28. Ritmo del Amor.

I was driving back to the nearest base, the engine humming softly as I navigated the winding road. Suddenly, the sound of my phone ringing broke through the quiet, interrupting my thoughts. It was one of our planners telling me that there was a scouting mission nearby. I promised to take care of it, but I had to tell about it to Magnum. I picked it up and tapped on Magnum's number, the screen glowing in my hand.

After a moment, Magnum's gruff voice came through, "Yeah, what's up, hummingbird?"

I replied, "Henry called. There's a scouting mission nearby, and I promised to take care of it. Can you make sure I have the backup for Fight Club in Estonia, just in case things get nasty? Maybe Georgie or Williamson would be suitable."

Magnum grunted in agreement, assuring me that there were plenty of volunteers ready to join the fight.

He playfully added, "They still see you as a Lady, even if you're no longer married to Damon. Although, I'm not sure if you're still a lady."

I chuckled and said, "I'll let you know when it's done. Anything new on your end?"

Magnum replied, "Nothing special. Let's talk more when you get here. Don't worry, our little ones are safe and loved."

I ended the call, feeling a mix of strangeness and warmth, hearing him refer to my twins as his own.

Arriving at the nearest base, I changed into my gear. The scent of oil and metal filled the air as I prepared my guns and gathered ammunition, just in case. These were my favorite weapons, their weight and balance familiar in my hands. The gear, too, was a perfect fit, protecting me like a second skin. I always made sure to maintain them meticulously, knowing the importance of reliable equipment. Magnum had tried to replicate them, but this set was unmatched.

I walked over to the car, the cool metal of the door handle sending a slight shiver through my fingertips. Ready to embark on the mission, I knew I could teleport to the Tallahassee base where my babies, Magnum, and Wulfe would likely be waiting for me after this, so no need to drive for hours.

As I contemplated my next move, the thought crossed my mind that I would have to visit the fight club. I wondered when I would find the time amidst our abundance of volunteers. I had already experienced the most gruesome clubs, so the remaining ones would be relatively easy for me. However, those who dared to enter would receive a significant boost.

This world-saving endeavor was now being handled by our organization, no longer solely my responsibility. It dawned on me that perhaps this was how it was meant to be. Maybe I was never meant to do everything alone. It was refreshing to learn something new. Perhaps my previous stubbornness was now being challenged by the presence of someone in my life. My five had taught me in these months so many things, and change is never easy for me. Sometimes it is just something that happens and I just have to go with the flow.

I reached my destination in just over an hour, realizing it would be best to continue on foot and assess the situation. The intensity of the smell emanating from the exhaust pipes would indicate how close I was to the facility. Despite the presence of filters, pheromones always managed to permeate the air, and I knew exactly what I was searching for. The scent of a victim undergoing interrogation was unmistakable, especially when they were subjected to live dissection.

Even if this facility was an off-site location like Damon's little interrogation chamber, I would detect it. While we didn't interfere with those facilities, their numbers were dwindling. Now it seemed that Sark or another villain had infiltrated these places and was conducting experiments on innocent subjects, not enemies, but rather unsuspecting individuals. It was not difficult for Sark or his associates to create false identities for these victims, just in case there were still some decent people working there. I parked my car and began my journey on foot, still in my human form, as there were not many animals nearby, and I was uncertain if this was a hostile environment that would be aware of shifters. 

Damon, Interrogator Number Two, took a brief break from his interrogating duties, his eyes fixated on the monitors. Suddenly, one of his colleagues let out a curse.

Curious, Damon inquired, "What's wrong?"

The man replied, frustration clear in his voice, "Damn spies again. I'll inform someone to eliminate them. No point in asking questions. The boss ordered us to kill them on sight."

Damon offered, "I'm available. I can handle it. I'll teleport their carcasses into Etna."

The man grunted, relieved that someone else would take care of the task.

Damon retrieved his gun, stepped outside, and ventured silently into the forest. Spies frequently targeted the government facility where they conducted interrogations and held dangerous prisoners. It was crucial to prevent any attempts to free them. There was a telepathy blocker so he could not listen to enemies' minds. Armed with a specialized gun equipped with a state-of-the-art silencer and armor-piercing bullets, Damon navigated the woods. The wind blew away from him, not allowing him to detect any intruders through scent, but he also relied on his acute hearing. This particular spy was skilled, making it challenging to locate him. However, Damon persevered, closing in on his target. Dark shadow moved, this one had somekind of tactical gear on it. Not good news. He took aim and fired.

Meanwhile, I was strolling through the forest when I suddenly heard a faint noise. I halted, straining my senses to determine whether it was an animal or something else entirely. Was there a guard nearby lurking in somewhere? Before I could react, searing pain shot through my shoulder, causing me to curse under my breath. Confusion and fear washed over me as I realized I had been hit. And poison bullet again. Shit. As I fumbled for my disguise charm, a bullet struck my chest, sending me crashing to the ground. Footsteps approached, but I had no time to react. The wind carried a distinct scent to my nose, but before I could take the disguising charm off around my neck, excruciating pain surged through my head, plunging me into darkness.

Damon grunted in satisfaction as he dispatched the spy, fulfilling his orders without bothering to search for any identification. Disposing of the body was a simple matter of teleporting it into the depths of Etna. Pleased with a job well done, Damon ensured the coast was clear before returning inside. He suggested enhancing security in the forest with additional cameras and traps, harnessing his expertise in creating lethal poisons from his fangs to swiftly eliminate any enemies. 

I was acutely aware of my body growing back up, a sensation that always pissed me off. The pain and helplessness were overwhelming, but I knew I had to be patient. As I slowly regained my physical form, I couldn't help but feel a surge of anger towards one of my ex-husbands. The scent of passionfruit lingered in the air, but I didn't have time to remove my disguise and confront my second ex-husband, who needed to back off.

The smell of pain wafted through the air as I slowly got my body back, realizing the irony that it might be the entire Salvatore clan, including numbers one and two, were working for the enemy. Finally, as my body fully regenerated, I found myself in Italy, near Mount Etna. It seemed that he had teleported me there, and I cursed, realizing that I had lost all my best gear. But as this was a new body for me, no poison from those bullets, so no five-week-long coma. 

Quickly changing my shape into that of a lynx, I sprinted towards the nearest base or safe house. There was no need to be naked in human form when I had a multitude of animal forms to choose from. A day later, I reached my safehouse, slipping in naked under the cover of night. I headed straight for the shower, relieved to wash away the dirt and grime. After a satisfying meal, I grabbed my spare phone and dialed Magnum's number.

He answered, sounding bored, "Yeah hummingbird, let me guess, you've finished growing up?"

I replied, "Yeah, that facility is rotten, and there's a Salvatore there, number two, who executed me. Thankfully, he didn't recognize me due to my charm, but this damn trend of luring innocents is spreading. I'll be back at the base in a few hours."

Magnum snorted. "Oh, your divorce must have been bitter if your ex-husband ends up trying to kill you."

He enjoyed joking around. I snorted in response and said, "A few hours, and I'll be there."

He ended the call. Magnum sighed, and Wulfe raised an eyebrow, finding the situation amusing. However, they both knew it added a complication that required protocol. Every mission would have to be postponed or modified to ensure there were no innocents among the staff. They knew well that Mimi would be in a snappy mood when she returned, and everyone needed to take note of that. 

Mariella's heart raced with excitement as she sat in Jarod's sleek car, the engine humming softly beneath them. They were on their way to the Tallahassee base, a mission that held great importance. Jarod had mentioned that Magnum and Wulfe would be there, but the timing of Wulfe's magical abilities test remained uncertain.

Mariella eagerly anticipated the presence of Mimi's twins and the possibility of Miss making an appearance as well. Amidst their conversation, Mariella's thoughts drifted to the facility where Number One resided, contemplating the potion she could create to protect innocents from evil.

She couldn't wait to confront Damon and expose his foolishness for trusting his contacts. And if the Salvatores and the boys, perhaps even the wolves, were brought into the mix, it would be even more satisfying. The original fleas, including Mimosa, had been a part of her past, but Mariella wondered if Mimosa still desired to be involved.

As they neared the base, Mariella shared snippets of her past and the trials Mimi had endured, wanting to be transparent and prove her transformation. She was no longer the lust queen but had earned the nickname "princess," a title that suited her newfound self. Finally, the car swerved into the yard of the impressive building, and Mariella's excitement reached its peak. She was now a valued member, no longer in Damon's shadow or just his "doll."

She was ready. The moment Mimi would lay eyes on her, Mariella's expression would say it all. Jarod stepped out of the car, patiently waiting for Mariella to follow suit. He had informed her that someone at the base would provide her with keys and necessary items. She would have a mentor to guide her through the ropes, making this base her temporary home until her next assignment or potential relocation. Mariella's days would be filled with endless learning.

As they entered, the space opened up before them, illuminated by bright lights. People bustled around, engrossed in their work, surrounded by the hum of computers. To the left, several closed rooms stood, while at the back, Mariella recalled the doors leading to the shower and gear area. Jarod confidently led the way, introducing Mariella to everyone they encountered. As she strolled through the room, Magnum approached, exuding his usual sharpness.

With a smirk, he greeted her, "Well, well, the princess has arrived. Come on then, Jarod showed you the pictures and briefed you on the entire operation. Let's get down to business."

Mariella followed him, a question on her lips, "Do you have witches here? Do you utilize magic in our missions? I might be able to conjure a spell or charm that aids in identifying innocents. After all, I am a savior, and they won't escape my radar."

Magnum let out a low grunt, his voice filled with skepticism. "Magic, not so much. We don't have many witches, and not everyone is comfortable using it. We can't just walk you in front of everyone and reveal who is innocent or guilty. But maybe there's one thing we can use. Let's see what you come up with if it can be integrated safely into our gear. A warning alarm would be handy for hummingbird." 

Mariella couldn't help but smile at Mimi's nickname. It suited her, just like a hummingbird. They approached the table, covered in pictures, blueprints, and printed sheets of information. As Magnum explained everything, Mariella listened intently, her curiosity prompting her to ask many questions. Sometimes, her inquiries caused Magnum to grunt in surprise, as he hadn't considered certain angles. Mariella grew more and more involved, coming up with clever tricks to cover their tracks and ideas to aid their mission. 

Then she asked, "Do you cooperate with authorities? I'm asking because in my line of work, I've helped high-ranking officials and they owe me favors. I have this relationship, dating service business and I have gotten quite many under my charm, so to speak, by helping them find the love of their life. If we could get the NSA involved, expose this corruption in supposed government facilities, those baddies wouldn't stand a chance..." 

Magnum pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Make the call. Use those favors. Bring a few of them here, so we can show them the evidence. Good catch, princess."

He handed her a work phone, emphasizing its importance and security. "Keep this with you. Don't give the number to Damon until he's part of this. Only answer when it's my number, Wulfes', Alaric's, or a select few others. You'll be known as Princess or Mariella. No need to give your full name." 

Mariella smiled, revealing a tidbit of her daughter's name. "Did you know one of my daughters is actually called Princess?" Magnum smirked in response. 

She walked a little further, tapped the number, and engaged in conversations with her clients, persuading them to come to the base and witness the evidence. Many of them eagerly agreed, promising to arrive soon, accompanied by their bosses. Mariella knew Jarod would be here, he was a living lie detector and Mariella had told him she had part of Mimi's pretend skill too so Jarod had promised to teach her too and oh my god when Damon would be in the base, Jarod would have chance to teach Salvatore.