Infiltration: Chapter Four Scene Two

 

Piras is keeping a secret from his departing Nobek. Is that ever a good idea?

* * * *

Piras swallowed past the thickness of his throat as half his clan disappeared in the umbilical. He’d miss the pair he’d spent almost every waking moment with for over five years.

“Okay, so why didn’t you tell them you have a phased bodyguard from the spy division assigned to you? Finding out he’s showing up tomorrow might have helped them feel better, don’t you think?” Scrubbing tears from her cheeks didn’t keep Hope from eyeing Piras with a note of belligerence. Her dark glare gave him a not entirely unpleasant jolt, but he’d be lucky if she allowed him to sleep in the same bed with her tonight.

“It’s for the best, that’s all. Thanks for keeping it quiet.” He set his sights on the door leading to the public shuttle bay. A couple of armed Nobeks, verified to have had no relatives on Laro Station when it had fallen thanks to Piras’ seeming treachery, waited to escort him.

Hope’s hand on his arm halted him before he took more than a step. She was a small woman, but she had the commanding aura of a Dramok when it suited her. “Piras.”

He relented, because his beloved wouldn’t until he did so. “If Kila had discovered Fleet Command assigned me a bodyguard, he’d have insisted on knowing who it was. He’d have demanded to personally check his credentials and threaten severe bodily harm if I were attacked.”

“Typical Nobek, in other words. Why’s it such a big deal? Kila’s a member of the spy department of Fleet Command. Who could they have assigned he shouldn’t be aware of?”

“Someone he wouldn’t approve of. I can’t say more until we’re in our quarters or my office, my Matara. It’s absolutely essential his identity remains undisclosed for now.”

Hope scowled, but she allowed them to head home. “He will remain outside our quarters, won’t he? My privacy’s never been up for grabs, and the fleet can stuff it if they think they’ll waltz in for a peek whenever they wish.”

“He’ll only accompany me when I leave our quarters. I actually have to wait for him to confirm his presence before I open the door.” Though the phased bodyguard could easily walk in if he wanted. Piras and Hope would never be the wiser unless they phased themselves.

He won’t. I trust the bastard. Piras bit his lips together. He could have laughed. Dark humor filled the situation.

Kila wouldn’t have agreed. He’d have found no hilarity in it at all. Thinking about his clanmate’s reaction if he’d had the least inkling quelled Piras’ urge to laugh.

He’s going to kill me for this. Despite the fact it hadn’t been Piras’ idea.

* * * *

The alien force dubbed the Darks has grabbed control of key positions on Kalquor and the Galactic Council of Planets. Other leaders are still unaware of the threat among them. The galaxy is wide open for destruction by an unfathomable enemy.

Former emperor Nobek Yuder has suspicions, but due to restrictions placed on him after his prison sentence, he can only stand by and watch helplessly. A renegade Royal Councilman has designs to bring him back to the political arena, but doing so could destabilize the Kalquorian Empire, leaving it vulnerable to invasion.

Meanwhile, one man on the brink of death, the only man who can detect the nearly invisible Darks, is pulled from a lifeless shuttle by Captains Kila and Nako. His incredible story tells them they’re in a race against time to save not only the empire but the whole galaxy…but are they already too late?

On Earth II, Governor Stacy Nichol’s relationship with Clan Rihep continues to grow. So does the danger, as opponents make deadly moves against her and the orbiting Kalquorian station where the clan lives. Nobek Kuran is determined to keep his clanmates and would-be lifemate safe, but how can he stop a faceless enemy?

Relationships, old and new, are strained to the breaking point at a time when Earthers and Kalquorians need each other more than ever. The Darks are closing in, and no one is ready to oppose them.

Releasing November 3. Pre-order now at Amazon, Amazon UK, Nook, Smashwords, Kobo, Apple, and print.