Beloved Revenge (on hold)

Chapter 9 - A Test for Blood

I am not alone for more than 5 minutes before Catherine comes in, her shoes clicking on the ground.

"Catherine -"

"Stop Archie," She interupts, sitting in the chair Lucinda had just sat in, "We are not mad at you and Lucinda told me what you two agreed with. I personally think it is greatly reasonable, although you should go to the main room - the place you were earlier, where you met Magnolia." Ending with a smirk.

"How the hell do you know about that?" I ask a little upset that I cannot meet one person without them knowing.

Catherine just let's out a laugh. "No need to worry. I was just keeping an eye on you. Elias has never wanted someone new here solely to become his friend," she replies, a slightly worried look in her eyes, telling me to be cautious.

"But how come I keep getting a feeling that he does not like me very much?" I ask.

"That is just how he is. Anyway, go to the main room, meet a few other vampires and have some fun." She answers with a gentle smile. "We trust you with your word."

Catherine stands up and starts walking toward the door but halfway she stops abruptly, turning to me.

"So you have never heard of spirit before today?" She asks.

I look right at her, standing up. I wait a second before I answer, "I have never heard it in my entire life, until today."

"Okay, well I will leave and then I am sure that you will be able to find your way back to the main room." She says, officially leaving.

I go out of the room that is apparently mine now and get to the main room within two minutes. The room is still full. On the left is the bar, still crowded and to the right is a billiards table with a rustic fireplace behind it, which is also heavily crammed with all - I am guessing - vampires.

"Archie!" I hear and glance to my left, the red green eyed girl is walking up to me.

"Magnolia," I recall when she reaches me. "I was told to come down here and meet some other vampires."

She let's out a giggle, "You have got to be lying, Elias just came down an hour ago and said that when you woke up he was going to test you on something after all."

"He better not, I am not in a good mood to be tested right now." How could he test me when he had just blamed me for having spirit when I did not even know what it was let alone if I have it in the first place?

"Well then your going to want a drink. Whiskey, correct?"

"Ummm yeah, a whiskey would be nice, I guess." I respond, happy to have met at least one completely human-like vampire today.

Magnolia goes over to the bar. A hand lands on my shoulder and I jump. I spin and am eye to eye with Elias. "Too bad you won't get to have that little drink of yours." He states with a grin on his lips.

"This, was definitely not part if the deal!" I yell, anger painted on my voice.

"Archer, Margery it is time for the tests, get him in a chair," He says, eyes never leaving mine. "Everyone else needs to move the furniture."

As usual, everyone obeys. The people that are supposedly Margery and Archer come from in front of me and grab my arms. I try to get free but after awhile I find it useless and stop since they will not let go.

They pull me over to the fireplace - billiards table now moved - and throw me into the chair which is now present.

Archer and Margery move away and Elias stands in front of me once again.
"Chains. You forgot the chains!" He yells at them. Two people hand chains to him and he puts them around my wrists.

"Are these really necessary?" I ask while pulling my wrists up a little.

"They are optional but I prefer to use them. So you have been turned for two years, correct?"

"Yes." I reply, different people bringing in another chair and placing it behind Elias.

"Lets check how well you can handle the thirst for blood, shall we? Bring her in." Says Elias. A few seconds and you can hear the struggles of a girl. They bring her over and set her in the chair ahead of me. It is Lucinda.

I watch as they tie her to the armchair with ropes and Lucinda stops struggling.

"What the hell is this Elias?!?" I say through clenched teeth.

"Archie, just calm down. It is to test how well you can control your thirst." Lucinda informs me. When she is done Elias slaps her and my anger takes over to try to get free again.

"Archibald, I chose to do this little test on the spring of the moment in my office. I need to know how connected you are to your spiritual body and spirits in general. With it also being a generic test of thirst." Elias says looking from Lucinda to me, the whole room growing even more quiet.

Not a minute later Catherine walks in, a path opening up for her. She stands next to me, kneels down and whispers in my ear, "I believe in you. Just focus on Kyra."

As she says Kyra's name I look at her. How does everyone know about her?

Catherine straightens up and walks over to Elias, handing him a dagger. Lucinda starts struggling again, Elias grabs her wrist and cuts it open.

Right away the ravenous feelings flood into my throat and my veins start moving around my eyes. I begin struggling as well, hoping to break free and feed on the blood just a short distance in front of me.

'Relax, this is exactly what he wants. Calm down and think of Kyra.'

I have to force myself to sit back and take deep breaths with my eyes closed. Soon I see someone in the darkness of my eyelids, Kyra.

"Kyra? How is this possible? Your dead." I say confused.

"You called me Archie. Now you need to open your eyes, okay? You have to get into your spiritual body."

"What the hell is a 'spiritual body'?"

"Just do what I said, okay? Open your eyes. Then you will understand"

I have to really focus to open them but when I do, I see Elias, Catherine and Lucinda, all where they were before I saw Kyra. Lucinda is tied to the chair and I am still in my seat, yet something is different. Now there is nothing keeping me in the chair, the ropes are limp, as if I am no longer there. I get out of the armchair while looking at Elias.

His eyes grow wide, before long he starts yelling, "Where did he go? Lucinda, where the hell is he?"

Surprised, I back up into the chair and it falls to the hardwood with a click.

All eyes turn to me. Catherine says gently, "Archie, calm yourself, just focus on my voice. It will bring you back here."

'How am I not here, when I am here?' I ask myself. "Okay Catherine, I am trusting you." I whisper, somewhat to Catherine and myself. She keeps speaking as I focus on every aspect of her voice.

After concentrating for a couple minutes I open my eyes. Everyone still staring but with Catherine and Lucinda smiling and Elias dumbfounded.