Page 66 of Courting Mayhem

Derek threw his head back and a low groan broke from him.

“Breathe. Just breathe. You’re not on fire. It just feels that way.”I mentally massaged his tense neck muscles.“Can’t you block the pain like you did for me?”

“Too… Much.”Derek fell to his knees.

Defne jumped on his head and stroked his face with her little tentacles.

My stomach clenched. It was physically painful for me to watch him suffering. The only one who could help him was the Overlord, and luckily, he was orbiting Gliese.I knocked politely on his mind.“Excuse me, my lord, but Derek needs your help.”I felt Zarek scan my mind.

“Qa’a and Zosia are marking him?”The shock in Zarek’s voice would have been amusing in other circumstances.

“They are, and believe me, it feels like you’re being burned alive. Can you help him?”

“Yes.”

Derek’s facial muscles relaxed. A second later, his eyes snapped open, and his gaze met mine.

I smiled at him. “I got you some help.”

“Thank you, sweetheart.” He stood.

No one has ever been gifted with Katanic sect marks,”Zarek remarked.

I shrugged.“We are Zosia’s hunters. We’ve been tasked with finding out who disabled the breeding sanctuary’s defensive systems and allowed Mallox access to the birthing caves. The only way to do that is by becoming a member of their sect. Plus, it keeps the Enforcers from eating us.”

“Males are not allowed in the sanctuary,”Zarek pointed out.

A gurgle of laughter broke from me. “Derek’s going in disguised as a female.”

“God help me,” Derek muttered.

Zarek’s laughter filled my mind.“You continue to surprise me.”

“Your sect marks are complete War Commander,” Qa’a announced, and their tentacles fell away.

He swayed briefly.“I wear them with pride.”

I examined Derek’s tattoos. They matched mine. “Hmmm. Only problem is, our armor is going to cover the tattoos.”

“We won’t be wearing armor at the sanctuary.”

“True, but…”

Zarek interjected, “Zosia, I offer my congratulations on the birth of your child and your joining with Qa’a.”

“You honor us, Overlord.”

Qa’a inquired, “Has the Rodan Confederation surrendered?”

“They are sending an emissary to discuss the articles of surrender,” Zarek replied.

“It is a stalling tactic,”Qa’a barked.“Mallox and his warriors will use the time to try and take the Shebu. Once they have it, they will be unstoppable.”

“I agree. Sariel and I will teleport down shortly to interrogate Baelish.”

“I await you,”Qa’a stated.

Zarek turned his attention to Derek and me. “Take your mate back to the Warhammer and deal with her injuries. I am not sure what can be done with her hair.”

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