Page 8 of Sworn to the Alien

No one ever fell in love with an Elinz'ang and so wives were often far more accepting of their services.

The meeting place was Snai-A, a high-class establishment in the heart of the city.

When I entered the lobby, I peered around nervously, hoping no one would recognize me.

I reminded myself that the majority of people staying in a hotel were often new to the area or else they would be staying at home.

Then again,I’mhere, so it was always possible I might bump into someone I knew.

I wore a wide-brimmed hat and coat with a high collar.

As the Governor, I was highly recognizable.

It was best I kept a low profile.

“Rrrg shrr,” I said before clearing my nervous throat. “I have a room reservation.”

“Name?”

I gave the fake one I had come up with.

“Room number forty-two,” the worker said, handing over a key card. “Enjoy your stay, Governor.”

So much for keeping a low profile.

I considered turning around and leaving right then but what did I have to lose now?

A worker might tell their friends about me… but it was unlikely to spread far.

Especially with how little interest she was now giving me.

I took the hyper-elevator to the seventh floor and shuffled down the long corridor that seemed to groan with a distant and mysterious wind.

I found my room and headed inside.

I checked the time and immediately set to preparing the room.

If the female was on time, she would come within the next ten minutes.

I didn’t want her to know who I was immediately, although she was bound to find out at some point.

I turned off the lights and clicked on a single lamp that sat beside the front door, casting a small orb of light.

I dragged a chair into the far corner and sat in it.

I rubbed my hands together nervously.

I reminded myself that nothing needed to happen tonight — in fact, that there was no need foranythingto happen at all!

The female would come in, we would have a conversation, and that could be all thatneededto happen.

As the male, I was in charge of the outcome.

The female was a professional and capable of reading my body language better even than I could myself.

Still, I was nervous and it took several deep breaths to calm myself down.

My ears pricked up when I heard gentle footsteps approaching.

---