Chapter Nineteen #2
“I buried my emotions. Created a kind of barrier around them when I realised there would be no way to get out of the torture they planned. I buried them so deep and with a barrier so thick, that I can’t seem to bring them back like I usually can.” I state simply.
“Tortured you?” Jett questions an underlying fury in his tone.
“What did they do Sage?” Erin asks softly.
“Whipped me with a metal tipped whip. Nothing they haven’t done before.” I state.
Erin gasps in shock as several curses ring out around us.
“You seem fine though?” Dash questions and Damon smacks him on the back of the head.
“I locked the pain in with my emotions, I know it hurts like a bitch but it’s not distracting enough that it will stop me from fighting or moving properly.”
I focus back on working the hair pin into the lock and twist it exactly right.
Finally, it clicks, and I gently pull my arms in front of me.
Ever so gently I roll my shoulders grimacing at the slight pain that manages to break through the barrier.
Hopefully, that means I’ll be able to get the barrier down soon, I’m not sure it’s healthy to be disconnected from my emotions for this length of time.
Before I can stand up to help the others the fox climbs up onto my lap and puts her front paws on my chest, bringing her head eye level with me, she looks into my eyes.
I have the overwhelming feeling that she sees far more than she should be able to.
I feel a nudge at the barrier surrounding my emotions and the fox pulls a face that can only be described as a foxy frown then nuzzles my cheek and steps off of my lap.
Shaking of the weird moment and the certainty, that the nudge I felt to the barrier, was from the fox, I get up and go over to the others unlocking them one by one.
Each of them brings their arms forward, rolling their shoulders that are sure to be stiff after having their arms behind their backs for so long.
“Thanks Sage.” Dash says quietly, contrasting his usual booming demeanour.
“No problem.”
“So, what’s the plan?” Erin asks getting up and stretching out her muscles.
“There are stairs that lead up to the main warehouse, there’s some cover but not much. I didn’t see any guards but that doesn’t mean they aren’t there. There should be some kind of vehicle outside that I can hotwire.” I inform them.
I pace the length of the small room we’re trapped in, trying to think of the best course of action.
“She’s following you.” Jett points out.
I look down and sure enough the little fox is following me up and down as I pace.
“Whatever she is, she seems to be connected to you,” he points out before changing the subject to the more pressing concern, “solid plan, we knew we were going to have to fight our way out, are you up to that?” he asks me.
“I can’t really feel it, so yeah I’ll be fine.” I don’t tell them that although I can’t feel it, it doesn’t mean that blood loss won’t be an issue.
“Can you contact your guys and let them know what’s happening?” Erin suggests.
“I wish I could but when I buried by emotions, I dulled the Soulmate Bonds and I can’t get them back.”
They all exchange a worried glance.
“Ok, we will do this without any supernatural help then,” Dash says rubbing his hands together and seeming far too excited for the situation we’re in.
“Until we can acquire some weapons from the guards, we are going to be severely out gunned. Stay alert and stay vigilant.” Jett commands.
“Can you fight? You said you’ve only just found out about all of this?” Damon asks, concern clouding his gaze.
“Cain Patrick trained me, I’m good.” I say as an explanation. My words causing the same reaction in Jett’s team that it did in my guys.
“Holy Fuck, seriously Sage we are having a long talk after we get out of here,” Erin informs me, “when your emotions are all back though because I’ve got to admit this emotionless thing you’ve got going on is freaking me the fuck out.”
The others chuckle at her and I simply nod in response. I notice that they are all finding subtle but loving ways to touch her. If it was working properly right now my heart would be breaking, as it is, I just know I need my guys, I need to get to them.
“Ready?” I ask
“Ready.” They all agree, matching looks of fierce determination colouring their faces.
I walk over to the door on soft feet, aware that the Fox is following me, and gently try the handle.
I guess I should be surprised that it’s unlocked but even if I could feel I wouldn’t be.
Brent has always been obnoxiously sure of himself.
Why bother to lock the door when the occupants are handcuffed to pipes?
I gently pull the door open and take a cautious peek down the corridor.
Seeing that it appears to be empty, I motion to the others to follow me.
We slowly make our way down the long corridor but before we get extremely far down a door on our right opens and two guards stroll out completely unaware of their surroundings. Idiots.
I throw an uppercut catching the guard on the underside of his chin, as he bends forward, his hand reaching up to cradle his face, I grab his head and jerk it down, smashing it into my knee effectively knocking him out cold.
Jett takes care of the other one, with one solid punch to the face.
Once we’re certain they are out for the count, Dash bends down to rummage through their pockets, while the rest of us keep watch.
He grins triumphantly as he pulls out a phone and types out a quick message.
“I’ve encrypted it just in case.” He tells us quietly. “They’ve got no weapons on them though.” He looks as confused as the rest of us, that the guards are unarmed.
I look towards Jett and he nods at me in confirmation, we continue quietly along.
We cautiously make our way up the stairs and Damon take’s a cautious look through a small opening in the door.
Motioning that the coast is clear we all follow his lead as we head into the cavernous room, keeping to the edges and crouching when we can behind the few towers of crates that are dotted around.
A sudden sound from the other corridor precedes a group of six guards as they suddenly rush into the warehouse.
They must’ve already realised we escaped.
These guards are very obviously armed. We hold our position, well-hidden between two sets of large crates.
As the guards cautiously begin to search the room and gradually start to get closer to our hiding space, I share a savage grin with Erin, the echo of the feeling is there, buried deep but not the actual feeling.
Still, I’m going to enjoy this.
“Person with the most body drops buys the first round.” I whisper, she grins at me then nods in agreement, whilst the guys share exasperated looks.
Before the guys can comment the first guard turns the corner, he yells out a warning before we can stop him and as the rest of them quickly follow, it turns into an all-out brawl.
It feels good to stretch my muscles out but I can feel my back slick with blood, as my wounds reopen from the excessive movement I’m doing to take down as many as possible.
It’s not long before one of the dumbasses realise that they are armed and have guns. Fortunately, we have already disarmed several of the men laid out at our feet and before the guard can get another wildly inaccurate shot off, Dash has taken him out.
Damon and Dash cover us as we race towards the small door that I spotted earlier.
The heavy thundering of boots, a sure sign that reinforcements for the first wave of guards has arrived.
We barrel outside racing for the woods that surround the warehouse to give us cover.
We run for what feels like hours before Jett holds his hand up signalling for us to stop.
We all come to an abrupt stop. Crouching low and heaving in big breaths, I glance down to see the little Fox is still with me.
“Well the original plan of stealing one of their vehicles obviously didn’t work out but at least we got out,” Dash says his breath still coming out in quick gasps.
“I don’t think we are being followed anymore.” I add.
“I propose we move as quickly as possible and try to find the road. We sent the message so hopefully help will be on its way soon, it will be easier for them to find us if we are near the road.” Erin contributes.
“It won’t only be our people that will be able to find us easily though, so keep all your senses alert.” Jett instructs sternly.
We all nod in agreement before trudging after him through the thick underbrush.
My back is still bleeding but it has slowed down somewhat and since they are all in front of me and can’t see the back of my shirt drenched in blood, I decide to not mention it yet.
We’ve been walking for at least an hour when the Fox suddenly goes on high alert and starts to growl low in her throat.
We all turn to look at her when suddenly she jumps into the air and within seconds a midnight black raven is hovering in the air where the fox once was, it takes off and we all just stand there stunned.
“She’s so not a normal fox or bird.” Dash says frowning.
“Well no shit Sherlock.” Damon grunts.
Before the twins can devolve into a full bickering match, the Fox, er Raven? Damn I need to name her, this is getting confusing, as soon as the thought crosses my mind, I know what to call her.
Knot.
Knot, swoops down cawing at me and landing on my shoulder. I get the message instantly.
“Run!” I whisper urgently, fortunately the others don’t question me and just obey.
Knot turns herself back into a fox and swiftly takes the lead, guiding us towards safety and away from whoever is closing in on us.
I’m hoping it’s just the guards, not Mr. Romano and certainly not Brent.
As she guides us her pace slowly becomes more unhurried and she finally brings us to a stream where we can have a drink and rest for a while.
She gives me a look before she shoots into the air as a raven once again, I’m guessing to scout the area to make sure it’s safe.
“She sure is special Sage,” Erin comments.
I nod in agreement. Even in my unfeeling state I can feel that.