by Gail Koger
“We are not out of danger yet. It is following us.”
The damned thing was climbing up the tiers. “Oni! We need backup now!”
“The Gorum’s weight is straining the transporter,” Oni snapped.
In barely recognizable English, the creepy half-Gorum brayed, “There is no escape for you, my pretty.”
My pretty? Did he think he was a space pirate or a Yagga? I stared down into the eyes of madness and knew we were screwed. The chamber was full of monsters.
Giovanni yelled, “Don’t eat her, she’s mine.”
The mutant space pirate giggled and giggled and giggled.
Keeping an eye on Giovanni’s ascent up the pyramid, I scrambled to the sixth tier.
LooLoo asked, “Why he laugh like that?”
“His mind is broken,” Chiara replied with a shudder.
A fact Giovanni was blindly unaware of or simply didn’t care.
The space pirate roared, “I no longer obey you.” His protrusions turned into tentacles and they wrapped around Giovanni’s body.
The mad scientist let out a startled yelp. “Release me or face punishment.”
“No.” The space pirate stuffed Giovanni down his enlarging maw lined with needle sharp teeth.
“Him no fit,” LeeLee said.
But Giovanni did. Bile rose in my throat as the hybrid Gorum ate him in three bites.
LooLoo shivered. “No like.”
Me either. “Oni, if we can get to the tunnel, is there a way out?”
“Do not! There are still enough Yak bugs left to devour you within seconds,” Oni warned. “I am trying to bring your warriors to you. Stay where you are.”
“It won’t take the monsters long to reach us,” Chiara exclaimed.
Right on cue, the giggling space pirate yelled, “I’m coming for you my pretty. You’re dessert with a little sex on the side.”
“We bite. He die,” the twins proclaimed.
“Your venom doesn’t work on Gorum or Askole warriors. If he makes it all the way up to us, Chiara, I want you to take the twins and hide.”
“I will not abandon you,” Chiara said.
“You must.”
“I think I’ll eat your breasts first, then your pussy,” the space pirate chortled.
From somewhere deep inside me came an angry defiance. A fierce determination to kill the obscenity in front of me. “Fuck off.” I summoned an enormous energy ball and hurled it at him.
The space pirate burst into flames. He laughed hysterically. “I can’t die.”
“Let’s see about that.” I hit him again. He rolled down the pyramid and slammed into a mutant crocodile. Whoosh! A bonfire erupted.
“Kill her,” Mallox shouted.
All the monsters surged up the pyramid.
Cazzo! I started tossing energy balls, but the flames didn’t slow them down.
Slashes of lightning crackled wildly over the cavern walls. Trayon and Sariel dropped out of the energy storm and landed at the base of the pyramid. They took one look around and bellowed their hair-raising battle cries. Moving too fast for the eye to follow, my big, bad Askole warriors sliced and diced the monsters. Which, unfortunately, just irritated the hell out of them, but their tactics did keep the monsters’ attention off us.
Ribbons of dazzling silver energy arced and pulsed around the chamber. Snap! The energy storm spat out Dad, Raj, Bebo and Zarek. The most terrifying, heart stopping madness I had ever seen erupted. Blood and body parts flew in every direction. Screams, roars and battle cries echoed around the chamber.
Oni appeared next to us, with her sword held ready. “Your warriors are magnificent. I am sure they could defeat the Waziri.”
I ducked a flying crocodile head Bebo had ripped off and watched my dad behead another mutant. “They probably could. You should discuss it with Zarek and Sariel after we have dealt with the Rodan.” I gave a cheer as Bebo stuffed the still burning space pirate down his maw.
“You did not exaggerate the Gorums’ ability to eat,” Oni commented.
“Their digestive juices can liquefy anything.” Who knew that included fire?
A weird silence fell. Other than a few body parts, the mutants were gone. Had Mallox escaped or had he been eaten too?
“The Rodan fleet is approaching. Our great weapon the Dakara-Vong was installed to defend the tomb from Waziri war ships. It can annihilate the Rodan battle group, but it can only be used once. If your leaders will agree to protect the tomb, and return me home to Tepovin, I will activate it,” Oni said.
Dad stepped out of the shadows. “Oh, I think Zarek and the others will agree to your terms.”
I hugged him. “I’m really glad to see you.”
“You scared the hell out of us.” Dad held me tightly for a moment, then addressed Oni. “I’ve passed your offer along to Zarek.”
“You think he will agree?”
“Ask him yourself.”
Zarek teleported in and gave a slight bow. “You have my word as the Overlord of the Coletti Clans that we will protect the tomb, the artifacts and return you to your people.”
Oni bowed. “I accept this agreement. It takes thirty tins to energize the weapon. Your ships need to be at least 5.1 parsecs away from this planet.”
“It will be done,” Zarek responded.
I frowned. Had Zarek done a little mental hanky-panky?
Zarek smiled at me.
Oh, boy.
Trayon zoomed up and crushed me to his chest. “I thought I had lost you.”
“And I you.” I squeaked, “You’re squishing me.”
His grip loosened. “I love you.” Trayon’s mouth moved over mine, demanding, sensual and full of need.
“What is the purpose of putting your tongue in Mother Jia’s mouth?” Chiara asked curiously.
Trayon’s tentacles squirmed. “It is a courtship ritual.”
“It seems very unsanitary.”
Dad started laughing.
“You can continue this delightful conversation back on the ship.” Zarek interjected.
Oni announced, “The quantum beam is ready, my lord.”
Bebo lumbered up. “You are sure the transporter can handle our extra weight?”
“Only one way to find out,” Zarek said.
Oni touched her comm-link and the energy storm engulfed us.
Chapter Twenty-One
The lightning hurricane dumped us back on our ship. The only thing keeping me upright was Trayon’s firm grip. “And I thought your transporter beam sucked.”
“We have the best technology.”
“Tell that to my cells.”
“The last transfer has been completed,” Sariel advised.
Trayon nodded and studied the scanners intently.
Spotting Soval, I rushed over to him, held out the twins and explained the situation. He scanned them. “Ten minutes in the regen tube and they will be fine.”
“Thank the Lord.” I scowled when he ran his scanner over me. “I’m not hurt, but I want you to give Chiara a thorough exam too.”
“I was not injured Mother Jia.”
“Not physically, but I’m going to have nightmares for months after watching the Gorum fight. Please let Soval check you over.”
“If you insist.”
“I do.”
Chiara uncoiled from my neck and allowed Soval to pick her up.
“The children will be cared for, my lady.” He put the twins in a life-support box, bowed and walked away. Chiara’s little face peered over his shoulder.
“I’ll come for you as soon as Soval finishes his exam.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
Practically vibrating with nerves, Oni walked over to Zarek. “The device is ready.”
“The Rodan battle group is pursuing us, Commander,” the navigations officer advised.
“Acknowledged.” Trayon looked down at his gauntlet. “We are 5.1 parsecs from the planet. Trigger the device Oni.”
“Done.” A bl
inding silver light filled the viewscreens.
To my astonishment the entire Rodan fleet vanished in a billowing cloud of debris. “Yes!” I punched the air triumphantly. The monsters would never hurt another soul.
The tense silence on the bridge suddenly erupted into horrific battle cries.
I hollered mine.
Everyone turned and stared at me. “What?”
“You sound like a deranged banshee,” Dad said.
“It’s not that bad.”
Trayon rubbed his face. “Yes, it is.”
I rolled my eyes. “Where did you put Adam?”
“Adam was transported directly to a holding cell until we can confirm his condition.”
“I need to see him.”
“As you wish, my love.” Trayon picked me up and whoosh! We were at the brig.
Adam paced his cell like a trapped animal. He bared his metal teeth in a snarl when he saw us. “Kill. Kill. Kill.”
Icy fear twisted my stomach. “Adam! It’s me, Jia. You’re safe now. We’re going to help you.”
“Kill. Kill. Kill.” He threw himself at the energy screen. Snap! He was flung into the back wall. His arms and legs trembling violently, he collapsed to the floor. “Kill. Kill.”
A sob broke from me. Nothing remained of my adopted brother. Not his wicked sense of humor. His intelligence. His love of music. His engaging smile. His personality had been erased and all that remained was a feral animal with a taste for human flesh.
Trayon hugged me gently. “It is not your fault.”
“Isn’t it? I didn’t get to him fast enough.” I swiped at the tears running down my face.
“This is a big galaxy. You had no idea where Mallox had taken him. Nor did you have a ship or army to free him.”
“Not until I met you.” I laid my head against Trayon’s chest. “What are we going to do?”
“You have two options. We grant him a merciful death or Zarek wipes his mind and he reconstructs Adam’s personality.”
“But he won’t be my Adam,” I protested.
“No, he will not.”
Adam howled like a wild animal.
“I can’t leave him like that. Have Zarek do a mind wipe.”
“Zarek will need you to share your memories so he can rebuild Adam’s past.”
I snorted. “He’s been in my mind enough, what’s a few more times.”
“Good. I will let Zarek know.”
“What I really need now is a big glass of Merlot, German chocolate cake and some alone time with you.”
“As my lady commands.” We zoomed down the corridor at Mach 1 and zipped into our quarters.
Three glasses of Merlot later, and I was feeling no pain. “How long is Bey keeping the kids?”
“Another hour.” Trayon kissed his way down my stomach.
I flopped back on the bed and my back bowed from the things his very talented tongue did to my clit.
“You taste like ambrosia.” Trayon’s tentacles nipped at my breasts, sending tiny explosions of pleasure through me.
The door abruptly slid open and in flew Adoz. He hovered over the bed and chirped inquisitively.
Merda! I quickly engaged my armor. “I thought you said we had an hour?”
“We did.” Battle armor covered Trayon’s naked form.
The door opened again. His fists buried in Pepe’s fur, Cason tottered in. “Momma.”
I knelt and hugged them. “I leave you for a couple of hours and you’re walking.”
“Me teach him,” Pepe proudly proclaimed.
I scratched behind his ears. “You’re such a good big brother.”
Trayon’s gauntlet chimed.
“Now what’s wrong?”
“Chiara’s mother survived her injuries.”
I smiled in delight. “That’s great. Chiara will be so relieved, and it looks like our happy time is going to have to wait.”
Trayon’s mouth covered mine. It was a kiss filled with wicked intent. “Until tonight.”
“You do know those nine hundred and ninety-eight delights is only three years’ worth. I expect more awesome sex, than that.
“Hold that thought. I’ll fetch Chiara and we can celebrate.” Trayon sped off.
My life might not be perfect, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. I smiled at the kids, “Who’s hungry?”
The Story is Done!
HIJINKS, HITMEN AND THE NAUGHTY ELF – the next in the Shenanigans series is coming in 2021.
If you would be interested in a novella about the Jia’s children and Adam, let me know at: [email protected]. Most interesting answer will win a Coletti Dagger.
I hope you enjoyed this book. A review is greatly appreciated. For news on the Coletti Warlords and Shenanigans, upcoming events and contests go to my Facebook page: facebook.com/Colettiwarlordbooks
Books in the Coletti Warlord series
Vexing Voss
Reality Bites
Just Desserts
Wulf and the Bounty Hunter
Game on Askole
Crossing Quinn
Hothar’s Folly
Sassing Saul
Defying the Relic Hunter
Arresting the Warlord
Stealing Jia
Paranormal romances:
Catching Dragos
Shenanigans
The Trouble with Tigers
Gail Koger links:
goodreads.com/author/show/1598719.Gail_Koger
Twitter: @Askole
facebook.com/Colettiwarlordbooks
amazon.com/Gail-Koger/e/B001K838BY
GailKoger.com
Table of Contents
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Books in the Coletti Warlord series