Page 41 of My Tiny Giant

But then what?

He couldn’t act on anything he would’ve liked to do with her. How was he supposed to woo a woman if he had nothing to impress her with, being this size? How could he seduce and satisfy her if he couldn’t even reach high enough to kiss her? The most he could do was to hug her finger—a woman would never find that erotic or arousing, would she?

“May I help you?” the androgynous voice of a house AI enquired outside of the purse.

“Yes,” Emma replied, pleasantly. “I was wondering where I could find Professor Voltuds. I would like to thank him in person for the invitation to tonight’s event.”

Alarm shot through Agan.

What was she doing?

The plan was for Emma to discreetly release him into one of the flowerpots or onto a vine garland by the exit from the ballroom. He was supposed to find his own way to the professor’s private quarters after that. A few locations for the meeting had been identified, and he had thoroughly familiarized himself with the plans of the mansion.

Emma was well disguised in her outfit and heavy make-up. Even Agan would have a hard time recognizing her as the same woman who had been in the secret lab on Tragul with him. Yet he was absolutely against her approaching the professor and risking being recognized by him.

“Professor Voltuds was called aside for a meeting,” the AI informed her. “However, he will return before the arrival of the Governor and his wife.”

“When are they supposed to arrive?”

“They’re expected to be here in twenty-two minutes.”

After a brief pause, Emma’s voice muttered softly through the speaker, “Agan, I bet that means the professor's secret meeting will take place within the next twenty minutes. If it’s not already on the way.”

Smart girl. Once the Voranian Governor arrived, the professor would have to play the host to him and his wife. He wouldn’t dare sneak out while the most powerful couple of the country was in his home.

Now would be a good time for Emma to let Agan out.

“I’ll take you to his personal quarters—less for you to walk,” she whispered into the microphone.

“Emma, no!” He shook his head as if she could see or hear him.

“We don’t have much time,” she added.

She was right. It could take him more than twenty minutes to check all identified locations. Due to his current size, his speed was now also greatly reduced. That didn’t mean she had to risk being exposed by trying to get him closer.

It had been a huge mistake bringing her alone, he realized, guilt settling heavily in his chest. He should have left her where she was, safe and sound. Instead, he had caved into his desire to see her again, and now he might have put her in danger.

The truth was, he didn’t want to do this assignment with anyone else but her. Despite worrying for Emma, he trusted her to do her work well. He fully trusted her to watch his back, too.

Besides, he enjoyed her company.

Emma was the only person in the world right now who didn’t make him feel uncomfortable in their presence. She treated him as a regular person, not a survivor of a freak experiment. She teased him for what he had always been, not for what he’d become. Being near her took his focus off his gloomy future, almost making him feel normal again.

“Madam?” the AI voice sounded uncertain. Agan wondered if that was yet a different unit Emma encountered in her search for the meeting room. “These are the private quarters of the master of the house. Allow me to lead you back to the main hall where you can join the rest of the guests.”

“Oh, but I’m looking for a bathroom suitable for an Earth female.” She sounded convincingly innocent.

“To my knowledge, females from Earth could easily use any bathroom in Voran.”

“Yeah, well, that misinformation has been shared with you by mistake. Many of us need special accommodation in terms of a bathroom facility. Things down there aren’t as similar to Voranians as it’s widely believed on Neron.”

“I’m afraid I don’t understand.” The AI appeared to stumble. “What kind of accommodations do you require?”

“Trust me, I’ll know it when I see it—” her voice broke off for a moment. She then continued in a much different tone—a suddenly flirtatious one. “Oh, I’m so, so sorry. I didn’t mean to bump into you like that. I didn’t see you coming around the corner.”

“Who are you?” a male voice inquired gruffly. “And what are you doing in this part of the house?”

“I’m, um...Louise. And who are you? What are you doing in the professor’s private rooms?”