The Recruit

by Claudia Silva

  “Becca.” When she heard her name she began to make sense of what had happened. Rubbing her eyes, she tried to focus on figuring out what she'd done. Behind her lips, her fangs had grown, it was possible her eyes had turned red as the scent of blood had taken her will for a moment.

  “Dylan?”

  “Are you all right?”

  “What-what happened?” She knew. It was blurry, but she knew. She asked him because she needed to hear him say it.

  "You now know what blood does to us," he decided to answer.

  It wasn't enough. She needed more to understand how that wonderful feeling could be controlled. Just then, she heard the beep coming from his jacket. Dylan took out his device, Rebecca watched him read a message, and then reply by typing an answer.

  “I need to go back,” he announced.

  Rebecca didn't want him to go, he couldn't be considering leaving her alone after what had happened.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to get out of the apartment. It was an accident, I just-”

  “Sublevel 5,” Dylan blurted out. It had been the same floor the man, that vampire, she had met a few minutes before had requested, too.

  The elevator moved on its way to the underground again.

  “Dylan.”

  “Don’t worry. Like you say, it was an accident,” he declared. “I need to take you back to the apartment. This time, please stay put,” he pleaded. "I promise I will only take a few minutes. I just need to get something from the office and I'll come right down. Can you do that for me? Stay inside?"

  Rebecca understood, now more than ever.

  “I’ll wait for you,” she nodded.

  Dylan exhaled and offered a smile, “I’m glad to see you can control your craving as easy as you did just now. It wasn't that easy for me.” Rebecca let him take her hand, welcoming the unexpected intimacy. “You’ll be all right.”

  The elevator door opened, and they stepped out, walking together toward the apartment.

  “But, it was blood, wasn’t it?” Rebecca asked as she watched Dylan open the door with his mobile device, remembering what blood had tasted like even if it had only reached her nostrils.

  He answered, “Yes.”

  Rebecca didn’t say any more. After Dylan opened the door for her, she stepped inside understanding she would be safe there - from herself.

  His phone rang before he had a chance to say anything else. “Sir?” He answered the phone as he started to close the door. “I am aware, sir. I’ll be right up.”

  The door closed behind him and Rebecca stood there staring at it until she calmed down. Resisting drinking blood would be harder than she thought.

  Rebecca jumped when she heard the door open a few minutes after Dylan had left. Whatever he had needed to do had taken little of his time, and when he had stepped into the bedroom, he had started by telling her the six-digit password to open the apartment door.

  “I should write that down,” she said. Looking in every kitchen drawer, Rebecca soon found a sharpened pencil and a small notepad, grateful to whoever had thought to put it there.

  “Once you become an agent, then you’ll get a device, a smartphone, like mine.” Taking his out, the screen lit up as he showed it to her. It was the year 2000, the start to the new millennium, and she had never seen a phone as advanced as that one.

  “Looks like a cellphone, only different. Something out of a sci-fi movie,” she observed.

  “It is a cellphone,” Dylan said. “A very advanced cellphone, more like a computer, I think. I've no doubt soon everyone will be using them.”

  “Nice,” she added.

  They stood in the middle of the apartment staring at each other for a few seconds. When at last Rebecca spoke, Dylan did, too.

  “I still haven’t-"

  “Listen, Becca, I-"

  They both stopped talking at the same time. Then, Dylan motioned for her to begin again.

  “I still haven’t gotten the super hearing.”

  He shook his head and smiled, “You read too many comic books.”

  They laughed together, breaking the silence, and walked to take a sit in the living room furniture.

  “So, how’s work?” she asked. “Anything you can tell me? What is this case you're following?”

  “I can’t disclose any information to civilians right now,” he said. Rebecca had a feeling he yearned to tell her just like she was dying to know. He pointed out, “You’re still a civilian.”

  “Oh,” she pouted. A vampire she may be, but still not a member of the secret vampire organization. “So, what were you going to say?”

  Dylan shifted in his seat, cleared his throat and said, “It’s Lucius.”

  “The director?” asked Rebecca.

  “Look, Becca, I told you I would be straightforward with you and I haven’t been totally truthful about one thing.” Her heart skipped a beat.

  “What do you mean?” It had been hard keeping the rising panic out of her voice.

  “Well, you’ll meet him tomorrow and…,” the words failed him.

  “And?” She knew she had an appointment with him ever since they had set a date to go ahead with her transformation months ago. An interview with the director of the agency was inevitable, just like any other job. Not only that, she would also need to speak to an attorney and even a psychologist; all part of the protocol she needed to follow. Once everything was in order, she would start her training to work towards becoming an agent working for the North American Vampire Secret Agency, NAVSA. The process was still a little unclear to her, and there was only so much Dylan could tell her before she signed a contract.

  Dylan sighed before confessing, “Well, the director thinks you're still human.”

  That had made no sense, they had talked about this, they had planned this. “What are you talking about? He's not expecting me?”

  “He is.” It suddenly dawned on her. Dylan looked ashamed of what he'd done, but he had done it, regardless. “I'm sorry, but I had to turn you when I did even if he wasn't going to be happy to find out I disobeyed an order.”

  “You disobeyed an order? What difference will that make?”

  "A big difference from what he just told me, apparently." So that's where Dylan had been. It had been the director who had messaged him. He had probably found out she was already a vampire when she had shown up wanting that man's blood on the first floor. "He wanted to meet you before you changed."

  “Why?”

  “He was convinced he could persuade you to change your mind and not go through with it.”

  “But, I don't understand. Why would he want to convince me not to do it?”

  Dylan didn't have an answer to that question. “I need you here, Becca. Do you understand? I couldn't risk him changing your mind. And believe me, he can be very persuasive.”

  There was something else on her mind, “You mean to tell me the director of the vampire agency doesn’t want me here?”

  "Oh, he knew you were coming. He knew I meant to turn you. He knows I chose you as my partner."

  "Then what's the problem? We agreed. I agreed to do this."

  "There is nothing you've done wrong," he reassured her. "If anyone is in trouble here, it's me. I get in trouble a lot, so don't worry about it."

  That made her stop. Dylan didn't look at all like a rebel, he looked like a rule follower. “So, you never follow the rules,” she stated.

  "What? No! I do, I just... I guess," he hesitated. "One reason I need a partner is to make sure I don't go off the rails." How hard had that been to admit? His face was red with embarrassment. So, Dylan was a bad boy who needed someone to make sure he did as he was told? Rebecca wasn't sure she was fit for the job. How could she be a babysitter to a vampire who hunted werewolves for a living? Seeming to read her thoughts, Dylan said, "I don't need a babysitter, Becca. I need a partner. Someone to watch my back. I'll take care of you and you'll take care of me. As long as we can prove to the director you're the right woman for the
job, we should be fine."

  Rebecca knew she thirsted for the truth, but now that she knew it, she wasn't sure what to think. This happened often, it seemed. Perhaps one day she’ll get used to the many surprises Dylan had in store for her. If Dylan ignored the orders coming from his boss, why had he done it? Why couldn't he wait to turn her into a vampire a few more days until she convinced the director she was there on her own free will?

  “You still want me here, right?"

  "Yes, Becca, of course I do." Dylan walked to her, taking her hands. Ever since she had taken that pill, he seemed to look for intimacy more than before. Rebecca liked that, hoping it would soon escalate to more than a hold of hands or a hug.

  “Well, I want to be here with you. Don't worry.” Their faces were now close enough for a kiss. "I will talk to the director. It will be fine."

  "I know it will." Closing the distance, they kissed for the first time since Rebecca had become a vampire. It felt awkward at first, but soon it became long and sensual. They had both been waiting for this moment, waiting to be equals.

  When their lips finally parted, Dylan said, "Thank you for understanding how much I need you."

  "And I need you."

  "Well, here we are,” he smiled, "about to have the greatest adventure of our lives."

  Rebecca was also smiling, "We should start in the bedroom." The moment broke. Rebecca pulled a frozen Dylan. "What's wrong?"

  He looked nervous, unsure. For a while Rebecca had thought he had wanted it, and now he looked like he feared it. "I haven't done this in a long time, Becca. What if I hurt you? Your transformation isn't complete. We should wait."

  She stared back at him. "Do you want me?"

  "I-I do, but you don't know what it's like."

  Another smile crept into her lips. "I won't know if you don't show me."

  After a moment, he agreed. “I guess we could try.”

  "That's all I want."

  "I could disappoint you," he confessed. "Hurt you."

  “I'm willing to risk it.”

  Taking his hand again, she guided him to her bed.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Blood

  WINTER, 1999

  Rebecca couldn’t believe they were in bed together and that she was resting her head on Dylan’s naked chest. Their time in bed hadn’t been perfect. In fact, it had been the complete opposite of perfect. She couldn’t call it a disaster, either. As she felt the beating of his heart under his chest, her head moving up and down with every breath he took, Rebecca attributed most of what had happened - or what hadn’t happened - to Dylan’s fear of hurting her.

  It seemed whenever he tried to let go he would stop himself from getting too close. He would move his arms and legs away from her almost as if he thought they would break her.

  Rebecca had felt nothing but safe with him, but his awkwardness soon got old and she decided it was best to just lie together for a while. They had still tried and she was pleased.

  She decided all Dylan needed was time to get used to her; used to the fact she wasn’t a frail human being anymore and that sex could be something they could both enjoy.

  Rebecca did not yet understand the way blood could replace the pleasures of sex, and even when sex was a complete and different experience to enjoy, it was different to experience it as a vampire than as a human. She had still loved feeling him so close, having him for herself, and feeling his hands on her bare skin knowing he wanted her.

  Dylan's resting body didn’t move. Perhaps he had fallen asleep, or maybe he wasn’t sure how long they were supposed to lie there together. Rebecca wondered if his device would beep again, taking him away from her now that she had him where she wanted. She would worry about that when it happened, until then, she relaxed with him on the bed. Dylan was for certain not like any man she had ever known.

  Dylan’s eyes shifted to look at her. Had he been sleeping? Stretching, she watched him yawn before he asked if she was hungry.

  “Very,” she told him.

  “We should eat something,” he suggested. “That is, if you think we’ve been here long enough.”

  It didn't surprise her to hear him said it. In a way, she would have been disappointed if he hadn't said something quirky like that. Sitting up, Rebecca framed his face with her hands, “Did you enjoy it, at least?”

  Dylan shrugged, “We didn’t really do much.”

  “It was still fun,” she insisted.

  “I don’t see how; I’m pretty sure I didn’t meet your expectations,” he confessed.

  “We’ll get better at it. With time,” she told him, “and once you realize you won't hurt me, it'll be better.”

  Dylan nodded in agreement, but didn’t look so sure. Then, he surprised her with his next words, “I want you. I want you, a lot. You are beautiful and perfect.”

  That made her smile and blush. He wasn't the first person of the opposite sex to say that to her, but he was the only one that had ever mattered. The only one to say it for the right reasons. "You are perfect, too."

  Turning to look at her alarm clock, Dylan announced, “It’s getting late.” When he stood up, her eyes flew to look at his naked body, hidden from her for so long. He was truly perfect, it made Rebecca wonder how much of that lean body resulted from his vampire genes. She knew her own body would change over time, which scared her. She liked herself just like she was and it didn’t feel right to have strands of DNA interfering with her appearance. There would be time to reflect on that later, right now she couldn’t help but take a last glance at Dylan’s body, knowing it now belonged to her. She had paid a high price for it. The thought made her smile.

  “I can make more sandwiches for us,” she offered, pretending to look away from him as he buckled his pants. It was the only thing she had eaten since she'd gotten there, sandwiches.

  Dylan made a face, “If we’re going to eat something instead of blood, then we're not eating a sandwich.” He finished putting on his undershirt. “I'll tell you something else you didn’t know about me. Before this life, I used to be a cook. If I hadn't been turned, I would have become a chef.”

  The information caught her off guard. “You don't look like you know your way around the kitchen.”

  “I do,” he stated, his shirt now being tucked in. “Before you came here, you were a dancer; well, I cooked for a living. It was a long time ago, in a hotel in New York.”

  This was the most personal piece of information Dylan had shared about his past.

  Once he had opened the door, she thought she couldn’t miss her opportunity to ask more, so she followed him. “You were born in New York?”

  He nodded once, "Yes. Back then my father took me to learn his profession when I was considered an adult. I became an apprentice. It wasn't like now. I didn't really get a chance to explore my options. It was just as well, I enjoyed the kitchen."

  “Did you ever want to continue your studies? As a Chef, I mean.”

  Dylan shrugged, "What for? Nothing beats the profession I have now."

  "What about your dad, what happened to him?"

  "You mean, after the ungrateful son left him with no one to carry on his job and put money on the table?"

  That had sounded bitter. "Yes, what happened to him?"

  "He died. They all did. Or at least, when I went back home years later, the neighbors told me they had all died of some sickness. They said no one had survived. I think it was better like that."

  She could feel there was more to his story. Something else must've happened. Not wanting to prod anymore into his past, she said, "What do you have in mind for dinner?"

  “I’m not sure.” Dylan was already in the kitchen looking around to see what there was. “How about pasta?” A box of spaghetti in his hand.

  That sounded perfect.

  After dinner, Dylan announced he would not be spending the night. He claimed Rebecca’s changing body might find his presence upsetting which could lead her to an attack in the middle of the night withou
t her knowledge.

  This was one of the few things that hadn’t come up in the time they’d talked about what changes she would go through. As thorough as they had tried to be, there were still things she would find out with time and experience.

  “I won't attack you, Dylan, that's silly,” Rebecca insisted, the idea sounded ludicrous.

  Dylan pursed his lips, knowing Rebecca wasn't taking him seriously. "I’d like to stay. I do," he told her. "It's just not in our best interest right now."

  “Come on, stay,” she insisted.

  “I can’t. Maybe in a few days once your body gets used to having me beside it.” Rebecca couldn't believe it. It sounded more like some ploy to get away from her. “Your body can be a little unpredictable. I don't think we should risk it.”

  "Is this for real? It sounds like you're making it up as you go."

  With frustration in his tone, he said, "I'm serious. I don't think you're understanding the magnitude of what your body went through twenty-four hours ago, Becca. You can't change your DNA and expect to be the same as you were. We talked about it; there will be changes."

  In the back of her mind, she had her doubts. She still mumbled, “All right, I’ll wait.”

  Before leaving, he turned around to say one last thing, "You also have to remember that I’m a vampire, too. I’ve been one for a long time. I’m not used to sharing my life with another vampire. It'll be an adjustment for both of us. I'm willing to do what it takes for us to be together, but it can't be instantaneous."

  “All right,” she nodded in understanding and defeat. There was no point in arguing with that. “I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”

  Dylan leaned over to kiss her cheek tenderly. "Good night," he said. "Tomorrow is a big day and you need to rest.”

  Nodding absentmindedly, she repeated, “I'll see you tomorrow.”

  The second morning after her transformation, Rebecca felt strange to wake up in her new bed. For a second, she stopped to understand she would never go home again, how she would never go to the dance studio again, and teach a class. No more lesson plans, no more counting out loud from five to eight for girls that didn’t mean to pursue dancing careers. Her days as a ballet teacher were over, and for the first time since following Dylan in this new adventure, she felt a sense of longing for what her life had been.