Secrets Of Sanctuary Hospital Nightmare Of The Dark Shadows (21 page)

Jackson pushes the engine to its limits. From
his aggravated grunts, I know he can hear whatever Reginald is
telling Damian. “Yes, I can do that. Grant can show you where we
will be...Yes I do remember them, we will be expecting them.

Taking my hands, he strains to make his voice
sound reassuring. “Mia, Reginald is sending two very powerful
witches to escort Jacob if we can get him to come our way so that
Jackson can watch and keep anyone who comes along off me.

“How much further?”

“We are traveling as fast as we can, but are
still about thirty minutes out.”

“How did you know that it wasn’t me or Jacob
and has anyone else been replaced?”

“No one else was replaced. Andrew knew as
soon as we all reconvened at the hotel that the person returning as
yourself and Jacob were imposters and so did Martina, but Martina
warned him not to let on because she read the boy’s thoughts about
the ones that got captured and then the woman’s thoughts about you
and what was happening.

Nicole also knew immediately it was not you
or Jacob. As Andrew and Lucas were trying to help Nicholas and
Kayla, we got attacked. They carefully separated out the children,
Lucas and Andrew from the rest of us. Then as we were rushing them
to the car, Gabriel and Jacob got attacked and only Jacob returned
to the car. We were in such a rush to get the children off of the
land, that at first we stayed behind and Andrew went ahead, but
then he called all of us back to the hotel. I am not sure exactly
what happened because we didn’t want to make them suspicious, but
by the time we arrived back at the hotel, Nicole was calling Lucas
dad and saying how happy she was that they found you and Jacob
while Nicholas and Kayla were hugging Andrew.”

“So you don’t know how they knew, but are you
sure that they did not make her or that Jacob suspicious?”

“I saw the smug looks passing between them
when they thought no one was looking. They have no idea that we
know.”

I feel slightly better knowing that at least
everyone is aware of the switch. “I called up to Sanctuary to warn
them. Jason, Ryan and Rachel will be prepared for them.”

“Mia, they are not returning to Sanctuary, we
couldn’t have them there not knowing how much power they really
have or if they have any help in the states, so Lucas, Martina,
Catherine, Francis and Nicole are returning with Victor to the
farm, this way we can isolate them there. Victor called ahead to
his family and they are gone from the main building so they will be
safe but can aid in the protection of Nicole. Andrew went with
Nicholas and Kayla to the airport and Serena will travel home with
them. Jason is waiting to take them back to Sanctuary, Ryan will be
waiting at the farm to give added protection to Nicole. Andrew
should be back in the area at any moment, if he is not already
back, I know he was anxious to return.”

“Why isn’t Nicole returning to Sanctuary so
that she would be away from Marlena and the imposter?”

“They believe that she is Lucas’ child and if
we had her leave, they may become suspicious, since we don’t know
what they set up in the way of communications, we did not want to
risk tipping our hand while they still have Jacob. Don’t worry.
Victor has some of the same protections as Sanctuary to
incapacitate demons if they enter his main farmhouse so that if
they are part demon, their stronger powers will be impaired and
there will be others with Nicole all the time, she is protected.
They won’t leave her and will kill the imposters if something even
looks as if it is going wrong. They are hoping to buy us some time
by pretending to all be gathering at Lucas and your farm for an
upcoming anniversary celebration. They are even pretending to be
waiting for your other children to come home to celebrate. Andrew
came up with this story to give us a few days to rescue Jacob and
the others before capturing Marlena and that Jacob.

“Why didn’t Andrew fly back with them? What
if Nicholas and Kayla need more help because of the wolf
bites?”

“Nicholas and Kayla were perfectly fine when
they left here. I understand that you are worried about them, but
their hearts and minds are strong. Andrew is confident that they
are fine. Nicole will be safe at the farm. Remember, they have only
two that are on the actual lands. The perimeter is being watched
and she has plenty of protection inside. Andrew only went to the
airport to make sure that our story was holding up and that the
children were fully protected before getting on the plane and that
the other two did not become suspicious, but he already heard from
Martina and called me on the way back. The story is holding up
perfectly. Your children are very intelligent. They kept talking
about how excited they are to see their cousins and siblings.
Marlena and the other one are eating it up. They are salivating at
the thought of getting a chance to take out Lucas’ entire
family.”

I hear him sigh. “Mia, Andrew is very
concerned that Jacob is out there exposed and doesn’t know we found
you. You need to call him and let him know what is going on.”

Unsure about calling Andrew, especially if he
is in a position to stop me, I try to distract Damian. “Is he sure
that they are healing alright and Nicole is alright? I know that
she didn’t dispel the wolf venom in time and needed help?”

“She’s fine. I promise you. Andrew would have
never left her if there was even a hint that she was in danger, you
know that.”

“I know. How long has it been? I have lost
all concept of time between channeling and not being able to
see.”

“It’s been about thirty hours. Have you slept
at all or are you working purely off of adrenaline.”

“Honestly, I’m not sure. When I was
channeling, I may have drifted off.” I jump as the telephone rings
knowing who it is and that they will not lie to him about what is
going on. I only hope he will listen to reason..

“Andrew, how far out are you?...Yes we found
her, she’s alive.” Damian places the telephone in my hand.

“Andrew, are you sure the children are
alright?”

“Nicholas and Kayla are safely on their way
to Sanctuary. They are perfectly fine and very strong. Nicole is at
Emma’s farm. All the effects of trying to cure Nicholas and Kayla
have worn off and she is feeling stronger than ever. She is trying
to hide her fear for Jacob so as not to give anything away and
Victor is helping her with that. She is also being carefully
monitored and watched. She has even mastered a protectionist light
similar to yours. She’s amazing, just like her mother.” His voice
reflects his pride. “Where are you? Are you at the hospital? I’m
almost there.”

Steadying myself hoping to make him
understand that I have to protect Jacob at any cost, I clear my
throat. “Andrew, I am just outside of the estate territory, I am
going to turn myself over to David in hopes that he will put me in
the dungeon with Jacob.”

“Mia, what are you talking about?” Panic
resonates in his tone.

“Just listen. You know their plan changed,
and I’m sure Martina told you that they grabbed Jacob because they
saw him transform, but what you don’t know is that a werewolf saved
me and his children are also trapped with Jacob. David is
threatening to kill the captures and the wolf’s entire pack if I’m
not turned over to him so that I cannot interfere with his
plans.”

“Mia...”

“No, Andrew listen Elizabeth, the girl that
Lucas rescued is actually a powerful werewolf and her pack is here
to help rescue our family and impair David’s, but everyone needs
time to formulate a plan. David is extremely erratic. He’s placed
Jacob in a cage and threatened him. I have to get to him, see if I
can placate David and get Jacob to get out of there. I forced
Jackson and Damian to take me to the estate. Jacob is afraid to
transform and leave Gabriel and Eva. He is terrified of what David
will do to them and to him if he gets caught. I’m hoping to
convince him that Jackson and Damian are waiting for him and that
we will be safe if he leaves. I’m afraid that David has been
untouchable because he is also in league with the demons and if he
realizes who he has, we could lose him!” I can’t stop the sobs
ripping through my chest.

“Mia, I know that I can’t convince you not to
go and I understand you want to protect Jacob, but do you think
that by going, it will buy us time with David?”

“I do. I think it will placate him,
especially if he has been in contact with Marlena and they believe
the story Jackson told me you came up with, which is
brilliant.”

“Where exactly are you going on the property?
I will meet up with you. Mia, if you wait, I can go in with you and
get Jacob. I can transform into an insect that you can place in
your pocket and I will lead Jacob out and then Jackson and I can
return for you and the others?”

Thinking about this, a question comes to
mind. “When you transform, does your scent change or could they
detect that someone is with me. I know that after David bit me,
they had Marlena bite me so that she would have my scent.”

“You were bitten!”

Startled, I drop the phone. “Yes, but I’m
fine. Andrew, do you know if you lose your scent?”

“I don’t know, we can test it out when I
arrive. Wait for me. Mia, have you fed since your transformation,
otherwise you will get very weak?”

“I haven’t transformed.”

“That’s not possible. A bite either
transforms you or kills you.”

“I can’t explain it, but I can still hear my
heart beating so I don’t believe that anything has happened to
me.”

“Mia, put Damian on the phone.” His tone is
beyond concerned.

Damian must have heard because his hand
grasps the phone. “I can still hear her heart, it is strong and
beating. Mia, can I remove your bandage a moment?”

“Go ahead.”

His cold hand lifts the side of the bandage
and I hear his gasp. “She was definitely bitten.”

He hands me back the telephone. “Mia, I don’t
know how you haven’t transformed, especially since the bite is over
twelve hours old, but wait for me.”

“Andrew, we’re running out of time and I’m
sure that David will scrutinize my scent very carefully. I think
that it would be best if I went out alone and if you could
transform into the eagle that I love so much and fly around the
castle, I know that Jacob successfully transformed into a mouse
before and I’m sure that I could get him to do it again, especially
if he knows that his father is flying overhead.”

“But if he doesn’t take you to the dungeon,
you won’t be able to get him a message.”

“If Jacob isn’t out within a half hour from
your arrival then you will have to risk transforming and getting
close to the dungeon, but otherwise, wait until you see him and he
is clear enough that you can grab him and get him out of there.
Damian and I have a plan that we think can fool David into
believing that Jacob is still caged until the plan to get us all
out can be solidified. I love you. We stopped, so we are here. I
will see you soon.”

“Mia, I love you too. Be careful, you know if
your head or heart becomes damaged you could die. Also, there could
be repercussions from that bite. I don’t know why you haven’t
transformed, but if it was somehow delayed because you are a witch
and it were to happen while you are captive, you’re not drinking
right away is going to leave you extremely weak and vulnerable.
Have you spoken to Reginald to see if his transformation was
delayed because he was a witch first?”

“Honestly, I haven’t even thought about the
issue. I will be fine. I have to go. I’m afraid with each passing
moment that David could become more erratic and hurt Jacob. I love
you.” Hanging up, I turn my head toward Damian. “Call Lucas and get
the number for David so that I can tell him I’m here. Drop me off
and then get as far away from here as you can so that he won’t
detect you. When I’m gone, come back and wait for Andrew and
Jacob.”

“Mia, are you sure about this and why didn’t
you tell Andrew that you are blind?” Consternation resonates in his
tone.

“It wouldn’t change the situation, please
just call Lucas and get the number.” I fumble and grab his arm as
it occurs to me that if he is with Marlena, it would ruin
everything. “Call Grant instead, maybe he knows how I should let
David know I have been turned over.”

“Grant, it’s Damian, did David tell you how
to get in touch with him when you turned Mia over. I will tell
her.”

“Mia, go in about fifty paces and then call
out to him. Supposedly there will be someone that is coming out to
get you. They doubt it will be David, but use his name either
way.”

I feel for the handle and open the door.
Damian’s cold hand is on my shoulder. “Mia, you should wait for
Andrew. Even if he doesn’t go with you, maybe he could do something
to help your sight and at least you could see what is coming at you
and hopefully defray any type of attack.”

“I thought about that, but if he cannot cure
my blindness he will try to stop me from going. Damian, David is
extremely irrational. When Jacob could not give him the answers he
threw the entire cage against the wall. I don’t know how much more
he can take. These monsters will kill everyone we love or turn my
son over to hell’s gates if they ever realize who he is. I can’t
risk that. I need to do whatever I can no matter what the cost to
get him out of there. As soon as I get out, speed away so hopefully
they don’t catch any type of scent. Tell Andrew I love him again
and as soon as he has Jacob, apparate.” Knowing that once I leave
the car, I probably will lose my life, I only hope that David will
give me a moment with Jacob and I can convince him to go and that
Gabriel and the others can get away while he is occupied with me.
Because of the misapprehension of who I am, I’m sure David won’t
let me live for long.