Initiation (6 page)

"I bet you don’t." Addison began typing another reply to Christian, but a text from him came before she had time to send it.

We need to talk.

A small frown washed over Addison’s face as she stared at his message, thinking how those words almost always meant something bad.

"Who?" Kelly was now joining in on the fun, crossing her arms over her chest as she laughed. "I doubt it was Master
Vallore
."

Kelly’s comment made Rachel laugh, both of them looking at each other briefly then back at Addison. All of them were waiting for Addison’s answer, but soon their joking smiles faded when they saw the sad expression on her face.

Sniffling a little as she tried not to cry, Addison slowly typed out a reply.

Ok.

"
Addy
?" Pushing up the sleeves of her falling sweater, Kelly looked over at her sister with deep concern on her face. "Are you all right?"

"Yeah." Addison forced a smile.

"It’s okay, Addison." Rachel laughed, reaching over Josh and patting Addison on the knee. Her fingernails were painted a bright red, the few scars on her wrists showed her passion for pleasuring vampires. "He dumped you, didn’t he? That’s okay. We’ll just find you another one at the Avenue tonight."

"Hey!" Glaring at Rachel, Kelly spoke quickly with her hands. "Don’t say that to her! She’s upset."

Addison wasn’t looking at them, she was reading the new message Christian had sent her.

Tenth and Harper. Now.

"Excuse me." Addison stood and went to the bedroom.

"I’m
gonna
check on her." Kelly pushed to her feet and motioned for Rachel to sit down when she moved to follow. "Just me."

Kelly was about to open the door, but Addison opened it instead, making Kelly jump back. Both girls stared at each other for a few seconds before Addison quickly looked away, her sad eyes focused on the ground instead of Kelly’s concerned ones. Addison had put on a hoodie over her light sweater that she used as a coat and had slipped on shoes. Her purse dangled from her arm, the small pink lettering on her designer purse clashing with her light gray hoodie.

"Sorry,
Kell
. I have to go." Addison pushed past her sister and didn’t look up to meet the worried eyes that were all staring at her as she came out from the hallway.

They all regarded her strangely, Kelly pausing next to the couch and watching what Addison was going to do. Not stopping to say goodbye, Addison quickly opened the door and left, slamming it behind her.

Chapter Three

Initiation

Tenth and Harper was about a block away from her apartment building, so it didn’t take long for her to get there. It was raining outside, Addison’s shoes making squishing noises as she raced down the sidewalk. She pulled up the hood on her zip up sweater, quickness in her gait as she strode to her destination.

Addison had a graceful bounce to her walk, her fearful eyes settling on an expensive black sports car that was parked on the side of the street. It looked very out of place in her middle class neighborhood. It’s headlights were bright and shone down the pavement as Addison shielded her eyes from the light.

Her hands were delved deep in her pockets as she bent over and paused by the passenger door. Christian reached over and opened it for her, and Addison quickly climbed in.

"Thanks." She shivered a little because she was drenched from the rain, her wet clothes soaking the leather seats. Her eyes avoided Christian’s and were temporarily fixated on the windshield wipers that were moving rapidly back and forth in front of her.

"No umbrella?" Christian laughed, looking over at her briefly as his hand gripped the shifter between their seats.

"No." Addison giggled a little as she set her purse down on the floor at her feet.

Christian didn’t say anything, as he drove down the slick street. Addison shivered a little, the cold air coming from the vents not helping her warm up.

"I umm—" Pausing, Addison pulled off her hoodie, the sweater under it only slightly damp. "Got a little scared when you said you needed to talk to me." Addison folded up the wet jacket and set it on her lap. "Everything’s okay, right?" Her voice displayed her fear, her nervous eyes staring at Christian’s hand as it maneuvered the shifter, the car purring as it switched gears.

"Yes." Christian’s voice was low as he drove at a breakneck speed, his small car moving quickly as he weaved in and out of the lanes, passing several vehicles. His reflexes were amazing, but their heart-pounding speed and the dangerous way he was driving terrified Addison. "We need to discuss your future."

Addison was holding onto the sides of her seat, choking out her words. "Oh-
kay
."

The glow from the streetlights formed a continuous path outside her window. People honked at them as they passed, Christian barely missing them. He had an evil smile on his face as he drove, taillights throwing shards of light on his shadowy face.

"I want you to become part of my family." Christian’s voice was smooth and calm even though he was causing chaos for the world around him.

Addison nodded, her answer thick and shaky. "Okay."

"Would you like that?" Christian withdrew from the freeway, driving down the shoulder as he passed a line of the cars.

"Yeah. Umm hmm."

Addison turned to him for a brief second, sending him a nervous smile. She watched him turn down a desolate road, Christian’s foot pushing the pedal to the floor. Addison shut her eyes tightly, covering them as she ducked her head. She couldn’t see the road ahead of her anyway because it was so dark.

"I like you, Addison." Laughing, Christian jerked the wheel sharply, spinning them in a full circle. When the car came to a complete stop, he playfully tapped her leg. "The moment I saw you, I knew you were perfect."

Addison slowly uncovered her eyes and looked at him sheepishly, "Really?" He could see her body shaking, his little joyride had terrified her. She looked out the window and couldn’t see a thing in front of her and had no idea where Christian had taken her.

"You’ll need a mentor to get adjusted and to help you along in the process. I…" Christian turned to her, his features illuminated by the greenish lights that lined the dash. "Am not good mentor." He put his hand on her knee, Addison barely able to see his face because of the darkness. "Most of my elites have mates that have gone through the same process you will, so I’ll set you up with one of them."

"Mates?" Addison’s eyes narrowed on Christian as she tried to see his facial expressions in the dark. "Like those women at the club?"

"Well—" Pausing, Christian sighed and ran a steady hand through his dark hair. "Most of the girls there are donors. Victoria was the only mate that was at the club last night."

"Oh." Addison frowned, her voice low as she looked down. "I remember her." As her stomach settled from the wild ride, Addison took in a deep quivering breath as she stared blankly at the dash. Inside she was terrified to hear the answer to her next question, but she had to ask it. "Am I going to be a mate?"

"Yes." Christian started the car again, the headlights turning on and illuminating the space in front of them. "You—"

Cutting him off, Addison sat up straighter in the seat, a more girly tone to her voice, "Whose mate?"

Her question made Christian laugh, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly, "Let’s go back to the manor." He punched on the gas, and the sudden movement produced a small shriek from Addison’s lips. "I want you to meet your new family."

* * * *

Christian took Addison back to the manor, leading her up the stairs and to a room on the top floor. It was very inviting, decorated in soft whites and antique pearl. There were about ten other people sitting around, all of them lounging lazily. In this intimate setting, the vampires looked much different than she had seen them in the club.

Nicolette walked up to Addison, taking her hands in hers lovingly. "Hello, my dear. I’m so excited to finally be able to welcome you into our family."

"Nicolette?" Addison smiled at her nervously. She knew Nicolette very well and had worked with her at the museum for several years. "You’re a vampire?" Her eyes watched Christian walk away from her and go sit down with some of his elites. She wanted to go with him, but she knew she couldn't.

"Yes, my dear—and never mind what the Master is doing." Nicolette’s voice was calm and sweet, her personality a lot like Addison’s. Putting her arm around Addison’s shoulders gently, she led her over to the other women. "Come and sit with us. I want to introduce you to your sisters."

"So, you’re the one that’s been watching me for the Master, aren’t you?" Addison slowly sat down on the floor at Nicolette’s urging.

"Yes my dear." Nicolette nodded, looking around at the other women then back to Addison. "You were my recommendation, and I have served as the eyes of the others. They know much about you and are all very excited for you to join our family."

"Really?" Addison lips turned up uncertainly at all the women who were smiling at her. There was warmth in their presence, the women all very open and welcoming. "Thank you for thinking so highly of me."

"You’re very welcome, my dear." Nicolette turned from Addison and addressed the rest of the group, "Here is our new sister, Addison." Nicolette’s movements were smooth, a gracefulness in every wave of her hand. "Finally, I am able to introduce her to all of you. Let us welcome her to our family."

"Hello." Addison waved her hand as if she was a child in school. "It’s nice to meet all of you."

The women introduced themselves, all of them very affectionate and giving her hugs. This kind of intimacy was something Addison was slightly uncomfortable with, but she sat through all the fawning, faking a large grin.

"It’s nice to see you again." Victoria sat next to Addison, laying a warm hand on Addison’s shoulder as she spoke. "Welcome to our family, Addison. Adjusting to our lifestyle can be a bit overwhelming at first, so we will help you with your transition." She gently cupped her palm around Addison’s face, "You mustn’t be afraid, you are loved, and our family will always care for you. This is all very exciting for us—we have not had a new member in many years."

Victoria took Addison’s hand in hers, lightly rubbing up and down her arm. The others were gathered around her as well, forming a circle around Addison and hiding her from the other people in the room. Their affectionate touching made Addison’s smile quiver slightly, her lips pressed tightly together as she tried to hide her uneasiness.

Nicolette stroked Addison’s cheek as she knelt in front of her, Nicolette fawning over her as if she were a child. "Tonight you will have your first taste of blood." She beamed as she put her hands on Addison’s shoulders. "And after your first taste, you will get your fangs."

"Then, the Master will give you your second bite, and you will no longer be just a scavenger, but an elite as we are. You will drink from Samson to become his mate and then you will become an official member of our family." Victoria was behind Addison, running her fingers though Addison’s long hair and looking her over closely, as if trying to memorize her features.

"Samson?" Looking confused, Addison turned her head to the side a little and looked at Victoria.

"Your mate." Victoria leaned close to Addison’s ear as she spoke, her breath hot on Addison’s face. "He will take care of you, and you will share a closer bond with him than anyone else. Sharing each other’s blood makes you as one."

Hearing the words
Samson
’
s mate
sent a chill down Addison’s spine. She wanted to stay with Christian, and the thought of belonging to another terrified her, especially a man she didn’t know. Victoria turned Addison around and pointed to Samson, the man Addison had met the night before. He was a handsome man with a tall bulky frame, a hint of green in his blue eyes.

He and the others looked over at Addison when they saw Victoria pointing toward them. Addison wasn’t smiling anymore, a sad frown gracing her lips as she looked at Samson. His gaze held warmth that should have eased her fears, but didn’t. The other elites waved to her too, all sending her friendly gestures and trying to make her feel welcome.

Christian didn’t look happy either. His face was partially hidden, his hands
steepled
over his lips and nose as he watched her reaction to Samson closely. He seemed to be waiting for her to do something—his brow was lowered as he narrowed his stare on her.

Christian’s attention was focused entirely on Addison, but something deeper than her reaction to her potential mate occupied his thoughts. There was tenseness in his pose, the skin on his fingertips turning slightly white as he pressed them together. Hidden behind his hands was a look that would give away what was bothering him, one Christian was fighting to keep secret.

Looking into his eyes, Addison caught the anger that lingered there, a giant frown wrinkling her chin. He slowly lowered his hands, a small smile peeking through, that made her frown turn up a little, but not enough to form a smile. Addison quickly looked down at the floor, nervously pushing some of her dark hair behind one of her ears.