Chapter 23

30 minutes later I was seated in a chopper next to Finn as it noisily took off from the base's backyard.

We decided to take Farah along with us so we were five inside the chopper with Fabio as the pilot and Gabriel next to him. Darkness had just fallen over and I could see the lights from buildings from nearby towns. I loved flying. There was something so magical even under the present circumstances.

It shouldn't be too long until we were in Mexico.

I stole a glance at Gabriel. I had been trying so hard not to, afraid that my feelings maybe betrayed. If they weren't already.

I couldn't stop thinking about that kiss. It was 100% better than the first one which by the way was amazing. The way it left me feeling was...i have no words. The second he left my room I missed him so much I could hardly wait to see him again. Gabriel was intoxicating and I was irrevocably intoxicated. All the anger from before was completely gone, maybe I was just being stupid but at this point I didn't care. I was too deeply in love with him, a bulldozer couldn't pull me out.

Yes.

I love him.

My poor fragile heart.

At this point I was prepared for the inevitable pain because it was clear that these feelings were not going anywhere no matter how much i wished them away.

Despite all my elaborate feelings, Gabriel had not said a word about how he felt. And it hurt a little that maybe he just didn't feel the same. So this was why I had reached the decision that I'd leave. I didn't want to be like Gisele. She worships the ground Gabe walks on and he never gives her a second.

I definitely would not be able to stand the pain so it would be best if I left. Maybe Finn will come too and we could go back to school.

The reason I joined the supernaturals had finally arrived and I was busy thinking about a boy. I gave myself a mental shake and told myself to focus. Failure was not an option.

I looked around the chopper, the only people talking were Gabriel and Fabio, probably strategizing. I had no idea they were close. I suppose it made sense, neither of them was a man of many words. Or maybe they just sent telepathic messages to each other the whole time. That was far more likely.

We flew over cities and I just watched the pretty lights remembering a time when my life was simpler. The biggest problem I had then was being called crazy. But now that seems now like a walk in the park. My life had changed so much and I wasn't sure yet if it was for the better.

I wondered what Lola would make of this Gabriel situation. She'd probably go and give him a good piece of her mind. I smiled. I missed her so much. After this was over I would go and patch things up with her. I hope she wasn't still mad. For now I had to focus on this.

* * *

"How was the flight?" Finn grinned as we all jumped off the helicopter on some small helipad in Mexico. I had no idea where exactly.

"Uneventful." I remarked with a smile. I was glad that he was back. I had missed him.

"Don't worry you have an eventful evening coming up that will last your entire life." Farah said coming up behind me.

Lastly, Gabriel and Fabio got off the helicopter.

"Everyone okay?" Gabriel asked his eyes on me.

I blushed.

"Yeah we good." Finn responded.

It was only then that I noticed two black SUVs racing towards us.

"Who is that?" I asked drawing everyone's attention to the cars.

"Schwartz sent a car to pick us up." Gabriel explained.

We all watched as they came closer.

"Okay Santana and Fabio you ride with me and the two of you can ride in the other SUV. And everyone, be careful what you do or say. It's best you all just let me do the talking." He said his eyes sweeping over the lot of us.

We nodded collectively as the cars pulled up in front of us.

The doors opened and a man came out from each car. Gabriel went out to meet them.

"Gabriel Anderson?" One of the men held out his hand for a handshake.

Anderson. So that was Gabriel's last name. The way he keeps it a secret, you'd think it was Hitler or something. I rolled my eyes.

He shook both their hands.

"Mr Schwartz is expecting you." The other man spoke out. "May two of you follow me and the rest follow him." He pointed at his partner.

According to Master Anderson's specifications we split up and at the door of the cars, the man frisked us. Thankfully our weapons were not physical like that.

We tensely got into the car and I looked through the darkly tinted window to make sure my brother was safely inside the car.

In no time at all we were on the road. The car was deathly silent.

Be careful.

Fabio's telepath startled me. I glanced at him.

Always. I said.

He means it. Be careful. Gabriel put in. I hadn't realized this was a three way conversation.

I'm always careful, guys. I said with a wondrous grin.

Stop displaying every emotion on your face. Gabriel chastised and I pulled my face straight immediately.

You look funny smiling at nothing. Fabio said with a weird inner laugh that made me want to laugh too.

I turned in my seat and faced outside the window but I realized it was uncomfortable and I shifted back to my original position.

Stop fidgeting so much. Gabriel chastised again and I could picture his disapproving frown.

Oh so many telepathic rules! I complained.

You need someone to ground you, otherwise you are like a firework. Gabriel responded.

Oh and you think you are the one who should do it? I teased.

I'm already hard at work. He teased back.

How is that going for you? I physically lifted my eyebrow at him with a side smile.

Taming a wild boar is easier. He smiled physically.

I did the laughing thing Fabio had done before. Haven't you heard that you can't tame a firework my locking it in a box.

Its not a box, it's my-

Er-hem. I'm still here. Fabio literally yelled in our minds.

I blushed furiously. I had totally forgotten he was here.

Tsk! I knew that. I wish telepathy had emojis. i mused the thought suddenly occurring to me.

The other two mentally chuckled.

Our link was quiet for a short while.

Oh by the way, they will give us blind folds. Gabriel announced.

What? Why? I asked in rising panic.

They want to keep the location of their base secret. Fabio answered.

I am not wearing a blindfold. I announced.

Yes you are.

I am...a little afraid of the dark and I'm claustrophobic. I said in a small voice.

The two regarded me silently.

Really? Fabio asked.

Yes! I yelled.

Have you always been claustrophobic? Gabriel asked in concern.

Ever since i was like seven. I'm not wearing a blindfold. I physically rubbed my arms.

What if I hold your hand? Gabriel offered.

Gabe, I'm not seven years old. I pouted

Almost on cue the man we were riding with reached into a bag and handed us each a blindfold.

"Put those on." He ordered.

"I'm sorry I can't." I spoke up holding out the blindfold towards him.

"What was that?" His voice was laced with threat.

"She will put it on." Gabriel said to calm him. He took the blindfold from me.

"Yes she will. Put them on now." He barked.

I frowned, whatever happened to common politeness?

Gabriel was stretching the material over my head and I was already starting to feel my throat closing up in panic. He slid it on and covered my eyes.

It was so dark. Oh no.

Gabriel was fidgeting next to me I imagine he was putting his own blindfold on. I focused on that instead but not for long because he was done.

My breathing became heavy. A large warm hand suddenly covered my increasingly cold one.

Are you okay? Gabriel asked I could sense his concern.

Not really. Even my inner voice sounded breathless.

He gripped my hand tighter.

"Can you drive a little faster? She's not doing too well with the blindfold." Gabriel said to the man.

"I can knock her out." Was that cracking of knuckles I heard?

Beside me, Gabriel tensed. I could feel his anger rising. Oh no.

I tugged on his hand.

"That won't be necessary." He said through gritted teeth.

It's okay, I'll be fine. I said to him. But even as I said it my breathing became even heavier as my throat closed up more.

Lay your head on my shoulder. Gabriel instructed.

I did then I closed my eyes and tries to focus on calming my breathing. As it was getting calmer, I started humming the song Three Blind Mice in our telepathic link.

The other two chuckled.

After what felt like an hour the car was slowing down and it came to a stop.

"You can all take your blindfolds off." The man said .

I happily tore it off my face and grinned at Gabriel and Fabio when they took theirs off.

"Sight is restored." I whispered.

We stepped out of the car into a dark garage. The lights were dimmed but I could still see a fleet of SUVs. What was it with bad guys and SUVs?

The car Finn and Farah were in pulled up and they too stepped out. Before I had time to ask Finn if he was okay, two armed men emerged from the shadows.

"Follow me." The bigger one said hoarsely. We all filed up behind him and the other armed man walked behind us.

By removing the blindfold, I thought i had escaped the darkness, I was wrong. The corridor we walked into was so dark I couldn't even see my own freaking hand! What's with bad guys and darkness?

I just gritted my teeth until we reach a door which the guard opened and we entered the thankfully brightly lit room.

It was handsomely furnished with several huge sofas lining the wall. It would have been perfect were it not for six armed guards standing by the walls. I rolled my eyes. It was like Eastlea all over again.

Almost immediately a second door opened and a short bald man entered with a huge grin on his face. I swear this was the most pleasant face I had seen since I got here.

"Gabriel Anderson! Never thought I'd see you again!" He said walking towards Gabriel his arms stretched.

"Mr Schwartz. Always a pleasure to see you." Gabriel smiled and walked forward to meet Mr Schwartz and the two shook hands.

"Oh, please, call me Damien." He waved a small stubby hand dismissively. "I see you brought an entourage." He smiled as he faced our general direction.

"Yes." He said directing Damien towards us. "This is Fabio." They shook hands. " And this Farah." They too shook hands. "And this is Finn."

"Mr Schwartz it's such a pleasure to meet you. I have always admired your work." Finn had to say as they shook hands. I was surprised Finn didn't kiss it

Mr Schwartz laughed delightfully. "Such a young youthful face."

He nodded then shifted his beady eyes to me. "And this delight to the eye?"

I raised my eyebrows.

"This is Santana." Gabriel said tensely.

I reached out my hand and almost predictably, Mr Schwartz raised it to his lips. It was all I could do to not shudder. Pleasant face was rapidly becoming creepy face.

"Très exquis." He mumbled looking up into my eyes with my hand still in his.

French? Really? I twisted my lips up in semblance of a smile.

"Come, ma chérie." He still didn't release my poor hand has he made me follow him across to room to a large comfortable looking chair in the corner. I glanced back only to see a very tense Gabriel watching silently. Fabio was watching Gabriel and Finn was watching us his mouth set in a decidedly crooked smile.

"Sit. What would you like to drink?" He asked as I complied.

"I am okay, thanks." I faked another polite smile.

"Nonsense. Call Mercy in here." He ordered one of the guards who spoke briefly into his sleeve.

As if she was standing right outside the door, Mercy entered, well at least I thought it was her.

"Darling, give our guests anything they ask." He ordered her.

"What you you like, Miss?" Mercy asked.

"Er..."

"Red wine!" Mr Schwartz interjected my polite request for water. "For all of them. Gentleman, do come and sit." Mercy disappeared through the door through which she came.

The boys approached the seats around me.

Mr Schwartz thankfully turned away from me to Gabriel. "Shall we go and discuss in my office? I must say I was surprised to receive your call."

He said as he led Gabriel out of the room then he suddenly turned back to me. "Oh, ma chérie, if you need anything, tell one of these guards to come call me. Make yourself comfortable, darling."

He then turned back to the door and preceded Gabriel who turned to me and whispered fiercely:

"Can you at least try not to make everyone in here fall in love with you?" With that he turned and followed Mr Schwartz.

I just stared after him mouth agape.

"What the hell is his problem?" I said pointing after him.

"Are you asking collectively or just this incident?"Finn asked sounding amused.

"He is just anxious. Dont worry about it." Fabio patted my hand lightly.

"Seriously!" I rolled my eyes. Gabriel never ceased to amaze me. Or anger me. The perve was slobbering all over me and he thought I was enjoying it?! Jerk.

"I think it's wonderful." Finn whispered. "Mr Schwartz is quite a catch."

I gave him a searing look that shut him up.

The door opened and Mercy reappeared with a tray containing four glasses of wine. Fabio reached out and took two glasses and handed one to me then Farah also took a glass.

"None for him, he's under age." I said just when Finn reached out hus hand.

"Santana! I'm all well over age." He said outraged.

I raised an eyebrow.

"A little over age."

I raised both eyebrows.

"I'm underage." He hung his head.

"Just let him have this one." Farah said sympathetically.

They all turned to me with puppy eyes. "Oh! Geez! Fine! If he gets tipsy he's your responsibility."

Finn grinned then took the glass from the tray.

"Thank you, Mercy ." I said and she retreated.

"Now we wait." I mumbled taking a sip of the wine.

And wait we did. For almost 3 hours! Mercy served us tea and I denied Finn a second glass of wine when Farah and Fabio took theirs.

And the anticipation of seeing Shelly was literally keeping on the edge if my seat. If I thought of it a moment longer my mind might explode.

With so much time being gone I couldn't help but worry about Gabriel. Was he okay? Why was this taking so long? Has something happened? I had just voiced out my thoughts to Fabio when the door I had been staring at for three hours finally opened.

I was pleased to see my very alive Gabriel walk in through it with Mr Schwartz not far behind. We all automatically stood up.

Mr Schwartz closed to door behind him. And Nana?

I looked at Gabriel with a question in my eyes.

"Hello again, my darling. Have they been treating you well?" Mr Schwartz rushed in before I could ask Gabriel anything.

"Yes, thank you." I mumbled then turned back to Gabriel.

"Oh don't be so anxious, ma chérie." Damien said walking towards me.

"I'm just worried about, my-"

"No don't worry, your Ms Grace Helen is being settled in the car that brought you here as we speak." He cooed brushing my chin with his thumb.

"She is?" I couldn't contain myself. I glanced at Gabriel to seek confirmation.

"It's true. We should be going." Gabriel said lightly.

"Nonsense. We will all have drinks together before you go." Damien dismissed.

"Damien, we really must be going." Gabriel insisted.

"I insist! Sit down, my good friend." Damien insisted.

Reluctantly, everyone sat back down but Damien took my hand and led me to a lovers seat a little separated from the rest of the sofas. We sat down.

"Tell Mercy to bring drinks." He said to one of the guards.

Then he turned to me. "Santana." He tested my name on his tongue slowly. "I'd like to know all about you."

I set my back straight as I tried to lean away from him. "There's not much to know. But you...you, Finn says you do-"

"Software development." Finn interjected.

Damien frowned. "In my free time, yes. But in other times I have ...other pursuits." He said his eyes darkening thus leaving me with no question as to what his other pursuits were. I shifted a little further from him.

Where was Mercy with the damn drinks?

"Ah." I awkwardly said.

"I see you have done some work to the place since the last time I was here." Gabriel saved my hide.

"Well, that was almost twelve years ago and you have changed alot since then too. Especially in the company you keep." Damien remarked with a smile.

"They are more like my family." Gabriel evened out.

"Ah but family gives you weakness." Damien responded.

"Not if you have the perfect family." Gabriel said.

The door opened and Mercy walked in with a tray full of wine glasses. Mr Schwartz taking his first, the rest of us took ours.

"To good business and beautiful women." Damien raised his glass. okay this man officially earned the title of Creepy Man.

We all reluctantly raised our glassed to his toast the sipped wine.

"Excuse me for a moment please, ma chérie." Mr Schwartz said as he stood up and headed to the mini fridge at the corner of the room.

Taking these few precious minutes of freedom, we all turned to Gabriel.

"Don't worry, everything is going according to plan. He agreed to everything." He told us in a low voice.

"Where is she?" Fabio asked.

"I have a bad feeling. We need to go."" Finn whispered with frown.

"What-" I started.

"Gabriel, my good friend you must teach me your magic." Damien interrupted me as he walked back to us.

"Magic?" Gabriel raised an eyebrow.

"Yes you left quite an impression on my staff the last time you were here. They are still baffled by you." He explained.

"Well, i-"

"Finn!" I screamed when I saw my brother's eyes drooping and his head loped to the side.

I stood up at the same time Gabriel did and I felt a strong wave of dizziness and in my peripheral vision I saw Gabriel sway too.

Gabe...?" I managed as I sank to to floor.

Just before i lost consciousness, it registered in my mind that we had been poisoned.