Buried

Chapter 8

Another information-heavy chapter, although the next one will be more action-packed. Please help point out the mistakes.

8.

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“Okay, so why, exactly, did you drag me away in the middle of dinner…breakfast…whatever….to meet the Commander?” I asked, annoyed, as I had to practically jog to keep up with Adam’s pace as he led me through the HQ.

“Do you EVER stop asking questions?” He snapped irritably.

“Do you EVER stop evading them?” I replied, too agitated to care if I pissed him off.

Sassy. I like it.

Adam made a frustrated sound and stopped his fevered walking, spinning to face me. His expression was taut, eyes snapping with disapproval. If he were human, his cheeks would probably be flushed a deep red, but it seemed that vampires didn’t really “flush,” despite their pallor.

“What you did back there is not normal. You weren’t supposed to meet the Commander until later, but he’ll want to see you now.”

Something about the way he said “Commander” made me think the two of them did not get along very well, although his tone wasn’t quite bordering on hatred.

“It wasn’t normal?” I had figured as much, but it was good to hear him affirm it.

Adam gave an exasperated sigh. “Some Spirits are stronger than others, of course, but they usually take a bit to adapt to the human and rise to their full strength. You’ve only been a vampire for….well, less than a day. On top of that, Lindsay has been here a long time, and her Spirit is stronger than most.” He ran a hand through his tousled blonde hair and turned to resume the quick walk. “Plus, your Spirit wouldn’t even listen to mine. Do you get it now?”

I very much disliked his condescending tone but I attempted to ignore it. “So I have a very strong Spirit. So what?”

You should be flattered that I chose you, she stated, personal pride oozing from her words.

“So, we don’t know HOW strong. The Commander has the strongest Spirit here. He’ll be able to get the Spirit’s name and figure out its strength.”

I am a SHE, not an IT. And I highly doubt he will be able to get any information out of me.

“She is doubtful,” I echoed.

Adam shrugged and didn’t reply, and a taut silence hovered between us until we reached the very far side of the HQ, a wing I hadn’t visited before. A couple of chairs sat nearby, next to an antique table with an ornate vase. In front of us stood equally ornate wooden doors. Partially blocking the doors lurked a vampire I hadn’t seen, tall and imposing. He looked every bit like a bodyguard. The irritation in his expression was obvious as he surveyed the two of us.

I might as well just get used to the irritated expression, because I was always on the receiving end of it, I thought.

“I need to speak to him. Now,” Adam stated brusquely.

“He isn’t supposed to meet her until later,” the guard responded, barely sparing me another glance.

“Trust me. He’ll want to see her now.” Adam shifted position impatiently.

“He’s got pressing business.”

“You’re just a bodyguard. Stop acting like you’re all-important,” the blonde retorted, quite rudely.