Stealing Jia (Coletti Warlords #12) - Gail Koger Page 0,21
I had a family! A real family. “What’s my father’s name? Is he still alive? Why didn’t he come for me?”
“Your father is Derek Jones. He has command of Earth’s civilian police forces. Your mother, Viola Dragos, never told him she carried his child. She died in the avalanche that destroyed San Martino.”
I stared at Zarek in utter disbelief. “Derek Jones? Isn’t he Saul Jones’s brother?”
“He is.”
I had always wanted a family, but wow. The legendary Jones clan? How could I measure up? My mental powers were insignificant compared to theirs. Maybe this was all a dream, and I was still back on Threll. I pinched myself. Ouch. Nope. “When do I get to meet my father?”
“Soon. I sent a warbird for him. They will rendezvous with us at Proxima Centauri.” Zarek turned his attention to Trayon. “Your father will also meet us there. He is anxious to get to know your mate. After you have settled your family, come to my war room.” He teleported away.
Panic knotted my stomach. What if they didn’t like me?
“Have no fear. They will cherish you as much as I do,” Trayon reassured me.
“Cherish? I tried to neuter you.”
“To save the children. I have chosen well. You will make an excellent mother.”
“Oh. How wonderful and your family won’t be upset that I’m human?”
“Tihar’s mate is also a Jones. Once my father knows you destroyed Threll, he will present you with the Medal of Service.”
Seriously? “I didn’t do it alone.”
“Me hungry,” Pepe whined.
LeeLee hung from my hair. “We all hungry.”
“There is a food replicator in our quarters. You may eat whatever you wish.” Trayon picked up the little Rodan. “Tiny is not a proper name for a warrior. I think I will call you Cason.”
For a long moment, Cason stared in fascination at Trayon’s tentacles and reached out excitedly. “Wiggles. Wiggles.”
I laughed. “I think he wants tentacles like yours.”
“That can be arranged,” Trayon replied.
“How?”
“I will change his DNA. He will be a hybrid like Ziyad.”
“Who is Ziyad?”
“She is Loki’s and Ivan’s adopted sister.” The image of a female mixture of a Rodan and Askole formed in my mind. One look at her mouthful of serrated teeth and I knew she was someone you never wanted to mess with.
Cason babbled, “Owh! Owh!”
The kid seemed to be fascinated with Ziyad’s picture. One thing I had learned from the orphanage was nationalities and species didn’t matter when it came to family. Love was all that was needed. “I have no objection to you altering his DNA.”
“We will talk more after I return.” Trayon handed me Cason and left.
Balancing the kid on my hip, I asked Chiara, “Do you know what happened to Cason’s mother?”
“She was the one who sold him to the flesh peddlers,” Chiara answered.
“Why would she do that?”
Chiara hissed her disgust. “Her male gave her to the Yagga. She was dying and wanted her revenge.”
I could understand her anger but the only one she was hurting was Cason. “Okay, what does everyone want to eat?”
“Mealie bugs,” LooLoo and LeeLee yelled.
Pepe cried, “A hamburger.”
Adoz chirped.
“He wants Bahmi fish,” Chiara translated. “I would love some Decapod.”
“Ok, hang on.” I stared at the hieroglyphics on the keypads. Huh? It was alien gobbledygook. I linked with Trayon. “I’ve never used a food replicator before, and I don’t read Askole.”
“An error I can quickly resolve.”
A prickling sensation swept across my mind and suddenly I knew what the symbols were and how to use the food replicator. Call me amazed. “Thanks. Is there Bahmi fish and Decapod in the food replicator?”
“There is and I also programmed in your favor Italian food. Feed Cason blood worms,” Trayon said. His lips brushed mine and the link severed.
Whoa! I always thought Askole warriors were the boogeymen of the galaxy, but I never imaged they could be so caring.
Cason whined.
“I know. I know. You’re hungry.” I walked over to the food replicator and started programming the kid’s meals.
Two hours later, I was face down on Trayon’s huge bed with the kids piled on top of me. Motherhood sucked.
Chapter Seven
“Why are there blood worms webbed to the walls and ceiling?”
The shock in Trayon’s voice would have been amusing in any other circumstance. I cracked open an eye. “Whatever you do, don’t go in the bathroom.”
“Why not?”
“Bath time got a little messy.” One look and he’d probably rescind the mating contract.
Trayon’s boots made an icky squishing noise as he walked across the room. I could feel his horror when he exclaimed, “A little messy?”
“I told you not to