Lidon's home.
* * * *
Tranis’ teeth were grinding hours later when he straightened his desk in preparation for leaving for the day. He shut off his computer by pounding his fingers on the keyboard rather than ordering it off.
“How many keyboards have you gone through in the last week? At least half a dozen, if you’ve treated them the way you’re treating this one.”
Tension drained from Tranis in an instant as his Nobek clanmate walked in. The admiral hurried around his desk to fling his arms around Lidon. “You’re back! Thank the ancestors.”
“Was there doubt I’d return? Unless you feared I’d die of boredom while I was on my mission.” Lidon chuckled at the enthusiastic greeting.
His feral features were handsome in a very Nobek fashion, framed by shoulder-brushing black hair. Lidon was thirty years older than Tranis, but they were well matched.
Tranis gazed at him, his affection undisguised. “I’m glad it was boring. Piras was the same as ever? No sign of anything off from him or anyone else?”
“Nothing out of the ordinary. Everything seemed well in hand.” Lidon’s smile lessened in voltage. “I understand word has leaked he and his clan are assigned to the space station.”
“It was inevitable. You know we’re trying to make it so he can return home someday. He’s still beyond empire borders.”
“But closer than he was…and now his location is public.” A muscle twitched in Lidon’s jaw.
Tranis tried to ignore a jab of jealousy. Piras had been Lidon’s promised clanmate prior to clanning with Tranis. The pair had a long history.
I trust Lidon. Otherwise, Tranis wouldn’t have sent him to play Piras’ bodyguard while the other man’s Nobek was off on a mission. Still…
“No threats to the Terror of the Fleet while you were there. Good. Captain Kila will be back in time to deal with the fallout of Piras’ presence being leaked.” Tranis finished shutting his computer down.
“I battled only the threat of overwork and Earther drama. I’m dying to hear the latest about the Bi’is situation.”
They started for the
door, and Tranis huffed a depressed snort. “Good, because I’m ready to give you
an earful as soon as we leave headquarters.”
* * * *
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Time
is running out to halt the Darks’ march to the Kalquorian Empire’s
annihilation.
Finally home on Kalquor, Dramok Ilid is haunted by his encounter with the Darks, which he barely survived. His struggle far from over, Ilid’s sanity and the empire’s existence hang on a quickly unraveling thread. When he learns the Darks have arrived on Kalquor, even his family’s love may not be able to keep him from an unthinkable end.
On Earth II, head of planetary security Nobek Kuran’s hands are full: meeting his potential in-laws, training his replacement, and keeping tabs on a rogue lieutenant governor with a secret agenda. His troubles are only beginning when a deadly attack on those he loves drives him to the brink of murder. Meanwhile, spy Nobek Selt finds himself growing far too close to his subject, reporter Blythe Nelson. Does his clan dare to romance a woman devoted to uncovering the truth, including their secret activities on her world?
Having wiped out the entire Bi’is civilization, the Darks have seized control of the Galactic Council of Planets and attempt to bring the Kalquorian Empire to its knees. Clans Tranis and Piras are desperate to stop the enemy from destroying Kalquor and its allies. Can Hope Nath and Chief Engineer Lokmi capture a lethal enemy capable of passing through all known barriers?
Releasing January 26
Pre-order now: Amazon, Amazon UK, Nook, Smashwords, Kobo, Apple, print
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