“Welcome, Mr. Hill,” the man in the business suit greeted me as we came through the front doors. “We cannot express what a pleasure it is that you are here. How was your flight?”

“Fine,” I returned shortly. Then, in an attempt not to let my mood get the better of me, I added, “Mostly uneventful, thank you.”

“Good to hear, Mr. Hill,” the human continued, and began rambling about how truly privileged they were that I had arrived, how they hoped this office was doing wonderful things for the organization, and other useless compliments that were mostly lip service. As if I couldn’t smell the fear that radiated from the human like body odor. How he was trying so hard to appear normal and conversational, when he knew exactly what was happening.

“Have the packages arrived?” I asked when there was a break in the stream of endless chatter and adulation. The human bobbed his head as we stepped into a narrow elevator, squeezing into the center of the floor. My two guards loomed over us, silent and menacing, and the human eyed them nervously as the elevator climbed toward the higher floors.

“Yes, Mr. Hill. All arrived safely this morning.” The man pulled a handkerchief out of his jacket pocket and dotted his balding head with it. “And the boxes you requested were delivered to conference room C for your inspection. We’re headed there now.”

“Good.”

The elevator stopped on the eleventh floor and opened with a ding. I followed my bodyguards out and immediately turned, pressing my palm into the doors to stop them from closing. The human blinked at me across the threshold.

“I can find my own way from here,” I told him. “Thank you for your assistance, but I’m sure you’re busy enough without having to escort me around the building. We’ll be fine.” He hesitated, and I gave a wry smile. “I’m actually fairly adept at finding my way around Talon offices. It’s no trouble at all. You can return to your work.”

The blood drained from the human’s face in relief. “Of course, sir,” he almost-whispered. “Right away. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to call.”

“I won’t. Thank you.”

I stepped back, and the doors slid shut, taking the human from my sight. I turned and made my way down the nearly empty halls, passing a few humans in business attire, until I found conference room C.

“Wait here,” I told my guards at the door. “I don’t want to be disturbed.” They nodded mutely before placing themselves on either side of the frame, hands clasped in front of them, and proceeded to look stern and intimidating. Opening the door, I stepped inside and closed it behind me.