“I excel at testing,” I said.
“She does,” Bryn added. “Top of the class at Spellslingers. Kind of annoying, to be honest.”
“Is that so?” Sheila seemed pleased by this personal detail. “What are your strongest skills? Fire, obviously. What else?”
I couldn’t decide whether it was smart to tell her. “I’ll let you figure it out,” I replied. “I mean, you have all these contraptions for testing. Why waste them?”
Sheila laughed. “Not to worry, Number Five. We wouldn’t take your word for it. In my experience, no one is as powerful as she claims to be.” She paused. “That’s the interesting bit about your friend. She doesn’t claim to be powerful at all, but we know better, don’t we?” She winked at me before making a twirling motion with her index finger. An individual containment cell materialized around Sheila.
“It’s a protective barrier,” Bryn explained. “They’re going to stop the enchantment on your restraints so you can use magic.”
“Why would they do that?” I asked. I’d be able to break out of here once I had access to my magic. I hesitated. If that were true, then Bryn wouldn’t be here now.
“The walls in every room I’ve been in are maxed out on enchantment,” Bryn said, as though reading my mind. “They want you to use your magic in here to see your capabilities, but they’re smart enough to prevent you from using it to break out.”
The fey torches on the wall flickered and I felt a jolt of pain up my spine. “Stars and stones,” I yelled.
“Is it your back?” Bryn asked.
“Yes,” I choked out. I prepared for another round of pain. It came in a crashing wave—this time rippling over my entire body. It took me a full minute before I could gather enough breath to speak. “They want me to use magic to combat pain?”
“Not yet,” Bryn said. “First, they’re testing your pain tolerance.”
“They can see us?” I asked.
“In here, yes,” she said. “They’re monitoring and making notes. In your private room, I don’t think they watch twenty-four hours a day. I think it’s periodic surveillance.”
The next flash of pain was more intense than the last. Whatever they were doing this time, they focused on my head. It felt like my temples were being squeezed in a vice, even though nothing was there.
“Stay strong, Dani,” Bryn said encouragingly. “Take a deep breath. They don’t want to kill you.”
It sure felt like it. The next dose of pain triggered my magic. It rocketed through me like a runaway train. My restraints dissolved and I rolled off the table. Unfortunately, I was so weak from the pain that I fell to the floor. I landed on my front and more pain shot through my chest. Decent boobs were nice to have, but spell’s bells, they were tender when smashed against a hard surface.
I leapt to my feet and called to my magic. Sheila remained in her containment cell, expressionless. I had to free Bryn from that contraption. Together, we could fight our way out of this place. I didn’t care that it was called the Fortress. When I was finished with it, they’d call it the Pile of Useless Rubble. I had no intention of spending another minute here.
I only made it two steps before I felt a field of energy surround me.
“Do you think you’re the first to believe she can escape?” Sheila asked.
Despite my efforts to stay standing, I felt myself being pulled back to the table. Their magic overpowered me, forcing me onto the table and applying new restraints in place of the ones I’d destroyed. The moment I was secure, Sheila’s protective barrier dissolved.
“Wasn’t that fun?” Sheila cooed, and I wanted to punch her in the throat.
“For you, maybe,” I snarled.
“We won’t overdo it,” Sheila said. “Our goal is to extract information for now, not to permanently incapacitate you. That wouldn’t serve our purpose at all.”
“What is your purpose?” I asked.
Sheila pressed her red lips together. “We haven’t gotten to that part yet, Number Five.”
“Why have Bryn here?” I asked. “You prefer a party atmosphere?”
“I think it makes testing easier when you have a companion to watch over you. A little support goes a long way.” Sheila tapped a black fingernail on my cheek. “Girl power, and all that.”
“Don’t let her shoulder pads fool you,” Bryn said. “It’s not a nod to the Eighties. She really is that unfashionable. She can’t blame being a vampire either. Gray would never look so out of place, not unless it was part of a mission.”
Sheila’s fangs extended as she whipped around to hiss at Bryn. “That’s quite enough, Number One. No more references to this vampire warden.”
I wondered whether Bryn’s boyfriend worried her at all. Did they know Bryn’s identity when they kidnapped her or was she a random target? I was inclined to believe they knew.
“She’s just jealous because I have a vampire boyfriend and I’m not even a vampire,” Bryn said. “It’s obvious that Sheila here is lonely.”
Sheila struggled to maintain her composure. “If you weren’t so valuable, Number One, I’d kill you myself.”
I decided to join in the hazing process. “Hey, why does she get to be Number One?” I asked.
“That’s your pressing question right now?” Bryn shot back. “Maybe it’s because I was here first.”
Sheila faced me again. “Do I sense a rivalry between the two of you? Well now, that could make things very interesting.”
“There’s no rivalry,” I said. “We’re close friends.”
“We’re roommates,” Bryn said.
Sheila’s heels clicked across the flagstone floor as she headed for the wall.
“We’ll never do anything to hurt each other,” I added.
She turned back to me and smiled, showing her fangs. “We’ll see about that.”
Chapter Eleven
They sedated me again and I awoke back in my private room. My knees were drawn against my chest and I felt dried saliva on my cheek. Gross. I wiped it away with my sleeve.
The lower section of the wall shimmered, alerting me to the fact that a tray of food was forthcoming.
“Can I eat without being knocked out, please?” I asked no one in particular.
“This meal is sedative free, Number Five,” a voice replied. The male again.
“Thanks for the tip.” I tore into the meat. Magic use and pain made me hungry. If I were going to be forced into testing, I needed to keep up my strength.
Sheila appeared in front of me. “You’re showing great promise, Number Five.”
I chucked an apple at her head and it sailed right through her as though she were a ghost. Well, there went my plan to attack. “You’re not really here,” I said.
“Do I look stupid to you?” Sheila asked. “I’m using astral projection.”
“I didn’t realize vampires could do that,” I said. “Don’t you need a soul?” I knew it had nothing to do with a soul, but I figured I’d hurl an insult at any opportunity.
“I use energy,” Sheila explained. “It allows me to converse with you without worrying about my safety.”
“Why do you need to converse with me?” I asked. “Just run your abusive tests and leave me alone.”
“As I’ve told you, you’re valuable to me,” Sheila said. “It’s important to keep you in good shape.”
“But not spirits?” I queried. “Haven’t you ever heard of mind over matter?”
She gestured to her astral form. “I believe I’m demonstrating that right now.”
Good point. “Why are you here? To make sure I eat?”
“That’s one reason,” she said. “It’s critical to keep up your strength.”
“Yes, I figured that one out without your input, Sheila.” I took another bite of the stew and chewed. A bit gamey but not too bad. “Why else?”
“To gauge how you’re feeling now,” the vampire said.
I met her inquisitive gaze. “I feel like killing you. Does that hel
p?”
Sheila’s fangs poked out of the sides of her mouth. “It does, actually. I’m liking you more and more, Number Five.”
“I have a name,” I said.
She gave a dismissive wave. “Yes, yes. Danielle something-or-other. I’m not concerned with who you were. I’m more concerned with what you are to become.”
I didn’t like that she referred to me as ‘what’ rather than ‘who.’ “You’re molding me into something? That’s your plan? What about Bryn?”
“Number One is none of your concern.”
“She’s my friend,” I said. “Of course she’s my concern. I’m here because I was searching for her.”
“How fortuitous for us,” Sheila said.
“I’m stuck here,” I said. “Why won’t you tell me why? It’s not like I can leave if I don’t like it.”
“It’s part of the mind over matter approach,” Sheila replied. “If you don’t fully understand the reality of the situation, it’s better for both of us.”
I didn’t like the sound of that. I shoved my food aside. “Maybe I should stop eating then. Maybe keeping up my strength is a bad idea.”
“No strength is the road to a quicker death,” Sheila said vaguely.
“Maybe that’s preferable to here,” I shot back.
Sheila’s astral form dissipated and I pretended to eat more of the food. I was fairly certain the sedative was mixed in with the meat’s gravy, so I carefully avoided soaking the meat and vegetables in any of the liquid. They must’ve figured that the gravy was the most likely to be eaten, whether the prisoner preferred meat or vegetables. I finally pushed the tray away and slumped against the wall. As usual, the bottom of the wall shimmered. The moment the thin line appeared, I grasped the edge of the tray. When it got sucked to the opening, I went right along with it. The opening was just high enough for me to reach through and grab whatever waited on the other side.
A hand.
I wrenched the strange hand through the gap to my side of the wall.
“No, don’t close it!” a voice screamed.
Too late. The opening dissolved, leaving the wall in its place—along with a severed hand and forearm. I released the hand and scrambled back against the wall, waiting to see whether there’d be any repercussions.
“You didn’t take your sedative, Number Five,” the familiar male voice said.
“I wasn’t in the mood for sleep,” I replied.
The slot in the wall opened and again and I watched in satisfaction as it sucked through the dismembered body part.
“You seem pleased with yourself,” the male voice said.
“I’d be more pleased if I figured out how to escape,” I replied.
“I can see why you’re friends with Number One,” he said. “Similar temperaments.”
“Who are Numbers Two through Four?” I asked.
“Right now, we have a variety of species. I don’t know their numbers offhand because I’m assigned to you. There’s a werewolf, a siren, a minotaur…There are numbers after you, too.”
“How often do they change?”
“As often as they need to be replaced.”
Vague but still…He was talking. “Why aren’t they all magical?”
“That will eventually become clear,” the man said.
“Something to look forward to then. What’s your name, Disembodied Voice?”
“I’m not permitted to give that information.”
No surprise there. “My name’s Dani.”
“Thank you, Number Five.”
“My grandmother was held in a facility like this,” I told him. “They stripped her of her magic because it was the only way to break her addiction to it.”
“Yes, I’ve read your file.”
Hmm. I had a file. “Then you know how awful it was.”
“I can’t say that I do. The file isn’t very detailed.”
A lump formed in my throat. It was still difficult to talk about, even now. “She suffered a lot. She died not that long ago, you know.”
“My condolences.”
“Everyone says I’m a lot like her.”
“Do you agree?” he asked.
“Sometimes,” I said. “I look like her. My magic is powerful like hers.”
“But you don’t feel overwhelmed by the magic?”
“Not usually,” I said. “Although lately it’s been more of a struggle.”
“Why is that?”
I wasn’t sure why I was confiding in the Disembodied Voice. I had no reason to trust him. Then again, I didn’t feel that I was disclosing anything he didn’t already know from my file. If they wanted to use my past against me, they were well equipped to do so.
I rose to my feet and began to pace the room. I felt the need to be active. “I’m not sure. Ever since my grandmother died, I’ve felt this rising panic. This urgency to restore my family’s good name. I’m their only hope.” I hesitated. As long as I was stuck here, I was no one’s hope. Not anymore.
“Do you worry about carrying her genetic disposition?”
I heaved a sigh. “Possibly. I’ve been getting carried away. I know I have. Using magic when I shouldn’t. Showing off when I should let others shine. I know better, and yet I can’t help myself. It’s like an impulse I can’t ignore.”
“That’s one of the reasons Sheila decided to keep you,” he said.
Well, this information was less vague. Maybe we were finally getting somewhere. “What do you mean?”
“She recognized your potential to perform,” he said.
“Perform as what?” I asked. It wasn’t as though they could force me to work as a mercenary or an assassin. What good was I to them?
“Make sure you eat your next meal,” he said.
“So you can knock me out again?” I asked. “No thanks.”
“So you have strength for your next test,” he said ominously. “You’ll need it.”
A shiver traveled down my spine. “What’s my next test?”
“You asked about others at the Fortress,” he said.
“Yes,” I replied slowly.
The Disembodied Voice drew a breath. “Later on, you’ll get a chance to meet one of them.”
I ate my next meal as the Disembodied Voice suggested and, naturally, I woke up later in a new place. The room was similar in size to my private accommodation but, instead of white walls, everything appeared to be concrete.
“We’d call this Beauty and the Beast,” Sheila announced. “The crowd goes wild for that sort of reference.”
The crowd?
“What about my wand?” I asked. “If you expect me to use magic, I need my wand.”
“Not for this test,” Sheila said. “You’ll have to rely on your innate magic for this round.” She examined me closely. “If it’s as powerful as your file suggests, your wand might be unnecessary anyway.”
How many of these tests would I be participating in? “How’s Bryn?” I asked.
“Number One is still with us,” Sheila replied. “She completed another round of testing earlier today. She’s a few days ahead of you, of course.”
“Still with us sounds a little evasive,” I said. “She’s good? She’s healthy?”
“She’s as good as can be expected after a fight with a rabid werewolf.”
Rabid? Stars and stones. “Why would you put her through that?”
“We need to assess her fully,” Sheila said. “Same as we need to do with you. Time is of the essence and your addition was unexpected.”
“I know this point has already been made, but you do realize you’ve imprisoned two AMF trainees in this so-called Fortress of yours?” I said. “Do you honestly think this is the smart play?”
Sheila laughed. “You have no idea who we are or what we’re up to.”
“No, and I sure wish you’d illuminate me.”
“I’ll tell you what, Number Five,” Sheila said. “Make it through this round and I’ll offer you a new detail that you haven’t he
ard.” Her lips curved into a sinister smile. “Give you a reason to live.”
“I have plenty of reasons to live,” I said. “I don’t really need an incentive.”
“Excellent,” Sheila said. “Then let’s proceed with the program.”
The concrete wall in front of me dissolved, revealing a small arena. There were only a few bodies in the audience. I saw Sheila join them in the front row. Across from me, another wall dissolved and a minotaur stepped out into the arena. He was insanely tall with impressive horns that rose another foot off his head. His bulging muscles made it clear that he was the type of minotaur that took pride in his body.
The concrete returned to the walls on either side of us, locking us in the arena together.
“I’m Dani,” I said, extending my hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“No names,” the minotaur grunted, holding his hands over his ears. “I don’t want to know you.”
My brow creased. “Why not?” I knew all my opponents at Spellslingers. It was a tough fight when were in the thick of it, but we mostly parted as friends.
The minotaur peered down at me. “Because it will make it harder to kill you.”
I swallowed hard. “Killing is a requirement for this test?” My eyes locked on Sheila in the front row. “You didn’t say I had to kill anyone.”
“You don’t have to, Number Five.” Sheila’s voice echoed throughout the arena. “But it’s either you kill him or he kills you. The choice is yours.”
The minotaur offered a helpless shrug. “Told you so.”
“What’s your name?” I asked. “You may not want to know, but I do.”
The minotaur studied me. “Galbraith.”
“Nice to meet you, Galbraith. I’m Dani Degraff. I was training to be Sentry of the South before these wereasses imprisoned me.”
The minotaur’s eyes widened. “A sentry? That’s impressive.”
“I’m in my second year at Spellslingers,” I said.
“You mean you were,” Galbraith corrected me.
“No,” I said firmly. “I mean I am.”
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