The Guilty Innocent (39 page)

“I love them, they give me what I want and need, and I don't mean finance-wise. But they're tender, caring, loving, loyal and honest. I have yet to find any other man that truly has these qualities. They are both so gentle and understanding, they make me happy. I will admit, at first I tried to avoid these feelings I have for them because I wasn't so sure I was ready for the both of them. To tell you the truth, I like being around all of you, Warren is so kind and friendly and trustworthy, everyone here appears to live by a very honorable creed and I can respect that.” I replied, revealing my inner most thoughts, hoping that I quenched his curiosity.

He looked at me, then nodded. “I find it amazing that you can be around us and not be afraid, well I will take that back. I have smelled your fear, but it does not last. You are a courageous woman, then again...” Adrian chuckled, “...Maybe you just like
gawking
at me,” he laughed outright.

I smirked, here I thought he was going to say something profound. I watched him as he laughed at his own joke and could not help but laugh as well. We continued to chat about everyday things. Another hour passed and I began to feel sleepy. I decided lo lake a nap, when I drifted off to sleep, I located my menial link with Warren. I saw that he was talking with Matthew. They were discussing Darian's trial. Warren informed Matthew that we were on our way and that we had the true criminals
and
the evidence. Matthew appeared to be amazed and relieved. Satisfied with what I saw in my vision, I shut down all connections and drifted deeply into sleep.

I was becoming dimly aware of a multitude of erotic sounds in my sleep. Slowly the sounds became more distinctive as I began to wake up. Groggily, I looked around the plane and noticed the vampires were feeding. Xavier was pressed against Miranda as she squirmed in her chair, his face was buried in her neck, jaws working greedily, his eyes were closed as he fed. I could see Miranda's chest heave as the pleasurable sensation coursed through her limbs. I decided this would be a perfect time to leave this area of the plane and go to the bathroom. On my way,
I
noticed John feeding from Devin. Their bodies were pressed together. Devin's face showed pure ecstasy as he grinded his hips into John.
I
guess they were getting better acquainted. While in the bathroom, the sounds of the feeding frenzy were toned out.
I
used the facilities and waited patiently until I thought enough time had passed before
I
emerged from the bathroom and walked back into the main area of the plane. I was right, everyone was calming down and there were a many sated expressions plastered on several faces as
I
looked around the plane.

Xavier walked over and took me in his arms. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and hugged him tightly. “We will be in Chicago in about thirty minutes.” He informed me.

I looked at him, then I looked at my watch. It was 6:15pm, we have been flying for almost thirteen hours. My main regret about this trip is that I did not get a chance to really enjoy Russia. If you spend a half of a day traveling to some destination, then you really want to be able to enjoy the time spent there. That did not happen with us, I spent my time in Russia avoiding getting killed.

“I
can not wait till we land.” I said eagerly,
sweet-home Chicago, here I come!

“Neither can I, I miss Darian, plus I want to prove his innocence before it is too late.” Xavier said, he looked distracted, so I asked him what was he thinking about.

“I wonder if Warren will try to stop Darian if things get out of hand. I hope Warren doesn't try-”

Adrian interrupted. “What if Warren does try to stop him from killing, is he going to kill Warren too!?” Adrian asked, I could hear the anger in his voice. He had heard us, as I'm sure the rest of the shape-shifters had heard Xavier express his concerns.

“No, I don't believe Darian would kill Warren, but if Warren tries to be a hero, he will put himself in harms way.” Xavier stated.

“What? He just kills whomever gets in his way!?” Adrian asked sarcastically.

Xavier rolled his eyes upward, he looked annoyed, he turned to face Adrian. “Listen and listen well, during this whole quest I have been defending Darian from those of you who know
nothing
about him! He does not want to hurt anyone, but he will not stand idly by and let the mortal world destroy him, as I'm sure any one of you would do whatever that was in your power to stay alive.” Xavier said as he glanced at everyone in the room. Then his eyes focused on Adrian's piercing silver gaze. “Let us hope that your lover would be wise enough not to interfere,” Xavier stated flatly. Adrian did not respond, he only walked away and sat down in one of the chairs. Xavier turned back around to face me.

“I can not wait until all this is behind us,” he whispered.

“Same here.” I said empathically.

Thirty minutes passed, the plane finally landed smoothly on the runway. We quickly unloaded the coffins and luggage off the plane and loaded them on two trucks. One was Darian's DiamondBack SUV and the other Sidewinder SUV was a truck Elise arranged to have delivered. We climbed into the trucks and drove quickly to the S.U.I.T. precinct where Darian's trial was currently in process. I hoped we were not too late. We pulled into the parking lot, the tires squealing as Xavier turned the corner. He parked quickly and we all climbed out. Xavier and Sergio took hold of Eremei and Lidiya. Sergio untied them, so that they would not appear to be captives when we brought them in.

Adrian and Nagesa walked over to us. “Well, it has been fun, but we have to leave you now.” Adrian looked at Xavier and me, he smiled slightly. “I wish you two the best of luck...or shall I say, you three?” He flashed us a devilish smile then turned and walked away with Nagesa at his side.

I watched them walk away for a few seconds, then
I
looked at Xavier. “Let's go!” I said eagerly. We walked quickly into the precinct. I marched right up to the front desk and the clerk looked up at me, he then leaned over to inspect Sergio and Xavier and the two people we brought in.

“I am here for Darian Alexander's trial, we have some new evidence concerning his case!” I was so excited my words came from my mouth in a rush. The officer looked at us, then he pointed towards Xavier, Elise and Sergio.

“Who are these people with you?” he asked nonchalantly.

“These three are my friends” I said pointing to Xavier, Elise and Sergio. “They are the perpetrators in this case” I pointed to Eremei and Lidiya. “Now we need to get to that trial
now!”
I said anxiously.

He looked at me, then picked up the telephone, dialing a number. He continued to stare at me as he waited for someone to answer. Someone finally did and he told them that there were some people in the front that claim to have evidence for the trial at hand. He nodded his head and said an occasional 'un-hum' then he hung up the telephone.

“Okay, someone will bring you around. Just wait right there.” we waited five minutes, then Xavier became impatient. He grabbed both Eremei and Lidiya by the arms and dragged them towards the holding cell area. The officer tried to stop him, he came around the counter. Xavier turned to face him and the officer stopped dead in his tracks. His eyes appeared to glaze over and he began to nod his head. Xavier walked away, Sergio, Elise and I followed his lead. We headed towards the holding cells. Warren and Matthew were standing in the hallway talking. Warren turned around and began walking towards us.

“Awesome, you made it on time, come!” Warren led us into the trial. Xavier stopped at the double doors and looked up. There was an ultraviolet lighting system protecting the doorway. He looked disappointed, then he lowered his gaze to me.

“It's up to you, I can not enter.” Xavier said, and he pushed Lidiya into Elise's arms and she took hold of her and Sergio took Eremei.

I nodded and walked through the double doors, Elise and Sergio behind me. The people inside the holding cell turned around to face us. The reporters began to ask us questions as the photographer's cameras clicked away. To regain control of the courtroom, the judge called for order. Standing there in the blinding flashing lights of the cameras made me remember the job I had probably lost. At this point I did not care, the only thing that mattered to me was having justice served and saving Darian.

And just like in the movies, I marched right up to that podium and spoke. “Your honor, my name is Natasha Hemingway and I have with me the evidence in support of Darian Alexander's defense! He did not murder Annette Balfour.” I held up the list of politicians and other paperwork pertaining to their plan to traffic supernaturals blood on the black market. The cameras continued to flash and I could hear dozens of reporters relaying the information into the microphones.

“Order! Order!” the judge demanded as she banged her little gavel. The cell area began to quiet down. The grey haired judge in her long black robe stopped banging her gavel. She stood behind the podium and the two lawyers stood on each side of the podium. The judge looked at Eremei and Lidiya and then to me, her brown eyes peering into mine. “Who are the four people with you?” the judge asked.

“This is Sergio Giovanni, Elise DuPre.”
I
said as
I
gestured to Elise and Sergio. “These other two are the
real
criminals in this case, your honor.” I pointed to Lidiya and Eremei. Lidiya smiled and it made me want to punch her in the face, I quickly turned away from her, facing the judge instead.

The judge looked at me a moment longer, then she began to speak. “Bring me this new evidence and I want to see everyone in my chamber, now. This court will take a twenty minute recess while I review this new and pertinent information.”

The judge walked towards her office. I followed her as did the two lawyers, Elise and Sergio followed me and brought our criminals with them. When I walked past Darian's cell, he smiled at me and winked. I blushed but continued to walk towards the judge's chamber. A uniformed officer closed the door behind us and I turned around to face the judge.

“Alright, let me see all of this evidence.” The judge requested as she settled comfortably into her desk chair.

I handed her the papers. She took them and looked them over, shuffling through the papers, just catching some details here and there. There were three files, one contained the list of dirty politicians willing to open the black market trades and their signed contracts. The other two contained photos of the supernaturals that were held captive as well as information about the black market and other contacts. The judge's eyes scanned over the files quickly, then she looked up at me. I glanced over at the court appointed stenographer who was recording every word uttered during this meeting, then I turned to face the judge.

“Who are they?” she asked once more.

I turned to face the other two. “Tell her who you are.” I demanded softly. Sergio pushed Eremei forward, causing the man to stumble, but he caught himself. He looked down at the judge behind her desk.

“My name is Eremei Andreev,” he said smugly, the judge appeared to recognize the name. Her eyes trailed to Lidiya.

“And you?” she inquired. Elise pushed Lidiya forward. Lidiya turned to face Elise and said something to her in Russian, but Elise did not respond.

“My name is Lidiya Belyakov, I will tell you everything I know.” Lidiya said in her Russian accented voice.

“Begin,” the judge said. We stood there for forty minutes as Lidiya and Eremei confessed. I knew the reason why they confessed, they wanted to live. The judge looked at Sergio, Elise and me.

“How did you find all of this out?” she asked.

“They had kidnapped my lover,” Elise stated. “We tracked them down and discovered what they were doing. We brought them here to stand trial. Darian Alexander was set up, you have your confession, when will he be released?” Elise asked.

“Did you notify the police about the kidnapping?” The judge asked.

“No your honor, as you know, we would have had to wait a full forty-eight hours before contacting the police. That is entirely too much time to let pass before taking action,” Elise responded.

“And what kind of action was that?” the judge inquired, leaning forward.

“We saved lives and brought the real criminals to justice...a job the S.U.I.T. organization should have been doing,” Sergio retorted.

“That may be true, but it still doesn't explain what actions you took.” The Judge responded.