Page 64 of Stealing Jia

Convulsing violently, the Legionnaire toppled to the floor. A few seconds later, Sariel’s image vanished.

I stared down at the mangy male decked out in a flaming red jumpsuit. Not only was he pint-sized by Coletti standards, but his warrior’s braids reminded me of moldy dreadlocks, and he had a beer belly. “Either of you know him?”

“We have not met,” Trayon said.

Bey declared, “He seems familiar.”

Dad grinned.“Zarek’s gonna be thrilled we finally caught Waewae.”

“And who the hell is Waewae?”

“That is Waewae?”Trayon exclaimed at the same time.

“In the flesh.” Dad nudged him over with the toe of his boot. “Waewae claims to be the rightful Overlord of the Coletti clans.”

I snorted. “He’s not very skilled with a sword and he’d last about thirty seconds in mental combat.”

“If that long,” Dad said. “His mother is Lilkee, the supposed leader of the Legionnaires. She also claims to be the most powerful psychic female ever born. No one knows who his father is.”

“I think his father was Ymer, a hybrid traitor,”Trayon said.

“It must be genetic, and I take it Lilkee isn’t the most powerful psychic ever born?”

“Hell no. Her abilities rival those of a five-year old child,” Dad said.

“How did Waewae get on our ship?” Call me curious.

“An excellent question,” Trayon said.

Zarek teleported in with Sariel.

“Waewae,” Zarek spat.

Sariel glared at Trayon. “Your security protocols need improving.”

Dad pulled the holograph generator off Waewae’s belt and triggered it. Sariel image appeared. “He got onboard wearing your face, sir.”

Sariel’s tentacles squirmed madly.“The image was poorly done, and he should have been stopped before gaining access to the ship.”

He had a valid point, but I didn’t like his attitude.

“Lilkee’s plans create chaos but seldom succeed,”Dad interjected.

Zarek squatted down and placed a hand on Waewae’s head. Power roiled around the room.

I jumped about a foot when Waewae began to scream.

Cason dropped his bone and began to whimper.

“No like,” the evil twins cried.

Pepe literally climbed up my armor. “No stay. No stay.”

I gave Zarek the evil eye. Why hadn’t he teleported Waewae back to his ship to interrogate him?

Chiara tightened her grip on me. “Can we return to our quarters?”

“Yes, we can.”I turned to Trayon.“The children don’t need to see this.”

---