I heard the soft click of the door as Ryder left to give me privacy and I let it all out. I needed to process this shit and get over it, because if the rumors were true, I would soon be fighting for my life. The Hive was overpopulated. If you wanted to live, you had to earn that right.
After crying it all out, I pulled myself together. That was my one moment to fall apart. Now I would deal with this shit the same way I had dealt with every bad thing in my life – by fighting back. I got out of bed, wincing as I pulled out my IV and the tape which had held it down. Noticing a pile of clothes on a nearby chair, I crossed over to pick up the first item. I felt my brows draw together as I stared at the shiny material. I wasn’t happy about wearing something of theirs, but I had no choice. I also noticed boots and underwear, which surprisingly enough looked to be my size. I slipped into the cotton underwear and followed this with the skintight black jumpsuit, which had silver panels on the side. Everything fit me like a glove. The back and front right pocket of my suit had “#46” on it.
Had they custom made this outfit for me or something? How long had I been out of it? Surely not long enough for them to measure and fit me with an outfit. Ugh, did those creeps take my measurements while I was unconscious? I really shouldn’t even be surprised by that.
Dressed and nervous, I was just deciding whether or not to try and open the door when I heard voices on the other side. I pressed my ear against it.
“There has never been a female ash. She’s special. The rules are not the same for her and we shouldn’t have her fight with the others. What if she’s killed?” Ryder’s voice was low, controlled, but I could hear undercurrents which made me nervous. I couldn’t tell how far away he was, but I could hear him as if he was right next to me. Ash perk.
A cold, hard voice cut him off. “There are eleven open beds left in this hive and forty-six new ash. She will fight with the others and earn her place like everyone else.”
“Sir, I respect your position, but—”
“But you’re not in my position, so do your job and follow orders. Find her a trainer and a sponsor and be done with it!” Loud footsteps retreated.
“Dick,” Ryder muttered, and I smirked.
The door opened suddenly, cracking me in the side of the face.
“Ow!” I rubbed my cheek as Ryder stood before me.
He let out an exasperated sigh. “Do you make it a habit to listen behind closed doors?”
His eyes locked in on me and I was struck by the notion that, like my own, his were a little different than the others. More silver.
I stepped back a few feet. “I might be guilty of doing that on occasion.”
He had no cast on his leg now. He hadn’t been kidding about the quick healing. And, thankfully, he no longer carried the torture stick. He gestured for me to follow him.
“If you can keep from attacking everyone, I can allow you to join the rest of the new ash.”
“No promises.” I pursed my lips. I wasn’t kidding either.
The smallest hint of a smile crossed his face as if he’d heard the extra thoughts I didn’t add. He picked up his walkie-talkie. “I’m taking new initiate number forty-six out into general population. Be advised.”
My eyebrows shot up. Seriously? What else had I done in my blood craze?
I followed him out of the long hall. We passed a dozen doors. My pretty cool, black ass-kicking boots clanked against the black and white checkered linoleum floors. At the end of the hall, Ryder opened two double doors which led into a nice waiting room. A beautiful, extremely well-coiffed female vampire sat a reception desk, talking on the phone. There were closed-door offices scattered to the left and right.
Ryder led me to a door marked “Orientation.”
He opened it and I glanced inside. It was empty of people. Just a few desks.
His expression was unreadable as he gestured for me to step inside. “This is where I leave you,” he said. “I will send Jose along to get you acquainted and give you a tour.”
Oh. I tried to school my immediate disappointment. Ryder was the only somewhat familiar person I knew here. Along with disappointment, there was also panic and nerves fighting to spill from me. Guess I couldn’t rely on Ryder any longer. It was probably best he left anyway. It would just make things easier all round if I didn’t go all Stockholm on this ash, and start falling for my captor. He was lethal in more ways than one.
“Thanks for…” Not letting me kill my mom. And so many other things.
He stared into my eyes again and I saw him inhale deeply, the silver of his eyes pulsing. Clearing his throat, he nodded. “Welcome to the Hive, number forty-six. Try to stay alive.”