Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 75457 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75457 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“That is unexpected.” The professor glanced between us but didn’t seem to think anything was weird. “I must insist but I will allow you to join us.”
Really?
Klynn had to be thinking something similar but they didn’t show emotions the same way, so it was hard for me to be sure. “I must know why to make sure Agent Murphy understands the expected customs.”
Oh, good one.
Even Professor Zorin couldn’t argue with the logic no matter how much he clearly wanted to. “I am starting to understand the human custom of using strong words to show frustration.”
Cursing.
He meant cursing.
“The words are useful.”
So Klynn agreed but he wasn’t giving in?
“I require his presence to make sure I am asking questions about human domination-based relationships clearly.” The professor shifted like he was doing the human equivalent of standing straighter to look more professional. “I have been told that it is the next logical step but I require…organization.”
He clearly didn’t like that word, so we were patient as he tried again.
“Conversational organization.” Where someone from Earth would’ve started frowning and fidgeting, he went even more still. “I cannot find the right word but that gives the idea of it.”
Yeah, it probably did.
“You’re looking for help keeping the conversation on track and making sure it goes well while you talk about domination-based relationships like some people from Earth have?” Had I understood that part correctly?
Had my question made sense?
Did he understand the on track reference?
He paused then gave a clear and human-looking nod. “Yes.”
Okay.
“Toman and Wren are declining to participate in your questions?” Klynn obviously knew more gossip than I did, but knowing both languages gave him more people to talk to.
“Yes.” Professor Zorin was so frustrated by that he actually did some kind of shoulder wiggle that seemed to indicate how pissed he was about it. “I have questions, but they are refusing verbal cooperation.”
No, they were refusing to help him hide from whatever he was doing and whoever he was doing it with.
“Are you able to have the conversation on your own and are simply doing the human behavior of being stubborn, or do you actually require help in sorting out the wide-ranging data?” Klynn phrasing it in terms of a research project seemed to please the professor because he damned near sighed at hearing it.
“The data is extensive and unfamiliar.” His arms twitched in a way I’d come to associate as a kind of shrug. “The culture associated with the data is also…difficult.”
They were just as weird as the dragons and mages on the other side of the portal, but it came out in completely different ways.
Toman had pointed that out before we’d come through, but I’d been hoping he’d exaggerated their uniqueness.
He hadn’t.
“I will concede to that fact.” Klynn’s ability to take charge of the situation was fascinating too but that was mostly because I’d only seen him going out of his way not to talk about anything related to BDSM and human sexual shenanigans. “He will not take questions about his own personal life, but we will both answer questions related to scientific understanding and general relationship advice. He has the practical experience to be considered an expert and I have done extensive reading.”
He was sexy when he was confident.
“I agree to those terms.” Going still again, the professor damned near frowned and shifted to their own language. I wasn’t offended because there were a lot of words that just didn’t have an equivalent yet, mostly related to food and social behaviors, but that would come in time.
After a moment, they both came to an understanding about something and the professor shifted back to English and focusing on me. “Thank you for your help.”
When he turned around and left, I realized I wasn’t exactly sure what I’d agreed to help with. I knew better than to ask that with an open door, though. Just because I couldn’t see anyone didn’t mean they weren’t around the corner gathering information.
Not eavesdropping.
They were just being good scientists and academics.
Justification was amazing no matter what world everyone was from.
But Klynn seemed to be on the same page based on how his gaze darted around and how quickly he shut the door. “We shall go back to practicing using your room, Agent Murphy.”
So we had an audience?
“Thank you.” Mirroring his professional tone, I winked since I was fairly certain no one could see us through the closed door. “I appreciate your help.”
Klynn looked pleased but the change in his expression was subtle enough I couldn’t pinpoint why I took it like that. “You are welcome.”
Looking adorably professional, Klynn focused on the flat panel by the wall that seemed to control damned near everything in the room. “You do not seem to have tried getting the magic to react to your will.”
“No.” Should I have? “I was given instructions on how to manually operate the basic things in the room but that was it.”