Page 33 of Stealing Jia

“She was the one who sold him to the flesh peddlers,” Chiara answered.

“Why would she do that?”

Chiara hissed her disgust.“Her male gave her to the Yagga. She was dying and wanted her revenge.”

I could understand her anger but the only one she was hurting was Cason. “Okay, what does everyone want to eat?”

“Mealie bugs,”LooLoo and LeeLee yelled.

Pepe cried, “A hamburger.”

Adoz chirped.

“He wants Bahmi fish,” Chiara translated. “I would love some Decapod.”

“Ok, hang on.” I stared at the hieroglyphics on the keypads. Huh? It was alien gobbledygook. I linked with Trayon. “I’ve never used a food replicator before, and I don’t read Askole.”

“An error I can quickly resolve.”

A prickling sensation swept across my mind and suddenly I knew what the symbols were and how to use the food replicator.Call me amazed.“Thanks. Is there Bahmi fish and Decapod in the food replicator?”

“There is and I also programmed in your favor Italian food. Feed Cason blood worms,” Trayon said. His lips brushed mine and the link severed.

Whoa! I always thought Askole warriors were the boogeymen of the galaxy, but I never imaged they could be so caring.

Cason whined.

“I know. I know. You’re hungry.”I walked over to the food replicator and started programming the kid’s meals.

Two hours later, I was face down on Trayon’s huge bed with the kids piled on top of me. Motherhood sucked.

Chapter Seven

“Why are there blood worms webbed to the walls and ceiling?”

The shock in Trayon’s voice would have been amusing in any other circumstance. I cracked open an eye. “Whatever you do, don’t go in the bathroom.”

“Why not?”

“Bath time got a little messy.”One look and he’d probably rescind the mating contract.

Trayon’s boots made an icky squishing noise as he walked across the room. I could feel his horror when he exclaimed, “A little messy?”

“I told you not to go in there.”

“I have seen battle scenes with less blood,” Trayon groused.

“Did you know baby Tabors are taught how to program food replicators?”

“I was not aware of that fact.”

“I want to have a talk with whoever came up with that bright idea. The evil twins decided they wanted to sample blood worms while I was introducing the concept of a shower to Cason. Who, by the way, hates water. A lot.”

“And?”

“LeeLee and LooLoo agreed blood worms taste nasty. I caught them doing a wonderful impression of Tarzan on crack as they webbed twelve dozen blood worms to every surface they could find.”

“Who is this Tarzan?”

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