8 The Devil in Me Ch. 8

Chapter Eight:

Noah:

Monday already?

Was it just me, or did the weekend fly by?

I felt myself frown as I stood outside of my room, deciding what it was exactly that I wanted to do.

Do I eat here? Or do I get out of here and eat something?

Baird had promised that I would be free of the program until Thursday. So, I feel I should take full advantage of that.

I was stopped short on my way out of the building.

Baird stood in front of me, and I could see in his face that he had something serious to say to me.

Don't be what I think it is.

"I'm afraid your request out of the program was denied," Baird stated.

I knew that it would be. I just hoped that it would take a little longer to decide.

My gaze dropped to my feet, before looking back up to meet his eyes.

"Is that all?" I asked.

His lips tightened into a thin line.

"Baird," I said low "Tell me you aren't serious."

"I tried to put it off," he said, "But I am afraid Mr. Olsen has argued that you are of age, and should be mated by now."

I knew that I was of age, I just didn't care.

"And with that scare not too long ago," Baird said, "He will not let you out of the program without finding your mate, or you joining the breeding program."

"I wonder how Mr. Olsen would feel if he was told who to fuck and when," I said simply.

Baird only sighed; he was growing accustomed to my short temper as of late. I only wished that I wouldn't feel as angry as I have been. This program just rubbed me the wrong way.

"There is still hope for you, Noah," Baird said, "You never know what might happen."

I didn't want to look at him, I just wanted to leave.

"You'll never guess who had a reaction to one of our volunteers," he said low.

Wait… so somebody actually had a reaction?

"What kind of reaction?" I asked.

"The kind only a mate can induce."

"Who was it?" I asked.

"The human or the Devil?" Baird asked with a smile forming.

"You already know I probably don't know the human," I said "Who was it? Was it Caleb?"

He shook his head slowly before leaning in just a little "Delaney."

I made an unmistakable face "I wasn't aware that he was in the program at all."

"It seems that Mr. Olsen is not only looking at you," Baird stated, "Devon, however, still seems to be a rare exception."

I didn't have to say it, we both knew why.

Delaney's sister Devon was one of the few of us that didn't have any sexual desire at all. It was strange. She didn't find anyone attractive, and the idea of sex with anyone repulsed her.

Sometimes I wished that I was repulsed at the idea, but I still held out some hope that I would find my mate. On my own time.

"Is his mate a man or a woman?" I asked.

Baird looked at me, and I could tell that he thought it was personal that I even asked.

"His mate is a woman," he said after a minute, "And if you were here on Friday, you would have seen her."

"Is she the reason you tried to call me back?" I asked.

"One of them," he said simply.

So then there was more than one woman he thought was attractive? I thought he was like Devon, where sex was of no interest to him.

"She is unusual," Baird admitted, "But I feel like she just might be perfect for Delaney."

I suppose most mates were, weren't they?

I only nodded.

"I have a feeling your mate will be perfect for you too."

He didn't need to add that part.

Again, all I could do was nod.

"Olsen wants you back here tomorrow," Baird said, interrupting our awkward silence "I am sorry I could not give you until Thursday."

I just shook my head. I only hoped I could actually get that far without having to come back, but I had a feeling that it was just that, a hope.

"I hope that you enjoy the rest of your day," Baird said before turning and heading toward the gate where the volunteers gather.

Sure, I would enjoy the rest of my day… knowing that I had to come back and start the program again tomorrow.

I frowned; I could use a drink.

Shay:

"Hold on," I said to Jody, who was staring at me like a crazy person "What do you mean you have a match?"

We just went there on Friday, and she already has a match? It's barely Monday.

She showed me the message on her phone.

From: Ginger Baird Man – 'Good afternoon Jody, I am messaging you to ask if you could come in tomorrow afternoon? I believe I have found a match for you.'

I read over the message, before glancing at the name she had for him in her phone.

"Seriously?" I asked, "Ginger Baird Man?"

She just grinned, "You're only jealous that you didn't come up with it first."

Honestly, I didn't even think about having him in my phone as anything but Baird.

"I am going," she said.

"I didn't think you wouldn't," I said back.

"Will you go with me?" she asked.

I was about to say no, but then I figured I could see more into the program if I went.

"Okay," I said, "But you will not talk me into wearing anything slutty."

She gasped before placing her hand over her chest, "Me? Make you wear anything slutty? Never."

I just glared at her.

"Seriously, though," she said, "I was thinking crotchless panties."

I just shook my head as I laughed.

"I was planning on something simple," she said, "Shorts and a tank top."

I was surprised actually, "Sounds good to me, but not a tank top."

She looked at me seriously, "As long as I can see your nipples, I really don't give a shit what you wear."

"You and the nipples," I said, laughing.

She was slapping her leg as she laughed "What can I say? I'm your nipple godmother."

I laughed harder, trying not to fall over.

This bitch.

After a few minutes, the laughter died down, and we were left sitting there in silence. No awkwardness between us, just pure happiness. Until I broke the silence.

"Are you nervous?" I asked.

"Maybe a little bit," she admitted, "I heard matches are a big deal."

I could only imagine.

"But the Alpha human part," she said, looking at me. "That makes me worry."

I placed my hand on her knee, and I smiled wide at her, "You don't need to worry."

She met my eyes, but only smiled a little bit, "How do you know?"

I looked at her dead serious, "Because I don't care what abilities he has, I'll fucking kill him if he hurts you."

She grinned at me this time, "Same goes for you when you get matched."

"If," I stated, "If I get matched."

"You're joking, right?" she asked "It's already set in stone, there is a plan for you Shay. You probably already have a match; Baird is probably just having us come in one at a time."

I didn't have the same optimism she did about a match for me, but it didn't matter all that much.

"I'll know soon enough then," I said to her, "If he has a match for me, I'm sure he'll let me know when I just show up."

She nodded, "And if he doesn't have a match for you, maybe you should just ask him out."

I made a face at her.

"Don't you give me that," she pointed at me, "You think he is hot, don't deny it."

I couldn't deny it, but I certainly wasn't going to admit it yet.

Jody made a loud sound before standing up, "I'm hungry."

I narrowed my eyes at her.

"Help me make something," she said, "Please?"

I made an annoying sound as I stood up, "Fine."

She only grinned before walking out of my room.

Noah:

I felt sick.

My stomach was angry at me. This is what I deserve, I guess, for drinking and not eating anything.

I made my way to the cafeteria, and I went right to the refrigerator in the back.

Once I laid eyes on the small bottles of orange juice, I was thankful.

I opened the bottle and took a small drink.

"Rough night?"

I turned my head to see Griff standing in the doorway.

"Rough morning," I said.

He came in and went right for the strawberry milk.

"Are you going down to the trial center today?" Griff asked.

I took another drink of my juice before I answered, "I don't really have much of a choice."

He only nodded.

The only sound in the room now was the hum of the freezer.

"Did you hear who got a match?" he asked after a few minutes of quiet.

"Delaney?" I asked.

"It's still hard to believe," Griff nodded "He went out of his way to avoid the program."

That was one of the things I respected about Delaney. He went really out of his way to avoid the program. He was even confined here for a while because he flat out refused to participate at all.

It bothered me a little that he got a match before I did.

I suppose that was unavoidable, though, considering.

My phone buzzed, and I already knew who it was.

Baird trying to nag me. I already knew I was late.

I'm busy trying to drink away this hangover.

"It's never a good idea to make him wait," Griff said.

He must have heard the buzzing of my phone as well.

"He's going to want me more sober than not," I stated, "So I think me being a few more minutes won't hurt."

"Sometimes, I wonder how well you actually know the man," Griff said with a small laugh.

I know I don't know Baird as well as I would like to think I do, but he was still like family.

"You should probably go."

I nodded. He was right.

"Yeah, I'll talk to you later."

He didn't say anything when I walked away.

This strange feeling sat heavy in my stomach, and I didn't know what to make of it.

All I know for sure is that it sucked.

I headed to my room to change my clothes. That much I could control.

Shay:

It wasn't too hot today. That in itself was a small miracle.

I met up halfway with Jody, so we could walk there together.

She looked cute, and of course, her nipple piercings were showing through her thin dark grey tank top.

It was one of those cropped length shirts, it looks cute with her high-rise red shorts.

I noticed that she remembered to wear her ring, and I was thankful that I remembered mine as well.

She wore the same red heels that she did the last time we were here. The zombie heels were red and pink, the heel is black. Just above the heel in the back, sat the black lace bow.

Her nails are painted matte pink, except for her ring finger. Her ring finger was painted light glitter pink.

It took me a minute to realize her lips are red. She went for a cute, sexy, and casual look.

I approve, as well as frown a little. It was a mixture or best friend and concerned parent.

"So, how do I look?" she asked.

She spun around after asking me.

Her purse hit me in the side before I could answer. It was the same side I fell on after our night out.

I rubbed at my side as I grinned at her.

"You look hot," I said.

"You do, too," she said, nudging me.

I'll admit, despite my not wanting to dress up, I was a little.

I'm wearing dark blue high-rise shorts. My shirt was a long-sleeve, light grey shirt. I decided it was vital that I wore a bra with this shirt. It was a little see-through.

I was thankful that Jody was able to get her friend to do our nails. Mine are black, except for the ring finger. That one the original translucent gel, with a black heart centered on it.

I thought about putting my hair up but decided to just wear a rubber back on my wrist in case I changed my mind. My shoes are the blue and black zombie heels that matched hers.

I even went as far as putting a little make-up on and some black lipstick.

For some reason, even though this was about her, I still wanted to look good.

"Yeah?" I asked her.

"I'm not okay with the bra, though," she shrugged.

"Well, that, my friend, is a shame," I said, "Because I'm wearing it anyway."

"I can see that," she stated disapprovingly.

We walked the rest of the way, cracking the occasional nipple joke.

The building we nearly missed last time came into view.

Why was I nervous?

"I hope he's cute," she said before we reached the gate.

I had a feeling her match might be a little too perfect for her.

"He will be," I said, "Or better."

She beamed.

Baird stood in the same spot he did before.

"Oh," he said after seeing me, "Good morning."

"I wasn't sure if I could bring her with me," Jody said, "But she is my person, so I need her."

"No problem," Baird said, "But I do not think she should be present during the interview."

Interview for what?

"I mean," she said, "If she isn't allowed in, that's okay. I just want her here."

He smiled politely, "No argument here."

"So, she can come in?" Jody asked.

He nodded, "But I will need to ask her to leave for the initial interview."

"Okay," she said before looking back to grin at me.

"This way," Baird said.

We walked down the same hallway we did before, only this time the room we filled out our paperwork was already full of people.

This time Steven sat in Baird's chair.

It looks to me like he was in charge here today, while Baird did the other part.

I was thankful that we didn't have to fill out more paperwork yet. I preferred to just get stuff done.

He led us through the garden again.

I followed a few paces behind so they could talk about her match.

I was ecstatic for her.

Baird opened the next door, and I stopped once we were in the corridor with all the mirrors.

The same uneasy feeling came over me, and I felt like I was being watched.

I didn't fall behind, even if I felt creeped out.

"Okay," Baird said loud enough for me to hear him as well.

We walked a little further before Baird made a small sound.

It surprised me when he stopped to look down at the tablet that he carried with him.

It beeped in quick succession, and he looked worried.

"Is everything alright?" I asked.

He nodded but didn't glance up.

"So, about my match," Jody said, sounding hopeful.

Baird looked up and smiled lightly, "We are going to get everything ready in the next room."

She nodded.

"If you will excuse me for just a moment," he said, "I just need to check on something, then I will get everything set up."

"Okay," she said with a worried smile.

Baird left through a different door than before.

"I'm about to freak out," she whispered.

"You are going to do amazing," I assured her, "You look amazing, and that boy isn't going to know what hit him."

She smiled wider, "I love you. I hope you know that."

"I know," I said, "I love you too."

She visibly relaxed, and it made me start to calm down a bit too.

"I wonder where Baird went," Jody said, "I'm so excited, I'm shaking."

I let out a small laugh, she really was excited to get this going.

"What if he doesn't like me?" she asked.

I opened my mouth to respond, but I had my attention on the mirror across from where I stood.

"You have nothing to worry about," I told her, even though I didn't look at her.

"I don't know," she said.

I moved closer to the mirror.

"Do you see anything?" Jody asked.

"I thought I saw it move," I admitted.

"Count me out," she said, backing up. She wasn't even close to the mirror to begin with.

It almost looked like something on the other side moved it. I would have sworn I saw a small ripple effect.

I didn't even wait, once I reached the mirror, I placed my hand on the glass.

This strange sensation washed over me. It felt like a cool breeze went through me.

"Shay," Jody said, "Are you okay?"

I took my hand off of the glass and turned around to look at her.

"Yeah, just a weird feeling."

I walked towards her and sat next to her.

There were many vacant chairs littered throughout the room.

"You know what would be cool?" Jody asked.

"What?" I asked back.

"If he was perfect," she whispered after leaning in.

I smiled as big as I could manage, "I hope so."

It felt like several minutes before Baird made his way back into the room.

"I am sorry about the delay," he said, "Let me just get this ready, I will call you in when everything is set up."

We nodded as he walked the layout of the room to get to the door almost diagonal from the one he entered.

He pulled open the new door once he reached it, and stepped through.

I rested my head on her shoulder while she talked about her latest client at the salon.

It was funny how some people expect so much of you for so little.

"If I buzzed her hair off, it might be worth the ten dollars she was trying to give me," she said, "I know I need to practice, and I might have just done it if she wasn't such an asshole."

I nodded against her.

Jody is kind like that. She doesn't respond well to people being incredibly rude, though.

"How much longer do you think this is going to take?" she asked me in a near whisper, "I'm starting to freak out again."

I pat her leg, "Just a little bit longer."

The door opened after another minute or so of waiting.

"Alright," Baird said, "Before we do anything else."

He walked towards us with two different lanyards.

"These are to track you while you are here," he said, "This one is for you, and this one for you."

He handed each of us a lanyard, and without complaint, we put them on.

"Are you ready, Jody?" Baird asked.

She nodded, "Can Shay come too?"

"I am afraid not," he said, "This first meeting is crucial."

She glanced back at me and frowned.

"It's okay," I said, "I can hang out here for a bit."

She nodded, but I could still see the worry on her face.

I gave her the biggest smile I could manage.

It seemed to work because she looked better before the door shut behind her.

I took in a breath before pulling my phone out.

Maybe I could play a game or something while she was in there.

Noah:

I sat with my back to the wall.

Why bother even looking at the volunteers if I didn't feel anything?

I felt frustrated with myself for being jealous of Delaney. I should be happy for him.

I brought my knees up so that I could rest my arms on them.

Baird mentioned that Delaney's mate would be coming today. It made me wonder what kind of girl he would be with.

Baird had already given his speech to the volunteers, so now they must be well into their questionnaires.

This was the most frustrating part of this whole thing. The waiting. The hoping. The nothing.

I took in a breath as I stared at the ring on my right hand. The ring was black stainless steel, with purple, blue, and orange on the inside.

It was still strange to me how this ring alone was supposed to monitor my heart rate and my body temperature.

I was able to convince Baird that it might take a little more than a thin sheet of metal to read that. So, he asked if the smartwatch I wore was adequate. Turns out, it was.

It read my heart rate faster, and when something happened, Baird got notified much quicker.

He was happy with the faster read and quicker results. I was pleased with the fact I got a smartwatch I didn't have to pay for.

I studied the face of the watch, it was black while the screen was off, the band itself was white.

My gaze remained on the watch even after I heard the light knock on the door.

"Noah?"

I glared at the door once I realized who it was on the other side.

"What do you want, Raisa?" I asked.

"Can I come in?"

"No."

I shouldn't have to spell it out for her.

She is not someone I would willingly choose to spend time with if I could help it.

"We could do something fun," she said, "It'll help you pass the time."

Finding something to pass the time sounded amazing. Spending that time with her did not.

She was a trial all on her own.

"I don't think so," I said.

"Fine then," she hissed. "Next time you want to find a place to stick your dick, look somewhere else."

I felt myself relax when she stormed away.

How did she become so aggravating?

I shut my eyes, hoping to relax. It would be nice if I could fall asleep.

I took in a breath, finally feeling a calm come over me.

It only lasted a couple of minutes.

I felt a tingling sensation in the palms of my hands.

My eyes opened, and I made a face as I studied my hands to see what the problem is.

Then my tongue went numb in my mouth.

What the hell?

A dull ache went through my jaw before becoming more substantial and more intense.

What the fuck was happening?

It felt like needles pricking my skin. The sensation began at my hands, before making its way up my arms. The further it progressed up my body, the more painful it became.

The door opened quickly, and Baird made a face at me.

"What is going on?" he asked quickly.

I couldn't answer him, the pain in my body barely even let me hear him when he spoke.

My head went back against the wall harshly.

"Calm yourself," Baird said just above a whisper, "You need to calm down."

I tried to focus on him as he spoke just so I could make out his words.

He glanced up, and I realized he was looking through the double mirror.

What if…

I didn't hesitate to stand up.

"Noah," Baird said, "Is this what I think it is?"

I ignored him as I turned to face the see-through glass.

The pain in my jaw got substantially worse.

My eyes landed on the two occupants in the second trial room.

Delaney's mate was supposed to be here. Was it possible we both reacted to her?

The girl with the darker hair was staring at the two-way mirror, and I felt a strange pull towards her.

She couldn't see me, could she?

"Baird," I growled, "Who is that?"

He stood beside me, "Which one?"

I realized as she came closer that the ends of her hair were dark purple.

Why was she coming closer?

I couldn't hear what the girl with the pink hair said to her.

"Baird?" I asked. It almost came out as a gasp.

The girl placed her hand on the glass.

She knew someone was back here?

I raised my hand to meet hers, and the second my hand flattened over hers, the pain vanished.

She turned around to respond to something the pink-haired girl said.

I felt like I was out of breath.

"Baird," I said, "Who is she?"

I glanced over at him to see him typing something into the tablet he carried.

"I believe we found your mate," he said, genuinely surprised.

I looked back at her through the glass, and to my surprise, I could see my own reflection in the glass.

My eyes had already changed. The whites of my eyes darkened to grey, and the dark purple of my eyes lightened to an almost glowing lilac color.

The Devil in me, revealed itself.

"You know what this means, don't you?" Baird asked.

I couldn't look away from her. My body told me to go through this glass to get to her if I had to.

"Her name," I said, "What is her name?"

"Shay," he stated, "Her name is Shay."

I only nodded to his words.

"I have to get back out there," Baird said, "Will you be alright back here?"

Usually, I would have asked him if I had to stay, but as long as she was here, so was I.

"I will be fine, Baird," I stated, "Do what you need to do."

It didn't take long for him to leave the small room and make his way back out there to meet them.

I couldn't hear what he said once he spoke to the girls, but he only took the pink-haired one away.

Shay, as I now know her as, sat alone in the large room.

I cocked my head to the side as if that would change how I saw her. It didn't, of course.

It startled me when her gaze went up from her phone and landed back at the two-way mirror I stood behind.

I studied her expression to see if she could actually see me, even though I knew she couldn't.

She was looking for something the more she stared.

I was thankful she kept looking this way, despite the strange sensation that settled in my stomach.

Her eyes were different shades of brown, and another color I couldn't quite make out from here.

I wanted to speak to her. I wanted to hear her voice.

I pulled my phone out of my pocket to send a message to Baird.

To: Baird – 'Schedule my interview.'

I didn't want to wait, but I knew the procedure. He would put it off for a few days.

My phone buzzed in my hands.

From: Baird – 'Wednesday afternoon.'

I made a face.

Not tomorrow, but the next day.

He wasn't waiting.

I watched as Shay received a message on her phone as well. It was probably Baird asking her if she could come in on Wednesday.

I stood there, hoping she said yes.

Her fingers moved slowly over the keypad of her phone. It looked like she was thinking while she was typing out her response.

Once she responded, her gaze returned to where I stood.

Her hand came up slowly to wave, and all I heard was my heartbeat pounding in my ears.