#I swear I’m gonna make some pieces for th other new Vegas characters

[bungerbooey]

“I've been waiting Patient, patiently”

[madrut16]

BB Rewrite: Chp. 13 - The Dungeon (Part 2)

Author’s Note: I thought I would have this out sooner but I’ve had a lot of assignments due for the end of the semester so it got pushed back. But, I finally I had some free time to finish it! I’ll try to get the rest of the chapters done as soon as I can but, I’m gonna be in Vegas for a few days after I leave college so it might be delayed.

Also, yes I did change my name and give my blog a makeover. I figured I would fully commit to my Bloodbound obsession xD. 

Disclaimer: All of the characters and dialogue not originally mine belong to Pixelberry studios. Also, this is really long (13000+ words) so take breaks if necessary!

Summary: The plan to rescue Adrian and protect the serum unfolds, and suspicions are confirmed. 

Tags: @endlesshero1122, @kinda-iconic, @liittleemiixeer, @krishnu213, @simsvetements, @regina-and-happiness

Isabel's skin tingled with fear and excitement as she approached Raines corps. She had come up with elaborate plans before while she was still at her internship yet, none with these high of stakes. This was the one she wanted to work the most. It had to. She didn’t know if her heart could recover if it didn’t.

"Remember the plan," Lily told her in the earpiece Janet had given them all from security. Her friend was staying behind at Kamilah's office to monitor and do all of the behind the scenes computer work.

"Yep, in and out as fast as possible.”

As she reached the front entrance, she was stopped by a burly man dressed in all black who upon seeing her, scowled. 

"Vega told me to watch out for you. You're not getting your boy toy back sweetheart."

“I know.” 

The man rolled his eyes. “Then what do you want?” he demanded. 

Isabel swallowed the simmering anger she felt and frowned, feigning a defeated expression. "I mean no harm, I swear. I just want to get my things from the office real quick," she pleaded. While she saw some resistance waning, he still wasn't completely hers yet.

"Uh huh. Yeah right"

Others would be worried, but not her. 

She pursed her lips in annoyance. "Look, I get it, I got in over my head okay! I just want to leave this all behind me and forget that everything happened," she cried, using the real emotion she felt earlier to produce crocodile tears. "Is that really too much to ask?”

She looked at him innocently for a full minute, even making her lip quiver for effect. 

From the hidden earpiece, she heard Jax comment from his position patrolling the streets, "Damn, even I'm convinced."

She ignored his remark and maintained her forlorn stare at the guard until she saw his expression change and she knew that she had broken him.

"Fine, thirty minutes only, no more. You humans really are that weak,” he scoffed. “Once you get past the lobby there's no one stationed, so you shouldn't have a problem."

Isabel exhaled. "Thank you, so much." 

She continued to keep up her sad, exhausted appearance as she entered the building and the entire walk to the elevators until there was no one in sight. Finally, she sighed, a brief smile creeping up.

"We're in the clear."

The elevator doors opened and she sprinted inside, quickly using her key card to produce the hidden buttons. As it moved up each floor one by one, she paced around the small space. Patience was one thing she did not have.

"Isabel, slow down," Kamilah told her. She was surveying the other side of the building. She also had Janet go ahead to the club and monitor from the outside in case any surprise developments occurred.

"How--?"

"I can hear your footsteps. Relax, everything is going perfectly so far. The more you panic, the more mistakes will be made."

The human sighed. "I know. But I don't have a lot of time before they realize I deceived them. I can't go over that thirty minutes by much."

"Hopefully you can be quick then."

The elevator finally reached the Executive level and she sprinted out of it as the doors opened. Her arms stung from being scraped against the metal as she slipped between into the lobby but she ignored it. It would definitely leave a mark though. 

She reached her desk in seconds and found the tote bag she'd left with her spare clothes. Next, she filled it with the things they would need that she had access to: water bottles, a lighter, and weapons including makeshift wooden stakes, a small collapsible knife, and the pepper spray she kept for emergencies.

Looking around, she noticed the security cameras and realized that someone working for Vega had probably hacked into them to watch inside. Luckily, Isabel knew how to disable them since Adrian gave her access to the security software. She hastily logged into the computer and loaded the program.

Smiling, she stared into one of the cameras. "Goodbye," she sneered. "Can't wait for you to realize you aren’t the only ones who can play chess," she muttered before shutting the whole system off. She watched as the red lights on the cameras abruptly disappeared and the lenses were covered. Now, the whole building would be cut off from prying eyes. 

"Nice work," Lily told her. Manipulating technology was usually her thing. "Glad what I've taught you hasn't gone to waste."

For good measure, Isabel used her knife to cut the wires connecting the security system to the computers so that they couldn't be turned back on. Then, she turned her attention to getting into Adrian's office, where the real work could be done. After making sure no one was in there, she picked the lock with some tools and slipped inside, bolting the door behind her.

"Okay, I'm in," she said into the ear piece’s microphone. "How are we doing on time?"

"Fifteen minutes," Lily said.

Isabel smirked. "That’s more than enough." 

She began to open the different drawers and cabinets and quickly found the blueprints all rolled up. She grabbed the correct ones and stuffed them in her bag. She also discovered two black walkie-talkies, probably at least twenty years old. However, when she turned one on, the crackle told her that they still were good as new. Although not part of the plan, she took them anyway. They would be useful for getting out of the city.

All that was left was destroying the vials of serum and getting the car. Using the phone on Adrian's desk, she called the head scientist in the lab.

"Hello?"

"Tony, it's Isabel."

He let out a surprised gasp. “Isabel? What are you doing here?

"Adrian isn't going to die today, we have a plan to rescue him. But, once Vega finds out, he’s going to come for the serum, maybe even use Adrian to get it. I need you to make sure the supply is gone down there in the lab, all of it," she told him curtly. “I’ll deal with the batch in here.”

"Oh...um, okay. You mean to destroy it right?" he asked, quickly getting on board.

"Yes, get rid of it, in any way you can. We can always make more after this is over,” she said before explaining her suspicions about Nicole. 

The scientist let out a sigh. “I hate to say it but I think you’re right. She’s been acting strange even before you were hired.”

“How fast do you think you can get rid of it?" she asked.

She heard him doing the math. "Only ten minutes, fifteen at most. Adrian already had a plan in place just in case to destroy production. I'll tell the others to get to work immediately."

"Good, thank you!" 

“Actually, I have something to help with your plan to catch her. And make sure they don’t get the serum.”

“What?”

“I’ll show you when I get there. I’m heading up as soon as I give the command to the lab,” he told her before abruptly hanging up.

Confused, she shrugged before opening the secret wall where Adrian kept a batch of vials in a safe, remembering the complex pattern he taught her. She unlocked it revealing the samples which she promptly dumped on the ground and broke with her foot, the red liquid oozing out onto the fancy carpet. Isabel cleaned up the glass and threw it in the trash and moved the rug to cover up the stains. 

Suddenly, she heard a knock on the door and seeing Tony through a space in the hinge, she quickly opened it. Before she could speak, she was handed what looked like a batch of the serum. She raised an eyebrow. 

“What is this exactly?”

"A decoy. These puppies have red food coloring to make it look like the real thing. I figured you could use these."

"Wha--? How?" she stammered. They looked completely identical. 

"It was my idea months ago. I designed it in case the real thing was in danger and we need to swap it out. Guess my instincts were right." he told her.

She quickly took them from him. “Wow, that’s brilliant! I wish I’d thought of it myself.”

He turned to leave and then paused, looking at her once more. 

"Oh, and Isabel?" this time, emotion pained his face. 

"Yes?" she asked.

The scientist swallowed hard. "I can tell you care about Adrian a lot.

Her cheeks flushed and she nodded. “I do.”

He proceeded to put a gentle hand on her shoulder. 

“Bring him home, will you? For all of us," he told her.

"I will Tony."

He gave her one last smile. “I can tell he chose the right person to get attached to. And that his high praise of you is warranted.” Then he left leaving her in shock. 

(Adrian really thought about me like that?)

"Ten minutes Iz!" Lily shouted. 

Pushing down the lump that formed in her throat, she willed herself to return to her task. “Got it Lilz.”

She placed the decoy set in the safe where the real ones used to be and sealed the wall back up to be opened later when both hers and Vega’s traps were sprung.

“Now, where are his keys?” she wondered, continuing to rummage through his desk drawers.

"Adrian usually keeps them in that cabinet somewhere," Kamilah said.

Turning, Isabel rummaged through the shelves until her fingers closed around the cool metal. “Perfect!”

She surveyed the room before slipping back out and locking the door. This time she only rode the elevator back down to the fifth floor before heading for the stairs in the back of the building. They allowed her to get to the hallway next to the garage without anyone seeing her. As she made it to the first floor, she almost collided with Nicole.

(Speak of the devil.)

"Isabel, what on earth are you doing here?" the blonde demanded, her icy eyes boring into her.

"Oh, I was just getting my things while I still can," she replied, her hopeless demeanor returning.

She could tell that Nicole was buying it already. "You poor thing. I'm sad about it too, but there's nothing that can be done now."

The assistant saw something in the woman's eyes that sent a chill up her spine. She did have something up her sleeve. Delilah didn't call her a human lie detector without reason.

"You know," she said, "You were right." She sniffed before looking up at the ceiling as if she was about to breakdown completely. "I was never cut out for this! And now, I just want to move on and forget.” A single tear made its way down. 

She was met with a proud scoff. "I knew you were. I tried telling him but, he wouldn't listen. He has a habit of getting too attached to people. And now, he's going to die for it."

Isabel bit her cheek to keep from trying to punch her. "I need you to make sure the other employees get out safely before Vega shows up. I don't want them to end up as collateral damage," she asked instead, with a worried demeanor. “And stick around in case something happens. You know how Kamilah is.”

Nicole flashed her a smile, almost taunting her. She thought that they had already won. "I will do that. Nice knowing you Isabel." she sneered before pushing aside her to walk up the stairwell.

Breathing a sigh of relief, she ran into the garage and hastily opened the outside doors and unlocked the silver sports car. Slamming the door, she put the key in and her seatbelt on. It was then that she vaguely heard shouts from the building.

"Just as you predicted. Man, you're good," Jax whistled.

Isabel smirked although she was still on edge, terrified that their plans would be fooled. "Thanks. Now, I'll drive into the alley and pick you both up. Then, we go get Adrian."

"Roger that."

She started the engine and sped out of the garage, driving for a block before pulling to a quick stop where Jax and Kamilah hastily climbed inside.

"Go," Kamilah ordered looking over her shoulder and Isabel knew that Vega's men were already getting prepared to follow them.

"Hold on tight!" she exclaimed as she pressed hard on the gas pedal, the tires skidding as they drove through the streets, weaving in and out of traffic.

Gripping the seat, Jax asked her, "Are you sure you know how to drive this thing?!"

"Yes. However, we can't infiltrate The Shrike if we get caught now! So, I may have to get creative."

"Point taken."

Checking the rear view mirror, Isabel could see one black SUV that was two cars back that had been with them the entire time.

"This guy is hard to shake," she warned. "Be prepared for sharp turns!"

After a few minutes of turning different corners at high speed, she finally lost the other car and she slowed down a little. They still needed to go fast in order to get to their destination with enough time to pull everything off. The talk with The Baron could go on forever if he chose to drag it out. 

Kamilah proceeded to direct her to where the club was until the familiar facade and the loud jazz music signaled that they had arrived. She pulled the car into an alleyway a few blocks ahead of where Janet was waiting. 

“You finally made it! I was afraid that they had caught you for a minute.”

Isabel smiled. “Vega’s men were doing a good job following us so I had to take some detours.”

This was confirmed by Jax’s groan behind her as they all walked back to the parking lot. “You all owe me drinks after this...and Tylenol,” he grumbled as he set down the secret equipment he brought for down in the cellars. 

“You know we don’t have time for jokes,” she told him. “But, I will be happy to oblige your request later. I’ll probably need some alcohol myself.”

Carefully, they all went over the plan one final time.

"Okay, here’s how this is going to work," Kamilah told them. "Lily, you've hacked into the prison system correct?" 

"Yep. Did that before you even left Adrian's." she said over the ear piece. 

"I trained you well," the senior vampire continued. "Now, I'll go in with you two and try to get The Baron to give us Adrian in exchange for Jax. If that doesn't work then we'll add in plan B." she gave Isabel a look and she nodded.

He was still in the dark about that part. He looked at them confused. “What is plan B? You didn’t say anything about that.”

Isabel gave Kamilah a look. “Can I? she asked, her conscience getting to her. She didn’t want to keep him in the dark any longer.

“It’s your idea.”

“Plan B...is for Kamilah to add to the deal by offering me also.”

Jax’s eyes widened. “What?! That place is dangerous for us...but for you? If something happenes...they could kill you!”

Isabel sighed. “I know, but I want to help Adrian and I’m the one person The Baron would do anything to get rid of.”

“Y-you let her do this?”

“She can hold her own Jax,” Kamilah said. “I wouldn’t agree to it if I didn’t think she could handle it.”

Jax sighed, still not thrilled with the idea. Finally, he tossed Isabel one of the masks which she caught perfectly. “If you’re serious, then you’ll need one of these.”

She smiled at him, a determined fire in her eyes. “With you’re combat skills and my mind, Adrian will be out of there in no time.”

“So, are we good with this part of the plan then?” Kamilah inquired. 

Isabel thought for a moment before gasped. “Wait!” she exclaimed. “I don’t think our end of the deal will work. It’s too obvious.”

“What do you mean?”

“The Baron is already going to assume we want Adrian and if that’s what we offer him, he’s not going to go for it, no matter what we give in return. We need to pretend like Adrian is a lost cause and ask for something else,” she insisted. “Maybe about politics. You know he wants to have as much influence as possible.”

Kamilah considered that. "That's...a good catch Isabel. I have to agree. Okay, how about instead I ask for his vote at the next Council meeting?"

"That should be more convincing," Janet mused, knowing about each of the Leader’s weaknesses. 

"We’ll do that then,” Isabel said, taking over the review. “Moving on, once we have Jax down there, Lily will turn off the lights on our signal. Jax, that’s your cue to attack the guards so you can get the keys and find Adrian. In the meantime, Kamilah will keep The Baron occupied with or without me. There should be a back exit you'll take him to once you've freed him and we've made it out of the club. Then, I will get the car and call Nicole. Hopefully, Adrian will want to go back to Raines Corps for the serum where the trap will be set. Got it?”

Everyone nodded. "Janet, do you have the wires set?" Kamilah asked. 

The redhead replied instantly "Yep. I’m assuming you have the lighter and gasoline?” 

“Of course,” her boss said with a smile, tapping her pocket where the flask and lighter were held. 

Isabel’s heart rate skyrocketed as Janet left. While she wasn’t participating in the actual rescue, she would be getting supplies for when they were on the run. 

"Oh god, I really hope this works!" she exclaimed worriedly. There were so many things that could go wrong. And afterwards, it would be a challenge escaping Adrian's office once they were trapped inside it. She just hoped her gamble would pay off.

Kamilah put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I believe it will. We have to. If we stick to the plan and communicate with each other using the ear pieces we should be fine." The CEO gave her a brief smile. "Besides, they think you're weak because you're mortal. I did once. So let’s use that as our advantage, shall we?"

The pep talk was just what Isabel needed. "Okay, I'm ready.” 

As the three of them finally strolled into The Shrike, every head turned to stare at them. Isabel bristled with nervous energy as the walked deeper into the interior, remembering her treatment the last time. She and Kamilah were holding Jax at both sides with his hands bound in iron shackles, wearing a dejected expression. 

They approached the other end of the long hallway where The Baron's hulking figure was flanked by two of his guards. 

"Well, well, well. What have we here?" he sneered with his hoarse voice, the cigar smoke drifting from his right hand.

Kamilah shoved Jax roughly, causing him to yelp in pain. "Move you Clanless scum," she sternly ordered. 

She was using the anger about Adrian to put on the perfect show.

"Let go of me!" he shouted back, also playing the part. Briefly, Jax met Isabel's eyes and she feigned having to look away apologetically. 

(I hope we're doing the right thing.) 

Her mind raced with troublesome thoughts once more. She didn't want something to happen to him that she couldn't undo. He deserved to live just as much as Adrian did. Swallowing, she put on a neutral expression as the group met The Baron at the midpoint of the room. 

The man doubled over in laughter for several minutes before howling, "And what exactly is this?!" 

Kamilah rolled her eyes. "This is Jax Matsuo. Leader of the Clanless."

The light expression quickly vanished. "I'm familiar."

The mind games were getting annoying for Isabel who crossed her arms. "But did you know he's the one who killed two of your Clan?" she countered angrily.

"Isabel," Jax pleaded, keeping up the act flawlessly. 

As part of the plan, she ignored him and said emotionlessly, "It was him. He did it to rescue me." 

The Baron smirked at them. "Is that so?" he said slow and condescendingly. "Fascinating." He nodded and one of his men suddenly punched him in the stomach. 

"Hfffff!"

"That's just the beginning, you mangy cur," the Clan leader barked. 

Isabel's stomach quivered uneasily, but she steeled her resolve and as The Baron looked toward her with narrowed eyes, she met it with an intense stare. 

(Try it. We'll see who outsmarts who better.)

"And what exactly is this?" he demanded loudly. "Because I always look a gift horse in the mouth."

Kamilah sighed impatiently. "Not a gift. A proposition," she offered. 

Just as Isabel predicted, he scoffed at them. "Don't tell me you think I'll let Adrian go…" She was now grateful that she had them switch strategies last minute. 

"No. I know he's doomed," the other Clan Leader lamented artificially. "I've made peace with that. However, after he's gone, we will vote to determine who will take his place at the head of his Clan.”

"Undoubtedly. I do know how these things work," The Baron replied, almost bored now. 

She continued her explanation of the deal. "I want you to follow my lead in the vote. And in exchange, I will hand Jax over to you, to do what you wish with him."

A smile appeared on the vile man's features. "Ah, Kamilah, how quickly one's mind turns to one's own interests in times of flux…" 

He turned to Isabel and lifted a hand to pet her cheek. This made her sick to her stomach. However, unlike with Lester, she doubted she could get away with physical violence here. Especially not without Adrian to back her up. Instead, she gritted her teeth and glared at him, refusing to look away. 

"And this one," he mused. "I suppose she's yours now?"

"Indeed," Kamilah replied. 

The Baron continued to taunt them. "Sweet little thing. Is she sad about the imminent demise of her dear Adrian?"

Isabel's blood boiled and she couldn't hold back this time, not when he was getting Adrian involved. "Go to hell!"

"Still feisty, I see. I like that…" 

(You can thank my Latina blood.)

He proceeded to pet her as if she were some plaything for him to enjoy. 

Her palms balled into tight fists and she jerked away. "Keep touching me, and you'll see just how feisty I can get."

The tension was escalating quickly...just like she had hoped. Only this part she didn't have to fake. 

"Isabel," Kamilah demanded. This also technically wasn't part of the script and it was also making it more dangerous than it needed to be. She needed to be alive in order to save Adrian and make out in one piece. 

She calmed down inside, going back to faking the emotions. "We made our deal, there's no reason for me to suck up to him any more than I already have," she retorted, rolling her eyes.

Kamilah relaxed and pushed Jax roughly towards The Baron. "So what do you say, Baron? You can have him in exchange for your vote on Adrian's Clan."

He let out a dramatic sigh. "Hmmm, I don't know…" he pondered. 

"Just think how much pleasure you'd get from completely defanging the Clanless movement."

“It would be fun to torture him. But I've already promised Vega my vote. Turning on him will have quite the cost," The Baron replied

"I called it!" Lily said in the earpiece. "Get ready to go in there," she said, her voice laced with concern. 

A cunning, ruthless smile slowly appeared on Kamilah's face, setting the stage for them. 

"Okay," she purred. "How about if I sweeten the deal?"

Meanwhile, Isabel mentally prepared herself for what was next.

"Go on?" The Baron waved his cigar in the air.

The assistant began to play her part and feigned a look of surprise and fear, as if to say that this wasn't part of the plan. Then, on cue Kamilah pushed her towards The Baron and she pretended to gasp in horror. 

"I'll throw her in too," she insisted emotionless. 

"What?" Isabel exclaimed, using the real fear she felt to make her bluff more realistic. "Wait, Kamilah, th-this isn't…"

The CEO shrugged. "Sorry, Isabel. But Adrian's my blood brother. You're just a pet."

They both assumed their respective roles well and now Jax quickly improvising outrage. 

He turned to Isabel fuming. "Ha! You thought the Council were your friends? Little lesson, Isabel...if you swim with sharks, you'll get eaten.”

"Quiet!" Kamilah ordered. 

Almost immediately, The Baron began to fall into their hands. "Well, that's a much more tempting deal. I'm open to negotiation…"

"Excellent." 

Isabel wanted to smile as much as Kamilah was--their bluff was working. However, she had to stay committed. 

"Wait a second…" she pleaded in a false state of alarm. 

"Kamilah, let's go talk in my office," The Baron proceeded to say. "Guards, take these two down to a cell."

Just like that, their risk had paid off. The exhilaration from Isabel's scheme falling right into place took over and she barely managed to keep the frightened expression on her face. The guards grabbed her and Jax and she prepared to give them an encore. 

"No!" Jax shouted, still clueless about what really took place.

"Hey!" she yelped as Kamilah and The Baron departed. She continued her deceitful struggle to resist the two guard as they hustled them away. 

Suddenly, Jax grabbed her arm, desperately trying to get her attention.

She finally looked at him. "You okay?" he asked. She gave him a tiny nod, before looking down dejectedly.

"Hey!" one of the guards growled. "No talking. Let's go!”

Their grip was torn away as they were pushed forward once more. The guards hustled them down some stairs towards a dank, dark cellar where all that could be heard are screams and moans. A chill went up Isabel's spine and she willed herself to remain calm as she thought of Adrian being one of them.

(Don't worry Adrian, I'm coming for you!)

After a minute or so, she realized that she could finally drop her false demeanor. Taking in what she had just done, deceiving The Baron into letting them inside, a sly grin appeared. 

With a sigh, Jax grumbled, “For the record, I’m still not enthused about your self-sacrifice.”

“Duly noted. I’m still helping,” she replied. 

He responded with a scowl. “Jesus Christ, do you even know what you just walked into?” he fumed. “This place is dangerous for vampires, but for you? It could be a death sentence!”

Isabel rolled her eyes, as she became annoyed at him. She was tired of people doubting her. “Hey! Without me, The Baron definitely wouldn’t have let you down here so you’re welcome. And I know what I signed up for! But, I was always taught to put others first.”

Her voice dropped to a whisper so that the guard couldn’t overhear. “And to fight for those I care about, no matter how high the stakes are. Just like you do for the Clanless, right?”

“Yes...but this time if you don’t take care of you, there won’t be a you for you to care for others. For him.”

The head guard then put an end to the heated discussion. 

"I said don't talk! Or we'll start the torture early!" he growled.

Isabel resorted to examining her surroundings. Suddenly, she noticed a fragment on the wall beside her, as if it appeared out of nowhere. 

(What?)

A strange electric feeling consumed her as flashes of a vision consumed her: a meeting in a factory...tortured prisoners...and the members of the Council in sharp 1920's clothes. 

She was strongly drawn to the torn image but managed to snap herself out of it. She didn't have time for that. Plus, she had a feeling of familiarity, as if this had happened before. And that made her suspicious. So she ignored it and it faded from her mind completely, as if it had all been her imagination. 

She shook off the strange encounter as the guards escorted them down a long, dim stone tunnel line with iron-barred prison cells. Taking a deep breath, Isabel started to concentrate on finding Adrian...and that first involved getting the guards off of them. 

"Go on, keep moving!" one of the men ordered as her mind analyzed every detail, an eerie calmness washing over her. She was doing what she did best and for a cause, one she wanted more than any other. Her attention caught momentarily on the rows of cells as dozens of prisoners, both mortal, and vampire, pleaded and cried as she passed by. 

"Please...help me…"

"M-My daughter...she's out there...she n-needs me…"

Isabel could see that it was living up to its hype. The place smelled like rotting meat and sounded like the depths of hell. 

(God, this is unbearable.) 

As much as she wanted to look away, she couldn't. She had to look for Adrian. 

(Is he in one of these cells?)

She looked to her left and met eyes with a miserable looking man, his body was bloody and bruised and he clutched the bars of his cell.

"Please, I...I…"

She gave him a sympathetic look. She wished that they could rescue them all but, she doubted that was possible. "S-Sorry…"

The gas-powered torches around them flickered and pulsed even as the prisoners begged and moaned. 

"Damn," Jax muttered angrily. "I'd heard rumors about this place, but it's so much worse than I thought."

"Who are these people?" she asked. 

It was the noisy guard who answered. "Criminals that didn't pay their dues. People that got nosy. Members of The Baron's Clan who got outta line. Really it's just anyone who pissed off the boss."

As if Isabel needed more reasons to hate him. Ruling a Clan like a dictator and torturing members if the don't obey was pushing it, even for him.

"And he's allowed to do this?" 

The burly man shrugged nonchalantly. "What the Council don't know can't hurt 'em, right?"

The hidden microphone on her shirt picked up everything, and she knew Kamilah heard. 

"Speaking of which…" The guards slowed down in front of an open cell and prepared to push her and Jax inside. With a smile, the man guard sneered, "Your new home." 

Jax turned and looked her in the eye. They both nodded in agreement. 

(Not so fast.)

"Now!" he growled. 

Isabel whispered into the microphone wired into her clothing. "Go!"

Back at Kamilah's office, Lily heard the command loud and clear. "Copy that."

Using Janet's intel and the company's powerful computer system, she had hacked into the prison system. Hitting the Master Power button, she teased, "Lights out, assholes."

Inside the dungeon, the torches' gas valves snapped shut, and at once, they all went dark.

"What the hell?" the guard exclaimed as everything was plunged into complete darkness. 

Smirking Isabel and Jax slipped on the infrared goggles that they had hidden underneath their shirts.  

"Ready?" she asked, determined now more than ever to save Adrian. 

"Let's do this," he replied. 

"What happened? Where'd the lights go?" The guard was still trying to figure out what had happened. 

Jax stepped inside the open cell and used the metal bedpost to break the chains of his handcuffs. Smiling, he said, "And now…" He threw open his jacket to reveal a pair of sheathed daggers. "Showtime."

Isabel pulled out the pink pepper spray hidden underneath her sweater. It wasn't a lot but, it would create more distraction.

Jax suddenly sprung into action, moving in a graceful twirl. With a forceful throw, he buried one stake up to the hilt into a guards chest, causing him to instantly crumple into a pile of ash. 

The other guard fumbled in the dark seething to himself. "You sneaky, little…"

Jax lunged at him, but the guard was too fast and too strong. He hit Jax with a hard backhand, knocking him to the floor. His knife clattered out of his hands. 

"Crap!"

"Jax!" Isabel exclaimed as the guard swiveled, slamming the cell door shut behind him to trap Jax inside. Then, he turned to her menacingly. "My eyes have adjusted," he boasted. "Which means you're dead meat, girl."

(Uh oh.)

She swallowed, desperately looking around for anything to defend herself. He came forward in the dark, getting close to her and her mind raced quickly. Then, she noticed the keys dangling from his pocket which she could probably reach. 

Using the anger she felt about Adrian, she pulled out the mace and sprayed it before running towards him at top speed, surprising him as she smashed into him. 

"Rarrrgh!""What the hell?!"

Taking advantage of the confusion in the darkness, she kneed him in the groin before hastily unhooked the keys hanging off his belt loop, and dashed to the cell door.

 "Hey!"

"Isabel?" Jax warned as she unlocked the cell door and looked just in time to see the guard rush her from behind, grabbing her tightly. 

"Isabel!"

His breath was hot in her ear. "What do you think you're doing?!" At least a foot taller and two hundred pounds heavier, he picked her up easily by the collar, her feet dangling helplessly. 

"Hey!" she shrieked, trying violently kick him in the shins. 

Suddenly she heard Jax's voice. "Let. Her. Go." He rolled out of the cell and drove his dagger into the guard's kneecap. "Ugggkkk!"

The guard dropped her and Jax ripped the knife free before driving it into his chest. On top of him, he smirked, "Gotcha."

The guard crumpled into ash, as Jax walked out of the cell. 

Isabel looked at him impressively. "Nice moves, Matsuo."

He chuckled in response. "You weren't too bad yourself."

"Think we're doing okay?" she asked, catching her breath.

 He thought for a moment. "Don't hear any alarms, so I think we pulled it off. Let's hope Kamilah's holding her own with The Baron."

They heard her chuckle before faintly telling The Baron she thought she heard something amusing. They took that as a cue that everything was smooth on her end.

 Isabel spoke into the earpiece mic again. "Lily, lights on please."

"You got it!" Hitting a key on the computer, she restored power and the lights flickered back on. 

Anticipation made Isabel's stomach fill with butterflies and whole body tingle with an electric feeling. Now they just had to find Adrian. Her and Jax peeled off the goggles and began to quickly head down the hallway looking for him. 

"Do you see him?" she asked worriedly. 

(Stay strong Adrian. You'll be out of there soon.)

Jax shook his head, and saw that her emotions were clouding her focus. "No...and we need to hurry before they realize what we've done. By my count, we've got three, maybe four minutes."

“Right. Luckily, I have been told that I’m perceptive.”

As she regained her high concentration, the pleading faces of the other prisoners continued to stare out at them from cells lining the hallway. Isabel felt horrible as they reached out hands and called out as she passed by, but right then, she had a single-minded focus. After a minute of endlessly searching with no luck, she decided her best bet was to start calling for him. She hoped, needed him to recognize her voice. 

"A-Adrian!...Adrian!" she exclaimed desperately. 

Almost instantly, she heard something like a groan that she instantly knew was his and her heartbeat quickened. "Jax, over here!" 

She ran as fast as she could to the cell where it came from and found him in a drugged state slumped against the back corner. Seeing his condition, she instantly felt her eyes water as her heart broke. 

"Oh my god," she whimpered.

 He slowly lifted his head up and his face twisted with mixed emotions. 

"Isabel? Is...Is that really you?" he managed to whisper. 

She nodded before yelling to Jax, "Quick! The keys!"

"Here!" 

She fumbled with them as the tears spilled over causing her hands to shake. 

“Come on Isabel, come on,” she muttered.

Finally, she found the right one and unlocked the cell before immeditely rushing to Adrian's side. His face was haggard and his eyes were bloodshot. Her feelings took over as she impulsively crushed him to her for a few moments, all of the emotions she had been feeling over the course of the night flooding out. She let out a sigh of relief when he made the effort to embraced her back. “It’s okay! You’re okay.”

After a minute, she pulled back enough to see his face. He looked at her in shock. "You...came for me. I had this...hope but...I didn’t think..you actually did this...for me.”

She gave him a tearful smile. 

"Of course I did," she cried. "I would never leave you." She reached out and touched his cheek and in return, he squeezed her hand tightly. She bit her lip before admitting, “You mean too much to me now.”

"Isabel, I…"

As much as she wanted to hear his voice, she knew that he needed to save his strength for the escape. "Shh. Talk later. Let's get you out of here."

She heard footsteps coming down the stairs towards the dungeon and knew that they had to make it quick. 

"Not to break up this oh-so-touching reunion, but we're about to have company," Jax said sternly.

Isabel nodded, her focus coming back to where it needed to be. "We need to get out of here. Like now."

On cue, they heard a guard exclaim, "What the hell is going on down there?"

She scanned the rest of the prison with the blueprints pictured in her mind and found what they needed. "Quick! The back exit.”

“Getting Nicole as bait now,” Lily said from the office.

"Come on," Isabel told Adrian. "We'll help carry you." Hastily, her and Jax helped him towards the back stairs. But as they're almost at the the door, Isobel noticed a lever labeled, "MASTER CELL DOOR RELEASE". 

"This would free them all. All of The Baron's prisoners," Jax confirmed.

Adrian scowled, adding angrily, "Not to mention wreak total chaos on his operation."

(Releasing The Baron's prisoners would let us get some revenge. Plus, we could have allies for the fight ahead with Vega!)

Isabel looked back and saw that they had just enough time if they acted now.

"Then what are we waiting for?" she shouted, all of the anger for Vega and The Baron as well Nicole hit her all at once. "Let's pull that damn lever!" 

She grasped the heavy metal level with both hands and tried to pull by herself, but it wouldn't budge. Then she saw why: with the amount of rust on it, it looks like it probably hasn't been touched in decades. "Oh, come on!" she fumed.

She heard the hurried footsteps of a small pack of guards coming down the front stairs and her heart rate accelerated. Suddenly, both Jax and Adrian both put their hands over hers. She looked up at them in surprise that quickly morphed into determination. She met Adrian's intense stare and she felt the electricity in their eyes. 

"Let's do this," he thundered. 

Jax joined in on the sentiment. "Hell yeah." 

All three of them pulled hard and the level slammed down with a thud. Isabel beamed as every cell door along the hallway creaked open simultaneously. 

"That is badass!" Lily exclaimed. 

A stunned silence overtook the prison. Then loud hollering filled the space as the prisoners started streaming out of their cells. Isabel felt electric, as if she was a superhero.

(This is what making a better world feels like!)

"Follow us!" Isabel yelled, overcome with relief and joy. She turned and ran as fast as she could up the stairs, with Jax and Adrian close behind. The prisoners began to follow them.

"We're free! Oh my god, we're actually free!"

"Thank you! Thank you so much!"

"Hurry, they're right behind us!"

Isabel looked over her shoulder and saw the guards catch the pack of fleeing prisoners on the stairs. Then, a brawl broke out and she watched in shock and delight as the guards were hurled down, kicked in the head, and one was even impaled on his own weapon. 

"Whoa…" And here she thought she had seen it all. 

"What's going on?" Jax exclaimed, turning to see the commotion.

“A revolution.” As much as Isabel wanted to stay, they couldn't. They needed to be at the office in time to set the trap for Nicole. "Just keep going! Get Adrian out of here!"

They did as she was told as she looked back and saw a small figure emerge from one of the cells. Eventually she noticed that it was a small child. The little boy was in old-fashioned clothes, looking around quietly.

(Oh my god! I've got to go back and get him!)

"Wait here! I'll be back in a minute!" she told Jax and Adrian.

She bucked the tide of prisoners streaming up the stairs, hugging the wall as she made her way back to the boy. "Hi there, little guy." His brow pinched as he looked up at her.

 He spoke in a foreign language. "A kto ti?"

"I...don't know what that means. But I'm Isabel."

"A ya Vladimir. Zdrasti." She vaguely made out that he was probably Russian and it was his name. That was not one of the three languages she had studied. 

"Right. Why don't you come with me and I'll get you out of here?"

She heard Jax swear on the earpiece and ask Adrian, "What the hell is she doing?!" 

His mic barely picked up on the response. "What always does, put others first."

Smiling to herself, she grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the exit with you. "I couldn't just leave him behind! He's just a kid!"J

Just then a guard, a greasy vampire she recalled seeing in The Shrike the first time she visited, came up behind her. His eyes glowed bright red. "Stop right there!" He lunged forward, and she dodged once before he knocked her down to the ground. 

"Oooof!" she yelped, hitting the ground hard. She scrambled to get up, scowling as he sneered at her. "Get...away from him!" 

She was still trying to regain her breath. 

"Looks like you're too slow," the creep replied.

In anger, she pulled out the pepper spray and dowsed him as he started for the boy. “I said, don’t touch him!”

“ARGH!” Seething, the vampire clutched his forehead in agony. “I’ll be back for you!” He approached the kid menacingly.

As Isabel approached, prepared to try to defend him, the boy stared at her, then his expression changed making her stop in her tracks. 

"Eto bula oshibka." he growled, startling the creepy guard. 

"Wait...what now?" 

Faster than any vampire Isabel had seen the boy pounced, tackling the man to the ground. "Raaaaaaaghhhhhh!"

"No! Wait! Get off of me!" Shrieking and hissing, the child tore into vampire, driving his thumbs into the man's still inflamed eyes with a wet squish.

"Oh my god!" Isabel shrieked. "Um guys, I think he'll be fine. I'm...just going to keep running now." She hurried to catch up with Jax and Adrian, managing to avoid the remaining fights and bloody confrontations on the stairs. "Did you see that?" she gasped, rejoining them. 

"Holy crap that kid is terrifying!" Jax replied with a nod. Adrian looked equally horrified. 

Finally they all burst out onto the street level amid the stream of escaping prisoners. Around the corner outside, Kamilah paced anxiously. As the three of them rushed out, she looked up and a relieved smile appeared. 

"You made it!" she exclaimed, her clothes ripped in several places. 

Examining her, Isabel was quick to determine how they got there. “And The Baron?” she asked with worry. 

"Bashed his head in with a trophy in his office. He should be down for quite some time."

"Oh my god!" 

Meanwhile, Adrian stood there silently, trying to take everything in. Finally he said, "I'm not usually one to question a rescue, but do we have a getaway plan?"

Isabel smiled proudly before pulling out the car keys safely in her back pocket. "You'd better believe it." 

She quickly disappeared, leaving him utterly speechless. She ran the two blocks where his sports car was still parked in the alleyway and climbed inside. Seconds later, she screeched to a halt back in front of them, a smirk on her face. 

“Adrian," she said with a wink. "What do you think?”

Adrian looked at her with an impressed smile. "Isabel. I really need to stop underestimating you." 

They all piled inside.  "Hang on!" she ordered hitting the gas pedal hard. As she zoomed away, she looked back and saw hoards of exhilarated former prisoners flooding out into the street. Behind them The Shrike suddenly went up in flames. 

"Timed it perfectly," Kamilah said, sitting back in the seat with satisfaction. 

"Did you set The Shrike on fire?!" Adrian wondered looking back at the now raging inferno.

Isabel nodded. "Janet planted the wires before we got here and Kamilah used the gasoline when she was done with The Baron." Then, she returned her attention to the road.

Granted, she didn't think they would have to worry about the prisoners when they planned it. She realized that all of them hurt and crowding the streets probably put them in danger.

Kamilah answered. "Normally, maybe not. But with the chaos that's about to sweep this city, I suspect most of them will be able to escape into the shadows."

"Besides," Jax scoffed. "Anything's better than being locked in there."

"True…" Isabel sighed, deftly piloting the car through the city streets as a comfortable silence spreads through the vehicle. "Jax, can you call Nicole for me?" she asked, ready to initiate the last part of the plan. 

He nodded and grabbed her phone, dialing the VP and putting her on speaker. 

"Hello? What is it?" the blonde snapped and Isabel had to bite her tongue. 

"Did Lily tell you about our rescue plan?" she asked urgently."

Yes...why? Did something go wrong?"

"No, not at all. In fact, we got Adrian out! He's in the car with us."

"What? That's...incredible," Nicole said, though her tone didn't quite match the words. "I didn't think you would be able to do it."

(Oh, I know. Keep underestimating me.)

Biting her tongue, Isabel told her, "Look, if you still want to be a part of the plan, can you meet us somewhere with a change of clothes?"

"...yeah, I can do that, for Adrian, of course. I'll meet you near Central Park," Nicole said before abruptly hanging up. 

"That was...rather odd," Adrian observed, his brow furrowed. 

(Oh, you have no idea.) 

Isabel sighed but didn't say anything. He needed for the upcoming betrayal to be a surprise. A few minutes of silence passed before the madness of what transpired hit her fully.

"Oh my god," she exclaimed sitting back in the seat amazed. "I can't believe we actually pulled that off!"

"Of course it did, you're plan was brilliant!" Lily exclaimed as Jax pounded a fist triumphantly against the ceiling. 

"Hot damn," he whistled. "I'll give you Council vamps this, you know how to make a night exciting."

Even Kamilah was beaming. "Good work. All of you."

It wasn't long before they pulled into the curb at the edge of the park and Nicole ran up to meet them. 

"Here's a suit, boss," she said through the rolled down window. "Figured you might need it." She joined the crew in the back seat and they began to drive again. 

"Thank you," Adrian told her. In the passenger seat, he quickly changed into his suit before staring out of the window silently.

Isabel could help becoming nervous again. She had no idea how they were getting out of Adrian's office when they were probably going to be surrounded. She figured they would do that on the spot, but there was a lot of risk involved.

Sighing, she found his hand and gently squeezed it. "Are you okay?" she asked worriedly. "Did they hurt you?"

He smiled at her wearily. "They tried," he told her, jaw clenched.

"Oh no…"

She met his gaze as he continued. "The guards have some...novel methods of torture. But I'll live."

From the rearview mirror, she caught a brief change in Nicole's expression. An evil smile maybe? It was so faint, she barely noticed it. But it was enough to confirm her suspicions and make the precautions worth it. Nicole was in on it, Isabel felt it in her gut.

Turning back to Adrian, she stammered, "I'm glad we got you out of there when we did."

"Me too." He smiled at her gently before turning his head to speak to the others in the car.

"I need to thank you. All of you," he told them. "Kamilah, this couldn't have been easy for you to do. You've openly defied the Council…"

"I've lost one brother. I'm not losing another," she replied sternly.

Next, Adrian looked over at Jax. "And thanks to you, too. I don't think we've been properly introduced."

Isabel felt dumb for not mentioning it in the parking lot. "Oh, Adrian, this is Jax Matsuo. He's, uh...Clanless."

His eyes narrowed and the two regarded each other warily.

She felt the need to say something more. "Jax is also the one who helped me escape The Shrike before...remember? I promise he's trustworthy, he just wants to protect his people."

"Mr. Matsuo. Your reputation precedes you," Adrian finally said nodding.

Jax simply tilted his head. "Does it now? And what exactly have you heard about me?"

"Good things. Mostly," the CEO replied, looking briefly at Isabel who breathed a sigh of relief.

"Yeah, well, that's what I've heard about you too. Your friends made some pretty big promises. I expect you to keep them."

Adrian hesitated before reaching out to extend his hand. Jax stared at it in surprise before shaking it.

"To a long and fruitful relationship," the Clan leader said.

"If you say so." It was shaky but, it was a good start.

Kamilah cleared her throat. "First things first," she told them. "We need to get out of the city as soon as we can. It's not safe for us here right now. Once word gets out about what happened, every vampire in the city's going to be hunting us."

"I know we need to run...but first we need to stop by my office first. For the serum," Adrian replied with a frown.

Isabel was once again right on the nose. She and Kamilah made eye contact and exchanged a look.

Kamilah feigned shock. "Are you out of your mind?"

"Serum?" Jax inquired confused.

Isabel forgot that they hadn't filled him in on that part. She sighed, "It's...a long story." Then she turned to the passenger seat and said, "Adrian, that's something you need to do. I'm not saying it's a good idea, but I get why you need to do it. I trust you."

He gave her a sad smile. "I appreciate that, Isabel. I wouldn't even dream of it if it wasn't important." Then, his face twisted in anger. "Vega set this whole thing up to get his hands on it. It's too powerful to risk falling into his hands."

(Already have that covered, but you can't know that yet.)

"Isn't it in that super-secure safe?"

She was referring to the one in the office, where she had destroyed the first batch.

Adrian sucked in a breath. "That safe buys us time. But sooner or later, he'll find a way to get in."

Nicole smiled, though not for the reason he thought. "I agree. The serum needs to be protected, It's the corporation's most valuable asset."

She clearly thought that this was playing into her hands. Little did she know, Isabel was already two steps ahead.

Kamilah frowned. "Fine," she surrendered. "We'll just grab it and go."

The plan was unfolding almost perfectly.

"Is anyone going to tell me what this magical serum actually does?" Jax wondered, eyes wide.

Isabel did the explaining, once she received a nod from both Adrian and Kamilah. "It lets vampires walk in the sunlight."

"What?! You know what? From now on, I'm just not going to ask any more questions."

"Probably for the best," Adrian agreed.

Isabel quickly pulled up to the curb in front of the Raines Corporation building and Adrian and Nicole hopped out.

"We'll be right back," he told them.

Jax's eyebrows raised. "Never stops with you lot, does it?"

"Never," Kamilah sighed. She gave Isabel the signal. 

Nodding, she jumped out of the car too, joining them. She wasn't going to let Nicole trap him in there alone.

"What do you think you're doing?" the blonde asked with an icy glare, now rattled. "We'll just be a moment."

Crossing her arms, Isabel stood her ground. "Um, I'm definitely coming. I've been through all of this with Adrian so far. I'm not stopping now."

(Plus I'm the one who knows what you're really up to.)

She could see the wheels turning in Nicole's head, scrambling to try and throw her off. "I'm just...looking out for your safety. Who knows what Vega might have up his sleeve."

Adrian interrupted their argument. "We'll be in and out before anyone knows we're here. But we have to go now."

"I'm still coming with you," she demanded. 

After a minute he nodded over Nicole's continued protests. "Okay Isabel, if you’re positive. She is perfectly capable of doing this Nicole. I wouldn't have hired her if she wasn't."

“I am. If something goes wrong, I want to be there."

"I'll be ready in case you need a getaway driver," Jax told them before jumping into the driver's seat with a smile. "Sweet ride…"

With an amused smile, Adrian commented, "Fine. You dent it, the deal's off."

Leaving Kamilah and Jax in the car, they headed upstairs with Nicole to Adrian's office. His gaze fixated momentarily at the torn security equipment before getting into the office.

"Hurry. Please," the blonde fretted.

Isabel knew she was rushing for a different reason. She sat back watching Nicole like a hawk, her arms folded tightly as she dreaded the interaction that would occur next.

Adrian headed to the wall and exposed the hidden panel. His fingertips glided over it, the elegant complex series of patterns Isabel did a few hours earlier. Her breath hitched in anticipation as she heard the gears whirling, latches clicking, and the operation of the powerful mechanism. The wall slid open to reveal his safe and the serum that was supposed to be inside. 

"And there it is," he said smiling. He reached for it, but just as he did so, the door to the conference room flew open.

She wasn't surprised and yet she still gasped. More to do with her suspicions being correct. Still wearing the earpiece she whispered. "Code red!"

This alerted Kamilah and Jax back in the car to prepare for an escape and Adrian looked at her confused but she couldn't say anything. 

"I hope you can get him out of there Isabel!" Kamilah exclaimed as a half-dozen vampires burst into the office, leveling crossbows at Adrian.

"Oh my god!" she shouted, the scene frightening her even though she knew it was coming.

Furious, Adrian looked around frantically. "What is this?"

His assistant answered for him, shooting daggers at Nicole. "A trap Adrian!”

The blonde's eyes narrowed at her as she realized that something was amiss with her rouse.

A soldier ordered, "The serum. Now."

"I know you. You're one of Vega's men!" Adrian roared.

"What I am is the guy about to put a bold through your heart! Hand over that serum!"

"Never!"

Isabel watched the man start to lunge for Adrian and jumped into action. She impulsively lept in front, putting herself right in between him and the guards. "Stop! Don't shoot him!" she growled.

Adrian looked at her in shock. "Isabel, what are you doing?!"

She stopped for a moment.

(What am I doing?)

Then her resolve crystalized and her scowl returned as Nicole stepped forward. She planted herself more firmly against him. "I'm protecting you, since I'm the only one in here who will."

The blonde rolled her eyes before beginning her monologue. "Enough. This is over."

Adrian's looked at both of them bewildered before turning to his VP. "Nicole! Run! They'll shoot you!"

Isabel shook her head. "No Adrian, they won't. Will they?" she demanded, wishing she could interrupt what came next.

"What?"

"No, you're right Isabel. I don't think they will," Nicole replied, smiling mischievously.

The crossbows remained trained on her and Adrian and he looked over at her. "What is she doing?"

"Betraying you," she told him bitterly.

Then, Nicole took her place alongside Vega's men. "Sorry, boss. But that serum is mine now."

Isabel watched Adrian's expression darken as he realized her assistance was a trap. But, unbeknownst to Nicole, she had an ace up her sleeve which she could finally reveal.  

The mental game of chess was coming to an end. She was coming for the king, and she sure as hell wasn't going to miss. 

.....