Marked Prince - Michelle M. Pillow Page 0,9

I could believe it. How?”

“There will be time for questions later,” the man stated. “We have to figure out a way to get you out of here.”

Fiora looked at him, eyeing the strange markings on his face. They didn’t fit the visions she had when she looked into his future. Was he in disguise as well? She looked at his hands, trying to see if there was a similar ring device.

“It’s all right.” Salena tried to reassure her. “This is—”

“No. Don’t tell me.” Fiora shook her head.

Panic set in as she looked at her sister. A sense of urgency filled her, ruining any happiness that should have erupted at their reunion. All of the tender sentiments she would have said in such a moment vanished. For so long, all she wanted was to be reunited with Piera and Salena. They were the missing pieces of her soul and seeing one piece brought back to her should have been a reason for joy. But not here. Not like this. The Federation base was too dangerous. As much as she hated her fate, it would be worse to see a sister going through the same nightmare as well.

“You shouldn’t have come. I can’t leave here. If I don’t show back up soon, they will send people after me. They will find me. And, if they ask me who you are, I’ll have to tell them because I cannot lie. So don’t tell me anything more. Just put that face back on and get out of here. I’ll give them so many predictions they won’t think to ask me about you.” Fiora knew if she went back to the hall and started telling predictions, they wouldn’t sound an alarm. She tried to move past the man blocking the exit.

Salena stopped her. “Grier, hide those men. We don’t want to draw suspicions if anyone looks this way.”

Grier nodded and left to do as Salena bid.

When they were alone, Salena said, “Take your clothes off. I have a plan.”

Fiora made no move to follow the orders. This was not like when they were children, and Salena got to play the role of bossy triplet. “Salena, wh—?”

“You can’t lie, but I can,” Salena explained. Her ability made people tell her the truth. Fiora could easily admit she’d envied it most of her life. “We’re going to change places. I’m going to tell fortunes, and you’re going to walk out of here dressed as a pleasure droid bimbo.”

This was a bad plan.

Fiora shook her head in denial even as Salena began stripping. “What about you? That means you’ll be stuck here. I can’t do that. I can’t leave you here. They’re going to realize eventually that you can’t do what I do. You don’t know what it’s like to be locked in a cage by the Federation.”

She thought of all the times General Sten had come to her prison hold to listen to her torments. Then there were the shots and tests. And the horrible nutrient paste they forced her to eat.

“I’m a toy to them,” Fiora stated.

“I do know what it’s like. I’m here because the Federation brought me. They came for both of us. I was lucky enough to escape.” Salena finally managed to wiggle out of her tight clothes. “And that man with me is my husband. He’s a prince on this planet. If anyone can protect us, it is him and his family.”

Salena stood before her naked. Fiora didn’t move.

Salena attempted to hand her the dress. “I’m here to rescue you. You’re coming with us. My lies will create a distraction in there. And once started, you know they will not be able to resist telling each other the truth.”

Fiora wondered if her sister’s ability had grown over their years apart. It would make sense. If Salena asked someone a question, they were compelled to speak truthfully. But it didn’t stop there. It sometimes spread like a virus. The arguing would build when the infected became so entrenched in their anger that they mindlessly fed off each other’s emotions. The truth-telling would become its own force, stirred by churning emotions.

“I have a feeling that crowd has a lot of secrets they do not want to be told,” Salena continued. “I also assume they have strong opinions about some of their fellow partygoers that they will be only too willing to share. You can’t have that many alien races in one room without someone holding a grudge or feeling superior.”

She again tried to hand