Off With His Head

24. I don't wear 'panties'. I prefer briefs.

"Again."

I glare up at Zach from my position on the floor, rubbing the sore spot on my lower back. This is the seventh time that he's managed to take me down this morning. Anger seems to fuel his every movement and the relaxed Zach that I've seen glimpses of, has been nowhere in sight today. Something's clearly bothering him and he won't tell me what it is, but it's obviously making him irritable and anxious.

More so than usual.

"Give me a moment to catch my breath," I beg.

"Vampires don't give you 'moments to catch your breath', Peyton. They will use that time to kill you." He holds out a hand to help me up, pulling me to my feet roughly. Taking a step back, he gets into position, raising his fists to eye level.

"Now, come at me."

I never thought I would say this, but I think I prefer training with Caleb.

"Zacharias," I groan, and he narrows his eyes at me. "Can we not take a break?" We've been at it for hours without even stopping for water. Over the past few days, training with Zach had involved the occasional bout of laughter and ten minute rests. Today he has been intense, continuously flooring me and telling me what I'm doing wrong.

"No," he barks. "Come on, Peyton, you haven't managed to take me down once today."

"Okay." I can't take any more of this overly moody Zach. "What's got your panties in a twist?"

"I don't wear 'panties', Peyton," he counters. "I prefer briefs."

"Okay first of all, that was just a saying. Second of all, that was far too much information."

"I understand that it was just a saying, Peyton. I'm not completely dense. Now, come at me," he repeats, impatience written all over his face.

"Seriously, Zach," I press, determined to get an answer out of him. Maybe it's something that I could help him with? Or maybe I've upset him in some way, in which case I need to apologise to him. "You're more uptight than usual. What's wrong?"

He finally lowers his fists, looking at me with something close to sympathy in his eyes. "Nothing."

"Lying doesn't suit you."

"Well, being nosy doesn't suit you. Oh right, I forgot, that's just who you are," he says nastily.

"Wow, retract the claws." I raise my hands in surrender and take a step back. He is right though, my curiosity always gets the better of me.

He eyes me for a long moment before he sighs, running his hands through his hair in frustration. "I'm sorry, Peyton. I find myself with information that I have been instructed not to tell you. But I feel like it's something you deserve to know."

"And that's why you're so upset?"

"Yes, being dishonest doesn't sit well with me. We have recently become close, and I don't want to hide things from you," he says softly. His words take me by surprise, not only because he has admitted that we are becoming friends, despite his reluctance. But also because, not long ago he had no problem hiding Lideri's plan to pacify me when we killed Henry.

"Does this information affect me?" I ask. I shouldn't pressure him into telling me when he's already so conflicted about it. But I can't help it, my curiosity is officially piqued.

"Yes it does but-,"

"Zach! Jennings!" A voice interrupts us before Zach can finish. I turn to see Caleb walking into the training room with a big smile on his face.

"Caleb!"

My curiosity momentarily forgotten, I rush straight to him, leaping into his arms. He just manages to catch me, staggering backwards slightly, but remaining upright.