The Toy Prince

13. Ursula

She hadn't needed Niklaus to tell her she wasn't alone. She could sense the eyes watching her as clearly as she'd known she was being followed in Konigreich. The only difference was that this time there was more than one person. Oh and she had nowhere to run if things got hairy.

"Ursula?"

The voice that called to her from the shadows wasn't Felix. When Adler ran up to her, the picture of happiness, Ursula found it hard to keep her emotions in check. She wanted to punch the smiling policeman in the face but her hands remained stubbornly at her side. She was too angry to move and instead let him envelope her into a hug.

"I can't believe you're OK! When we found you gone we were convinced that you'd gone to Conrad's house and been captured." He pulled back and smiled at her again. "Where did you go?"

"Where are Josephine and Felix?" she asked, looking over his shoulder as if she was searching for them. No doubt he had them stashed somewhere nearby.

"Conrad has them. We attacked the house hoping to get you back but they were waiting for us. It was a trap just like you suspected. I was lucky to escape." His voice trailed off as he took in the nutcracker ornament in her hands. "What is that?"

"The prison of Conrad's son. I'm giving him what he wants."

"So he'll give you Annelie back?"

Ursula nodded. "Now we just have to wait for him to get here."

She sat back down on the edge of the fountain. She tried not to flinch when Adler joined her. He was too close to her. Close enough that she could smell the sweet aftershave he'd chosen to wear. It was making her feel nauseous.

"I'm still right here," Niklaus whispered in her ear.

"Did you say something?" Adler asked.

"Nope," Ursula replied, smiling to herself.

They waited for a few minutes in silence. Ursula couldn't stop herself from sneaking glances at Adler. Everyone had pegged Felix as the traitor. Even she had to admit that she'd thought he was shifty when she'd first met him. She felt bad for that now.

Girl, first impressions really tell you jack about people. Better you learn that lesson now.

Eventually she found herself becoming restless. Just how long was she going to have to wait out here until someone made a move? Six o'clock had come and gone a long time ago. Conrad should have been here by now.

"Conrad's not going to show is he?" she said more to herself than Adler. Nonetheless he answered her question.

"He'll be here. He's just making you wait so you'll become nervous."

"Well it's working," she snapped.

"Keep your cool. It's time to force their hand." Niklaus' calm voice made her jump because in truth she'd forgotten he was there.

Ursula nodded and stood up, putting a good three paces between herself and Adler. She didn't want him reaching her before it was too late. Surprisingly he let her.

"Come out here before I smash your son into a million pieces!"

She lifted the nutcracker over her head so that everybody could see. Well she assumed that everybody could see her.

"What are you doing?" Adler stood up and started to move towards her.

She instantly took a step back. "You stay where you are or I smash him right now."

Adler looked confused. It was almost comical because it was so obviously fake. He didn't believe she would do it but she would. Maybe that conviction showed in her face because he stopped moving.