She blocked his first attack, which raised her confidence. His second hit came quickly, and although she had seen it on time, her self-doubt dominated her again. Anton took her hair in a tight grip, pulling her to the ground with a hard shove. Rebecca felt her head tremble in pain as it landed on a rock below. The blow to her head was hard, but not enough to cause her to lose consciousness. She now felt Anton's foot on her chest, kicking her like she was a rag doll. One of her ribs snapped. She was still dizzy from her head wound and Anton wasn't giving her time to take a breath. She had to stop him before it was too late. On her hand, she hadn't lost her grip on the knife, and when his foot came down on her again, she buried it in his calf.
Anton lost his balance with a loud yelp while Rebecca regained hers with a gasp for air; she was rubbing her chest, trying to get oxygen back in her lungs. Her ribs cracked as they got back into place, making her whole. Unfortunately, her adversary wasn't planning on waiting for her to heal.
“Let’s try this again.” The kicking began anew. Rebecca held his foot, stopping his attack and making him fall on his back. Except this didn't stop Anton. Promptly, he rolled on top of her until she felt his weight pressing her down. Somehow he took her wrists, spreading her arms to each side. Leaning over to bite her neck again, he bared his fangs to begin draining her life.
Rebecca couldn't let him. Her legs were around him, pulling him back. Anton grunted every time she pulled, his mouth drooling on top of her face. With one last pull, she forced him to let her go. Anton looked surprised to have been thrown back, but still landed on all fours. His red eyes shone under the light of day, with a growl he jumped to attack. He didn't look so civilized now. His hair, once perfect, was now covered in mud and grass. He looked like a wild animal determined to kill. If only Rebecca could look deadly and feral like Anton did.
Rebecca was fast enough to evade his attack, but he still took her leg with one hand, stopping her retreat and making her drop the pocket knife. Now she would never get it back, it was lost like a needle in a haystack. The vampire hunter stood up dragging Rebecca by the ankle. She hung in the air parallel to him, once more defeated. No. Not defeated. This was her chance. With her other leg, she hit his face hard enough to watch blood come out of his mouth. Anton was forced to let her go.
“Come here,” she heard him say. Before she knew it, he had jumped on her again and his fangs were buried in her neck faster than she had thought possible.
“No!” Rebecca pleaded.
It was too late to do anything because the vampire's cold teeth were inside her once again. She felt the river of blood leaving her body in a constant rhythm; soon, she would be too weak to defend herself. Her own mouth was so close to Anton's skin. If only she could steal some of his blood. Too bad taking out her vampire fangs wasn't allowed. Was it worth failing the test to save her own life? Unless... unless she didn't need to slide her sharp fangs out at all.
Opening her mouth, Rebecca bit her attacker's neck with her all-too-human teeth. She felt his skin crunch under her lips and tasted the salty sweat from his skin. The blood came next and even when it didn't taste like much, she drank it all the same. With the blood coming in, a surge of energy filled her every muscle. It didn't matter what Anton took from her as long as she was taking her blood back. Her lips pressed to his neck, she sucked with everything she had, faster and faster.
It didn't take Anton long to push her away, releasing their bond. Her plan had worked even if she now felt weaker than before. Feeling lightheaded, her knees almost gave in and her entire body trembled. Not only that, the burning in her throat was unbearable as her hunger overwhelmed her. Her heightened senses rebelled as they searched for sustenance around her. If she wasn't careful, her vampire side would take over and she would lose all control over her body as it searched for food. It couldn't come to that.
Anton touched the healing wound with his fingers to see his own blood. "Daring," he commented, one eyebrow raised. "Tell me, Ms. Sawyer, is my blood as sweet as yours is?"
Rebecca did what he least expected, she ran to him; knowing she needed his blood Anton moved one hand, hitting her face and throwing her to one side. Rebecca felt the pain, but that didn’t stop her. She jumped at him again only to be swatted off like an insect once more. It was useless.
Blood. It was what she needed. She craved for it. In her weakened state she could even smell the human blood coming from those cages in the forest. The soldiers waited there, safe from the predators. Perhaps that's where she should go. Anton wouldn't hurt a human being, not if he intended to keep his job... his life. No matter what he planned to do with her, he couldn't do it to those soldiers she had trapped.
Up in the sky, the sun was out, and the clouds had almost cleared. She didn't want to risk turning to her watch to look at the time, but she knew the test was almost over. All she had to do was keep safe for a few more hours.
There was only one solution.
“It’s over,” she heard him say.
No, it isn't over, you egotistical bastard.
Rebecca focused, jumped at him again, evaded his fists and latched her arms and legs around him. Her teeth bit his skin one more time as she took his blood from him. Anton, surprised by her triumph, tried to get her off him. He scratched and hit her back and arms trying to get free of her until they fell on the field together. Rebecca had him. She had him and she would not let him go until her blood had been returned to her body.
The unbearable pain came with a stab to her side. One after the other she felt his knife cutting deep into her. Rebecca released him, falling back as her body bled. It was impossible to win. It was impossible to pass this test.
“Try that again and you will regret it,” Anton threatened, the red-stained blade dripping beside him.
“I can’t do this,” she muttered.
"You’ve done well," he told her. "Too bad this game isn't over yet." Anton looked at his watch. "It's three more hours. If you show me your fangs, I will call it in and this will end."
Rebecca said nothing.
Anton gave a step closer, the knife still in his hand. "You won't be able to control yourself for long. I will make you bleed until your body takes control. Is that what you want, Ms. Sawyer? Is it worth it?"
"What are you here to prove by this?" she asked him.
This caught him by surprise. His expression stern. Then, raising one hand, he moved to take a hold of her neck. Rebecca didn't resist him. “I’m here to remind you how you are not infallible!” he growled, his hand pressing hard on her throat. Rebecca was sure he could take her head off if he wanted to. He didn’t. He couldn’t. Instead, with his furious red eyes, he continued, “I am here to make sure you will never become my enemy. Who do you think I hunt? I hunt vampires like us who one day decide they are powerful enough to go above the law.” Rebecca tried to swallow; she was choking in his strong grip. “I am sent here to test your loyalty to humankind. To test the will of your heart!”
Anton released her. Rebecca coughed to let air fill her lungs.
“I am loyal,” she said. “And I am not going to hurt anyone. I will prove I can control what I've become.”
Anton changed his fury for a wicked smile. “We’ll see.”
Rebecca knew she had to get away. Turning around, she ran as fast as she could, away from him. She headed back to the safety of the trees, she was headed to one of the sheds, where the soldiers were. Anton didn't pursue her. Not yet. He let her run knowing there weren't many places where she could hide. Behind her, she heard him laugh. He would come for her, and when he did, he would make sure their little game was over.
With the scent of blood as her beacon, Rebecca headed to the closest shed. The blood she had taken from Anton had been enough to give her the strength she needed. She needed more, much more, but at least the wounds on her side were healed and she had a plan.
It didn't take her long to spot the tall wall that had risen around the last shed she had activated where she had locked the fema
le soldier. The entire area was saturated with the soldier's blood, making Rebecca's mouth watered. It was of no consequence, she knew she was still strong enough to control herself around her.
The woman was sitting with her back to the bars when she saw her come in. Heller stood up, taking the bars with both hands. "What do you want?” she asked, anxious. "What time is it? Is this over?"
She replied by looking at the time. "It’s a few minutes past seven,” she told her; it agitated the soldier to hear that. "We still have three more hours."
Rebecca searched for a way to open the cage. She studied the blinking red light trying to understand how to unlock it. Behind the bars, the soldier looked at her with interest. "What are you trying to do?"
"I need to get you out of there."
"Why?" She then thought of a different question, "And why are you all covered in blood? Whose blood is it?"
This woman had no clue of what was going on. She did not understand there was this monstrous being closing in on them. Rebecca could hear him, she could still smell the scent of his cologne. Anton was only a few yards away, walking in the direction of the shed.
“He’s coming,” Rebecca announced.
Heller moved away from the bars when she heard this. Her heartbeat quickened. “Who? What’s out there?”
“Shhh,” Rebecca tried to hush her.
It was too late, from the door, the vampire's head appeared.
“Well, well,” Anton said coming in. He looked at the inside, judging the shed's poor conditions with disdain. “This is new.” He looked human. He had fetched his shirt, which partially covered his naked chest. “I wonder what you could possibly gain by coming here, Ms. Sawyer.”
“We’re all human here,” she said.
Heller interrupted them. “Who are you? No one told us you were coming.”
Anton turned to look at her. “Really?” Then, he turned from the caged soldier to a shaking Rebecca. “Look at you, Ms. Sawyer, you can barely keep it together.”
“Better in here with her,” she told him, “than out there with you.”
The soldier had been watching their exchange in silent admiration. “What is this?” she asked. Looking at Rebecca tremble, she wondered, “Are you all right?”
“Yes, Ms. Sawyer,” Anton added with a hint of sarcasm, “What is wrong with you?”
“I’m fine.” Rebecca's voice shook when she spoke; her teeth and eyes hadn’t changed. She knew Anton couldn't attack her there, not with the human watching. She couldn't witness how fast she could heal and Anton knew this.
For a moment, the vampire weighted his option. Then, rolling his eyes in annoyance, he said, “Very well, then. If this is what you want.”
Anton left the cabin, leaving Rebecca wondering where he had gone. Wherever it was, he had a plan. She had a plan, too. One more time Rebecca searched for a way to open the cage. It was the only way, to be trapped inside, safe from the monster than hunted her.
The soldier, confused by Rebecca's actions, asked, “Who are you? I mean… really?”
Rebecca didn't stop trying to unlock the cage. After a quick glance in the soldier's direction, she said, “I can’t… tell you.”
“Are you on drugs? Like, an experiment?” Heller asked, trying to figure out the truth.
Rebecca smiled at that, but said nothing. Now more than ever she wanted this woman to be quiet. She needed to focus and her interruptions weren't helping.
There was much more the human wanted to know. Heller pointed at Rebecca's ragged clothes, covered in blood and mud, the different parts where they had stabbed her were shredded. "Is that your blood?" Rebecca ignored her. Soon, the soldier came to her own conclusions. "It can't be. You aren't hurt. Neither was that man." She turned to look at her own body when the realization came to her. "Is it the others? Are they in...?"
"Please stop asking questions," Rebecca stopped her.
The woman broke down, the sobs were quiet and Rebecca could tell she kept trying to show a brave face, even then. "They told us this was just a test. No one was supposed to get hurt. At least not like that."
"The blood doesn't belong to any of your friends, so relax."
That’s when Anton came back. The woman gasped and moved to the back of the cage, unstoppable tears falling down her cheeks. In his hand, Anton was holding his knife, the one with the golden handle. Rebecca gave a step back, but Anton didn't seem interested in her. He didn't even glance her way. Instead, he walked around the cage and reached for the woman's arm. The soldier screamed when Anton pulled her to the bars. With his knife, he cut the screaming woman's arm, which bled with bright red blood.
Rebecca didn't have time to stop any of it. Once the scent of fresh human blood permeated the inside of the shed, it was like a switch had been turned on inside her. She held her breath, fighting a fight she would lose because her vampire side needed to feed and she had failed to give it what it needed.
“No!” Rebecca growled, running out of the shed. She didn’t get very far when she let the air into her lungs. The scent of blood didn’t just call to her, it demanded her to stop everything she was doing and yield to its power. Her mind lost control, her eyes turned red, and her fangs slid down. With new resolve, the vampire turned to catch her prey. She was ready to drink every single drop of the soldier's blood.
Except there was someone blocking the door.
“This test is over,” Anton said to the watch on his wrist.
Rebecca didn't hear him. Her human mind had gone into hiding; more like forced into giving up control of her body. Somehow, the body had a mind of its own and Rebecca became its prisoner. In a few minutes, she would not remember attacking Anton violently trying to get back into the shed where the blood waited. She would not remember throwing him to one side like a pest, or the gunshots to her heart as Anton did what he needed to stop her from revealing herself to the human trapped in the cage.
Wounded, Rebecca still tried to stand up. Soon Anton was by her side, "Drink from me," he offered. "You must." Except, Rebecca’s body wasn’t interested in vampire blood; it was the human blood that tempted her. "Rebecca, drink!”
Anton cut his arm, shoving it to her mouth, his gun pressed to her back, ready to shoot if he needed to. With the vampire's blood so close to her, now smeared in her mouth, Rebecca reluctantly drank, becoming aware of her surroundings as the energy filled her. It was as if she were coming back from a muffled, dark room.
She heard another set of helicopter blades above them, rustling the few leaves that remained on the tall tree trunks. Part of her wanted to turn around and look for it, yet she still hadn't had enough of the blood Anton offered.
It was then that she heard his voice, “Step away, Anton.” It was Dylan, commanding him to break their bond. “Did it really need to come this far?”
Rebecca felt Anton's arm leave her mouth. No. She needed more, wanted more. But, Dylan was there now, and he stood between the hunter and Rebecca, holding her. His familiar scent put her at ease, calmed her. Anton's blood had helped and at least she had regained her self-control, but she felt out of place, in a daze.
Anton was standing next to the shed where the wounded soldier still waited. The scent of her blood still very distinct but not powerful enough to persuade her. Anton crossed his arms and smiled, “It’s my job. You know that.”
Dylan looked at him with doubt, but turned to make sure Rebecca was fine. “It’s over, Becca,” he told her, holding her close.
"Aw, how sweet," Anton teased. Dylan let go of her, making Anton laugh. "She will make for a very interesting report," the vampire hunter admitted, "I’ll enjoy writing it."
Rebecca turned to look at him and then at Dylan. “But, I failed, didn’t I? I just couldn’t…”
Anton smiled. “On the contrary, Ms. Sawyer. You did wonderfully.”
That wasn’t possible. A few minutes ago she had wanted to kill a human being. A woman who, as they spoke, was still bleeding inside a locked cage. “Wonderfully? I w
anted to kill her,” she pointed in the direction of the soldier.
Anton put his hands inside his pants pockets while shaking his head from side to side. “I bit you, stabbed you, choked you, and hit you pretty hard. Many times,” he told her. “You did not give up.”
Seeing that she had a lost look on her face, Dylan elaborated. “He wasn’t going to stop until you changed, Becca.” Looking from one to the other, Rebecca looked at both men in understanding.
"So, you knew he would come?" she demanded of Dylan.
Dylan opened his mouth to reply, but it was Anton who did. "He couldn't. Don't blame him. It is a government mandated evaluation. Back in the 1920s, President Wilson mandated it."
"Right," Dylan confirmed, "He wanted proof we weren’t dangerous. Most of us already had a reputation and could be trusted, but when new blood began to join the agency, the President needed reassurance. Besides," added Dylan, "we've had a few bad apples."
By then Rebecca was being led out of the four walls around the fortress. The helicopter still hovered above them and from it, more men descended using ropes. They were paramedics. Just as Dylan and Anton escorted her out, the men entered the shed. Finally, the soldiers were getting the help they needed. Rebecca felt relieved.
For a moment they walked together in silence, a few active traps still blocking their path. Somehow, the experience hunters beside her spotted them with ease, evading them. "I could have died," Rebecca declared. "Or worse, I could have hurt them."
"You didn’t," Anton said. "I wouldn't have let you."
Dylan glanced at his friend before facing her. "Look, the test is designed to end when you lose control. Anton is here to see how far you can go without being manipulated by your own body."
Yes, her body. If she hadn't been in a situation like this, she wouldn't have believed her body was capable of doing what it did. Now she knew what it took for it to take control. She now knew what it felt like to be denied of the one thing that made her whole - blood. Somehow, it made her more conscious of her limitations.
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