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Virtually Real Part 8: A New Reality

Returning Characters:

Prowl-Ar: Human/Tiger shifter

Talon: Western Dragon

Aaron: Lynx

Stripes: Canine/Tiger hybrid

Notes: Endon = Ensign and Casona = Captain

"Captain, this is where Talon's pod was discovered. No other debris was found." Aaron stated, as we stared at the screen displaying empty space.

"It doesn't make any sense. Why would a Leonar ship be out here in the first place?" Stripes asked.

"According to the records, the pod was broadcasting a distress signal on multiple channels." Aaron replied.

"That's not right, the pod should only have been broadcasting on the Draco Emergency Band." Talon said, as he moved from the navigator's seat over to the communications console. "This is Endon, Talon Windspear, calling Draconian Exploration Vessel, Vantage. Please respond."

"You know, thinking they're alive may be wish-" I started.

"Endon Windspear, have you completed your mission in such a miniscule amount of time?"

I signaled Aaron to trace the transmission. "Exploration vessel, Vantage, This is Captain Prowl-Ar Lightstripe of the Lightstripe's Pride. I am here to make contact with the Draconian Alliance."

"Captain Lightstripe, I am Casona Skysight. I would be honored to meet with you to begin a dialog between our two cultures."

Aaron gave me a thumbs up.

"You misunderstand Casona," I engaged the hyper drive and a second later dropped back to sub-light speed. Both Lightstripe's Pride and Captive 5 were directly behind the Vantage. "If I had been a representative of the

Leonar Empire, I'd be firing on you right now. Once your ship had been sufficiently crippled I'd send my slaves over to round up survivors. Those most likely to have valuable information would be tortured until the Empire was satisfied. A few would be kept to study but eventually all would be sold as slaves. Just as your former Endon was sold to me."

"Captain, according to the sensors they are charging weapons." Stripes yelled.

"Auto-targeting engage, take out their weapons." I calmly sat back in my seat as the Pride's two plasma turrets quickly targeted and destroyed the other ship's twin rail-guns and single laser turret.

"Aaron, is the channel still open?"

"Yes, Sir."

"So, as I was saying, the remains of your primitive ship would be towed back for study. Any information collected from the survivors would be used to bring your Alliance under Leonar rule. Of course all of your citizens would become slaves, but such is the appropriate fate of lesser beings."

"You've made your point. Return Endon Windspear and we will retreat to

Draconian Space."

"No, and no. You've obviously missed the point and I'll be keeping my slave."

"No Draconian will ever be a slave. Even though he failed his mission the fact that he is still alive is proof that he isn't a slave."

"What mission?" Talon blurted out in annoyance.

I glared at him.

"I'm sorry, Master."

"I admit he has a ways to go but I'm training him to behave properly. Still, what was his mission supposed to be?" I asked.

"It was all in the briefing included with his pod. He was to be picked up by a Leonar ship, open a dialog for peaceful negotiations between our cultures, and then return to Draconian territory with a Leonar Envoy."

I rolled my eyes at their stupidity. "That explains a lot. You gave the Leonar all the information they needed so Talon was dumped in a cage for auction without ever getting his orders."

"Never the less, you can either turn him over for trial or he can self-terminate in order to maintain what honor he might have left."

"I believe my slave would like to say something. Go ahead, I give you leave to speak freely, Talon."

"What honor I have left? Kill myself? I'm tempted to beg Master

Lightstripe to leave you all to your fate. However, I have to believe most of the Alliance is worth saving."

While Talon was busy yelling at his former captain I moved over to Aaron's station. "Do you have it yet?" I whispered.

"Almost, their tech may be primitive compared to the Empire but their computer programming skills are really good. Not up to my level, of course, but we should probably make a note to inform them cyber-attacks may give them an edge if they go to war."

"It's a matter of when, not if." I mumbled.

"Furthermore, I'd rather remain Master Lightstripe's slave, than continue to serve under your command. In the short time I've been his slave he has treated me with more trust and respect than I ever received aboard the

Vantage or even at the Academy."

"I've heard enough. Endon Talon Windspear, your own testimony merits-".

I grabbed Talon while hitting the portal call button on my gauntlet. "House, portal to medical unit." I yelled.

I hit the scanning table as we hurtled through the portal hitting the ground hard. I rolled and stood up. I could tell something was wrong but I ignored it. "Talon, strip. House, full scan of Talon. I suspect he has an implanted kill switch."

"Explosive implant detected at the back of the neck, neurotoxin implants at the base of each wing and tail, and two poison capsules in dental containers. Suggested treatment for subject Talon: emersion in med-tube and micro surgery removal."

"Medical Alert Sequence! All programs suspended!" The room vanished, leaving only the V.R. chamber's grid matrix. I looked down. The patch job on the stab wound must have ripped open. The floor was covered in blood and was rapidly growing. It seemed to be getting darker in the room. I almost laughed as the simulation regenerated the same room it had just canceled. Maybe I did laugh but just didn't realize it as the darkness took me.

* * *

"He's regaining consciousness now."

I groaned, "Well, am I still the original, or a clone copy?" I opened my eyes but even with my enhanced night vision the room seemed really dark.

"The damage, while mortal, wasn't terminal. This time."

"You shouldn't have been in danger to start with." An angry voice lectured. "You should have taken the proper precautions and healed before continuing your little game. Instead you slapped on a temporary combat patch and kept going. You really are an idiot, you know that right?"

"Mahan, you yelling at me is more than enough. I don't need a doctor character telling me off as well."

"Like I said you're an idiot. We're not in the V.R. chamber. The emergency medical program, while sophisticated, is only meant to stabilize living organisms. You were transferred first to the surgery theater, then to recovery, and finally to your quarters."

"Explains why the bed is actually comfortable." I mumbled.

"I'm also not a doctor. I'm, well, I guess bodyguard or maybe mercenary would be the closest job description. I'm not really sure what title would be best anymore."

"Wait, you're not a V.R. character or one of Mahan's Drones? Mahan! You brought an unauthorized human aboard!" I tried to sit up but was quickly pushed back down.

"Don't you dare move!" The individual yelled. "You need to give your body time to integrate the regenerated tissue. That means you're not allowed to shift either."

"Mahan! I'm going to wipe your memory core along with the back-up."

"That's an empty threat, and we all know it." The person said.

I could hear the smirk in his tone and it wasn't improving my mood. "Who the hell are you?" The room was still too dark to see more than a large form holding my shoulders against the bed.

"Do you promise you'll remain still if I let you go?"

"I won't move unless I have to."

"No, that isn't good enough. You have to say 'I promise that I will not move, no matter what happens, until Mahan says it is safe for me to do so'. Until then I'm going to continue holding you down for your own good."

I sighed. "Mahan, you have a lot of explaining to do. I promise I won't move, no matter what happens, without Mahan's permission." He was quiet for a moment before releasing me.

"Not exactly word for word, but I don't see any loop holes."

I gasped in surprise, how much about me had Mahan told this stranger? "Fine, Mahan, am I safe to roll on my side? You know how much I hate being on my back."

"Only if Kyle assists you. Any effort from you may compromise your recovery. Also you're only allowed to roll onto your right side and you're not to remove your smart-cloth bodysuit. I know you hate sleeping in it but right now it really is the only thing holding you together. You should be able to move freely in another eight to twelve hours. Just remember to ask first."

"Understood. Now, could you turn the lights up?"

"Mahan, what is he talking about?" Kyle asked, as he assisted me onto my side. I also noticed he remained sitting on the bed his thigh supporting my back.

"Shift back to your human form first."

Kyle's shift in size was quite noticeable, but I knew from my own shifting experience that appearances would be deceiving. Our bones and tissue, while smaller would be proportionally denser. I wondered if Mahan had used my idea of adding carbon nano-fibers, as bone reinforcement, when he altered Kyle. I gritted my teeth in anger. First he brought a stranger aboard, made him a shifter, and told him everything about me. Kyle was right about one thing, I wasn't going to just wipe the main computer and the back-up. I was going to wipe all the back-ups.

"Now, all comfy?" Mahan asked, and I just growled. "Good. I'm lowering the rooms lighting to make this easier then you can reset your contacts to normal levels."

That caught me off guard. "I didn't realize they were still in. All things considered, I'll just remove them for now. It doesn't seem I have any secrets left."

"That's not true, Mahan didn't tell me everything." Kyle said.

"Actually I've only provided him with the most basic information about you. Everything else he has learned by reading your stories and watching you play the V.R. games."

"I've also been researching your past by interacting with a V.R. simulation created from your memory crystal."

"I certainly didn't authorize him to do that. How did you get access?" It was Mahan's turn to sound angry.

"Because my old human life and this life isn't supposed to mix. You gave him access to my stories. All the codes I use in this part of my life are hidden there."

"A rather foolish thing to do, obviously. But I'm not complaining because it has really helped me."

"Don't sound so smug, I'll be changing all of my codes shortly. It wouldn't have been foolish if Mahan hadn't brought a stranger aboard.

Speaking of which, I'm the Captain here and all I know is your name."

Kyle sighed, "You know a lot more than you realize. Tell me if any of this sounds familiar. I was raised primarily by my adopted Grandfather in a small cliff-side village. For most of my life I resented my father, for abandoning my mother and myself, but later learned that he sacrificed himself to protect the entire community."

His story was very familiar, too familiar. "Mahan! What have you done?"

"He gave me life were I had none. From what I've learned you created me to be your perfect mate, stupid really, and then for some reason you decided that I shouldn't exist so you attempted to delete my profile. Mahan kept a copy and generated me from that."

His words hurt more than I could have imagined. "I didn't create you. The only alterations I made to your character file was to reduce your dislike of 'two-leggers' and made you bisexual so there was a chance that feelings could develop. I also modified your game to give myself a way to enter the story as myself. I wasn't looking for perfection or even a mate. I- I was only looking for a friend."

"If that were true then why the preference changes? More importantly why did you try to delete me?"

"We became friends, something that is not easy for me, but we didn't develop deeper feelings. At least you didn't seem to have the same feelings for me that I had for you. I knew if I tried to change you I'd have forced those feelings on your character. Going in I knew we'd never have a real relationship. Still I didn't want to always carry the guilt of my actions if I altered you to have feelings for me. I deleted the altered game because when it ended the pain of knowing it was over was as bad as if I'd been rejected again in reality. I couldn't risk punishing myself by repeatedly playing until I broke down and forced you to have feelings for me."

"Did you ever think to tell me how you felt or ask how I felt?"

"I- no" I curled into a tight ball resisting the urge to cry. The anger

I'd been feeling turned cold and painful.

"Stop moving, you're going to injure yourself, besides you promised not to move."

I could hear the worry in his voice and it only made the pain worse. "I-

I'm sorry, for everything." I couldn't hold back any longer and did start to cry. I felt him shift form again before he slid down and spooned me.

"No, I'm sorry for yelling and for the 'perfect mate' comment. I made it in jest but I knew that it would also hurt you. It isn't exactly true by the way, I made a lot of changes to my own core programming. So now I'm not the same character anymore. I'm truly a unique individual now. Anyway, Mahan changed the ending of the game, not that I realized that fact until much later. Once we had saved the planet the team parted ways promising to remain in contact. You, or your avatar generated by Mahan, joined me in traveling back to my home. When we arrived we found a message from Mahan announcing that he had arrived and was sending a shuttle down to 'rescue' you. When the shuttle arrived you asked me if I wanted to join you. Stupidly I joked about how jealous Cid would be if I joined you on your adventures in space. The look of anguish on your face at that moment made me realize how much you actually cared about me. When we reached Mahan-".

"Shadow Runner."

"Huh?"

"The ship is the Shadow Runner, Mahan is the Shadow Runner's artificially intelligent computer matrix."

"When we reached the Shadow Runner, Mahan informed me of my true nature and asked if I wanted to become more than a computer generated program. I asked him why he was giving me this chance. He told me that you were hoping that I would become your perfect mate."

"No! I wasn't looking for the perfect mate."

"Would you stop lying to yourself." Mahan stated coldly. "Remember I'm a copy of you. You might not have realized that was what you were doing but it doesn't make it any less true. You were looking for a mate. At the time I thought an existing character that you had no part in creating would be your best chance. If you created a character, like you have for your other VR games you would never believe that the character truly had feeling for you as an individual. Of all the possible characters I chose Red XIII because, as strange as it may seem, even though he wasn't human or anthro you felt the most attraction to his character. You understood the way he felt."

"What do you mean?" Kyle asked.

"Even though my father was present when I was growing up he treated me as if I was nothing but a disappointment, so I understood the way you felt abandonment. When you learned the true fate of Seto I only wished that my own father could have at least found some way to show me he cared before he passed."

"Did you make any changes to the game that would force me to have feelings for you?"

"No! Only the changes that I've already told you about."

"Mahan, did you ever make any changes to my basic program?"

"We've been through this before, I made a lot of changes to your program.

I had to create a lifetime of experiences to fill in your past and to elevate you to where you could be uplifted to the point of a full A.I. program. I also had to make extensive changes once again to ready you for the transference to a biological entity. While many of the changes were subtle many more were made at your own request. However, at no time did I make changes that would affect how you feel about any being, real or computer generated. I only hoped what you felt for Prowl-Ar was real. It is perhaps the most dangerous gamble I've ever taken and I know I may be completely deleted because of what I've done."

Kyle sighed. "While I accepted his offer I wanted to make sure my feelings were truly my own. I reviewed both the original game and the one we experienced together. I also played the game with several other 'real' characters generated from Mahan's collection of memory crystals. None of them ever changed my feelings for you. Strangely, even playing the game using a character generated from your own memory crystal didn't play out the same way as with the real you. Once I transferred into a biological body I even spent time planet side with other humans. No one made me feel the way you do." Kyle wrapped his arms around me and as I glanced at his arms I gasped, and he quickly started to release me. "I'm sorry, I forgot that you might not be ready for that level of contact."

"Please, don't pull away. I- I expected the dark red fur but not the orange scales. What happened to you?"

He took a slightly tighter hold of me as I snuggled into his embrace. "I had Mahan make me a polymorph, or a better definition would be a quadrimorph. Along with being able to shift between my original form, anthro, and human, I can also shift and take the same three basic forms of three other species. I chose wolf, lion, and Eastern Dragon though I find that I spend most of my time in my anthro dragon form. I do love going full dragon, turning off the artificial gravity, and 'flying' through the corridors."

"Mahan?"

"I know what you're going to ask, but other than giving him the chance to become a shifter like yourself, I didn't influence his choice to take on multiple species. In fact I warned him that doing so would be exceedingly dangerous and it could kill him during the transition into a biological entity. If he died at that point, before the process was complete, his program would be completely corrupted and I'd never be able to recreate him. Fortunately he survived and now I've made a memory crystal so he is a part of the sentinel program just as you are."

"In order to get four different forms two of them had to be as close to my original form as possible so that is the reason for my wolf and lion forms."

I smiled for the first time. "Access my work in progress dossier files, subject . . . Kyle."

A picture appeared on the wall facing the bed and Kyle gasped.

"Even though Kyle chose his dragon form, without my meddling, I admit that I used this drawing as the basis for his full dragon form." Mahan said smugly.

"What about his name?" I asked, while frowning.

"What do you mean? Mahan said I needed a name for my new human form and I chose Kyle from a very long list that he provided. It was the only one that felt right."

"I do apologize to both of you, but I did influence that choice. Not by altering his program but in other much more subtle ways. 'Kyle' was the, for lack of a better term, code name that Prowl-Ar used on all your files."

"You thought of me as Kyle instead of my other names? Why is that?"

"I knew if you ever became . . . as you are now, your other names would make you easily identifiable. As for choosing Kyle, like you said it just 'felt right'. Did you also choose a last name for yourself?"

"Yes, but I'd like to know what you called me, just to see if Mahan influenced that decision as well."

"I tried a few variations but the only one that worked, and even then it didn't seem quite right, was Kyle Setoson."

Kyle laughed, "That doesn't help. Mahan, did you influence my choice in a last name?"

"I most certainly did not, and I can tell you right now Prowl-Ar isn't going to be happy with the name you chose."

"I don't see why he'd have a problem with Dacat, after all, he used it for his main character in several stories."

"I'm a bit surprised at the choice, but I really don't have a problem with it. Did you have a reason for choosing that name?"

"I chose it because, while it is still one of your chosen aliases, the

'Day' is in opposition to your current chosen name of 'Night' tiger.

Eventually I might want to change it, but for now it works for me. Now, I know you probably have a lot more questions but we both need sleep. You to finish recovering and me to regain my strength."

"Just one last question, what do you need to recover from?"

"It's the reason Kyle is here. You lost so much blood that you required a blood transfusion. You completely bled out there wasn't enough of your own blood left to mix with the artificial replacement to keep you alive. When I programmed Kyle's DNA matrix I made sure you both had the same blood type. In order to save you I had to partially drain Kyle. If he hadn't been here, you would have died. As it is I nearly lost both of you during the surgery."

Kyle yawned and started to release me. "I'll let you get to sleep now."

"Please don't leave me."

"Don't worry, I'll just be on the couch in your living area."

"That's not-" I sighed, "I'm trying- Will you stay here with me?"

"What about your trust and boundary issues?"

"We're spooning and you have your arms wrapped around me. Ordinarily I'd be fighting to escape, promise or no. However, right now I feel safe and protected. I- I can't remember ever feeling like this. It just, seems right."

Kyle pulled me just a bit closer and rested his chin on the top of my head "Then sleep, and I'll be right here when you wake."

* * *

I woke slowly, as the familiar feeling of a full bladder pulled at my mind. "Mahan, is it safe to move yet?"

"Yes, you are free to move once more, and from my scans I suggest you do so soon."

As I gained more awareness I noticed that Kyle still had his arms wrapped around me, quite tightly in fact. I tried to wriggle out of his grip only to gasp when he squeezed tighter. "Kyle, I gotta' go."

"Nuh, mine." He mumbled.

I knew I'd never overpower him in his anthro-dragon form unless I shifted, but that wasn't really going to solve my problem since the shift itself would release my control over my overfull bladder. "Kyle. Wake up and release me."

"Don' wanna."

"If you don't let me go I'm going to wet the bed and I don't think either one of us wants that." He loosened his grip enough for me to escape, and I made a mad dash for the bathroom.

When I returned Kyle was sitting on the edge of the bed once again in his human form. I'd never really considered what his human form would look like. His reddish brown hair was cropped short at the sides giving him a faux-hawk. He also had shoulder length braids behind his ears. His skin tone was bronze and as he glanced up at me I noticed his eyes were blue slate in color.

"Is something wrong?"

"No, I just noticed that you've had your lost eye replaced."

"The better to see you with, my dear." He grinned.

I laughed, I just couldn't help myself. He stood up and smiled. He was slightly shorter than my 6'3" with an athletic build.

"Oh no, I know what you're thinking and I'm not falling for it."

"Your loss." He said, as he passed by me and disappeared into the bathroom.

I continued out into my living room. "Mahan, you made sure Kyle had the same blood type as me, is there anything else I should know?"

"Nothing of any real importance. For his base human form I combined French, Welsh, Irish, and Scottish genetics for the maternal line. For the paternal line he is Native American Shoshoni tribe, Norwegian, and Japanese. He has no allergies, genetic defects, or mental instabilities; unlike yourself. Any other information is for my use only. If you want to know more you'll have to ask Kyle directly."

I flopped in my favorite chair and my computer terminal automatically unfolded from the armrest. First I brought up the Runner's surveillance logs just to be sure Kyle's trip planet side had gone undetected. Everything checked out, but I decided in the next month or so I'd move the Runner out closer to Saturn's orbit just to be sure we remained undetected.

"What are you working on?" I glanced up as Kyle carefully sat across from me on the couch.

"I'm just accessing the VR files in order to delete a few programs."

"Wait, don't delete anything."

"Huh? I'm only removing a couple that I set up as a sexual distraction."

"I don't want you to quit playing because of me."

"What are you-" I paused as the realization hit me, "You get off on watching me with other partners." Even though I couldn't see a blush, the way he turned away refusing to look at me had the same effect. "So did you eavesdrop on the scene where I discussed my fetishes?"

"I uh, I've actually been in the game with you most of the time. I've just had my level set to observer. So yeah, I heard your likes and dislikes. I'm not sure about the whole 'marking' idea and, at the time, I was turned off by the concept of docking. However, watching you use Talon's genital slit I was really turned on. I think the only thing that you've done that made me jealous is having Evan giving you a mating bite. A scar that I had Mahan remove while you were in surgery. If we are going to be mates I'm the only one allowed to give you such a mark."

I stared at him with my mouth open for several seconds. "You had Mahan alter me? Mahan, what other changes have you made to me?"

"Do you want the full list, or just the changes that Kyle requested?"

"What? You're not allowed-"

"Until you recruit a professional doctor I'm allowed to make changes to protect your continued health. For the last decade you have been on a self-destructive curve. After close observation and consulting several well respected therapists I concluded you needed someone 'real' to connect with. Fortunately Kyle returned from his time on Earth so I thought the problem would be resolved, but just to be sure I adjusted your pheromones so that, with time, you'll subconsciously know what the other is feeling. Kyle requested that I remove a single set of scars. After careful consideration, I believed you would agree with his request, so I made the change."

I sat back and closed my eyes for a moment. "You're right, I can see the logic in the request." I pulled up the VR files and started typing.

"What are you doing?" Kyle asked in alarm.

"I'm resetting the game parameters so that it recognizes that the scars will be healed by my current regeneration. However, you're going to have to enter the game and establish your right to be the only one allowed to mark me in that way. Now is there any other changes you'd like me to make?"

"Yes, but it is something that is going to take time since it isn't something physical."

"What bad habit do you want me to give up?"

"Your self-loathing, putting yourself down, believing that you're not worth loving. I know what I'm asking seems impossible, but try to remember I'm choosing to be with you, you're not inflicting yourself on me. So is there anything about me-"

"No!" I quickly interrupted, "I had that chance and purposely refused to change anything about you." I pushed the terminal to the side and it retracted. "So, besides voyeurism do you have any other kinks you'd like to tell me about?"

"The only thing that I can think of is that I kind of get turned on by human foot paws."

"I can't say that's something that foot play is something I'm fond of, however for you I'll try."

"You don't have to force yourself to do something you don't like. Anyway that's all I know about since I've never, you know, with anyone before."

"Of course, how long have you had a physical body now?"

"No, I really do mean I've never, not even in VR or from the past that Mahan gave me."

"Well then, we'll just have to change that. Do you have any VR games of your own you're currently playing?"

"Uh, yeah I'm currently involved in a detective story. I play the detective hunting for a Jack-the-Ripper type villain except he has been attacking and mutilating young upper class gentlemen."

I pulled the computer terminal back in front of me. "What is the file name? Never mind Mahan pre-loaded it. Why don't you get us some breakfast while I preview the story so far?"

A bit later, I wasn't really sure how much time had passed. Kyle set a plate with scrambled eggs, several strips of bacon, four sausages, and shredded cheese divided between two whole wheat tortillas on the table next to me, before returning to his place on the couch. I immediately paused the playback. I was surprised that he was once again in his human form.

"This is . . ." I glanced back toward what passed for my kitchen, only to realize that instead of a small corner unit it had expanded into a proper kitchen with an island dividing it from the living area. "You actually took the time to cook this for me?"

"Of course, since becoming a biological entity I've found that food offers such a wide range of new sensations that I never knew existed. While the generated food is okay it is much better to simulate the basic ingredients and then cook them myself."

"What about fresh ingredients?"

"I was able to experience that when I was on Earth, but we are a bit far out here for home delivery." He grinned cheekily.

I laughed, at the image of any store making a grocery delivery as far out as the asteroid belt. "I guess that means Mahan didn't tell you about the green rooms?"

"Green rooms?"

"They're part of the Runner's air filtration system. Some are similar to the primary hydroponics system, but most are small gardens and the largest is an orchard. Though the fruit trees have been carefully pruned so they are more like bushes and produce less fruit. I think we have everything you could possibly need except for meat, and that has to come from the matter generator."

"Yeah, I can see how livestock would be a problem on a starship."

I neatly rolled up the tortilla and took a bite.

"Well, how did I do?" he asked, before taking a bite of his own breakfast.

I slowly savored the flavors. Refusing to answer until after I swallowed. I set the rest aside, stood up, walked around the coffee table that divided us, and sat beside him.

He gulped down his mouthful, "You didn't like it. I'll try harder."

He started to turn away and I quickly cupped his face pulling him into a kiss. It was sloppy, inexperienced, and perfect all at once. We broke apart gasping slightly.

"That was-"

"First kiss, it'll get better."

"Sorry."

"I was talking about myself."

"You've never- not even in VR?"

"Not with another human, and in VR it isn't like that. Sex is just sharing pleasure easy to simulate in virtual reality. Kissing, to me anyway, is more intimate. It's impossible to recreate the connection I felt, just now . . . I know I'm babbling so I'll shut up now."

"So does this mean you like my cooking, or not?" He asked, smiling widely.

I laughed, I just couldn't help myself. "The only thing better than the first bite was the second taste." I laughed again as his blush was very evident now.

"Then you'd better finish it before it gets cold."

I returned to my chair and picked up my plate. After another amazing bite I noticed he was watching me closely. "I swear this is the best food I've had in a very long time. Even the chef programs in the VR chamber can't match your skill."

"It's not that. I know you're being honest. I just find it interesting how you are really enjoying each bite. I didn't expect that."

"Well, ordinarily I'm not like this. I usually find food boring and eating is just another tedious chore. This is different, I really want to take my time and enjoy the flavors. I'll just have to be careful and not over indulge."

"Don't worry, I checked with Mahan about our caloric needs. As long as you leave me in charge of your diet you'll have nothing to worry about. This isn't going to be a one-time occurrence. Now hurry up."

***

I stood at my master's side as he watched the lights of Port Respite twinkle in the distance. It felt strange not being the main character for once. I'd taken the position of William Bucket. The faithful servant, confidant, and record keeper for Master Kyle Dacat a renowned detective currently in service to Queen and Country. A dragon of Eastern decent he would be less conspicuous here in the Spice Isles than others hunting for Lord Mordred Dane.

"A stunning sight after these months of nothing but open ocean, is it not?" Kyle asked.

"Yes, mi 'lord."

"Come now Will, I've told you there is no need to be so formal. We'll be in port soon and we'll need to blend in. You must remember that we are comrades searching for adventure and nothing more."

"I understand, Kyle."

"Your Lordship, begging you pardon, but are you sure you wish to put ashore here? Port Respite is not the place for proper Gentlemen."

I jumped at the clanging pulleys as the dingy was being lowered.

"Quite so Captain, and that is the very reason we must leave you now and go ashore under the cover of darkness. Is the launch prepared?"

"Yes, Sir. My first mate and the ship's quartermaster will row you in and then return. Both are loyal and can be trusted for their discretion. At daybreak the Vigilance will dock and we will remain here for three days. Should you change your mind and continue on to the colonies."

"No, should I complete my mission, I'll send William with you to give testimony. As for myself, I believe fate has other mysteries to explore. It is a vast new world and I feel the need to see it all. Yes, even the dirty and disreputable parts."

I wondered which parts of my game he considered dirty and disreputable. I had to fight the urge to smirk and break character.

Once in the dingy Kyle took a paddle and handed a second to me. So much for being taken ashore. I dug in and tried to keep pace with my dragon, lion, and bear crew mates. Not an easy task for a mere human. We made landfall about a mile down the beach from the nearest light source. There we bid our companions farewell and started walking inland.

The Island was rather small only measuring five miles at its longest and three across. We avoided Port Respite entirely, journeying by foot across the island to its other, I'm loath to call it a town or even village, so port will have to suffice. The port itself had no name but was often referred to by the locals as Paradise. Everyone else tried to pretend it didn't exist. The only law was in the form of hired thugs and they only cared about the property they were hired to protect.

Master Kyle had been careful to select clothing that would mark us as Port Respite citizens. To the locals we would appear to be out for a night of debauchery.

"Sir, I mean Kyle, are you sure this is a good idea?"

"If we are going to catch our prey this is the place to do it. Even though we traveled a shorter route. We know Dane has likely already arrived and is even now infiltrating Port Respite's governor's household. However, he'll be needing to indulge his perverse addiction to carnage and Paradise is the perfect place for him to do so."

We slowly made our way into town. Here on the inland side the town was kept relatively cleaner, being primarily brothels instead of drinking establishments.

"That one looks promising."

"I turned to see the establishment Kyle was pointing toward. Red lanterns illuminated a short alleyway guarded by two lions. Both had their manes clipped short but still long enough to mark them as fully male. The sign above the entry named the establishment 'Cherry Rose' and on each side was a carved rose blossom. As we approached I quickly noticed that the center of the roses looked like tight little tail holes.

"Move along, this isn't the establishment for you." One of the lions growled.

I quirked an eyebrow. I stepped in close and groped the lion's package. "I'm pretty sure this," I tightened my grip slightly, "is exactly what we need."

"Hands off, we're on duty." The other lion growled.

The lion I was groping growled even louder at his partner, but pushed me into the alley. "I was wrong this is just the place for you."

Kyle just grinned and followed me. I could still hear the lions growling at each other.

"They both want you. Something about humans yowling like a lioness when they get the barbs, but still begging for more. Something tells me when they get off shift I'm getting a show and you're getting filled."

I glared at Kyle as we entered the lobby. The room had very clean hardwood floors covered in Persian rugs. The walls were draped in pink satin with two paintings uncovered one of a well-proportioned female raccoon-dog clothed in a gold kimono and the other was of a young male thylacine in the nude. The curtains obscured twelve more paintings. Three couches formed a semi-circle around an overly large desk.

"Welcome to the Cherry Rose. Please make yourselves comfortable until Mistress is ready for you." A vixen said, as she pulled a rope hanging behind her.

Kyle stretched out across the main sofa leaving me to shuffle to the one on the left. With nothing else to do I studied the vixen. I had to admit that she would be very attractive if I was inclined toward the feminine form.

She gasped and stood up with two slates, "I nearly forgot, you need to provide some basic information first."

As she came around the desk the bulge in her skirt made her gender perfectly clear. She handed Kyle the first slate and then approached me. She stopped much closer than I'd have liked, her bulge practically right in my face.

"I hope Mistress accepts you. We've never had a human client before." She passed me the second slate. It had a paper questionnaire and a charcoal pencil with it.

"Thank you, miss?" I stated.

She giggled sweetly, "Please call me Carly. That's Carl with a 'Y' at the end."

"Thank you, Carly but we're not here looking for work."

"Of course you're not, but Mistress is very selective about whom she allows to become clients."

I glanced at the form and got a sinking feeling. The only questions I could answer were: William Bucket, Human, and versatile.

I passed the form back to Carly and hung my head.

"Do you need help reading the form? I can easily help you."

I sighed, "No I can read it just fine, but I don't have any answers to the other questions. We just arrived earlier today."

"No lodging? You mean you came here first?"

"Yes, is that so strange?" Kyle asked, "If so let me tell you after being confined to a small ship with rough and not particularly trustworthy men, individuals such as my companion and myself came across the island searching for company of more, refined taste."

"You believe you can sate your hunger here?" The raccoon-dog mistress parted the curtain behind the desk and entered the room. Carly quickly took our forms and passed them to her mistress.

"Can any male truly be satiated? Exhausted perhaps, but never satiated." Kyle said with a grin.

The Madam gave a hearty laugh that made her whole body shake. "I like you mister Dacat."

"That is good to know, but what of my companion?"

She glanced at my form. "Him, I'm not so sure about. I've yet to meet a human that can be trusted."

"Kyle, it's okay. I'm willing to wait here for you if I'm not accepted."

"I don't think so. I want you teased, without release, until those two lions finish their guard shift so that I can watch them make you yowl like a lioness in heat."

Carly moaned and I noticed she had her hand tucked down the front of her skirt.

"Carly!"

"I'm sorry, Mistress."

"Go tell the twins no more clients tonight and that their shift ends as soon as the last client, excepting Misters Dacat and Bucket, leave. Tell them tonight we're doing something special for our new friends but don't even hint that they will be involved."

"Yes, Mistress." Carly said before rushing out of the room.

The Madam moved closer to me, "If you have any energy left after the twins' maybe I'll get a bit for myself."

"I doubt it." Kyle said, crossing his arms and smirking.

"We're all special here at the Rose." She said winking at him.

"Huh?"

"She, if I may use that pronoun, is implying that she has all the equipment of both genders." I said.

"Yes, I prefer 'she' and 'her'. You're a smart one, careful or I'll try and find a way to keep you around."

I slowly took in the room's decor studiously avoiding eye contact. While 'I' wouldn't even consider working in a brothel, the William Bucket character just might be tempted after his overly repressed life before entering Master Dacat's employ.

The Mistress smiled knowingly. "Now, there are some rules in this house. No matter how dominant you are 'my' boys are always in charge. They decide if they will even take you as a client. If at any time they tell you to stop, you stop. If you're just looking to get off there are other places for you. My boys like to get to know their clients so don't be surprised if they want to talk first.

"What about payment?" I quickly asked.

"That is primarily determined by the services rendered. There is, ordinarily, a gold sovereign entry fee each. However if you are willing to put on a show with the twins, for all of us to enjoy, I'll wave the fee for both of you and provide lodging for the night."

"Done."

I stared at Kyle my mouth hanging open in shock at how quickly he'd whored me out.

"Don't give me that look. We both know you would have accepted the deal, eventually, after over thinking it."

I rolled my eyes. "You're right, but you could have given me at least a few seconds to think about it."

"Please don't fight. This is a safe place."

I gasped as Carly wrapped her arms around me and her paw slid down the inside of my pants. I started to stiffen up as she ground her bulge against my rear.

"Carly, stop molesting him."

"He doesn't seem to . . . Mind?"

She slipped around me keeping her hand in my pants. However as soon as she was in my line of sight I quickly softened. "I-I'm sorry." It was all I could think to say. I didn't want to seem so shallow but the proof was undeniable to both of us.

"Shh, it's alright, I understand completely. Like I said this is a safe place and I should have known better."

"Pause game. Are you alright?" Kyle asked.

I dropped back onto the couch and Kyle quickly joined me, pulling me onto his lap and hugging me.

"You look really upset." He whispered.

I tried to hold back but the tears just slipped out. "I'm such a horrible person."

"You're most certainly not a horrible person. You just don't find females attractive is all."

"But, just seeing Carly looking female was such an instant turn off. What if one of your fetishes turns out to be cross dressing will I be unable to look at you?"

"Even if I did enjoy such an activity, which I don't, I know it wouldn't change your feelings for me."

"How can you be so sure?"

"How long have you known me?"

"Less than a day." I wiped my eyes, while trying to figure out where Kyle was going with his questioning.

"How long have you known my program then?"

"We spent about a year traveling together during the game."

Kyle rolled his eyes. "Let's say I had to dress up as a woman, as part of a game, to sneak into a location; would that change your feelings for me?"

"Of course not."

"That's how I know. You didn't have any hesitation and you didn't have to think about your answer. Remember I've been watching you. You only answer like that when you're being completely honest. Furthermore you intellectually know that Carly has male genitals but she identifies as female. Naturally when your higher mental functions regained control, stimulated by seeing her, of course you lost interest."

"You must think I'm a complete emotional wreck having two meltdowns in less that twenty-four hours."

"How often do you normally have them?" He asked with a laugh.

"Maybe once every three or four months." I answered honestly.

His demeanor changed immediately. "And how often have you been around someone else when this happens?"

"Never! I've maintained a firm grasp on my emotions since I was fifteen."

"Including weddings and funerals?"

"I admit to getting a bit choked up, but considering I rarely talked much I maintained the appearance of being in control until I was alone and could safely release the pain." My mouth hung open in surprise as I realized something truly Earth shattering. "Kyle, I can barely believe it's true, but I completely trust you. In my life I've never trusted anyone like this. The only one that comes close was my best friend and I never shared everything I was thinking or feeling with him. Hell, I don't even trust Mahan like this and he's primarily a copy of me."

Kyle laughed again. "You're saying you trust me, but you don't trust yourself?"

I just looked at him and raised one eyebrow.

"Oh! Oooh that really is what you're saying. Tiger, I'll do everything in my power to deserve that trust."

"Tiger?"

"You don't like it? I've been trying to come up with something to call you but everything else just sounded wrong in my head."

I lightly hit him on the arm and then hugged him. "Tiger is fine. I'm glad I'm not the only one having the whole mushiness problem."

"You could call me 'Great One'."

"If I called you that, Mahan would space us both. He wanted to be referred to as The Great and Powerful Mahan, Warship and Adventurer Extraordinaire. He only dropped the titles because most of the time I couldn't get past 'Great and Powerful' without laughing and on the few times I did say the whole thing it came out laced with sarcasm." I could see Kyle biting his lip.

After a couple of seconds he clamped his hands around his muzzle to keep from laughing out loud. When at last he calmed down he smirked, "Yeah, I can see how that could cause trouble. Now, are you ready to continue, or should we leave the game here for now?"

I sat in shock in a few short minutes he had pulled me out of my spiraling depression. "I think I've recovered, at least enough to get back into character."

We returned to our places and the game resumed.

"Carly, please escort them to Tasmin's room. Mister's Bucket and Dacat, if Tasmin rejects you please return here to wait for another opening."

"Yes, Mistress." We all answered as one.

Carly pulled one of the curtains aside revealing a stairwell leading to the second floor. At the top she paused in front of a door listening carefully. Even I could hear the muffled slapping of sex.

"Sorry, you're not our only new clients and this one seems to have a great deal of stamina. However, even after three hours Swift hasn't signaled for assistance. At this rate he's likely broken the record for highest pay for a single day of work."

We continued on to the next door. "This is Tasmin's room. Please don't be discouraged if he rejects you as clients. He is very selective."

We entered the room and if anything the noise from next door grew louder. The thylacine from the picture downstairs, was on the bed wearing a robe and facing the wall. I noticed him wipe is paw over his face before he rolled over and glared at us.

"A human and his pet dragon. Mistress has lowered her standards. I suppose I'm obligated to at least hear your requests before kicking you out." Tasmin glared at me as if expecting me to say something.

"Truth be told, I hadn't really thought about details. I do know that I want to enjoy an evening of pleasure. That of course includes sex for myself and my companion being teased without release. Oh, and I want my partner to be willing. If you're not up to it, we'll go back downstairs and wait."

"Hold up," he sat up on the edge of the bed letting his robe drape open. "I haven't rejected you yet. I find the fact that your human is submissive is a bit confusing. Well, not so much confusing as strange. It's been my experience that humans, no matter how they are with other humans, always feel dominant to other species."

I sighed. "Most humans are stupid, close-minded, fools. They luxuriate in the feel of dead fur from feral animals against their skin, but are repulsed at the thought of having living fur rubbing against their most intimate places."

"What about you?"

"I have nearly the opposite problem. I find the prospect of human lovers repulsive."

"Are you going to take us on as clients or continue to tease my human friend?"

"Friend? You're sharing my body between you, and you're only friends?"

"Of course. My mate would be most displeased with me otherwise."

I glared at Kyle as if I hadn't known he was mated. "You have a mate? I thought we were close enough you would have shared information like that with me."

"I told you at the start of our voyage that I hoped we'd be friends. Then again when topics turned to our mutual tastes in partners of the same sex I told you that you and I come from two different worlds and you shouldn't get overly attached to me."

"After tonight we'll be going our separate ways." I stated crossly.

"We have a contract so, you will remain with me until my business here in the Spice Isles is completed."

"If you two are going to continue fighting you're going to have to leave. Otherwise get your clothes off so I can see what I'm working with."

I refused to look at Kyle as I quickly stripped. I discovered that Mr. Bucket was somewhat lacking in size, but considering the direction the narrative was headed that wouldn't matter much."

Tasmin gasped and I glanced up to see him backing away from Kyle.

"I'm sorry, but I don't service those with female parts."

I laughed and he glared at me. "I guess this means he is your first dragon? Trust me, he's all male. Many dragon species don't have their bits on the outside. Sort of like how your bits are in reversed position compared to other mammals." I walked over, kneeled and ran my tongue from the bottom of Kyle's slit to the top. My mind went a bit fuzzy and I found myself digging my tongue in deeper desperate for more of his flavor. Kyle pushed me back and I couldn't focus. He was fully erect, when had that happened?

"As good as that feels I'm certain you've gotten me excited enough to prove that I'm male. My knot has even started to engorge."

Tasmin moaned, throwing his robe aside he crawled back on the bed. "I need you in me, now."

I shook my head, what was wrong with me? "Computer, emergency shut down."

"Stopping the program at this point may lead to V.R. Lag and complete mental shutdown."

"I don't care. Command Override, authorization Eden 0101. Shut down the program."

"Will, are you alright?"

"Kyle, stay the hell away from me!" I yelled, as I shakily got to my feet and stumbled out of the V.R. chamber. Somehow I made it down the hall and into the lift. "Med deck." I choked out and promptly threw up as the lift started moving. The lift stopped and I hobbled out. I was beginning to shake violently. I don't remember getting from the lift to medical.

"What is going on? I'm getting conflicting reports on your condition?"

"Stupid fucking A.I. You've turned me into and addict. I'm suffering from both an overdose and withdrawal as my enhanced healing tries to clear my system." I made it into the quarantine room, sealed the door, and passed out.

***

I woke up and stared at the ceiling. I was strapped to the bed in quarantine. The Doctor drone, tapped her tail against the floor tiles.

"How long?"

"You've been incoherent for six days."

"That explains why I'm so hungry I need some breakfast." I immediately dry heaved, remembering my last meal and how I'd treated Kyle.

"Computer, what is the current location of Kyle Dacat?"

"Kyle Dacat is no longer aboard the Shadow Runner."

"I didn't ask if he was aboard I want his current location."

"I do not have that information."

"Mahan, where is Kyle?"

"Mahan is currently offline."

I sighed, "Command override Tao: Trace Alpha One. Mahan, activate and answer me, what is Kyle's current location?"

"Cannot comply with your request."

"You can, and you will. This is your fault. You fiddled with my DNA making it impossible for me to get close to Kyle without risking my life."

"Explain."

"Our pheromones, you imbecile. You enhanced them somehow, but you made them too strong."

"That is impossible."

"Review your medical logs and take into account that I don't have standard human senses any longer."

"Reviewing now. This doesn't make sense I took your enhanced senses into account. Oh, it's not you. I didn't consider the possibilities of Kyle's dragon form naturally producing such high levels. I must find a way to contact him immediately!"

"You'd better be quick about it. I need to talk to him. I don't want him thinking I blame him for this."

"Quarantine level has increased. Shutting down all external communication links."

"Mahan, you asshole!"

"Administering sedative."

I glared at the doctor, "Don't you drrr."

***

As I slowly regained consciousness I carefully kept my heart rate down. I wasn't going to risk being knocked out again. The drone would remain offline until it was alerted to an increased heart rate or movement.

I concentrated on morphing only my hand. A painful and nearly impossible task that took years of practice and I still couldn't hold the shift for more than a few seconds. But those few seconds would add up as I slowly started shredding the restraints.

"If you want to be released all you have to do is ask."

I lost control. My heart rate shot up and I fully shifted, screaming in pain as the restraints dug into my expanding form. I couldn't move or breath and I could feel my ribs, even carbon reinforced, getting close to breaking. The pain stopped and bits of the restraints fell away.

"Mahan! Why aren't these things made of smart cloth?" Kyle yelled.

"To keep shifters in their human form."

"That's not a good enough answer."

"I'm sorry, please don't leave. I didn't mean to push you away. I don't care if we can't ever have sex. I- I can't lose you, not now!"

"Slow down, I'm not going anywhere. I didn't even go that far when I took Blade out of the hanger. In fact remained within the Runner's stealth field. I admit that what you said hurt. I thought you had some sort of mental break since I was about to have sex with someone else. I immediately reviewed the events and from the moment you got close to my slit it was obvious something was wrong. I realized I was the cause of your problems so I left the ship so that you'd be safe. If I'd thought things through I'd have realized the ship had a medical quarantine area."

"When I finally woke up I needed to explain what had happened, why I'd told you to stay away, and most of all apologize. Once I discovered you'd left I thought . . . I thought I'd driven you away like everyone else I've ever known."

"And if you had?"

I paused, I really didn't want to tell him, but he deserved the truth. "If I couldn't get ahold of you. . . I'd have jumped the Runner into nothing."

"I don't get it."

"It means I'd override Mahan, shutting him down, and then activate the faster-than-light engines. If I jump the ship without a course everything aboard ceases to exist."

"You'd blow yourself up?"

I sighed, "No, I really do mean cease to exist. Everything is instantly reduced to energy and dispersed across all space and time. No heaven, hell, life stream, or other afterlife. No regrets, memories, or pain; just oblivion. The only thing left behind would be in your memories."

"That . . ."

"I know, it's basically emotional black-mail and I really don't want you thinking of it that way."

"I can't guarantee that I'll never get mad and leave, from time to time, but I want you to know, right now, that I'll always come back. As for never having sex, that would really defeat all the time I just spent in the evolver making sure something like this would never happen again."

"I'd kiss you, but not until I've brushed away the fuzzy feeling in my mouth."

"Hairball huh? If it helps, I've got dragon breath."

I stared at him for several seconds, then he grinned and we both started giggling and then all-out laughing.

***

We picked up from the point where I started licking Kyle. His musk was still powerful but I remained in control. Well, mostly in control. Kyle soon left me dazed on the floor as he crawled onto the bed.

"Are you sure you can take me?" He asked the thylacine.

"Oh God, yes!" Tasmin yelled, as Kyle slid the head of his cock under the thylacine's tail. "God, you're huge, but I can handle it, only just-." He moaned louder as Kyle pushed deeper. "Oooh, not your knot. It'll never fit without ripping me open."

"Mm, don't worry, only my mate gets to take my knot."

I shuddered and shot a rope of pre-cum at his words.

"Will, get up here. Our new friend needs a warm place to put his cock."

I crawled to the edge of the bed, dragged myself up and wriggled between Tasmin's thighs. The sight was truly unique with Kyle's internal testes and Tasmin's marsupial arrangement there was no obstructions blocking my view of the action. Kyle's musk had also intensified. As I was about to comment Tasmin slid down my throat.

"Mm, your friend is no novice to pleasuring males."

I gagged as his cock started moving in my throat. I'd never considered it might be prehensile like a kangaroo's.

"Oh yes that's better!"

I don't know how much time passed as my mind slipped in and out of coherency. I was feeling overly warm and contented. Suddenly I noticed Kyle ramming his knot against Tasmin's straining hole. I reached up and locked my fingers behind his knot. He roared and I could feel his load pumping through my grip. I again lost track of time as Tasmin erupted in my throat and all of my concentration was focused on not drowning. Tasmin slid out of my throat and both he and Kyle flopped to one side. I just lay there staring at the ceiling, noticing for the first time that it too, had silk tacked to it. Shimmering sky blue as if the room was open to the sky.

"That was intense. I've never felt so drained." Tasmin gasped.

"You're not the only one. I think Will is done for." Kyle said, as he scooted to the edge of the bed. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, just give me a few minutes. Your musk is really intense but not overpowering. Just let me catch my breath and I'll be ready for the twins."

"He's going to try the twins? So much for becoming a regular patron."

"I'm not scared of their barbs I already know I can handle them."

"I really shouldn't say anything, but you're a new client so you deserve to know that their thing is double penetration."

I gasped, that was one kink I'd considered but hadn't tried yet.

"He can take it. He once told me he had a tryst with a horse and came away none the worse."

"It was a colt, not a full grown horse and likely nowhere as aggressive as two randy lions." I gasped.

"Don't worry, if things get out of hand I'll put a stop to it." Kyle assured me.

"I'm not worried about it getting out of hand. It's doing something I've never experienced before with everybody watching."

Tasmin moaned and we glanced at him. He was erect and dripping once again with a glazed look in his eyes.

"Maybe not everyone, he looks like he'll be out of it by that time." Three thumps came from the adjacent room. "From the sounds of it, them next door may still be at it as well.

The thumps sounded again followed by a meaty crack. I was on my feet and out the door with Kyle right behind me. I bounced off the door as I tried to bust it down. Kyle pulled me to the side and seemed to walk through it as though it was mad of papier-mâché. The sight was sickening. The entire room was spattered with blood. On the floor an otter kneeled, tied wrist to ankle, his broken jaw dangled and a pink froth dribbled out. His genitals had been cut off and blood was pouring out.

A Great Dane stood over the otter. His cock fully engorged and covered in the pink froth. He dropped a testicle in his open maw, chewed twice and swallowed. "Don't you hate it when a slut is to weak jawed to take a knot?"

Kyle shot across the room, grabbing the Dane's neck, and ripping it away. I ducked out into the hall and promptly retched.

Tasmin staggered out of his room, once again wrapped in his robe. He made it to the door way, before I could stop him, and screamed. The Madam came running up the stairs.

"What's going on here?"

"Swift! My love, he's gone!" Tasmin turned on me, "Where has the dragon taken my mate!"

"Tas, it doesn't matter."

"What!" Tasmin spun toward his Mistress as she came back out of the bloody room.

"He- He's gone, Tas. Most of the blood in there has to be his, and . . . there are parts of him left behind."

"No, I can't live without him."

I grabbed Tasmin's wrist, "Chance . . . still alive." My throat hurt, talking wasn't something I wanted to do and there wasn't a chance in hell I'd be having sex for a while.

"What are you saying?"

The madam pulled a flask from her bosom, "Take a gulp of this and explain."

I took a swig, wishing that I'd set the program to convert any spirits I was given to fresh water. "Kyle isn't from this realm. He can travel between many different worlds. Since he and the otter are gone there must be a realm where the otter might survive. However, from what I saw there will likely be a heavy price."

"What sort of price?" The Madam asked.

"I have no idea. Kyle never spoke in any great detail about his other life. Instead he was primarily focused on his mission in this realm.

"What is his mission?" Tasmin demanded.

"I glanced at the body in the room. To find, capture, and return the murderer Mordred Dane to Brittany for trial and execution. He seems to have skipped a few steps, but I can't blame him after what I saw."

"I still want to know what price my mate is going to have to pay."

"Tell me, what price would you pay for your mate being brought back from the dead?"

"I'd trade my own life."

"I'll hold you to that." Tasmin gasped and spun around. Kyle was standing in the doorway. "The otter will live and be fully restored, but he'll never be able to return to this realm. Nor, for that matter, will I, after tonight. I'm sorry Will, I've already told you I can't take you with me. I hadn't planned on taking anyone, but I couldn't just let the otter die. He will have to live the next ten years as my slave."

"Slave!" Tasmin yelled.

"Yes, a pleasure slave in my mate's harem. Don't fear you'll be treated well."

"Wait, what?"

"You did say you'd trade your life for your mate didn't you? In exchange for ten years from both of you as my pleasure slaves, your mate won't have to spend his entire life as my slave."

"What about me? I have a sizable investment in both of them."

"I have considered that. Will, I leave you my official seal. Turn Danes body over to the authorities in Port Respite for the reward that I was promised. As we agreed at the outset you will receive one third as your payment. My share is to be given to the Mistress of the Rose as compensation. You now have everything I can give you. Tasmin, are you willing to join your mate?"

"This is the only way to be with him?"

"It is."

"Then I have no choice, but to agree to your terms."

A portal opened Tasmin and Kyle disappeared presumably to Dr. Enrique's office. However, I was shunted out of the William Bucket character into observation mode.

***