“Enjoy the vacation Saul has planned for you,” the Overlord commanded and vanished from my head.

  Relief flooded through me. I had survived! Somewhat intact. Why wasn’t I horrified that Zarek had done a partial mind wipe on me? I should be freaking out, but I wasn’t. I was happy. Hell was finally gone from my life. I wanted to dance with joy.

  Casey waved a hand in front of my face. “You in there?”

  “I am.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “I’m not sure. The Overlord did his psychic woo-woo shit on me and my memories of Hell are kinda gone. I still know he was a scheming bastard, but it’s like all of it happened to someone else. The weird thing is, I’m not angry and I should be.”

  “How do you feel about my uncle?”

  “I find him very attractive and I want to have hot monkey sex with him.”

  Delight filled Casey’s eyes. “You do?”

  “Yeah, but I don’t know if that’s how I truly feel, or I’ve been brain fucked.”

  “Oh.” Casey bit her lip. “I don’t know what to tell you.”

  The Overlord vanished and Saul strolled over to us. “Go pack, Casey. Annie and I need to talk.”

  “Okay.” Casey hurried off.

  Saul got right to the point. “Yes, Zarek wants your abilities in the Coletti gene pool, but he didn’t brain fuck you into wanting me. Our attraction is genuine.”

  “Maybe.”

  “Let’s enjoy some fun in the sun and see where it leads. Deal?”

  I didn’t like the person I had become. A fresh start sounded good. “Deal.”

  Chapter Ten

  The Enchanted Resort was located a short distance from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. It had white sand beaches, tropical gardens and upscale pink adobe casitas.

  “Gotta say, this is really nice.” I was more than a little awe struck. The casitas had to cost a thousand a night and boy was I going to take advantage of all the lovely free amenities. Like a spa treatment with the works.

  Saul smiled. “Glad you like it.”

  “What’s not to like?”

  “I knew you would love it. There’s so much to do here. We can go snorkeling or horseback riding along the coast line. Get a facial or a massage. This evening there will be dancing and romance under the stars,” Casey exclaimed.

  Saul leveled a stern gaze on her. “Make sure the romance doesn’t get out of hand. I’d hate to send Hothar away.”

  “No! That won’t be necessary. Kissing only. Promise. No hanky-panky of any kind,” Casey assured him.

  Saul handed me a keycard. “You two are in casita number five. While Hothar and I get the luggage, Casey can give you a tour of the resort.”

  “You betcha. I’ll show you the hidden garden for those special moments. It even has a pool for skinny dipping,” Casey added gleefully.

  Like I was going to show off my cellulite? Not a chance. “I’ll pass on the skinny dipping,” I replied.

  Saul caressed my cheek, sending tiny jolts of delight through my body. “I was thinking of a moonlight walk along the beach. If that meets with your approval?”

  “Uh, huh. Sure.” Every time he touched me, my brain turned to mush.

  Saul gave me a quick smooch and teleported away.

  “It’s gonna take them awhile. I kinda overpacked,” Casey said.

  I laughed. “Ya think? Twelve suitcases? For one week?”

  “Six of those suitcases are your stuff.”

  “Really? I don’t have that many clothes. I’ve always had to travel light.”

  “Not anymore,” Casey replied.

  “Are you really sure you want me as a member of your family?”

  “I am and before you pitch a fit about the clothes, consider them an early birthday gift.”

  I hugged Casey. “You don’t have to buy me things. You are family to me. If you’re not careful, you’re gonna spoil me.”

  “It’s time someone did.”

  “A vacation away from all the killing is more than enough.” I ran an admiring eye over the cascade of purple flowers covering the walls and frowned when I suddenly became aware there were heavily armed Coletti warriors everywhere. “Have you noticed the resort’s security now rivals Fort Knox’s?”

  “Yep. It’s beginning to feel more like a gulag instead of a resort,” Casey sniped.

  “No kidding.” The warriors’ cold-eyed stares tracked us as we walked down the pathway.

  “They’re gonna kill any kind of moonlight romance.”

  “If your uncle thinks he’s going to get some nooky with them watching, he’s delusional.” I glanced over my shoulder. “Shit! They’re following us.”

  “Not for long.” Casey punched out with her telekinesis. The shockwave of energy hurled the warriors into an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Every time they climbed out of the water, she knocked them back in. “Leave. Us. Alone.”

  An older warrior with a badly scarred face scowled at us. “Females do not command, they obey.”

  He pronounced females as if it was a dirty word. My eyes widened in horror when the warriors simultaneously pulled their pistols. Shit! They weren’t set on stun either. “Put your weapons away or we will hurt you,” I warned.

  Casey went into a combat stance. “Count on it.”

  Poof! Hothar appeared by the pool. “Stand down Lior,” he commanded, every inch a warlord.

  “I do not answer to you,” Lior snarled as he sloshed over to the steps.

  The old guy’s name was Liar?”

  Hothar bared his fangs. “Are you challenging me, Lior?”

  Casey grabbed Hothar’s arm. “Nope. He’s not that much of a dumbass.”

  “If you or your men take one more step, this female is gonna rain hell down on your sorry asses. No one is ruining our vacation,” I said, moving to stand beside Casey.

  The Lior’s eyes narrowed. “Are you claiming you have the Overlord’s permission to be here?”

  I threw my hands up in the air. “Not only do we have the Overlord’s consent, we have General Jones’s too. You should have received that information in your briefing.” I let out a theatrical gasp. “You do have briefings, don’t ya? Or maybe not since you obviously don’t know who we are. Let me introduce myself. I’m Annie. This is Casey. You know, General Jones’s daughter? The big guy is Hothar, her mate. I’m sure you have heard of him?”

  “Enough! All the fortification details were sent to your warrior’s bracelets. Annie’s and Casey’s pictures were included in the download,” Hothar growled.

  The warriors exchanged glances but didn’t holster their laser pistols.

  “Gee, this is awkward. Do you shoot us or not? This might be a good time to check in with the Overlord or General Jones, don’t ya think?” Casey tapped her foot impatiently. “Well? What are you waiting for?”

  Lior touched an icon on his bracelet and scrolled through the information. “We received no images.”

  I gave them the stink eye. “Do you really think we’re Earth First assassins?”

  “Many females have tried to kill the Overlord.”

  “I can’t believe they sent you morons to guard the resort. Please contact General Jones before I do something I’m going to regret,” I snapped and summoned a stun grenade.

  “This is supposed to be our vacation.” Casey smacked Hothar in the chest. “A romantic getaway without a bunch of goons following us around. They leave or I do.”

  “Ditto.”

  Hothar rubbed his forehead as if he suddenly had a headache. “They are the Overlord’s security detail.”

  “The most powerful male in the universe needs a security detail? Color me surprised,” I snarked.

  Immense power rippled the air around us as the Overlord teleported in.

  The warriors quickly holstered their weapons.

  Casey sucked in a startled breath.

  I dissipated the grenade and gaped at Zarek. He was wearing nothing but a skimpy black bathing suit. I watched as water ran down his war honed-body and pooled around his feet. Holy cow! Was he hot! Detja must have to beat the women off him.

  Zarek tilted his head and smiled at me.

  Crap, crap, crappity, crap. He was reading my mind. I gave him a weak smile. “Ooops?”

  Zarek cocked one dark brow. “You find my security detail amusing?”

  “My lord, they meant no offense,” Hothar inserted hurriedly.

  Damn. I squared my shoulders and met Zarek’s predatory gaze. “You don’t need a security detail, sir. You have Hothar, Saul, Casey and me. Anyone stupid enough to attack, will soon regret it.”

  Saul appeared beside me and placed a possessive hand on my shoulder. “Annie has a valid point, my lord. Once Detja arrives, you’ll have an unbeatable team.”

  “I agree.” Zarek turned his attention to the soggy warriors. “Return to the ship.”

  The warriors vanished.

  “Dinner is at seven. Do not be late,” Zarek advised. Poof. He was gone.

  I blew out a relieved breath. “Disaster adverted.”

  “Barely.” Saul grumbled.

  Before he could start in on Casey, I hastily interjected, “I’m here to get to know Saul Jones, not the General. Him, I already understand, and I’ve kicked his ass. Four times no less.” I went up on my tiptoes and brushed my lips over Saul’s. Once. Twice. Three times. “So, who’s coming to dinner? Saul or the General?”

  Saul’s eyes glittered with amusement. “Trying to control me with sex, darlin’?”

  “It works so well for you, I thought I would give it a try.”

  A giggle escaped Casey.

  Hothar let out a long sigh.

  “Did ya now?” Saul pinned me against his chest. “You’re playing with fire.”

  “Am I?”

  “Count on it, darlin’.” Saul tilted my head up and his mouth closed over mine in a scorching kiss. Passion drove away all rational thought. His tongue swept into my mouth and tangled with mine in a slow, sensual dance. God, he tasted so good.

  A gurgle of laughter escaped Casey. “Get a room, before you give Hothar ideas.”

  “I have three hundred years of Zarek’s sexual conquests imprinted on my mind. I doubt there is anything I could learn from the General,” Hothar said.

  Say what? I broke the kiss and gawked at Hothar. “You have Zarek’s sexual exploits etched into your brain?”

  “Yes.”

  “How did that happen?” Call me curious.

  “You don’t want to know,” Saul groaned.

  “Yeah, I really do.”

  “My mind meld with Zarek gifted me with many of his abilities,” Hothar explained.

  Horror rolled over me. “Oh, my God. Are you telling me I have a warlord’s sexual appetite now? Is that why I’m so horny?”

  Saul threw up his hands in disgust. “No! Zarek didn’t do a mind meld with you nor did he brain fuck you. He only examined your memories of Hell Smith.”

  “Along with a bit of mind wiping,” Casey declared.

  He shot Casey a black look. “How would you two like a winter assignment in Alaska?”

  “Love you too.” Casey grinned, not at all intimidated. “Remember? I told you Annie would make me the perfect step-mom.”

  Holy hell! “Wait! You’re kinda jumping the gun. We haven’t had a date yet.”

  “Uh huh. Keep telling yourself that. Your chemistry is off the charts. You’ll be doing the horizontal tango in no time at all.” Casey grabbed my arm. “C’mon mom, let’s go check out our casita.”

  “Hothar. Luggage. Now,” Saul snapped.

  “Yes, my lord.” Poof. Hothar was gone.

  “I want the two of you to stay out of trouble. Understood?”

  “Yes, sir,” Casey and I said in unison.

  Saul teleported away.

  “Hothar knows how to perform over one hundred sex acts and I can’t wait to try them out,” Casey said out of the blue.

  I eyed her warily. “Does your uncle know that?”

  “Nope. It’s our little secret.”

  Crap. How did you handle two teenagers with raging hormones? Very carefully. “I’ve made a lot of dumb mistakes in my life.”

  “Hell?”

  “Yeah. I let my hormones get the better of me and my actions had serious consequences. Don’t let that happen to you. It’s not worth it. Believe me.”

  Casey hugged me. “You’re gonna make a great mom. I promise you, I’m not gonna do anything stupid. I won’t risk losing Hothar. Kay?”

  “Okay.” I hugged her back. “Do I need to explain the birds and the bees to you? What goes where?”

  “Oh, God, no.” There was a note of horror in Casey’s voice.

  I hid a smile. “Good.” A casita with a blue door caught my attention. A Mexican tile placard with the number five emblazoned on it was fixed to the door. “This is our casita.” I swiped the keycard and pushed open the door. The hand-troweled salmon-pink walls were covered with pictures of the Cabo San Lucas arches and beaches. The red brick flooring highlighted the handcrafted oak furniture and colorful cushions.

  “Don’t you just love it?”

  “I do. Even better we have air-conditioning,” I said, eyeing the pile of luggage in the hallway.

  Casey wrinkled her nose. “I hear ya. Once I had an assignment in the Australian Northern Territory during the rainy season. It felt like I had been locked in a sauna. The hotel’s roof leaked all over the bed, I found a funnel web spider in my boot and got chased by a crocodile.”

  “No Hothar?”

  “Nope. I was on my own and out of chocolate and bug spray. Which made me very cranky.”

  “Did you zap the croc?”

  “Nope. I tossed the critter at the idiot poacher who was trying to kill me. The last I saw of him, he was swimming for it and the crocodile was right on his ass.”

  “And the funnel spider?”

  “Beat the hell out of it with a lamp.”

  A big black cat wandered into the room.

  My psychic senses went on alert. “That’s not a cat.”

  “No, it’s Adan.” Casey scowled. “What are you doing here?”

  Presto! Adan transformed into the wizard kid from the movies. He wore glow in the dark green surfer shorts and a red tank top. “I also wish for a vacation.”

  “Does my uncle know you are here?”

  “No.”

  I inquired, “And the Overlord?”

  Hothar teleported in with a suitcase in each hand. He took one look at Adan and dropped the luggage. “You were not invited. Leave.”

  Tentacles erupted from Adan. “Make me.”

  Casey jumped between them. “You’re not ruining our vacation.” She jabbed Adan in the chest with one finger. “Got it. Now back the hell off, before the Overlord shows up.”

  “The Overlord does not frighten me,” Adan retorted.

  “Do I?” A melodious voice asked.

  All of us spun around and gaped at Detja. She wore her silver hair in a long braid down her back and her skimpy blue bikini left nothing to the imagination.

  Adan fidgeted nervously. “My apologies daughter.”

  Daughter? Detja wasn’t a Katanic shapeshifter, she was a Farin. I bet there was one hell of a story there. I gave her a bright smile.

  “My lady.” Casey bowed and backed away from Adan.

  Detja’s attention was solely focused on Adan. “You hate the water Father, you sunburn easily and have no mate. Why are you here?”

  “Clio wished to see the ocean.”

  Detja stiffened. “Clio is here?”

  “Somewhere. She is playing the Earth game called hide and seek,” Adan replied.

  Casey muttered, “We might need Zarek’s security detail after all.”

  “Hike and seek?” The note of unease in Detja’s voice had me worried.

  I whispered to Casey, “Who is Clio?”

  “A baby Katanic shapeshifter,” she whispered back.

  “Oh. So, she can morph into whatever she wants?”

  Casey sighed. “Yep. Anything. And she’s always hungry.”

  I mentally scanned the area. If I was a hungry kid, where would I go? Wait! The resort’s brochure had touted a tropical aquarium filled with sharks, rays, turtles and zebra fish. “Where’s the aquarium?”

  “In the dining room. Why?” Dismay flashed across Casey’s face. “Oh, my God.” She tugged urgently on Hothar’s arm. “Dining room now.”

  Alarm flared to life in Hothar’s eyes and poof. They were gone.

  Detja grabbed Adan’s arm and teleported.

  I called after them, “Hey! What about me? I can help! Hello? Anyone listening?” Silence was my only answer. Guess not. I surveyed the luggage. I could always unpack.

  A giggle sounded in my mind.

  A smart person kept a hungry shapeshifter fed, happy and entertained. “Hello. Are you Clio?”

  More giggles.

  I zoomed in on the mental signature. Clio had transformed herself into a suitcase. “My, oh my, where can Clio be hiding?”

  She giggled again.

  I lifted a pillow off the couch. “Nope. Not here. Oh where, oh where can she be?” I looked under the coffee table, in the closet and in the bathroom. “Can she be on the moon?”

  Clio giggled hysterically.

  I picked up my travel bag and pulled out two chocolate bars. “All this searching has made me very hungry. Chocolate is my most favorite food in the galaxy.” I tore the paper off one bar and placed the other on the end table.

  The suitcase morphed into a little red lizard. It scampered across the wall.

  I took a big bite of candy and moaned in pleasure. “Yum. This is so good.”

  The lizard changed into a chubby toddler wearing a sparkly dress and a tiara. “Me like chocolate.”

  “That’s cause you’re a girl. What a pretty dress.”

  “Geema gave it to me. I princess.”

  “Yes, you are. A very beautiful princess.” I sat down on the couch, broke off a piece of my bar and held it out to Clio. “This is the best chocolate in the entire universe.”

  A tentacle suddenly shot out and snatched it from my hand. “And what do good little girls say?”

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17