"Understandable." He frowned. "Any idea how you're going to broach the subject?"
"Well, he knows I know shifters are real now.. so I could bring up my nightmares and see if he gives up any information.. if not, I'll tell him I know vampires are real and see where it goes from there."
Isao nodded. "We were warned not to let you see us."
She sighed, "He has to know something.. but why would he keep secrets from me?"
"He's a politician." He flinched at her look. "Sorry."
She sighed again, "If even part of me is vampire, wouldn't I have needed to drink blood at some point? Or do you only need it when you're weak?"
"I don't drink constantly. I seem to need it most after injury. With a weak strain like yours, your body may not even recognize it."
She nodded and went quiet, her mind still filled with questions but mostly for her father.
"ISAO!" Ryon yelled. "We have a situation! Get Mia in the panic room, now!"
She looked over at Isao, "What's happening?"
He shook his head, grabbing her arm and dragging her down the hall. He quickly punched in a code to a reinforced door she hadn't noticed, then pushed her inside. "Stay put until someone lets you out."
She turned to look back at him but the door shut. She looked around, finally sitting down, her mind filled with worry for Isao and the others.
Two hours later, the door opened.
She stood and slowly looked out.
Her father and the Chief of Police stood there.
"Dad? Where are the others?"
"None of your concern." The Chief answered before heading for the living room.
"Why? They were protecting me, I have a right to know what happened to them." Mia answered.
Her father looked at her for a moment but just shook his head and stayed quiet.
"Mia! Damn you, let go of me!" Shouma yelled from the direction of the kitchen.
Mia rushed toward the sound, "Shouma?"
He was being held down by several uniformed officers as he struggled. He was bleeding from several injuries, but refused to stop.
"Let him go!" Mia tried to pull them off.
"Listen to her," her father added sternly.
The officers complied, the shifter stumbling toward her. "Stop them..They're not dead. But they won't listen."
She looked up at her father, "Can you make them listen? We can help them.. please."
He took a deep breath, "I'll talk to the Chief." He headed into the other room as Mia helped Shouma into a chair.
"What happened? Where are they?"
"The fucker brought friends. Attacked in force. Everyone went down, but not before Izzy put a silver bullet between your stalker's eyes." Shouma gave a small smile.
She nodded and looked up when her dad came back in.
"Go help them."
She nodded again and headed outside.
Four stretchers were covered, the attendants nervously watching her.
She went and slowly uncovered them, looking them over carefully.
Faint breathing was visible from three of her protectors amidst the severe injuries. One of Isao's hands was trembling, while the twins were pale.
She knelt beside Isao and watched him for a moment. She took his hand, wondering if he needed fresh blood. She looked his injuries over, before nodding. She ordered the attendants to leave before reaching into her pocket. She pulled out a knife which she'd picked up in the panic room and sliced into her wrist. She put her wrist to Isao's mouth.
His eyes fluttered as the blood flooded his mouth. He slowly swallowed before forcing them open to stare at her. "You're safe.."
She nodded and kissed his forehead before moving away and putting her wrist to Ryon's mouth.
His hand clamped around it, keeping her in place as he drank. His green eyes opened and he recoiled. "What? Mia?"
"You were hurt pretty bad. I'm just trying to help." She gave him a small smile before moving away to Yamae.
His eyes were cracked open and he shook his head. "You shouldn't.."
"I just want to help." She said softly.
He nodded very slowly, his hold on consciousness slipping.
She held her wrist out to him.
He gently drank for a moment, then passed out.
She waited a moment then moved to Ryusei.
He'd been savaged, his chest slashed open and his heart pierced by claws.
She looked at him sadly, unsure if blood would help with his injuries. She tried anyway, pushing her wrist to his mouth.
The blood filled his mouth and dribbled out of his lips. It appeared hopeless, then his eyes flew open. He stared at her with no recognition seconds before his fangs sank in. He began to drink rapidly, growling under his breath.
After a minute, she began feeling really dizzy. "Ryu..sei."
He gave no sign of hearing her, continuing to drink.
Suddenly she was pulled away.
Ryusei hissed, half rising from the stretcher before Yamae stuck a needle in his neck. The vampire sank back down as arms held Mia up.
She tried to turn, her vision swimming.
"Take it easy." Ryon said gently before laying her on an empty stretcher. Yamae disappeared into the house, returning with bags of blood which he set up to transfuse.
She looked over at Isao for a moment before her eyes slipped shut.