Chapter 10 – Can't Control My Tears
The heavy door creaked open and Tasha walked into the Medical Lab holding an old leather covered book. She doesn't acknowledge me but instead walks over and sits down at a computer on the far side of the room. She begins watching a video that's in has no colour and no sound. It appears to be footage from the training session that I was a part of just 5 minutes ago. She stares at the screen intently, not making a sound, and when it goes black she places the book on the desk and opens it. She begins reading the book and acts as if I'm not in the room. The awkward silence continues for god knows how long and now she was just wasting my time so I decide to get her attention by clearing my throat. She glances at me over her shoulder and then returns to the book.
"If you don't need me here, I'd like to return to my group." I say to her.
Turning around fully to face me she says, "That was quite impressive. I've only ever seen one other person control someone like that so quickly. It usually takes months to shut down the energy and even longer to fully drain it. I'm impressed Nina, although not surprised you were able to do it."
"So why did you request me then? Just to praise me on my effort?" I ask.
"Always curious, aren't you?" She says it more like an observation than a question.
"I just don't understand." I state.
"Don't understand what Nina?" She crosses her legs and leans forward a little.
"Why me? Why do you need me for this? The people you have collected either have amazing abilities, are great fighters or strigoi so I don't see why you would need me." I dig for information, anything I can get will help get ahead of Tasha and her plan.
"I need you because you know them. You know you parents, Lissa. None of them will want to harm a hair on your head. You are the miracle child, loved by everyone at Court. And when we arrive to take Court, I can just imagine your parent's hesitation when they see you as the leader. That hesitation is what I need, that hesitation will give me the Crown."
"Hesitation, never hesitate." I recall my Dad's number one rule when it comes to being a great guardian.
"You father may not have had a good taste in women but he sure knows what he's talking about when it comes to being a guardian."
"So when are you planning on sending us to Court?" I ask.
"When the time is right, when everyone is ready to fight. It shouldn't be long now." She says it so confidently.
"And how long will it takes us to get there?" I silently beg inside my mind for her to answer, if I know how long away from Court we are I can guestimate our location.
"We can't all go together. We'll need separate planes, so however long the plane ride will be." Great, her answer gave me nothing I can work with. "Anyway enough about that. I requested you here because I need to take some blood samples."
"Blood samples? What do you need my blood for?" I move up the chair more away from her, I hate needles.
"What is this, 21 questions? Just give me your arm and then you can go back to your group." She walks over to me putting disposable gloves onto her hands.
"No way are you sticking that thing in my arm." I struggle against her grip of my wrist.
Tasha calls out something in a language that's not English or Russian and a man enters the room. I whip my head around to get a better view and I freeze when I see his eyes. Red, his eyes are Red. Strigoi. Tasha says something else to him and he move towards me.
"No. No. No. Get away from me!" I scream and break free of Tasha hold, trying to get away from them.
"Nina, he won't hurt you if you come and site back down willingly. If not he will make you." She says as if that's going to change my mind.
I throw a nervous glance at the door and calculate my escape plan which happens to be nonexistent. The strigoi takes a step towards me and I take a step back. He looks at me like a predator stalking its prey. He steps forward again and I repeat the motion of stepping back only this time I step back against a wall. Shit! I make a split second decision to bolt for the door but the strigoi beats me there and grabs me by the arm. Before I can even blink he has me back in the examining chair with my arms and legs strapped down. I look up and his face is but an inch from my own. His bright red eyes burning into mine. He slowly comes closer and then ducks his head down to my neck. He runs his fangs across my flesh, making me shiver at the strange sensation. Terror replaces the blood in my veins and I know he's going to bight me. He traces his fangs back up until he finds the spot he wants and then I feel a sharp sting as they pierce my skin.
"Thank you Jerome, that'll be all." Tasha's voice breaks my trance of pure shock and I begin breathing again.
He pauses and then stands up straight. Looking down at me he runs a finger down my face while grinning before turning and walking out the door.
"He tends to get carried away sometimes, that's what makes him so useful to me." She grins.
My heart is still thumping in my chest and just when I think it couldn't thump anymore Tasha holds up the needle. I don't know if it's the shock of what just happened with the Strigoi or the endorphins the bight gave me but I don't even flinch when the needle enters my arm. I don't even blink during the whole blood withdrawal process, I just stare at the roof.
I'm still staring at the roof when Jake comes into the Lab.
"Nina! Where the hell have you been? I've been looking for you for hours." He states as he rushes over to me and helps me sit up.
Hours? I must have really been in shock. I didn't even know Tasha had left or that my restraints were gone. The only reminder of anything happening is the little circular Band-Aid on my arm.
"Are you alright?" Jake asks me and as I finally look up at him, worry is clearly evident in his eyes.
"I…" I think about it for a second. "I honestly don't know." I stutter my confess, looking back down at my hands.
"What did she do to you?" He asks, pulling me into a warm and welcoming embrace.
I can't answer him because tears start streaming down my face. I cry into Jake's shoulder and he sits running his fingers through my hair comforting me. I may be able to control someone else's energy but today I can't control my tears.
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