Page 35 of Addicted in Blood
Colantha’s eyes twinkled.“It’s good, isn’t it?Frederick,” she nodded toward the vamp, “only allows me two each morning.”When I looked confused, she said, “It has a high sugar content, and I’m borderline diabetic.”
I nodded in understanding.Then looked at the pitcher as Frederick put it away.I could probably drink that whole pitcher without batting an eye.Which was odd.I hardly ever drank juice.
“We have a bit of a drive.Relax and watch the beautiful landscape of our city.”
I leaned back and turned my head to do exactly as she suggested.But as the city faded away and the lush rural setting took over, a tingle of fear ran down my back.I was being driven to the middle of nowhere with a stranger and two vamps.Yet, Sergi let me go.It brought more comfort than I realized.
We’d only been driving for twenty minutes when everything appeared sharper in focus with bright, rich colors that seemed more substantive than anywhere else.I held up my hand and clearly saw each pore in my skin.My light-pink nail polish glowed.Something wasn’t right, but instead of turning to Colantha, my head dropped back and rolled to the right, providing the best way to view the passing landscape.
Unsure how much time had passed, I blinked and managed to turn my head toward Colantha.Her smile didn’t seem right.“You drugged me.”
She shrugged.“In a way.The first glass effects people differently.For some, they can’t stop fidgeting.Others take a nap.By the way you’re viewing your hands and the things around you tells me you might be having a psychedelic experience, or perhaps you’re visioning everything around you in slow motion.It depends on the type of psychic power energizing your dreamwalks.Either way, the effect will fade by the time we arrive at the sanctuary.”The twinkle was back in her gaze.“I suggest you enjoy it.You won’t have many breaks during your three days.”
I took her for her word and stared out the window at the colors and details until the movement of the car lulled me to sleep.
“Wake, child.We’re here.”
I expected a headache or nausea, the typical hangover penalties for being drugged, but my head was clear.The amazing colors and sharpness had receded, but I felt energized.“What did you give me?”
“An herb that promotes the correct chemicals in your brain to strengthen your psychic resilience.”
“Resilience?”
“It helps to keep others from entering your dreams unless you allow them.”
I considered that.“You mean like the time someone took control when I wore the necklace.”
She nodded.“I would have preferred you built up the strength on your own, but with only three days, you required a bit of an advantage.”
“Didn’t you say you drink that twice a day?”
She laughed as Frederick gave her a discouraging shake of his head.“He’s worried I give away too much too soon.”She patted his knee.“We have others like you, new to this world of dreamwalkers and what can be achieved.They are constantly practicing.Most days, their attempts don’t bother me.But those in more advanced training attempt to touch the mind of the masters that live here.One or two can be handled without a problem.But more than that, day after day, it becomes tiring to fight the psychic pull.The herb helps to block them without draining our own energy.Otherwise, I’d be in bed most days.”
I nodded and rubbed my arms in a weak attempt to prevent everything she said from making me want to bolt.Not quite ready for the next step, I glanced out the window to survey my surroundings.If I was expecting a large structure that housed dozens of trainees, I was disappointed.There were three bungalows, built in a semi-circle around a large fire pit.Tall totems, six that I could see, were positioned at various points—one in front of each bungalow, one close to the fire, and two others on the outer perimeter.
Flashes of pitch-dark evenings with people in painted faces, dancing around a blazing fire, chanting unintelligible words, made me shiver.Voodoo.Maybe my overly imaginative mind was in overdrive, or it was the residual effects of the juice.
The driver opened the door, and Frederick got out.The two stood and surveyed the location.I didn’t see another soul in sight.He ducked low and looked inside the limo, motioning for me to get out, and Colantha followed behind me.
I turned in a circle, taking it all in.We were in the backcountry of Louisiana.The fishy scent of a slow-moving river assailed my nose, birds twittered, and I checked the foliage for an alligator snout.I didn’t think long walks were in my near future.
Colantha confirmed my fears.“We rarely see a gator this far up the river, but it’s not unheard of.I suggest sticking to the main trails and keep your dagger with you at all times.Otherwise, as long as you stay within the boundaries of the sanctuary, you shouldn’t have any trouble.”
“The boundaries?”
She nodded to my left, and at first I didn’t see anything, but when I searched farther out, the tips of a fence were visible over the dense shrubs.Razor wire ran along the top.
“This isn’t a prison.The fence isn’t to keep people in, but to keep people away.The main complex is farther in, unseen from any fence line.You won’t have time to visit on this trip.There are small living quarters all over the property.We have a thousand acres; most of it is swamp or river.Security is controlled by our own vampires.In all the centuries we’ve been here, we’ve never had a breach.As you’ll soon learn, security, secrecy, and solidarity are required and enforced.Now, enough of that.”
She spread out an arm to the bungalows.“You’ll stay in the cabin to the right.All the normal amenities are within each one—bedroom, bathroom, a kitchenette, and training room.I’ll be in the one on the left.Frederick and Jamison will stay in the middle one, which is also considered a community center where the main meals will be served.That’s also where we’ll meet for our training sessions.You have thirty minutes to get settled in, then meet us there.Wear something comfortable.You’ll be sitting or lying down for long intervals.”
She turned and strode with the same stealthy prowl as Simone.Jamison entered my assigned bungalow with my duffel.I swung my pack over my shoulder, gave the camp and fence a long look, then followed.
The inside was small but clean.The main living space was the size of a hotel room and panels separated the kitchen, similar to my old apartment.When I peered around the screen, I was surprised to find a modern setup including a coffee pot—thank the heavens—and a microwave.No stove or oven, but there was a toaster oven and small fridge.It would work.A kitchen table with four chairs sat to the right, in plain view of the living space.
Jamison opened a door to my right, and I followed him in.It was a decent-sized room, larger than the room in my apartment but smaller than my room in the manor.A large window could be opened to the night air, but the room was temperature controlled.At least I wouldn’t sweat to death in the humid heat, and when I glimpsed the mosquito netting around the bed, decided keeping the window closed was probably a better idea.There was no television, but that wasn’t a surprise.No radio or clock, either.No distractions.
“Are all the living quarters so sparse?”
