AllFreeNovel
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I found a bowl of what looked and smelled like dried bacon. I scooped up a handful and, checking to make sure no one was watching me, dumped it in my clutch purse as surreptitiously as I could.
Then I dodged between the partiers and well-wishers to the back of the room, keeping my eyes on the deck at all times to avoid conversation.
I passed through the doorway and turned down a long hall. I hung a right and headed directly for Kal’s study.
I came to a stop two yards from the doorway and slowly edged closer. Niik pushed himself up onto his feet. He barely had the strength to do that much. The hair on his back stood up on end and a low growl murmured from his lips. I was beginning to learn that adopting such an appearance wasn’t meant to make him look larger and more fierce. It was to make him look cuter.
These Titan creatures were bizarre.
“Hey there,” I said. “Guess what I’ve got for you…”
I reached into my purse. The instant I withdrew a handful of the dried bacon, Niik immediately lost interest in making noise and instead panted at me, his long tongue almost slapping the floor.
I had found Niik’s Achilles heel…
This was almost too easy.
“There you are!” someone said.
Me and my big stupid mouth.
I tucked my arm behind me and turned to face the voice.
It was Emana. She handed me a mojito and slapped me on the back.
“These are soooo good!” she said, her cheeks already flushing red.
“Mojitos?” I said.
“They’re yummy!” Emana said, taking another slurp. “And they’re brightly colored and so pretty!”
I glanced back at Niik who, now that he had caught the scent of bacon, followed on our heels. He leaped up, suddenly full of energy, and licked at my hand concealing his beloved bacon.
“I thought you didn’t have mojitos here?” I said.
“We didn’t,” Emana said. “Not until Kal told us how to make them. He insisted we have them. It was just about the only thing he cared about with his party.”
My hand was drenched with Niik sputum. He was beginning to drive me insane. I flicked a single piece of bacon from my clenched fist. It never even reached the floor. He must have caught it in midair.
“Niik!” Emana said, chiding him. “It looks like he’s taken a liking to you.”
I smiled shyly.
“You think?” I said.
“Go back to the study!” Emana said. “Go on!”
Niik hung his head and meandered like he was heading for the firing range.
“He’ll be a nuisance if he gets to the party,” Emana said. “He’ll be under everyone’s feet and trip everyone up.”
Emana almost tripped on her own feet. She didn’t need much help in that department.
“We need to get this carpet straightened out!” she said. “You know, I felt a little unsure about you when you first arrived but I’ve noticed the way my brother looks at you.”
“Oh?” I said, straining to think of a way to escape.
“He likes you. I can tell. It’s the first time he’s shown an interest in anyone since… well, it happened.”
