The Compatability Study

Chapter 1 Name: Shiloh “Shi” Parker Sex: Female Age: 23 Clan: Adopted Gray, Blood Clan Unknown Children: None. Status: Single. Preference: Either Blood Type: A+ The first section of her file was very simple, she decided. The rest of the questions didn’t make as much sense. She needed the money, however, and the study would pay well. She was short with her answers, giving only as much as had been needed. She had fidgeted the entire time for the interview, feeling uncomfortable in the doctor’s office where they were holding the interviews. This was a week ago, when she first signed up for the Compatibility Study. There had been a sign on the bulletin board at her job, a dead end she had been at since she had graduated the local high school. It was a great place to work while she was at the community college, but after graduating there as well, she got stuck. Hello, Rock. Meet my Hard Place. The post offered enough money that she could get out of her crappy apartment and go traveling or do the research she had been wanting to look into since she was twelve and discovered what she was. She kept this information to herself, however, having been poked and prodded enough when her body wouldn’t share the secret as a child. She went back to flipping through the file the doctors in charge of the study had compiled of her. As her interview had gone, it gave little away. A fact in which she was grateful. At least reading the file had distracted her from being back in the doctor’s office. Her thoughts were interrupted then as the door opened and a nurse came in. “How’s that file look, Ms. Parker?” Shi shrugged, “It’s all correct. When is the study supposed to start?” The nurse smiled, her brown eyes patient, as though she had heard the question before and answered it a million times. That could very well be the case, Shi mused. “Well, we’ve chosen your study partner. He has given permission for you to view his file. We need your permission to share yours, and then the pair of you will be driven to the study’s facility. As you are aware, this is a Compatibility Study between the clans. You will be in each other’s company for a while, monitored, but private.” “Undisclosed location?” Shi asked, noticing that the facility’s location had yet to be revealed. “Of course.” The nurse said brightly. Shi nodded as she handed her file to the nurse for her to share. “My study partner, what clan is he from?” The nurse blushed a bit, “He’s a Lion. I think your study should go very well.” Shi raised an eyebrow at the blush and took the Lion’s offered file. His provided a picture. His brown golden hair fell over happy blue eyes. His full lips were pulled up into a beautiful smile. Shi stifled a giggle. Well, the nurse was only human. He was certainly something to look at. Smiling, Shi continued reading his file. Name: Leon “Sunny” Darkshine Sex: Male Age: 24 Clan: Pride of the Hills Children: One Daughter Status: Widowed. Preference: Females Blood Type: O+ Widowed. With a daughter. Shi wanted to flinch. She glanced at the picture again. He looked so happy. Her heart went out to him. The door opened, interrupting her thoughts yet again, as she glanced up from the grinning lion to the nurse. “Your ride is ready. If you’ll follow me.” Shi gave the file back to the nurse and followed her quietly. Was she about to meet Sunny? Or were they in different vehicles for the trip? She felt a nervous knot twist in her gut. She took slow calming breaths and reined in her nerves as best as she could. As she was focusing on this, the nurse led her out into the employee parking area. The nurse sighed, “This really is my least favorite part.” Shi glanced at her, “Wha-?” Someone grabbed her from behind and pressed a scented cloth to her face. She struggled, gasping in the strange smell. The more she breathed of it, the fuzzier she felt. Panic began to set in as she fought against the person holding her. She felt herself getting weaker. Her sight faded out. The last thing she heard was a vehicle door open. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- She sighed and nuzzled into the soft bedding. The air around her was warm, but not uncomfortable. She laid there a little longer enjoying the warmth as her senses returned to her. The smells in the air sharpened, a natural earthy scent that helped center her soul. The sounds came next. It was too quiet. She had expected the sounds of crickets or birds. All she could hear was someone else breathing. She tried to remain relaxed, but the more her mind cleared the more she wanted to panic. The other person shifted on the other side of the room. As though they could hear her heartbeat speeding up. ‘He’s a lion.’ She remembered the nurse telling her about her study partner. Within seconds, she was up and had her back pressed against the wall opposite him. He was sitting against the wall with his arms draped over his knees, avoiding her eye. At first, this confused her. “It’s good you’re awake. I was beginning to worry.” His tone was soft, his voice low and slightly scratchy. It was most definitely Sunny. His hair hung like a mane over his head, hiding most of his face. It was then that she noticed he was naked. Her face flushed as she took in his tanned skin, the muscles tensed and defined. How he was sitting shielded his most intimate parts from her. She was thankful for this. He glanced up at her then looked away. He smiled and teased, “See something you like?” She blushed darker and looked down. She was dismayed, but not surprised, to find herself naked as well. “What happened to us? Where are we?” She asked as she slid into a position similar to his. Her mahogany hair fell around her shoulders and knees as she set her head down and looked up at him. He was watching her. “I think they kept some secrets about this ‘study’ of theirs.” He answered her. She pursed her lips, a nauseated feeling rolling over her as she realized what he meant. “Hybrids are practically unheard of.” She agreed quietly. He leaned forward, studying her. “I will not touch you in that manner. Not while drugged. Not while forced.” His tone was stronger. Fierce. She nodded and watched him, her brown-green eyes meeting his starting blues ones. “I’ll try to make it easier for you. I appreciate it.” He smiled and nodded back before leaning his head back against the wall and closing his eyes. After a few moments of silence, he spoke again, “I read your file. You prefer to be called Shi, right?” She hummed an affirmative. “And you’re Sunny.” He chuckled, “I guess so. Everyone calls me that.” Another silence fell. After a time, Shi gave up her cramped position and stretched out. She stood up and paced their cell, examining it. There was a single bed centered on the back wall, just big enough for two to lay on together. A bathroom set was in one corner, complete with a sink, shower, and toilet. The earthy smell was coming from the dirt floor. The walls were a cold stone. There was a single door with a slot in it. Presumedly for food. She felt his eyes on her back, and she turned to look at him. He was still sitting against the wall. The position looked uncomfortable. “If we’re going to do this without it always being awkward, we’re going to have to get used to each other.” Shi chewed her lip as she met his eyes. “Naked and all.” Sunny nodded slowly. “I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.” Shi walked over to him and knelt in front of him. “I’m flattered. But, you need to be comfortable, too. And sitting like that looks painful.” She offered her hand to him, to help him stand up. He looked at it for a moment before taking it and standing up. His movements were fluid, holding a predatorial grace. He was several inches taller than her. Perfect height to rest her head on his shoulder if she wanted, she mused. He shifted nervously, scanning her body with his eyes occasionally as though he couldn’t help it. She met his gaze and whispered, “It’s natural to be curious.” He held her gaze for a few moments as she stepped back further from him. His breathing had become heavier and he stood tense. He chewed his lip and studied her. Her skin was on the pale side, as though she didn’t spend much time outdoors. The dark mahogany of her hair made a wonderful contrast. She wasn’t wearing make-up, he noticed. He couldn’t say she needed it. His attraction to her appearance was obvious and needed no words. Yet, as she stood there in front of him, her full figure bare to his eyes, he couldn’t help but breath out, “You’re beautiful.” She blushed under his praise. He smiled. He liked her blush, too, he decided. Her eyes skipped over him briefly, trying to dismiss what she saw as normal. In truth, he was rather well built. He was stout, built like a protector. ‘He probably works out,’ she thought as she watched the muscles in his arm move as he moved. ‘Might as well be chiseled… Dang.’ She felt a rush of heat through her body and noticed him twitch. He crossed his hands politely in front of him, not really blocking what his body offered, but trying to at least be modest. “Sorry,” they both apologized. She giggled, and he grinned.