“You will have to abide by our rules and live here in the Hive, yes.”
I had guessed I was in the Hive, but now it was confirmed.Wait!I was in the mother-effing Hive! Of course I was. My skin crawled at therealization of how many ash and vampires were around me right then. Thousands. Iforced myself not to think about the only other time I’d been on these grounds.This time would be different.Yeah, sure.This time I’d probably havehundreds of the bastards trying to hurt me.
My eyes darted again to his firm grip on the torture stick. “Youcan put that thing down. I think I’ve had my weekly intake of electric shock, thanks.”I glared.
He didn’t budge. “My broken ankle would seem to disagree withyou.”
My mouth dropped slightly. I did that?Shit. “Oh. Whoops.”
He shrugged like it was no big deal. “It will heal in a fewhours.”
I leaned back on the pillow. Maybe for now I needed to just shutthe hell up and do what this guy told me. I clearly didn’t know anything aboutthis place, and there was no returning to the human world for me. My entirelife was going to change. No more Tessa, no more Mom. Curfew, blood thirst,fighting.Shit …I had forgotten about that part. The fighting. Therumors of the fighting match required to earn your place here. I felt the heatbehind my eyes then, the pressure which had me pressing my tongue to the roofof my mouth. But there was no stopping it. Big hot girly tears tumbled down mycheeks and I rolled over and faced the wall as sobs wracked my body.
I heard the soft click of the door as Ryder left to give me privacyand I let it all out. I needed to process this shit and get over it, because ifthe rumors were true, I would soon be fighting for my life. The Hive wasoverpopulated. If you wanted to live, you had to earn that right.
After cryingit all out, I pulled myself together. That was my one moment to fall apart. NowI would deal with this shit the same way I had dealt with every bad thing in mylife – by fighting back. I got out of bed, wincing as I pulled out my IV andthe tape which had held it down. Noticing a pile of clothes on a nearby chair,I crossed over to pick up the first item. I felt my brows draw together as Istared at the shiny material. I wasn’t happy about wearing something of theirs,but I had no choice. I also noticed boots and underwear, which surprisinglyenough looked to be my size. I slipped into the cotton underwear and followedthis with the skintight black jumpsuit, which had silver panels on the side.Everything fit me like a glove. The back and front right pocket of my suit had “#46”on it.
Had they custom made this outfit for me or something? How long hadI been out of it? Surely not long enough for them to measure and fit me with anoutfit. Ugh, did those creeps take my measurements while I was unconscious? Ireally shouldn’t even be surprised by that.
Dressed and nervous, I was just deciding whether or not to try andopen the door when I heard voices on the other side. I pressed my ear againstit.
“There has never been a female ash. She’s special. The rules arenot the same for her and we shouldn’t have her fight with the others. What ifshe’s killed?” Ryder’s voice was low, controlled, but I could hear undercurrentswhich made me nervous. I couldn’t tell how far away he was, but I could hearhim as if he was right next to me. Ash perk.
A cold, hard voice cut him off. “There are eleven open beds leftin this hive and forty-six new ash. She will fight with the others and earn herplace like everyone else.”
“Sir, I respect your position, but—”
“But you’re not in my position, so do your job and follow orders.Find her a trainer and a sponsor and be done with it!” Loud footstepsretreated.
“Dick,” Ryder muttered, and I smirked.
The door opened suddenly, cracking me in the side of the face.
“Ow!” I rubbed my cheek as Ryder stood before me.
He let out an exasperated sigh. “Do you make it a habit to listenbehind closed doors?”
His eyes locked in on me and I was struck by the notion that, likemy own, his were a little different than the others. More silver.
I stepped back a few feet. “I might be guilty of doing that on occasion.”
Hehad no cast on his leg now. He hadn’t been kidding about the quick healing. And,thankfully, heno longer carried the torture stick.Hegestured for me to follow him.
“If you can keep from attacking everyone, I can allow you to jointhe rest of the new ash.”
“No promises.” I pursed my lips. I wasn’t kidding either.
The smallest hint of a smile crossed his face as if he’d heard theextra thoughts I didn’t add. He picked up his walkie-talkie. “I’m taking newinitiate number forty-six out into general population. Be advised.”
My eyebrows shot up.Seriously?What else had I done in myblood craze?
I followed him out of the long hall. We passed a dozen doors. My prettycool, black ass-kicking boots clanked against the black and white checkered linoleumfloors. At the end of the hall, Ryder opened two double doors which led into anice waiting room. A beautiful, extremely well-coiffed female vampire sat areception desk, talking on the phone. There were closed-door offices scatteredto the left and right.
Ryder led me to a door marked “Orientation.”
He opened it and I glanced inside. It was empty of people. Just afew desks.
His expression was unreadable as he gestured for me to stepinside. “This is where I leave you,” he said. “I will send Jose along to getyou acquainted and give you a tour.”
