vids say otherwise.”
Mangled scrabbled backwards. “We have refugee status.”
“I have revoked it. You will be returned to Threll.” Trayon gestured.
The Askole warriors dragged the loudly protesting Mangled and his buddies off.
Zarek inquired, “You have programmed Merlot into your replicator?”
“It is Jia’s favorite,” Trayon answered.
“Mine also.”
I shot Zarek a startled look. Was he angling for a dinner invitation?
“You are always welcome to share a meal with us.” Trayon escorted me into the mess hall. “Sit. I will get your Merlot and spaghetti.”
“Don’t forget the chocolate cake.”
“Bloos. Bloos,” Cason jabbered.
I quickly added, “And bloodworms.”
Trayon nodded and walked over to a food replicator.
A glass of Merlot in one hand, Zarek took the seat across from me. “How have you remained hidden for so long?”
“I’m a thief. I work in the shadows.”
“Central Command’s records show you stole over sixty million credits in jewelry and fine art for Salvatore Genovese.”
I replied matter-of-factly, “There’s no evidence to support that claim.”
Cason tugged on my tunic. “Bloos? Bloos?”
“Soon sweetie.”
“According to Aldo Dragos you single-handedly brought down the Genovese crime syndicate?” Zarek said.
“I have no idea who Aldo Dragos is but the Polizia made the arrests.” I shifted uneasily. Where was the food?
“Quit interrogating my mate,” Trayon growled and handed me a glass of Merlot.
I drained it. Trayon placed a plate with spaghetti, a small loaf of bread and what looked like salad in front of me. “Thanks.”
Cason cried, “Bloos. Bloos.”
“Here they are.” Trayon set a bowl of blood worms in front of him and took my empty glass.
Cason stuffed a handful of worms into his mouth.
Zarek studied Cason intently.
If he made a move on Cason, Overlord or not, he was going down.
“Eat. I will not harm the child,” Zarek said with obvious amusement.
My stomach rumbled hungrily, and I dug in. “My compliments to the chef, Trayon. This is really good.”
“Warriors fight better when fed properly,” Trayon replied. He put a full glass of Merlot in front of me and took the seat next to me.
“Are there any more refugees like toothless and his friends onboard?”
“A few, but they have been restricted to their quarters.”
“Good to know. I’d hate to damage your pretty ship with my power balls.”
Trayon’s tentacles rose. “Pretty ship?”
“Owh. Owh.” Cason jabbered and thwacked his bowl of blood worms, flinging the bloody contents all over Zarek.
I started in horrified fascination as a blood worm slid slowly down Zarek’s cheek.
“Bloos. Bloos.”
Merda! I grabbed my napkin and jumped to my feet. “I am so sorry. Let me clean it off.”
“Sit!” Zarek commanded.
I sat.
Trayon chortled.
I shot him a sidelong glance. “You think this is funny?”
“You have been on my ship less than a day and no matter where you go pandemonium follows.”
I gave him the evil eye. “Why don’t you void our mating contract then?”
“Askole warriors thrive on chaos, and I never know what you will do next.”
Cason grabbed a worm off the table and offered it to Zarek. “Bloos. Bloos.”
Zarek took it. “Rodan children are feral creatures who would never share their food. The fact Cason just did is very unusual.”
LooLoo said Cason was different from the other Rodan,” I said.
“His brain patterns are also quite unique. I plan on having his DNA tested,” Trayon advised.
“A wise decision.” Zarek stood and dozens of worms rolled down his bloody armor. With a grimace Zarek teleported away.
Cason held out his arms to Trayon. “Geepa.”
Trayon picked him up. “Not Geepa. Father.”
“Geepa.” Cason patted his chest.
I laughed at the resigned expression on Trayon’s face. “He’s just a baby. He’ll get it in time.”
“While you finish your meal, I will take him to sick bay for the DNA test and start his conversion.”
“How long before we rendezvous at Proxima Centauri?”
“Twelve hours.” A knot of apprehension formed in my gut. The thought of meeting my father gave me the heebie-jeebies. A part of me wanted to run. Another part of me was excited and hopeful.
Trayon kissed me with a passion that left me breathless. “Do not worry. Your father will fall in love with you as I have.”
I gaped at him. “You love me?”
“I do.”
“But you’ve known me for less than a day.”
“You are my chosen,” Trayon answered, like that was all I needed to know.
Was I his soulmate? Probably not. “I’ve done things I’m not proud of.”
Trayon caressed my face. “You did what was necessary to survive. There is no shame in that. You are not alone anymore. You are now part of my family. Eat.”
I nodded and watched him walk out. How big was Trayon’s family?
Chapter Eight
I got my answer sooner than