The Guilty Innocent (34 page)

“Let's take a look at the weapons you have.” Adrian said, as he uncrossed his arms. The crates were brought back into the living room and Xavier rose and walked over to one of the crates that held the weaponry. Adrian and Nagesa followed him and the three men stood over the crates. Xavier reached down and lifted the lid and Adrian and Nagesa leaned closer and began removing the weapons. Both inspected each weapon like experts. Adrian and Nagesa looked completely at ease with the huge deadly weapons. Adrian turned to face everyone in the room.

“Who here knows how to use one of these?” he asked as he held up a huge menacing looking rifle. Daniel, Xavier, Tony, Miko, and Miranda raised their hands. Adrian nodded his head, he looked over at his partner and Nagesa leaned closer. Adrian whispered something to him and he nodded his head. Then Adrian turned to face the rest of us. I looked at Elise, I could tell by the expression on her face that she was annoyed.

“Good, for those of you who know how to shoot this, you're going to pair up on flanking teams. Tony and Miranda will join Nagesa on team Bravo.” Adrian gestured to the three of them, then he turned to face Xavier. “From what you have told me, the southeast wing of the mansion sounds as if that might be the most vulnerable point to attack, team B will take post there. Miranda,” he looked at Miranda who was without a doubt, the most no-nonsense chick I have ever seen. “You'll take out the guards in the look-out tower. You three,” he pointed towards Xavier, Daniel and Miko. “You will be with me on team Alpha, we'll be taking out the guards on the northwest side. Once we eliminate the watch guards, we will be able to take over the mansion a damn sight easier. Let's get our teams together now.” Adrian walked towards everyone who had gathered by the sofa, he still held the sniper rifle in his hand as if it were a part of him. He put one foot on the table and rested the gun on his knee. Nagesa stood by the other crates, he was still going over the weapons, lining them up on the dining table along with the ammunition.

“Elise...Xavier, you two can pick the remaining members for the teams, one team will take the east entrance the other team will take the west.” Adrian looked around the room, inspecting everyone, he appeared to be calculating and everyone else was silent. I could not speak for why the other's were silent, but I knew why I was speechless, I was just plain ol' amazed by his knowledge and skill.

He continued. “There will be seven members per team. I want team B to take out their electricity, while my team-Alpha, gasses them out. If this Pack master is still there, then he will have some members still inside and the gasses won't effect them that much, so when the humans are flushed out, take them down, because the shape-shifters are going to be a problem on their own. We must strike before they catch our scents, so let's make sure we stay opposite of the wind current. Does everyone understand the plan?” Adrian asked seriously as he looked around the room. Some nodded their heads, while others looked a bit peeved.

Elise had a slight sneer on her lips. “Are you in control here?” She asked in a sarcastic tone.

Adrian looked at her and smiled. “Look, I respect that you are the queen of your Pride but this is what I do for a living. I'm not trying to overshadow your own skills, it just is what it is and this plan is the best considering our situation. Now if you have another plan, let's hear it.”

“Don't speak to me as if I'm your underling!” Elise put her hands on her hips.

“This is wasting time, Adrian-enough.” Nagesa interjected. Thank goodness he did. It was starting to get nasty.

Adrian shot a glance towards Nagesa. When he took notice of Nagesa's stern expression, he grew quiet and even appeared to have been reprimanded. He turned to face Elise. “You're right, I was rude...I apologize. All that aside, do you agree with the plan?” Adrian asked in a more respectful manner.

“I do.” Elise said. “Apology accepted,”

Adrian chuckled. “Cool.”

“Why don't you pick the teams. You seem to be familiar with this type of situation, your expertise is appreciated.” Xavier said respectfully. Adrian looked at him, then glanced around the room, no one appeared to object.

Adrian nodded. “Very well, Nagesa will lead team B, I'll lead team A,” he paused as he glanced around the room. “Elise, Miranda, John, Tony, Rachel, and April will join Nagesa. Everyone else will come with me.” Adrian looked at me and smiled. “Okay, Nagesa has laid out the necessary weapons for this mission, everyone pick your choices, grab what you can handle. For those that will be on point, pick the sniper rifles with scope, I want you all to take positions at least five hundred yards away.”

Adrian turned and walked towards the crate and began to pick out other weapons. Everyone walked towards the guns and picked out a weapon they were comfortable with. I approached the guns and looked at them. They ranged from small to extra large, there were shotguns, pistols, machine guns and I think some “oozies”. I picked up an automatic handgun and held it in my hands, it was a little heavy, heavier than I expected. I have never held a gun before, just realizing what I was going to have to do with this gun unnerved me, but It was unavoidable.
I
closed my eyes and began to mentally prepare myself for what must be done.
For Annette.

“Well, just give John and
I
a few moments to get ready and then we can go,” Xavier said.

“Oh, about that! The airport lost the suitcase with both of your clothes in it.” Daniel said.

Xavier rolled his eyes, exasperated. “For crying out loud!” he mumbled.

“I'm sure Sergio and Devin won't mind you borrowing another set of clothes.” Elise said with a chuckle.

“Geez, I feel really bad that I didn't better prepare for you two.” I said under my breath. Boy, was I feeling guilty!

“It's ok...we'll manage.” Xavier replied then he and John walked into the bedroom and closed the door.

I looked around the room and saw everyone getting more accustomed to their weapons, even Elise looked like a soldier in her all black get-up, she had picked out a M-16 machine gun, she looked pretty tough. I wondered if I looked tough with my weapon. I walked to a mirror and looked at myself, I lifted the gun and pointed it at the mirror to see if I looked to be intimidating....I didn't, at least not to me. I heard a chuckle from across the room, and turned around to see Adrian laughing silently, his head bowed. Then he looked up at me and grinned. Okay, now I felt stupid, I lowered the gun and sat down in a nearby chair. Adrian walked over and sat on the armrest of my chair, he looked at me.

“I'm not laughing at you to make you feel bad. It's just, you looked so cute holding your little gun, simply adorable. I see why Warren adores you so.” He chuckled once more, then his expression grew serious, he looked at me eye to eye. “Natasha, tonight will be very dangerous, some might even die...you do not have to do this,” he was very sincere, but that didn't stop me from becoming angry.

“Not you too!” I said annoyed. “Is it because I am a human?”

He looked away, then he faced me again. “Not exactly. Yes, you are a human, but we are also dealing with humans, and from what I have been briefed on, the use of silver and K-13 ammo puts us all on the mortality level. However, it is evident that you have never done anything like this before, I don't want you hurt or killed.”

“These assholes killed my best friend! They've tried lo kill me and my friends and everyone I hold dear to my heart! And do you honestly think they will let me leave Russia unharmed?”
I
asked him. He seemed to think on what I said, then he shook his head slightly. “I do this because I have to, I do this because I want this all to end. I will be able to fend for myself, I am
not
a liability!” I said passionately.

Adrian's eyes widened slightly as he looked at me, then a smiled spread across his full shaped lips and he began to chuckle. “Warren told me you had a lot of spunk, but I never imagined you were such a little firecracker. Okay, you have me convinced, if there is one thing that holds true, humans are resourceful...watch your ass.” He rose from the armrest and walked over to his companion, Nagesa. The two men began to talk. A few of the other shape-shifters looked at me, I was sure they heard what I told Adrian, I hope they knew that I meant every word that I said.

Xavier and John had come out of the bedroom, fully dressed head-to-toe in black. Their hair was wet and Xavier had his long brown hair slick back and tied into a ponytail, he was wearing a black t-shirt and drawstring pants that I assumed was Sergio's. John's blond hair was combed back, he was wearing a pair of tight fitting black jeans and a skin tight black t-shirt, which was no doubt, Devin's. John looked a little bit uncomfortable in his clothes, but he continued to walk towards his weapons. Xavier picked up his guns, then walked towards me.

“How are you feeling?” he asked me. I looked at Xavier and nodded my head slowly, I put my arms around him and pulled him into a deep embrace. His strong arms wrapped around me as he held me tightly against his warmth. “Do not worry, I will protect you with my life,” he said softly. “Natasha?”

I looked up at him. “What is it?” I asked.

“Promise me you will not try to take anyone, stay close to me, but far away from harm, do you understand?” he looked deeply into my eyes. I nodded my head. “Good,” he said, nodding his head, relieved.

Xavier leaned down and kissed me deeply for several seconds. When he released me, I did not want to let him go. I looked around the room and everyone appeared to be prepared. Adrian held a gun in each hand, one was a machine gun, the other a sniper rifle, they rested on his shoulders as he watched Xavier and me.

“Are you two ready?” he asked, his eyebrows raised.

“Yes.” Xavier said, then he paused, he appeared to be thinking, then he spoke. “Let us not forget we need the woman, Lidiya alive, she needs to be taken into custody. She is the only one who can testify in court about Annette's murder and Darian's set up. Plus we need to gather all information on those crooked politicians, that will help us defend Darian, come on.”

Xavier took my hand and led us towards the door. Everyone walked out of the cabin and began to climb into the two huge trucks. Nagesa's team took one truck and Adrian's team took the other. Xavier drove ours to the mansion, the seven of us were silent the ride over. I wondered if everyone was doing what I was doing, and that was mentally pumping myself up to go through with this.

When we were within the one mile radius from the mansion's perimeter, Xavier pulled the truck off the road, driving into a wooded area, he turned off the lights and everyone climbed out. I watched the other truck continue further down the road. They were going to attack from the southeast side of the mansion. Adrian led us through the trees until we saw the tiny lights of the mansion from about five blocks away. Adrian laid in a military prone position on the ground, as did Xavier, Daniel and Miko. Annabelle, Carmen and I crouched low to the ground. We were all wearing ear pieces and microphones, which I thought was kind of cool. We waited silently for the confirmation that Nagesa's team Bravo had made it to their positions. Five minutes passed before we heard word from Nagesa.

“This is Bravo, I'm at check point “B” ready when you are, over.” Nagesa said over the ear piece. I had to admit this was pretty exciting, but terribly horrifying at the same time.

“This is Alpha, roger that,” Adrian replied as he peered through his scope, Xavier, Daniel and Miko did the same, they appeared to be locking in their targets. “We have seven targets in sight, how many targets do you see?” Adrian asked. I was amazed at just how professional they were. I think it was safe to say that some of the other shape-shifters were impressed as well.

“Alpha, we have ten targets locked in sight, ready when you are, over.” Nagesa repeated, his voice was smooth and measured as if he had not one worry in the world.

“Copy, fire at will.” Adrian said, then he stared more intently through his scope, his fingers squeezing the trigger slowly. I was beginning to feel really nervous, the reality of everything was hitting me like a Mack truck, many people would die this night. I closed my eyes and prayed silently for my friends and myself. Even though all of the guns had silencers on them, I could hear the bullets being shot out through their rifles as Adrian, Miko, Xavier and Daniel assassinated the guards.

“This is an even better position than I anticipated, we don't even have to move to take out the guards in the front, I can see them just as well from here.” Adrian said triumphantly then he glanced at Daniel. “Daniel, did Miranda take out the two in the tower?” Adrian asked.

“Yeah, but I see two more by the garage.” Daniel said as he peered through his scope.

“Good, you know what to do,” Adrian said. Daniel nodded, then his finger pulled the trigger twice. “Excellent.” Adrian said, satisfied.