The Guilty Innocent (24 page)

“Sergio, where did you get this car?” I ask.

He threw me a sly glance then focused his eyes on the road. “Where do you think I got it?” he asked suggestively.

Okay, now I
had
my suspicions, but I was going to let him tell me. “I have no idea,” I said, he laughed, his lips parting to show his pearly whites.

“I've stolen it. I figure we could borrow it for the time being,” he smiled as he pulled in front of the hotel. “Okay, go on and get that spy shit,” Sergio said.

I smiled then I remembered I wanted to tell Sergio something that I thought would uplift his spirits. “Sergio,” I said softly. He looked at me.

“Yeah, what's up?”

“Devin is alive. I know this because I made a mental connection with him earlier today. When we get back, I will try to take a nap, I want to see what I can see through his eyes. I just thought I should let you know.” I informed him. He sat in the driver’s seat, his expression looked thoughtful, but I could see a hint of relief.

Then he looked at me. “There is something I have been meaning to tell you as well,” he paused. I looked at him quizzically. “I'm happy you stayed, I was wrong to call you a liability...it's just that...” He paused again. I could tell he was not used to giving apologies. “Well, I didn't want you to get hurt, but as it is now, any one of us could die at any moment, so I guess we're all in this shit together.” There was a hint of frustration in his voice. I could definitely understand his feelings about our situation because I had them also.

“That is true, we are
all
in this together,” I repeated then smiled slightly. I climbed out of the car and walked through the frosted glass double doors of the hotel towards the receptionists counter. The two female receptionists looked up as I approached.

“May I help you?” one of the receptionists asked. Her brown eyes tracing over my attire. One of her eyebrows arched as she calculated my status by the appearance of my clothes. Well I'll have her know that I do not plan to stay at this ritzy hotel! I'm just picking up a package. This hotel has shitty room service anyway!

“Hello,
my
name is Natasha Hemingway,
I
called this morning, I'm here to pick up the package that arrived.”
I said as I fished
through
my
wallet for
my
ID.

The receptionist waited until I produced
the
little plastic
card.
She inspected
my
photo and information
then
she looked
at me to
confirm that the person in the photo was
the
same person looking at her. She handed back
my
ID and rose from
her
seat. She walked through a dark wood door and returned carrying
a
medium size brown box. I signed for the package
and
left. Sergio took
the
box from
me
as I climbed back into the car.

“Is this it?” he asked curiously.
“I
expected a bigger box.”

“This is it, come on, I don't want to
be
caught riding around in a stolen car,” I pointed out.

Sergio smirked then started the engine and we headed back to the cabin. We were still driving when
my
cell phone began to vibrate. I pulled it out of
my
pocket and looked at
my
caller ID. It was Warren, I clicked on the talk button.

“Hey Warren, what's up?” I asked.

“Great, I finally reached you!” Warren said excitedly.

“Yeah, yeah! What's up, is there something wrong!?” his manner was making
me
nervous.

“I thought you were going to have your cell phone on?” he sounded slightly upset.

“I did have it on,” I said in
my
defense. “But somehow I must have accidentally set it on vibrate, I didn't know, I'm sorry. What is going on, you sound upset.”

“Someone tried to kill Darian early this morning while he was sleeping!” Warren said, he sounded extremely troubled
by
this and rightfully so. I could not believe
my
ears, I felt
my
mouth drop open in shock.

“They must be worried that Darian will get out of jail.” Sergio said as he listened to our conversation with his excellent hearing.

“It seems that way,” Warren said, responding to Sergio's analysis.

I was finally able to regain
my
senses after a few short moments. “Did they catch the hitman...person?” I asked, not quite sure what to call him, I suppose a vampire assassin.

“No, can you believe that, he killed two officers and wounded three more in his escape!” Warren growled angrily over the receiver.

“Does Darian know someone tried to kill him? Is he okay?” I asked, concerned for Darian's well-being.

“He is doing fine. An officer saw the man who tried to kill Darian and from what they told me, Darian woke up in time to see the man for himself. So I'm guessing he knows someone wants him dead. This mafia must know about your ties to Darian, they must fear you in some way because they want Darian
dead.
I suppose they suspect he might break out and search for them.” Warren speculated.

“Why do you suspect they know we have ties to Darian?” I asked, genuinely intrigued by Warren's suspicions.

“Because, he has been here for four days going on five and just now, he has someone attempting to kill him. You must be sniffing around the right tree, I think they sent someone to murder Darian just as I fear they might send someone to murder you. I want you guys to be careful.” Warren said in a serious tone, I decided to fill him in on the events of last night.

“Warren, it might be a little too late for that. They tried to kill us twice yesterday. The first hit was at a restaurant but that was not a direct attack at us. We were spying on a meeting hoping to get more information...we did. Then at our hotel room, they shot at us from the building across the street as well as the hitman who pretended to be room service in order to gain entrance into our room. They had silver bullets,” I said. I heard Warren gasp, but he remained silent as he waited for me to go on.

“We were taken to the police station, but Xavier hypnotized the cops and they let us go. We were hit a second time, they attacked again while we were driving to a bed and breakfast inn. They shot up our cabs, both cab drivers were killed. One, I know for sure was working for the mafia and Devin was kidnapped. I was able to make a connection with Devin, so I know that he is still alive, but we don't know for how long.” When I said this, I heard Sergio groan. “However, we do have an idea where he might be.” I added. We pulled in front of the cabin and I climbed out, Sergio grabbed the box and we walked inside the cabin.

“Well, this is some fucking disturbing news!” Warren groaned I couldn't blame him. “Look, don't tell me where you're at, just
in
case. I want to take all precautions. Matthew and
I
are taking turns and extra shifts watching over Darian as long as the job will allow without people suspecting anything. For instance, today is my off day, but I'm here pretending I'm catching up on paperwork.
I
hate it, but I feel that it is necessary. Did you get the package?” he asked.

“Yeah, I just picked it up a while ago.”

“Good, listen, I have to go, please keep me informed.” Warren requested.

“Will do.” I said then I hung up the cell phone.
I
looked at Sergio, he had opened the box and was going through all the contents. Elise walked over to him and inspected the gadgets as well.

“You'll need these, not us.” She stated, referring to the night vision goggles. I walked over to the box and looked inside.

“Does anyone here know how to use any of this stuff?” I asked, Elise shook her head and Sergio chuckled softly as he nodded
his
head.

“I do, but it was your little boyfriend that requested this,” Sergio stated.

I put the goggles back into the box and walked towards the bedroom. I was feeling a little tired, plus I wanted to catch a nap, hopefully I would be able to tune into Devin's visions.

“I'm going to take a nap now.” I said informing the others as I closed the bedroom door behind me. I climbed into the comfortable bed and covered up in the warm comforter. I drifted off to sleep a few moments later and was surrounded by darkness for a while, then my visions came rushing to me. I saw Warren as he checked in on Darian. It was late night hours in Chicago, and Darian was drinking the Synblood, just as he had promised. Warren was telling Darian about our situation and I could see Darian's composure, he appeared to be unaffected by our combined situations, but behind his blank expression, his eyes held concern and anger. Darian thanked Warren for the information. When I was satisfied with my update on Darian and Warren, I searched for Devin's vision.

Looking through Devin's eyes, I could see a white cement ceiling above me. I could hear the groans and wails of the other supernaturals in the room with me. Devin's body from head to toe was contained by silver bindings which stung his skin whenever he moved. I now knew that Devin felt weakness and pain throughout his limbs, every piece of Devin’s flesh that had been exposed to the silver was puffy with blisters and was taking longer to heal. Tears ran down the sides of Devin's cheeks as I felt him bite his bottom lip, trying to fight the urge to scream out in pain. Devin's captors entered the room and stood over him. I saw one, he was a shape-shifter, his scent told me that he was a wolf. His hands trailed down Devin's naked form to his genitals and he began to stroke Devin's flaccid penis.

“Don't fucking touch me!” Devin shouted and spat at him. The shifter wiped the glob of spit from his shirt front and took Devin's jaw in his palm, pressing his face against the silver strap over his head. An agonizing scream ripped from Devin's throat and the wolf laughed harshly.

“You're not in any position to command anyone, leopard!” he said, his Russian accent was extremely thick, his voice was deep like a growl.

He leaned closer to Devin and sniffed his genitals then worked his way to his neck. Devin wanted to squirm, but didn't want to risk more contact with the silver bindings. The shape-shifter's tongue darted out and licked blood off Devin's nipple. He rose and peered into Devin's eyes. I focused on his golden tanned face, etching every curve and detail into my memory. He was huge, six-feet-nine-inches! A natural born. His dark brown eyes bored into Devin's, his long black hair was tied in a ponytail behind his back. He laughed once more then turned to walk towards one of the other captives. I could not see what he was doing, I could only smell through Devin, the other shape-shifters in the room. I could hear through Devin's ears the cries of pain and protests of the others that were being held captive.

My vision clouded, I was being shaken by strong hands. I opened my eyes to see John standing over me. I blinked a few times to clear my sight, then I slowly sat up. My body felt relaxed, I looked around the room then back at John.

“How long have I been asleep?” I asked.

He shrugged. “I don't know.” He sat down on the edge of the bed, he was weak, I could tell he had not fed yet.
H
e looked lo be in pain.

“We have some Synblood for you in the kitchen, I suppose you could heat it up.” I suggested lightly, he chuckled.

“If you knew how unsatisfactory that shit is, trust me, you would not suggest it. It's like drinking vegetable oil!” he patted me lightly on the thigh and smiled. “Thanks, but Xavier doesn't want me to feed, he wants this mobster I have to turn tonight to be as weak as possible. So whatever blood I take from him, will be the only blood he'll get back.”