Stealing Jia (Coletti Warlords #12) - Gail Koger Page 0,11
will find Adam. No matter where the hunt takes us. We will free him. The Coletti cannot make you the same promise,” Loki stated.
“Do you have a ship?”
“We do.”
And you’re not worried about taking on the Rodan?”
“We are Bjarke mercenaries. We fear no one. Not even the Coletti. We have fought the Rodan many times and won,” Loki replied.
“And all I have to do in return is steal that object?”
“Yes.”
Was he telling me the truth? Who knew? I had two options. Stay with CeeCee and her warlords or go with Loki and hope for the best.
CeeCee turned to Jake “The Rodan must have a cloaked ship nearby. Were you able to track the transporter beams?”
“Sariel is pursuing the Rodan ship now,” a deep, authoritarian voice answered.
Pepe let out a warning growl.
I turned and gaped at the menacing Coletti warrior standing behind me. He looked like someone you never wanted to aggravate. His black battle suit emphasized his massive frame, and on his right arm, he wore a large gold warrior’s bracelet with an elaborate design. An etched gold headband held back his gray warriors’ braids. My stomach clenched in dread as I recognized Zarek, the Overlord of the Coletti Empire. The meanest bastard in the galaxy.
“Shhh. Easy boy. He’s a friend,” CeeCee told Pepe.
I looked at CeeCee like she had lost her mind. “Friend?”
“Jia, this is Zarek, the Overlord of the Coletti Empire.”
“I know who he is, but he’s no friend of mine. I curse you. Xan tu e Ruv!”
CeeCee frowned. “The wolves shall eat you is a curse?”
“It’s an old Romany curse,” I spat.
Zarek didn’t seem too concerned. “This is the one you have chosen for Trayon?”
“She is, but I think Central Command’s records on her are incorrect,” CeeCee said.
I bristled. “What? Wait. You said I wouldn’t be given to a Coletti warrior.”
“And you’re not. Trayon is Askole,” Jake responded.
“Askole?” The image of an alien nightmare petting a sheep appeared in my mind. Merda! He was huge with tentacles squirming about his snakelike features. His black skin was armor-plated, and he had gleaming white fangs.
CeeCee said brightly, “He seems to be good with animals.”
“Dio Mio. You want me to mate with that alien freak? He has tentacles! Our parts won’t fit,” I protested.
Jake laughed. “Oh, they’ll fit. My cousin is mated to an Askole. According to Sarah, Tihar is hung like a bull elephant and is an excellent lover.”
“I don’t care if he’s Don Juan himself. I won’t do it,” I cried.
Zarek’s tone was at once intimidating and amused, “Not even to save your brother’s life?”
“I don’t need your help to save Adam,” I said defiantly.
Jake chuckled. “Got a spaceship, do ya?”
I gave him the one-finger salute.
“Do you know the location of the Rodan base or have enough soldiers to successfully attack it?” CeeCee asked gently.
“Do we have a deal?” Loki asked.
“We do.” I gave CeeCee a grim smile. “No, but I know someone who does.”
“Who?” Curiosity filled CeeCee’s eyes.
A glittering blue light formed around me. “Bjarke mercenaries.”
Pepe clung to me. “No like the glitters. No like.”
The icky sensation of having my cells rearranged rolled over me and poof! I was standing on a platform.
A growl rumbled deep in Pepe’s chest.
Chapter Four
The first thing I noticed was the cold. The room felt like a meat locker. The next was the enormous humanoid male with long purple braids standing behind the control console. A massive bruise marred his bronzed cheek. Give him a horned helmet and he could pass as a Viking. His body armor also looked like it was from 790 AD and had been pieced together from left over scrap metal. “You’re Loki?”
“I am.” He surveyed me from head-to-toe.
The possessive look in Loki’s eyes made me think I had just made the biggest mistake of my life.
Pepe bared his teeth. “Him stink.”
Loki did smell like stale cigarettes and booze. Who knew aliens smoked? I stroked Pepe’s head. “Sssh.”
Loki raised an eyebrow. “What is that?”
“This is my friend Pepe.”
“You should have left it behind,” Loki grumbled.
“Where I go, Pepe goes and he’s not an it. He’s an intelligent lifeform.” I stepped off the platform. “Were you able to track the Rodan ship?”
“We are pursuing it now.” Loki held out his hand. “Come.”
Pepe snapped at him. “No touch Momma.”
Muttering a curse, Loki snatched his hand back. “Keep him under control or I will discipline him.”
“You harm one hair on Pepe’s head, and you’ll regret it,” I shot back testily.
Loki sneered. “The Coletti do not allow their females to have pets.