Bitten (Book 1 - Book 4)

Finch was struggling to throw her off. He was a jellyroll of a man who probably hadn't seen the inside of gym in decades.

Natalia took a few extra moments, acting like she was struggling to roll off of him. Then someone grabbed her and lifted her up.

The smoke in the air was heavier once she stood.

This way,” Anpu said.

For a short way, they went against the crowd. Then he slipped them behind a curtain. There was a door. It led to another hallway. There were only a few people there.

“Our way out,” he said, gesturing down the hall.

He pulled her along until there was a disturbance behind them. They both turned and looked, but there was no one in view, but the sound of people coming was getting louder.

Anpu wrapped her gently into his arms, pushed her against the wall and kissed her. It was a warm passionate embrace. Natalia was surprised by it. Almost entranced by it.

People ran by, and Anpu ended the kiss to watch them go.

“Sorry about that, he said. “We needed to look uninteresting for a moment.’

He grabbed her hand and pulled her along.

People were hurrying through an emergency door. They followed along and were soon outside. Anpu seemed to know what way to go.

She watched a Viperian man brush against Anpu. He was dressed like one of the valet attendants. Anpu slipped something into his pocket. She realized they had been the car keys because as soon as they hit the valet lot and found their car, the keys came out of the same pocket.

“Get in.’

There was no gentlemanly opening of the door. They were in a hurry.

There was a traffic jam at the exit of the parking lot. When they finally managed to clear it, fire engines roared up and totally blocked everyone from leaving.

Anpu drove over a curb. There was the crunch of metal. Natalia wondered whose new car they were ruining. She held on tight when he drove across a lawn and garden area of the hotel and back onto the street. However, half a block later they were at a stand still.

A phone rang. Natalia retrieved it out of the glove box.

Anpu tapped the button to answer it.

Yes,’ he said.

'We need Nattie in a hospital as soon as you can.’

The voice was Kate.

“We just left the hotel, but we're stuck in traffic. That Ratter character brought friends. One started a fire.’

The car moved forward a few inches.

'We need Nattie now.’

“She's covered in makeup which will take a good twenty minutes to get rid of. And not appropriately dressed.’

“What street are you on?’

“Hamilton.’

“We'll send someone to help in removing the makeup.”

“This isn't just normal makeup,” Anpu said. “This is theater makeup. You can't just send a damp cloth and cream.’

“Anpu.’

Kate sounded pissed.

The call ended.

“Fucking woman,” Anpu said, almost throwing the phone. 'l do exactly what they want me to do, and I still get yelled at.’

“It's the situation, not you,’ Natalia said.

She looked around out the windows, then looked up.

“There are some apartments. I can break into one and wash my face.’

Too risky,” he said.

“It took hot water in the shower to get rid of the last makeup,’ she said. “Like you said, someone with a cloth and cream isn't going to make a dent. Which hospital do I need to be at?"

“The Clock General."

“That wasn't the emergency room you took me to."

“No. They transferred you in an ambulance. The Clock General has a better infectious disease unit.’ I might as well strip naked and run.

He almost laughed.

“If you run, you'll end up at the hospital still looking like you have a fever.

"Yeah, hot from running. Things are going too slow."

She almost opened the car door when Anpu touched her.

“It has been a pleasure working with you,” he said.

He took her hand and kissed it. Then he reached into the back of the car to pull over a dress.

“It's big and will hide what you're wearing,” he said. “Don't ever believe men don't think ahead. Now go.’

Thank you," she said, slipping on the dress and kicking off her shoes.

She opened the door and felt fur move along her leg. As soon as Tail had cleared the door, she stepped out, shut the door, and ran. When she could, she scooped up Tail.

“We're going farther than you can run.

Meerup.

Again, Natalia thought she heard Tail say okay.

She picked backstreets and alleys to move because there were fewer people. However, after a few miles, her leg was feeling the strain. She dodged into an all night store and into the restroom, thinking she could start the makeup removal process.

She used paper towels to plug the drain in the sink and filled it with nothing but hot water to soak her face. A few chunks were easily removed. Down on her throat she would see what looked like makeup curling up. She picked at it like it was liquid skin and a huge chunk pulled off.

Knowing this, she worked up another edge and pulled more off. Working in this manner, she was able to pull off all of the makeup in a short time. The rest washed off.

Why hadn’t Anpu told her?

She stared into the mirror.

Had he forgotten?

Then two things he had said stood out.

“It has been a pleasure working with you.’

Those words were like saying goodbye.

“Don’t ever believe men don't think ahead.’

She almost felt like that was a warning.

“What do you think, Tail?’

Meerup.

“Check my pockets?’

The dress had deep pockets sewn. The left-hand pocket had a piece of paper. She unfolded it. Tail," she read. “Take your mistress to the Freeman's Hospital. Tell her to ditch the dress and the wig." Meerup.

'Is this from Uri?"

She sniffed the paper and smiled

"He kissed it."

Meerup.

“Okay, let's go."

She crumpled the paper and put it into the trash.

Once outside of the store, she picked up Tail and put her on her shoulder.

“Freeman's isn't so far.’

She jogged along at a fast pace, but didn't feel she needed to run full out like before. In twenty minutes, she caught sight of the hospital. She paused to put Tail down.

'We didn't ditch the dress.’

Meerup.

"Yeah, or the wig.’

She walked around and found some garbage cans.

“Tail. Claw.’

Tail reached up under the loose dress and snagged the dress underneath. Natalia felt the fabric rip. “Thanks.

She continued to work the rip and managed to work her way out of the dress.

“In to the trash.’

Meerup.

"Yep, wig, too. Now, lead on.’

She took out pins in her hair while she followed Tail who trotted ahead of her. Natalia expected her to head toward the back of the hospital, and she did. However, she swerved around the block and came up on the opposite side. Natalia noticed a familiar car. It was Anpu’s car that had taken her to the hospital the first time.

Mag stepped out when she approached.

“Damn. That thing is everywhere,’ Mag said in a hissed whisper, staring at the kitten.

Meerup.

“Relax, Mag. She won't hurt you unless you hurt her. What's going on. Everything I'm told gets changed.’

'Uri has locked himself in his hospital room and refuses to speak to anyone. The Council is acting a bit frantic. Probably because they can't find Victoria and then you disappeared. Kate has been telling them stories. Bonnie has been telling different stories.’

They were heading to a side door.

Bonnie opened it for her.

'Did you ever get dinner?’ she said.

“No, Natalia said.

They entered a stairwell and went up to the third floor. Bonnie went ahead and gave an all clear. Natalia followed her to the second room door. Inside was Zena.

“We need to put a bandage on your leg.’

“Hospital gown,’ Mag said.

Natalia pulled off the dress. While Zena put on the bandage, Mag helped her into the hospital gown,

'I feel like I've been showing my ass all day.’

Bonnie chuckled.

Natalia slipped into the bed. Mag poured her water.

"You look warm.’

Natalia nodded and sipped the water.

An Undent nurse came in with a tray.

“See if you can stomach a little food.”

“I'll try,” Natalia said.

The nurse left.

“That medication is messing with you,” Mag said, setting the charade.

“Probably. How are you doing?” Natalia said to her.

"A lot of tea and I'm feeling better.”

Natalia looked over the tray. There was a pudding cup, salt crackers and ginger cookies.

"You might like some of this.’

Bonnie pulled out a plastic container. It was full of raw meat. Natalia wolfed it down. However, she continued the charade by eating some of the pudding.

A phone rang.

Across the room, on a counter, was her own phone.

I wondered what happened to that.’

Mag handed her the phone.

'Kareen.!

“Go ahead and answer,’ Bonnie said.

Hello?"

She put the phone on speaker.

“Nattie. Where on earth are you? No one seems to know where you are.

“My maids are a little overprotective,’ Natalia said. “I'm in the hospital. The damn leg.’

“We heard about the leg. Which hospital?’

“l..I'm not sure. I think I was out of it when I got here.’

“Freeman's,’ Bonnie said with a nod that let her know she could tell Kareen.

“Bonnie said I'm at the Freeman's Hospital.”

“Who is with you?’

“My maids.

Just your maids?"

“I can see the whole room. There are only my maids and Bonnie.

“Have you seen Uri?

“No. I haven't been feeling well enough to visit him.’

“Oh, that's too bad. Get better, Nattie.’

The call ended.

“That means someone will be up eventually to verify, Bonnie said.

“Where's Kate?

Hell."

'Is she trusted?

"Yes, but she isn't running the show.’

'l thought Anpu was supposed to be watching over me.’

“We slipped him,’ Bonnie said, using both hands to do air quotes.

Natalia knew that meant he was no longer supposed to be around, which was why the Council had totally lost sight of her. Perhaps that was why Anpu said goodbye.

“How is your leg, by the way?’ Bonnie said.

“Doing pretty good, actually.

Tail jumped onto the bed, making Mag squeal.

“Mag,’ Zena said in reprimand.

“Sorry to say, you're sleeping here tonight,’ Bonnie said.

“Anybody have some cards,” Natalia said.

Everyone smiled. Zena pulled a deck out of her pocket.

It was almost two am when Natalia won her last game.

“I have to remember never to play with you when money is involved,’ Zena said.

Natalia laughed.

“I need to sleep. Mag, you look ready to drop. I'd share the bed, but they're pretty narrow.’

“The chair is fine."

Natalia was almost asleep when she heard the footsteps. They were definitely Viperian. She opened a sleepy eye and was surprised to see Corean.

“Sorry to be so late. Sorry to wake you, Nattie."

"Hi, Corean. What's the matter?’

It was easy to sound sleepy because she was.

“Nothing. Nothing. Just checking on you. I'll leave you be."

She nodded to everyone and left.

Bonnie stood like she was listening intently, then stepped out. No one moved or spoke until she returned.

“That was your check. So, they now know where you are. I was making sure she hadn't left a listening device. She didn't”

'Is she on our side?" Natalia said.

“She is, but she isn't part of our group,’ Bonnie said.

Everyone settled into sleep. However, at six am, the nurse came through to take her blood pressure and her temperature. At seven, a breakfast came.

"Yuck, Natalia said.

The meal was oatmeal and milk.

"You have an upset tummy, remember. We'll get you out today and get you a proper meal.’ Natalia drank the milk. Bonnie flushed the oatmeal.

At eight, a doctor came in. He was Viperian.

“All of your vitals are good. I'll discharge you with antibiotics and rest.”

“Thank you,” Natalia said.

However, it wasn't until after ten that she was allowed to leave the hospital in a wheel chair. They piled into Anpu’s car and headed to Hell

“I have a cane for you to use,’ Zena said. “You should look wounded for a while longer.’

The car was waved through the gates.

Natalia noticed more activity on Nattie Ave.

“Wow. Grazie is getting more stores rented.’

The car went around back. They piled out and pretended to help her into the building. Natalia sped up once inside. Kate was there to greet them.

“Glad you made it back. Sorry for all the misdirection,’ Kate said.

“As long as what we did accomplished what we wanted.’

“Morning news reported that Cletus Finch was arrested, along with one other man and his father. Cletus and his friend were arrested for setting the fire and public disturbance. His father was arrested for public disturbance and harassing women. Damn, Nattie. You have a potent venom.’

'I didn't bite Finch. I scratched him and rubbed in saliva.’

“That will get the same result."

'I never saw Ravi."

“He got there after the fire. Arrived fashionably late. What I heard is he took everything in, then turned around and went home.

“Glad to hear he is fine. Now, what is the plan?’ Natalia said.

"Hide here until further notice.’

"How about some food?’

Zena shooed everyone out of the kitchen. By the looks of the fridge, Kate or someone had gone grocery shopping. It wasn't long until the place smelled of bacon.

It was four in the afternoon when a call came through on Kate's phone.

YESS

Kate listened without moving for over five minutes.

“Okay. Bye."

Kate ended the call and looked at everyone.

“The challenge has been sent to the Council."

“Now what?" Natalia said.

“We wait to find out when we can present our case.’

“Who is preparing our case? And who is presenting?’

“I wasn't told. And when I do know, I can't tell you anyway. You're on the Council."

"Yeah, right. Like I wasn't part of what happened yesterday.’

“Sorry, Nattie. You hardly know what is going on. We can't say.’

“Because I'm on the Council?’

“Because we were ordered not to say.’

“Whose order?’

“We can't say.’

“This is very frustrating, you know.

Everyone nodded.

“Does anyone know how my daughter is doing?’

Everyone shook their head.

'She’s in good hands, Nattie. You know that,’ Kate said.

“As long as she is still in good hands."

“A troublemaker watching over a troublemaker... oh yeah, she's in good hands. She won't be able to pull anything over him.’

The thought caused Natalia to laugh.

On Wednesday morning, Mag discovered that Tail could fetch.

'I didn’t know cats could do that?’

“Ask her to bring you something,’ Natalia said.

The thought caused her to pause and stare at nothing.

“Damn. That's how she got out of her room.’

“Who?’ Mag said, throwing the wad of paper for Tail.

Victoria. We never heard the alarms on the sensors because she had Tail turn it off. That's why we kept finding Tail outside of the bathroom. Victoria was making sure Tail didn't get shut up. That little schemer.’

“Like father like daughter,” Bonnie said

'I don't believe it,’ Mag said.

“Tail, bring that toothbrush from my bathroom.’

Tail disappeared into her bedroom while carrying the wad of paper. Seconds later, she reappeared carrying the toothbrush.”

Natalia took it from her.

“Where is the paper wad?’

Tail disappeared back into the bedroom. She returned with the wad.

“Oh, my word,” Mag said.

Zena rose.

I'm not spending my day watching a cat fetch. Bonnie, let's go. I want the TV from the house.’ The two left.

"Yeah, watching TV is better than watching a cat fetch,’ Natalia said, but she continued to watch Mag who was now absolutely fascinated with Tail.

An hour later, Zena and Bonnie returned with a large TV.

“That's not our TV," Natalia said.

“It's ours,’ Zena said. “Over on our side.’

After lunch, Natalia’s phone rang.

'Kareen.!

“Answer,’ Kate said.

"Yes, Kareen.

Natalia put it on speaker.

“How are you doing, Nattie?’

I'm starting to feel more myself. Sleeping and healing.’

“Good to hear. I heard you were discharged from the hospital. Where are you staying?’

“We have an apartment in Hell. We have a lot of empty buildings to select from.’

“Who is there?"

Just my maids and Bonnie.

“Have you talked with Uri?"

“No. No. I was thinking of calling him tonight. He usually wanted me to wait until he called, but I didn’t hear from him last night. He must be tired.’

Natalia felt some nagging worry.

“He's in good hands,’ Kareen said. “Rest easy. Talk to you later.”

The call ended.

“What is going on for tonight?’ Natalia said.

“Why?’ Kate said.

“It's Wednesday. Women's meeting.’

“Ursula put out the word that no one is to show up.”

“That's going to get someone's attention.”

“No shit."

“Anyone know how Uri is? I haven't heard from him."

Kate shrugged.

Natalia hated that answer. She napped, but her dreams were worrisome. Finally, she stepped out before five to find Zena cooking. A table was setup and it looked like they had been playing Pikers. The TV was on with the sound low.

TV. TV, Kate yelled, causing everyone to jump.

Mag turned up the volume. However, the station turned to a commercial.

“What?’ Natalia said. "You scared everyone.’

“They mentioned something about the Bank and Ravi,’ she said.

Everyone crowded around. The station returned to the News At Five program. There was a report about the hotel fire. It was gorified. However, it was the next news story that caught everyone's attention.

“A'ppollo Bank president has resigned. Its Board has been disbanded. Ravi Paroli has tendered his resignation at the A'ppollo bank. He has sited corruption and mismanagement by its governing Board. He refused to be interviewed saying that there is a lot of work to be done to elect new Board members and a new President.’

Natalia turned to Kate.

“What does this mean?’ she said, not sure how she should feel.

“It means Uri is in control,’ Kate said.