Both men stared at her in shock.
"What?"
"You're natural born?" Yamae spoke slowly.
"That's what my dad finally admitted."
"Holy shit.." Ryon released her and closed his eyes.
"Why don't we take you to Ryu? We need to check out the security before we go in." Yamae grabbed both their arms and pushed them to the van.
Ryon sighed and nodded, climbing behind the wheel.
Mia was quiet as they moved, wondering what she actually wanted to ask or tell Ryusei.
Two hours later, Ryon pulled into a parking lot across the street from a glass and concrete building.
"What the fuck took so long?" Ryusei growled as he appeared beside the van. His face went white as he saw Mia inside.
She gave him a small smile but stayed quiet.
He turned a glare on the twins. "Have you two lost your minds?"
Both men sheepishly ducked their heads as Shouma approached, a tall American following.
Mia looked at them carefully.
"You planning on reading Iz the riot act too?" Shouma grinned.
She chuckled, "So what's your real plan?"
"Get in, free Isao, steal and wipe their hard drives. Normally, we'd blow the place up. Might be a bad idea this time though." Ryusei frowned. "We have an hour till security are the only ones there."
She nodded, "Alright."
He turned away, heading for a solitary tree several feet away.
She got out and followed him, holding out the locket, "Thought you might want this back."
"Why? It was a gift." He settled at the base of the tree, his eyes evaluating her.
She sighed and sat down across from him, "Can you tell me more about her?"
"She was beautiful, stubborn and impulsive. My father adored her. She was a free spirit who encouraged us to stop hiding. She believed we could co-exist with everyone." He took the locket, staring at the picture.
"She sounds wonderful."
"She was. Until the night we were attacked."
"What happened?"
"Shifters and another clan who were unhappy with the attention she was bringing to us broke in. My father was executed as a traitor. We were injured, but she fled with me to a sympathetic healer. She left me in her care to be protected, then disappeared."
Mia nodded, "That must have been hard."
He shrugged. "I was old enough to understand the danger. Once I grew up, I ventured out in hopes of finding her. When Isao summoned us to your father's office, I saw her picture in a memorial frame and knew my search was over. Then I found out about you."
"So how old are you?"
"True age or what I appear?"
"Both."
"I appear to be twenty five. In reality, I am three hundred." He chuckled at her look.
She then grinned and laughed, "So if we go by how old you look, we could be twins."
"Very true." He flashed her a quick smile. "That's if you acknowledge me.."
"Why wouldn't I?"
"I have an execution order on my head?" He shrugged. "You've been safe because you were hidden."
"I don't care about that."
"Definitely Mother's daughter." He leaned back with a hiss, one hand cradling his chest.
"I want to help save Isao. Are you going to let me or argue like the others?"
"Would it do any good to argue?" He managed to answer after a minute of harsh breathing.
"Probably not," she chuckled slightly. "Is there anything I can do to help you?"
He reddened. "I wasn't thinking straight when I left or I would have brought some blood bags.."
"Well, I'm full of blood after that transfusion. Do you want some more?"
He stared at her. "How are you not scared after what happened before?"
"I just wanted to help you. I was helping, so that made me happy," she said quietly.
"I could have killed you. If Yamae hadn't drugged me I probably would have." Ryusei dropped his eyes to the grass.
"I wouldn't have blamed you."
He chuckled softly, then shook his head. "If you insist on joining us, you need your strength. I'll manage somehow."
"Maybe you could just bite some of the security guards?" She looked thoughtful.
"It would release my frustration…" He flashed her a small smile before Shouma and his companion approached.
She chuckled before looking up at them.
Shouma rolled his eyes. "You didn't heal all the way, did you?"
"No he didn't."
Shouma's companion chuckled before extending his hands. Blue light covered Ryusei as the man closed his eyes.
After a few minutes, the light vanished.
"You brought the Fae here?" Ryusei stared in disbelief at the shifter.
"Figured Iz might need some on the spot help as it were." Shouma ruffled a hand through his curls.
"A Fae?" Mia asked quietly.
"Heard of fairies, right? He's a little taller than Tinkerbell, and he doesn't have her petite waist, but he's smarter. Usually." Shouma ignored the glare sent his way.
"Princess. I am Quinn Stargazer. I must apologize for him. He's angry I hid the catnip."
She chuckled softly in response. "Nice to meet you."
Ryusei pushed himself up. "I hope you know what you're doing, Sho. If he's caught.."
Quinn interrupted. "If I am caught, it will be my own fault. Do not worry about me."
"Let's all try not to get caught," Mia chuckled. "I'm sure Shouma has a plan."
Ryusei snorted. "His plans generally consist of breaking things and eating people."
The shifter gave a mock cry of outrage. "Lies I tell you! I would never punish my taste buds by eating scientists."
She chuckled, "Okay, what about security guards though?"
"Only fat ones. I was told I need more protein." Shouma tried to keep a straight face.
She laughed before glancing toward the van, "How much time left?"
"Five minutes." Ryon made his way over. "Only a few cars left in the lot. We could probably get in unnoticed from the roof."
She nodded, "Alright."
"Let's go." Ryusei waved Yamae ahead as he handed Mia a knife. "Guessing you don't shoot. So at least you won't be unarmed."
"Thanks," she gave him a small smile. "Maybe sometime you can teach me to shoot?"
"Maybe. We could use Isao as a target in retribution for this?"
She chuckled, "That might be a bit too mean."
Ryusei smirked. "Oh all right."
The five quickly headed across the street, silently ascending the fire escape to the roof, where Yamae had the access door open and waiting.
Mia stayed quiet, beginning to feel nervous as she'd never done anything like this before.
Shouma gave her a grin before becoming a mountain lion. He padded down the stairs ahead of her, the vampires and Quinn behind.
She followed, keeping her eyes open for any sign of security guards or Isao.
Ten minutes later, Ryon whispered in her ear. "You can still back out."
She shook her head, "I'm doing this."
"Okay." He yanked the fourth floor door open, allowing Shouma to race in and attack the knot of security in the hall.
She followed, watching Shouma and the security guards closely. Her hand squeezed tight around the knife handle, ready to attack.
"Go!" Ryon pushed her forward. "Izzy is in one of those rooms. Find him!" The vampire charged as more security appeared, the others following.
Quinn suddenly shot a stream of blue fire from his hands toward several guards, ignoring the cries as he switched his attention to another pair aiming at Shouma from behind.
Mia ran toward the rooms, starting to search for Isao. After checking the first few, a guard grabbed her wrist. She tried to stab at him, but he easily blocked and knocked the knife from her hand. Without thinking, she quickly moved and bit into his arm. Suddenly, she tasted blood and that was the last thing she remembered. Her eyes went red and she quickly drained the guard before looking around for more.
A far door opened, a spectacled man exiting with a frown. "Can you keep the noise down?" He froze when he saw her, his face going white.
She moved toward him quickly.
He backed up, tripping on the doorway and landing on his back. "Don't hurt me!"
She didn't even blink, just lifted him and sunk her teeth in.
He stiffened, then went limp.
When she was done, she dropped him and moved on.
"MIA!" Arms wrapped around her, a voice cutting through the haze. "Mia, regain control. Isao needs you."
Her eyes slowly regained their usual dark hue and she looked at who was grabbing her.
Ryusei gave her a relieved smile, then stepped away before reentering the room. He stepped over the body, heading for a table with a strapped figure on it.
She approached, looking at the figure.
Isao appeared asleep, an IV inserted in one arm.
Ryusei tore the IV and straps away, placing two fingers to the vampire's neck before releasing a soft breath. "He's alive."
She gave him a small smile before looking back at Isao. He looked almost peaceful like this. "Alright, so now we have to get him out."
"Lead the way." Isao's tired voice answered.
She gently helped him sit up, "Are you able to walk? I can help you, if you need it."
"Once the room stops spinning." Isao took several long shaky breaths before slowly standing. "You and I are going to talk once we're out of here. Of all the insane stunts…"
She sighed, "I just wanted to help and make sure you were okay." She wrapped an arm around him and started leading him out.
He refrained from answering, his complete focus on staying upright.
Quinn and the others appeared, the Fae intently coating Shouma in light.
The shifter winced as a large gunshot wound closed. "Wish I'd eaten the asshole."
"You still could, if you don't mind well done meat." The Fae answered back with a smile.
"Let's get back to the van." Mia said as she looked at Isao.
He attempted to nod before his eyes fluttered closed and he sagged.
She sighed, "Can one of you guys help me with him?"
Ryon gently picked the unconscious man up and they headed toward the entrance.
They arrived back at the van, depositing Isao inside. Shouma and Quinn gave a wave before the Fae muttered something and they vanished.
The three men exchanged looks before Ryon spoke. "You can still go home."
She looked at them all before looking down, "I don't know if my life can go back to normal after all of this. And I don't want to leave you guys."
The three sighed, then Ryusei pushed her into the van. He stayed outside, sliding the door shut as the twins climbed in the front and started the engine.
"Is he not coming?"
"He's going to make sure no one follows us." Yamae answered. "How's Iz?"
"He seems alright, just tired." She stared at the sleeping vampire.
"Hopefully." Ryon smoothly entered the freeway traffic, keeping the speed limit. He warily watched his mirrors, adrenaline still racing.