Page 89 of Stealing Jia

Dad trotted up with the twins on his shoulders.“The little buggers worked together to get the door open.”

“My children are very smart.”I slid down Trayon’s body and cuddled the kids.

The twins scurried up to my head and dug about in my hair. “What these?”

“Tentacle bumps.”

“You have scales like Chiara,” LeeLee giggled.

LooLoo added, “Fur better.”

“Ax.” Cason tapped my teeth, then touched his. “Ax.”

“Yes. We both have fangs.”

Cason laughed hysterically.

I tickled him. “Glad you find them so funny.”

Dad’s concerned gaze swept over me, taking in all the changes.

“I’m okay, Dad,” I said in English.

“Are you? We almost lost you.”

“Other than no tentacles yet, my conversion is complete, and I feel great.”

Dad touched the blood on my armor. “Where did that come from?”

“She tried hyper speed too soon and ran into a door,” Trayon answered.

I made a face. “Broke my nose, but I’m stronger now and have some new abilities.”

“Like what?” Dad wanted to know.

“My ability to see auras is stronger and I’m hoping with Chiara’s help, we can track down the bolt hole Mallox and Giovanni are using.”

“Good there’s something in the soil that blocks our scanners.”

“And the bad news is, we have incoming Rodan ships,” I griped.

Dad scowled. “If the Rodan lose Denebola, the war is over. They’re going to throw everything they have at us.”

“True.” I held my hand out to Chiara. “Let’s see if we can find the evil scientists’ lair and rescue Adam and the others.”

Chiara slithered up my arm and peered at me. “I felt your pain.”

Holy Mother. “I’m so sorry. I never meant for that to happen.” I scratched under her chin. “I needed to be stronger to save my brother.”

“You took a great risk. Adam is no longer human. He has become other. He will try to kill you,” Chiara chided.

A single tear rolled down my cheek. “I know, but I can’t let him go without a fight.”

“We will find him and do what we must.” Chiara snuggled against my neck.

Pepe butted against me. “Me help.”

“We bite, they die,”the twins crowed.

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