“Well, now that you mention it, I am tired.” Natasha darted a glance to Sergio.
“Naturally tired,” she said.
Sergio shrugged one shoulder. “Whatever works. I was simply trying to speed up the process, that’s all,” he said in his defense.
“Yeah, by drugging me up. Tell me, is that the way, doctor?” Natasha asked mockingly. She liked Sergio a great deal. But in her opinion, for a doctor, he lacked bedside manners.
“If it works, yes,” Sergio stated.
Natasha shook her head chuckling softly. “Sergio, you’re a trip sometimes.”
“I’m just direct,” he replied dryly. “Are you sure you don’t want any?”
Elise waved her hand dismissing the notion. “That won’t be necessary. Natasha please follow me, I’ll show you to a room where you can rest.” She placed her feet on the floor and Sergio rose to assist her. He took her hand into his and gently raised her off of the divan. They led Natasha to a bedroom on the second floor where she could sleep.
“Just let us know if you need anything,” Elise offered. “I want to thank you for this.”
“Really, it’s the least I could do, besides, I want to help in any way that I can,” Natasha said reassuringly.
She walked into the room admiring the decor. The room was decorated in natural colors of brown and beige. The bed had a dark wood frame that matched the dressers and chairs. Elise and Sergio closed the door and left her to rest. She walked towards the bed pulling back the covers and, kicking off her shoes, quickly climbed in. She laid there for a long time, trying to force herself to sleep. What seemed like hours passed before she begin to feel the sleep come over her.
***
She paced back and forth in the tiny cell. Hunger pangs racked her stomach. She was so hungry and scared. She wanted to be at home with Elise and Sergio and the others. All she could remember was walking to her car in the parking lot after staying late to finish up some paperwork and suddenly feeling a sharp pain in her left thigh before everything went dark. The next thing she was aware of was this dark cell. There were no windows and she couldn’t hear anything from the other side.
For hours, Natasha watched through the eyes of Rachel, smelled what Rachel smelled, felt what she felt. Natasha became dimly aware of a tapping on her shoulder. Slowly, she began to draw herself out of the vision as well as her sleep. She opened her eyes to see Devin standing over her.
“I thought that you might be hungry. So I brought you something to eat,” he said, gesturing to a plate on the night stand.
Natasha thanked him for the food as she sat up on the bed taking the plate. There were slices of roast beef, mashed potatoes and broccoli topped with melted butter. She felt her stomach rumble.
“Good looking out, I’m starvingOh!” she said excitedly. “I had a vision on Rachel. She’s alive and being kept in a cell just like the wolf I told you about, Nicole.”
“You think it’s the same people?” Devin asked curiously.
Natasha nodded. “Most definitely, they’re both suffering from hunger, fear and weakness. I have no idea why this is happening”
“We’ll get to the bottom of this. Here, eat up, I have to tell Elise this news,” Devin said, then he turned and left the room. Natasha began to dig into the food savoring every morsel.
Devin ran down the hallway until he reached Elise’s and Sergio’s bedroom. He knocked on the door and waited to be invited in. He heard Sergio call out and opened the door. He walked over to Elise, who was lying in the bed, her hand resting delicately on her stomach.
“I just spoke with Natasha and she said that she had a vision of Rachel.” He began to relate to them what Natasha had told him.
“Fuck!” Sergio hissed.
He rose from the bed and began pacing the room in his agitation. He turned to Elise, who seemed to be contemplating the information she just received.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked.
“Natasha said that another shape-shifter is being held in the same manner, most likely at the same location.” Elise sat up on the mattress. She darted glances between Sergio and Devin.
“I need to contact this Pack she mentioned. We need to discuss any information we have.” She looked at Devin. “Can you tell Natasha that I want to speak with her?”
Devin nodded and walked out of the room. He knocked on Natasha’s door, and when he heard her beckon him in, he opened the door. “Elise wants to speak with you.”
Natasha finished the slice of meat that was left from her meal and climbed off of the bed. She walked towards Devin and followed him to Elise’s and Sergio’s bedroom. When they entered, Sergio had regained his composure and was now sitting on the edge of the bed beside Elise.
“Natasha, I need to speak with the leader of the wolf Pack. Can you arrange for us to meet?” Elise asked in her lady-like manner.
“Well of course, I think it’s a good idea, you’re both in the same situation. I’m also going to ask Darian or Xavier for some help, they might have some insight or may be able to gather some information,” Natasha said as she reached into her pocket.
She pulled out her cell phone and dialed Warren’s cell number. She waited patiently for him to pick up. After several rings, Warren answered.
“Hi Natasha, what’s up?” Warren’s tone was eager, hopeful.
“I have some bad news. I’m over here at Elise’s right now. One of their Pride members has been kidnapped also. I had a vision about her, she is in a similar cell to the one Nicole is in,” Natasha informed.
“Shit,” Warren said in a flat tone. All hope he had dissipated.
“Tell me about it. Elise wants to arrange a meeting with Xander and Tatiana to discuss our predicament. I’m going to talk with Darian and Xavier; they might be able to help. Even Xavier told me that Darian is able to get information from mysterious sources. When can they meet?” Natasha asked.
“They can meet right now. I’m at work, but Xander will meet with Elise. I’ll call him and let him know that you’re coming. Talk to you later.” Warren ended the call without waiting for a ‘goodbye’.
Natasha turned off her cell phone and told Elise what Warren had said. Elise nodded and Sergio helped her off the mattress. Natasha watched her maneuver from the bed, struggling slightly from her pregnancy. She gazed longingly at the bulge of Elise’s stomach.
“I don’t mean to sound rude or anything, but I’m surprised by how much you’re showing. It’s only been four months, is it because you’re having twins? Is everything okay?” Natasha asked Elise with concern.
Elise chuckled softly. “Yeah, I’m just fine. Being a shape-shifter has its’ advantages during times like these. We are only pregnant for about eight months, sometimes seven, before we give birth. During these long months we can’t change forms, not until after we’ve given birth.” She smiled at Natasha’s shocked expression.
“Man, that’s almost like our human pregnancy term. Do you experience any other pregnancy symptom besides morning sickness? You know, like heartburn, sore and swollen feet and ankles? Any cravings?” Natasha asked curiously. Elise nodded as Sergio helped her put on her flat soled shoes.
Natasha noticed the footwear and chuckled. “I see you’re not in your usual three inch or higher heels. Man, those babies of yours really have you grounded.”
“Ha, ha, ha,” Elise said sarcastically. “As you said, my feet are often sore, as are my ankles. I’m experiencing the most dreadful and ongoing morning, noon and night sickness. I can barely endure it.” She was obviously disgusted by certain aspects of her pregnancy. “It’s horrible, the cravings, the hunger.” She shook her head, “I don’t like it... being pregnant. I can’t wait until it is all over and I have my babies in my arms.”
Sergio put on his shoes. Devin stood in the doorway waiting silently.
“Have you decided on names?” Natasha asked.
Elise looked at her and smiled sweetly.
“Indeed... I have. If we have
girls, we have decided to call oneand I think you would approve; Annette-Naté Giovanni.” She paused to watch the unmistakable joy spread across her friend’s face.
Natasha’s smile grew wider when she realized Elise and Sergio were going to name their daughter after her best friend. She was overjoyed by the news.
Elise continued. “And the other; Angelina. If we have two boys, we have decided to name them Angelo-Caesar Giovanni and Cicero-Danté Giovanni. What do you think?” She knew full well what Natasha’s response would be, but she wanted to hear it with her own ears.
“What do I think? I love the names. I feel so honored,” Natasha held her right hand over her chest. “I mean, jeez, I hope you have two boys and two girls just so those names are put to use.”
Elise threw up her hands in protest.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa, calm down there. Never wish a litter on anyone,” she said jokingly as she shook her head.
Although she joked with Natasha, she really didn’t know if she could handle more than two children. Secretly, she was very nervous about the pregnancy. Sergio had been most wonderful and supportive in convincing her that she would make a perfect mother. But she was still concerned; she didn’t want to fail at one of the most important roles of her life.
“Well, I for one hope it’s quadruplets,” Sergio replied. His Italian accent resonating through his deep voice making him sound all the more alluring. He walked closer to her and growled low in her ear causing her to smile.
Once ready, they gathered their keys and headed towards Xander’s mansion. Natasha sat in the back seat of Sergio’s car and gave directions to him as he drove the speed limit on the expressway.
“You know normally Sergio, you would have been doing about eighty–five or ninety on this expressway, this is such a shock,” Natasha teased. Devin and Elise chuckled.
“What’s that supposed to mean, what are you getting at?” Sergio asked his accent thickening.
“All I’m saying is; you’re driving the speed limit and it’s not like you. Driving fifty-five miles per hour must be killing you. Are you going to be okay, do you need some counseling or something? You know, driving this slow must be a traumatic experience for you.” Natasha chuckled as she egged Sergio on.
“You’re really enjoying yourself back there aren’t ya? Well, if you must know... yes. But I need to take caution around Elise, she can bounce back if we have an accident, the babies might not be as resilient,” Sergio said.
Natasha sensed Sergio's seriousness and decided not to joke anymore. She knew that he loved Elise, more than he had loved anyone else in his life. And now, he was going start a family with her. She assumed that, to Sergio, Elise was this precious gem that needed protection at all times and at any cost. The thought made her smile. She sat in the backseat of the car and daydreamed about her own two lovers. She missed them and wanted them with her at this very moment.
She looked over at Devin, who was silent as he looked out the window and seemed to be in deep thought. She wondered if he was happy with John. To her, they made a good couple. But, the truth being that Devin was a shape-shifter and John was a vampire meant one would have to deal with the other not being around... or at least not in human form every so often. She imagined that was difficult to deal with at times. Natasha thought on her own relationship. She had taken Darian inside of her and decided to commit herself to the both of them. Even now, she ached where Darian had been and the dull pain reminded her of that commitment and she was content. It was a good commitment.
Natasha wondered what her parents really felt about her two lovers. She honestly thought that her parents were happy for her, but concerned... always concerned. Sometimes she felt smothered by her parents. Being their only child, it was hard for her parents to let her go. She once joked to her mother on the reason why she was so over protective and nervous about her growing up and exploring new things was because her mother made so many innocent mistakes in her own past.
Natasha would never forget, once, when her mother told her about the time she was held up at gun point by a mugger. Her mother told her that she was so angry at the mugger that she didn’t feel threatened by the gun. As a matter of fact, she was so angry that he had tried to rob her, that she challenged the mugger. The mugger must have thought her mother to be insane, because her mother wasn’t robbed and was still alive and unharmed to tell the tale.
Natasha remembered joking with her mother, saying: “That’s the reason why you’re a worry bug. ‘Don’t do this, don’t go there, look out. Stop! Go! Wait here. Hold it!’ You are making up for all the times you were supposed to worry, but didn’t and now you’re projecting them on me... well breathe back.”
Even though they both laughed, it was true as far as Natasha was concerned. Her parents loved her, she didn’t doubt that, she just hoped they would grow to accept and welcome her lovers. She hoped they understood just how fortunate they made her feel.
Sergio pulled the car in front of Xander’s huge white-brick mansion and they all climbed out. Natasha hoped that Warren had been able to reach Xander to tell him they were coming. She knew that the supernaturals had their own set of rules they must all follow or suffer great consequences. She had no idea what the consequences would be for a shape-shifter coming to another’s home uninvited, and she didn’t want to find out. Natasha pushed the doorbell and someone she recognized opened the door, although she didn’t know his name. She had seen him the night before when Xander invited her over. He was average looking, not handsome, but not an eyesore either. She was actually surprised to meet a supernatural that wasn’t sinfully gorgeous.
She smiled. “Hello, my name is”
“Natasha. I know who you are. Come on in, Xander’s expecting you,” the man said in a deep, raspy voice.
They followed him into the huge room where she had visited the last time she was there. Once they entered, they looked around at all the other shape-shifters in the room. Xander was sitting in the same chair he had occupied the night before. He rose gracefully and began walking towards them. Again, Natasha marveled at his sexy and commanding presence. Indulging a forbidden fantasy, she gazed into his sparkling silver eyes, imagining the expression on his face when he’d reach the highest point of ecstasy. Her face began to blush, Xavier would have made fun of her and she of him, considering they would have been thinking the same thing.
“Welcome to my home,” Xander approached Elise, smiling as he took her hand into his, placing his other hand over hers in a gentle touch. “Is there anything that I can get for you?”
“No, that won’t be necessary. Thank you for having us over,” Elise said.
“No need to thank me, we have mutual concerns. Please have a seat,” Xander said, gesturing towards a comfortable chair.
Elise’s expression brightened slightly as she made her way over to the chair. A look of relief flashed across her face as she settled into the plush chair.
“Please, everyone make yourselves comfortable,” Xander said then he walked back towards his chair, sitting down. He crossed one leg over the other, resting his hands in his lap.
Natasha, Sergio and Devin each took a seat before Xander began speaking.
“I am told that you want to share information. Unfortunately, I must admit that I do not have very much to share,” Xander confessed.
“Perhaps we can brain storm. I’m willing to bet that we both share the same amount of information. What confuses me is; how did these kidnapers know about us. Are they like us? And what do they want with our members?” Elise presented her questions.
“Indeed, I have wondered about that from the moment we discovered Nicole missing. I have seen this in the past and, as always, I do not rule out humans,” Xander said.
Elise nodded in agreement.
“You think that these asshole kidnapers are keeping our members for some sort of illegal trade?” Sergio asked unexpectedly.
Xander nodded slowly. “That is one of my thoughts. It happened four months a
go when the combined forces of a rogue wolf Pack and nefarious humans tried to open a black market trade on supernatural blood and only lord knows what else.”
“First thing we need to do is find out who could be doing this and why. Natasha has had visions and because of her, we know that they’re both alive. But we know nothing else,” Elise said. “Do you have any contacts that might be able to shine some light on this situation?”
Xander sat in the chair shaking his head. “I have sent my people out to search the surrounding suburbs and the city but we have been unsuccessful,” he said reflectively. “One of my own is a detective for the S.U.I.T., he’s checking to see if any leads arise.”
“Do you suspect it might be the Russian cartel? I mean, we’re not exactly sure that we wiped them out completely,” Sergio stated.
“No, I don’t think so. At least, I’d hope not. But I’m glad you mentioned them. We shouldn’t omit them as a possible threat,” Xander replied.
“We did kick their asses. You think this could be their form of revenge?” Adrian asked.
“Once again, I don’t know. But it would be wise for us to consider any remaining members as possible enemies,” Xander said.
Adrian nodded, agreeing with his father.
“Maybe Darian can help, I’m sure he knows someone who might know someone,” Natasha suggested tentatively. All eyes turned to her when she spoke which made her nervous.
“Do you think he would help?” Xander asked. “I don’t mean to offendI know that he’s dear to you. However, I have been in this city for over eighty years and I have known of Darian for that long. This situation really does not concern him, and that is how he may view it.”
The Royal Flush (Knights of the Darkness Chronicles(Book Three)) Page 9
