“I take it there is no news of her?” Kirill asked solemnly. He knew the answer. He’d read it in Falke’s hard face. Ulyssa was definitely gone. She’d left him without a word. If not for Linzi explaining what the human flu was to him, he’d have thought something horrific happened to her—like she turned to dust. Though thoroughly unpleasant, the flu didn’t sound as tragic as Ulyssa made it out to be.
“Yes, my lord,” Falke responded.
“Her information had been wiped from the computer security. I’ve reloaded her DNA, but she’s not in the palace.” Kirill turned. His red-rimmed eyes dipped and for a moment Falke saw the rawness of his pain. He’d not slept the night before, hadn’t stopped pacing and searching since the moment he realized she had left him.
He’d stayed in the banquet hall a long time, making a great show of laughing and talking to Linzi and Taura. Musicians had been called to play. Wine had been poured in abundance while they celebrated nothing in particular. Kirill enjoyed his home and his people, but when he’d looked to his side, he didn’t enjoy the fact that Ulyssa wasn’t by him enjoying it as well.
He’d gone back home late in the evening to discover her missing. At first he thought she played a game. Then, when he didn’t find her hiding from him, he’d asked Siren to locate her. A dull ache had settled in his chest, making him feel weak and helpless. It had yet to leave him. By the time they discovered the computer had been tampered with, several hours had passed since her possible escape.
“Did she say anything to you?” Kirill asked his brother. He knew she’d grown fond of Falke—though he was sure he didn’t know what caused such an odd friendship. Falke was hardly a man people took lightly.
Falke’s expression softened, revealing he knew how hard it was for the proud King to ask such a question. Ever one to take charge, he said, “Let us gather our intelligence. What happened yesterday?”
“I gave her communicator back to her. She called her Uncle Frank.” Kirill answered. He quickly relayed the entire conversation, knowing Falke could be trusted. He left out his own reactions to her words, except to say, “I could sense she was lying about the engagement.”
“It’s code,” Falke stated flatly. His lips pulled into a hard line.
“Code?” Kirill asked. “How can you be sure?”
“Lady Ulyssa has no uncle or grandmother.” Falke frowned. “Has she told you nothing of herself? Have you not spoken?”
Kirill’s dark face paled slightly. She’d never share anything with him, no matter how gently he asked her. It was like she didn’t want anything personal between them. To hear that Falke knew more about her personal life than he did stung bitterly.
“I apologize,” Falke stated, lifting his chin. “It is not my place to question it. Lady Ulyssa is an orphan.”
Kirill frowned, not understanding the term.
“It is an Earth word for a person without family. Her parents died in a space shuttle accident.”
“How do you know this is true?” Kirill inquired, doing his best to hold his emotion back. But the truth was he was worried—terrified. She’d been ill when he last saw her—so pale and fragile. She’d been shaking terribly and he could just imagine the harm that would befall her in the forest.
“It’s the truth. I would’ve detected the lie.” Falke paused, waiting for Kirill’s nod to continue. “You say she spoke falsely about the engagement right after asking you for privacy. It’s easy to assume engagement code for something else. I doubt there was even a shipwreck. If someone knew that there was a possible war brewing between the Var and Draig, they’d know we’d never ask the Draig Princes about a shipwreck on their land. We wouldn’t trust them enough to believe them either way.”
Kirill nodded. “I always thought it strange that she could understand the Var tongue but not speak it.”
“And she’s been trained in weaponry, though not extensively to the sword or knife. Her reactions are honed.” Falke nodded in silent approval of her skill.
“And she is intelligent,” Kirill responded. Just thinking about her made his gut ache. He wanted her back. He wanted her in his home, waiting for him, safe, sound, so he didn’t have to worry about her. And he wanted her there now! Keeping his voice even, he continued, “Her mind is sharp. I only have to tell or show her something one time before she understands it. But, the question remains, who is she? Why is she here?”
“A spy?” Falke offered. “An assassin?”
“If she’s an assassin, she’d have acted before now,” Kirill dismissed.
“What if...” Falke paused, looking slightly uncomfortable.
“What?”
“What if the Draig sent her? What if she was meant to kill you and failed?” Falke cleared her throat. “What if she couldn’t go through with it?”
“I might not know her past, brother, but I didn’t feel murder in her. She’s not an assassin.” Kirill turned his back on Falke and leaned his head to the window. His eyes searched the distance.
“Spy?” Falke asked.
Kirill knew Falke didn’t want to give up his suspicions that the Draig were behind her presence, but for some reason he couldn’t lay voice to, he just couldn’t see it. Suddenly, an idea struck him. “Attor.”
Falke frowned.
“Our father kidnapped her in the forest, or at least he could have. Lyssa mentioned something about blond warriors. It could have been Attor’s personal guard. In the last several years he never went anywhere without them. Find the mountain lions and ask them if and where they found her.”
For the first time since finding her gone, Kirill felt like he had a plan of action—at least the beginnings of one. If he could find her old campsite, then maybe he could find her. If he found her, he’d drag her back by the roots of her hair and throw her into the prison. Even if he had to chain her up, he’d make certain she never left him again. No matter how much she protested, he would make her stay. He had no choice. He simply couldn’t live without her.
* * * *
Ulyssa was tired. Her skin and clothes were covered in dried sweat and mud. Not knowing whether or not Kirill would try to come after her, she knew it was best to mask her scent with the smell of forest. If he did come, more than likely it would be out of pride and not because he missed her. She thought of Linzi and grimaced.
Several days had passed since she walked out of the palace. She’d been traveling by foot during that time, avoiding passersby as she tried to find her campsite. Only allowing herself an hour’s sleep at a time, she’d jogged toward the northern borders until her legs felt like jelly and she could see the tall red mountain of the Draig palace in the distance. Then, turning east, she slowly backtracked to the campground near where the Galaxy Brides ship landed. From there she was able to navigate toward her old campsite.
When Ulyssa found her campsite, the cloaking device was turned off. It looked as if a wild animal had chewed through the wires in the back. Luckily, her backpack was still inside the collapsed tent and she was able to salvage a pack of freeze dried mineral compound. They tasted gross, but after living on a handful of berries since leaving the palace, she was more than happy to swallow down the dark brown wafers.
Pulling out her backup communicator, she programmed it to call the Agency. It didn’t take long for the old woman voice to answer, “Hello?”
“Agent 596.”
“Report,” came the operator.
“Ulyssa 596, codename Gena, Qurilixen,” she answered quickly, glancing around uneasily into the shadowed light of the surrounding forest.
“We’ve been anticipating your call, patching through secure line to the director.”
Ulyssa waited as a series of clicks sounded on the communicator. She searched through her bag with one hand, not willing to be caught without a weapon again.
“Ulyssa?”
Ulyssa let loose a long sigh, “Frank, I’m here. I can’t talk long, but right now we’re secure. I want to get moving again, but I had to let you know what’s
going on.”
“Is it true? Doc Aleksander stored biological weapons on that planet?” Franklin’s voice was tense.
“I think so. I found a trade agreement with the old King of the Var at the Var Palace where I was,” she paused before stating diplomatically, “undercover. I don’t know how much or where it’s at or if it’s even here for sure.”
“Damn it! That’s not a lot to go on, agent! We need to know what we are up against.” Franklin paused and she could tell he was worried about her. “Listen, why don’t you come back? You’re not trained for this. We need to send down a science team. There’s nothing more you can do.”
“I can’t leave. I have a plan. Nadja Aleksander is married to a Draig Prince, the rivals to the Var. I’m going to make contact with her, see what she knows. I’m hoping she’ll help us.” Ulyssa frowned, glancing around the forest. The hairs on her neck stood on end. Very carefully, and quietly, she said, “To be safe, I’d send a containment crew in case this gets out. No one should get off this planet alive.”
“Agent—damn it. Ulyssa, listen to me. If this thing blows a doctor won’t... We can’t bring you back.”
“I know, Frank, I know. If it blows, leave me here to die with the rest.” Ulyssa swallowed, terrified about the prospect of dying on Qurilixen. If the weapon was released, she wouldn’t have an antidote either.
“I have a team of specialists on their way. They should be there in less than a week. I want you to concentrate on finding transport off that planet. There is nothing more you can do.”
“No, Frank, you’re wrong. I can at least try. And what if the weapon’s released before they get here? I can’t wait a week waiting. I have to do something.”
“You don’t have to do this.”
“I’m staying. I can’t let these people die,” Ulyssa stated. She steeled her nerves and repeated, “I’m staying and I’ll find that weapon. You’re wrong. Saving innocent lives is exactly what I’m trained for.”
“But—”
“No, if it goes off make sure you blow up any ship trying to leave including one I may be on. The risk is too great to the rest of the galaxy. I—I don’t know what we’re up against. Besides, no one should leave, including me. I might already be contaminated.”
“Damn it!” Franklin swore only to follow the curse with a long string of other ones. Ulyssa smiled at that, drawing a strange feeling of comfort knowing he felt as helpless as she did. “Fine, proceed with your plan. And you be careful—that’s an order.”
A twinge rolled over Ulyssa’s spine and she knew she wasn’t alone. There was more she wanted to say to him just in case she never spoke to him again, but there was no time. Reaching into her bag, she felt for a weapon. Keeping her tone light, she said absently, “Gotta go, Frank. Out.”
“Agent—”
Franklin’s voice was cut out as she pressed the button, ending the transmission. Without turning around, she called, “I know you’re there. Make yourself known.”
A light chuckle was her answer.
Turning around, she saw Falke. He nodded his head in friendly approval, though his features were guarded. “I wondered how long it was going to take you to feel me.”
Despite the pleasantness of his voice, Ulyssa whipped her hand from the bag and shot a tranquilizer at him. The bullet pierced the tunic over his chest, sinking beneath the skin. Falke looked down in shock at what she’d done, obviously not expecting her to react to him in such a way. He blinked as his eyes turned a milky white. Ulyssa sprung forward, looking for others as she reached forward to catch Falke before he fell.
Sensing he’d come alone, she relaxed slightly and eased him against the trunk of a tree. With a heave, she hauled his massive weight and adjusted him the best she could. He didn’t move and she knew that his arms and legs would be like dead weights. His mouth fell slack and his head rolled to the side. The only thing that moved was his glazed eyes. They glared angrily at her in disbelief.
“You shouldn’t have tracked me, Falke,” Ulyssa said quietly, trying to adjust his arms in what looked to be a comfortable position. His chest lifted in shallow breaths.
Going to her bag, she grabbed a handheld travel decontaminator and began running it over her body. Turning her back to him, she tore off her Var styled shirt and began bathing by running the laser quickly over her skin. As discreetly as she could manage, she did her legs and feet before quickly dressing in a fresh change of clothes. They were a little musty from being stored outdoors, but they were much more comfortable. Then, taking a ring out of her bag, she slipped it on her finger.
Fresh and clean, she tucked the communicator and a gun onto her waist before grabbing a small bottle. She crossed over to Falke. He hadn’t moved, but his eyes watched her approach. Ulyssa licked her lips before kneeling.
“Falke, I’m sorry about this. But you must understand I have no choice. I know that it sucks not being able to move. I’ve been shot with this damned thing four times and it does wear off. You’ll stay like this for a few hours.” Taking a small pill out of the bottle, she rolled it into his tunic sleeve. “Take this as soon as you come around. If you don’t, you’ll have a terrible headache that will last for days. I probably shouldn’t give it to you, but I’m hoping you’ll heed me and just leave me alone.”
Falke didn’t move, except for the shallow rise and fall of his chest.
Taking a pulser from her pack, she shoved it into the ground and turned it on. The domed machine blinked. “This will keep the animals away until you recover.”
Falke managed to blink but that was it.
“I’m real sorry Falke—about everything. Tell Kirill you couldn’t find me.” Shaking slightly, she stood. “Tell him I disappeared.”
Not knowing why exactly, she let him watch her. She stood tall before him and turned the ring on her finger. Maybe if he saw her morph he’d listen to her and stay out of her business. She grunted uncomfortably as she shifted and stretch. Her limbs weakened and she trembled. No matter how many times she morphed, she’d never get use to it.
Her red blonde hair grew longer and filled in with a dark auburn tone, erasing all traces of gold and red. Her nose lengthened slightly. The blue of her eyes filled in with green. Her lips bowed and thinned, drawing her features into a permanent pout. The skin around her cheekbones plumped, filling in her features with a roundness she didn’t normally possess, and a subtle weight was added to her stomach and legs, softening her sculpted form. Taking a deep breath as the last of the tingling sensations left her limbs, she stood tall.
“Damn I hate that.” When she spoke, her voice was no longer her own. It was higher and sounded almost like a whine. Just to hear it again made Ulyssa cringe. She had to listen to it for a month on the Galaxy Brides ship and still hadn’t gotten use to the sound of ‘Gena’. If she weren’t so preoccupied, she’d have cursed Franklin once again for picking the hideous disguise out.
Falke’s glazed eyes rounded slightly and he looked at her in a mix of horror and amazement.
“Awful isn’t it?” she chuckled without much humor. Then, her new face turning serious, she brushed back a piece of his hair. “I’m truly sorry about this Falke. I did value your friendship while I had it.”
With that, Ulyssa left him slouched against the tree. Taking off at a sprint, she jogged toward the Draig palace. Her large breasts bounced uncomfortably, feeling like lead weights on her lungs. She held them up to keep them still. Within minutes she was in sight of the large mountain.
The Draig palace was a magnificent thing built inside the mountain. From the ground, because of the angle, she couldn’t see any windows or balconies. It just looked like a large mountain dominating the surrounding valley. The night Nadja killed her father in self-defense, Ulyssa had overhead some of the Draig warriors talking about the palace. If not for that, she wouldn’t have known it was there. It was truly an impenetrable fortress.
Taking the long way around through the forest paths, Ulyssa hoped to avoid coming
into contact with any of the locals. It was harder to defend herself in her morphed body, and she really didn’t want to scare a primitive race by changing back in front of them. She knew they were aware of technology, but she doubted they came into contact with such sophisticated equipment as her morphing ring. Morphing was different than a natural shift. To anyone who didn’t know better, it would look like her face was melting from her head. She’d sent primitive races into a panic before with that neat little trick.
Taking a path that led up a small hill to a raised courtyard before the palace entrance, Ulyssa glanced over to the little village in the valley below. It was much different than the Var city in looks. The villager’s homes were of rock and wood, so that even the poorest of families looked to be prosperous. The red earth streets were carved to perfection and the town looked very tidy and planned, instead of the maze-like streets of the Var.
Going into the soft haze of the triple suns, Ulyssa took a calming breath, trying to still her racing heart. She could see some of the villagers down below. They wore light linen tunics and all had long hair, their style very reminiscent of Medieval Earth. Seeing them and their town, she didn’t think they looked all the different from the Var. She again wondered what the problem was between the two races.
Walking straight toward the wrought iron gates that were lifted high over the side of the mountain, marking the entrance to the castle, Ulyssa smiled at the blond guard. He was dressed like the rest of his kind, in a tunic. A crystal hung about his thick neck on a leather band, signifying that he was single. He had the handsome, proud features of his kind. Simpering as only Gena’s voice could, she purred, “Hello there handsome.”
The guard looked momentarily uncomfortable by her open look and cleared his throat. He scanned over the distance to see if she was alone. Then, assessing her and finally deciding she couldn’t possibly mean him any harm, he nodded back. “What business do you have in the palace?”
Shifter Fated Mates: Boxed Set Page 50