Stealing Jia (Coletti Warlords #12) - Gail Koger Page 0,50

summon you when I am done,” Zarek replied a little testily.

I interjected, “How about some mealie bugs to hold you over?”

“Kay.” LeeLee peered down at me. “We go now?”

“We go now,” I said.

Trayon handed Cason to my father. “Guard them carefully.”

“With my life.” Dad cradled Cason against his chest.

I snorted. “Relax, I don’t think anyone is stupid enough to attack our children again.”

Cason patted Dad’s chest. “Papa.”

Trayon raised his eyes heavenwards.

“Come on kids, Zarek needs to talk to Rakk.”

Chapter Sixteen

Zarek’s mind meld with Rakk led to a treasure trove of information. Our traitor wasn’t as dumb as he appeared. He wore a modified version of Earth First’s sensors that blocked telepathic abilities. He couldn’t have his fellow warriors eavesdropping on his traitorous thoughts, now could he? In case the monsters turned on him, he had downloaded the locations of every Rodan base, and the codes to disable their shields and weapons systems. The data would be sent to the Bjarke High Command upon his death. Why them? That was the million-credit question. Rakk also inserted a virus into the monster’s mainframe that would shut down life support on every battle cruiser in their fleet. Zarek now had the codes and could trigger the virus any time he wished.

I had to say I was impressed by Rakk’s attention to details. Too bad he was ready to sacrifice billions for a pleasure house on a planet called Paradise.

What was even more impressive was the traitorous bastard had discovered who was aiding the Rodan. Everyone was shocked when it turned out to be Xabiere, the Commander of the Coletti eastern sector. His hatred of the hybrids had driven him to fund the Legionnaires and feed the Rodan classified intelligence. The assassins he hired to kill Zarek botched it so badly, Xabiere gave the Rodan the location of Zarek’s warbird. He figured the odds were in his favor. Seven battle cruisers against Zarek’s warbird was a win-win situation. But he didn’t factor in Trayon’s ship or me and Chiara. He was beyond furious when he learned Zarek still lived.

The fact that Xabiere was over ninety-two million miles away didn’t stop Zarek from destroying his mind and those who had aided him. The man was scarily powerful, but thank the Lord, he had a soft spot for children.

It took Rakk four hours to die and I couldn’t bring myself to care. Was his death horrific? Without a doubt, but his actions would have destroyed civilization as we knew it.

The battle plan to take the Rodan base and free the prisoners was a simple one. Sariel and Commander Zan would use the codes Rakk had stolen to take down the Rodan defenses, and life support systems. Jubal and his fighter pilots would engage the Rodan Marauders. At the same time, the Gorum would port in with an assault team to rescue the prisoners. Trayon and Zarek were part of that team.

There was only one problem with their plan. I wasn’t included. I stepped in front of Trayon when he tried to leave. “I’m going with you. Adam knows me. He’ll listen to me. If he’s becoming something other, I know I can control him.”

“No. I will not take you into a battle zone,” Trayon stated flatly.

I glared at him. “Earth was a battle zone for over eight years, and I survived.”

“You are not yet Askole and will only slow me down.”

“But…” Trayon’s mouth closed over mine and he kissed me senseless.

Chiara stuck her head between us and hissed. “Are you eating Mother Jia?”

A laugh escaped Trayon “No, I am kissing her.”

“What is the purpose of kissing?”

“It’s a way we show our affection,” I answered and pressed my lips to her scaly head.

Pepe chimed in, “Me no get kissing.”

Adoz chirped mournfully.

The twins scurried up to my chest. “We like kisses.”

To my utter surprise, Trayon gave all the kids a smooch. “You are a blessing from the Goddess.”

“Ax. Pappa.” Cason cooed.

Trayon hugged him tightly. “You are a worthy son.”

Aw. My intimidating Askole was a big softy. “I love you all very much, but I need to talk to Father Trayon. Alone.”

“Yes, Mother Jia. Come children,” Chiara said.

The kids followed her into the bedroom.

Chiara had blossomed from a frightened child into a confident warrior. I grabbed Trayon’s arm before he could zoom away. “Adam has never seen an Askole before, he will attack you. Me, he won’t.”

“The Adam you know, and love, might not exist anymore.”

I hated it, but Trayon had a valid point. “If he still lives, bring