Don’t react.“I see.”
“You have doubts that we can be successful?”
I chewed my lip, searching for a satisfying response. “I guess humans can adapt to anything over time.”
“Indeed.” He nodded, appearing relieved that I seemed to understand and agree.
I looked across the room to the children, who were filtering out of the room in a single file line for lunch.
“Are any of them yours?” I asked.
“They are all mine.” He gave me an ironic grin, and I rolled my eyes.
“I mean, biologically. By . . . mating.”
“Zorion. He is eight now. And Milna, who is four.”
I smiled. “They’re both wonderful. I mean, of course, they all are.”
He laughed, just a short sputter, but the beautiful sound coupled with his handsome smile did weird things to my insides. The feeling was gone as quickly as it came, and I hoped it stayed away.
When all the students were gone, Vahni came clomping into the room on her stilettos. “It is time for lunch, Bahntan.”
He gave her a nod. “I will be there in a moment.”
If possible, her face hardened further. “I will not close you into this room with a human female. You know how they are.”
Freaking rude! As if I’d ever make a move on this shady faker!
The Senator remained completely unfazed. “By all means, Vahni, leave the door open.”
Her mouth opened and closed. “It is still inappropriate.”
“I think of Ms. Haines as our human advocate. She will inform me of the goings on in Primo Town. Her input will be key to a healthy working relationship between our two species.” She glared at him, and he ended with, “Not to worry. I will inform the council of Ms. Haines’s input at all of our meetings.”
She stared at him, and after an awkward battle of wills, she marched forward and stopped an arm’s length from me.
“If you are seen touching the Bahntan in any way—”
“Vahni,” the Senator warned, but she continued to stare at me.
“—even an accidental brush of your arm. You will be killed on sight.”
The Senator locked his jaw, appearing irritated. “That is no way to form a positive working environment with the humans.”
She looked away from me to glare straight back at him. “I am giving my orders to the guards now.” And then she clanked away, leaving me trembling.
When the Senator turned his head to say something else to me, I literally jumped away from him and let out a whimper. His lips pursed, displeased. Without saying whatever he was going to say, he walked away with graceful strides, cursing under his breath. For all intents and purposes, when he was pissed off, he appeared decidedly human.
