Chapter 12

'Zoey.' Heath said when he finally reached me. 'I knew it. I felt you here.' I was shocked. Imprinted ex-boyfriend worries were the last thing i needed, especially in front of Stark. Shit, after this Stark would probably never talk to me again.

'Uhhh...' was the only thing my genius brain could come up with.

'Zoey, i missed you so much. After you went back to the House of Night campus i stayed in my basement to make sure my mom and dad were safe, but i missed you. You were the only thing i was really thinking about.' Heath said, declaring his love for me in front of my boyfriend who was probably gonna dump me now.

'Thank god youre safe. Are your parents ok as well?' I asked in a desperate attempt to change the subject.

'Yeah, theyre fine. But youre the one i really want to know about.' He said. Well, that obviously didn't work.

'I'm fine. Everythings fine. But i really need to get back to the tunnels, im feeling a bit weak after being away from any adult vampires for so long.' I said, trying to get away as fast as possible.

'Oh, okay.' Heath sounded hurt.

I started walking away, feeling really bad about leaving him there like that and being so mean, but i didn't want to risk what i had with Stark.

'Wait... who's that guy with you?' Heath shouted after me. Shit.

I didn't know what to say. 'Uh... this uh... this is....'

'Im James Stark. Everyone calls me Stark.' He said. Heath stared at him without saying anything.

'Stark is my uhhh.......' I didn't know how to tell him. He'd be heartbroken.

'Boyfriend.' Stark finished for me. Heath's mouth flopped open, and he still didn't say anything. He looked so hurt.

'Look, Heath. Im sorry if this hurts you, but you know that i can't be with a human. It's right for me to be with a vampire.' I said, feeling so guilty.

'But... what about our imprint?' He said sadly.

'You know that i can't really be with you. All you can ever be is my friend and consort. And you're the best friend i could ever hope for, but im a vampire and youre a human. We can't be together. Im sorry.' I said feeling so guilty. He looked so sad...

'But Zoey, i've loved you since grade school! You know were meant to be together!' He said, looking like he totally believed what he was saying

'I know. But were not in grade school any more. Im a vampire fledgling.' I said, trying to make him understand.

'But... i love you Zoey.' He said, trying to make me understand.

'I know. I love you too, but in a different way. Its better for both of us if we're just friends.' I said, and hugged him. He still stood there speechless, and we walked away. I felt so guilty, but at least i had dealt with it for good this time.

Stark hugged me, and said 'Zoey, its okay. I know you care about him alot, but he'll be fine. Stop crying now, you'll both be okay.' I hadn't even realized i was crying, i felt so shocked by the fact that it was finally over between us. I felt even worse about Stark, he was so understanding.

'Stark, if you want to dump me cos of that, its fine. I understand.' I said sadly.

'Dont be stupid. I wouldn't dump you, i know he's been your friend since you were little. Its fine, don't worry.' He said. I felt really guilty.

'But you know i still love him. I always will.' I said

'I know. And that's fine with me, because dating the most powerful fledgling in vampire history means there's not just gonna be one guy. I'm fine with that.' He said, and i knew i really didn't deserve him.

'Thanks so much. You're really great, Stark.' I said, and we walked back to the tunnels together.

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