by CoraLee June
My dutiful guard didn’t reply.
“Right. I’ll try this again.” Graham walked over to Ryan and picked up his arm.
“Please don’t hurt him,” I whimpered as his fangs descended.
“Oh, Drew. It isn’t me you should worry about. Let’s test your restraint, yes? I hope you had the good sense to eat before arriving.”
My stomach growled, echoing the damning fact that I hadn’t had blood since lunch. Yesterday. An alarming craving overwhelmed me at the mere suggestion of food. Rocky cursed under his breath. Ryan started crying. “I did not sign up for this!” my best friend howled. No. He certainly did not.
Graham lifted Ryan’s trembling arm and sunk his teeth into the skin. I watched as he took a single gulp of my best friend, and when he pulled away, he tore open the wound a bit more, making a river of blood spill from the puncture.
“Why did that feel so good? This dude isn’t even that cute, and I want more,” Ryan slurred. At least he wasn’t in pain. “Oh wow. This is better than that time I hooked up with a German skier while on Molly.”
Shit. A floral scent engulfed me. Potent. Delicious. My fangs ached. My eyes rolled back. Holy shit, I was hungry.
“Six points deducted for teeth reveal. If you happen upon blood in public, then you cannot show your teeth and risk unveiling our society to the humans.”
I snapped my mouth shut, and Rocky pulled out his cell phone to type a message. Need pulled at me. I wanted to feed. I felt weak. I felt overwhelmed. Was this what addicts felt like? I looked at Ryan, sitting in the chair and bleeding from the puncture holes. He was completely oblivious to what was happening, completely helpless. I was the only protection he had, and I hadn’t been able to control myself.
If I couldn’t control my fangs and bloodlust around Ryan, my best friend, what would stop me from murdering people in the streets and exposing the entire society? Guilt took over, making me realize that if Graham hadn’t stopped me, I didn’t know that I would have stopped. I couldn’t do this. I wasn’t ready for this test, and I shouldn’t be here. I lost myself in thoughts of what could have happened to Ryan.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a blur and a glimmer of light. Graham had taken the blade of his knife and swiped it along Ryan’s arm. His flesh sliced opened and blood spilled freely from the wound. I felt the now-familiar sensation of my fangs sliding into place.
This time, Graham didn’t stop me, and I couldn’t stop myself. One moment I was standing, the next I was on the floor, and I didn’t know how I got there. I was flashing in and out of consciousness, and I no longer had any control of my body. My fangs were deep inside the exposed veins in Ryan’s arm, and I was drinking, feeding like a starving animal. It felt so good, my stomach filling with life-giving and life-ending blood.
I only stopped when I was yanked to my feet. I fought hard against Rocky’s arms restraining me. I wasn’t done. I needed to keep feeding. Didn’t they understand that? I kicked at him and thrashed wildly in his arms.
“Drew,” Graham said in a sinister tone. “Look at him. Look at what you’ve done.”
I stopped my frenzied fighting long enough to see Ryan on the yellowing tile floor, blood pooling around him. Terrified I had killed my best friend, I stared at him intently, looking for any signs of life. Relief washed over me as I saw his chest rise and fall with weak but steady breaths.
Rocky released his hold on me, and I crept slowly over to Ryan, not wanting to see the full extent of the damage I had inflicted. As I did, I caught a glimpse of myself in the reflection of the room’s only window. I stopped and stared into it. My eyes were wide and savage, my pupils dilated so big that the ring of hazel around them was almost nonexistent. My hair was wet with blood and matted, sticking to my neck. My lips and chin were a deep, gleaming red, dripping with Ryan’s blood.
“I suppose it would be redundant to tell you that you’ve failed this portion of the test,” Graham deadpanned.
Rocky shifted on his feet beside me. “We both know this isn’t a normal test. We usually do paper cuts, not full on open wounds. I’m even struggling.” Rocky bared his fangs to emphasize his point. I would have been thankful for his support had I not been sick with myself for nearly killing my best friend.
“I run the test how I see fit. Perhaps your license needs reevaluating, Rocky,” Graham snapped at my guard. “Why are you even here, hmm? Seems odd to have a fledgling followed by a general in the king’s guard.” Rocky’s eyes turned to thin slits. “Oh yes,” Graham continued. “I know all about your promotion. I suppose congratulations are in order. I wonder what the rest of the coven would think about your new job?”
I was pissed. Not only had Graham put Ryan at risk, but now he was taunting my babysitter—I mean bodyguard. Fuck Graham.
I’m coming. I’ll kill the sorry bastard if he hurts you. Diego’s determined voice rocked across my mind, sending a sense of strength and fury through every cell in my body that added to my own wrath.
“Next exam,” Graham replied in a bored tone. “Compulsion. Make the stupid human forget you ever existed.”
I blanched. “No,” I replied. “I’m not doing that. He’s my best friend.” I refused to admit that part of me was still reeling from nearly killing him five seconds ago. Maybe Ryan would be better off without me?
“Aww,” Ryan slurred. “You’re my breast friend too, Drew. I don’t typically like boobs, but yours are like pillows.”
Ryan was officially out of it. Sucking hell.
“Make him forget you, or fail,” Graham insisted.
Anger swelled within me. I could feel myself shaking with rage. “No,” I shouted while taking a step closer to him. Rocky looked like he wanted to intervene, but I held my hand up. “I’ve got this.”
“I hope you like living in the fledglings’ dorms, Drew. You’re about to fail. This is further proof that Diego is only thinking with his cock. A courtship? You aren’t worthy. You aren’t special. You aren’t capable. You’re a toy to keep his dick wet. I’m relieved. Here I was thinking there was something he wasn’t telling us about you. I guess he’s just ashamed of how painfully ordinary you are.”
Power surged through me. It felt unusual and lethal. My veins buzzed. Rocky took a step backward. “Shut up,” I yelled, my tone deep and ethereal. The entire world underestimated me. My foster parents. My teachers.
Graham tipped his head back and laughed. “Are you trying to compel me? Only the king can compel other vampires. You really know nothing about our kind, do you?”
I popped my neck and growled. “Shut. Up,” I yelled again. I felt as sharp as my fangs. Graham’s laughing immediately stopped. His beady eyes widened in surprise. “That’s better,” I said. I was so angry I couldn’t think. I wanted to punish Graham. “How long can a vampire go without air?” I asked. “Hold your breath.” My demand was met with immediate obedience. Graham sealed his mouth shut, and I watched him with glee.
“Lady Drew, you have to stop,” Rocky whispered while holding his hands up.
I didn’t want to stop. I didn’t want people to underestimate me and treat me like shit for no reason. I was tired of being the underdog, I was tired of people not taking me seriously. Graham had wanted me gone since the moment I showed up, and for what? Because he didn’t think I was good enough for this bloody club? Suck that.
His face turned purple. “Lady Drew. Please.” Rocky was begging me now. Anger overwhelmed me. It was a wrath unlike anything I’d ever experienced. Graham silently sputtered. His entire body shook. “Lady Drew.” Rocky grabbed my arm.
“Breathe,” I commanded. At my words, Graham gasped for air. He choked and coughed while bending over. Seeing him weak thrilled me. It was such a strange feeling.
“Now, get Ryan the help he needs and make sure he doesn’t remember that you tried to make me kill him. Then, give me passing marks on my test.”
Graham stared at me but didn’t move as the veins in his neck were throbbing, as if he was fighting my com
pulsion with everything he had. My confidence faltered for a moment.
“Get Ryan help, now,” I snapped again, pushing harder. “Help him, or I’ll make you hold your breath for the next decade.” Graham started walking toward the door, and I remembered another demand. “Oh, and pass my tests with minimal restrictions. Repeat it back to me.”
“Get Ryan help. Pass your test,” Graham echoed, his eyes narrowed and filled with rage as he slowly made his way to the door. He tried fighting my glamour, but he was helpless. It was like walking through mud.
“Faster,” I commanded.
I watched as Graham ran out of the room, calling for a human medic. I collapsed next to Ryan, still not completely sure how I managed to pull that off, and put my hand over his, squeezing lightly. “I’m so sorry, Ryan. Help is coming, hang in there.”
“It’s all good,” Ryan slurred. “You’re better than Buffy, Drew.”
A woman dressed in scrubs appeared in the room and began opening cabinets and grabbing medical equipment. She was quickly joined by several other men and women in scrubs. One of the younger nurses gently lifted me to my feet and assured me that Ryan was going to be fine.
Rocky put his arm around my shoulder and guided me out of the room. “Shit,” he whispered while looking around. “Listen, don’t tell anyone you can glamour vampires. Not until we talk to Diego, okay?” he said.
“This is another one of those freaky fated side effects, huh?” I asked. I still felt angry. And restless. Rushed and full of fury. Graham had been dealt with, so why was I still so antsy?
“That choking thing? It’s one of Diego’s favorite punishments,” Rocky whispered.
I gasped. “Was I feeling his emotions? Was that…him?”
Rocky didn’t have time to answer because Graham ran toward us, obviously still under my compulsion. He shoved papers at me and let out a sigh of relief the second I took them. I looked down to see that he had passed me, and my only restriction was that I couldn’t leave the country.
“Thanks, Graham,” I said with a sickly-sweet smile.
“Fucking fledgling. Worthless waste of blood.”
“What the fuck did you say to Lady Drew?” Diego stormed down the hallway, heading to us with his face twisted in anger. I felt a burning, murderous sensation in my chest. This wasn’t my anger; this was all Diego’s.
“I know what she is to you,” Graham spat. “She compelled me.”
“Then you know that I have the authority to kill anyone that so much as looks at her the wrong way.”
Graham gave Diego a pointed stare. “Of course, your majesty. I apologize for overstepping.”
“Leave,” Diego demanded. I couldn’t tell if he was using his glamour abilities or if Graham knew when to leave, but the asshole fled the hallway like his ass was on fire.
Once Graham was out of sight, Diego turned to look at me. “Drew. Are you okay? Did he hurt you? I’ll amend the test. Rocky informed me that he abused his power and failed you. I promise you won’t have to wait another year before testing again.”
I held up my paper with the shiny golden seal so that Diego could see it.
“I already took care of it.”
“What?” He grabbed the paper and stared at the glaring words that read passed. “But Rocky said…”
“Graham is an asshole. I did that freaky vampire voodoo to get him to pass me.”
“Motherfucker,” Diego cursed. I took a moment to look him over. He wore dark jeans and a button-up shirt. “He knows we are fated now.” Diego looked worried.
“Can’t you just compel him to stop being such a dick and mind his own business?” I asked. “It wasn’t that hard to convince him to pass me.” I was lying. It was hard. Actually, I was feeling really tired.
Diego reached out and covered my mouth with his hand. “Don’t say that so loud. License fraud is a punishable offense.” Diego removed his hand with a shake of his head.
“He started it by throwing knives at my best friend.”
“I’m going to kill him,” Diego whispered. “And vampire compulsion is trickier. It always wears off eventually. It kind of ensures that power crazy vampire kings can’t do irreparable damage. The longest I’ve ever pulled it off was for six months. It’s quite tedious, and abusing my power is frowned upon.”
“Damn. I’d like to make him take a long walk off a short cliff. Also, can you explain the immortality thing to me? I was stabbed today, and it healed, but you said vamps can die. I would like to know my limits now that I have a psycho council member on my hands.”
Diego rubbed his temples. “Stabbed? I’m going to make his life a living hell.” Another wave of anger rocked me to my core. So, was this emotion sharing? No wonder Diego had been in a tizzy. I briefly wondered how he was going to handle PMS. Wait. Did vampires get periods? Aunt Flow was scheduled to make her appearance in a week. “The only way to kill us is beheading,” Diego murmured while rubbing his neck. His words snapped me out of my internal thoughts. I felt a pang of sadness in my chest, and I thought back to his grandparents, then immediately regretted my question.
I looked down at the floor before eyeing him again. “I’d like to live in the compound—in my own apartment,” I quickly said.
Diego looked surprised. “What changed?”
I rolled my shoulders, aware that I was still covered in Ryan’s blood. “I almost killed Ryan today,” I admitted. “I’m strong and capable, but…I still need help. I completely lost control, and I need to learn how to be better. I don’t ever want to feel like that again.”
Diego nodded. “You’re decades ahead of most fledglings, but there are still things that only experience can teach you. I’m sorry Graham put you in this position. The test wasn’t supposed to be this intense.”
“I think it’s time for me to accept all of this,” I whispered. “Especially since I’m like a vampire on steroids right now. You also have super speed?!” My brow raised in an accusatory way. “Is there anything else you can do that I need to be aware of?”
Diego wrapped me in a hug that felt comforting and warm. “I can make you come with my mouth,” he purred seductively against my ear.
“I’ll admit, that is a superpower. Hell, men these days act like finding the clit is a miracle.”
Diego chuckled. “Let’s get Ryan home. I have something to show you.”
The thought of Ryan made my stomach churn. Diego must have felt the shift, because he hugged me tighter. “He’s okay. I promise.”
“He almost wasn’t,” I whispered.
“I’ll help you develop your control so this doesn’t happen again.”
I nodded and took a deep breath. I refused to put someone I love in that position ever again.
Drew
Ryan was shaken up and weak, but happy to be home. I apologized profusely, but Ryan didn’t want to hear it. I guess despite the near-death experience, he still was able to cross the moment off his supernatural bucket list and was already asking when he could go back to the compound.
When we got to the compound, Diego led me to the elevator and punched the button that would take us up to the twenty-sixth floor. It was the floor directly below the penthouse and one that I hadn’t been to before. I didn’t know why I was still so surprised to see new parts of the compound; this place was huge.
“I’m so glad you decided to stay here, Drew.”
“Is that where the permanent residents live?” I asked, gesturing to the lit-up button on the panel. It was my decision to stay here, and I knew this was where I needed to be, but I missed my apartment. That was still my home. I struggled with the idea of relying on Diego. After spending an entire childhood bouncing from house to house, I hated that I was once again feeling displaced, regardless of how necessary this was.
“You’ll have a couple of neighbors, but there are only four apartments on this floor. Most of the permanent residents are on floors sixteen through twenty-four.”
I was about to ask Diego another question w
hen the elevator crunched to a stop and the doors opened. I don’t know what I was expecting, but the hallways weren’t anything spectacular. Diego stepped out and started walking to the right.
“There’s also a garden courtyard on this floor and a clubroom. From now on, you can eat your meals in the clubroom instead of the dining hall if you would like. Coven dinners are mandatory once a month, but otherwise you have more freedom to eat whenever you want. There is a concierge service that will bring up your food daily.”
“Diego, if the rest of the residents live on other floors, why aren’t I with them?”
He stopped to look at me. “Because you’re royalty. Because you aren’t like them. And because I want you close to me.”
Diego started walking again. He pointed out some balconies and cozy looking spaces with couches as we walked. He also started telling me about my apartment and the amenities. It was kind of cute how excited he was to play tour guide.
We reached a white door with the number three on it. Diego unlocked it and opened it for me, smiling as I walked through the door. He watched me intently, waiting for my reaction.
“It’s pink. And bright…” I said while walking around. “It looks exactly like my apartment…”
I took in the familiar artwork on the wall, my dildo lamp, the pink couch and the wood floors. Even the layout mimicked my apartment. “How did you…” My voice trailed off as a violent hiss filled the air. “Pussy!” I yelled as my hairless cat scurried like a demon across the floor and under my white accent chair.
“Your cat is the devil,” Diego deadpanned.
“Don’t let a fierce pussy intimidate you, Diego. She likes her space and knows what she wants.”
“She’s also evil.”
I cackled while walking to my kitchen and then opened a cabinet. Even my mismatched dishes were here. I’d collected a bunch of china plates from Goodwill and had a hodgepodge of dinnerware.
“This is what I was doing earlier and why I wasn’t at the DVM with you. I wanted to do something special for you. Everything here is an exact replica. Your apartment at home is untouched should you decide to move there. I’ve paid your rent through the year and arranged for a cleaning company to keep it tidy should you choose to go back. I also had my personal shopper try to recreate your closet, but we’ve added a few items that you are welcome to wear.”
