Read Lake, Ciara - Xihirah [Xihiran Shifters 1] (Siren Publishing Classic) for Free Online Page A

“He surely doesn’t hide his disrespect for females or the Xihirians. I’m a bit worried about his ability to represent Kriton.”
    “Oh, Mia, you’re so suspicious and negative of Vitalion. He’s not going to act like that in front of the Xihirians. He can’t be that stupid.”
    “Yes, of course he can. Didn’t you hear all of his awful comments about Xihirians and even women in general? He’s a cranky old jerk. He’s almost as bad as the Realmist.”
    “I heard his comments, and I just ignored him. He’s a cranky old man. Let’s go to the ship’s exit before the Minister gets there. I’d like to look out the exit’s window to see if we can see who’s waiting for us. I want to see what we’re up against before we meet them face-to-face.” Saleeya started toward the access door. “Is it electronically air-cooled in the terminal?” she asked just as she reached the observation deck’s door.
    “I think so, but just in case, soak up the cool air while you can. It sounds like we’ll be spending hot, humid nights at the Palace.” Mia already looked tired. Dark circles were under her eyes, and a light sheen of sweat covered her face.
    The corridors of the ship were shiny silver from the floor to the ceiling. “Look how these walls shine. I can see my reflection in them,” Saleeya admired aloud and twirled around to get a good look at herself. Lining the corridor were multiple access doorways to various private suites, passenger living areas. These rooms were vacant today.
    The ship was a luxurious flying conference center. An office building and hotel all rolled up into an incredible spaceship. Saleeya had never seen such a beautiful ship. Its grandness was an obvious indication of Kriton’s wealth. Currently, the Realmist Terrorists were jeopardizing its wealth. The terrorist group threatened Kriton’s economic growth as well as that of the other planets that were part of the Council.
    After about a ten-minute walk through the endless corridors of the ship and two glass tube rides, they arrived at the ship’s exit. Out of the ship’s windows next to the exit, Saleeya could see four impressive-looking men waiting at the bottom of the exit ramp. None of the four was shorter than six and a half feet. They had dark, swarthy good looks, and they oozed sexual appeal. Heavily corded muscles rippled beneath their tight uniforms. Legs braced apart, arms crossed over their chests, they looked as though they weren’t going to be moved. Off to the left of the four uniformed males, another male leaned against the ramp’s railing. “Oh my Deity, that’s the biggest, most impressive male I’ve ever seen,” Saleeya exclaimed in amazement.
    “Let me see.” Mia leaned past Saleeya to get closer to the window. “That, my dear, is the Admoncor. I recognize him from his pictures. He’s hard to forget.” Saleeya gazed out the window, astonished by what she saw. The extraordinary male made her pulse quicken from the mere sight of him. Tall with broad shoulders, his massive arms and legs looked exceptionally powerful. All muscle, no softness filled out his uniform. He looked good in his black military uniform. The jumper-style uniform fit snugly all over; he wore it like a second skin. He wore his skin wonderfully. Saleeya nearly choked when it seemed his eyes focused directly back at her through the window. Saleeya sucked in a quick breath. Her heart was beating in her ears, and it fluttered when his stare swept up to where she stood, sheltered by the one-way glass of the window.
    “Can they see us?” Saleeya licked her suddenly dry lips, her body leaning toward the window and the man on the other side of it.
    “No, the windows are one-way. What’s wrong, Saleeya?” Mia gently placed her hand on Saleeya’s upper back in a soothing motion. “You look really flushed.”
    “I feel flushed. Did you get a good look at the Admoncor?”
    “Yes.”
    “I know you told me Xihirian males were big and