Page 83 of Arresting the Warlord

I gave him a reassuring smile.“Not my blood and his bear came out to play.”

“Why is the old guy naked?”Jake asked.

I hunched a shoulder.“When Uncle Jesse turns into a bear, his clothing goes away.”

Jake’s gaze shot to Uncle Jesse.“You can turn into a bear?”

“I have many talents,”Uncle Jesse boasted.

Samuel pulled an Askole belt from a pocket and handed it to Uncle Jesse.“Cover yourself.”

Uncle Jesse examined the belt.“What kind of belt is this?”

“Askole armor belt,”Father replied.

“How does it work?”

“Let me show you.”Father fastened it around Uncle Jesse’s waist, and with one tap black armor covered my uncle from head-to-toe.

Jia gingerly touched Uncle Jesse’s back.“I’ve heard this armor restricts your movements.”

Uncle Jesse broke into his Death Dance.

“I guess not.”

Jake watched him for a moment.“Is he having a seizure?”

“No, he’s dancing.”I cringed when Uncle Jesse did his famous crotch-thrusting move.

“I know of a good nursing home you could put him in.”

I smacked Jake in the stomach.“He might be a bit nuts, but never forget he’s family.”

“The Jones family is full of crazy. He’ll fit right in, but can you get him to stop dancing.”

Father and I exchanged grins“There’s no stopping him,”we said in unison.

“I could stun him.”

I gave Jake the evil eye.

He held up his hands.“Just saying.”

Her expression bordering on avarice, Jia asked,“Any chance of me getting a belt? I mean, they are shooting at me.”

“Maybe,”I hedged.

Jake switched to his warlord mode. “Introduce us.”

“Jia, this is my mate, Jake Jones and my father, Samuel Tsosie.”

“My condolences for the loss of your humanity,”Jia said politely.

I smothered a groan. When Father got that look in his eyes, watch out.

“I have lost nothing but gained a great deal. You would do well to remember your manners, child,”Father replied and a small bolt of lightning zapped Jia in the ass.

Jia yelped.

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