Dark Hearts

by P. L. Midnight

  “We can do that, but there’ll need to be evidence to support that story. I didn’t realize that Julian was coming back here either. Miles is a good shapeshifter. I’ve actually seen him change into a black panther and a scorpion. You never know what he’ll turn into, but the guy is powerful and a force that we’ll need if Dark Hearts learns that Emma is here.” Vince added, “It’ll be nice to see Julian again. It’s been too long.”

  “That’s all good, but that Miles is a moody bastard, almost as bad as our Vince.” Alex smirked just a little through his dark mood, “Though I agree, they’re both good guys to have at your back. When will they be here, Raven?” Alex asked.

  “They should be here anytime. Before they get here, I’d like to know exactly what happened tonight. I’d like to know how Emma managed to get so dangerously close to that fire. I know she must have done something unexpected to escape you.”

  “I know it’s my fault…”

  “It’s not a matter of who’s to blame, Alex. I just need to know what happened. Vince does, too, so we can put this shit to bed and focus on our job, which looks to be getting more complicated by the minute. Perhaps you’ll tell us something we’ve overlooked that may give us a clue as to what went down at that house.”

  Alex explained everything to Vince and Raven. The room was abnormally quiet after Alex finished. It wasn’t really Alex’s fault, Vince thought. He couldn’t believe that his sweet Emma would kick Alex in the nuts. Damn, that had to have hurt. The girl was stubborn, as well as strong it seemed. He’d play-wrestled with her a few times and she wasn’t weak. However, she’d never been that kind of aggressive, either. She was going to get a lecture about endangering herself as soon as she was well enough to listen. Vince hoped that would be soon. They all did. Fuck, they didn’t even know how bad she was actually injured. They only knew what Sebastian had told them. He wondered how truthful he’d been with them. He’d seen her when they brought her here. They’d had to hold him down at first, he’d been so distraught from seeing the extent of her injuries.

  The guys didn’t even know what they were facing. If this was such a vital mission, why did the Order have just five guys and the doctor handling it? He also wondered why they’d included Alex, Raven and himself, when they weren’t even officially members of the Order yet. Well, perhaps it was their familiarity with Emma.

  Had Dark Hearts really started the fire, Vince wondered. He knew their goal was to apprehend Emma and her mother, so why the damn fire? They didn’t want either of them dead, he thought, especially Emma. She was to be their bait. There were so many unanswered questions. The three guys were all in thought as Alex left to take the first E.W.

  Vince and Raven sat quietly absorbed in their thoughts until Raven broke the silence. “Vince, you do understand why I gave Alex the first watch?”

  “Yeah, I do. I’m sorry I’m so damned worried about Emma that I just can’t think straight.”

  “We all are,” Raven commented rather quickly.

  When Raven hitched his eyebrow up a notch, Vince continued, “Okay so, I’m fucking jealous as well. That angel is too damned handsome for his own good. I guess I’m afraid Emma could go for a guy like him with all his golden muscles, and you know she’s had a thing for you for a while.”

  “You know, it’s really your own fault for shooting off your mouth about Emma. You kept telling us so much about her that we both feel like we’ve known her for a long time. You’re right, by the way. She’s everything you said she was and more. Don’t give me that look. We’re friends, Vince, and have been for a very long time. It really doesn’t matter if we all like Emma. She’ll choose the one she wants when she’s ready. I hardly think she’ll choose us all. Anyway, right now, as I’ve repeatedly mentioned, we have to focus on her health and keeping her safe from Dark Hearts.”

  “I guess I’d rather have her safe with us than with someone who can’t protect her. I suppose I can share her as long as angel boy doesn’t kiss her in front of me. Anyway, it sounds like she’s going to need all of us if Dark Hearts has kidnapped her mother.”

  “We don’t even know the full extent of her injuries either.”

  “Yeah, fuckin’ shit, she could be blind, Raven. What do we do then?”

  “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. You’re right, she’s going to need all the help and support we can give her.”

  “What about Miles and Julian, are they going to be part of the Emma Watch, too?”

  “Of course, they will eventually, but for now I agree with Sebastian, it would be beneficial to have someone she knows with her. We’ll let them visit her with us first, so she can get to know their voices before we leave either of them alone with her, even though she knew Julian a long time ago.”

  “Hell, I’d hate to wake up to Miles’ moody face, although Emma would probably find something to like about the guy. She’s just like that, you know, except with Alex.”

  “Yes, I do know.” Raven grinned in spite of himself. “Unfortunately, we don’t know if she’ll be able to see Miles. I agree with you, I’m not sure we know the full extent of Emma’s injuries yet. Let’s go get something to eat. It’s been a long day, old friend. I think there’s a bottle of wine in the refrigerator. I need a drink and you probably could use one, too.”

  They had no chance to leave the room, as just then someone knocked at the door. It was Miles and Julian. Julian immediately grabbed Vince in a tight bear hug when he came inside. He was still the more handsome of the two of them, Vince thought. Julian had the same pure white hair as most of the wendigos. He wore it long and straight, well-below his shoulders now, unlike Vince’s short messy cut. His eyes were always his brother’s best feature. The unusually brilliant green irises danced with mischief as he grinned at Vince.

  Julian was a bit taller than Vince was, too. He was lean, with the graceful lines of a dancer, but his strength was evident as Vince groaned from the crushing hug of his younger brother. Vince was glad to see him. Julian would be a great asset with his special skills, too. He was a master at lock picking and his skills as a spy would probably come in handy. He was a sneaky devil when he needed to be. If you needed a good pickpocket or mole, Julian was definitely your man. The way it was going, they’d probably need both before this was all over.

  Miles was another story. The guy was bossy and not always easy to work with, but he got the job done or so he’d been told. He wondered what Emma would think if she woke up and found the big brute sitting next to her bed. He wasn’t going to think about the possibility that she might not even be able to see him.

  He watched as the man got comfortable on the couch, taking the glass of wine Raven offered. Miles was huge at a bulky six-foot, four-inches tall. He was muscular with massive shoulders that went on forever. His hair color surprised Vince the most. He knew most of the women liked the color, or so he’d heard. It was an unusual dark mahogany color. It looked like midnight fire in the light. In the twilight, it probably looked like a mass of glossy black curls reaching just below his collar.

  His hazel eyes were unusual with their ever-changing flecks of color. The guy was older than most of them. He’d likely been around during the time of the dinosaurs. He might even be older than dirt. Miles had come from a line of ancient royals and was regal in his bearing and his attitude at times. In looking at the scowling man and the ever-grinning Julian, Vince realized there were two more guys that would likely fall for his Emma.

  It was still good to have them both onboard. As much as he hated to admit it, Vince knew that they’d all be more than likely needed before this was over. He’d have to come to terms with sharing Emma with yet more guys.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Oh hell, what had I done? I could hear someone breathing, but I couldn’t move. My eyes were opened, weren’t they? It felt like something was covering them. My head throbbed and my whole body ached. I felt like the proverbial horse that had been rode hard and put away wet. It even hurt to breath. It tasted like
I’d inhaled a stale cigarette or licked the bottom of a dirty, smoky ashtray. Then I remembered the fire, omg, my mom, and the house ablaze! I knew I hadn’t reached her. I’d been stopped by, had it really been Alex? The darkness reached my soul. I had to move, get up, and find my mom, but I couldn’t even see.

  I struggled to move even though the attempt was torturous. Every movement however slight caused me immense pain. It was of no use to attempt any movement. I felt restrained as I finally reached up towards my eyes to find out what was blocking my vision. I could feel something attached to my hand holding me down. I twisted slightly and tried to pull it loose.

  As soon as I began struggling, a lovely male voice with a sweet Scottish brogue spoke to me. He stroked my cheek with a feathery touch that tingled against my skin, even as my fear increased due to my confinement and the stranger.

  Was he a stranger? I knew his voice, but couldn’t place it as he tried his best to reassure me. “Calm down, Emma,” he said. “You’re safe now. You’re with friends. Vince, Alex and Raven will be in to call on you as soon as you’re well enough for visitors. I’m Sebastian, a doctor friend of theirs. Emma, your eyes were damaged by the fire. Please don’t mess with the bandages covering them. I’ve wrapped them as a means of protection while they heal. We’re taking care of you. You are safe here. Emma, you do understand that you got too close to the fire, don't you? Please stop struggling before you hurt yourself,” he said as he gently held my hands to keep me from struggling further. I felt the warmth of his touch as his thumbs stroked the tops of my hands in a tender, almost sensuous circle pattern and his voice attempted to lessen my anxiety. “No one is going to hurt you. Do you want me to call one of your friends to come in? I promise, you are safe now. That’s an IV restraining your hand, Emma. I’m with you if you need anything. One of us will always be here. Everything is going to be all right. Now you must rest so your body can heal.”

  I settled somewhat as his gentle tone seemed to calm me. However, I had to find out if Mom was okay.

  When I tried to speak to tell him about my mom, my voice came out in a croak. I heard movement and then his fingers stroked my hair back from my face in a calm reassuring gesture as he whispered more reassurances to me. Almost immediately, I felt myself drift back into the peaceful bliss of a deep, painless sleep. As I fell into darkness, I wondered what he’d put in my IV. The last thing I heard was the gentle thud of the door closing.

  The next time I awoke, I knew I wasn’t alone. I wondered how much time had passed as I lay in the bed. I coughed and immediately Alex’s voice spoke soothing words as he offered me water. “Hello, Emma. It’s me, Alex. I’ve got some ice water here if you’d like a few sips.” I nodded as he instructed me to take small sips. “I’ll help you. Just take it easy, okay.”

  I sipped the icy water as slowly as possible while he gently raised my head and held the glass to my lips. It tasted like heaven to my parched mouth, even though the slight elevation of my head caused me some discomfort.

  After a few sips, the coughing subsided and in a deep, gravelly voice I was only able to whisper what was foremost in my thoughts as his hand held mine in a reassuring grasp. “Alex, did you get my mom from the house?”

  “You’re safe, Emma. You’re at Raven’s house. We’re taking turns sitting with you. Vince and Raven will be back later. I promise everything is going to be okay.”

  “You didn’t answer my question. What about my mom? Did someone get her out of the house?”

  “Emma, don’t worry. We’re taking care of both of you. It’s going to be alright,” he said in a voice that sounded as if he were addressing a hysterical female, which I suppose I was becoming at the time, with my tone reflecting the fear I felt. I instantly panicked. I wasn’t convinced that my mom had survived the fire. I knew Vincent wouldn’t lie to me. I needed to talk to him. He’d tell me the truth, that’s what best friends did.

  Unfortunately, my eyelids were already getting heavy again. I just couldn’t stay awake any longer. I’m sorry Mom, I thought as I fell back into that painless, dreamless sleep while Alex’s long fingers stroked the palm of my hand in a gesture meaning to offer comfort.

  Chapter Fifteen-The Guys

  “She’s been here for over two weeks now. She’s starting to ask questions. I can’t keep her sedated forever, Raven,” Sebastian stated. He was the first to speak, breaking the silence at the weekly meeting of the six responsible to guard the most wanted human being in the universe. Emma had earned that distinction in the matter of a few days.

  “Raven, you can’t let her keep taking that fucking shit. It isn’t good for her to be taking all those drugs.” Vince bluntly expressed his concerns as he ran his thick fingers through his white locks, making them look in even more disarray than normal as it stood up all over his head.

  “Actually, Vince, it’s been in her best interest to keep her sedated. We don’t have any information on her mother’s whereabouts as of yet. The medicine won’t hurt her, I promise you. I’ve discussed it with Raven. Although, as I mentioned, I can’t keep her sedated forever. I’m pleased to report that her eyes are healing quicker than expected with the extra sleep she’s been getting. I plan to remove the dressing later tonight.”

  “Will she be able to see?” Vince asked.

  “That’s great news, Sebastian, but we’d better be coming up with something to tell her about her mother. I can’t look into that girl’s eyes and lie to her. She’s been too weak to hear the truth. Thankfully, that’s changing, but she’s not stupid and fabricating a story that she’ll believe won’t be easy,” Alex piped up.

  “I understand your concerns,” Raven said in his all business voice. “I’ve received a few updates which I need to share with all of you. I got an explanation from the Order this afternoon. I decided to convey this information to all of you at the same time. It seems that Steffan is still nowhere to be found. Dark Hearts have ramped up their search for Emma. They still plan to use her as a pawn, our inside source confirmed. It seems that one of their agents screwed up this whole thing with Emma’s mom. She was the intended hostage, but their agent started the fire before his partner had removed her from the house. The fire spread too quickly and they were unable to remove the woman before the flames engulfed the entire structure. Dark Hearts believes Emma’s mother is dead. Therefore, it makes the situation even more dire for Emma.”

  “I didn’t think they’d found any remains in the house,” Julian noted.

  “At first there weren’t any remains found,” Raven continued rather cautiously, keeping his eyes on his volatile friend, Vince. “The Order had the entire site thoroughly searched. No skeletal remains were found anywhere inside or near the house, after which one of our people planted a female skeleton in the debris. This was done right under the noses of the human authorities and the bumbling Dark Hearts agents. Everyone, including Dark Hearts, now believes that Emma’s mother was killed in the fire.”

  “What the fuck? Why would the Order do that? It just makes it even more dangerous for Emma. What with her father still in hiding and her mother presumed dead, Dark Hearts will be searching for her in earnest. You know those bastards have unlimited resources.”

  “I’m sorry Vince, but our orders were to convince everyone, including Dark Hearts, that the former Mrs. Steffan had been killed. It’s the hope of the Order that when Steffan hears about the imminent danger to his only child, he’ll come out of hiding. If the Order can reach him first, perhaps he’ll help us. They’ve believed all along that using Emma instead of his estranged wife was the best way to lure him out of hiding, even though it was believed that his initial disappearance was to protect both his wife and child. We must find him before Dark Hearts does.”

  “What is Steffan supposed to help us do, exactly?” Miles inquired in an odd voice sans his regal British accent that usually accompanied anything he said.

  “If he cooperates, they hope that the formula can be voluntarily removed from his memory forever. If he
doesn’t cooperate, it will be more difficult for everyone. The formula must be destroyed at all costs,” Raven answered.

  “Why wouldn’t he cooperate? He’s supposed to be one of the good guys. Didn’t he work for the Order at one time?” Miles inquired.

  “You’re right, Miles. He did work for the Order a couple of times, but not on a permanent basis. He’s always been considered too much of a wild card. I personally believe that he’s one of the good guys, too, however, this is his life’s work that the Order wants erased from his memory. I also believe he thinks he can fix the formula so it can be used for good without any chance of it becoming a weapon. It’s a known fact that he’s been tinkering with the formula for years, trying to remove any potential threat to humans.”

  “Why would Dark Hearts want to kidnap a man’s ex-wife in the hope of flushing him out of hiding? Who the hell cares enough about their ex-anyone to come out of hiding into a situation that could lead to their own death? It doesn’t make any sense unless they, too, believe he deserted his family to protect them,” Sebastian stated flatly.

  “I believe Dark Hearts surmised that Steffan went to some extreme measures to hide his identity. He was obviously trying to protect his wife because he hid his family immediately after he got married. The man even changed his surname when he first met Priscilla, Emma’s mother. As you know, he was never a Stephens, which is Emma’s surname and the last name he gave to his former wife. Even though he left her, they never actually divorced either. That’s a small detail that didn’t go unnoticed by Dark Hearts, I’m sure,” Raven replied.

  “Why would a man go to so much trouble to protect his family by leaving them and then never file for a divorce? It seems rather stupid to me. He should’ve legally severed all ties with them,” Vince added.

  “The guy’s a brilliant scientist, not a super spy. I think he was more interested in just diverting attention away from his family. He believed they shouldn’t be in any danger if they weren’t associated with him. He just didn’t think out all the details. At this stage of the game, it doesn’t really matter. All we need to know is that Dark Hearts is ramping up their efforts to find and kidnap Emma. We have to keep her safe and be on the lookout for Steffan in case he tries to collect his daughter. In his state of mind, he might try to take her and flee from everyone, which would put her in even more danger because he’d probably be unable to protect her from Dark Hearts. Let’s not forget that Dark Hearts wouldn’t hesitate to torture her to get her father to cooperate.”