Half Blood Rising

"This is your probation period. It's an initial contract, and once you pass the three-month mark, you will gain a full scholarship," Oldman said once I was sitting in front of her. "We always want to ensure that we made the right decision."

This bit was scary. I stared at the piece of paper, feeling a little misled. She hadn't mentioned any sort of probation period, but I supposed Moonlight couldn't hand out this kind of opportunity to just any supernatural creature out there. A scholarship meant that I would be set up for years to come.

I understood all the rules, and I couldn't do any better on my own, so this was a good deal.

"So, how much do I need to screw up in order to not pass the probation period?" I asked, going deep. Everything was outlined clearly, but I needed to know what was expected of me.

Karina had given me almost an entire wardrobe-we had a similar build, and I couldn't have been more grateful. I was wearing a low-cut top and brown shorts. It was still humid outside, and Oldman looked immaculate, as always. There was an odd tickling in the back of my throat that reminded me I was thirsty, but not for water-for blood. This was strange. I'd never had a proper craving for it before. Maybe it was because I was around so many supernaturals now.

She gave me a tight smile, staring at the pen I was holding. "Well, the academy is searching for commitment in our students, also teamwork and attitude play a critical role. It's difficult to say. We have expelled students for fighting, jeopardising our missions, and for stealing from others. There are many factors, but as long as you're following the rules, you should be fine."

This was what I was afraid of. Most of the time I didn't have to listen to anyone. I'd always done what I wanted. In my mind, I had a feeling I wasn't going to do so well following the rules in general.

Right then, I told myself that it was something I was willing to work on-I had to. No one in their right mind would waste this kind of opportunity. Rogue or not, I needed to start listening to others. I signed everything and pushed the paperwork towards her. She appeared satisfied.

"Okay," I said. "I understand."

"Lachlan is training in one of the halls, you should join him. I have a feeling that you two will work well together," she said unexpectedly. "Your schedule officially starts tomorrow. No one has challenged him yet, and your fighting skills are pretty impressive."

I shifted in my seat, thinking she had to be joking. I didn't want to interact with Pretty Boy. The issue was that he got under my skin, and my emotions were becoming unstable when I was around him. This had nothing to do with the fact that he was so damn good looking-nothing at all.

"Right now?" I asked, a little baffled.

She nodded and then passed me a piece of paper. I took it, curious to know what it was. It turned out that it was my new class schedule. Karina was right; the subjects were pretty interesting. For some reason, I believed my passion for books could help. Besides, I was good at kicking butt, too, and if I could show Lachlan what I was capable of, then maybe he would get off my case.

"I don't think you have anything else to do right at this moment, and Lachlan needs to learn to share his skills with others. I matched you with this group because I believe you can tame his character, Jaymin," Oldman admitted. I was a little shocked at hearing this.

The Scot was a real pain, but some sort of energy was pulling me towards him. I couldn't deny it.

"I think the council in Lviv might still be looking for me," I said, wanting to be up-front about everything. "As you know, a few days before you pitched me, I eliminated a werewolf, but my contact showed up with a vampire from the council who wanted to know what I was ... and he didn't like my answer." She'd said she'd known about part of what had happened, that the council had kept records on me, but I wasn't exactly sure how much they'd gone into detail. This was the real deal, and Tristan was probably looking for me.

"Don't worry, I'm keeping an eye on everyone who's wanted by the council, and you aren't on any of their lists. After we spoke, I ran a little check for myself. We protect our students here, Jaymin," she answered quickly. "The academy could help you discover your background, but the process takes a bit of time. You have potential, and you will pass the probation period; just stay focused and work hard." She was right. I was capable of more than anyone could imagine, I just had to keep my temper in check, and I would do fine.

I shook her hand and then left, contemplating if I should really challenge Lachlan right now. It still felt so surreal to keep passing other students in the corridor. It was almost the end of the day for most of them, and their auras were drained. Karina was in the library, she wanted to check the section about shifter packs. I didn't even know that kind of section existed. I was still trying to take everything in, the fact that I was part of a group and this was supposed to be my new home.

Oldman had given me a map. She circled the space where the Scottish pretty boy was training. I contemplated for a little while if I wanted to do this for myself, but he was too confident. I had to show Oldman that I was more than capable enough to stay and get into the Elite.

Everyone knew that once someone passed the admission trials to the Elite, then other opportunities would arise quickly. I had fought with the worst of the worst, learning everything that I could from experience It took me a few minutes to locate the practise room. I walked in, feeling confident about my skills and abilities, confident in my appearance for the first time in as long as I could remember. After I'd showered, Karina combed and styled my hair, so I looked and felt good. Karina had been a little taken aback by the new me-she kept saying that my hair was soft as silk. She called me a stunner and asked where the hell I'd been hiding all this time. Her bubbly personality was something else, and her laughter was contagious.

The practise room smelled of sweat and vampire.

"What the hell are you doing here, hen?" A loud voice startled me from out of nowhere. I turned around, face-to-face with Lachlan. And he wasn't wearing a shirt. Damn it, this wasn't what I was expecting at all. He was holding a sword; it was beautifully crafted with what appeared to be hand-carved art along the handle, possibly from Asia.

My eyes only registered that one small detail, but mostly focused on his perfectly sculptured chest covered with a sheen of sweat. I tried not to look, but I was too drawn to his incredible scent, drawn to his energy. The arousal I was feeling was unexpected, shooting through my core like an inferno. He was beautiful and his skin was shining brightly against the sun's rays as they disappeared behind the horizon. I swallowed hard, telling myself that the tickling inside my throat had nothing to do with bloodlust. I'd never experienced the pleasure that came from drinking from another vampire, or a human who didn't have tainted blood. I'd read somewhere that apparently it was better than an orgasm, but maybe the author exaggerated a bit. I had no idea if I'd ever been in love, and no clue what it would feel like if it ever happened.

"The principal sent me here to practise with you, not that I need to," I told him, crossing my arms over my chest. I'd bet he was well aware of my skyrocketing pulse. He stared at me for a long time, not answering, and invading my personal space. His eyes moved over my nose, lips, darting down towards my cleavage. My breathing sped up as the tension between my legs became unbearable.

No, there was no attraction towards the pretty boy; he was arrogant and looked down his nose at me. I was denying any kind of feelings towards him. Someone had to remind him that he wasn't superior in any way, shape, or form.

He smirked and then placed his hand on my shoulder. His body was so close to mine as our scents and energies intermingled. This strange heat and arousal made me immobile, while my core burned. I wanted to kick his arse, but what's more, I wanted him on me, touching me, and drinking my blood.

"Hen, what are you? Your scent is incredible, and I have never experienced anything like it," he whispered in my ear, sending shivers of desire racing down my spine. He was gripping the sword so tightly that his knuckles were almost white. I tried to gather myself, but my muscles refused to obey me.

I glanced at his parted mouth and saw that his fangs had descended. It only added more fuel to the fire.

"Maybe there is a bit of warlock in me, fae, or even a shifter. I told you already, I have no idea," I said, as something odd flashed in my mind. I saw myself walking on the street, smiling and holding someone's hand. The image in my mind only lasted a few seconds, but for some reason, I recognised it as a memory from my previous life.

In that one short moment of distraction, I wrapped my arm around his neck and pulled down at the same time, sweeping my leg and knocking his feet out from under him. He was too absorbed in my addictive energy, trying to figure out what else was coded in my DNA to react quickly enough. Lachlan dropped the sword and crashed to the floor, while I locked my thighs around his neck. I didn't even know how I'd done it. His eyes widened, and electricity crackled between us. This felt good, way better than I'd anticipated.

The heat from his body was burning my skin; I'd never been so turned on in my life. Vampires were cold: there was no blood rushing through their veins like humans.

"Impressive, but you're trying to hide your attraction towards me. Do you want to kiss me, hen?" he asked, still staring at me with hunger in his eyes. He didn't even pretend that he wanted me, or did he? I honestly couldn't tell with him. I'd never been in a situation like this before.

I was supposed to be ready for what came next. He was going to try and unlock this position. He wouldn't have a chance to wiggle away. His words angered me, and I hated that he was reading me and my emotions so well.

"You're just another arrogant arsehole who thinks he's better than everyone. I would never be attracted to someone like you," I spat, but he only smirked.

A split second later, it felt like my bones had started breaking; it was the most uncomfortable sensation around my pelvic area. Then we were rolling on the floor. I didn't even realise when he'd taken control and pushed me off, freeing himself.

I blocked him as he began punching me in the stomach. Shock paralysed me for a moment. Pain jolted through my gut, all the way to my back as he kept kicking me. I peered at him from the corner, trying to get up. He was now about a meter or two away from me.

"Your abilities aren't developed enough to mask your emotions. I don't trust supernaturals from the street, especially you there's too much misleading information about you. And, so far, there hasn't been a half-vampire who's gotten into the Elite yet," he snarled and then threw another sword at me. I caught it, but just barely, still wondering how the hell he was so quick.

That made me furious, and I really wanted to kick his arse then. He was wrong about me. I knew I could pass the trials for the Elite. I'd spent four years experimenting with my own skills, perfecting and developing them. Some pretty boy with connections wasn't going to stop me from getting what I wanted.

"Shut up and show me what you've got," I shouted, losing my shit at that point. My entire body was shaking, and it was because he'd wound me up so much. On top of that, I was trying to shake off the dangerous attraction-the bloodlust that was making me vulnerable. He laughed, flexing his muscles and my fangs descended.

I didn't wait around, I attacked-our swords collided, and the sound of metal clanging against metal was music to my ears. This weapon was new to me, but I quickly got used to handling it. It was like my body knew what to do. Lachlan was fast, but I made him work for it, using my speed to my advantage, and the fact that I was well-rested. Sweat began dripping down my face as I turned, attacking from the side and kicking his shin to maximise my strength. He recovered, barely, and made a sexy hissing sound. I was so turned on, and that's what annoyed me the most.

His eyes were penetrating. I tilted my head, kneeling as he whirled his sword, and jumping at just the right moment, then swinging my blade in a high arc, bringing it down and accidentally slashing one of his arms. He'd switched positions too quickly and then dropped his weapon instantly. Crap. I was so shocked that I'd hurt him.

Blood poured from his wound; it was a deep-red colour, almost black, and I opened my mouth, craving it instantly. Lachlan looked at me with fire and definite anger in his eyes.

"Bite me so it will heal quickly," he demanded, his voice hoarse. This was madness, but he seemed serious. A spit second later, I was beside him, aroused, sinking my fangs into his neck, not controlling my bloodlust any longer. Once a drop of his blood passed over my tongue, there was no coming back from it. He had his other hand pressing against the wound.

I drank, feeling euphoric and wet, my leg was rubbing against his crotch, and my mind was going berserk. He growled with ecstasy, or maybe it was only happening in my imagination. He was enjoying this as much as I was. A vision began flowing through my mind soon afterwards. His blood reached the deepest part of my subconscious, further than anyone else had ever gone.

I started remembering the past.