Jared coughed to hide his giggle.

The brindle dog, Nero, nuzzled my hand then lay by my feet almost protectively. Instantly there was whispering in the room. My G.o.d these blokes were like little old women the way they gasped and gossiped about every little thing.

Antonio only rolled his eyes at Nero's behaviour. The red Pit, Achilles, sat up straight beside Antonio's chair. "You will no doubt all be wondering why I was in such a great rush to have this latest squad prepared so quickly," said Antonio as he gracefully sank into the chair at the head of the table. Apparently he didn't like to beat about the bush. "You will also be curious as to why I have ordered for the other squads to be pushed to their limits these past few weeks." After a long pause which I a.s.sumed was for dramatic effect, Antonio spoke, "Luther had a vision."

With those words, all eyes fell on the Gandalf lookalike. The odd bloke was staring at me.

"He foresaw that The Hollow's walls would be attacked in the near future. It was not possible at the time to be sure of when, but just two nights ago he had another vision. It was clearer, and Luther saw a great number of vampires preparing for battle, lead...by the Svente High Master vampire Bennington."

Bennington, British like me, had quite a reputation for collecting gifted vampires. I'd met him a few times. He had tried to buy me from Victor, but even though Victor barely had any money he refused to hand me over for any price.

"As you are all aware, Bennington is a Svente vampire with no impressive gift to boast of. His gift is to measure the power voltage coming from other vampires. Using this gift, he has compensated for his own ill defence by selecting extremely gifted vampires to build himself a team of bodyguards. We are now thinking that perhaps it was not a security team he was building, but an army to aid him in overtaking The Hollow. We must be ready in every sense of the word, which is why I have employed Commander Parker to a.s.sist with training the new recruits in controlling their gifts."

"How many did Luther see?" asked Evan, all seriousness now.

"Approximately three hundred, which leads us to believe that Bennington will add more and more to his own numbers as he makes his way here. I would imagine that he will try and rally supporters during Rupert Connelly's gathering in a few weeks' time. I am hoping that some of those High Master vampires will refuse his offer and then journey here and aid us in guarding the exterior of the walls. We can only be glad that Luther's vision has enabled us to have the time to properly prepare."

"You said you wanted the new squad ready in a month," said Jared. "You don't think they'll be here before then?"

Luther answered that. "No. In my vision during the attack I was rounding up the humans to take them into hiding and there were Summer Sales signs up in one of the clothes' stores. After I'd had the vision I asked the manager of the store when those signs will be put up. That is not for another four weeks. So I would say that it will be a minimum of one month before the attack is made." Again Luther's eyes found me. His gaze was searching...like he was trying to see through me.

Uncomfortable, I looked away quickly. "Antonio," I began, "you say you're going to protect the walls...?"

"Yes, we will attempt to stop them before they enter."

"I'm sorry but it sounds like the battle for Troy all over again."

"You want to leave the walls unprotected?" giggled Commander Hyena Baker.

I rolled my eyes. "How about you pipe down and try not to crack a not funny joke for just a few minutes?" I ignored the laughs and continued speaking to Antonio. "I don't see why you're going to let them get so close to The Hollow's walls. They'll probably guess that you've got someone who has the gift of precognition. They'll expect you to be lined up outside the walls waiting like Trojans. I mean, think about it, you've got rainforests surrounding the entire place rainforests that the squads train in and probably know inside and out. This is your front and back yard which gives you an advantage, use it."

"Ordinarily vampires and animals give each other a wide berth."

"And that is exactly why no one will be expecting you all to be planted around the rainforest, waiting."

Evan nodded. "I like it."

"As do I," said Luther. His eyes still spooked me out so I didn't meet his gaze for more than a few seconds.

"If nothing else," began Commander White, "at least we'll be able to minimise the number of vampires reaching the actual walls."

"I don't mind going on the front line," I told Antonio, "I know that -" I stopped short at the sound of a sn.i.g.g.e.r. I turned in my seat to find Commander Dawson shaking his head at me from across the table.

"Sweetness, you help coach the new squad but that's where it should end for you," said Dawson, who up until now I'd thought wasn't so bad.

"How many more of you are s.e.xist?" I said through my teeth.

"This is not about you being a female, sweetness. You might be a Feeder and be able to produce a nice little whip but being part of the legion requires more than that."

"A nice little whip," I echoed. He sounded like Jared.

"You ever killed someone, sweetness?" His tone made it clear that he was expecting the answer no'.

"Yes," I answered honestly and with no guilt. They'd all had it coming especially the b.a.s.t.a.r.ds who kidnapped the little kids to sell as vessels, or even as consorts to those who were sick in the head. I hadn't liked Victor making me an a.s.sa.s.sin, but one thing I could say for him was that he never gave me a mark that was innocent.

Dawson quickly rephrased, "You ever killed them purposely?"

"Yes."

"How did that make you feel to kill in cold blood?" He clearly wasn't happy about my answers so far.

"With all that adrenalin pumping away, I felt great."

They were a few m.u.f.fled giggles. Some were from Jared, Evan, and Sebastian, I noticed.

"Ever led a squad before?" he asked, grimacing.

"Yes."

"Are you saying you -"

I growled. "G.o.d, give me strength," I begged as I looked upwards. "I'm bored with Question Time now, d.i.c.kson."

"It's Dawson."

"I know."

I heard Antonio mutter to Luther in amus.e.m.e.nt and approval, "She brings life to these meetings, doesn't she?"

I returned Dawson's scowl as I continued, "Let's save us both some time. I was the Chief a.s.sa.s.sin for my Sire and I went on a h.e.l.l of a lot of a.s.signments some on my own, some with a squad of eight. I always got my target, and I always brought all eight back."

Sebastian nodded, huffing at Dawson.

"Then I a.s.sume Commander Dawson's concerns are now addressed," said Antonio. Dawson, a little sheepish now, nodded. Antonio then included everyone as he said, "I agree with Sam that we should capitalize on our knowledge of the surrounding area and attack Bennington's force before they have a chance to attack us. I trust that you can decide amongst yourselves which squads should concentrate on defending the walls and which should be positioned within the rainforest. I give permission for squads to leave the Hollow walls to train within the forests. That will be all. Thank you."

Nero gave my hand a s...o...b..ry lick which almost seemed like a goodbye gesture as I rose from seat.

"What a flirt," Evan said jokingly, referring to Nero, as he also rose.

"Well you'd know all about that, wouldn't you?" Jared was glaring at Evan again in that weird way.

"Hey, don't forget to leave the personal files of the recruits on my desk," I told Jared.

"Sure," he replied, walking speedily out of the room. I gave Evan a questioning look.

Evan shrugged at his brother's behaviour. "He never was quite right upstairs."

"Commander Parker? Sorry, Sam?" said Antonio. "Could you spare a moment?"

"Yeah, course." I gave Evan a farewell smile, which he returned.

Once the room was empty, Antonio began, "I do not believe you have formally met my Advisor, Luther."

Luther's handshake was gentle. "It is a pleasure to meet you at last." The soft b.u.g.g.e.r shook the hand that was covered in Nero's s...o...b..r. He wasn't too pleased about that and wiped it on his grey trousers.

What he had said suddenly sunk in. A pleasure to meet me at last? I hadn't even been here for seventy-two hours yet. Not really knowing what to say to that, I replied simply, "And you." His smile seemed to indicate that he had picked up on my confusion.

Antonio's spoke again, "Sam, as you know, Luther's gift is precognition. He sporadically has visions. Whenever I appoint someone to have a high position within The Hollow, I offer them a glimpse of their own future. This helps them with either avoiding something or working towards it, which in turn is good for The Hollow."

"A glimpse of my future?"

"Part of Luther's gift is that he can allow another person to have a vision of their own merely through touch. He would not see your vision, only you would. And you would not be obliged to reveal anything of what you see. It can be for you and you alone to know."

Luther quickly said, "Many have decided that they do not wish to know anything of their future. Some believe that having the vision is what causes the event. I cannot comment on that as I do not know for certain. But most of my visions do come true."

Antonio placed a hand on my shoulder. "It is your choice, Sam." He said it like a question.

"What kind of vision would it be? I mean, will it be a positive one or a negative one? I don't want to see my own death, but if I'm going to win the lotto that would be interesting to know."

Luther smiled, shrugging. "There is no way of knowing."

Not a great answer. "When you say a glimpse of the future', do you mean my future or the future itself? I'd rather not see other people's future, it'd feel like spying or something."

"The vision may indeed contain other people, but only if they are interlinked with that time in your future."

"Are the visions clear or more like brief flashing images? I don't see much point in getting a glimpse if it's going to be like looking through fog."

"Sometimes they are very clear, sometimes clear enough, and other times they are so vague that I will be awake all day trying to decipher what I saw."

Not what I was hoping to hear. "Are we talking near future or really distant future?"

Luther giggled again. "Do you know, Sam, that not one person has ever considered this offer so deeply. You have asked some very wise questions. To answer your last question, I have no way of knowing. I cannot control the content of the visions, I can only guarantee that it will concern your own future."

One side of me was wondering what the h.e.l.l I was waiting for a vision would be brilliant. But another side of me was thinking that things were weird enough right now without throwing something else into the mix. Luther had said that they were not always very clear. I never liked puzzles. Eventually curiosity won over. "Alright, what do I have to do?"

Luther offered me his hand. "It is very simple. You need only hold onto my hand until the vision is over. They are not very long. Thirty seconds has been the longest I've ever experienced."

Nodding, I took his hand. The vision didn't waste any time coming at me, it was like being sucked into a vacuum and for a moment all I saw was darkness. Then, as if a light had suddenly been switched on, my eyesight was clear.

I wasn't in that room anymore with Antonio and Luther. I was in a rainforest, alone and yet not. I felt different inside. Like I was...squashed, maybe. But at the same time I felt stronger, so much stronger, so unbelievably powerful, and more alive than I had ever felt. Every nerve ending was buzzing. And in the strangest way I also felt complete and sure of something. I was looking at my hands. They both looked different bigger, even. In fact, my entire body seemed different. Stockier. Taller. A voice in my head screamed, Sam no!

And then I was back.

I heaved in a breath, treble-blinking with the feeling of being spat out of something. I half expected to find myself on the floor flat on my back, but as much as I felt as though I had done a round trip into outer s.p.a.ce, my body had stayed right where it was. I released Luther's hand and took a second to centre myself.

"Sam? How do you feel?" Antonio searched my eyes. "Dizzy at all?"

"Baffled beyond belief."

Luther sighed. "Yes...I can sympathise."

"You really didn't see what I saw?" I asked him.

"No. Remember that you need not share the vision with anyone unless you wish to."

"I don't think I could even if I wanted to," I said, rubbing the back of my neck which seemed to have a crick in it.

"Why?" enquired Antonio.

"Because I didn't understand a b.l.o.o.d.y second of it. I wouldn't know how to explain it."

"Maybe in time it will come to make sense," suggested Luther.

"I doubt it."

Chapter Four.

(Sam) Seen as I knew I had a few hours before my time with the new recruits, I thought it was a good a time as any to go clothes hunting around the shops within The Hollow. Sebastian had given me a month's wages in advance to allow me to afford to do so. He was beginning to feel more like a doting uncle.

I wasn't surprised when Fletcher begged to come along, pressing forward the argument that seen as Jared was busy with the recruits and I wouldn't be in the office he wasn't needed right now. He even arranged for his boyfriend, Norm, who was just as cute as him, to take over on Fletcher's desk. Basically Norm would serve as an office guard, though I couldn't imagine who would have any wish to root through any of our files.

I was extremely impressed with the shops. There were at least five that specialised in clothing alone. Fletcher's advice was more like pressure-selling.

He told me, "It's a good job I'm here to help or you'd be walking round looking like a Tom-Boy, and we just can't have that. You need something that compliments your figure."

"I still need casual stuff for while I'm coaching the recruits."

"Oh don't be daft, a nice show of cleavage will make them better behaved."

I had to admit it would have taken me a lot longer to shop if he hadn't been my wardrobe a.s.sistant', as he called himself. He didn't tot around having a gander, instead he seemed to know exactly what he was looking for and I swear he was like an animal in the jungle. It was like he could sniff out the clothing and my sizes. It was fascinating to watch.

Then before I knew it I'd have a handful of stuff to go try on. His input wouldn't end there. He would then pa.s.s judgement on what suited me and what didn't, and I have to say he was brutally honest. I actually learned a few things about myself that, truthfully, I couldn't have cared less about. Apparently I have calves that would go with any skirt or shoes, a bust so fantastic' that skin-tight or flimsy tops should be my priority, a b.u.m so luscious' that any tight jeans were a must', and hips that had the softest flare' so I should wear pants that fasten beneath them. Oh and he selected me some dresses; if I hadn't specified that they could not be shorter than just above knee-length he'd have had me looking like a stripper. I drew the line when he wanted to help me pick out my underwear.

At first I was surprised to see that the stores sold things like make-up and shampoo and stuff, but then I realised that those must be for the humans. Personal hygiene isn't an issue for vampires. Brushing my teeth or hair isn't necessary. Nor are body lotions or perfumes. We each have our own alluring scent and the texture of our skin is beyond perfect, with no freckles or scars or moles. My skin will become paler over time due to my nocturnal lifestyle and lack of exposure to sunlight.

For the purpose of luring in prey, vampirism grants you s.e.xual appeal by illuminating your best features. This means, for me, that my long dark hair is never unruly or greasy or tangled, it instead has a silky appearance and is extremely soft to the touch. My lips are constantly glossy and a plum-pink colour. My aquamarine eyes always look bright and inviting as though I'd used eye drops, and they have the darkest, thickest eyelashes to frame them. Still, I was noKeja.

Once the shopping was over, Fletcher and I had pasta for lunch at one of the cafes. He introduced me to a grape flavoured NST, which tasted like red wine very nice and now officially my favourite. By the time I'd arrived back at my apartment there was no time for me to unpack all my shopping bags so I put my new batch of NSTs in the fridge and darted down to my office in the Command Centre.

Where the recruits' personal files on my desk as I'd expected them to be? No.

I knew it was rude, but I searched Jared's desk seen as he was intent on playing games. It would seem that he'd antic.i.p.ated that I might do this as all his drawers were locked and nothing of interest was on the surface of the bureau. Plonker. Well he really didn't know me at all if he thought that this would be enough to rock my resolve. I'd just have to learn about the recruits on meeting them.