Page 68 of Stealing Jia

“They’re dying alright, because you’re murdering them. Oh yeah, the few loyal subjects left on your ship have been captured.”

Lilkee’s pale skin flushed with rage.“You destroyed my ship.”

“Boo hoo.”I linked with Trayon.“Lilkee is in the mess hall.”

“I will advise the others.”

“My father will not allow the Askole heathens to harm me,”Lilkee crowed.

I laughed.“I wouldn’t count on that.”

“Zarek is headed your way. I have never seen him this angry. Take the children to our quarters and stay there,”Trayon instructed.

“Not going to be a problem.”I gathered up the kids.“Okay guys, we need to leave so Zarek can talk to Lilkee.”

Zarek popped into the room.

Chiara ported us out.

Chapter Thirteen

The door chime rang. I frowned. I could sense Zarek in the hallway. Was he here to complain about the twins or yell at me for webbing Lilkee to the wall? The last thing I wanted to do was talk to him, but if I ignored him, he’d just teleport in.

“What does he want?”Chiara asked worriedly.

“Only one way to find out. I want you and the kids to go into the bedroom, while the grownups talk.”

“We hide.”The evil twins shot under the bed.

Adoz and Pepe followed them.

The door chime sounded again.

Cason wrapped his arms around my right leg. Chiara coiled around my left. “We stay with you.”

“Okay.” Taking a deep breath, I opened the door and smiled politely at the Overlord.

Zarek asked courteously, “May I come in?”

“Ah, sure.”I gestured to the common room. “Please have a seat. Would you like a glass of Merlot?”

“I would, thank you.”

The urge to giggle hysterically was almost overwhelming. I was playing hostess to one of the most dangerous predators in the galaxy. And why was he being so nice? It was creeping me out. I ordered two glasses of Merlot from the food processor. Should I summon Trayon?

Zarek cocked an eyebrow and shrugged.

Merda! He was reading my mind. Time to suck it up. With the kids still clinging to my legs, I did the Frankenstein lurch back to the common room. I handed Zarek his glass. “I’m honored by your visit, but…”

Zarek interrupted, “What do I want?”

I nodded.

“I wish to apologize. My actions in the mess hall frightened the children. That was never my intent. I let my anger get the best of me.”

My jaw dropped. The Overlord seemed genuinely remorseful. Had he been hit in the head recently? Maybe I should call a medic.

Cason crawled over to Zarek and patted his boot. “Ax.”

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