Off With His Head

14. Know your enemy's weakness

For a moment, I'm too shocked to move.

Caleb's lips press harder against mine, his hands moving down to grip my waist. My breath catches in my throat as I try to regain my bearings. His earlier words float through my brain, making me realise exactly why he is kissing me.

Know your enemy's weakness.

The kiss feels far too real for my liking, and it annoys me that he's using it as a way to distract me. I lift my hand up, finding the curls at the base of his neck. Twining a few soft strands of hair between my fingers, I yank them as hard as I can.

He yelps, his hands falling off me and reaching to rub the back of his head as soon as I release him. "What was that for, Jennings?"

"What the hell!" I feel like I have used this phrase way too often today. "What do you think you're doing, Calloway? Do you honestly think that you are my weakness? I barely even know you."

"Well, I know you," he counters, a cheeky grin crossing his face. He takes a step away from me, just out of arms reach, which is probably a good thing because I was about seconds away from slapping him. "And that's not why I kissed you."

My anger deflates like a sad balloon and confusion takes its place. "Why?"

He opens and closes his mouth a few times, seeming to have an internal battle about his answer. I wait patiently for him to respond, but before he can a loud shout sounds from the direction of the house.

"That's Zach." Caleb looks slightly relieved that our conversation has been interrupted. "We better go."

He starts trudging back, leaving me still rooted to the spot and wondering what he had been about to say before Zach called. It takes me a few moments to snap out of it and hurry after him.

"Ah Peyton, there you are." Zach looks as though he has been waiting ages when in fact it has only taken us a few minutes to walk back. "Come with me."

I leave Caleb behind and follow Zach back down the ladder. He takes me down the passageway, turning a few times before stopping in front of a door with the number thirty on it. I can't be sure, but I think it's pretty close to Lideri's meeting room. Although, if I'm honest, I still think this place is a maze.

He opens the door and ushers me in. "These are your living quarter's for the week."

I glance around quickly. The room is nice enough, with a double bed in the centre and a separate bathroom to the left. It's all in shades of grey and white and there are no personal touches anywhere in sight.

"Did Naomi believe your story?" Zach hovers by the door, clearly uncomfortable. "That you are visiting your parents for a week?"

"Yes she did," I tell him. "To be honest, it was kind of weird that she just accepted it. She's usually so nosy and wants to know everything. I guess she's just distracted by Calvin."

"Calvin?" Zach seems to tense, his already stiff posture going ramrod straight. "What's his full name?"

"How am I supposed to know?"

"Isn't she your best friend?"

Well he definitely had me there.

"I've been a little preoccupied with hunters and vampires and things like that." I try to defend myself. Although deep down, I know I've been a bad friend. "Is he... like Henry?"

There is a moment of silence before Zach bursts into laughter. It's weird; I don't think I will ever get used to seeing his ocean blue eyes filled with mirth. "Are you going to suspect everyone from now on?"