Slayer Trials: Urban Fantasy (Hidden Vampire Slayers Book 2)

by H. J. Lawson

  "What's the trial? How do I pass it?" I quickly ask.

  "No one really knows. Theo and some of the others started to have dreams, which they think are about the final trial. Their memories were taken from them with the devil’s breath. That's why he and the others are here, they want to know what happened and they want to stop it from happening to others," Morgan says proudly.

  "What happens in their dreams?" I ask.

  Morgan’s face turns white; does she have the dreams as well? "He doesn’t tell me, and I don't ask. At night he wakes up screaming, dripping wet with sweat, sometimes calling out people's names." She has guilt on her face, like she knows more.

  "Who are the people he's calling out for?" I ask. I know I am pushing her but I have to know.

  The room is silent. "It's his friends; he thinks he killed them," she says, unable to look me in the eye. She believes he did kill them.

  "Sadie, you can pass the trial ... you have to get out alive," she says quickly as if she knows time is running out.

  "How?" I ask her.

  "Don't let them erase your memories; we think it's the key to passing the trial," she explains.

  "But what if it isn’t?"

  "It has to be, or why would they go to this trouble?" She does have a point. "But you have to drink the water," she adds.

  "But it has devil’s breath in it," I reply.

  "You will have to drink it, and then throw it up once you get to your room. When they notice kids not drinking the water, the guards force them to drink it. You’d best go—if you are not able to train, it’s instant failure," she replies, knowing our time is up.

  The heavy metal door to the room opens, bringing the dry air from the hallway in with it.

  A short woman, as wide as she is tall, is standing in the doorway. She has glasses on that look as if they are being swollen by her overgrown face, as they sit on her rose-red cheeks dotted with red veins.

  “Can she carry on?” she asks in a hoarse voice as she peers over her glasses at me.

  “Yes,” Morgan says firmly.

  I get the last thirty minutes of shooting target practice in, and I suck, but I am not as bad as Lakia. If we are going to stand any chance of making it through this we are going to have to do a lot better than this—a hell of a lot better.

  “The doctor said if Ryder goes to see her after training she will give him something to help with the withdrawal symptoms,” I inform Lakia; I asked just before I left. Seems like a lot of kids here are having withdrawals.

  “Thanks, and …” Lakia asks.

  “Later,” I tell her. I haven’t decided what to tell her yet.

  Beep … beep. The numbers flick to red zeros. “Now what?” Lakia says with her hands on her hips. Her black hair is stuck to her head with sweat from today’s workout. I push my hand over mine, and it's the same. I feel awful, dirty and clammy all over.

  “Clean up, then dinner,” Theo says.

  Everyone starts to pile out of the hangar.

  “You go find Ryder, and I’ll meet you at dinner,” I tell her. I don’t want to talk about what happened in the doctor’s room.

  “Okay,” Lakia says. “If you’re sure,” she adds.

  “Yeah.” I nod.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Ryder stretches his arms wide then props them against the back of a chair. "I'm going back to my room if you want to join me," Ryder says with a devilish grin on his face.

  "Sure, all right,” Lakia says with a similar look. It's like they think that we don't know what they're really going to do back in the room. I really wish I could tell them that there are cameras watching.

  Her chair squeaks as she pushes it back to stand. "See you guys tomorrow.”

  “Yeah, see you tomorrow." With that Ryder and Lakia exit the dining room.

  I let out a deep breath; I wish Aaron was here.

  "I miss my girl too, and Jadyn, my son," Kai says.

  “How old is your son?”

  “Just turned four—do you want to see a picture?” Kai asks proudly.

  “Yeah,” Grace and I say together, smiling.

  Kai pulls a picture out from his pocket and carefully unfolds it, then passes it to me.

  Jadyn has the kind of cheeks you want to squeeze when you see them. He has the same warm brown complexion as Kai, and deep brown eyes.

  Kai shakes his head. “It was the babysitter; she was a vampire. She’d been watching over our son while we were out working. They are now at the parents’ sector.” Both anger and worry pass over his face as he tells us about them. No wonder he wants to protect—who wouldn’t. Is his need to protect his family greater than anyone else’s?

  After a few hours of chatting in the dining room, people started to exit the dining hall; Kai and the others went back to their rooms.

  I didn’t.

  We are free to walk around, so that is what I did.

  No one stopped me, no one spoke to me. If felt as though I was an unwanted guest in their house, sneaking around, but I don’t really care what they think of me.

  The walk ended up being useless; all I learnt is that this morning when Theo took us running before we got to training, we were just going around and around in circles. Maybe it was to make us believe that the place is bigger than it is.

  All the doors have a plastic monitor box which won’t open unless you scan your card—which I don’t have.

  There are no windows, no clocks, nothing—just one white hallway after the next. It makes it easy to get lost, because there are no distinguishing features.

  The walk was pointless, but maybe not totally, because it did bore me into tiredness.

  I slump down onto my bed, wondering what tomorrow will bring.

  A thumping sound comes from my door, and my body jumps up in surprise.

  Hesitantly I rise from the bed and head toward door. Gingerly I open the door and peek through the gap: it's Theo.

  I open it wider. "What are you doing here?" I ask, confused.

  "Commander Cheng would like to see you," Theo says, his eyebrows furrowing.

  Panic washes over my body at the look on Theo's face. "Why? Is it because I went to the doctor?" I blurt out in panic.

  “No. Come on, we cannot keep her waiting," Theo says as he starts heading down the hallway.

  I sprint behind him, letting the door slam behind me; the sound echoes down the hallway.

  "Is this normal?" I ask as I look up at him.

  "No. But is any of this normal?" Theo says, looking down at me. I nod my head in response.

  "What's going to happen? What do I say?" Theo's eyes widen with concern and he stops walking.

  I wave my hand and frown to indicate I'm not stupid enough to talk about our private chats.

  Theo lets out a breath of air in relief as he stops at a door which is as white as all the others.

  "Don't know. I'm sorry I cannot help you," Theo says shamefully as he waves his plastic card in front of the door.

  The door opens to another hallway; this place is a maze of white hallways. I feel like a lab mouse running loads of trials.

  "Her office is right there," Theo says, nodding his head in the direction of a door at the end of the hallway, guarded by two men dressed in black uniform with guns in their hands.

  My hands clam up at the sight of the guards; I feel like I'm going to the principal’s office and about to get in trouble—except that this one is flanked by armed guards. I wonder if the principal’s office at school has guards. I've never been to the principal’s office at school because I never get in trouble and here I am marching down to the scariest principal of them all.

  "I will be right here," Theo says as we get to the front door.

  I quickly turn and approach him. "What, you’re not coming in with me?" I say as I wipe my clammy hands up and down my pants.

  "She didn't ask to see me, only you. Don't worry," he says as he knocks on the door.

  "Wait ..." I'm not ready but it's too late.

>   "Come in," says a female voice from the other side of the door.

  "Go on," Theo says, tilting his head at the door. My cheeks swell up with air as I push out a breath, then I pull my lips in.

  I reach down for the metal handle, and push open the door.

  "Close the door," Commander Cheng says, her almond eyes not moving from her computer screen.

  "Take a seat, Sadie," she says. Doesn't look like my appointment is that important to her.

  I sit down in front of her at her black desk, a stark contrast to the white of the rest of the room.

  I twist my fingers, and turn around to look at the room. One of the walls is lined with television screens. The screens are blazing with color—I haven't seen a TV for days, and I have not really missed it, but now my eyes are fixed on them. My eyes jump from one screen to the next, nine in total, yet each of them is showing a similar story.

  There are news presenters on some screens talking directly to the camera; others have images of people laid out with police tape around them. There is no sound, but there doesn’t need to be—they are all telling the same story, the one which I already know: there is a plague out there and it’s killing us.

  The time, I think, as my eyes dart from the horror scene to the bottom corner where the time would be. Damn. The screens go black.

  I turn to face Commander Cheng and grit my teeth together in frustration.

  “Sadie, it’s very nice to meet you. I have been waiting a very long time,” Commander Cheng says as she presses her hands together, flashing her long blood red nails, which match her thin lips.

  She closes the top of her laptop and taps her fingernails on the lid.

  “How do you like the training?” she asks.

  She brought me here for small talk? “Mmm, fine.”

  It looks as if she’s trying to smile. “Our trainer says you are one of the best females.” I can feel a flush of color entering my cheeks, as if I want to please her.

  “Mr. Taylor informed me that you were an excellent student, and a perfect candidate.” My eyes cut back to her face at a name I know: my principal from high school.

  “But how—?”

  She cuts me off before I can finish. “Sadie, we have been watching you.” She pauses and looks as if she is searching for her words. “And the others.”

  “Why?”

  “Because we have an interest in government property, and making sure our candidates are ready to take the next step.” Property? I’m no one’s property.

  I swallow deeply, worried I will say something I shouldn’t.

  She stares at me and an awkward silence follows, making me want to get up and leave the room.

  “Why did you want to see me?” I blurt out, unable to bear the silence anymore.

  Commander Cheng trails her finger across her lip.

  “You know the world as you know it has changed forever,” she replies.

  I nod, drawing my lips in.

  Commander Cheng taps the top of the table. “Look,” she says, pointing at the monitors mounted on the wall as they turn on.

  They all show the same image: police tape around bodies laid out on the ground.

  “The vampires are waking up around the world, and the world doesn’t even know it yet. Soon they will, and when they do … the world will turn against itself, not knowing what to do, or who to turn to. Are you ready for that?”

  I slouch back into the chair as I feel my body deflate. For some reason I felt comfort in thinking it was only my home and nearby towns. Not the whole world.

  “Why now?”

  “I will tell you everything about the vampires’ history once you pass the trials.”

  She holds her hands in front of her, resting them on the table, with her back perfectly straight. “That is why the training at Sector 105 is very important. We are going to establish a new order for the world,” She pauses, then raises two fingers from her crossed hands and points them toward me.

  “Sadie, I see hope with you. You can help me lead the world to salvation. Are you ready to help?” she asks.

  I automatically nod, not really sure what I’m nodding at.

  “Very good, that’s all,” she replies as she opens up her computer and goes back to work.

  I sit there for a moment, waiting for something else, though I am not sure what.

  She stops typing and studies me, waiting for me to speak or something.

  “Um,” I say, rising to my feet.

  “Speak up,” she commands in a matter-of-fact way.

  I cough. I hate it when people ask me to speak up. “Why are you only selecting the top twenty? Why can’t we all be slayers, all be in the new order?” I ask, even though I haven’t got a clue what this new order is, and I’m not sure I want to.

  Commander Cheng draws her extended finger inwards. “Everyone want’s our protection, e” she says, resting her elbows on the table. “You see, we have the government, their families, their friends, and let’s not forget the cream of the crop, the wealthy benefactors that helped create this wonderful place,” she says, wiggling her finger in the air. “I ask you, who will fight against the vampire army?” she tilts her head knowingly.

  “No one,” I reply sternly.

  “Exactly. You, my girl, should be grateful that these benefactors are willing to protect your family. This is a luxury that only a select few will be granted. And you do want your family to be protected, don’t you?”

  I nod.

  “Well then, you know what you need to do.”

  I gulp in response. “Can I speak to my parents?”

  “All in good time, as I said—and I don’t like to repeat myself. That is all.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Like he promised, Theo is standing where I left him.

  His eyes open wider as he sees me, clearly wanting to know what she said, but we say nothing—too many eyes and ears on us.

  We walk silently down the hallway, away from the guards.

  “What’s the new order?” I whisper, as softly as I can. Too softly in fact, as Theo doesn’t respond.

  I nudge him gently in the side and he shakes his head as if to indicate now isn’t a good time to speak.

  We continue to walk in silence to my sleeping quarters.

  Theo looks into my room as I stand in the doorway.

  Oh yeah, the only private place is our bathrooms.

  “Welcome,” I say with my arms held open.

  He smiles and walks in, closing the door behind him.

  The room begins to feel very awkward as we both stare at one another in silence.

  Theo runs his hands through his short hair, then smiles as he lowers his hand to his chin. There is a twinkle in his eye.

  What’s he thinking? I frown, confused.

  “Oh.” A little laugh escapes my lips, and I can feel the heat rising in my cheeks.

  Theo steps closer; my body sways forward then back, away from him, but he doesn’t stop. I gulp.

  “Sadie,” he says softly as he gets closer to me.

  He brushes his hand through my hair; a tingle of excitement dances down my spine. Then he moves it down my back and out toward my hand as he leads me into the bathroom.

  I don’t hesitate, I just follow him.

  The door creaks as it closes behind him.

  My heart races as I try to catch the breath he just stole from me.

  “So what did she say?” he asks as the door firmly closes.

  “What?” I say, confused. “Oh yeah.” I can feel my skin glowing red.

  Theo laughs and shakes his head as he slips his hands into his pockets, making me feel so small.

  Sadie, get a grip, I scold myself, rolling my eyes to myself.

  “What’s the new order?” I frown as I try to brush off my embarrassment. It’s not like I was going to do anything with him anyway.

  “Us,” he says, removing his hands from his pockets and placing them on his chest. “We are the new order.”

  �
�But what does that mean?” I ask, confused; more riddles.

  “We are the people who are going to bring everything to order once the world turns on itself.”

  “Have you seen your parents since you finished your training?”

  Theo looks down and shakes his head. “They say that after you finish your training here, and then do time as a field worker, you get to see them.”

  “But haven’t you already done all that?”

  “Yeah, but when people start to ask questions, they start to disappear. You learn it’s safer not to ask questions.”

  “Then why are you here? Are you asking questions?”

  “Yes. But it’s different now.”

  “Why?”

  “Because we have you. That is, if you are on our side,” Theo questions me—the nerve!

  “No, I’m on the vampires’ side. Sorry, changed my mind, I’m on Commander Cheng’s side. Which side do you frigging think I’m on?” I spit out bitterly.

  “Calm down,” he says, waving his hands downward, as if I’m on fire and he’s going to cool me down.

  “I don’t get how I can help.”

  “Let’s say it’s my slayer’s intuition.” He smiles. “What did Morgan tell you about me?”

  “Just tell me,” I order stubbornly.

  Theo steps forward and rests his hands on my shoulders firmly. “Tomorrow you will see. It takes time for the drugs to work.”

  “What if they don’t? What if Morgan is wrong about me? She has to be. I’m no frigging super slayer,” I sigh.

  “Ha … super slayer, I like that.” Theo laughs, but I quickly make him stop with a jab to the ribs.

  “Ouch.”

  “It’s your own fault, don’t laugh at me.” Theo releases his grip and his playful look has been removed from his face and replaced with a stern one.

  “Believe in yourself. We all do. What else did she say? Tell me everything, no matter how little it is, it could be important.”

  I nod and tell him everything I can remember.

  “Okay. I have to go,” he says quickly once I finish, with his hand on the bathroom door.

  “Not meant to be in trainee rooms.” He winks. I prefer the after-hours Theo to the moody trainer.