"Weasel. We need an application form for the exam," said Timothy.

"The exams are for men and vampires," the man didn't hold back his words, his eyes on Vivian.

Before Timothy could respond to it, Vivian decided to speak, "There is no law that states a woman can not apply to be part in it if she is capable to handle the jobs after the exams."

"Don't take it as an offence, milady," the man smiled but it wasn't out of kindness. It was an impolite smile that would belittle one, "But the exams isn't a child's test. Many have come and many have failed. Many have also died," his mouth didn't open too wide to speak and it was as if that was all he could open as he said it.

"Weasel," warned Timothy but both Vivian and the old vampire didn't want to step back from their views.

"That shall be decided after the exams are evaluated by the senior councils," she answered him back with a polite smile. A month ago she wouldn't have known the historical working of the council but she had studied her heart out to make sure she would pa.s.s. The exam would be difficult but she had to pa.s.s if she wanted to be closer to Leo's world than watching him come and go in the sidelines.

The low vampire answered, "It is only kept in your best interest. Would be such a disgrace to have lost a beautiful woman like yourself for a mere job when you can sit in the house, safe and cook for the family."

"I think it would be in the best interest of everyone if all of us did our jobs than be nosy at another's, like yourself," she didn't hold back as the vampire stared at her.

"Don't tell you weren't warned, milady."

"That is very kind of you, Weasel. Now if you could get us the application," Timothy chuckled, trying to lighten the atmosphere. The old vampire turned around to go to get the application, "Don't mind the man. He had a mouth of his own," he said to Vivian.

"Seems like it," she answered, smiling at the end.

The pureblooded vampire looked at the girl whose attention had been taken by statues of humans and vampires who were made of marble stones, centred in the side, red water fell through the hands. The girl was much like Duke Carmichael, not holding back her words and holding her ground firmly.

When the man named 'Weasel' came back, Vivian had expected to see a parchment or a book but instead, he brought a bowl which contained blue ink in it.

Placing it on the counter with a small clatter where the liquid swirled inside the bowl, "Your hand, milady," he asked bringing a knife which was sharp and lean to look at.

Vivian didn't hesitate to give her hand to the man, his bonnier hand taking it, he ran it across her hand where she flinched as drops of blood fell into the bowl, mixing along with the hue like liquid.

He took a green stem like a stick, mixing the contents well as hue turned black for three seconds before turning back to the colour of hue, "The admission has been done. I wish you luck in the exams, Milady."

"Very well then, let's get going then," Timothy clapped his hands together.

As Vivian and Timothy began to walk back, an acquaintance of Timothy had stopped him to talk. Seeing that they needed privacy, Vivian excused herself telling she would be at the carriage. Her eyes, instead of looking at the people and feeling conscious of their presence, she looked up at the high ceiling, so high that she felt it touched the sky. Just before her eyes moved to look ahead, her shoulder hit another person making her almost trip and fall but the person had caught hold of her.

"A lady should watch and walk," came a deep voice of a man and her eyes instantly flew up to gaze at dark red eyes. Deeper and darker than the purebloods she had across. The man wore a chain that hung around his neck, a cross resting on his chest which had stone as red as his eyes. His hair was midnight black which was ruffled due to the wind.

"Forgive me for my negligence," she bowed her head under his scrutinizing gaze. He stared right at her. As if searching for something in her eyes. As if smelling something, his eyes narrowed down to look at her.

"Walking around with your blood to smell in a crowd of vampires is nothing less than an invitation," he commented, not waiting for another word, the tall man pa.s.sed by her leaving her to stand there.

"Don't mind him," came a voice behind her.

Vivian turned around to see another brunette man who fished something in his pocket to pull a kerchief to offer her, "You can use this," the man wasn't tall but taller than her. He was another pureblooded vampire.

"It's alright. I will be leaving soon," Vivian rejected his kindness and smiled, "But thank you," she said before glancing at the handsome man who had got inside through the entrance.

"Lord Alexander can be like that at times. He is a little unfriendly in general. How rude of me!" he frowned worriedly and then bowed, "I am Lancelot Knight. And you are..."

"Vivian," she smiled, he waited as if she would give out her last name but seeing that she didn't he said,

"I haven't seen you here before."

"I came here to apply for the admission exam," he nodded his head.

"It's already that time of the year, is it?" he asked thoughtfully, looking at her he smiled, "You must be very well versed to have come to take part in it. Often humans don't come to take up the exams when we go out to the towns and villages to spread the word of possible employment," he sighed to say, "Especially women. It is sad when we see that but it is good to see you come forward."

"I did notice that there were hardly a few women," a few were an understatement thought Vivian as she spoke to him. She must have caught only two of them and that too there were vampires.

"I got to get going for the council meeting. I hope you pa.s.s your exams," he smiled, giving her a bow, "It was lovely meeting you, Ms Vivian."

"Likewise, Mr Knight," Vivian returned his gesture with a polite bow.

Going to the carriage where the coachman wasn't there. Not wanting to sit inside alone, she leaned against the carriage door to look at people come and go to the council from where she stood.

She looked at the wound on her hand and pressed it against her dark skirt. Early in the morning, in a hurry, she had left her kerchief on her bed. She was lost in her thoughts when she heard a snap of a twig near her. Wondering if the coachman had arrived she pushed herself gently and looked to see that the coachman hadn't arrived back but then there was no one there.