I had one hope as the anticipation clenched in my chest. Magnum had devised a way to conceal my subcutaneous devices from prying eyes, rendering them invisible on X-rays and other scanners. I possessed a remarkable assortment of these concealed treasures, but only one was currently in my possession. Carefully implanted within the depths of my breast tissue, it served as my trusty companion, a safeguard against unforeseen circumstances.
I yearned for solitude and tranquility in this critical moment, longing to extract and fine-tune the transmitter. I needed to transmit a message, for this rescue mission demanded a public declaration. I would stand before everyone, testifying with unwavering resolve. Samuel, Colin, and even Damon would be tasked with documenting countless medical reports about me.
However, the looming threat of the bombs posed a formidable challenge. Yet, we were granted a precious 45 minutes before my sanity unraveled completely. Ruby's salvation was intertwined with mine, and together, we required a meticulously crafted plan involving the press, the police, and every available resource. Ruby, myself, and anyone else present would find deliverance. Even the SWAT team would be called upon if necessary.
I bided my time with the assurance that my transmitter's battery could sustain many back-and-forth messages, for I yearned for this long-awaited outcome. Deliberately, I allowed a werewolf claw to emerge from my flesh, intentionally slicing the transmitter and making it visible to the naked eye. Methodically, I removed it, savoring each moment as I pieced it back together.
Surprisingly, I still possessed a spare battery, a fact that had momentarily eluded my memory. I had made it a point to inform Ruby about it during our blood exchanges. Her slumber grew deeper, her fragile frame growing increasingly gaunt. As I examined her, I discovered a plethora of scars and wounds that not even my blood could heal. Nevertheless, we would persevere, enduring whatever trials lay ahead.
When the deserted streets were shrouded in darkness at night, I cautiously flicked on the transmitter. It emitted a soft hum as it transmitted a continuous signal, piercing the stillness of the night. I anxiously watched the small indicator light, eagerly awaiting any sign of response. The light would be green, meaning someone is listening.
As fatigue slowly consumed me, I succumbed to a brief slumber. When my heavy eyelids finally fluttered open, a glimmer of hope flooded my senses as I saw the once dormant light now glowing a vibrant green. With a surge of adrenaline, I grasped the transmitter firmly in my trembling hand and spoke into it.
"Mimi here. I am now seeking a public rescue. I'm trapped within an ancient castle's confines, specifically within a medical facility. Or monastery, whatever. There are others here, some lifeless bodies serving as haunting reminders of our dire situation. And there's more: Ruby has been captured and transformed into a vampire against her will. Please understand that anyone associated with Fleas is in danger because Sark's network is taking everyone's targets, even those who have gone into civilian life.."
Static filled the airwaves, but soon, Magnum's voice broke through, crackling with concern. "How are you holding up? Can we afford to wait and strategize? I'll trace your location and mobilize a rescue operation, but Mimi, wouldn't it be safer to have someone extricate both you and Ruby from there? I'll spread the word, alerting everyone to Sark's pursuit, urging them to stay vigilant."
I let out a weary sigh, my voice tinged with exhaustion as I replied, "I'm thin, tired, and I can feel the weight of 28 silver bombs inside me. If someone moves me just 10 meters further, those bombs will detonate. It's the same situation as on the ship. You can ask Adam and Samuel for confirmation. We have a mere 45 minutes before the silver takes hold of my mind, driving me to madness. This is our best option because I will testify fiercely and without hesitation once I recover from the silver's grip. Damon, Colin, Samuel, and half the world will have to come forward and provide statements and testimonies about what happened to me. But I want Magnum to make this public. There won't be a better opportunity, especially since many other victims are here. It's even more compelling. Please keep me informed of the situation as it unfolds. Ruby and I are currently hidden away in a dark cellar, concealed from prying eyes. Ruby survives by drinking my blood, but her condition doesn't improve. She, too, is frail and spends most of her time sleeping, sustained by my blood alone."
There was a brief silence before Magnum finally spoke, his voice filled with concern. "I'll start working on it, but Mimi, I can't guarantee that Adam or Damon won't try to save you before then. They might not care about Ruby. The tension around here is incredibly high."
I sighed in resignation. "Inform them about the bombs, the other victims, and Sark. Make this opportunity as enticing as possible. I'm relying on you, my friend. And please, tell Damon about Ruby's ordeal during her torture, how I freed myself, and how we were both shot in the corridor. The bullet pierced my heart and also struck Ruby. I thought she was dead, but they brought her here with me, consumed by bloodlust-induced insanity."
Magnum clicked once to acknowledge his understanding. The green light faded, leaving me in anxious anticipation.
A couple of days passed, and the investigators always brought me a tray of food, its aroma wafting towards me, but I detected the faint scent of drugs. I carefully avoided consuming it. The stench of the drugs lingered in the air as they approached the door.
Ruby, exhausted, lay motionless, and the investigators assumed I had harmed her. They kept their distance, wary of me. As time passed, my liver grew darker, and the pain subsided, showing its demise. Fatigue overwhelmed me, yet I clung to my newfound strength. Damn, my liver. I knew that, given time, my replicating enzyme would generate a new one or perhaps even more.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed, but I couldn't discern the time. Sark appeared, swiftly firing a tranquilizer dart at me. Acting quickly, I concealed my transmitter before the drug took effect.
When I regained consciousness, I found myself back beneath the harsh lamp, struggling to change shape, but to no avail. My liver had been removed, along with the vital enzymes. The absence of these enzymes hindered my ability to transform quickly or repeatedly. Sark slowly comprehended the situation.
I remained under the influence of a sedative implant and was transported back to the dank basement cell. Ruby, enduring further torment, remained by my side.
Finally, after a strenuous effort, I unearthed the transmitter from the depths. As I held it in my hands, the green light illuminated the room, casting an eerie glow. With a mix of anticipation and anxiety, I pressed the button and spoke into the device, "Mimi here. Any news?"
Damon's voice cracked through the receiver, his tone tight and tense, reflecting the gravity of the situation. "Mimi, baby, are you alright? I've been waiting for you online for a week. What did they do to you? Magnum is on the verge of exposing this, but can we afford to wait? How much more damage are you willing to endure? And don't worry about Ruby. I have a plan."
I swallowed, the dryness in my throat making it difficult to speak. "I can handle it, Damon. I truly can. But remember, once I'm rescued, I need to give a statement. Even amidst the pain, having someone document the entire ordeal would be crucial. I know your instincts will kick in, and it could get dangerous, but let the authorities rescue me if possible. We need the world's press and high-ranking officials involved, especially considering the human victims. And please, spare Ruby. She's innocent in all of this, and I want to give her a chance."
There was a moment of silence on the other end before Damon finally spoke, his voice heavy with conflict. "Darling, you're asking for a lot. You know it will be a difficult situation for me. I constantly watch live satellite feeds of that castle where you're held captive, imagining bursting in, sinking my teeth into your neck to ease your pain as the bombs ravage your insides. I'm trying, baby, I truly am, but I can't promise anything. And you can't make me promise, darling. Nick and Elias are aware of Ruby, and they will take care of her. We'll address that later, my love. Just hold on."
Damon's inner turmoil had surfaced, and his core was laid bare in his voice. He's an okay guy if he's not in a stabbing mood. He's a bit blunt, but otherwise, he's okay.
Damon continued, his voice filled with excitement, "Magnum says it'll be another week, but baby, this is gonna be a big one. I can already see the bustling courtroom, the sound of voices echoing off the walls: public prosecutors and everything. Supreme Court justices and even the Speaker of Congress might show up. We're going to save everybody we can, and it's a mad rush right now. Adam is here with me, and we have one burning question. How in the world did they catch you in the first place?"
"Oh, Bran didn't tell you. Fine, let's spill the beans then,"
Damon said in a stern voice, his frustration clear. "What did he tell you, baby? What does Bran have to do with this?"
I chuckled, relishing the chance to expose Bran's secret plan. It was time for his deceit to come to light.
"12 weeks ago, I quit the bakery job Bran put me on. The aroma of freshly baked bread still lingered in my memory as I arrived at the house, contemplating a week of relaxation. But then, Bran called and said he had some information to go over. Lo-and-behold, Charles was in town and whisked me away to Bran's place. The moment I walked in, the atmosphere was tense. Bran started demanding contacts. His voice filled with urgency. I repeated myself for the millionth time, explaining that when people don't want to talk to you, they simply don't. But Bran deceived me, pulling the wool over my eyes. Do you want me to continue, or would you rather invent the rest?"
There was a low grunt, the sound of someone shifting in the room, followed by Adam's chilling voice. His words cut through the air like ice. "I'm not fabricating this. Tell me everything."
Adam's anger simmered, ready to explode, and I knew Bran was about to face a fierce outburst.
I mustered the courage to continue, my voice trembling. "I suggested going out to eat and talk afterward. Bran agreed, but little did I know he had drugged my drink with chloral hydrate. I blacked out, only to wake up naked and restrained on an exam table. My vocal cords were paralyzed, and I was bound tightly. Then, he administered a muscle relaxant and filled me with the gel. The gel on the first day was a rage blocker, and there was an overwhelming amount of it. The anger inside me is still absent, and I don't know how long it will take the rage blocker effect to subside. This was some new neuropeptide that Samuel had found, half-live months. After filling my stomach with gel, he applied a brace to ensure continuous absorption. I was forced to go without underpants, as Bran needed to relieve the pressure. He applied an arousal gel and a stimulating device called a crawler, which actually brought some pleasure. But then Bran decided to forcefully fuck in my ass, causing intense pain. At six in the evening, he locked me inside a cramped cage with only a thin mattress. The room was filled with the overpowering power of the marrok. I was instructed to fall asleep as soon as he left the basement, and my dreams were just pure straightforward nightmares, nothing else the whole night, until eight a.m."
Damon's voice was soft as he whispered, "Go on, darlin, tell us everything."
I sighed and continued. "I awoke at eight in the morning, my vocal cords still paralyzed. More muscle relaxant was administered, along with gel for my bowels and stomach. The previous day, he had made me consume a laxative, resulting in my bowels being filled with gel. On the third day, he removed my organs, unknowingly activating a multiplying enzyme because of his lack of anatomical knowledge. He drenched my organs in a concentrated solution and inserted a port in my small intestine for easier gel administration. This punishment was inflicted upon me when I voiced my objection. On the fifth day, he added more rage blockers to the gel. Then, someone called, and Bran, with me heavily drugged, drove to a building where he abandoned me. In a matter of moments, Sark's men arrived and apprehended me. And that's how I ended up getting caught."
Adam's voice grew louder, filled with profanity that echoed through the room. I could sense the intensity in Damon's tone, a hint of impending pain.
"Darling," he said, his voice laced with a mixture of concern and determination, "I believe Bran Cornick needs a lesson. Fortunately, we have an entire week. Bran never even mentioned inviting you to his house. When we mentioned your car in his driveway, he merely remarked on your carelessness. Now, my love, I won't back down on this. Bran hasn't lifted a finger to protect you. He may negotiate with the alpha males for heat treatments, but mark my words, darling, this strike will hit its mark and leave a lasting impact."
I let out a sigh, a mixture of relief and contentment. Finally, someone was in my corner, and it was Damon Salvatore, exuding an aura of danger.
"Go ahead," I said calmly, the weight of the situation sinking in. "I don't mind at all. The jelly I was filled with daily had a nasty drug, an ever-changing substance that left me disoriented and helpless, as if my very essence was being drained."
Damon emitted a low grunt, the sound reverberating in the darkness that enveloped us. I remained in anticipation, my senses heightened, waiting for what was to come.