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)
Thankfully, Boyd’s mate was trained in the best way to save others and rubbed his back while probably sending soothing emotions through their bond. That was an assumption on my part, but it seemed logical based on how Wren and Toman behaved.
But with Boyd being dangerously close to the limit on his patience, Toman decided to take over. He was much less likely to damage anyone who argued with him, so it was a good decision. “Please assemble in order, so we can proceed through the gate.”
His glare was not as strong as Boyd’s but it was good enough to keep their attention. “Remember that some of us coming through felt a bit of nausea, but it faded quickly. Walk slowly so we don’t have an accident on the other side and once you are through the portal please move to the right.”
I doubted their ability to follow his directions, and I was pleased when my human agent sighed softly. “There’s no way they can do that.”
I had to agree.
“When they hurt themselves, we will be able to quickly mend them.” I shrugged, pleased as he gave a short puff of laughter. “Unless they fall over each other, however, they should not be able to hurt themselves too much. The other side of the portal is a flat desert area.”
“A desert on another fucking planet.” His expression did not change, but he groaned softly and seemed to become more stressful. “I’m going to ask a favor.”
“Whatever you need.” I would be pleased to help.
“Don’t let me look stupid.” His low words were filled with grumbling and frustration, but I gave him a faint nod. “I’ve never been to another planet and first impressions are everything. I need your people to see me as confident with my emotions under control.”
Agreed.
“I will do my best.” He was right. They would not understand the highly emotional reactions of the others. “Your average demeanor will please them.”
Average demeanor?
There was a better way to say that.
I needed more time to read.
“Thank you.” Standing straighter, he looked around as the lecture finally came to a close.
“You’re representing Earth.” The dragon Boyd looked highly skeptical of their ability to behave. “Don’t do anything a local would do and don’t start any interstellar incidents. Don’t do anything that would piss off your mothers. Keep your fucking clothes on and don’t try to bring back any fucking dinosaurs. We’re not looking to start a zoo or change the ecosystem.”
“I’m not sure any of them can follow those directions either.” Agent Murphy spoke so quietly, I knew the words were just for me. “We need to warn someone on the other side of the gate that they can’t bring back dinosaurs through the damned thing.”
The local ecosystem could not handle new species of that nature.
I had seen movies and books related to it and they all indicated terrible results.
“I would have to agree.” With his assessment on everything related to the locals. “But you are a highly accomplished individual and will be able to explain the reasoning for that decision. You will make a good impression and I will guide you in new situations.”
That was my job as his mate…and I would explain that eventually.
Yes.
Eventually was a good word.
Eventually I would explain everything to my mate.
Chapter 2
Agent Murphy
Far Side of the Portal
“Somehow they’re a bigger pain in the ass than the men at the diner.” I should’ve realized I wasn’t alone because I was never alone lately, but thankfully, the cough that came from behind me in the small side corridor was familiar.
Klynn.
Finally.
“Have you decided to sneak up on me and ask inappropriate questions too?” Had he come to talk or was he still avoiding me and this was an accident?
Wren had assumed the strange questions would stop once I’d gone through the gate, but he’d underestimated how curious his people could be no matter where they’d come from.
Klynn wanted to laugh, I could see it in his eyes, but he wasn’t ready for that much Earth nonsense yet. So far, I’d just gotten random smiles I thought were designed to send deliberate signals and not just random attempts at practicing them.
But I’d started questioning that theory when he seemed to vanish once we reached the town closest to the gate. I’d only seen him once over the past two days, and while I’d heard him mentioned in several meetings, I didn’t like not knowing where he was.
“Yes.” Klynn stepped closer and gave me a practiced shrug that looked natural on him. “I have decided I need detailed instructions on using Earth bathrooms.”
His dry sense of humor was cute, but I gave him the suspicious frown he wanted. “That would be the third time I was asked that today. Care to explain why?”
His people were weird but it’d gotten to the point of strange.