men and addressed them. “I propose we do the test again. We know she can control how much she blood drinks from a child and we know how rare denying one’s self is for a newborn. I think we should use an adult feeder this time and see how she reacts.”
Oleif addressed his leader in their native language so I didn’t understand what was being said, but one word did stick out. The word was Jason. Jason has been my last feeder yesterday and the experience had been sexually charged and heavenly. My mouth watered just thinking about it.
“Contact the service Archer uses and get Jason down here,” Ruarc said, turning back to me but still speaking to Oleif. “I have a feeling she won’t be holding back when she feeds from him. I believe we will soon have our answer.”
The men murmured their agreement and Ruarc took a few steps toward me. “We will have to wait for his arrival so we will put the second stage of the test on hold until he gets here. Are you ready for the third stage?”
I swallowed thickly and looked over at Hagan uncertainly. He nodded his head slightly and I took a deep breath and did the same. “I’m as ready as I’ll ever be, Ruarc.”
“The third stage of the Test of Intake will focus on consumption of vampire blood,” Ruarc said and Hagan made a strange noise in the back of his throat next to me.
“Vampire blood?” I asked, confused. “I was told that vampires do not drink the blood of other vampires and that it’s only done for mating purposes.”
“That is mostly true,” Ruarc bowed his head slightly. “Dark ones have been known to drink from their brethren on occasion and we all know Amun regularly consumes the blood of both the Day and Dark races to survive. This test will determine how well you enjoy it and show us if you have similar qualities as the unclean one.”
I unconsciously wrung my hands with worry as I chewed at my bottom lip. I was completely terrified of this stage of the test. What if I am a monster just like Amun? What if I like their blood and turn into some vampire draining mass murderer? “I don’t want to do this, Ruarc,” I whispered with fearful eyes.
“You must,” Hagan whispered from his place beside me. “Your refusal to partake in a test is an automatic death sentence.”
“The choice is yours, Miss Morrison,” Ruarc stated sternly. “You can take the test or accept the final death. Choose now.”
A small squeak slipped out of me as he said the words ‘final death’. I had no doubt he would end my life right here on the spot. I nervously glanced around the room and saw every eye on me. As much as I didn’t want to participate in this stage, I knew I had to face my worst fear. I needed to find out if Amun’s influence on me was that strong. If I needed to consume immortal blood regularly in order to live, I didn’t want to live. I would be a monster just like him and there was no way I could live with myself.
I folded my arms protectively over my stomach and slowly conceded. “Okay. I’ll do it. Can… can I choose the vampire?”
Ruarc pursed his lips and thought my request over. “You may,” he said after a few silent seconds and I sighed in relief.
“I would prefer Trey, sir,” I said without hesitation, “if he’ll agree to it. I don’t want him to be forced to though.”
Ruarc nodded to one of his men and they flashed upstairs to retrieve Trey. I immediately turned to Hagan and spoke to him in a whisper.
“If something happens… if I can’t control myself or stop feeding from him, you make me stop Hagan. You kill me if you have to but don’t let me hurt Trey.”
“You are not Amun, Morrison,” he growled lowly as he put both hands on my shoulders and leaned down to my eye level. “You can do this. Remember who you are. I know you won’t hurt Trey but if it makes you feel better, I promise I’ll stop you if you can’t.”
I nodded my head and thanked him as I heard footsteps on the basement stairs. Trey came down wearing tight skinny jeans and a cerulean blue deep V-neck t-shirt. He had a small smile on his full lips but his blue eyes betrayed the worry he