Page 82 of Crossing Quinn

Chapter Seventeen

The minute Quinn and I entered the command center, Mami ran over and hugged me excitedly. “The Nabatean people still live! Can you believe it?”

“No.” I hugged her back. “Where are they?”

Mami laughed. “Everywhere! They assimilated into this world. The ones in California are the guardians of the Shebu and have agreed to work with us to keep it safe. I have so many questions about their culture.”

Me too. We could learn so much from them. How they were able to create water where there was none. Their shield technology, Ion drive, and how they crafted their stunning artwork. “Where are they? I can’t wait to meet them.”

Mami gasped. “Is that blood on your mouth?” She glared up at Quinn. “You’re not taking proper care of my daughter.”

“I killed Dolon,” Quinn stated gruffly.

I sucked in a horrified breath and waited for Mami to have a meltdown.

Mami patted Quinn’s arm. “Good.”

Good? I eyed her warily. No hysterics. No fainting? “Are you okay?”

“Dolon was responsible for the destruction of Qeeturah and for killing my father. He had to be stopped.” She pulled a tissue from her pocket and wiped the blood off my mouth. “Much better.”

Quinn let out a long breath. “Where are the Nabateans?”

“That’s Elof, their leader.” Mami pointed to where Papa was talking to dwarf with dark blue skin.

I couldn’t wait to meet him. I started toward them.

“Oh crap,” Quinn muttered and grabbed my arm. “The boss is here.”

“Boss?”

“Going somewhere?” The Overlord’s voice was lethal.

I reluctantly turned to face Zarek and met his furious gaze. “I wanted to talk to Elof.”

“No. I will not allow it.” Zarek was doing a great impression of Papa in a snit.

“What! You can’t do that. We’ve searched for them for years. I have so many questions.”

“Zip it,”Quinn warned in my head. “The last thing you want to do is piss off the Overlord. It never ends well.”

Zarek literally radiated menace. “You and Quinn have repeatedly ignored my commands. There are consequences for disobeying me.”

“It was only a couple of kisses,” I protested.

“Does the phrase ‘psychic joy toys’ ring a bell?”

My stomach clenched. How did he know about that?

“I know many things,” Zarek answered my unspoken question.

Quinn pushed me behind him. “Xenia is an innocent. I seduced her.”

“No, you didn’t.”

“Yes, I did.” Quinn added on our private link, “It is my duty to protect you.”

“I don’t need protecting.”

---