Page 29 of Game on Askole

A beer in one hand, my cousin Jake gleefully recalled, “Quinn told Detja he didn’t have to obey her and to go fuck herself.”

Aunt Tess gasped. “Oh, no he didn’t?”

“Oh, but he did.” Jake howled with laughter. “Next thing ya know, Quinn is on knees, unable to move or speak while Detja braided his hair and lectured him on his bad behavior.”

Man, I wish I could have been there to see Quinn taken down a notch. He was a genetic throwback to a Scottish chieftain called the Black Devil, a legendary warrior known for his fierce temper. The best part was, Detja had assigned Quinn to kitchen duty.

The welcome-home party for Talree and Kaylee had been set up on a sunny terrace draped with a bright riot of flowers. In the distance, a silvery waterfall cascaded down the cavern wall. Below the terrace, a flock of pink duck-like birds floated peacefully on the turquoise water. The Coletti city of Mutusca was truly an underground paradise.

Along with the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, Detja had shipped in all of Kaylee’s favorites from Earth. Tables were laden with a variety of Mexican food, chips, salsa, chocolate, and beer. Talree’s favorites were on another table. Thick steaks that still bled, what looked like fried okra, and weird, bumpy blue fruit.

Caleb, Ethan, and Uncle Derek were helping themselves to the goodies. I sure hoped they had Detja’s permission.

My psychic senses went on alert. Kaylee was close by and upset. I reached out with my mind and linked with her.

Kaylee cried,“We’re fucking brood stock?”

Detja’s answer had my temper flaring.“A crude way to put it, but accurate.”

“It’s not right,”Kaylee protested.

With pure steel in her voice, Detja said,“You need to be strong for your family. You can make the adjustment to our ways easier, or you can watch as they are forced to the Overlord’s will.”

“I’m a fucking Judas goat!”Anguish filled Kaylee’s voice.

I gave Kaylee a mental hug.“Central Command sold us out, not you. You’renotresponsible for our capture.”

“I’m not?”

“Get your butt out here, girl,”Sam hollered in our heads.“We’ve got all your favorites.”

I guess the hellion had been bailed out of jail. Again.

Kaylee asked hopefully,“Beer? Chocolate? Chips and salsa?”

“All of it,”Caleb answered.

Detja urged,“Go. Be with your family.”

Kaylee appeared on the terrace.

Damn, she could teleport.

“No one blames you, runt.” Caleb hugged her.

Ethan pried Kaylee loose. “Still got those enlistment papers for you to sign.”

“I’ll sign them, but you get to explain it to my warlord,” Kaylee said with a laugh.

Jake butted in. “I wanna see your fangs.”

“How do you know about my fangs?”

Sam gurgled. “Remember that hot sex you were having with Talree?”

“Oh God.” A blush stained Kaylee’s cheeks.

“You used your fangs to give Talree the orgasm to end all orgasms, and you took all of us along for the ride.” Sam put a hand to her forehead and faked a swoon. “Hoo boy, what a ride.”

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