Page 54 of Crossing Quinn

True. “I know riding the vortex plays havoc on psychic abilities, but how can you not sense two ships full of Tai-Kok warriors?” I pointed to the view screen.

Wulf’s head snapped around, and his gaze fixed on the ships. “That does explain the need for chocolate.”

“Adan, I need you to retrieve Quinn and my father from the cavern beneath the city.”I fed him the coordinates.

“Yes, my lady.”The incandescent orange light whirled madly until a vortex formed. Adan stepped inside. Slurppp! He was gone.

Wulf made his slimy self at home in the pilot’s seat and checked the scanners. “Quinn has found a mate that matches his temperament.”

I think he’d just insulted me. “Like living dangerously, do you?”

“I am a warlord.” Wulf grinned. “You are very much like my Yakira.”

“I can’t tell you how happy that makes me.”

An orange glow filled the bridge, and green lightning crackled like fiery snakes around the walls. The vortex spat out Adan, Papa, and Quinn.

Papa was a bloody mess. His gaze fell on Mami.

I linked with my father. “Mami took one look at the Tai-Kok ships and over she went.”

Papa tugged on his left ear. “Did Dolon harm her?”

“No.”

Quinn clasped Wulf’s arm in the typical warrior greeting, totally ignoring the dripping slime. “Yakira is well?”

“She is.” Wulf offered his arm to my father. “It is an honor to meet you, Lysis. Your battle exploits are legendary.”

Papa grasped Wulf’s arm. “The Overlord must be really worried to send one of his best enforcers to assist us.” He tightened his grip.

Wulf retaliated.

An amused smile curled Quinn’s mouth.

“We do not have time for this macho posturing, Papa,”I snapped mentally on our private link. “Remember we have Tai-Kok to kill and Dolon to find?”

“Yes, daughter.”Papa released Wulf’s arm.

Quinn placed a cautious kiss on my forehead. “How are you holding up?”

“I want to kill something.”

“I know the feeling.” He handed me a chocolate. “Soon, my love, there will be monsters to slay.” He stared at the Tai-Kok ships filling the view screen.

Mami chose that moment to wake up. She took one look at Papa’s blood-covered body, let out an ear-shattering shriek, and fainted again.

I sighed.

“That can’t be good for her,” Wulf commented.

“Eeyore. Eeyore. Eeyore.”

Adan’s braying was getting on my last nerve.

“Why don’t you go clean up, Lysis? All that blood is upsetting Eleni. Xenia and I will keep an eye on her,” Quinn offered.

Adan started laughing again. “Eeyore. Eeyore. Eeyore.”