12. Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten

T hey had to be careful to avoid the hospital staff. The last thing Seryn needed was someone drawing attention to Mitchell. Seryn wasn't sure where Davorion's hired guns were, but, if they were going from room to room, they had to be around somewhere. He didn't want the staff protesting Mitchell's exit. But avoiding them meant they had to go the long way around to get to the elevators. Not only that, but it seemed plausible they'd run into Davorion's guys.

Seryn's goal was to put as many floors as possible between Davorion's men and them. The problem was there wasn't a good way to move and hide at the same time. And killing the men in a hospital would draw more attention. Cameras would catch everything. Seryn had hidden himself before by appearing invisible, but he couldn't do it without leaving Mitchell and Todd exposed. With them needing to move fast, it wasn't the best spell to use. Any spell at all wouldn't be the best thing. He couldn't risk exposing himself as a paranormal.

Seryn led the way.

He held the grip of his gun but kept it in his inside pocket.

The hospital floor was quiet. He heard someone let out a phlegmy cough, but it sounded distant, as if it were down the hall and behind a door. He heard a television as he passed another room. And the beeping of machines.

He stopped when a door opened, sniffing the air before whoever was in the room came out. One of Davorion's men had worn a particular type of cologne. It had hung in the air after the men had left.

He held his breath, waiting for a visual, but a nurse came out. She turned toward them and smiled. When she spoke, she addressed Mitchell. "You're up for a stroll already. That's wonderful."

"I've been cooped up long enough." Mitchell returned the smile.

She patted his arm. "If you need anything, just let us know."

"Thank you, ma'am."

Once they started moving again, Seryn felt a tightness in his chest. He wasn't sure if it was because the exchange with the nurse could have gone a lot differently or if there was another reason. It was answered a second later when he had a vision of Davorion's men standing next to the elevators, waiting for the lift. In his vision, Seryn went around the corner first, walking right into the start of what would be a bloody shootout. A guard would shoot Todd. And Seryn, although he couldn't tell if it would be a fatal wound. Mitchell would cover Seryn with his body, not caring about getting even more injured.

He stopped again, turning to meet Mitchell's gaze. He whispered when he spoke because the elevators were close by. "They're around the corner."

When Mitchell drew his eyebrows together as if in confusion, Seryn pointed to his head. Mitchell nodded in understanding.

But Todd mouthed the word, "What?"

Seryn just shook his head. But it was Mitchell who said, "Don't ask questions."

Seryn turned when someone came around the corner but relaxed when he saw it was Evan. Evan held a duffle bag. It appeared well used, which gave Seryn the impression it belonged to Evan.

Evan shook his head and held up a finger, telling them to wait. And then he pointed to the corner. He must have seen them.

Seryn heard the elevator doors open and then close again.

He turned to the other three. "Stay here."

Seryn peeked around the corner, trying to stay out of sight. When he saw the men standing there still, he backed away, holding up his hand for the others to stay back. He cast the spell to make himself invisible before moving behind the men.

They must have heard him, because they looked right at him. His coat made swishing noises when he walked. Unable to see him, they shrugged and waited for the next elevator.

Seryn noticed the arrow above the door, pointing down. He followed them into the elevator, standing in front of them.

"Could have left the hospital already."

"Maybe."

The other guy mumbled in agreement. It meant they were going to find the security room and find them via the camera system. Seryn couldn't let them do that. They'd have the entire hospital looking for them. But if he shot them in the elevator, that would also do the same thing.

Seryn pressed the button for the floor below them.

The car descended.

One man frowned when the door opened.

Seryn exited and took the stairs.

There weren't cameras in the stairwells, so he lifted the spell.

As he came out onto the floor where Mitchell and others were. He rounded the corner.

Mitchell sighed in relief when he saw Seryn.

"Their changing tactics. Security will be on us soon. We only have a few minutes." Seryn moved Todd out of the way and pushed Mitchell.

Waiting for the elevators was time wasted, but they had little choice since Mitchell was in a wheelchair and couldn't take the stairs. He also couldn't move fast enough if he were to walk.

When the elevator door opened, Seryn pushed Mitchell inside. Todd and Evan entered behind him. Evan pressed the button for the bottom level. Seryn was just about to threaten him into explaining himself when Evan did so voluntarily. "No cameras. And there's a service door in the west wing."

Seryn nodded.

"What are the obstacles?" Mitchell asked.

"There are cameras outside. They catch all the deliveries. I think they watch those screens closer than the others, just to make sure all the deliveries go well." Evan frowned. "I hope I made the right decision."

"What's the benefit?"

"Well, we'll get out of the hospital a lot faster. We'll have to make a run for the parking lot, but it's a straight shot if we take my car."

Todd touched Evan's arm. "You don't have to come, Evan. It's not too late to turn back."

Evan cupped Todd's cheek. "You're clearly in danger, baby. I can't just leave you."

Todd grabbed Evan's hand and pulled it off his face. "You have before."

Evan sighed. "This will ruin my career, Todd. I've spent years and a hell of a lot of money. Do you think I would let it all go if I didn't love you?"

"Loving me changes nothing." Todd averted his gaze.

When the elevator doors opened, they followed Evan out, letting him lead the way.

Seryn scanned the area for cameras, but it was as Evan had said. None were visible.

They ran down a corridor. At the end was a door with an exit sign over it.

"Wait." Seryn let go of Mitchell's chair, nodding to Todd to take over.

He pulled his gun out of his pocket and went to the door, opening it slowly, scanning the area. No one was out there.

"Evan, you lead. And when you get out there, run."

Once they were outside, they went as fast as possible. Seryn would have loved to use his vampire speed, but he wasn't sure how the chair would hold up. Not to mention he didn't want to leave Todd and Evan behind.

"Give me the gun, sweetheart."

Seryn handed it over and then concentrated on getting Mitchell across the parking lot.

A bullet pinged off a car on their right. Seryn pulled Mitchell off the chair and between two cars.

Mitchell cursed, holding his ribs.

Todd pulled Evan around the car and settled on Mitchell's other side.

When Seryn stood, Mitchell grabbed his arm. "Don't do anything to get yourself killed."

Seryn nodded and then sat back down again. He had plans to step out into the open with guns blazing, but he couldn't with the command Mitchell had given him. It was too risky.

Seryn crawled under the cars, moving to where he thought the shooter was.

The guards stayed close to the cars, using them for cover. They searched behind every vehicle, which meant they didn't know where Seryn and the others hid.

Seryn pulled a knife from his coat and waited for the right moment. When one of them drew close enough, Seryn sliced the blade across the Achilles tendon. The guard dropped like a stone. His gun fell from his hand and skidded across the pavement.

The move, while effective, left Seryn exposed. He wiggled out from under the car.

As soon as he was free, the uninjured guard zeroed in on Seryn.

A gun went off. But it wasn't a loud bang. Instead, it was a gentle puff of air.

For a moment, he thought the guard had got a shot off, but then he registered that the guard's gun didn't have a silencer. The guy fell to the pavement like a stone.

The other guard might have been down, but he wasn't dead yet. Seryn plunged the knife through his chest.

It was while he was standing up that he noticed the way Mitchell lay sideways against the car with the gun in his lap. He panted. His face was red and covered in sweat.

Seryn ran to him, but Evan took charge. He pulled Mitchell's shirt up, pulling out some gauze and pressing it against Mitchell's side. Evan met Seryn's gaze. "Can you and Todd lift him?"

Seryn nodded and wheeled the chair over. It rolled quite a distance from them. The momentum of Seryn pulling Mitchell down had sent it backward.

Mitchell was heavy, but they got him in the chair. Somewhere during the process, Mitchell passed out.

"Let's go before security gets here." Seryn went as fast as he could with Mitchell in and out of consciousness.

Evan ran ahead, leading the way toward his car. It seemed miles away but was just one parking lot over. Still, they needed to get Mitchell horizontal, and quickly.

They were in the car. Seryn and Mitchell were in the back while Evan and Todd sat in front. Evan drove. They made it out of the parking lot in time to see a half dozen uniformed security guards exiting the hospital.

"Head east on the highway. We'll switch cars at a rest stop somewhere."

Evan spluttered. "No way. I love this car."

"They have the licenses plate number, Evan. We'll get stopped by the cops. The crime boss who's chasing us pays some of them off." That last part, Todd said to Seryn. But it fell on knowing ears. Todd wasn't aware of the circles Seryn ran in. Some people who paid cops off were the same ones who hired him.

Seryn pulled out his phone, pressing the button for Daruss. "I need a car. I'll text you where we are."

"Is everyone okay?"

"Not yet." Seryn ended the call. He didn't want to get into a lengthy conversation with Daruss about it. They were nearly clear.

Mitchell blinked his eyes open, gazing up at Seryn. He cupped Seryn's cheek.

"Are you okay?" Mitchell's voice sounded as though he had gargled with rocks.

"I'm fine."

Mitchell nodded and shut his eyes again. His hand fell away.

"It's going to be okay, mate."

Mitchell nodded. "You did good, sweetheart."

Seryn didn't know he needed the praise, but when it came, it went straight to his heart. His mind cleared again, and he relaxed a little.