I wrapped my arms around my waist, shrugging.
It occurred to me I didn’t know exactly what she was apologizing for.
Ullysa spoke before I could. “How is it that you are feeling yourself, sister?”
I noticed her accent had lost some of its human-like cadence. Maybe she had relaxed some. Or maybe it had something to do with whatever clearly bothered yet excited her about me and Revik.
“Fine.” I tried to unclench my fists, to relax that reflexive but alien vigilance. I couldn’t. “Fine. Just...” I glanced at Revik, stifling the impulse to step directly between him and the woman’s eyes. “I’m fine,” I repeated, succumbing to the impulse by moving a half-step. “...Just tired, I guess. Stinky. Hungry. In desperate need of a shower.”
Ullysa smiled. “Please make yourself at home. We can supply you with anything you need during your stay.”
“Stay?” I felt my face slacken. “How long will we be staying here?”
Ullysa smiled. Her voice turned briefly business-like.
“You two are safe for now,” she said. “...But they found no bodies. In future, if you wish to fake your deaths, I suggest you consult Revi’ first.” Her smile crept out wider, and didn’t seem to have any relation to her actual words.
“...The Rooks know you are here...at least that you were seen together in Seattle. They know about the stolen headset too...it is good you left it in the taxi.” She added cheerfully, “It is better that we wait until they are not watching every route in and out of the city. We are sending seers starting today, to begin to create false trails.”
Watching my eyes, she grinned again.
“Do you have a passport, Bridge Alyson?”
I shook my head. “No.”
“That is easily fixed. Vash also suggested you might use this time to learn more about why you are here...”
I glanced at Revik, feeling his light looking for mine again. I pushed it aside gently, focusing back on the woman.
“Where will I go that I need a passport?” I said.
“There are many places, Bridge Alyson.” The woman’s smile was a grin again. “...Revi’s home is not in this country.”
I flushed, hearing the teasing behind this. The woman must have felt his pull.
“Where does he live? Germany, or—”
“No,” Ullysa said, surprised. “Not Germany...not for many years. He lived in Russia also, I believe...but has maintained a residence in London for over twelve years.” She paused, smiling at me warmly again. “...And it is no trouble at all to keep my light from his, Bridge Alyson. I completely understand.”
My face grew hotter.
Succumbing to the impulse again, I stepped a little more firmly into the woman’s line of sight to Revik.
Rather than causing offense, something in the gesture seemed to touch the other woman immensely. She startled me by touching my face, then kissing my cheek.
She turned as if to leave...then abruptly stopped.
I tensed before my mind supplied me with a reason.
Still polite, Ullysa glanced over my shoulder, a glimmer of asking permission inherent in the brevity of the peek.
“Revi’, darling...did we wake you?”
His answer was low, but made me jump, almost cringe.
“It’s fine,” he said.
“Are you hungry?”
“Yes.”
I took a breath, turned...and found his eyes locked on me. The look in them was narrow, cold, with a veiled hostility that took me aback.
It was unmistakably aimed at me.
Ullysa didn’t seem to notice. “Of course you are,” she smiled. “And congratulations, Revi’...I am touched. Very touched. Good hunting, friend.”
Seeing that Ullysa was close to tears above her smile, I glanced again at Revik, feeling my nerves turn into actual fear when I saw his face. His skin had darkened; it was clear he knew exactly what the woman was talking about and didn’t appreciate the comment at all.
He averted his gaze when it caught mine, folding his arms across his chest.
I couldn’t take my eyes off his face.
Was he blushing?
He bowed slightly to Ullysa. “Thank you.”
Wiping her cheek, the woman smiled, then turned to go.
I found I couldn’t follow her out fast enough. Before I made it through the door, however, Ullysa turned.
“Alyson...where are you going?”
I froze. “Passport. Eggs. Shower...”
“Why don’t you stay here?” she suggested. “We will bring food for you both. It is too early for passports...and the shower can wait.”
I felt like a cornered animal. I glanced at Revik. His eyes were trained out the window, as gray as the sky. I looked back to Ullysa.
“No, actually...it can’t wait. The shower, I mean. Besides, I have to go to the bathroom. And I thought I might talk to you...and some of the others. Maybe learn more about how I’m supposed to kill everyone on the planet...”