Page 28 of Crossing Quinn

“Me no have Geema.”

“You do now.”

Another eyeball rolled off Quinn’s head.

Clio snagged it midair and stuffed it in her mouth.

A muscle in Quinn’s jaw twitched, and he muttered something under his breath.

I paused at the door. “Coming?”

Mami’s shrieks were becoming ear-piercing.

Quinn stomped over and swiped his palm over the sensor pad. “You like chocolate?”

“Yes, very much. You have some?” Please say yes. We had run out about two months ago, and I was having serious withdrawals from the sugary goodness.

“You get your mother to shut up, and I’ll give you a bag of the finest chocolate in Arizona.”

I asked hopefully, “Cerreta’s French Mint?”

“Cerreta’s French Mint.”

“Lead the way, your sliminess.”

“You’re a riot.” Quinn made a sweeping gesture. “Ladies first.”

“Afraid I’m going to jump you?”

“I’m a cautious man.”

“What made you decide to become a Coletti? I mean your silver eyes are a dead giveaway you’re a hybrid.”

“A story for another time.” Quinn stopped in front of a holding cell.

Mami was pacing back and forth, yelling hysterically, “I want to talk to my daughter. I want to talk to my daughter. I want to talk to my daughter.”

The energy barrier vanished, and I stepped inside. “I’m here, Mami.”

My mother rushed toward me, then stopped abruptly. “What’s that?”

“This is Clio. She is a Katanic shapeshifter.”

“She Geema?”

“Yes, but Geema is unable to mind speak,”I said.

“She damaged?”

“In a way.”

“Why she cry?”

“She misses my father.

Mami inched forward. “I’ve never seen a Katanic before. Where is her mother?”

“The Tai-Kok ate her.”

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