When I came to my hands were opening a clear glass vial. Inside it held a thick cerulean liquid that sent odd shivers down myspine

Something was wrong.

I didn't remember waking up after I fainted in Chase's arms.
"What the hell?"

Suddenly my hands were lifting the bottle to my lips, despite my will to put it down and go back to bed.
"Hey!" I protested as they tilted the vial so that the liquid splashed up against my closed mouth.
My right arm pounded urgently.

"Drink." the word was as soft as velvet whispering through my mind.

I shuddered and my lips trembled violently. A quick, involuntary movement splashed a drop more of the serum onto my top lip.

"Drink."

I got the curious feeling that whatever was in the bottle would make me stronger, more than I'd ever be through just training.

"Stronger than Chase." It purred

My arm was aching.
I tried to focus.

If I was stronger than Chase I could defeat him in a showdown and win back my freedom. I could go home without tarnishing my honor!

The velvet voice was quick to agree. "Don't you miss your friends?"

It was growing stronger,louder somehow.

I did miss them but...but.
Slowly my lips began to part. I could almost taste the cloying sweetness the liquid's alluring scent promised.

"Stop!"

I froze as Chase appeared to the left of me, a single blue droplet poised atop my bottom lip.

"Put it down Kimiko." He ordered. I frowned, hearing a slight tinge of worry in his tone.

"Of course he's worried." The voice hissed, it's coercing flow becoming sharp with anger. "He knows that this will make you stronger than him."

I tried to throw the vial down, but my grip was iron clad.

"Drink it!" My arm was tingling, little pricks of pain running through it.

I screamed as the pain grew torturous. It burned through me like a wild fire.

Then, it was over.

Chase took the bottle and put it in his pocket.

I stared vacantly at it then feverishly wiped my lips. "What happened?" I demanded, hoping desperately he knew.
He didn't answer but closely examined my right arm.
I looked down to see the lotus mark smeared with fresh blood. He'd sealed it.