"Near Fort Collins, Colorado. In the United States." Zaren stretched his arms above his head. Limbering up, Venus supposed.

"Oh." Why the helker would someone send me to Earth? From her studies, she knew Colorado was located in the western portion of America.

Venus needed to pace. It helped her think when she didn't have something to organize. So much needed to be done, she had to get back. What must her parents be thinking? They were probably worried sick. And her irrihunter, Sadraden. Holy cret! Venus could only imagine how anxious the animal would be.

Feeling Zaren watching her, she snuck a peek. His face lined with worry. Probably thought she was freaking out-losing it. "Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked, kicking a rock that'd been unlucky enough to be in her path. Technically Zaren's position was that of a servant. Her personal guard. Her very own Formytian. But he and Venus were more. Not brother and sister, not even best friends anymore. Venus trusted Zaren with her life.

"Your eyes, they're so beautiful." His smile dazzled and she forgot for a moment she'd been sent to another planet. "No longer silver, but the loveliest shade of blue."

"Really?" Venus couldn't help but grin back. "Wait. They aren't supposed to have changed yet. I'm not kelvieri."

"I know. It's probably this planet's atmosphere. Your skin, too. It's . . ." His large, tanned hand brushed against her arm. She followed his touch, unable to ignore the slight tingle. ". . . no longer metallic white."

Lifting her arm into the light, she saw he spoke the truth. Her skin had changed color. Peaches came to mind. Definitely not even a hint of silver.

"Holy cret.i.ty-cret, you're right." She giggled in a very un-princess-like fashion. As the future queen, she probably needed to work on her demeanor under pressure.

His lips quivered, as though he were holding back a laugh. Lifting a piece of her hair, he brought it around for her to see. It glimmered against the sun's rays, no longer stark white, but the color of the Phoebis Rurina. According to her Earth Studies book, the beautiful yellow b.u.t.terfly originated in Peru. It'd been one of her favorites-the color of its wings melding from a light to bright yellow-as did her new hair color. Also, her hair curled at the ends, like a spring. She pulled at one and it bounced back into place.

"Much better, don't you think?" She looked to Zaren for approval with a hesitant smile. His opinion meant a great deal to her. He'd been the only one to understand how much the constant kelarian sameness upset her.

With gentle hands, he brushed her hair back, off her face. "You've always been unique and lovely."

Venus huffed.

He caressed her cheek with his thumb. "Yes, you look wonderful."

She briefly relaxed and leaned into his caress. That was what she'd needed to hear. "Thanks, Zaren. I can't wait to see my eyes." She watched his face change, noticed the urgency in his features. That look. She knew the opportunity to check out her new features would have to come later. Right now, she needed to be serious. "How did this happen? Where are the Transports?"

He dropped his hand and turned. From experience she knew this meant he wrestled with whatever he needed to say. "Zaren?" Venus touched him on the shoulder, turning him to face her. "Whatever it is, you might as well tell me." She smiled, hoping it came out encouraging. He kept his gaze down and she followed. With a strange expression, he focused on her boots.

After the boots had been given, the G.o.ds gave young kels one week to complete their journey. That meant she needed to get back quickly, to finish the ImmoTrans Ceremony. No problem, right? She hadn't any idea how long she'd been out of it or what day it was. "Formytian? Talk to me."

Their eyes met. She saw his worry. His anger.

When he spoke, she sensed his fear. "I went to your room a few hours after you left your birthday party. You'd told both Agen and I you were to begin your journey later that night. The stable master came to me saying Sadraden grew impatient. He wanted to know when to expect you."

Venus nodded, knowing Sadraden would've been upset. Worry for the irrihunter tugged at her. Venus hoped Agen had been able to calm the animal. Stress bothered her. Hopefully no one had died. Sadraden's large razor-sharp claws and giant mouthful of pointed teeth were lethal. Her pregnancy had increased her ferociousness and she'd become moody in the, I want to kill, way.

He continued, taking her hand. "I knocked, but you didn't answer. Protocol demanded I leave you alone, but . . ."

6. Trouble.

Venus chortled. As her personal Formytian, her safety overrode everything else.

"I entered your room and noticed your packed bag. I called out. When you didn't answer, I began to worry. As I searched your room, I noticed a small drop of irrihunter blood on your sheets. Normally, had any sort of bodily fluid touched your covers the Body Sensors would've gone off. After a quick check, it became apparent someone had tampered with the mechanism. Knowing foul play was afoot, I ran to get your father . . ."

He paused, running a hand through his glorious, black hair. His eyes had glazed over, as though he were back on Kelari, reliving what'd happened. ". . . but he'd vanished as well. The same goes for your mother and your sister. As of this moment, I have no idea where they are." He watched her, his gaze full of sorrow.

Panic gathered in her stomach and settled like too much food. She moved away, watching a squirrel scamper up a tree. "Zaren, do you think they're alright?" She turned toward him, dreading the answer.

He shook his head, bent over and ripped a long blade of yellow gra.s.s out of the ground. "I hope so. As I headed toward the stables, hoping you'd found your way there, I heard a Transport charging in the Travelling Room. I tried the door, but it'd been jammed from the inside."

"How'd they do that?"

"I'm not sure. If I'd have stayed I probably could've figured it out. But I wanted to hurry. As it was it took some time to override the signal. When I finally got in, the Transport had left its dock. I hailed it, praying to the G.o.ds there was a reasonable explanation, but no one responded. So I turned on the holographic imaging and saw you, out like a light. Pulling up the computer's Voyage Log, the coordinates revealed your destination-Earth. I punched in an emergency return travel plan, but the mechanism had been jammed. That left one option-follow you." He threw the now mutilated weed to the ground. "I'm sorry. This wouldn't have happened had I stayed with you."

"You can't be with me every second." She bent to retrieve a blade of dried wheat gra.s.s. The texture was similar to anony, a tall weed on Kelari. With a fingernail, she split it open and then pulled it apart, forcing her anxieties on the helpless weed.

The notion of being on Earth caused her heart to beat rapidly. Earth Studies had been her favorite subject in school, but then she'd been hundreds of millions of miles away. Studying a planet and living on it were not the same. Sure, their species had similarities to humans, many in fact. There were many similarities between the planets, too. That was the main reason kelarians studied Earth. There were differences as well. Technology, for one. The way kels treated their world was another.

Worst of all, Earth's air was poisonous to unchanged kelarians. Kelarians like Venus.

She could survive here, but not for long. Of course, once she'd made the change, become kelvieri, she could survive anywhere. Now though, this planet's atmosphere was too thick with oxygen and pollutants for her blood.

Never had a kelarian been sent to Earth before the metamorphosis. Differences in the air being of the upmost concern. The other obvious problem had been the physical differences. Unchanged kels were all metallic white and silver. Certainly, she could've pulled it off, had she needed to. Silver teeth and white lashes might be considered cool in some parts of this country.

At least she wasn't blue or green and slithery, like the Smartians and the Skelters.

When she returned she'd be sure to advise the chancellors of the way this planet's atmosphere affected her body. The physical alterations, almost like a chameleon, making her appear more human. She worried that when she returned to Kelari, her physical appearance would return to the way it had been. A silver clone!

On the inside, her organs were much different. But that wasn't what Zaren hadn't told her. What more could there be?

"What else?" she finally asked.

"Else?" he repeated. His hands were clasped behind his back, eyes averted.

Fine, she'd wait a moment. Gazing around, she looked for the Transports.

She and Zaren stood in the middle of a field, near the peak of a mountain. Patches of yellow and green gra.s.s surrounded them. Purple flowers, she knew to be aster grew in clumps. A few wild sunflowers swung in the breeze as did the red paintbrush and goldenrod. Blister beetles, honey bees, and spiders that reminded Venus of crabs, ventured among the large, yellow cl.u.s.ters. Almost like a dance, they moved away or toward each other, searching for pollen or prey.

In the distance, she heard birds singing. They were too far away to tell which species. A large brown bird with a white head flew over, tilting its head toward her. Out of curiosity? Maybe sizing her up for its next meal. She knew the variety-a bald eagle. She searched for another, knowing they were one of the few birds who mated for life. But she only saw the one. She followed the bird's graceful flight toward a row of enormous pine trees until it disappeared from her sight. Water from a stream ambled downhill, not too far away, a low roar. Venus took a deep breath, smelling the crisp, mountain bouquet.

The landscape before her was much more beautiful than the pictures in her holographic textbooks. She realized the biggest reason was that the holographic picture didn't include the perfume-the mixture of dirt, pine trees and flowers. She was at least glad she'd experienced Earth's beauty for a moment. Venus definitely wanted to return after she'd become a kelvieri. When death wasn't a worry.

Once again she searched for the Transports. There was something big Zaren hadn't told her.

Closing her eyes, she counted.

Three. Two. One. "Zaren, tell me."

He swore. "Princess, we can't go back. Not yet."

"What? Why not?"

He blew out his breath in frustration. "As soon as we landed, I requested a return flight authorization. When Galdred finally answered, he told me something . . ."

"He told you what?"

As though realizing he couldn't avoid the truth any longer, he faced her and continued, "Venus, you've been accused of serious crimes . . . against the G.o.ds. And-"

He stopped and ripped another blade of gra.s.s from the ground.

She watched him tear the weed to shreds, stunned. Who would accuse her of such a thing? Why? She'd never done anything to hurt anyone. "Continue," she whispered.

"Your irrihunter has been killed. Galdred said several witnesses are claiming you did it."

"What? No! Not Sadraden!" She fell to her knees, burying her face in her hands. Unspeakable pain slashed at her soul. Her heart felt shattered. Sadraden had been her best friend.

"I'm so sorry." He sounded defeated. "While in the Transport, I contacted the G.o.ds."

Even through her sorrow, she was surprised. That took courage. Kelarians of higher status had died for doing such a thing. The task required much emotional stamina.

He went on, "I explained what happened. Asked if they knew who'd done such a thing. Told them it wasn't true. It seems . . ." he trailed off.

"Zaren, this isn't like you. Tell me all of it. Now," Venus wiped the tears from her face and then gripped her hands into fists at her sides.

"They're willing to listen to your side of the story, on one condition."

"What is it?"

He growled, "They expect you to complete a mission here on Earth."

Venus opened her mouth to speak, but couldn't get anything out. A mission? What kind of mission?

"If you complete the commanded task, they'll allow you to return to Kelari. But not until."

"I'll die in the next seven days. Don't the G.o.ds care? Is that what they want?" She was incredulous. Surely there'd been a mistake. Clearing her throat, she went on, "Please say you know it isn't true. You believe I'd never say or do anything blasphemous against the G.o.ds. And as for Sadraden . . ." She crumbled, sobs replacing her words. That she'd never see her irrihunter again . . . she thought she'd explode in agony. "She was pregnant, you know."

Zaren fell to his knees in front of her, pulling her to him. "Oh, Venus. I'm so sorry." He rocked her back and forth, comforting her in a way she'd never needed before. "I've no idea who would've done such a thing or why the G.o.ds have requested you accomplish-" He paused and Venus heard him grind his teeth. He went on, "such a ridiculous task, but they have. And somehow, so help me, I'll get you back to Kelari. I won't let you die. Understand?" He spoke the last words with ferociousness.

Venus straightened, pulling herself from his arms. "Tell me." Whatever the undertaking, she'd do it. She had to get back so she could hunt down and destroy those who'd framed her. And when she found them, they'd suffer, in ways that would make them wish they were dead. As for whoever murdered her irrihunter, they would pay for their betrayal with their lives.

"They've ordered you to help a boy from this planet find his soul mate." He looked incredulous, as though saying the words out loud made the request seem more absurd.

Venus blinked and waited for more. Surely there would be. When Zaren didn't continue, she let out a deep breath of relief and slugged him on the arm. "What's wrong? This'll be easy. I can't fathom why they want me to help a human find his soul mate, but I can do this." She gave his shoulder another smack and stood, looking around, her confidence returned.

Amberlee had said that life without love meant nothing. Her sister held such sentiment and she was kelarian. Humans were worse. They fell in love effortlessly. Venus had witnessed the phenomena many times during Earth Studies. They let their hearts lead them, did stupid things for love, made fools of themselves. She'd help this boy find his soul mate in three days, five at the most, and then return to her planet. When her G.o.ds understood she'd done nothing wrong, she'd be free to pursue those who'd set her up and make them pay.

If anything, Zaren seemed tenser when he spoke. "If the boy doesn't find himself truly in love, you cannot return to Kelari. And that means you'll-" He growled. "It's ridiculous!"

She watched him, curiously. Didn't he think she could do it? Maybe not, and he worried he wouldn't be able to return after she'd died. Having been proclaimed her personal Formytian, he must've felt honor bound to stay, even after her death.

"I will do this, Zaren. But if, for some reason, it doesn't work out, you're free to return without me. I release you from your vow. As of this moment, you are no longer my Formytian. I don't know what you did with the Transports, but if you desire, you may return home now." Secretly she hoped he wouldn't. She didn't want to be alone, and though she sounded confident, she'd no idea how to find the . . . human.

He rose and swept her into his arms. "Thank you, Venus. Being your Formytian has always been a pleasure. And though you've released me, my vow to protect you will remain forever. Now, though, I can be more. I can be the man who longs-"

Venus pushed away and put a hand to his mouth. She wasn't ready to hear the words. Not right now.

"Zaren, if for some reason I don't make it, I have one request."

"Anything."

She pulled him closer, "I want you to hunt down whoever is responsible and I want you to make them suffer. Will you do that for me?"

He brushed her forehead with his fingers, moving aside some hair that had blown over her eyes, out of the way. "Yes, Princess. I'll do what you ask." He'd spoken in such a tender way, Venus questioned whether he understood. She was about to clarify when he wrapped his arms around her, holding on tight.

She rested her head against his chest, breathing him in. Lemons and honey.

A force pressed against her ribs, swelling, awakening warmth she hadn't known existed.

"Princess. Venus, I-"

"No. Don't." She didn't understand the emotional and physical stirrings, nor did she have the time to discover their meaning. Tugging herself out of his arms, she asked, "What's this boy's name and where do we find him?"

He cleared his throat. "First we must find a place to stay and change our clothes. Physically, we appear human, but we aren't properly dressed." He pointed at their clothing. Venus only had on her cream unisa, which on Earth would probably be called a one-piece camisole. The fabric came from the gigantic Harras worms. The material so smooth and breathable that she had all her unisa's made by them.

Zaren wore his supple Formytian uniform and a sword strapped to his back. The jacket and pants were formfitting and cool, like a snake's skin. The onyx material glinted in the light. To the untrained eye, the uniform might appear to be only a matching jacket and pants. It was much, much more. Otherworldly. Multiworldly, in fact. Having been created from different magical creatures. None of them from this planet, of course.

"Yes, I suppose you're right."

The thundering stream off to the right piqued her attention and reminded her she still required water. "I must have a drink first. Come." She took off at a slight jog, hoping he'd catch up to her, but he didn't. Her dry mouth pushed her onward.

7. Venus.

When she reached the water's edge, she fell to her knees, eager to quench her thirst. Before the water touched her lips, a warning of danger stopped her. The hairs on the back of her neck rose. She glanced around.

She heard him before she saw him, his words sailing over the rapidly moving stream.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you."

Startled, she glared, trying to make out his form. When her eyes finally found him, she stared, open-mouthed. Awed. Amazed.

Her first human encounter.

He's . . . handsome I guess. Then quickly reprimanded herself for such triviality.

Setting her mouth in a firm line, she asked, "Why not? I'm thirsty." The words came out whinier than she'd intended. Years of combat training taught her to be on alert. But she hadn't been prepared to run into a human so suddenly. Questions about the dark-haired boy bombarded her.

Her dehydration encouraged her to set them aside. She needed a drink, now or she worried she'd faint. Still keeping her eyes fixed on the boy, she bent at the waist, ready to plunge her mouth into the water.