Page 34 of Arresting the Warlord

The rain pounded us. “No.”

“Enough children,” Zarek barked.

“Oi-oi-oi-oi solus novum!” The cloud vanished.

Jake released me. “You gotta teach me that.”

“Not a chance.” I met Zarek’s censorious stare. “Are you having our medical examiner take the bodies?”

“No, Shrek will do the autopsies. His team is coming to collect the body parts,” Zarek answered.

General Jones comm-link chimed. He tapped it and read the message. “Take yourmateback to the ship. Her father has awakened.”

“Yes, sir.” Jake clamped me to his chest and teleported.

Chapter Seven

Thirty seconds later, we appeared in sick bay. “Get your hands off me,” I snapped.

Jake pushed me away. “Yes, ma’am.”

Shrek’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.

“Where’s my father?”

Shrek handed me a chocolate bar. “Please follow me.”

“There’s not enough chocolate in the galaxy to get me to accept this lying jackass.” I threw the bar at Jake.

Jake grabbed it out of mid-air and tore off the wrapping. “Your loss. This is the good stuff.”

I gave him the one-fingered salute and hurried after Shrek.

“Your father is still very weak. Do not upset him,” Shrek warned.

“You have my word I won’t tell him about the murders or Elder Benally’s death until he’s stronger.”

“Elder Tsosie knows you two are mated. Please act appropriately.”

“What?” I squawked. “Who told him?”

“Zarek.” Shrek walked into a private room.

Jake dropped an arm over my shoulders.“Smile, buttercup.”

I bared my teeth at him.

“CeeCee?” My father’s voice was a harsh whisper.

Shrugging off Jake’s arm, I hurried over to his bed and forced a smile. His face was pale and gaunt. “I thought I had lost you.”

“And I you.”

“Hey, I was wearing my magic vest. Nothing penetrates it.”

Jake gave me a smacking kiss. “My girl’s hard to kill.”

“You have accepted Jake Jones as your mate.” Relief filled my father’s face.

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