The Crucivire

Chapter Thirty Six: The Calm Before the Storm

Jaiden stood in a mental world made by Jacqueline, this one resembling a Night hunter Training room. Jacqueline stood before him as he held up a playing card, while Cora Mires stood to the side, arms crossed and a stern expression on her face.

"Eight of Spades," said Jacqueline. "Keep trying."

Jaiden dismissed the card then considered what he would summon next. This was easier said than done, however. Was this really an elder vampire he was talking to? His last confrontation with an elder vampire had ended badly, and he couldn't get that confrontation out of his head. Even though this was a mental world, one could see Jaiden trembling.

"You have nothing to fear from me," said Jacqueline. "I promise."

"She's locked up tight at the bottom floor of the facility," said Cora. "And I'm in here with you, so yeah. She won't hurt you. I promise."

That was some comfort, thought Jaiden. He took a deep breath, which he realized was kind of redundant in this world and summoned another card.

"Queen of hearts," said Jacqueline. "Remember, the mental barrier you make must keep your thoughts in just as much as it needs to keep my thoughts out. Try again."

Jaiden gave an exasperated sigh.

###

Every recruit in that facility spent the next couple of days training. The human recruits honed their aim to pinpoint precision, Jaiden slowly but surely learned how to protect his mind from other vampires, and Alice learned more swordplay and went through the obstacle course.

And on the final night, all of them came quite far. By now, most of the humans could kill a chupacabra in two shots, sometimes one. Jaiden finally gained an adequate mental shield to walk outside the mirror prison without hearing vampire voices in his head.

And as for Alice Hayes, she could hold her own while sparring with Jasmine Ross, countering her moves as quickly as efficiently. Eventually, Alice sparred with Gordon as well, and after a while Alice fought both to get some experience with multiple opponents.

As for the obstacle course, Alice did manage to get through it without slipping, falling, or getting hit. However, on the final night, when Gordon stopped a stopwatch, he was forced to shake his head. Her time in the obstacle course was average at best.

"Well," said Gordon. "You're at least fighting with a sword like someone training like an elder. As for this, I'm afraid you're simply adequate, but it will have to do. We're..."

"I know," said Alice gravely. "We're out of time."

###

Alice left the elevator and entered level five. This floor was crowded today, with many people pouring into the various rooms. It was the night before the new moon, and even though they trained to have minds of steel, it seemed everyone needed just a little comfort before the battle, and everyone was turning to a different place for it. Every room represented a religion, and every room was full. Even the non religious needed someone to talk to, as the room marked 'psychology' had people streaming into it as well. Alice could only imagine what they'd be talking about in there, but that wasn't why she was here. Alice had chosen a different path.

Alice followed a crowd into level five's chapel where monks at the altar sang a Gregorian Chant, casting a solemn mood over the congregation. Those sitting already had their heads bowed in prayer. It wasn't long before Alice took a seat and clasped her hands together. She looked up at the image of Jesus Christ hanging on the cross, then bowed her head with the others.