Mia sat up and looked at her brother, "Where was he last?"
"At City Hall. He said he'd found some suspicious business sales and was going to check it out. Now he's not answering his phone."
She nodded and stood. She still felt a little weak, but she pushed through it and headed to the door. "Did he give you any addresses?"
Her brother shook his head.
Isao frowned, then snapped his fingers. "He should still have the earpiece. If not on him, in the car. We can track it." He rubbed his temple with a wince before continuing. "Call feathers to trace his cell if it's active."
Mia looked at Isao carefully, "Why don't you keep resting and we'll take care of this?"
"I don't want to abandon you."
"You were poisoned and almost died, you need rest."
He sighed and lay back reluctantly. "It's my own doing."
"Just relax. We'll let you know if we need help." She said softly before closing the door. She took a deep breath and looked at Ryusei.
"Neither one of you should be up." He eyed her critically.
"I'll manage," she said quietly before coughing.
He rolled his eyes as he pulled out his cell and texted rapidly. Then he put it away and looked at her. "Coffee?"
"Sure," she nodded, unconsciously rubbing at her throat.
He headed for the kitchen, pouring a large cup for her. He handed it over as his phone pinged. He checked it and let out a sharp exhale.
"Did you locate him?"
"He just texted." Ryusei quickly opened it, then went pale.
"What's wrong?"
"He says he was jumped and knocked unconscious.. He's probably hurt but saying he's not."
"Let's go pick him up," she sat the coffee down.
He nodded and grabbed the van keys, heading outside with a worried scowl.
She followed quietly, climbing into the van and waiting.
He drove quickly but didn't speed, pulling up beside Quinn's cherry red convertible. He got out and called his lover's name softly.
The Fae slowly emerged from an alleyway nearby. His pupils were uneven and he'd been beaten seriously.
Mia got out and went to him, gently wrapping an arm around him and helping him to the van.
"Not hurt huh?" Ryusei growled.
Quinn chuckled self consciously. "Not bad enough to warrant that tone, fangs."
Mia sat down beside him and began healing the worst of the damage.
"You mean you're not bleeding out." The answer was forced out between gritted teeth. "Idiot."
Mia continued to heal Quinn as Ryusei drove them back to the mansion.
"Before you ask, I don't know who they were. So don't go looking for anyone." He glared at the angry vampire.
"Just like you didn't know last year?"
Mia raised an eyebrow but stayed silent.
"That was different." Quinn leaned his head back wearily.
"Whatever." Ryusei parked and got out, slamming the door and disappearing into the mansion.
Mia shook her head and helped Quinn inside before collapsing onto the couch.
"Sorry." Quinn said quietly. "I'm not lying to him. I honestly don't know who they were. But he won't listen when he's like this."
"He'll come around, just let him cool off a bit."
He gave her a small smile. "He thinks it's the Fae again."
"You were attacked by other Fae?"
Quinn nodded. "I am not well liked. I left our realm, am in a relationship with both a shifter and the vampire King. I help mortals and am not an insufferable asshole. Most of the time, anyway. Very unlike my brethren."
She nodded slowly, "At least you're liked here."
He chuckled. "Yes. It's nice to belong, is it not?"
She smiled softly before asking, "Are you feeling better or do you need more healing?"
"Much better, thank you. How are you and your idiot?"
"He's still resting but doing a bit better. I'm just a bit tired and keep coughing."
"Let me make a potion for that." He slowly rose and disappeared into the kitchen. A few minutes later, he emerged and handed her a cup of fruity smelling liquid. "Drink."
She did as instructed, her throat feeling a bit better as she drank. "Thank you."
He gave her a bright smile. "Anything you need."
She smiled and finished the drink before yawning, "I think I'm going to check on Isao and take a small nap. Let me know if you need anything."
He nodded. "Think I'll brave Ryu's fangs."
She chuckled, "Let me know if he gives you too much trouble, I'll come beat him up for you."
Quinn laughed, then gave her a wave and headed down the hall.
Mia headed back into the bedroom, curling up beside the sleeping Isao.
He wrapped an arm around her without waking, a smile flitting over his face.
She soon joined him in sleep, relaxing against him.
Mia woke hours later, kissing Isao's cheek gently before climbing from the bed. She headed out of the room quietly, heading toward the kitchen.
Quinn was cooking, Shouma chopping vegetables beside him.
"Look who's up." Shouma grinned. "Thanks for helping him and keeping Ryu from doing something stupid."
"Where is Ryu?"
"Got a call about some kind of vampire business. Said he'd be back later." Quinn answered as he took the cutting board and added the vegetables. "Dinner will be done in a few minutes. Iz still asleep?"
"Yeah," she nodded. "Do you need any help?"
They both grinned and shook their heads.
"Go tell the twins to come up."
She nodded again and headed to find the twins.
She could hear guns firing and teasing voices somewhere below her feet.
She went downstairs and spotted them.
They were in a firing range, apparently challenging each other to a contest.
Ryon sighted the rifle and fired, a clean hole appearing between the target's eyes. He saw Mia and smiled.
"Hey, it's dinner time."
"Be up in a minute." He watched his brother fire, the shot missing and hitting the concrete wall.
"Dammit, Ry! How the hell can you shoot that drunk?" Yamae growled.
"Practice. Something you have no idea about." Ryon laid the weapon down and clapped his brother's shoulder. "Come on, let's eat."
The two of them headed over to Mia, beers in hand.
She chuckled and headed up the stairs and back to the kitchen.
They followed her, good naturedly bickering.
Shouma rolled his eyes. "I hear idiots approaching."
Quinn chuckled as he portioned out the food. "Just your siblings."
"Shit. If my mom had given birth to them, she'd have eaten Yamae on sight."
Mia chuckled and took a plate.
"I heard that. And probably would have eaten you instead, runt." Yamae retorted with a grin as he got his food.
Ryon facepalmed as he sat down beside Mia. "If she was smart, she'd have eaten both of them and I'd be an only child."
Mia laughed quietly before starting to eat.
Isao came out, scratching his head sleepily. "That smells heavenly." He went to Mia's side, kissing her, then stealing a bite. "Taste's heavenly too. Though not sure if it's the food…"
She chuckled and continued eating.
"Good grief, you're sappy." Shouma wrinkled his nose with a laugh.
Isao stuck his tongue out as Quinn grinned and handed him a plate. He sat on the other side of Mia, quickly inhaling the food.
When she was done eating, she got up and began washing the dishes.
"You don't-" Quinn started before Isao shook his head.
"She does this to me too. Says if we cook, she cleans up. Don't bother trying to sway her."
Mia finished the dishes that were in the sink before wiping down the counter and stove.
A few minutes later, Isao joined her. He washed his plate, then kissed her softly. "Quinn got hurt?"
She nodded, "Not sure by who though."
He scowled. "Damn. Was hoping for someone to hit."
She chuckled, "I'm sure you'll find someone to hit eventually."
He blushed, then shrugged. "I think Sho's right. I'm super sappy around you. Twisted around your finger like putty."
She smirked, "Is that a bad thing?"
He kissed her. "Hell no."
She smiled, "Good. I love you."
His eyes shone as he looked at her. "I love you too." He looked annoyed as his phone rang. "Toriyama." He raised an eyebrow as he listened, then answered. "Keep an eye on it. Call if things heat up." He hung up, looking thoughtful.
"What's up?"
"Seems to be something happening in the vampire kingdom. Feathers reports there's been heavy clan fighting again."
"I hope Ryu isn't in trouble," she said quietly.
"He went down there? What the hell?" Isao stared at her.
She shrugged, "They just said something about vampire business."
"Great. Just what we need, a possible repeat of before." Isao ran a hand through his hair.
There was a knock at the front door.
Mia sighed and went to check on it.
Shiro bowed. "My Queen."
She froze, "Queen..? Where is Ryu?"
"He messaged me and said he was stepping down.. He isn't here?" The vampire looked stunned.
"The others told me he went to take care of vampire business. I thought he'd be with you."
"I have not seen him in three weeks."
She frowned, "Why would he step down? I know he doesn't like the job but.."
"His message said you were more suited." Shiro looked worried and sad. "I should have called him."
She moved and waved him inside, trying to process everything.
The others looked up and Isao's eyes narrowed.
Mia sat down quietly, her mind still trying to figure out what was happening.
Isao dragged Shiro into the hall, asking questions. Finally, he nodded and told the vampire something quietly before sitting down beside her.
"We will find him. And if this is a vampire mid existence crisis, I'll kick his ass for you."
She nodded slowly, "I'm just worried about him.."
Isao wrapped an arm around her. "I know. So am I."