Page 56 of Tainted Souls
I hated her for weeks after that. Hated her precision, her discipline, her ability to follow every rule without question. Everything I struggled with came naturally to her. While I wasconstantly reprimanded for my unorthodox approaches, Lexa was held up as the model recruit.
It wasn’t until our first field mission together that things changed between us. We were tasked with investigating vampire activity in an abandoned factory, supposed to be reconnaissance only.
I recall the rust-scented smell and the moonlight filtering through broken windows, painting the ruins in shards of silver.
“We should split up,” I suggested, eager to prove myself.
Lexa frowned. “Protocol says—”
“Protocol will get us spotted. Trust me.”
Reluctantly, she agreed.
I took the upper levels while she covered the ground floor. Halfway through searching the third floor, I heard the unmistakable sounds of a struggle below. Breaking every protocol in the book, I leapt over the railing, dropping three stories and landing in a crouch just in time to see Lexa surrounded by five vampires.
She was fighting brilliantly, moving with the skill of a veteran, but the fact remained that she was outnumbered. Without hesitation, I threw myself into the fray. Back-to-back, we fought, her disciplined technique complementing my wild, instinctive style. When it was over, five vampires lay dead, and we stood breathless, covered in vitae, staring at each other with newfound respect.
After that, we were inseparable. We trained together, studied together, and pushed each other to be better.
Lexa taught me discipline and strategy, while I taught her improvisation and instinct. We became the academy’s most effective duo, setting records that still stand today. We shared our dreams, fears, and ambitions. I told her about my brother, about growing up half-vampire in a human world. She told me about losing her parents to a vampire attack when she was just achild, about being raised by her grandfather who had once been a slayer himself.
Then, at fifteen, the massacre happened. And everything changed.
Now, a decade later, we’ve both aged into ourselves.
I study her profile carefully. Despite everything, the years have been kind to her. She’s still full of deadly moves and glares, but there’s a new confidence in how she carries herself.
Captain’s insignia suits her.
“Congratulations on the promotion. You deserve it,” I say, finally breaking the silence. “You saved me more than I can count.”
“Thanks,” she says, her mouth quirking in a half-smile. “Just doing my job. Not that I’ve let you off easy either.”
A hearty laugh escapes us both, fleeting but genuine.
Lexa was also the only one who would join me at my table for lunch or walk with me in the hallways. Sadly, she wasn’t often around—after the massacre, forces had been stretched thin. Training was accelerated and promotions were rushed to fill gaps. Lexa was one of the few pulled into that grind, tasked with keeping the ranks steady while I was left floundering in her absence.
The training hall reeked of steel and sweat as pairs of slayers circled one another. I hovered at the edge of the room, watching them thrust, parry, and laugh, occasionally stumbling under one another’s strikes.
When Jasmine sat down, clearly intent on taking a break, I approached her partner, Gracie.
“Spar with me?” I asked, hoping this wouldn’t be another rebuff.
Gracie hesitated, her eyes darting around the room. “Maybe later.”
Without another word, she quickly retreated toward the benches where the rest of her friends sat. The others either avoided eye contact or exchanged uneasy glances as I was forced to acknowledge what I already knew: no one wanted to train with me.
Then Colton appeared, hands on his hips. “I’ll spar with you.” He smirked just enough to make my teeth clench. “On one condition.” His eyes trailed the racks of weapons lining the walls before fixing on me. “You don’t get to use your dagger, just your limbs.”
“Why?”
“Because it’ll be safer in my hands.” His grin widened. “You know, for everyone.” He walked up to me, then plucked the dagger from my belt. As he weighed it in his hand, testing the balance, a satisfied look plastered his face. “Not bad.”
“But—”
“It’s only fair, isn’t it? You’re half-vampire.” He mockingly cocked his head to the side. “Come on, don’t be scared. I won’t aim for your heart, I promise. I’ll even let you wear a bulletproof vest if you want.”
I considered that, but the smothered chuckles around me made my pride burn hotter than reason.
