a fairly regular customer for about fifteen years now, and though Frank was a bit dense, he had started noticing the fact that Zarek hadn't aged in all that time.
Sooner or later,Sharon would notice it too and he would have to give up his only contact in the mortal world.
Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) That was the big drawback of immortality. He didn't dare hang around anyone for long or they'd find out who and what he was. And unlike the other Dark-Hunters, every time he had requested a Squire to serve him and protect his identity, the Council had denied it.
It seemed his reputation was such that no one wanted the duty of helping him.
Fine. He'd never needed anyone anyway.
Zarek entered the store and took a minute to pull his goggles and gloves off and unbutton his coat. He heard Frank in the back talking to one of his clerks.
"Now listen up, kid. He's kind of a strange man, but you better be nice to him, you hear me? He spends a ton of money in this store and I don't care how scary he looks, you be nice."
The two of them came out from the back. Frank stopped dead in his tracks to stare at him.
Zarek stared back. Frank was used to seeing him with a goatee or beard, his sword-and-crossbones earring, and the silver claws he wore on his left hand. Three things Acheron had ordered him to abandon inNew Orleans .
He knew what he looked like beardless and he hated it. But at least he didn't have to look at himself in a mirror. Dark-Hunters could only cast a reflection when they wanted to.
Zarek had never wanted to.
The elderly man smiled a smile that was more habitual than friendly and ambled toward him. Even though
the people ofFairbanks were exceedingly friendly, most of them still tended to cut a wide berth around Zarek.
He had that effect on people.
"What can I get for you today?" Frank asked.
Zarek glanced at the teenager, who was watching him curiously. "I need a new generator."
Frank sucked in his breath between his teeth and Zarek waited for what he knew was coming. "There might be a bit of a problem there."
Frank always said that. No matter what Zarek needed, it was going to be a problem to get it, hence he would have to pay top dollar for it.
Frank scratched the gray whiskers on his bearded face. "I've only got the one left and it's supposed to be delivered to the Wallabys tomorrow."
Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) Yeah, right.
Zarek was too tired to play Frank's haggling game tonight. At this point, he was willing to pay anything to get the electricity back on in his house. "If you'll let me have it, there's an extra six grand in it for you.
"
Frank scowled and continued to scratch his beard. "Well now, there's another problem. Wallaby be wanting it real bad."
"Ten grand, Frank, and another two if you can get it over toSharon 's house within the hour.
"
Frank beamed. "Tony, you heard the man, get his generator loaded up." The old man's eyes were light and almost friendly. "You be needing anything else?
"
Zarek shook his head and left.
He made his way back towardSharon 's and did his best to ignore the biting winds.
He knocked on her door before he shouldered it open and entered. Oddly enough, the living room was empty. This time of night,Sharon 's daughter Trixie was usually running around, playing and screaming like
a demon or doing homework under extreme protest. He didn't even hear her in the back rooms.
For a second, he thought maybe the Squires had found him, but that was ridiculous. No one knew aboutSharon . Zarek wasn't exactly on speaking terms with the Squires' Council or other Dark-Hunters.
"Hey,Sharon ?" he called. "Everything okay?
"
She walked slowly down the hall from the direction of the kitchen. "You're back.
"
A bad feeling settled over him. Something wasn't right. He could sense it. She seemed nervous.
"Yeah. Is something up? I didn't crash a date or anything, did I?