Charity Nath isn't a happy traveler as she evacuates from Galactic Council space, and she lets Betra know it.
* * *
*
“There’s nobody on board to talk to. To hang out with. Am I really supposed to keep to myself all the way to Alpha Space Station?”
Charity Nath heard her voice rising, but she couldn’t seem to rein it in. First, she’d been forced to take leave from her university classes on Jedver. Now she was being compelled to run from the planet she’d called home for the last six years. She wasn’t even allowed to go to Earth II.
Heaven forbid she be allowed to enjoy the world terraformed specifically for her fellow humans in the wake of the original Earth’s demise. Instead, she was to be shoved onto the cold, dark space station orbiting it.
She was twenty, but she had the urge to throw a toddler-worthy tantrum. Her whole life was being upended because she bore the last name Nath. It wasn’t fair. No one knew her actual name, so why should she have to worry about her identity being discovered?
She had nobody she could truly blame either. It wasn’t her father’s fault, despite there being those among the Earthers who’d branded him a traitor. It wasn’t her sister Hope’s fault, though she’d clanned Kalquorians equally despised on their home world.
It most certainly wasn’t the handsome Kalquorian liaison’s fault. He’d delivered the bad news she and Aunt Ruth and Uncle George would be kept secluded from fellow Earthers running from the Galactic Council while it and the Kalquorian Empire had their spat. Liaison Betra was a really good-looking guy, worth a serious flirtation if Charity hadn’t felt so put-upon. If he hadn’t been the person to tell her she was to be isolated from everyone else.
“It’s a necessary precaution,” Betra soothed. “We’re under orders to keep you safe, since your fellow Earthers might be upset over the allegations my people and your father are supposedly holding the former leader of old Earth as a prisoner.”
“About that. Why didn’t you execute the old tyrant? Or let his former wives do so?” Or his would-be wife. It had been a fate Charity had nearly been damned to at the age of fifteen.
“Copeland died in the battle at Haven, despite the Galactic Council’s allegations,” Betra said. “The vid footage was faked.”
He’d think so. Betra hadn’t been on the battlecruiser running for his life during its final seconds, alongside Charity and the rest hauling Copeland to a Kalquorian spyship so the bastard could face real justice.
Justice that hadn’t come to pass, as far as Charity was concerned.
“Of course he died,” Uncle George said, his wide grin beaming in his trademark friendly fashion at Betra. “We drink a toast to it on the anniversary each year.”
“Sweetie, this is for the best.” Aunt Ruth was pleasant, but there was a warning in her soft brown eyes for Charity.
“We don’t want any Earthtiques who might be on board recognizing you. Borey Nath’s youngest needs to keep her presence quiet.” George was equally kind and just as insistent.
“No one knows I’m a Nath,” she protested. She’d used her aunt and uncle’s surname after moving in with them.
“I’m sorry, Matara.” Betra’s tone was unfailingly kind, but there was a steel beneath it that said he wouldn’t be swayed. “I have my orders. You can’t mix among the rest of the Earthers on this transport. Perhaps the matter will be different on Alpha Space Station.”
He took his leave soon afterward, having given them the tour of their quarters on board the transport…which were admittedly nice considering it had once been used to ferry troops who weren’t afforded many luxuries.
Charity flounced on the lounger in the sitting room. “All I can say is Hope better not think I’m staying isolated on the space station for any length of time. It’s bad enough to have to pull a disappearing act.”
“The station is Kalquorian. Few Earthers visit, I’m told. I’m sure you’ll be allowed to move about it freely,” her aunt said gently as she inspected the kitchenette. She brushed her dark hair, showing its first strands of gray, from her eyes as she examined the automatic cooker.
“Why shouldn’t you? After all, Clan Piras lives there, and they’re unpopular with their own people. We haven’t been called to a funeral yet, so it must be okay.” Uncle George grinned as he ogled the entertainment system a few feet away.
Charity hoped he was right. She was a firm believer in
living for today. She’d learned the hard way tomorrow wasn’t guaranteed.
* * * *
All-out war has begun, with innocents caught in the
crossfire.
Former nun Cheryl Taupin and her husband Nobek Besral, in charge of the remaining orphans of Earth’s Armageddon, watch the terrible events unfolding in the Dark-overrun Galactic Council of Planets. Kalquorians in Galactic Council space are being rounded up to suffer an unknown fate and martial law is declared on many of the system’s worlds. A desperate plea to the Kalquorian Empire sends Admiral Piras and Captain Kila to the orphanage…but how can a lone spyship protect hundreds of children against the full might of the Galactic Council’s warships bent on destruction?
Charity Nath has been brought to Alpha Space Station to hide from those determined to exact vengeance against her father. Young and irrepressible, she’s determined to claim a measure of freedom from stifling restrictions placed on her. When her identity and location are revealed, her Kalquorian protectors must thwart those who’d harm her while contending with her stubborn refusal to be kept in check.
Imdiko Betra has done his best to put the past behind him. He knows letting go of the only woman he could ever love was the best course of action. But when he encounters Shalia Monroe again, his heart speaks louder than his conscience. Will unquenchable desire destroy the life she’s built, or will Betra’s clanmates Oses and Resan stop him from doing the unthinkable?
Against the backdrop of pandemic and plague, Kalquor and Earth II fight for their very survival against an enemy they’re only beginning to learn the strength of. As the All tightens its fearsome grip on the galaxy, humans and Kalquorians alike tremble on the verge of annihilation.
Releasing July 26.
Amazon, Amazon UK, Nook, Smashwords, Apple, Kobo, print
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