Ellie's feet were frozen as red blossoms appeared on Emeric's chest as he stood between her and the tall figure in the kitchen. He gasped once then fell to the floor.
"Emeric," Ellie whispered in horror. Why couldn't she get her feet to move? Slowly, she took a step back toward the door.
"I wouldn't if I were you, Eleanor," a familiar male voice warned.
Ellie swallowed then turned. "Mr. Redly? What are you doing here?" She was about to kick him out when she saw the gun with silencer in his hand. "Emeric?"
"Shot." He stepped over the fallen guard. "I never believed finding you and getting you alone would be so much trouble. If it weren't for the hospital supply order your grandmother placed in your name, I never would have found you. Now step away from the door while I explain what is going to happen."
Ellie took a single step forward. She couldn't get her feet to move any farther away from the door and closer to him. Her slight movement must have satisfied him because he began speaking.
"You and your grandmother have disrupted plans that have been in motion for quite some time. But you will be able to rectify that for me."
"What plans?"
"After your childish display, your grandmother called the Board of Directors and had them fire me."
Ellie blinked. "She did?"
Redly growled. "As if you didn't know. I need my position, it keeps me abreast of any new medical discoveries. I have interested buyers in many countries who pay very well for the research I provide."
"But you don't own it; how can you possibly sell something you don't own?" she asked. If she could just keep him talking, she knew her chances of being discovered would increase.
Redly shrugged. "Formulas are funny things. If you change just one single component, the patent is different. As long as it goes uncontested, it can make money. That's where you come in."
"Me?"
"Your untimely death will allow my clients to move forward with their copy of your research without having to worry about being sued for infringement."
"But that research is years away from being completed. Why now?"
"It may be years away from being completed for human cell trials, but what you do have has already been used to make a revolutionary new skin cream that very wealthy men and women will pay handsomely for."
"My research is meant to help children."
Redly shrugged. "To the victor goes the spoils. Now be a good little girl and put the brat down and come with me. Once I get you to the surface, I can hide your body. It will take them weeks to find you, and gives us more than enough time to move forward with production."
"You're insane. What makes you think I will go along with you? Besides, if you kill me, you'll go feral. You can't spend any of your stolen money if you're a mindless, drooling monster."
"You'll do as I say, because if you don't, I will make sure that hateful old bitch of a grandmother of yours pays for your disobedience. We just need to get to the surface so I can put a bullet in your brain. You try to get away or alert anyone on the way up and I will make sure those around you will die before you do." He gave her an evil smile. "As for going feral, that happened quite some time ago." He pulled back the collar of his shirt. "You can't see it, but I am wearing a necklace that hides the fact that I've turned. Very handy." He tilted his head. "Too bad you're so fat, I would have loved to fuck you before I killed you." He sighed, looking disappointed.
"My mate will kill you," Ellie hissed.
Redly's eyes narrowed. "What mate?"
"You didn't see the very tall and muscular warrior with me? That is Grant Douglas, my mate."
Redly paled. "I thought he was a chubby chaser taking advantage of your desperation." He brought the gun up. "Change of plans. You die here, and I will take my chances getting away. If I try to leave with you, your mate will stop us." He pulled back the hammer. "Sorry Eleanor, but you and the brat will have to die here."
Ellie felt her skin pull taunt. "What did you just say?" Her words sounded guttural. Why did she sound so funny? She set her son on the floor behind her as the room seemed to contact.
"What are you doing?" Redly demanded, holding up the gun.
Ellie felt her soul burst from her body as she grew and expanded. Lifting her trunk, she trumpeted her rage. Using her long snout, she gently lifted her son out of the way as bullets flew past her.
Redly fired then ran by her toward the door. Ellie started to turn but felt confined. She knew if she backed up she would be free. Cradling Benji close to her, she simply walked backward. She felt the cool stone of the building against her skin give way as her body broke free.