Page 25 of Game on Askole

“A quart of three percent hydrogen peroxide, a quarter cup of baking soda, and a handful of zing soap.”

Aunt Tess frowned. “Didn’t Grandma use something like that when Baxter got sprayed?”

“Yeah, but she added tomato juice to the mixture.”

Voss practically thundered, “You knew how to get rid of the smell and didn’t say anything?”

“Well, sweetie, you never asked,” I answered in my Debbie Sunshine voice.

The Battle Commander’s left eye twitched madly.

“Sarah is correct. We didn’t properly question them,” Detja pointed out, stepping in front of me to stop Voss from wringing my neck. “I was told you have found your true mate.”

“She is a clever one. She hides her presence, but I have tracked her to the human’s military base in Tucson,” Voss said smugly.

What an arrogant bastard. “Did Central Command lock her up too?”

“I believe her to be a Siren, but she is not one of your warriors,” Voss replied.

“Since the Tai-Kok and Rodan found our planet, every man, woman, and child is now a warrior. If you don’t fight, you die. Believe me, she’s a warrior,” Aunt Tess stated.

I snickered derisively. “If she’s hiding her powers, who knows, she might be able to kick your butt.”

“Impossible,” the Battle Commander declared flatly.

“Never underestimate a female. I taught the Overlord that lesson. You would do well to remember it. I want Lilkee found. Now.” Detja’s tone rivaled a drillmaster’s.

Voss did a fist-on-chest salute and inclined his head. “As you command, my lady.”

“The hostiles are two clicks to the west in a cavern filled with funky glowing worms,” I advised the Battle Commander.

Voss bristled. “My warriors have them under surveillance.”

“No, they don’t.”

“Sarah is a Siren. You would be wise to check, Commander,” Detja advised coolly.

He vanished.

What a constipated twit.

Detja grinned at me.

Yikes! Was she reading my mind?

“Who the hell is Lilkee?” Menopause made my aunt fearless.

“She is the Overlord’s daughter. The fool believes herself to be superior to my son, Talree. She thinks she is strong enough to defeat him in battle and become the Overlord’s successor.” A terrible rage filled Detja’s gaze.

I knew without a doubt if Detja had her way, Lilkee would find herself in a shallow, unmarked grave. “Can she defeat Talree?”

“No. My son’s powers rival his father’s.”

“And Lilkee’s don’t?” My aunt was full of questions.

“A child could defeat her. In her quest to rule Tanith, she merged her legionnaires with Malik’s warriors,” Detja said contemptuously.

Now it was my turn to inquire. “And Malik is?”

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