Page 32 of Stealing Jia

“You are a Jones,”Trayon crowed.

“I’m a Jones?”

“You are a genetic match to the Jones clan.” An amused smile touched Zarek’s mouth.“Any lingering doubt was erased after you destroyed Threll. Blood always runs true.”

I felt almost giddy with joy.I had a family! A real family. “What’s my father’s name? Is he still alive? Why didn’t he come for me?”

“Your father is Derek Jones. He has command of Earth’s civilian police forces. Your mother, Viola Dragos, never told him she carried his child. She died in the avalanche that destroyed San Martino.”

I stared at Zarek in utter disbelief.“Derek Jones? Isn’t he Saul Jones’s brother?”

“He is.”

I had always wanted a family, but wow. The legendary Jones clan? How could I measure up? My mental powers were insignificant compared to theirs. Maybe this was all a dream, and I was still back on Threll. I pinched myself. Ouch. Nope. “When do I get to meet my father?”

“Soon. I sent a warbird for him. They will rendezvous with us at Proxima Centauri.”Zarek turned his attention to Trayon. “Your father will also meet us there. He is anxious to get to know your mate. After you have settled your family, come to my war room.” He teleported away.

Panic knotted my stomach. What if they didn’t like me?

“Have no fear. They will cherish you as much as I do,”Trayon reassured me.

“Cherish? I tried to neuter you.”

“To save the children. I have chosen well. You will make an excellent mother.”

“Oh. How wonderful and your family won’t be upset that I’m human?”

“Tihar’s mate is also a Jones. Once my father knows you destroyed Threll, he will present you with the Medal of Service.”

Seriously?“I didn’t do it alone.”

“Me hungry,” Pepe whined.

LeeLee hung from my hair. “We all hungry.”

“There is a food replicator in our quarters. You may eat whatever you wish.” Trayon picked up the little Rodan.“Tiny is not a proper name for a warrior. I think I will call you Cason.”

For a long moment, Cason stared in fascination at Trayon’s tentacles and reached out excitedly. “Wiggles. Wiggles.”

I laughed. “I think he wants tentacles like yours.”

“That can be arranged,”Trayon replied.

“How?”

“I will change his DNA. He will be a hybrid like Ziyad.”

“Who is Ziyad?”

“She is Loki’s and Ivan’s adopted sister.”The image of a female mixture of a Rodan and Askole formed in my mind. One look at her mouthful of serrated teeth and I knew she was someone you never wanted to mess with.

Cason babbled, “Owh! Owh!”

The kid seemed to be fascinated with Ziyad’s picture. One thing I had learned from the orphanage was nationalities and species didn’t matter when it came to family. Love was all that was needed. “I have no objection to you altering his DNA.”

“We will talk more after I return.”Trayon handed me Cason and left.

Balancing the kid on my hip, I asked Chiara, “Do you know what happened to Cason’s mother?”

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