Youthful rebellion looking for fun in all the wrong places.
* * * *
After his com to Shalia, Betra went for a walk through the transport’s crowded promenade. Resan had rolled his eyes at Betra’s mumbled “be back soon,” no doubt discerning his clanmate’s troubled feelings after speaking to Shalia. Oses had merely gazed at him levelly. Betra imagined he had sensed his Nobek’s understanding mixed with a note of judgment…and an unspoken plea for Betra to let it go.
The Imdiko knew he should. Hadn’t he told Shalia his career was too important to leave the fleet for? Betra couldn’t imagine another life for himself. Shalia and her oldest child Anrel, who’d been an infant when they’d gone to live on Kalquor, had deserved a real home. A clan who would adore them and give them everything they deserved. They’d found exactly that, and he should be thrilled to his marrow it had happened.
I am. I just wish we could have had longer than nine months. I wish we could have had a lifetime.
The intervening years hadn’t changed his feelings in the slightest. Usually, he could accept fate’s dictate. But as he neared another visit, the old regrets crowded in. He found himself flailing in a sea of memories and wanting what he’d let go.
For her sake. For Anrel’s sake. I did the right thing in sending them on. Why can’t I—
Betra’s morose thoughts cut off as he caught sight of a gorgeous human female, who was winning the attention of the off-duty Kalquorian crewmembers crowding the promenade and its complement of shops and attractions. Charity Nath, her shining chocolate hair framing an exquisite face, was a vision indeed. Her lush, curvaceous figure stunned several men to a standstill.
Betra hurried to her, his gaze sweeping for her fellow Earther refugees, who were cleared to frequent the promenade at the moment. He saw none, thank the ancestors. He had to restrain himself from grabbing her arm and dragging her from the promenade anyway.
“Matara, this isn’t your scheduled hour for recreation in this area. Allow me to escort you to your quarters.”
Her smile was sweet and cajoling. “Aw, Imdiko Betra. There are numerous friends to make at this time of day. Tons more excitement. I hardly saw anyone when I came in the middle of the afternoon yesterday.”
“Which was the idea. If anyone recognizes you—”
“Don’t you know Charity Nath is dead? Everyone thinks so.” She was barely paying attention to him, her greedy gaze sweeping the crowds and shopfronts, gauging where the most fun was to be had.
Betra felt a pang of sympathy. Charity was young, at the age where she was testing the waters of adulthood, chasing formerly forbidden attractions. She was due the enjoyments a woman in her early twenties should be indulging in freely.
There was no denying his responsibility as her liaison, however. “Everyone thought Borey and Hope Nath were dead too. They now know your sister is a member of Clan Piras and suspect your father didn’t die either. Sooner or later, your picture will surface, and you’ll be identified. Please, you must return to your quarters now.”
Her façade of sweet appeal vanished, replaced by an impatient scowl. Betra was suddenly reminded of Shalia when she’d first boarded the transport nearly ten years prior despite there being no true physical resemblance between the women. Charity was apparently capable of changing her attitude just as quickly as Shalia had been.
“It’ll be a matter of days before we reach our destination.” Charity spoke in the firm tone Betra had heard from Resan and other Dramoks. “No one is outing me on such a short trip.”
“You’d be surprised how quick circumstances can change,” Betra argued. He realized he probably would have to physically remove her to her section of the ship. Which brought the concern of how those passing and watching them with interest would react, especially if she struggled or shouted for help.
“Nothing of the sort can surprise me, I’ll have you know. Listen, nursemaid, I’ve faced danger you can’t imagine—”
“Is there a problem, Liaison?” Oses’ cool, rough voice sounded behind Betra.
Charity’s eyes widened at the sight of the huge, muscled warrior. Oses was impressive, more so than a number of his fellow Nobeks, and not merely for his incredible physique. He had a forceful stare, greater than any Betra had ever encountered. His glare alone was capable of cowing most.
Charity recovered, or she pretended to. She snorted. “I should have figured you’d bring backup.”
Betra fought off a scowl. Why did the majority of Earthers and unclanned Kalquorians equate the Imdiko classification with pushovers? He almost resented Oses in that instant for commanding the immediate respect Betra often had to fight for.
“I was escorting Matara Charity to her quarters. There was some confusion as to when she’s free to leave her safe area to explore the promenade,” he told his clanmate.
“I see. I’ll help you see her to where she should be. Matara?” The Nobek bowed and gestured in the direction she was to go.
Charity pouted, but she offered no further argument.
Once they’d returned her to her aunt and uncle’s presence…voicing a careful reminder to all as to when the young Matara Nath was cleared to roam the ship’s public areas…Betra and Oses set off for their quarters.
“Your walk happened at an opportune moment,” the Nobek observed.
“I have a feeling she’ll try her luck again. Can you assign someone to keep an eye on her? I hate to keep her a virtual prisoner while she’s aboard our ship—”
“It’s for her own good.” Oses suddenly smiled, his rough features softening.
“Remembering your misguided youth?” Betra guessed and chuckled.
“Unfortunately for my pride, yes. Those were tempestuous years. At least I didn’t have to fear people hating me simply because of my name.”
“No doubt you gave them plenty of reasons to come for you.”
“Every chance I got.”
The two men laughed and continued to the small quarters
they’d happily called home for so many years.
* * * *
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 Friday, July 26
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