Page 21 of He Will Always Love Me

“No ships or shuttles whatsoever?” I ask as patiently as I can manage.

She nods sympathetically. “We are a small town with not many visitors. The larger towns, however, do have proper transportation. Though those are about a day’s journey away.”

I nod curtly at her. “Very well then. If you don’t mind, we’ll stay another day while I ensure my team is physically ready to move on.”

Eznine smiles widely. “Wonderful. I’m so glad we’ll get to host you while you wait.”

“Indeed. Now if you’ll excuse us, I need to take my companion here back to the room. She needs to rest.”

“Oh, let me walk you inside,” Eznine offers quickly.

My patience is wearing thin with this woman.

“Please, don’t trouble yourself. I’m sure you’re very busy and we don’t want to trouble you any further. We can manage on our own.” Alana interjects sweetly. She’s much more sociable than I am at the moment.

Eznine laughs like she’s just said something amusing. “Nonsense. I always have time for guests. Besides, I have business with the manager, anyway.”

I want to shake her by the throat. There’s nothing we can really say to protest that. And so we walk with her back inside the hotel.

As we pass by the front desk, the manager spots us and waves us down. “Ah, some of our honored guests! And Madame Eznine, it’s good to see you, too. How was breakfast this morning?"

Alana gives him a tight smile. “It was lovely, thank you.”

The manager snaps his fingers like he’s just remembered something. “Oh yes, I’ve been meaning to tell you. I have excellent news.”

I perk up a bit. Perhaps they have found another shuttle? Considering they did assist us when we needed it, I’d rather not kill my way off this rock. I will if I have to, but I’d be willing to avoid it.

“I’ve found another room for one of you to stay in. Now you don’t have to stay crammed up in the same room together. I can get your things moved right away if you like.”

Alana and I exchange a quick look. It’s only for a second, but there’s a hint of panic in her eyes, and that’s enough for me.

Not that I don’t feel a bit of the same. I’m a Reaper, not exactly the most loved in the universe. I’m trapped on an asteroid in the middle of nowhere with strangers lurking about. There’s no way I want to be separated from Alana in such a precarious situation.

“Oh that is wonderful news!” Eznine exclaims. “How very good that our guests can now rest more comfortably.”

This needs to stop before it goes any further.

“As kind as that is, we’re comfortable just as we are,” I say evenly.

The manager furrows his brow. “Surely you don’t want to have to stay in the same room the whole time. More room for you to spread out, and more room for the lady to recover. Besides, the rooms are practically next door to each other.”

“No thank you,” I say more firmly.

Something flashes in the man’s eyes, but it’s gone just as quickly. He sighs. “Very well.”

“Thank you, anyway,” Alana says quickly. “And thank you, Madame Eznine, for walking us here. Have a good day.”

Eznine nods stiffly, and I quickly steer Alana toward our room. Once we are inside with the door locked, I let out a snarl.

Alana huffs. “Yeah, I feel the same way.”

“We need to find a way off this asteroid as soon as possible,” I growl. “I’m not staying here as some hotel guest. I’m a Reaper.”

Alana chews on her lip. “So what do we do then? We have to wait until the transport to the next town comes around. Or do we try to make the trek ourselves?”

I consider it for a moment before shaking my head. “We don’t know what’s out there between here and the next town. You’re in no shape for another adventure just yet. We’ll see if there’s another convenient way to get to town, and if we can’t find one, we’ll stay here another day or so and see what happens. Though if they force any more hospitality on me, I’m not responsible for my actions.”

Alana winces a little from sitting up too quickly and I frown. The locals have done a decent job of helping to heal her injuries, but they’re still plaguing her. Choosing to wait is clearly the right decision.

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