Page 85 of Sworn to the Alien

“Are you sure?” the little leader said.

“Q-Quite s-sure,” he replied.

The little leader frowned. “How can we know you’re not just saying that because it’s what we want to hear?”

“B-Because I-I know w-what you’ll d-do if I l-lie to you,” he said, his eyes wide as saucers.

The little leader glared at him before a wicked smile curled his lips. “Yes. I suppose that’s true, isn’t it?”

He used the tip of his blade to scratch his head.

Then he turned to me and his grin widened even further.

I placed myself on the other side of the table from him.

The larger goon was to my left in front of the door — it was good he stood guarding it now.

His would be a pair of arms fewer that I would have to avoid when I attempted a break for it.

“Looks like you really did come through,” the little leader said.

I shrugged my shoulders. “I told you I found it.”

The sharp-eyed henchman remained behind the fearful Chi.

Evidently, he’d been brought here to validate the Blue Orb I’d found.

“Now,” the little leader said, rounding the table in my direction.

I shuffled to one side, only a little as I thought the corner behind me was my best bet for getting out of there.

I had no idea what was on the other side of the blanket, but whatever it was, ithadto be better than what was onthisside!

The little leader came a little closer. “It seems you’ve followed through with your side of the bargain, so I intend on doing the same.”

I tried to read the goons’ expressions but they were as readable as stone. “Good,” I said. “If you’ll point me in the right direction, I’ll get out of your hair.”

I wished I could have helped the fearful one too but he was going to have to take care of himself.

“There’s just one more thing I want from you,” the little leader said.

“Oh?”

I backed up a step as if he were getting too close for comfort — and he was as if being anywhere near me in thisgalaxywas too close for my liking — but really I wanted to get a little closer to that corner.

“I told you some time ago I’ve never experienced being with an Elinz'ang before…” Now I understood the glint in the little leader’s eye.

He intended ontakingme, right here, right now.

Not while I still draw breath.

“I’d be happy to suggest someone for you—” I began, before spinning on the spot and racing toward the corner.

I reached it within three strides and ran headlong into it.

One side gave way but the other did not.

It was a solid wall and I’d run headlong into it.

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