Page 7 of Royal Bite

“Please stand over there so I can take your picture.”

Stormey did as she was instructed.

A few moments later, he motioned to the waiting area. “Have a seat. Here’s your number, and they will call that when they are ready for you.”

She took the small piece of paper that held her number.

Three hundred and sixty-six.

This would be her lucky number.

Stormey made her way through the sterile waiting area and found a seat in the corner. She rested her bag in her lap and relaxed. With the number of vampires searching for a mate, she was sure there was one out there for her. She understood things between her and the vampire may be awkward at first. She just hoped that over time a loving relationship would develop and grow.

The decor of the waiting room was simple and resembled a doctor’s office. Plastic plants, old magazines resting on a few tables scattered around the room. Even light music played through invisible speakers.

Time passed, and Stormey watched the room. She could see fear written on some of the people’s faces who were around her. There was a slight tension in the air. No one knew for certain if they would match with a vampire. Numbers were called out, and the person holding the correlating one would stand and follow the orderly to the back.

Stormey shifted in her seat, anxious for hers to be called. No one spoke while they waited. She noticed it didn’t take long for the donation. Each person who was called back would be leaving shortly afterwards. Her leg bounced uncontrollably. The woman sitting across from her kept staring at her leg.

Stormey paused the motion. She offered the woman a smile. She scowled at Stormey before turning away from her.

“Three sixty-six.”

Stormey’s heart stuttered.

It was time for her to give her sample. She stood and walked over to the desk where the same vampire who’d registered her sat. A short woman stood by the desk.

“You called my number. Three sixty-six.” Stormey held up the piece of paper.

“Follow me, please.” Her dark hair was pulled up in a tight bun. She was dressed in navy-blue scrubs and walked briskly through the halls.

Stormey hefted her bag up on her shoulder and followed. She bit her lip and didn’t say a word. The scent of antiseptic filled her nostrils. She was impressed by the sight of the place. This was run by the vampires. The human government didn’t have money to run something so elaborate.

“How long have you worked here?” Stormey asked in an attempt to make small talk.

The woman glanced back at her with a raised eyebrow.

“A few years,” she responded.

“Do you get a lot of people every day?” Stormey couldn’t stop the questions from tumbling from her mouth. She was downright curious. She had waited forever to get here, and now that she was, her curiosity was getting the best of her.

“Yes.”

“And do you know how many people are actually matched?”

The woman drew to a halt and faced Stormey. She rested her hand on her hip, and it was then Stormey saw her fangs peeking from underneath her lip.

A vampire.

Stormey swallowed hard and clutched her bag to her.

“I don’t keep up with the humans once they give their samples.” She turned and motioned for Stormey to follow her again.

She had increased her pace, and Stormey struggled to keep up. She was beginning to think the woman was irritated by her questions. Did others not ask questions when they came to give their sample?

“Do vampires come here to give their samples, too?” Stormey asked. What would be the chances that she and her future mate gave blood at the same laboratory?

The woman replied with a snort and shook her head. “No, their facilities are different.” She stopped outside a closed door. She opened it and motioned for Stormey to enter. It was small and looked like a medical exam room. “Please have a seat. They will be with you soon.”