***For viewing on this site, the content of this chapter has been edited. For the full version post a reply saying you would like to read it and I shall message it to you. Thank you. -The Author***

Test Fifteen

I stood just on the edge of the forest. It was almost like a playback of the night I had tried to escape—snowy and barely see-through.
Rho and the others had remained at the riverside. They knew that they would draw too much attention to themselves. It all relied on my own pale looks to get me to the building. Hopefully my uniform wouldn’t give me away.
I ran, low to the ground, towards the building. There were only three guards that I hoped would see me—Zaien, Pes, or Jamie.
The run seemed to stretch out forever, pushing my muscles to their limit and then farther. When my hands met the door, I nearly cried out in relief.
“Y’think they actually do that to them?” a voice said, coming towards me.
I crouched behind the bushes, staying as still as possible. My thoughts were catapulted back to when I’d tried to escape—to the time that Zaien had caught me.
“Dunno,” another voice answered. “I don’t really care. We’re getting paid more than they’re worth, I can tell you that. And all we have to do is walk around all day.”
The first voice’s reply was fainter as they drew away. I could barely make out their words.
I turned as silently as I could and opened the window. Normally the windows were unlocked—Jate and Feiral always made sure all the windows were always locked.
The window opened with the smallest “swish” sound and I drug my body up and inside. It was well past curfew so no one should be awake.
I stepped into the room and felt familiarization cross through me.
This was my room.
All the rooms looked the same, smelled the same, and felt the same but you always knew what room was yours.
You had memories in your room—emotions, that made it yours. There were ties that made the “feel” of the room different from the others.
I side-stepped the bed and froze when I heard a soft sound emanating from the bed. The person in it, however, stayed asleep.
The bed was small and the boy on it was even smaller. Immediately I recognized the wealth of silver hair on his head as being similar to my own.
A mage?
I shoved my thoughts aside and headed to my door. Like the window, it made only the softest of sounds.
The hallway was empty and I knew by instinct that Jate and Feiral had already checked to make sure the Patients were sleeping.
I slipped out of the room and quietly made my way down the empty halls to Aime’s room. She was the closest and then Fate three doors down. Giles resided on the complete other wing.
The door opened with barely a sound and I made sure to close it quietly behind me once I’d made it completely inside. Aime was sound asleep on her bed.
I walked silently to her, my heart thundering in anticipation, before looking down at her.
Aime was curled into a ball, hugging her pillow to her chest. Her head was on the bed making her wealth of long, silvery hair spill over the edge. Currently, the moon bled in through her window, bathing her sleeping form and causing her skin to practically glow.
I pressed my fingertips against her shoulder and pushed gently, shaking her.
“Aime,” I whispered softly. “Aime…wake up.” I paused, biting my lip. “Aime…it’s Claire.”
She made a soft noise of complaint before rolling over. As she lifted to roll over, her hair moved and flowed before pooling around her in a sea of shimmering waves.
Her eyes opened, hazy at first, before she focused on me.
She didn’t jump or even widen her eyes. She merely sat up as if she’d been expecting me.
“Claire…”
Her voice was soft and even—still holding the philosophical touch that had always been there.
“I knew,” she continued, her gaze as even as always. “I knew you were coming. I dreamt about it. For days. I always have dreams that happen. All my dreams happen.
“You’re here to destroy Jate and Feiral.”
Destroy…that was strange. Destroy always lied with vampires. You killed humans or mages or, even, werewolves. But vampires—they were destroyed.
Just that one word made everything change. How was it possible, that she knew?
“We’re not human,” she said rather bluntly. “Some of the people here at the Clinic are, but not most. Byren…he…he came here and told me—told me what my dreams meant and that he had to do awful, awful things for his parents.
“He told me everything—about the Patients…and the Guards…and the Doctors…and about you, Claire. He told me you were the reason the Clinic was ever created.”
I sat on the edge of the bed and frowned. Why had she found everything out in its entirety? The Patient’s weren’t meant to know anything until they left—or so I’d thought.
“Byren told me I am a Seer—that I am a person who can see the future. Some Seers have visions, some hear voice—some, however, have dreams. I know what’s going to happen, Claire—and you’re not going to like it. It is going to hurt very, very badly. Not physically—but emotionally. Maybe even mentally.
“Zaien is in the Guard Quarter with Pes and Jamie. Zaien will go with you and meet the Guardian Mages and you’ll think of a plan overnight. Tomorrow, it will be put into action. I cannot tell you if it will work or not, though—I know, but I cannot tell you.
“After that, you’ll loose many, many people. Again, I cannot tell you who. It will be painful. It will be hurtful. But you must know that every person who dies who you consider a “friend” truly loves you—more than anything else in the world. There is one in particular that this is true for. You’ll know it when they die.”
I felt wetness hit my hand and I blinked. Sometime through everything, I had started crying. Aime, however, sat completely composed.
“Go,” she said softly. “Zaien and Pes and Jamie are waiting for you—they know you’re coming.”
I tried to speak but Aime simply smiled and shook her head. Without any warning her arms wrapped tightly around me, hugging me to her.
“Thank for everything, Claire.”
She released me and I hesitated as she returned to her sleeping position and went back to sleep.
I wiped the tears from my eyes and ran downstairs. I didn’t really try to stay hidden. No one was around so it really didn’t matter.
The door to the Guard Quarter didn’t open as silently but I knew no one would pay any attention to it. They would just think it was a Guard finished with their patrols.
I followed the familiar hallway and opened into the Commons. Zaien, Pes, and Jamie were just inside.
Jamie sat on the couch, his long legs stretched out along its length. His hair, for once, was down and spilled over the armrest that he’s laid his head on.
Pes sat in and arm chair, legs crossed at the knees, with his hands folded in his lap. His bangs had fallen slightly and hid his left eye from view. His gaze was focused on the ground, mostly.
Zaien, unlike the others, was standing against one of the hallways. I knew it was one that led to his room. His hair had fallen forward slightly, his head tilted down. His arms were crossed as were his legs at the ankles.
Every single one of them looked like a gorgeous model. Then again, somehow I knew it was a trait for vampires.
I felt my heart rate pick up and my hands slowly grow clammy. They could hear me—they knew I was here. Were they pretending they didn’t know?
Carefully, I tried to take a step forward. My body refused to move and I could feel my nerves skyrocket.
This was crazy!! It was Zaien and Pes and Jamie! They were my friends!!
And they’re vampires, a part of my mind pointed out. They’re just like Jate and Feiral. They could kill you!
They’re my friends!! They’re not going to hurt me, I screamed back.
Well, if they’re your friends, why are you so afraid?
Afraid? Was I…afraid?
Just turn around and walk away—no one can blame you if you did, the voice said with a smile. “I’m scared—I don’t want to do this! Why me? Why should I have to do this?”
I leaned against the wall, my back pressing against the cool cement. The outside world just faded away.
“This isn’t my fault. It has nothing to do with me. Just because I’m her daughter doesn’t mean anything.” The voice was practically laughing now.
“Not my fault,” I whispered, sliding down the wall. “Just because…her daughter…”
I closed my eyes, hitting the floor. One of my legs—my right?—was twisted to the side while the other had somehow pulled itself up.
“Claire?”
The voice was so far away—reality was so far gone. I felt almost as if I was floating.
“It’s the Clinic!” someone tried to yell. It barely permeated the thick fog in my mind. “It’s doing this to her! Zaien!!”
“I just wanna be normal,” the voice continued. “Normal Claire with normal friends—no duties or responsibilities; a normal girl with a normal family. Not that woman’s daughter.”
“Normal…”
I felt liquid spill into my mouth and I jumped, choking and coughing, as I was thrust into reality. It was almost as if I was being ripped into thousands of pieces.
“Claire,” someone yelled. “Claire, open your eyes!”
I opened my eyes tiredly. The simple action took so much energy.
But it was completely worth it to see Zaien’s familiar mint-emerald eyes.
I brought a hand to my lips, feeling the warmth there. I knew before I looked at my hand what resided there.
When I pulled away, the tips of my fingers were stained with blood. I brought my hand to my lips and licked it off. The action should’ve sickened me, but it didn’t.
I wrapped an arm around Zaien’s neck and lifted my body up, pressing my lips against his own.
Zaien froze at first, unsure what to do, but finally kissed me back. The need inside of me, burning, was sated. It was as if I had been doused with water. As if everything finally felt right.
I wrapped an arm around his neck, my free hand curling into the vest of his uniform. The material ripped with a loud noise and I jumped, pulling back slightly.
“Don’t worry about it,” he mumbled, kissing my jaw. “I have others.”
I nodded and Zaien set up. I mourned the loss of his kiss but my heart picked up when he stood, lifting me into his arms.
“Pes,” he said evenly, “Jamie…don’t you two have patrols? Jate and Feiral would be very upset to know that you’re slacking off.”
The duo grinned from ear to ear, meeting one another’s gazes before looking at Zaien.
“Of course,” Pes said, trying to tame his smile. “Jamie—let’s go.”
Jamie laughed rather loudly and I felt my cheeks flame. I buried my face into his chest.
“Right,” Jamie said, almost…giggling. “Zaien’s going to be busy with his ‘patrols.’”
The two went off laughing insanely and I snuggled deeper into Zaien, trying to hide. I had a feeling it only fueled their laughter.
“You can come out from hiding now,” Zaien said softly, pulling away from me slightly. “The threat has dispersed.”
I tilted back a little, enough to look into his eyes, and smiled softly. It had felt like a lifetime since I’d seen him. So much had happened in such a short amount of time.
“Claire,” he whispered, carrying me down a hallway. “I’ve missed you. I’ve been so worried.”
I lifted an arm around his neck and pulled myself up to him, my lips brushing against his own.
“So did I—I’ve missed you too.”
Zaien opened a door without missing a beat and shut it behind him easily. It was almost as if I wasn’t in his arms.
“Claire,” he said hesitantly, looking down at me. “You know now, don’t you—what I am? What creature I am?”
I fell slightly, the air in my lungs faltering slightly. I choked in another breath and pushed away from him, falling to the floor without a sound.
“Yes,” I said quietly, my eyes on his. “You…You’re a vampire.”
Zaien’s gaze broke from my own and I felt my heart sink. This would change everything.
“And I…I’m a…”
The words caught in my throat and I felt tears burn my eyes. It was all I could do not to let them fall.
“I’m a mage…”
Zaien stayed silent.
The words hung in the air like poison. Everything I loved was gone. Anything that I possibly could’ve had was destroyed by three simple words.
“I-I’m sorry.” I choked out, tears falling down my cheeks. “I’m so, so sorry. This is all my fault. The Clinic. The Doctors. Everything. Because I was born I—”
Zaien’s lips slammed against my own, cutting off whatever I was going to say. I registered that my eyes had widened and that his hands were holding tightly to my upper arms. It was almost painful.
“Claire,” he gasped, holding me tightly to his chest. “I love you. I don’t care what you are. I don’t care what you’ve done. You are Claire. And I love you.”
His lips met mine once again, pleading for something, and I felt electricity slice through my veins. It was so painful but so good.
I kissed him back fully, throwing all caution to the wind. I didn’t care anymore. This moment was mine. I couldn’t be sure if I’d ever have another.
Zaien laid me gently on the bed, pinning me beneath him. I felt my heart race but ignored it as I dragged him back down to kiss me.
His kiss was like fire and I was ice. It burned and melted me but it felt too good to stop. I didn’t care if I became a dripping puddle of water—I needed it.
I slid my hands along the front of his vest, sinking my nails into the fabric. Without much force, it ripped beneath my fingers.
Zaien let out a soft sound that I realized was a chuckle and leaned forward, his forearms lying flat against the bed on either side of my head. His breath was on my neck and I felt myself shiver.
“Do you want it off?” he said darkly, his lips brushing against my ear.
His voice had taken on a darker, more seductive tone and I could feel my blood humming in response. I’d never felt anything like it before.
“Yes.”
Zaien leaned back, sitting on his calves, and lifted the vest off and over his head.
He didn’t bother to ask if I wanted his shirt off. The thin material was the next to go and I was allowed an uninterrupted view of his chest.
I swallowed, my fingertips brushing against his collar bone hesitantly, tracing the scars there. When I met Zaien’s gaze he looked away.
“The Patients aren’t the only ones who are tested on,” he said quietly. He leaned back down and kissed me thoroughly. “Ignore it.”
I obeyed his request and wrapped my arms around his shoulders. His lips danced across my eyelids and then my cheekbones before traveling along my jaw.
“Do you want me to…?”
He didn’t have to finish the sentence for me to know what he was asking.
I tilted my head back, exposing my pale throat. Every inch of me felt like it was on fire, scorching itself. Zaien was the water causing it to flame yet to be doused.
His lips slid along my throat, his tongue dragging across the smooth and sensitive surface. I gasped, twisting beneath him in an attempt to get away yet draw closer to him.
It was as if I didn’t know what I wanted but knew that I needed it. All I could make sense of was, if he was going to torture me, this would be the perfect way.
Zaien kissed my throat gently and I felt his teeth—no, his fangs—break through my skin.
The bite wasn’t painful. Quite the opposite. I could clearly remember my classes at M. I. A. explaining that, when someone was bitten by a vampire, endorphins were released that soothed any pain before it was even noticeable which left the bitten on a high from it.
Many humans who knew about vampires were addicted to it. Now I could understand why.
Warmth spilled down my neck and I let out a soft moan. There was no fear. I knew it wasn’t from the endorphins. It swelled from my trust of Zaien.
I dimly felt movement and I met Zaien’s gaze. The light emerald had darkened to an almost clouded jade.
The first thing I saw was his eyes. The second, though, was the blood on his lips and the small trail that had slid down his chin.
As carefully as I could I leaned up and followed the trail with my tongue, the taste of iron filling my mouth. As disgusted as I should’ve been, I found the taste almost…enjoyable.
Zaien slammed me to his bed, urgent, as he kissed me, his tongue claming every inch of my mouth.
After that, I was lost.

“That was…” I paused. Trying to think of words to describe it were next to impossible. “That was more than amazing.”
Zaien chuckled, rolling on his side and pulling me to him. I curled into him, smiling.
“Yes,” he said, kissing my forehead. “That was much, much more than amazing.”
I smiled then frowned.
I had to get going. Rho and the others would be worried if I didn’t come out soon.
Astral projection—why hadn’t they just had me use it? Or…did they, like Aime, know?
I blushed brightly and sat up looking at the remains of my clothing. There was no way that I could wear them anymore.
My hair fell over my body in waves and I felt tiny. I hugged myself as self-consciousness kicked in.
“You look beautiful.”
I glanced over to shoulder and saw Zaien propped up on his elbow, his head in his hand. My blush deepened.
“I need clothes.”
The statement was so simple yet so embarrassing. I knew Zaien would understand my urgency, though.
Zaien nodded and pointed to the desk and to the clothes given to the Patient’s there.
I dressed quickly, old habits from my days living at the Clinic kicking in, and started for the door. Zaien was right behind me, already dressed.
Pes and Jamie sat out in the Commons, cards in front of them. I recognized the game as King’s Corners. The Guards would play it quite often.
Zaien and I took a seat on the couch and the duo wrapped up their game, cleaning up the mess.
For the first time all night, I became self-conscious of my brands. Zaien hadn’t said anything about them but I had a feeling that they all wanted to know.
“Claire,” Pes said evenly, his gaze meeting my own. “What happened after you left?”
“And what was up with the uniform you came back in?” Jamie piped in, crossing his arms.
I took in a deep breath and relaxed into Zaien.
“When I was taken, I found out that Byren wasn’t someone on my side.” I hesitated. “Actually, he is Jate and Feiral’s son…”
The three vampires were silent and I bit my lip gently before continuing nervously.
“Well, I was supposed to be thrown into the Rift and I was. But…something happened. I don’t know. How I understood it, I was supposed to die when I was thrown into the Rift but I didn’t. I remember hearing Zaien’s voice and then talking to my mother…and then I came to at Celti’s home.”
Zaien tensed and I stroked his arm gently.
“She and her brother took care of me for a little while and Celti explained everything to me—about vampires and werewolves and mages. It was shortly after that I met Rho.”
I lifted my palms and the three focused on them.
“These markings,” I said, pointing to my palm listed with the names of the Guardian Mages, “are the names of the Guardian Mages. They are the highest ruling body of my kind.”
My kind. The words were so foreign yet I knew they were true…and I hated it.
“And these,” I said, pointing to the other hand, “are strengths and powers and such. I don’t quite understand them but apparently they are important.”
I let my hands drop before continuing.
“Originally, I met Rho first. I was at Celti’s home when I’d gone outside. She immediately explained pretty much everything and what I needed to do. Basically, I had to gather the Guardian Mages and train before facing Jate and Feiral.
“It wasn’t long before I met Zetta and Epsilon. Epsilon, though, has a brother who is the Reaper of Fire—Raze—and I think that it might be an advantage for us.
“Anyway, I ran into Byren and Kren and we sort of fought. In the end, I left with Rho, Zetta, and Epsilon and went to M. I. A. or the Mages Institute of Academics. That is where I got the uniform, Jamie.
“I was there for a while and ended up bonding with familiars. I had a basilisk named Naga, a dragon called Aversion, and a blue phoenix named Cheylo. I also bonded with a manticore which is where I got these.”
Carefully, I turned over my arms and let them clearly see the markings on my forearms.
Zaien was the first to notice something about them, like I had realized.
“They have the symbol for the Clinic in them,” he said slowly. “Or am I seeing things?”
“No,” I said evenly. “You see it. The manticore’s tail is filled with highly venomous paralyzing poison. But, it can also make someone stronger if used right. I was paralyzed for about two weeks and, in that two weeks, Byren turned sixteen.”
I paused and with drew my arms.
“During that time, I also learned that I could bond with creatures that supposedly could never be bonded with—namely the manticore. Everyone fears her and I was apparently the first to ever speak with her and live. Or something of that nature, it seems.
“Oh, before I forget. I was also introduced to a man that was supposed to be my fiancé—Scorpion. It didn’t last very long though. Neither of us really wants it.
“Aside from that, at a formal, Byren showed up once again and explained everything about my mother, Kyanite, and my family. To make a long story short, my mother left Jate and Feiral’s father because she had to since she was a mage and he was a vampire and she gave birth to me.
“Jate and Feiral turned their home into the Clinic with one goal—to find and kill me. That was their one and only purpose with everything, from how Byren made it sound.
“After that, well…I left M. I. A. and trained with Iota and Eta. I met them at M. I. A. as Elly and Kyle. We trained for a short time before I came here. And…well, that’s everything. Now I’m here to fight Jate and Feiral.”
“What a nice story, Claire,” someone said from the entry way. “I think you’ve gotten every piece out.”
I tensed and turned slowly. Zaien’s arm around me tightened and I felt comfort.
Any sense of comfort, however, disappeared when I met Byren’s cold eyes.
Fear swelled from deep inside of me, causing my blood to chill and my skin to crawl.
“Byren,” I choked out.
I stood and shoved down the fear. I was safe. He couldn’t hurt me. Three vampires plus a mage next to a hybrid…the hybrid had the favor.
“Don’t even think about fighting me, Claire,” he said coolly. “Unless you want all of these people to die, of course—which I will happily do.”
I tensed, staying in place. Things were happening that I hadn’t planned. Why hadn’t Aime told me about this? Had she sided with Byren?
No, I yelled mentally. She would never do that! She would help us!
“Jamie.”
I blinked, looking at Byren confused.
Jamie? What did Jamie have to do with anything? And why had he said just his name?
I felt arms wrap around me and crush me, squeezing me tightly until I couldn’t breathe and I could feel my bones nearly giving beneath the pressure.
Someone hissed and I heard Byren growl at them to stay put or I would be broken in two.
“Jamie,” I forced out. “Why, Jamie? W-Why…?”
I closed my eyes. There was no other option. It was my one and only choice.
The pressure built beneath my skin, pressing and clawing, before it erupted. I heard things shatter and break and people screaming. When I opened my eyes, I realized that I was on the ground.
I sat up, pain filling my body, and looked around.
Zaien and Pes stood in awe, staring at me. Jamie was blown across the room, smashed through a wall. Byren was gone—escaped.
“Claire,” Zaien cried out, running over to me and lifting me into his arms. “Are you alright?”
“Hey…do I still owe you a deal?” I smiled slightly.
Zaien laughed, holding me tightly yet gently, and I smiled wider. I knew he was simply glad to have me alright.
“I have to get out of here,” I said, standing shakily. “Before anyone else comes.”
Zaien nodded and I walked to Jamie, lifting him up slightly. I wanted one answer.
“Why Jamie—tell me why…”
He groaned, his gaze focusing slowly before he froze.
“Tell me why, Jamie Kix. Tell me why you did this.”
He looked away, trying to move. I didn’t let him. Finally, he relinquished the hold he had on his silence.
“I…I’m a Doctor,” he admitted finally. “I work with Jate and Feiral. I’ve passed myself off as a Guard since I first arrived here but, in truth, I’ve been working behind the scenes as a Doctor. I was the one who created the drug to force out powers.”
The memory of coming into my powers made my skin ache and crawl and I forced it away.
I set him down carefully and stood. He wouldn’t be down for very long.
“He’ll be fine,” I mumbled, walking towards the exit. “I have to leave now. Rho and the others…they’re waiting for me.”
I met Zaien’s pain-filled gaze and looked away. I felt numb. Jamie’s betrayal hit me very hard.
Zaien hugged me and I kissed his cheek softly.
“Let’s make a deal,” I whispered, pulling back. “Are you willing?”
“That’s my thing,” he said, smirking. “But yes—I am willing to make a deal with you.”