Still, he wanted to know if there were more Symtarians caged. So he asked the question. “How did you know?”
Adam fairly glowed with anticipation. “I knew as soon as I met you that you were alien. The mark on your ass when the towel came loose proved it. You’re Symtarian. All Symtarians have the same rose symbol, different from a tattoo.” He laughed. “It will give you away every time.”
“And how many Symtarians have you found?”
His chest puffed out. “My fair share.” He frowned. “Some of them didn’t know they were Symtarians. I thought that was strange at first. But then I figured that out, too. Your people dumped them here so they could breed with people from Earth.” His lip curled in distaste. “Is that why you’re here? To breed with that slut you were shacked up with?”
Kristor tightened his fists. He wanted to kill this man like he had never wanted to kill another person. But he couldn’t. Not right now. He had to keep Ria safe.
“Get her with child? I think not. I am a prince. She is not worthy to carry my seed. But she did give me some relief, no matter how distasteful it was to relieve myself by using her body.”
“Why, you filthy alien!” Adam doubled his fists and punched Kristor in the gut.
Kristor sucked air, but not enough to let Adam know he’d caused him anything more than mild discomfort. “Don’t hurt yourself,” he told him.
The door suddenly opened and a gray-haired man wearing a white coat stepped inside. “Agent, you’ve been warned about harming the specimens. The last one died too quickly. I think you can leave now.”
Adam smirked. “I want to see him squirm.”
“He won’t be squirming today, so you can leave.”
Adam cast one last glare in Kristor’s direction before leaving the cell.
“I’m Dr. Rigby,” the gray-haired man said. He nodded toward the door. “Agent Richards is an imbecile, but we have found him useful for our needs.”
“What? Torturing people just because they aren’t exactly like you?”
“We don’t torture. We perform tests. If your people should ever attack, we need to know what makes you tick so we can defend ourselves.”
“That will never happen.”
“Attacking us?”
“Being able to defend yourselves.”
The man looked taken aback by his truthfulness. Kristor continued, “We’re far more advanced than Earth people. We’re able to travel between planets. But we’ve learned something that you haven’t.”
The man looked genuinely interested. “What would that be?”
“Destruction breeds destruction. You gain nothing through wars so fierce that they will destroy your planet.”
He sighed. “I wish our time together could be more pleasant. I would like to sit down and talk about your home. Those are not my orders, though.”
“If you harm me, they will find you.”
The man looked surprised that someone who was chained would threaten him. Just as quickly, he recovered his composure. “But they won’t know we have you.”
“Yes, they will. I don’t think I’ve properly introduced myself. I’m Prince Kristor Valkyir, of New Symtaria. My parents rule our planet. I have brothers and sisters. None of them will appreciate people from Earth experimenting on me. So heed my words carefully. They will discover what happened to me and there will be destruction like you have never seen before.”
The man’s eyes grew wide as he stumbled backwards, running into the door. He turned, fumbled with the knob, and rushed out.
Kristor might still be chained, but he was satisfied that he had taken away some of the man’s superiority. He wouldn’t be quite so condescending the next time they met. And they would meet, but next time he wouldn’t be in chains. He looked at the metal that bound his wrist. Metal that he could focus on.
Kid’s play.
It would be dark soon. People would leave for their homes. That’s what people from Earth did. There would only be a few left in the building. And then he would escape.
Chapter 29
Watch the fence! Ria said.
I see it, Shintara told her.
Shintara glided gracefully over the fence. Maybe Ria was a worrywart, but it wasn’t easy overcoming a lifetime of fear in just a few hours.
There’s the van. Shintara landed on a branch in the wooded area at the edge of the compound.
Ria watched as they brought Kristor out of the back. If they hurt one hair on his head, she’d kill them.
Kristor! Ria called.
Do you really think he can hear your thoughts?
So maybe he couldn’t. Which was probably a good thing, but it had felt wonderful to call his name.
But damn, it had hurt to see him in handcuffs. If it was the last thing she did, she would help him escape.
We’ll wait until nightfall, Shintara said. There will be fewer people around.
Ria wasn’t a patient person. She was ready to storm inside the building right now. But Shintara was right. Besides, she would have to figure out a way to find clothes. She really doubted anyone would be afraid of a woman streaking through their building.
So what are we going to do until then? Ria asked.
Fly, Shintara said with more than a little exuberance.
Ria had to ask. She closed her eyes as Shintara dipped between the trees and dodged branches. After a while, she realized she could block out everything around her and let Shintara take complete control. Much better. Now she didn’t feel quite so woozy.
Wake up! Shintara screamed.
Ria jerked awake, looking around. Where am I?
For the last couple of hours you’ve been snoozing. You snore, by the way.
I do not.
Whatever.
What time is it?
Late. Around ten. The compound has pretty much shut down. By my estimations, there are only about twenty people inside C Building.
How did you figure that?
There are twenty cars in the parking lot.
Smart ass.
I don’t suppose you found me some clothes.
I’m good, but I’m not that good. Now, are you ready to shift?
As ready as I’ll ever be.
But nothing happened.
Hey, Ria, Shintara said in a serious voice.
What?
Thanks for shifting.
I think I would have anyway.
Yeah, I’d already guessed you would. She cleared her throat. I’ve got your back if you need me.
Warmth swelled inside her. Let’s do this.
Shintara swooped down closer to the building, landing around the corner from the door. Ria began to concentrate on her human form. Nothing happened at first, and there was a moment of panic. She didn’t want to remain a hawk.
Just concentrate, Shintara’s thoughts came to her.
Concentrate. Yes, that’s what she needed to do. She closed her eyes and thought about how it felt to have Kristor hold her close, to feel his hands caressing her.
The burning began in the pit of her stomach. She moaned as her body began to change. The hawk screeched. Their thoughts blended and for a moment, they were one, no separation between them. An incredible feeling of bonding flooded through her.
The burning eased, but not the feeling that the two of them had merged and somehow grown closer, stronger in spirit.
Did you feel it? Ria asked
Yes, I did. We are truly one.