Page 66 of Wicked Allure
She was escorted to the back of one of the SUVs and assisted in. The door slammed shut, and she glanced out the window. Tarek’s dark expression remained as he stood watching. The warriors climbed into the vehicle with her, and soon they were off. She sent up a prayer that she hadn’t lied to him.
Hopefully, she’d be home for supper.
Tomesha was escorted into an unmarked building about forty minutes from Butterbush. The aroma of antiseptic was overpowering. She made her way down a short hallway that opened up into a waiting area filled with people. Light music played softly through hidden speakers. It resembled any doctor’s office. She relaxed and headed over to the check-in desk where a young man and woman worked quietly beside each other.
“Um, hello.” She gripped her shoulder strap of her bag tight in one hand. Butterflies fluttered to life in her stomach as she stood waiting.
“Name,” the woman asked, not looking up from the computer screen she was staring at. Her fingers flew across the keyboard. She paused then glanced over at Tomesha when she didn’t respond immediately.
“Tomesha Clay.” She spelled her name to ensure it would be correct in their system.
The woman nodded then reached for a clipboard with some papers attached to it. “I’ll need you to fill out this form. Sign here. Initial next to these bullet points as you read them then return it to me when you’re done.”
Tomesha followed where the woman pointed on the paper. She handed a pen to Tomesha.
“Thank you.” Tomesha took the pen and clipboard and moved off to the side. Her hands shook as she filled out the paperwork. It was a common form requesting her full name, date of birth, address, and her place of employment. She glanced up at the two behind the desk. They both looked vampire, but she wasn’t one hundred percent sure.
She sighed. It was no use in lying on the form. They’d know everything about her, not that there was much to hide. It was a little strange that they needed to know clothing size, shoe size, and favorite colors. What did they do with that information?
She walked back over to the desk and handed the clipboard to the woman.
“Do you have proof of identification?” she asked.
“I do.” Tomesha reached into her bag. She dug around until she found her wallet. She pulled out her identification card and handed it over.
The woman typed for a few moments without saying anything before she motioned for Tomesha to go behind the counter.
“I need to take your photograph.” She slid Tomesha’s ID card back to her.
Tomesha took it and slipped it back in her wallet. She walked around the desk and stood against a wall where the woman instructed her to. She took a few snapshots of Tomesha then pointed to the waiting area.
“Have a seat. Someone will call you when they’re ready for you.” She handed Tomesha a card with a number on it.
Two hundred and eight.
Tomesha found an available chair near the wall. She propped her bag on her lap while she took in the room. The door opened, and a man came in. He went over to the counter where he announced he’d been called down for the draft.
Tomesha closed her eyes briefly. What if she was matched with a vampire? Would she have to move far? Would she be able to stay in contact with her family? Would she even be appealing to the new vampire? Was it like the fairy tales? Love at first sight? Or would they develop feelings for one another over time? Tomesha just hoped it would be someone who was caring, gentle, and open to having a human mate. She shuddered to think that she’d be matched with a vampire who didn’t want her.
But if they opposed humans, would they even register for the draft? For vampires, it wasn’t mandatory. According to them, even though there were millions of them spread throughout the world, they needed their fated mates in order to procreate and keep their race alive.
That gave Tomesha a small sense of relief. Maybe luck would have it that she never matched with a vampire.
Numbers were called, and slowly the people trickled to the back. Tension laced the air. It didn’t appear anyone was happy about being there, but at least it didn’t take long for the donation. Maybe she’d be home for dinner. A few more people came into the facility and were registered then seated. Tomesha began to worry. Had they forgotten about her? She eyed the room and found that everyone who’d been waiting when she’d arrived were now gone.
Should she go and say something?
“Two-oh-eight!”
Tomesha glanced down at her card and saw it was her number. A tall woman with brown hair stood by the desk eyeing the room. Tomesha raised her hand and stood.
“That’s me.” Tomesha tossed her bag onto her shoulder and walked up to the woman.
“Miss Clay?” The woman took the card from Tomesha and walked down a sterile white hallway.
“Yes. Tomesha.” She studied the woman in black scrubs. Her pale skin was flawless, and her brown hair was tied up in a high ponytail.
They took a few turns through a winding maze of halls.
