by Elle Grace
“Can I have a pen?” One guy said near to the top of the table. He looked friendly with Lance.
“You don’t sign these contracts with ink. You seal them with a drop of your blood.” William answered with a crocodile smile.
“A blood contract?” Colt questioned loudly. “Have you lost your mind? What do you think this place is?” We all looked at him. “We have never had blood contracts before.”
“A blood contract is an ancient tradition within the Inperium.” William argued.
“Since when?” Colt retorted. “I have never seen the effects of one, but we were always taught that when you break a blood contract it has serious consequences as they are often protected by dark incantations. I don’t like the fact that you are treating it like it should be used for everyday business.” Colt argued back. “There are people here who still need to be assessed as to whether they should be here.” Colt looked at me and I gulped, suddenly feeling less than welcome.
“As Colt has pointed out, a blood contract is a little unusual, but like I said it is an ancient tradition here within the Inperium and I am a man who simply adores tradition. I’m sure you can all understand? Miss Hart, why don’t we get your contract done first and show everyone how it is done?” He offered looking at me. I must have seemed like easy pickings.
“I suppose I don’t have a choice?” I retorted. I had been there all of five minutes and they wanted a contract. My cult theory was becoming more valid by the minute.
“Of course, you do.” He soothed still smiling. “If you want to leave us, all you have to do is just say it and I will have some of my assistants escort you out.” It was a threat or a bluff. I could see it in his eyes, and I was tempted to call it. I knew that they would not have gone to the trouble of kidnapping me, if they were going to let me go that easily. I nodded and one of William’s assistants that lined the wall stepped forward. A small extremely thin and pointed blade in his hand. It looked like an ornate letter opener only slimmer. He placed the blade to my finger and gently cut it open just enough to let a drop of blood land on the paper he had positioned underneath. It was so sharp I could not even feel the cut. Everyone watched intently. I could not even look at Colt as I knew his face would tell me exactly what he thought of the situation. The guy I had nicknamed golden eyes watched my constantly. The other hybrids looked as angry as Colt did.
“Are you sure that is enough blood?” Lance jeered. “I would make sure the contract is fully satisfied and spill a whole lot more.” William shot him a look instantly making him fall silent. The other assistants joined the first and began to work their way around the table and filling in blood contracts. William watched chuffed with himself.
The assistant signalled to tell William he was finished, and the blood contracts were gathered from the table quickly. We did not even have chance to read them.
“Fabulous. So, your two years of service begin today.” William continued with his spiel as if he was telling us good news.
“Wednesday you will be tested. It will deem whether you are worthy to serve the Inperium. Those who pass will be part of our new elite team after you go through one last training simulation situation that is specific to the team’s future project. I will personally oversee this. Once that has been completed and everyone is ready and in their correct place, we will begin our main project.” He summarised. I shook my head in disbelief. There was something about the way he looked at me when he said the word worthy and I knew it was not a good look. What have I got myself into? I thought.
“Two years of service?” Mike, the red head with the cockney accent, questioned from across the table. When did we agree to that?” He was shocked.
Two years did seem like a long time to me too.
“It was all in the contract.” William replied in a matter of fact manner as if we had read the contracts. “What is your name?”
“Mike.” He said sheepishly.
William took out a small notebook and a pen from his breast pocket and wrote Mike’s name down.
“Surname?” He barked.
“It’s Caper.” Mike responded not letting William get to him.
“Oh, I know who you are now. I’m surprised you would be the one to question this.” He shot me a look. “Well Mr Caper, seeing as you are just full of questions. I will make sure we answer each and every one of them later on.” He was threatening Mike. I could feel it. The whole table could feel the tension. The assistant that had helped me fill in my contract creeped beside William and whispered something in his ear.
“Quite right” William replied to him and the assistant began to assemble the others promptly. “Okay, you guys have a big day of training ahead of you, so I suggest you go and prepare yourselves. Your schedules should tell you where you should be.” I panicked a little bit as I had not been given a schedule yet or any real information I could use. The director swept out of the room along with his assistants. Lance and Caitlyn whispered to each other and Colt and Tristan left quickly.
Everyone else began to talk amongst themselves and shuffle out of the room. I followed them out of the room but walked away once I recognised where I was. I needed answers.
My mind was reeling. I had learnt so much new information I thought my head would explode. I felt strangely calm about it. Maybe I was in shock and had not processed it yet, I thought. One thing I did know was that I was not sure I could stay.
8
Aurora
7am 6th September 2020
I left the meeting pretty quickly. Honestly, I wanted to try and escape. I walked out into the gardens. Praying that I could just remember like everyone said I should. So maybe I could remember a way out.
“Hello.” He said almost out of breath. The man with the intense golden eyes had caught up with me.
“Hey.” I replied cautiously, not knowing his allegiance.
“I’m James.” He shook my hand. He was incredibly well spoken, his accent seemed British but there was a hint of something else that I could not place.
“Nice to meet you.” I tried to mirror his formalness.
“You handled that meeting very well.” He complimented me. I had to almost catch my breath when I looked at him. He was possibly one the best-looking men I had ever seen. Even through his clothes, the same uniform everyone seemed to be wearing, I could see his sculpted physique. He had a strong jaw and rugged yet charming face. He looked like he had been designed.
“Thank you, but I’m not sure that is true.” I sighed.
“You stood up to those vile officers. I’d say that was handling things well.” He nodded. “We do not see much of that here.”
“Does no one else stand up to them?” I asked blushing slightly. I tucked my hair behind my ear.
“Not really. How are you finding the Inperium so far?” He smiled, acting as if it was a normal place.
“You can’t be serious.” I laughed. “The campus is pretty enough, but I’m not so keen on the torture or the weird half breed slurs. So, I would probably give it a solid 1-star review.”
James chuckled at me. I looked around. The campus really was a strangely beautiful place. The collection of buildings seemed to reflect architecture of every period, but they all seemed to blend together well. The gardens that connected the buildings were stunning. Flowers bloomed everywhere and the grass was lush and manicured. Some benches and seating areas were dotted around, and I could not help but think of the gardens as almost romantic. It was as if the weird cult I had found myself at were in the wrong place.
“So, are you a blood traitor too?” I asked him.
“Whoa, that’s a colourful term.” He frowned at me.
“Yeah well, I think I have heard them all since arriving!” I laughed.
“Trust me you have heard hardly any of them. The commanding officers get quite creative in training. Some of the stuff we have been called is pretty hideous.” I could not image anybody being able to insult him. He seemed almost too perfect.
“Why
am I not surprised!” I shook my head.
“Personally, I prefer filthy mongrel.” He stated and I laughed too. I realised I had not laughed in a little while. I suddenly became overwhelmed with a sense of guilt about Frankie. I still had not handled that emotional situation that simmered on the back burner in my mind. It was strange, I did not feel very much about it. As if the pain of loss had not kicked in yet.
“How do they get away with it?” I asked.
“They are in charge.” He shrugged.
“Did you know about any of this stuff before you arrived here?” I needed to know that I was not the only one. He seemed to understand more than most.
“Most of it, yes, I think. I mean I was raised being told this stuff by my dad. Some of it I always knew I guess.” He explained.
“I was adopted so I don’t know any of it.” I sighed disappointed. I felt alone.
“Not even a little bit?” He asked puzzled.
“No, how would I?”
“I thought that Mults always knew a little bit, like instinctively knew their own identity. Maybe not though. I’m sure you will learn about everything in training, you seem switched on.” He was informative and complimentary.
“Thanks.” I blushed a little.
“It’s going to be fun having you around Aurora.” He smiled, genuinely.
“Please call me Rory.” I said. He had earned it already.
“Sure thing. Have they assigned you a bed yet, Rory?” He asked. I liked the way he said my name.
“No not yet, hopefully that means that they won’t make me stay!” I was pretty hopeful, but I knew that was not true.
“I doubt that.” He laughed.
“Something tells me this place isn’t a place I really want to be at.” I sighed.
“Maybe I will change your mind.” He winked at me and I smiled back. Is it possible this very handsome man was flirting with me? I asked myself.
I saw Caitlyn jogging down towards us and I thought about running away. Looking at her shoes there was no way she would have caught me if I had run. She caught up to us and stopped us.
“Where do you think you are going?” She asked.
“Nowhere.” I responded. I actually had no clue where I needed to be. I just felt like walking until I was free.
“I have been told you show you around and to your allocated bed.” She was not happy about it.
“It was nice to meet you James.” I turned to him and smiled. He grinned back. Caitlyn was tapping her foot, impatiently. I ignored her.
“With me, now!” Caitlyn barked at me and I obeyed. I dared to look over my shoulder and give the nice guy one last fleeting glance. To my surprise he did the same and our eyes caught each other’s for a moment.
9
Aurora
9am 6th September 2020
“It is my job to give you a bit of tour and explain some rules to you.” She told me as we walked away from James. “It is not a job I want, but here at the Inperium we always do what we are told.” She explained.
“Sounds fun.” I said sarcastically, wondering if I could ditch her.
“Ah yes, your sense of humour.” She smiled at me like a snake. “These little quips of yours had better stop. Otherwise we will be forced to punish you for your smart mouth. This is not a holiday camp or some fun voluntary boot camp. You work for us. Your blood has determined your station.” She told me and I did not know what to say back. For once.
“I will show you where you sleep. The rest you can figure out on your own because I don’t care enough to deal with you.” She huffed and I nodded. “The rules here are extensive for people like you. We don’t give you a second chance and the punishments are harsh. We have found it is the only way mutts really learn their lesson. There are basic rules like only speak when asked and that you should know your place. Of course, fraternization with humans is a major offense and fraternization with other half breeds is also not allowed. Your very existence sullies so many bloodlines so we go our best to limit future damage. Personally, I would be ok with sterilization, if the board would agree to it but some of them think that is too harsh.” I looked at her, my mouth open. I could not believe how hateful she was. Her views were disgraceful.
“That is vile, you should be ashamed of yourself for thinking like…” She cut me off. Growing mad at my clear disobedience.
“We expect respect as your commanders, we also expect you to watch our backs and look out for us on missions. It is the only reason we train you ungrateful mutts. I think if you understand those basic rules you might survive here.” It seemed silly of them to treat us like dirt but to expect protection from us. Maybe they relied on some kind of stockholm syndrome, I thought.
Every so often she would cast me a glance which would just further highlight her disdain for me. She really was a vile person.
We stopped outside a red brick two story building. It had an ornate glass and metal door in the dead centre on the ground floor and matching windows symmetrically placed all over the building. We walked in and headed straight down a flight of concrete stairs.
“This is one of the dormitory buildings. Most new recruits sleep in here. Humans are on the ground and first floors. You are not permitted to be on those floors ever, no exceptions. Mults sleep in the basement.” Charming, I thought. “You wake up when we tell you. You do what we say. It is rather simple really. You are inferior here.” Caitlyn told me in no uncertain terms. “And you do as you are told.”
The door to the room was large and made of steel, beyond it the dormitory was bland and grey. Single beds were lay parallel to each other only separated by a small bedside table and a very narrow locker. Everything was made from metal. It was very cold. The green blankets on the bed looked thin and scratchy.
“This is your bed.” She pointed to the one on the end nearest to the door. “The bathrooms are through there.” She indicated another door on the opposite side of the room. I could just about make out the dirty white tiles. “There is no hot water down here so don’t even think about showering for too long.” She spat at me and I shook my head. She stepped over to by my bed and opened the small locker. “Your wardrobe should have everything you need in it.” I could see she was right. Several outfits hung on metal hangers and a pair of heavy boots sat neatly at the bottom. “I suggest you shower and get changed. You smell and look like a 10-dollar hooker. Put those vile clothes in the basket over there to be incinerated.” She showed me where everything was. Insulting me at every turn.
I sat on the hard bed. It was narrow and uncomfortable. I sighed.
“When can I speak to the director, I really think there has been a mistake here.” I asked
“You don’t get to speak to him, half breed.” She looked down at me and marched off. I lay down and closed my eyes, desperately trying to hold back tears.
10
Aurora
11am 6th September 2020
Tristan came and collected me at about 11am. Honestly, I was glad of the distraction. He really did seem like a nice person in the wrong place.
“How are you settling in?” He asked genuinely.
“I’m okay.” I lied.
“I know it’s tough here, but it will get better.” He shot me a glance. “Well, it gets easier to cope with.” He knew it was hard and I was struggling.
We continued walking.
“How are you feeling?’ Tristan asked me sincerely, looking at me concerned, I knew I looked terrible. “You lasted about five minutes with the Partenth stone in your test.” Tristan added sounding a little bit impressed. Those five minutes had felt like hours. Five minutes seemed like nothing.
“You handled it like a pro, but when you passed out, I thought you were…” He paused.
“Let me guess… dead? Five minutes, are you kidding? It felt like hours.” I laughed it off. I think if I did not laugh, I would cry.
“No one has ever last more than four minutes before.” He was impressed and solemn.
“T
hat can’t be true.” I rolled my eyes. From my short time at the Inperium I had come to realise that people at the Inperium had a way of making things seem like they are a big accomplishment or something special when realistically they were pretty average. Everything sounded so dramatic.
“It’s documented though, Aurora. There are special laws surrounding the tests, there not even supposed to use it for more than a minute.” Tristan seemed like he was really good with the facts. A real book worm perhaps, I thought.
“I’m okay.” I brushed him off. Trying to change the subject.
“You might not have been. That Partenth stone has done some terrible things to people.” He said and I could see he was being honest.
“I think a lot of people have suffered here for a lot of reasons.” I replied coldly. Everything I had endured so far had been simply terrible.
“True.” He sighed and there was a silence between us. “Do you remember anything or know who you really are yet?” He asked quietly. He seemed more interested than most.
“Why does everyone keep asking that? It’s getting really old really quick!”
“Don’t stress about it.” He said reassuringly. I sighed frustrated at myself.
“Who were the others at the table?” I asked. I wanted to know more about the others especially as I had now learned I was sharing a room with them all.
“Well, let me think.” He started. “Colt obviously you know. The same goes for Caitlyn and Lance, you met them earlier. Then there is the human recruits, Tim, Kieran, Buggy, Miranda, Chelsea and Clem, you don’t want to know them. They are all Lance’s friends and not that nice. They are all humans. Lance’s group is a bit like a clichéd fraternity.” He said honestly. “Then there are the other hybrids. You’ve got Sam. They are a little more interesting.” He saw my confused look. “Sam doesn’t conform to any gender. They are a shape shifter. Their mum was a shape shifter, a mostly Immortuuis hybrid, and their dad was full human. Making them a hybrid but they adopted the same ability that their mum had.” He explained.