Page 42 of Courting Mayhem

“She hungry,” Kiri said.

“Ask Zarek if Katanic infants need milk.” Maybe Mallox had some stashed away.

Derek nodded.

I gently picked up the silky black mass and stroked her soothingly. “You’re safe little one. I won’t let anyone hurt you. I promise.”Little ropy tentacles wrapped tightly around my armored hand.“Momma?”

“No, I’m Auntie Mayhem. I’m going to find your momma for you.”

Kiri rolled an eyeball over to me. “Feed baby.”

“You’re sure the baby eats eyeballs?”

“Yes. Zosia says give.”

I gingerly picked it up and held it out to the baby.“Open up.”

A tiny maw appeared, and I popped the eyeball inside. “Yummy. Makes you grow big and strong.”

The baby wiggled and opened her mouth again. I could feel her overwhelming hunger. I looked up at Derek. “See any more eyeballs?”

“Baelish left a bunch of heads in the hallway. I’ll go collect a few.” Derek teleported away.

The baby gnawed on my armor. “I know you’re hungry, sweetie.”I pointed to the War Commander when he reappeared holding three heads in each hand. “Lookie! Uncle Derek brought you more yummy eyeballs.”

The baby squeaked happily.

Derek popped the eyeballs out and fed them to her.

The baby grew to the size of a soccer ball.

I frowned. “Is she supposed to grow this fast?”

“Good question. The only Katanic I know is Adan and he’s fully grown.”

“Zosia hurt bad. Come quick.” Kira disappeared down an open hatch.

“I’ll go first. Your first priority is to protect the baby,” Derek instructed.

“Yes, my lord.”

Derek shot me an irritated look.

I raised an inquiring eyebrow. “What? Would you rather I address you as sir?”

With a shake of his head, Derek dropped into the darkness.

I let out a sigh. Okay, I was being a bitch, but my life was spiraling out of control. I was bound to a bossy Coletti war commander for the rest of my life. Ugh. Cradling the baby against my chest, I climbed down a metal ladder into a pitch-black cargo hold.

“Easy. She’s hurt pretty bad,” Derek warned.

I couldn’t see shit. I tapped my gauntlet and the heads-up display on my crappy helmet turned the darkness to blinding daylight. I blinked and focused on a huge, silky black mass lying on floor. Oh Goddess. Horrific wounds covered her body. How was she still alive?

Kiri brushed her branches over Zosia’s head. “We bring baby.”

A voice whispered in my head, “Defne?”

“Yes.” I took a step toward Zosia and held out a wiggly Defne.“We found your baby. She isn’t hurt and she’s been fed some eyeballs.”A long, ropy tentacles suddenly wrapped around my waist and the next thing I knew I was dangling over her gaping maw. Holy Goddess! I took a deep breath and projected calming vibes, “You have my word we won’t let the monsters or the Rodan harm her.”

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