One week until release! Meanwhile in today's excerpt, an old enemy revealed and an old friend under suspicion.
* * * *
Kalquor
Piras hurried into Hobato’s office at Fleet Headquarters, Kila on his heels. Tranis and Lidon were there, Tranis having taken up his duties as Hobato’s interim replacement.
Piras unphased ahead of Kila, though his Nobek would probably berate him about it later. He didn’t revel in the usual pleasure in watching Tranis jerk or Lidon’s eyes widening in surprise at the abrupt appearance.
“Copeland’s presence on Kalquor has been leaked,” he said without preamble. “A reporter on Earth was sent footage, which my spy division there has authenticated. She’s agreed to hold off revealing it for a day.”
“Shit!” Tranis raked fingers through his hair, setting several strands on end. “This on top of seven Royal Councilmen confirmed by Dramok Ilid to have Darks riding them. The timing couldn’t be worse.”
“It’s a shitstorm, and it’s raining all over us.” Piras stalked a path in front of the desk, his teeth grinding. “We need more time than a day before the Galactic Council hears of this.”
“You’ll have to handle it on your own. The Imperial Clan ordered me to concentrate on freeing our own council of enemy influence.”
“What are your thoughts where damage control is concerned, Admiral?” Lidon asked Piras.
“Copeland should be moved in case the GC demands an in-person investigation. Meanwhile, we’ll have to deny the footage is real while my operatives work on getting to the original file and making it appear fake.”
“There’s a certain segment of Earthers who’ll insist on its authenticity, no matter what we do to prove it otherwise,” Kila interjected.
“I know, I know.” Piras stared at Tranis. “It doesn’t matter if the Galactic Council’s as compromised as we fear. Either way, they’ll demand an accounting.”
“If the Darks are in power, they’ll use our incarceration of Copeland as an excuse to isolate us from our allies.”
“We couldn’t have played into their hands more easily if they’d planned it,” Lidon said.
The others stared at him. Piras was the first to recover. “You don’t think they’re behind the leak?”
Tranis bared his teeth. “Get General Borey Nath in here.”
Piras’ heart skipped a beat. Borey Nath was his Matara’s father. He was also the last surviving military leader of old Earth and Copeland’s warden on the empire’s behalf. Nath hated Copeland with a passion.
He couldn’t be behind the leaked footage. Surely not.
* * * *
Blythe Nelson is certain Clan Deram is keeping something from her. The clan of spies finds it difficult to stay a step ahead of the wily reporter who’s winning their hearts. What they don’t know is Blythe has a secret of her own. New love can’t survive without trust, and neither side is ready when the truth comes out.
Dramok Ospar, determined to return to the political stage, strikes up a deal with Royal Councilman Oiteil. Unaware he’s dealing with a Dark entity controlling Oiteil, he finds himself fighting for his honor, his relationship with his clan…and his life.
The Kalquorian Empire, already struggling against the Darks infiltrating its highest offices, suffers a new blow when it’s revealed it’s keeping a prisoner from the war against the first Earth: Holy Leader Browning Copeland. The schism between Kalquor and its allies grows deeper, setting the empire against the rest of the galaxy.
As chaos descends on rioting Earther colonies, the Galactic Council of Planets, and Kalquor, a desperate group of humans and Kalquorians race to stop the force behind the turmoil: the Darks. Can they loosen the grip on their worlds the enemy seeks to tighten, or is all lost?
Releasing March 29. Pre-order ebook or buy print now:
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