Chapter 4

I was a restless all night. I could not think about what we were walking into so I didn´t sleep at all. Instead I packed and took a long hot shower and allowed the heat to bring some comfort to my physical body caused from earlier stress. I allowed the water to wash the stress and began to prepare for the events today.

Packing really was not a challenge; all Warriors have a basic uniform we wear that includes simple attire, leather pants, fitted black t-shirt and sturdy boots. Once dressed I began combing my long black hair and with each stroke of the brush I recalled, that the time shortly after I arrived, I shaved my head in attempts to remove anything that I have in common with that man who made me. Though I could not change my eyes, I could my hair.

But if I could have dug them out from my eye socket and replaced them with any other color even pink, I would have done it without a question. But over the years, my team mate Miri convinced me to allow my hair grow again. She was always telling me how very pretty I was with raven black hair and green eyes that look like emeralds. To me, Miri holds that ethnic appeal others crave. However, with all that we are I have come to no longer see true beauty for that no longer matters, the need to smell roses, enjoy the view, and maintain appeal was killed off a long time ago when they betrayed me. It is why I have become is all thanks to my loved ones, my family, and my companions and by the one who was to mean the most to me my mate.

I turned to see Miri walking through my door without a knock. She is the only person in the whole Academy that never bothers to knock and wait to be allowed in. She lives by her own rules. Miri comes from somewhere in Japan and arrived shortly after I did. If you were to look up the definition of evil, her father would be the cover page. He should never have been allowed to be given the title of PARENT. She never knew what love was, she never experienced it, therefore never expected anything. Her mother died while giving her birth and Miri has no clue what she looked like. As far back as Miri can recall she was starved and beaten daily. Her creator taught her how to steal and kill nothing else. She was a like a feral cat, in wolfs clothing. When still a child he would send her on missions to destroy all that she encountered without ever being seen. She was beaten and sexually abused daily. Her body was an object he abused into submission. When Master found them, he instantly pulled Miri behind him as he slaughtered her father. She was only 13 years old then, beaten, broken, and as twitchy as rattle snake. Miri had never been touched in attempts of comfort or love. For someone to touch her meant pain and nothing came free. To me she is one of the most exotic women there is. She is of average height, with small mocha eyes, with a thin petite nose paired with high cheek bones and perfectly full lips. Her hair lays smooth down to the middle of her back. It matches the same warm brown color of her eyes.

Miri glanced at me as I finished tying my hair into a tight bun when she asked, "Hey Jennifer, how are you?" I knew that my team heard me last night and I was sure that Master instructed them to stay back. The team all knows about my past and do what they could to help me through it just as I return the favor. For, I was sent to this place for two reasons to die and never come back. It is hard for me to think about their pasts and compare my history, in comparison, I feel as I am crying over a scratch as they all have savagely mangled but we all have a past and story to tell and a past to live beyond. That is what holds us together. Master gives us purpose and skills that allowed us to overcome our pasts and be something as we move towards a future. He has given us a choice and for that we are dedicated to him. We find strength, power, and protection within these walls. Master has helped when no other dare try. He protects us from the hell we live by giving us an opportunity to control the cage the beast that lurks under our surface who is always looking for an opportunity to pounce and consume. The world sees us as monsters, killers, and the demons of the night. We are shadow creatures who have no souls, little do they know.

Shrugging, I looked around and grasp my leather as I let her know, "I´m good, I feel better now." Miri threw her arms around my waist as my back was to her. Generally I cannot bear others hold but my team we have a way that surpasses all others. A movement of stiffness was replaced by comfort as she whispered to me prior to leaving the room, "I am here for you. You are not alone." She stood at the door and looked back, "We need to be downstairs in ten minutes Master´s orders."

My leather coat glided along my curves perfectly as I armed myself by inserting the guns into holsters and placing my katana back into its hidden case sewn into the back of my coat. It was a modification I made a few years ago to keep it safe and available at any time. Prior to walking out I grabbed my Ray Ban sunglasses off the shelf and slid on my high heels leather boots. With a final look in the mirror, I zipped up my coat and studied my image. The face peering back at me has changed in the past five years. I hope it is enough so that they no longer recognize me when I stand before them. My face has lost the soft features of the rounded face of a child along with the innocence it once held. Now my high cheekbones and jaw line has become more define as everything else has become fuller from head to toe. My lips are round and lush and I have a slim nose as well. Unfortunately, I still have the two things that are my constant reminders of my father the two things that I can never fully change, my eyes and hair. I have tried to die my hair to change my look but after just a few days it returns to its normal state, you might consider it part of the werewolf curse. No it no longer matters; most avoid making eye contact due to my position as a Warrior. I look harder, stronger and dangerous to others and I like it this way. I take one more look at those cursed eyes an exact replica and my only true visual give regarding who I am. So as I reach for my bag and give my room I have called home for past five year one last look, slid my sunglasses on and headed for the door.

At the entrance stood Ivan and Miri waiting for me as I took my last look over my shoulder and asked, "Where are Axel and Master?" to no one in particular.

"Axel is waiting in the car and the Master is right behind you," answered Ivan. He was looking over my shoulder with a smirk on his face directly looking at our Master.

"Are we ready?" asked Master to everybody, but his gaze was locked on me.

"Yeah, we are ready." We responded in unison. Ivan and Miri turned and headed for the car as Master’s hand gently grasped my shoulder to stop me. I turned around and looked at him with a questioning look. He stretched his hand out and passed me a container prior to directing me, "Jennifer take this pill, it will mask you scent." Without a moment of further explanation he continued and went to the car leaving me speechless in the hall. Without a word, I knew what he wanted from me and why. For that I was grateful. I gave the Academy one last look prior to sliding into the car as I said goodbye to the place I have called home for the past several years, with only one thought...

Well daddy, I guess I´m finally coming home. It has been a long time from our last meeting and boarding school was just awesome. What can I say, I am one lucky girl.