Page 61 of Courting Mayhem

Derek stiffened.“Is that necessary?”

“Yes, I have decided to allow you access to our breeding sanctuary. But you must wear a disguise. Males are not permitted in the birthing caves.”

“What made you change your mind?”There was a touch of elation in Derek’s voice.

“I watched as Mallox cut Nii’s child from her. Then… Then the fool took our flesh to make indestructible monsters who he thought would kill at his command. I told Mallox his plan was doomed to failure, but he would not listen.”

The pain and grief in Zosia’s voice brought me to tears.She has suffered so much. Something clicked in my still dazed mind. “Wait a minute. I thought your skin was impenetrable.”

“It is until the last trimester of our pregnancy.”

Cold horror rolled over me. What kind of sick fuck would knowingly allow Mallox to experiment on newborns and their mothers? Then it hit me. Damn! A spiteful, vindictive Katanic female. She would know about a pregnant female’s vulnerabilities and how to exploit them. “Who did you beat out for the position of Qa’a’s consort?”

“Arya, but she could not… Would not do something so monstrous.”

“Where is she now?”Derek and Adan demanded simultaneously.

“I do not know. She was at the sanctuary when the attack began.”Fury suddenly filled Zosia’s eyes.“I remember now! She is the one who released the sleeping gas!” Banshee-like cries broke from her.

Kiri’s branches stroked Zosia, while Defne made soothing cricket noises.

I hobbled over to Zosia and looked her in the eye. “I’d be hurt and mad as hell too. She betrayed you and your people, but I promise you. We will find the murdering bastards responsible for this and end them.”

“For her betrayal, Arya will face the Rite of Soma.”

I just had to ask,“What is the Rite of Soma?”

“It is a series of tortures that takes one thousand days to complete,”Zosia replied.

My lips drew back in a feral smile.“A suitable punishment,”

“The Coletti, Askole, and Katanic Empires are allies. Together we will bring Mallox to justice and free those he has imprisoned. The Rodan Confederation has been given two weeks to surrender or be annihilated. They saw what we did to the Tai-Kok and know we will carry out our threat,”Derek stated.

Papi Sten vowed, “You have the Warhammer’s oath that no matter what it takes, we will find Nii and her child and return them to you.”

“You have my promise after Arya and Mallox have been dealt with, I will also hunt for Nii and her child,”Adan added.

Zosia’s massive bulk dipped in a bow.“I accept your pledges.

A funky, orange waterspout spun across the lagoon.

I gestured at it. “Is that the Supreme Leader or one of the traitors?”

“Qa’a approaches. He has defeated our enemies,” Zosia answered proudly and handed me the kids. “Guard them.”

“Yes, Consort.”I squirmed as Defne’s tongue joined Adan’s in licking off the slime.

Kiri climbed on Derek’s head and brushed her leaves over the bristles on his face.“What that?”

“It’s my beard.”

“I no have beard.”

“Girls don’t have them.” Derek placed Kiri on his shoulder. “Stay put.”

Kiri bounced up and down. “Qa’acomes. He kill many. Want be like him.”

“When you grow up, you will be a great warrior,”I told her.

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