With each step forward, doubt creeps its way through me. I fix my gaze on the floor and concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other before my mind begins to spiral.
How could I be so stupid?
I’d completed police academy training, but in what world would I believe I can complete a training regime designed by bloodthirsty monsters? From what I’ve read, vampires are faster and stronger than the average human. Some documents even state they have an ability to control minds.
No, I can’t do this.
I’m quite literally walking into certain death…
As I reach center stage, the mysterious vampire’s deep voice startles me out of my thoughts of impending doom. “For those of you who have been chosen to compete in the Familiar training, I’d like to formally introduce myself.”
I don’t dare look up at him. I’ll only get lost in his stupid eyes again, every inch of my body set on fire from his stare.
“My name is Knox. While I’m not one of the Five Masters of our realm, I, too, will be taking a Familiar this year.”
A jolt of electricity buzzes through me when I finally learn his name. Knox. It sounds like a melody written only for me.
I give myself a mental shake. I need to get a grip and take averycold shower at the first opportunity I get.
“You will be observed by The Five during your training. They might even participate with you so they may test your compatibility.”
My eyes dart over the vampires still left inside the tent. Which ones are The Five? If they are the most elite type of vampire here, that means they must be the strongest.
The only type of hierarchy I read about in my research held very little detail. The older the vampire, the more respected they were in vampire society. If this circus followed the same structure, then The Five must be the oldest ones here.
But nobody here looks any older than forty!
I continue scouring the rest of the crowd, clutching my bag tighter to my chest as my heart thunders beneath my rib cage. What if the one who murdered my mother is a member of The Five? Will they still die from a stake, or will it take something with a little moreoomph?
Knowing my luck, the only weapon able to kill them will be a stake made from a thousand-year-old tree that can be found only in the most remote place on earth. It also probably has to be blessed by the Pope or some shit.
“We only want the best of the best,” Knox said to the small group gathered around him. “To ensure that, you will receive training before each test starts.”
My stomach drops. How long will the training take? I have a job to do, a vampire to hunt and kill. I glance around at the rest of the chosen few; nobody else seems to have a million questions dancing on the tip of their tongue. Well, there’s no way I’m going into this shit show completely blind.
“What does the training consist of exactly?” I ask as softly as I can, despite my burning desire to scream at the vampires for daring to enslave people without their consent. Nobody here is in their right minds. They can’t possibly be able to make this kind of choice freely.
Gorgeous red eyes flash my way. That prickling sensation creeps up my neck again. I’m noticing a very specific pattern here.
Wonder if he gets the same feeling?
“All of your questions will be answered in due time. For now, let us enjoy each other’s company before the training begins.”
His voice is like a soft caress against my spine.
And I fucking hate it.
Finally, I meet his gaze, consequences be damned. If he wants me to trust him, he needs to prove why I should.
“So, you just expect us to train for something we know nothing about? At least tell us what a Familiar actually is before we throw our lives away for a dream.”
Knox’s eyes turn almost black as they blaze with fury. I regret the question as soon as it leaves my lips, but I raise my chin anyway.
Good. Someone else here should feel as angry as I am.
The people gathered in the ring begin to shift on the spot as if my voice had popped an enchanted bubble, causing them to think about what they were doing before entering into a life-threatening situation.
“Please, Master, let me dispose of her.” Blondie pleads in Knox’s ear like some pick-me bimbo. “She does not deserve the spoils the role of a Familiar offers.”
