Mia was still lost in thought when she heard a knock on her door. She got up and answered it.
Quinn stood there, a low growl coming from his throat as his fists clenched.
"What's wrong?"
He showed her a picture on his phone. It showed a bound and unconscious Isao in the trunk of a car with the caption 'How well can he swim?'
She froze and stared at it in shock, "We have to find him.."
"The car's tracker shows it at the docks."
"Let's go."
"This may be a trap." The Fae cautioned.
"I don't care, we need to find him."
"Agreed." He turned and headed for the front door.
She followed him quickly.
He drove as fast as he dared, his knuckles white on the wheel. "You think it was the Sano's?"
"I don't know, but if it was, I'm going to kill them."
He smiled coldly. "Unless I beat you to it." He slowed as he entered the harbor gates. Then he paled, his eyes locked on something in the distance.
She looked out, trying to see what he was looking at.
Isao's car hung vertically from a crane, swinging over the water dangerously.
"Bastards!" Quinn hissed as it was released, quickly sinking into the harbor.
Mia got out of the car, running toward the water. She didn't even think, just flew up over to where the car was, then dove into the water, trying to save Isao.
The car was sinking steadily, aided by the wide open windows. There was no movement from inside.
She swam down and finally got to the car and grabbed on. She worked on opening the trunk, finally getting the latch open.
Isao lay limp, a dark bruise on one temple. His hands were handcuffed to the inside of the trunk and the water was flooding in.
Mia struggled to get the handcuffs undone, her lungs beginning to ache. She finally got them broken off and began pulling him to the surface. Her vision was beginning to blur and she kicked faster, trying to get him to the air. She finally broke the surface, taking a large gulp of air before trying to get him to the dock. She pulled him, trying to keep his head above water and finally pushed him up. She held onto the dock for a moment before managing to pull herself up before collapsing.
Quinn checked Isao over, a sigh of relief escaping. "He's alive. Heavily drugged, and he'll have a headache when he wakes, but he's alive. His lungs sound clear too." The Fae moved to her side after wrapping him in an insulated blanket, wrapping one around her as well.
She nodded slowly, "Good.."
He picked her up, carrying her to the car and placed her in the backseat. Then he got Isao, laying him across her lap before sliding behind the wheel and pulling out.
Mia quietly watched Isao for a few moments before closing her eyes.
Quinn half smiled as he watched them in the mirror. When they arrived at the mansion, he gently shook her. "Mia? We're home."
She nodded and made her way out of the car. She headed inside and worked on changing into dry clothes.
Quinn was drying Isao off, the vampire still unconscious. He quickly dressed him in sweats and looked at her. "He may be confused when he wakes."
She nodded, "I'll keep an eye on him."
"Alright. Come out whenever you're ready. They're still bickering over what to watch."
Mia nodded and sat down beside Isao, gently holding his hand.
He flinched, then growled audibly.
"Shh, everything is alright."
"Mia?" His eyes fluttered open, slightly unfocused. "I won't..let them have you.."
"You're safe now, okay? Just rest."
He shook his head. "Have to protect.." His eyes cleared and he sighed. "Sorry."
She shook her head, "You're alright. How are you feeling?"
"Like I got suckerpunched by Sho. Dammit, I let my guard down like a rookie."
"It's alright, that's what we're here for," she smiled softly.
He chuckled under his breath, then looked down. "What happened? All I remember was being hit in the parking lot."
"Tied up and shoved in a trunk. Then dropped into the water."
"I'm going to return the favor. Minus the car." He snarled softly.
"Just be glad I'm a decent swimmer or you'd have been screwed," she chuckled slightly.
"Oh, I am, believe me." He kissed her hand before attempting to sit up.
She helped him up, giving him a small smile.
"What's happening out there? Is Feathers cheating at cards again?"
"I haven't been out there yet. Want to go check?"
His lips curled. "Guess you're ready. Come on."
She stood and followed him quietly.
"So your lazy ass finally emerges." A blonde man said from the couch.
"Hello to you too, you temple reject." Isao answered as he reached for a beer and slice of pizza.
Mia grabbed a slice of pizza before sitting down.
The blonde smirked as he drank his own beer, then he looked at Mia. "So this is her."
She raised an eyebrow before giving him a small smile, "Nice to meet you."
Isao chuckled around his bottle, then swallowed. "Mia, meet Akira Adachi. Perpetual pain in my ass."
The blonde threw a bottle cap at him. "You mean regular savior of said ass, don't you?"
Isao wiggled a hand amid laughter from the rest of the group.
"Careful, he might decide Thanksgiving needs to come early." Ryon nudged Akira. "You really want to lose your feathers?"
"Like he could." Akira scoffed before returning his gaze to her.
She chuckled softly at their interactions.
"Not what I expected." The blonde mused as he took another drink.
"That good or bad?" She asked with a chuckle.
"Don't know yet. Izzy's taste in women gets him more in trouble than his job."
She smiled slightly.
"Why he thought men wanted well proportioned hookers is beyond me." Akira's eyes twinkled as Isao turned a deep red.
She laughed lightly before taking another bite of her pizza.
Yamae nudged her. "Twenty bucks he lasts five more minutes before we have turkey."
She giggled in response.
Popcorn smacked the vampire in the face.
"I am not a turkey!"
"No, you're a Egyptian temple reject." Isao's eyes twinkled. "Why don't you show her why we call you feathers?"
Mia quietly continued to eat her pizza as she watched them.
Akira shrugged and stood, moving to the side of the room. He dropped his disguise, rising into the air in a burst of gold light and red flame. He hovered, red gold feathers blowing gently in the breeze from the window. His eyes glowed a soft yellow, watching her reaction.
She smiled but stayed silent.
Isao looked at her. "Well, that was underwhelming. Thought you'd be more 'oooh, ahhhh'."
She chuckled, "Sorry?"
The guys cracked up, Akira rolling his eyes as he reverted. "Tough customer."
"Your feathers are pretty, if that helps," she gave him a small smile.
He brightened. "Bet you never said that to any of them."
She chuckled, "True."
"Hey, are you flirting with the reject?" Isao stared at her.
She raised an eyebrow at him.
"Izzy's jealous!" The others chorused.
Mia laughed softly and blew Isao a kiss.
He pouted playfully, then threw popcorn at Akira.
Mia grinned as she watched the group.
They finally decided on a movie, putting it in and relaxing. Halfway through, Isao's phone went off.