Page 47 of Courting Mayhem

That was one way to eliminate your enemies. “You don’t need to mark me. You have my word; the Warhammers will find the traitor and keep Defne safe.”

“Our laws prevent alien species from landing on our home world, but as a female member of the Uchahe sect, you are permitted to enter the breeding sanctuary.”

Anyone who would unleash Mallox on pregnant females needed killing. “Derek and my fathers are excellent hunters. I will need their help to discover who the traitor is, but before we can begin our search, we must stop the Rodan from getting their hands on the Shebu.”

“I have no objections. The Shebu would give the Rodan such power even Qa’a would be unable to defeat them.”

I bowed to Zosia.“I would be honored to join your sect.”

Tentacles clamped around me. “This will hurt.”

Oh goodie. A sharp stinging pain seared my right arm. Okay. Not too bad. Yet. I sucked in a shuddering breath as the pain intensified until it felt like my entire arm was on fire. I will not scream. I will not scream. A cry of pure agony broke from me. “Too much! Stop! Stop!”

“I cannot.”

Kiri brushed her leaves over my face.“Me here. Me here.”

Chirping loudly, Defne buried her face against my neck.

I was vaguely aware of Derek’s teleporting in and charging Zosia with his sworn drawn.

Zosia swallowed him.

“Noooo!” I fought to get free, and I suddenly found myself cocooned in tentacles.

“The Coletti is not dead. His armor will protect him.”

The pain stopped abruptly. I sagged against Zosia’s slimy hide. I never, ever wanted to do that again.

Bleurgh!Zosia regurgitated Derek in a gush of yellow slime. Several half-digested bodies followed him out. Three tentacles pinned Derek to the floor.

I gagged. The smell was a combination of rotten eggs, skunk, and death.

“No like.”Kiri perched on top of my head.

Defne hid in her leaves.

“Me either.”I gestured at Derek.“Please let him up.”

“No one attacks a consort and lives,” Zosia stated as she stuffed the bodies back down her maw.

Fear knotted my stomach and out of sheer desperation, I blurted, “Derek thought you were killing me and Coletti warriors take a dim view of anyone hurting their mates.”

“You are his mate?”Suspicion laced Zosia’s voice.

“I am.”

“Where is your ownership band?”

“Ah.”Crap. Great question. How did I answer it?

“Zarek is bringing it. Our mating was unplanned,” Derek replied calmly.

That was one way to put it. “The minute I saw Derek I knew he was the other half of my soul. I can’t live without him.”

“Don’t overdo it. Zosia isn’t a fool,” Derek warned.

“I told Derek you would not kill Mayhem, but her screams drove him mad. Remember, if you kill him, it will enrage the berserker.”Metal creaked and groaned as an obscenely fat Adan squeezed through the hatch. The rusted wall gave way and shafts of light speared the cargo hold.

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