The Guilty Innocent (32 page)

“Good Danny, let me introduce you to Natasha,” Elise gestured to me. “Natasha this is Daniel, Carmen and Rachel” She pointed at each person as she named them. “This is Natasha, she is Darian's and Xavier's lover,” Elise giggled.

I looked at her, surprised she said that. She looked at me and winked. The other's gave me a nod, the one Elise introduced as Rachel said “hi” and waved.

“She also has been a huge help thus far, now come on, let's go,” Elise said.

We were led through the airport by Daniel until we stood outside of what looked like the loading dock area. We were walking towards a tall black female standing by four coffins. She had to be at least six feet! She had her hair cut in a bob, and was also wearing all black.

“Hello, Miranda.” Elise said as we approached the woman.

“Hi, Elise.” Miranda replied then she gave Elise a big hug.

Elise returned the embrace. “Good, everyone is here, I'm going to get the trucks, Carmen you will come with me. The rest of you will wait here,” Elise walked away, followed by Carmen.

I looked at the other three shape-shifters, feeling a little uncomfortable around them. Not because they were shape-shifters, but because I did not know them. It was the kind of awkwardness that one feels when you are invited to a party and your host leaves you alone in a room with a group of people you do not know. Only one thing left to do...
time to make small talk.

“I want to thank all of you for coming all the way out here.” I said, attempting to break the ice.

“You don't need to thank us, we are here because our Pride is in trouble and our queen requested us,” the male named Daniel said. He was still watching me as if I was some strange creature, it made me feel very uncomfortable.

“So it is true that you are Xavier's and Darian's lover?” asked Rachel. It was a bold question, but the interest was sparked up by Elise.

“Well, I love them both and I'm in love with Xavier.” I said, I did not want to have to explain any further, because I didn't know my own feelings concerning Darian. I loved him, I found him to be extremely sexy and simply irresistible, but I was still leery on forming a relationship with the both of them. The shape-shifters were all looking at me with the same curious expressions, it was getting a little weird. I decided,
now
would be the perfect time to reveal a little secret of Elise's. Not to mention, I think it would take the attention away from me and my complicated love life.

“Elise and Sergio are lovers now!” I blurted out. Their expressions changed from curious to ecstatic. They smiled at each other, then back at me.

“Is this true, she no longer lusts for Darian?” Miranda asked excitedly, I nodded my head.

“They've mated!” announced Daniel happily.

“Boy did they ever!” I exclaimed. “I think a new record was set!”

They chuckled at my joke. It made me feel good to know that I had given them something to be happy about during this uncertain time. I looked up to see Elise coming around the corner driving the humongous
Sidewinder
truck. I looked at the cargo area of the truck and was immediately convinced it would be able to hold the coffins. Carmen pulled up behind Elise in a second truck and both women climbed out. Elise walked over to us and pointed to the trucks.

“You know what to do,” she said.

Daniel turned and walked towards two coffins, he lifted both, resting one on each shoulder. Miranda and Rachel each picked up a coffin. It never ceased to amaze me the strength of the supernaturals. I am quite certain that their superior physical abilities is what the human race finds to be the most threatening. The shape-shifters loaded the coffins into the trucks-two per truck. And then we all climbed inside, Elise sat in the driver's seat and I sat in the passenger's seat next to her.

“Elise, are you going to fill us in?” Daniel asked from the back seat.

“I want to wait until we can all sit down together before I give everyone updates, simply because I only want to say it once.” Elise said as she navigated the huge truck through the winding roads.

We arrived at the cabin in less than forty minutes, everyone climbed out of the trucks and began to unload the coffins. I walked towards the front door, opening it wide for them to bring the coffins and luggage inside. Elise was the last to enter, closing the door behind herself. The shape-shifters placed the coffins in the middle of the room. I looked at the shifters and was amazed by the fact that they weren't even the slightest bit winded or at least it did not look as though they were.

“I know that you all must be hungry, so I want you to know the refrigerator is stocked and there is food that is already prepared, help yourselves,” Elise said, as she walked into the bedroom.

The other shape-shifters went into the kitchen without wasting another second. I heard them clinking glasses, pots and pans as they prepared themselves something to eat. I looked at the four coffins sitting on the floor and wondered who was inside them. I did not know all of the vampires in Darian's coven, in fact, the only one that I knew besides Darian and Xavier was John, and that was because he managed Darian's club.

I looked at the table and saw the little square black receiver. I walked to the sofa and sat down on the soft cushions and turned the receiver up, immediately Sergio's voice came over the speakers.

“You might as well kill me, because I'm not telling you a fucking thing!” he said vehemently.

I suppose they were still trying to get information out of him. The other shape-shifters had come out of the kitchen and were standing around the coffee table listening to who I believed was Gregor badgering Sergio. Daniel had a sandwich in each hand, his mouth was full as he munched on one of the sandwiches. The other three females were eating what was left of the brunch, their plates piled high. Elise had come out of the room, she had switched her high heeled boots for a pair of combat boots that looked to be steel-toed. She sat down in the chair opposite the sofa and listened to the conversation on the receiver.

“Fuck you!” Sergio spat out. Daniel chuckled as he shook his head, taking another bite out of his sandwich.

Gregor laughed softly. “Well, you might just get your wish, if your little pussy bitch doesn't cooperate, you and I will be fucking all night long.”

I heard a horrible choking sound and looked up to see Daniel choking on a bite of his sandwich. He sat down in the chair after he had cleared his airway passage. When he managed to regain his normal breathing, he looked at me.

“Did he say what I think he said?” He asked with a hint of disgust in his voice.

I nodded my head. I suppose Daniel found it hard to believe that a man such as Sergio could be a victim of another man. I had to admit, I found it disturbing as well. We continued to listen as Gregor attempted to antagonize Sergio, hoping to irritate or intimidate him enough to
spill the beans.
Sergio said nothing, there was a moment of silence then we heard a door open then close.

“Elise, I hope you are still there listening to all of this. I hope you guys thought of a foolproof plan. You have to attack tonight! They are planning on shipping the captives out of here at nine o'clock. That means Devin and I will be in deep shit if you don't, these fucking silver bonds have me completely tied down. Fuck! I hate this shit!” Sergio said exasperated.

I looked up at Elise. “We need to think of a plan, even before the vampires wake up. Then when they do, we can enhance the plan.” I looked around the room at the others. They all had frowns on their faces, I could not blame them one bit, I hated this situation also.

“I know you wanted to tell everyone at the same time, but I think they need to know now. I'll tell the vampires when they awake or even Xavier can fill them in.” I said, Elise nodded her head in agreement.

I left the room, walking into the adjacent bedroom for privacy. I wanted to call Warren and fill him in on what was going on. I was sure they could hear me anyway but that didn't matter. I dialed Warren's number, after several rings, he finally answered.

“Hello, Natasha. Okay, fill me in,” he said instantly. Kind of caught me off guard.

“Hi Warren, okay, it has been a rough, tough and ugly twenty-four hours.” I said, unintentionally sounding like a wrestling commentator, then I proceeded to tell him about everything that happened from last night up until now. He was silent as I filled him in, then I waited for his response.

“Shit!” he said, no doubt in shock.

“Tell me about it. I take it Darian is safe?” I asked.

“Of course, it's been hard but Matt and I are keeping our eyes on him.” Warren said calmly, I assumed he was still taking in what I had told him about Sergio's infiltration and the mobster being turned.

“Oh, I now know what I wanted to tell you!” he said. “I called my...Xander, and he has sent two people to assist you tonight, they should arrive no later than six pm-your time. You won't have to pick them up or anything, they know the address and the Russian pack master has not been notified, which is a good thing from what you have just told me.”

“Only two people?” I was hoping he could send about twenty!

“That's all you're going to need, they are the enforcers of our Pack,” Warren said with a hint of pride. “But I thought it was a challenge to enter another's territory without permission,” I asked curiously. “Why didn't Xander get permission?”

“Xander is wiser than I will ever know, he's a man that follows his gut instincts. He didn't feel it was necessary to ask permission. I told him about your dream and I suppose he did not trust the Pack master there and rightfully so. Look, Tasha, I've got to get going, Matt and I have to finish wrapping up this other case, I'm going to call you later.”

“Yeah, sure, be careful.”

“You be careful,” he said. “I don't want anything to happen to you.”

“I'll be careful.” I replied, hoping I could keep my word. I was not so sure, this whole venture was not what I expected or would have ever foreseen. Warren hung up and I turned my cell off. I walked back into the living room, Elise had just finished updating everyone on what had happened. The room was filled with mixed expressions. Miranda and Daniel were livid, Carmen was crying and Rachel was in shock. Only Elise looked composed but sad.
I
walked over to the sofa and sat down beside Rachel.

“Okay, now that you all know what has happened, it is time for us to think up a plan. How should we do this?” I asked.
I
looked around the room, everyone seemed to be concentrating.
I
looked at Elise, she looked disappointed. “What's the matter?”

“I must admit, that I am well equipped to handle almost any situation, but I have never been in a war, nor have I ever planned this sort of attack. I am...inexperienced, so to speak.” Elise admitted.

I looked at her, then I looked at the others. Remembering what Warren said about the two people coming to aid us I decided to inquire about
their
enforcers.

“What about when you get into tight spots, who's your enforcer?” I asked.

“Sergio, he is the protector, he would be able to work out this sort of plan. Don't get me wrong, we are well equipped to defend what it ours, it is just the strategics of it all. Sergio is a master strategist,” Daniel said proudly.

I was beginning to understand a little more about their Pride. I did not fault them for not having an offensive tactical plan.

“We could still work out something, then run it by the others when they rise. We may be able to come up with a more solid strategy,” Elise said.

I think she sensed my minor disappointment and she looked at me. I looked up at her and nodded. I did not want her to think that
I
was upset with them, because I was not. I now understood that shape-shifters had a system and worked situations out the way they saw fit.

“We have to get there while the hostages are still in the basement. So we should attack no later than seven o'clock.” Miranda said. Everyone began to give their ideas on how we should execute the rescue mission.

“I think we should split up, half of us go around the back, and the other take the front,” Daniel suggested.

“Even better, we flank the mansion, surround it enough to catch everyone.” I said, feeling a little like a commando.

“We don't want to spread ourselves too thin, there are only twelve of us all together.” Elise said then she smiled at me.