Clans of Kalquor 13: Alien Haven - Chapter Three Scene One

 

 

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Ilid's pain, his mother's matchmaking solution, and Miss Behavior's plot

* * * *

Ilid wandered the bucolic setting of the Earther-style home his parents had rented for the month. The property included an option to extend the lease should he deign to remain on Haven longer. 

He was surprised at how taken he was by the wide-open countryside. He could see similar homes dotting the distance; free-standing structures of sprawling porches, fertile gardens of vegetables and flowers, and vast lawns. Close to Sunrise, these were getaways for those seeking quiet and the opportunity to unwind. Haven wasn’t a tremendously popular vacation destination, but for those invested in the sort of solitude that included the option of ready supplies in the nearby town, it was perfect.

Ilid was a city boy who’d temporarily traded the hustle and bustle of a major Kalquorian urban setting for the tight, congested spaces of a fleet spyship. Kalquor had its own wide-open spaces, but he’d eschewed plains and deserts for mountains and wooded areas. 

He thought the wide space surrounding him should have been a void. He’d been prepared to be overwhelmed by the silence and loneliness. Instead, he felt incredible peace. He could see for what appeared to be miles at a stretch. Birds, frogs, and crickets imported from Earth and reptilian drils from Kalquor sang in a chorus as the sun sank into the horizon. Though darkness was beginning to spread, the absence of worrisome shadows made his heart light. For the first time in months, he felt a sense of real safety.

He heard the approach of someone behind him and recognized his mother’s tread. He marveled he had no instinct to whirl and search her for trouble. Less than a day on Haven, and he’d begun to accept he might be able to relax his constant vigilance for Darks.

She drew next to him and threaded her arm in his. “It’s so big out here. The sky goes on forever.”

He inhaled her scent and surmised she’d been baking stya rolls. Soft, airy breads, which practically melted in the mouth, they were among his favorites. He smiled at her.

I can finally breathe again. “I like it. I think Haven’s beautiful.” 

“As is a certain young lady who shared our shuttle ride? Have you commed her to see how she’s settling in?”

“It’s a little soon, isn’t it? Are you in a hurry to clan me off your hands?” he teased.

“My home will always be yours. I simply want you to be happy. Jennifer made you smile more in three days than I’ve seen since you…since you returned from service.”

Since I was a prisoner of the Darks. 

He warded off the sick memory. “She’s a special woman.” Vibrant and enthusiastic, Jennifer had helped him forget for minutes at a time the dangerous galaxy they lived in.

“She has promise. A mother’s instincts are seldom wrong when it comes to those who’d be right for her son.” Diju’s grin was self-assured.

Anguish rose again, determined to have its say. “What of her son’s rightness for potential clanmates? Can you guarantee that?”

Her smile faded. “You’re a wonderful man, Ilid. Caring, intelligent—”

“Damaged. Weak. After what happened, I might not be Dramok enough for anyone.”

“Stop it.” Diju tugged him to face her. “What you faced would have destroyed most men. You survived what no one else on your ship could.”

“And afterward? If it hadn’t been for a watchful security guard in the psych ward, I wouldn’t have lived to see today. I fell apart. There’s no getting around it.”

He regretted reminding her of his suicide attempt as tears brightened her purple eyes. “You’re here now. Yes, you had a bad spell. Who wouldn’t, considering what happened? But you were given a second chance. You faced down the fears and won in the end.”

“It hasn’t ended, my mother. Until the Darks or we are destroyed, it’ll never be finished, not truly.” He drew a breath and smiled for her sake. “But yes, I am feeling healthier. I have no wish to end my life any longer. I just don’t know if I’m the kind of Dramok any woman deserves. Particularly a lady as lovely as Jennifer.”

Diju’s sadness was palpable. When a few seconds ticked past, she visibly drew herself up. “You should let her make such a decision, shouldn’t you? Despite an inclination to have the sort of fun and excitement people your age tend to go for…or at least, her tendencies that I wish you’d try on for size now since rank isn’t your entire focus…and if your drive to succeed isn’t pure Dramok, I don’t know what is…” the slew of half-formed protestations faded as she ran out of breath.

Ilid chuckled.

She waved him quiet. “As I was saying, underneath a slight hint of irresponsibility a twenty-year-old woman is entitled to, Jennifer is an intelligent person. So be the wonderful man you are. Let her good sense tell her what a catch she’s found in you.”

“If she’s half the Matara you are, I could hardly do better.” Ilid hugged Diju, feeling how lucky he was to have lived, if merely to be near her.

“My son, you deserve the best.”

Ilid watched Diju go inside the pleasant home, smiling at her determination to find him someone special. Buoyed by her encouragement, he pulled his com from its belt sheath and scrounged up Jennifer’s frequency. He hesitated a moment as insecurity nibbled his gut.

What the hell, the worst she can do is say get lost. He clicked to connect.

“Ilid!” came the happy audio-only voice despite his having enabled vid on his end. “How was your first day on Haven?”

“Not bad. We’ve barely settled in at the place we rented, so I haven’t done much else but unpack. No vid picture of your gorgeous face? Did I catch you at a bad time?”

Her laugh made him smile. “My newly adopted little sister might come bursting in my room at any moment. There was quite the discussion during dinner when it comes to her dating.”

“Oh?”

“She’s twelve and not seriously thinking of it yet, but her Nobek dad is already having a coronary over the idea. If she comes in and sees me talking to a handsome Dramok, it might start a whole episode I’d rather avoid setting off.”

He chuckled. “It sounds as if Clan Amgar is all right.”

“They’re terrific. Such a sad story, though. Dramok Amgar himself died years ago saving the children from a fire. They’d clanned Sara mere months before. Sweet prophets, it’s a tragedy, starting with her first husband’s death just before her youngest was born. It breaks my heart.”

Ilid didn’t try to keep the reluctance from his tone. “I guess I shouldn’t stop by in a day or two if you’re trying to be a good influence on the younger generation. If you want me to keep my distance—”

“Are you kidding me? You’d better come visit. I refuse to cool my heels here on the ass-end of nowhere the whole duration of my sentence.”

“I hear Miss Behavior howling to break free.” 

“Just because I’m not a nun doesn’t mean I’ll get into trouble. A girl’s gotta have some fun off the farm. But no hot and heavy where we might be caught. Keep an eye out for the inn you promised we could escape to.”

Ilid laughed, delighting as always in her enthusiasm. Also in the memory of the kissing and heavy petting they’d indulged in during the trip to Haven. Jennifer had made it plain she’d been up for more than the little they’d managed, but they’d both been conscious of his parents’ proximity to wherever they managed to be on the small vessel. 

He’d also preferred a romantic setting rather than a quick do-me in the tight, spare shuttle quarters allotted for sleeping. He was too fond of Jennifer to treat her like a one-night stand, even if it was all they ended up enjoying.

“My parents and I are going to town tomorrow to look at the local bakery for sale. I’ll check to see what fun we can have there.”

“No pig wrestling. Or cattle branding.”

“I have no idea what those are, but I’ll stay clear of them.”

She laughed. “I miss you already, Ilid. Com tomorrow and we’ll make plans for as soon as possible.”

“Consider it done.”

* * * *

Using the alias Jennifer Seng, Charity Nath hides on Haven, a planet settled by Earthers and Kalquorians. She’s less than thrilled to be on the agricultural outpost where the height of culture is a play titled Cow Patties in Paradise. With a bounty on her head and ruthless enemies determined to cash in, she has little choice but to work on Clan Amgar’s farm until the danger is past. At least the view is nice, thanks to three young, handsome Kalquorians…but they have their own secrets they’re unwilling to share.

After his encounter with a merciless entity that performed horrific medical tests on him, Dramok Ilid is eager for a place where he can feel safe again. Haven’s strict security protocols mean the pandemic raging in his home empire has little chance of striking the planet. Better yet, there’s little opportunity for the enemy Darks who traumatized him to show up either. Still, he knows he isn’t the man to lead a clan of his own despite the tempting potential of his new friends who are everything he could hope for. 

Imdiko Mitag is charming, gorgeous, and resolved to draw out the trio who seem perfect for the clan he’s always dreamed of. His eagerness conceals a long-ago tragedy and an unloving childhood he’s determined won’t dictate the rest of his life, if he can convince the others.

It isn’t that Nobek Detodev doesn’t want friends and lovers. As a Nobek who hates who he is, he’s certain no one else could want him. His aloof persona begins to crack when Charity, Ilid, and Mitag refuse to let him remain unapproachable. But surely they’ll run when they discover the truth.

When Charity comes under attack by those who’ll stop at nothing to destroy the uneasy peace between Earth II and Kalquor, the quartet finds secrets are the greatest danger to keeping her safe. Can her life and their growing love survive the truth of their pasts?

After six years, a new novel for the original Clans of Kalquor series…the fiftieth book in the Kalquor Universe…is here. One big adventure in two versions celebrates this milestone. Version One is the traditional Clans of Kalquor heroine-centric story. Version Two is both a Clans of Kalquor and Clan Beginnings same-sex-friendly edition. Both versions are here in one volume. Choose which to read…or read both.

On sale at Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Kindle, Apple, and print.

 

Clans of Kalquor 13: Alien Haven - Chapter Two Scene Three

 

 

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A lawman's true colors begin to show...and they aren't looking too pretty.

* * * *

Assistant Chief Martin Wilkes eyed Jennifer Seng’s official identification picture, part of the information Chief Groteg had forwarded. He brought up another I.D. on his computer’s holo screen. He enlarged both so no detail could be missed. He looked at the two women side by side.

Jennifer’s honey-blond hair was shoulder length, a fabulously tousled mass suggesting windswept beaches. Sultry lidded deep blue eyes, which recalled the ocean, bore the slightest hint of an Asian background in their shape. 

In contrast, the young woman so many were hunting for had dark brown hair and less-hooded hazel eyes. Jennifer’s nose and chin were narrower too. The second woman’s cheekbones were more sculpted, giving her a haughtier appearance.

There was a vague resemblance if one searched for it, but they did appear to be two different women. Surgery could have accounted for the variations…but if Jennifer Seng had undergone a cosmetic procedure, it was impossible to detect.

Wilkes considered them, wishing for a telltale scar or some other unmistakably shared detail. If there’d been any, if it were the same woman, the characteristics had been erased. He could only wonder until he had a face-to-face encounter with Groteg’s newest ward.

If Jennifer Seng was the recently vanished Charity Nath, Wilkes’ work was cut out for him to prove it…but prove it, he would.
 

* * * *

Using the alias Jennifer Seng, Charity Nath hides on Haven, a planet settled by Earthers and Kalquorians. She’s less than thrilled to be on the agricultural outpost where the height of culture is a play titled Cow Patties in Paradise. With a bounty on her head and ruthless enemies determined to cash in, she has little choice but to work on Clan Amgar’s farm until the danger is past. At least the view is nice, thanks to three young, handsome Kalquorians…but they have their own secrets they’re unwilling to share.

After his encounter with a merciless entity that performed horrific medical tests on him, Dramok Ilid is eager for a place where he can feel safe again. Haven’s strict security protocols mean the pandemic raging in his home empire has little chance of striking the planet. Better yet, there’s little opportunity for the enemy Darks who traumatized him to show up either. Still, he knows he isn’t the man to lead a clan of his own despite the tempting potential of his new friends who are everything he could hope for. 

Imdiko Mitag is charming, gorgeous, and resolved to draw out the trio who seem perfect for the clan he’s always dreamed of. His eagerness conceals a long-ago tragedy and an unloving childhood he’s determined won’t dictate the rest of his life, if he can convince the others.

It isn’t that Nobek Detodev doesn’t want friends and lovers. As a Nobek who hates who he is, he’s certain no one else could want him. His aloof persona begins to crack when Charity, Ilid, and Mitag refuse to let him remain unapproachable. But surely they’ll run when they discover the truth.

When Charity comes under attack by those who’ll stop at nothing to destroy the uneasy peace between Earth II and Kalquor, the quartet finds secrets are the greatest danger to keeping her safe. Can her life and their growing love survive the truth of their pasts?

After six years, a new novel for the original Clans of Kalquor series…the fiftieth book in the Kalquor Universe…is here. One big adventure in two versions celebrates this milestone. Version One is the traditional Clans of Kalquor heroine-centric story. Version Two is both a Clans of Kalquor and Clan Beginnings same-sex-friendly edition. Both versions are here in one volume. Choose which to read…or read both.

On sale at Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Kindle, Apple, and print.

 

Clans of Kalquor 13: Alien Haven - Chapter Two Scene Two

 

 

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Charity finds herself on the outside looking in.

* * * *

“This is the best mac and cheese I’ve ever had,” Charity declared after a single bite.

Imdiko Utber chuckled. “I had a lot of practice, thanks to the kids. Chicken tenders, mac and cheese, and pizza. You’d swear there were no other foods worth eating.”

“Tacos,” Tori declared. “Tacos are always to be on the week’s menu.”

“Grease and lactose, the fuel of the younger generation.” Charity had another forkful of mac and cheese and had to fend off a moan of sheer lust. Utber’s recipe was utterly decadent.

“It is a challenge to make sure it’s healthy,” the Imdiko chuckled.

“Such language. How dare you assault our ears with words like ‘healthy.’” Tori grinned at Charity, whom she sat beside.

The girl had wandered in Charity’s room as she was unpacking earlier. Her nonchalant façade had faded as they got to know each other. It had taken only half an hour before she was gabbing in the breathless way adolescent girls had when they’d found a confidante. Charity was amused, touched, and a little saddened…when had she left similar eagerness behind? Had she ever experienced it? She thought she might have been denied, having spent a portion of her own formative years under the yoke of hardline followers of Holy Leader Browning Copeland. There’d been Copeland himself, making it clear Charity was to become his latest wife when she was only fifteen…

She felt a rush of gladness Tori hadn’t grown up under the shadow of fear. Her angst was of the pure preteen kind, the testing indulged in by someone flexing independence from parents and teachers. Charity’s had been more of a defense mechanism to keep growing terror at bay.

She glanced at those around her, this fascinating family formed from a series of tragedies. Adam continued to sneak worshipful glances at her when he wasn’t telling Groteg of the new coach for the football team he played running back for. Sara and Utber gently coaxed James to eat his buttered wedi stalks, which they’d caught him trying to hide under his napkin. Tori pumped Charity for information regarding college and the men she’d met. The girl beamed at Groteg when he turned an anxious eye toward her and said, “Why are you asking about boys?”

“I’m just curious how those in GC space are different from these around here.”

“Well, don’t be, Lady Sunshine. There’ll be plenty of time for boys later. Much, much later.”

“Oh, Dad. You’re cute when you’re freaking out about me dating.”

“You’re dating?” He turned his horrified gaze to Sara. “She’s dating?”

She waved him off. “Of course she isn’t. She’s talking of the future when she’s sixteen.”

“Eighteen,” Groteg countered in a growl.

“Dad!”

The warmth as they bantered and Groteg panicked reminded Charity how far she was from her own family. She’d left behind her aunt and uncle mere days ago when the bounty had been put on her by the fanatical factions of Mercy and New Bethlehem colonies. It had been months since she’d seen her sister and father in person.

We had no chance of being a family like this when we were together. Not after Armageddon. Not after Mom died.

“Don’t worry.” Sara had caught Charity’s state of mind, though not the reason for it. “We don’t always argue at length.”

“Usually, we’re worse,” Tori said cheerfully.

“Young lady,” Utber warned. 

“Dating,” Groteg groaned, staring at his half-empty plate in despair. “How can she be thinking of dating at her age?”

“I’ve been thinking of dating for years. I’ll be old enough in a few months. Then look out, girls.” Adam grinned until he met Charity’s eyes. He blushed furiously and concentrated on shoveling his dinner in his face.

“They’d better not have to look out. If I hear of you being anything except the perfect gentleman, mister, you’ll be sorry.” Sara shook her fork at her oldest.

Utber looked at Charity and shrugged. “Welcome to the family. This is as good as it gets, I’m afraid.”

If you knew how good you have it. As the bickering eased to laughter, Charity decided they might. Her angst abruptly transformed to a soft, sentimental joy.

She was glad for them and basked to be at the edges of their warmth.

* * * *

Using the alias Jennifer Seng, Charity Nath hides on Haven, a planet settled by Earthers and Kalquorians. She’s less than thrilled to be on the agricultural outpost where the height of culture is a play titled Cow Patties in Paradise. With a bounty on her head and ruthless enemies determined to cash in, she has little choice but to work on Clan Amgar’s farm until the danger is past. At least the view is nice, thanks to three young, handsome Kalquorians…but they have their own secrets they’re unwilling to share.

After his encounter with a merciless entity that performed horrific medical tests on him, Dramok Ilid is eager for a place where he can feel safe again. Haven’s strict security protocols mean the pandemic raging in his home empire has little chance of striking the planet. Better yet, there’s little opportunity for the enemy Darks who traumatized him to show up either. Still, he knows he isn’t the man to lead a clan of his own despite the tempting potential of his new friends who are everything he could hope for. 

Imdiko Mitag is charming, gorgeous, and resolved to draw out the trio who seem perfect for the clan he’s always dreamed of. His eagerness conceals a long-ago tragedy and an unloving childhood he’s determined won’t dictate the rest of his life, if he can convince the others.

It isn’t that Nobek Detodev doesn’t want friends and lovers. As a Nobek who hates who he is, he’s certain no one else could want him. His aloof persona begins to crack when Charity, Ilid, and Mitag refuse to let him remain unapproachable. But surely they’ll run when they discover the truth.

When Charity comes under attack by those who’ll stop at nothing to destroy the uneasy peace between Earth II and Kalquor, the quartet finds secrets are the greatest danger to keeping her safe. Can her life and their growing love survive the truth of their pasts?

After six years, a new novel for the original Clans of Kalquor series…the fiftieth book in the Kalquor Universe…is here. One big adventure in two versions celebrates this milestone. Version One is the traditional Clans of Kalquor heroine-centric story. Version Two is both a Clans of Kalquor and Clan Beginnings same-sex-friendly edition. Both versions are here in one volume. Choose which to read…or read both.

On sale at Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Kindle, Apple, and print.

 

Clans of Kalquor 13: Alien Haven - Chapter Two Scene Two

 

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A curious law enforcement officer digs for information and gives advice.

* * * *

“What’s this I hear about you taking in a human girl, Chief? I thought you specialized in troubled Nobeks.”

Groteg chuckled at the man who’d popped in his office. “Sara and Tori are sick of being outnumbered. They insisted we even the odds for a change.”

Martin Wilkes laughed. The assistant chief of security for the Earther side of Haven’s law enforcement force was a friendly guy, personable and easy to talk to. He was also as tall and muscled as a Kalquorian, six-foot-five of pure brawn at forty-two years of age. “I’m sure those ladies can hold their own, even when it comes to Nobeks. You don’t mind me nosing in, seeing as this new ward of yours is Earther?”

“Not at all. I had planned to send you a report detailing the particulars anyway. I waited until her actual arrival due to the Darks taking over the Galactic Council and the pandemics…”

“Yeah. She might have been refused entry.” Martin’s demeanor turned appropriately serious as he was reminded of the multiple areas of trouble befalling the galaxy as of late. “What’s the girl’s name?”

“Jennifer Seng. She was tossed out of college after damned near blowing up her professor…hell, most of the university’s chemistry lab too. It was the last in a series of escalating pranks to impress her peers.”

Martin stared in wide-eyed shock. “Why wasn’t she brought up on charges? Or was she, and this is what they decided on? Is it her first criminal offense?”

“She meant no real harm. Nonetheless, she’d been warned on multiple occasions to rein in her mischief. Her final antic made her family and the authorities decide she should face punishment. She’s never been on a farm before. The isolation is quite a shock.”

“She’s used to an urban setting, huh? Clubs instead of corrals?” Wilkes grinned.

“It’s a wakeup call. She’s in for quite a few surprises.”

“You’re in for it yourself, my friend. I have sisters, and you’ve never heard the intense distress of a teen or twenty-something when they can’t go out and have fun.”

The young woman Groteg was determined to fix in his head as “Jennifer” hadn’t struck him as particularly shallow. She was probably too worried about those eager to find her.

He wished he could bring Wilkes into his confidence as to his ward’s true identity. Unfortunately, the spy contingent of the fleet had warned only he, his clanmates, and the spy liaison present on Haven were to have the information.

“What was she studying in school?” Martin checked the time, indicating he had to stop indulging his curiosity and be somewhere soon.

“Astronomy. Smart girl, but a lot of growing up to do. Similar to the troubled Nobeks we get.” Groteg hit a button on his computer. “There you go. Full report straight to you and Chief Connelly.”

“Thanks. Hate to chat and run, but I have to give a speech at the local school on the advantages of staying on the straight and narrow. Universities don’t have an exclusive on pranksters.”

“Better you than me.” Groteg didn’t mind community outreach, but he hated giving speeches.

“Which is how I feel where your latest miscreant is concerned. Maybe I’ll use her as an example of how not to behave. Enjoy the angst.” Chuckling, Wilkes left the office.

* * * *

Using the alias Jennifer Seng, Charity Nath hides on Haven, a planet settled by Earthers and Kalquorians. She’s less than thrilled to be on the agricultural outpost where the height of culture is a play titled Cow Patties in Paradise. With a bounty on her head and ruthless enemies determined to cash in, she has little choice but to work on Clan Amgar’s farm until the danger is past. At least the view is nice, thanks to three young, handsome Kalquorians…but they have their own secrets they’re unwilling to share.

After his encounter with a merciless entity that performed horrific medical tests on him, Dramok Ilid is eager for a place where he can feel safe again. Haven’s strict security protocols mean the pandemic raging in his home empire has little chance of striking the planet. Better yet, there’s little opportunity for the enemy Darks who traumatized him to show up either. Still, he knows he isn’t the man to lead a clan of his own despite the tempting potential of his new friends who are everything he could hope for. 

Imdiko Mitag is charming, gorgeous, and resolved to draw out the trio who seem perfect for the clan he’s always dreamed of. His eagerness conceals a long-ago tragedy and an unloving childhood he’s determined won’t dictate the rest of his life, if he can convince the others.

It isn’t that Nobek Detodev doesn’t want friends and lovers. As a Nobek who hates who he is, he’s certain no one else could want him. His aloof persona begins to crack when Charity, Ilid, and Mitag refuse to let him remain unapproachable. But surely they’ll run when they discover the truth.

When Charity comes under attack by those who’ll stop at nothing to destroy the uneasy peace between Earth II and Kalquor, the quartet finds secrets are the greatest danger to keeping her safe. Can her life and their growing love survive the truth of their pasts?

After six years, a new novel for the original Clans of Kalquor series…the fiftieth book in the Kalquor Universe…is here. One big adventure in two versions celebrates this milestone. Version One is the traditional Clans of Kalquor heroine-centric story. Version Two is both a Clans of Kalquor and Clan Beginnings same-sex-friendly edition. Both versions are here in one volume. Choose which to read…or read both.

On sale at Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Kindle, Apple, and print.

Clans of Kalquor 13: Alien Haven - Chapter Two Scene One

 

 

On sale now at Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Kindle, and print.

Coming soon to Apple and Kobo.

Woman-to-woman talk, the children of Clan Amgar, and the lost loves of Sara

* * * * 

“Nice place,” Charity said, no trace of sarcasm to be found as she stood next to the shuttle and looked at her surroundings. 

The white house was lovely and so Earther, she was surprised the Kalquorian part of the clan lived in it. It had a cute porch swing and rocking chairs. The adjacent red barn was familiar from photographs and the picture books she’d read as a kid. Charity hadn’t been at any actual farms when she’d lived on Earth. Nonetheless, she’d have sworn she’d been transported ten years in the past and stood on her home planet. Darn if she didn’t hear chickens clucking nearby.

Groteg and Utber brought out her travel bins from the shuttle. “Sorry to dump you and run, but we have to return to work for a few hours,” the Imdiko explained as he hurried past to the house.

“Don’t worry. You have me…oh, and here come the kids,” Sara said as a long shuttle zoomed toward the farm. It settled on the dirt lane before the large front yard in front of the home.

Charity watched as the shuttle’s hatch opened and a dark-haired boy of around eight or nine years of age fairly leapt out of its environs. Clan in shorts and a shirt bearing evidence of a recent eating mishap, his sturdy legs pumped as he raced across the lawn. His face beamed in the age-old exuberance of a child released from the tedium of a school day. 

Following at a much more sedate pace came a lovely adolescent girl, enviable golden curls of hair cascading to the waistband of her slouchy trousers. Her gaze was curious, neither friendly nor adversarial as she eyed Charity’s presence. She simply seemed to be cataloguing the new arrival.

Finally was another blonde, a teenage boy who was a male version of Sara. He blinked at Charity. A friendly grin spread across his handsome features. His walk took on a strut. Sara, standing next to Charity, snorted.

“Go easy on the oldest, okay? It took him a whole week to get over his last crush.”

Charity covered her mouth to smother a laugh. “I’ll convince him I’m an elderly woman, too uncool to be bothered by. How old is he?”

“Fifteen.” Sara sighed, then her youngest was on her, hugging her. “Hey, sweetie. How was school?”

“I got a hundred percent on my math test! Hi, who are you?” Wide brown eyes gazed at Charity.

“Hold on for your brother and sister, and I’ll introduce you all at once. Come on, guys, you have chores, and I’m running behind on my own stuff.” As the siblings lined up in front of Charity and Sara, their mother rattled off names. “Adam’s my oldest. James is our math whiz, and Tori’s twelve going on twenty-one. This is Jennifer, everyone. She’ll be staying for a while.”

“A human girl instead of a Nobek? That’s new. What are you in for?” Tori wore a half-smirk.

“It doesn't matter. Treat her as you would your brothers…no, treat her respectfully,” Sara hurriedly amended.

Charity had her story ready, however. Having been a pre-teen not so long ago herself, she grinned at Tori. “I might have had a bad habit of pulling pranks on those who lacked senses of humor.”

“You got sent to Haven for pranking somebody?”

“The last stunt went kind of wrong. No permanent injuries, but…” Charity shrugged, as if to say what can you do? Then she assumed a penitent expression. “I didn’t mean to hurt my chemistry professor. It was only supposed to be a little blast.”

Sara fell into her role. “The trouble when it comes to these situations is we rarely want to cause harm, but it happens quite easily. I’ve been informed you were warned this exile would happen if you kept up your practical jokes.”

Charity hung her head. She peeked through still-unfamiliar honey-blond strands to see what reaction their performance had won.

Adam gazed at her as if impressed, his blue eyes bright. Charity might have told him she’d scaled the galaxy’s tallest mountain in high heels and won less admiration.

Tori’s attention was pointed at her mother. She displayed a sort of world-weariness reserved for those of a certain age who couldn’t believe how uncool their parents were. Her tone was all sympathy when she said, “Accidents happen. Sounds to me like someone had it out for you, Jennifer.” Having dispensed her opinion, she headed to the house. “Lovely to meet you. Pop by my room to chat after dinner, if you want. Later, all. Stuff to do.”

“Stuff had better include weeding the herb garden,” Sara called after her.

Meanwhile, James had discovered a large red bug trundling over the grass. He was busy setting sticks, leaves, and other debris in its way. If he’d taken any notice of Charity’s supposed sins, he’d forgotten them already.

Sara shooed the boys off to do their chores and start on their homework. “Dinner table at six. With hands washed, James.” She grinned at Charity as soon as they were out of earshot. “Pretty good cover story.”

“I wish I could take credit, but the Kalquorian powers-that-be concocted it.” Charity gazed at the front door, through which the children had disappeared.

All three were fully human, no doubt from an earlier relationship Sara had been in. Sometimes the hybrid offspring of Kalquorians and Earthers appeared to be solely of Kalquorian heritage, but even those possessing strong human traits had some hint of the other species in their appearances. She wondered why Clan Amgar had no hybrid children, but it wasn’t a polite question to ask. Especially not of a woman she’d met less than an hour ago.

“Let’s go to the kitchen,” Sara suggested. “A cup of coffee or tea?”

“Coffee would be amazing,” Charity said gratefully. “But if you have work, I don’t want to hold you up.”

“Nothing too pressing. Claiming I’m behind on my work is what I say to the kids because it’s usually true.” Sara laughed. “The empire gave us a decent heads-up you were coming. I set aside time to get you settled.”

They were soon seated at a small table in what had to be the most technologically advanced kitchen Charity had ever seen. It made sense it would be, thanks to Utber being an honest-to-goodness chef. Because the farmhouse was so traditional from the outside, she’d expected a more rustic setting. She had to admit the modernity disappointed her a little.

Sara stirred real cream in her coffee from a nearby dairy farm. Charity sipped hers, enjoying the decadent richness as if she indulged in a particularly luscious dessert. 

“I don’t mind answering most personal questions, especially considering your situation. You must wonder whom you can trust these days,” Sara told her. “You were wondering why I have only human children after eight years of clanship.”

“I was, but it’s none of my business. Seriously, if the people who sent me trust you, then I do too.”

“Thanks, but as I said, I don’t mind. James came earlier than expected due to a major pregnancy complication. When I say he came early, I mean on the kitchen floor of my first house here. I nearly died.”

“Wow. I bet you were terrified.”

“That’s putting it lightly. Having him left internal damage, which couldn’t be corrected. The doctors warned me against having more children. They couldn’t guarantee they or I would survive future pregnancies.

“My first husband had died a few months before James was born. I’d never farmed before coming to Haven. With two small children already to care for, I wasn’t doing so well. Clan Amgar swooped to the rescue and helped us. Hell, they saved us, me particularly. It was considered scandalous how quickly we fell in love.”

“Probably especially where your fellow Earthers were concerned,” Charity guessed. 

“Don’t get me wrong; I loved my husband Jesse. He was a good man. Unfortunately, we’d married for the wrong reasons…to be grown up and escape from our small Midwestern town on Earth.”

“It reminds me of a romance movie or a book.”

“We were romantics, including pie-in-the-sky dreams. We even accomplished a couple. We earned college degrees despite working full time and having Adam and Tori early on. We were saving for a home. Then Armageddon hit and tore our lives out from under us. We counted ourselves lucky to get a chance to start over on Haven.” Sara’s blue eyes gazed in the distance. Her sweet face was sad, and Charity saw the faint lines of care a tough life had etched in her pretty features.

“What happened to Jesse? How did he die?”

“He got sick. At its beginning, Haven was a lot different from how it is now. The Kalquorian governor, a Dramok named Ospar, was eager to help the residents in any way he could. He was limited in that respect since Haven’s original charter meant we Earthers had to rely on our human governor. Governor Hoover was tightfisted when it came to aid. He acted as if the money came out of his own pocket. A real ‘pull yourself up by your own bootstraps’ type, and tough luck if you couldn’t afford boots in the first place.”

“Sounds similar to what they have on Mercy and New Bethlehem. He would have been an Earthtique,” Charity supposed.

“No doubt. When Jesse got sick, we’d just planted our first crop. There wasn’t money for him to see a doctor. So he didn’t and…” Sara’s hands splayed wide.

“Assholes,” Charity muttered. She blushed when she realized she’d said it out loud.

Sara grinned. “I had a few nasty names to call Hoover and his gang. Jesse should still be here. He deserves to be here. It’s funny to think so when I love Groteg and Utber, but it’s how it is.”

She gazed into her coffee. “They and Amgar showed up in my hour of need. They made sure me and the kids were taken care of. Knights in shining armor, pretty much. When I realized I was starting to feel more for them than gratitude, I was shocked. I’d recently buried my poor Jesse. I’d just had his baby. How could I fall in love again so fast?”

“It wasn’t the same love as what you and Jesse had.” Charity prompted when she paused, swept up by the tale.

Sara smiled at her, surprised. “You’re right. It wasn’t pie-in-the-sky. It wasn’t a couple of kids who were too dumb to think their future through. For me and Clan Amgar, it was a mature love between people who’d seen the worst of what life could throw at us.” She thought, trying to put together the right words.
She must have found them because she added, “I saw Clan Amgar as they were. The fact they were stable and loyal and kind was a plus…but they had their shortcomings, as I do. Instead of wanting to mold them to fit my ideals, the way I had with Jesse, I was willing to take them as they were. I loved them for who they were, imperfections and all. I guess I’d grown up.”

“They weren’t unhappy you couldn’t give them kids of their own? It was a big deal to Kalquorians at one point.”

“Careful. Don’t suggest to Groteg and Utber those three fiends of mine aren’t theirs too. They’ll take it personally.”

“Really?”

“Right from the start, they and Amgar adored the children. When they asked me to clan, they asked Adam too. Tori and James were too young to understand what was going on, but Adam accepted them for fathers on his and his siblings’ behalf.”

“Wow. No jealousy?”

“Adam was scared and looking for security. He was lost without Jesse. He clung to my clanmates probably for all the wrong reasons at the beginning, but they’ve come to mean what they should to him.”

“That’s wonderful.” Charity couldn’t imagine being so accepting had her father remarried after her mother’s death, but she’d been older than Adam when she’d lost her parent.

“James never knew Jesse, of course. Tori took to Clan Amgar almost immediately. Especially Groteg. She’s a total daddy’s girl where he’s concerned.” Sara chuckled, her earlier sadness gone. “So my clanmates are their fathers, and they’re excellent ones. The biological question doesn’t come up.”

“It sounds like you got lucky,” Charity said.

“Definitely, though losing Amgar and Jesse…I’ve wondered if I’m cursed. At any rate, it makes me appreciate Groteg and Utber.” Sara shook her head, as if to dispel the subject from her mind as well as the conversation. “Speaking of men, what’s the scoop on the cutie who rode in on the shuttle with you? Dramok Ilid?”

“I wish I knew,” Charity sighed. “He’s so nice. He has this weird hint of tragedy too.”

“Weird? In what way?”

“I don’t know. Every now and then he looks haunted.” She snorted. “It’s probably a case of me being romantic and dramatic. I’m dying for a taste of passionate excitement, I guess. A riveting tale of the wounded soul aching to be healed.” Charity struck a theatrical pose, her hand to her brow.
Sara snickered. “You should have asked.”

“I considered it, but it felt wrong to interrogate him for too many personal details since I’m hiding who I am.” Regret tugged at her anew.

“His parent clan seemed stable. They were protective of you.”

“Clan Codab are absolute sweethearts. My whole take on Ilid’s tale of some fascinating past woe is probably sheer fantasy. Seriously, how messed up is it to find the idea of a damaged man fascinating?”

“No more messed up than a couple of teenage kids eloping the night of their high school graduation and running from home just because they were desperately bored and unhappy.” Sara sipped the last of her coffee and checked the time. “Goodness, I need to get a move on and do some work.”

Charity stood. “Point me to what you want done once you’ve armed yourself with all available patience.”

Sara laughed. “To the cellar then. We’ll bring up some potatoes and onions to prep for Utber. Then you can see your room and unpack.”

Charity was happy to follow her hostess. The worst of her angst at having to stay on Planet Farm Hell had disappeared, thanks to having Sara to talk to.

* * * * * 

Using the alias Jennifer Seng, Charity Nath hides on Haven, a planet settled by Earthers and Kalquorians. She’s less than thrilled to be on the agricultural outpost where the height of culture is a play titled Cow Patties in Paradise. With a bounty on her head and ruthless enemies determined to cash in, she has little choice but to work on Clan Amgar’s farm until the danger is past. At least the view is nice, thanks to three young, handsome Kalquorians…but they have their own secrets they’re unwilling to share.

After his encounter with a merciless entity that performed horrific medical tests on him, Dramok Ilid is eager for a place where he can feel safe again. Haven’s strict security protocols mean the pandemic raging in his home empire has little chance of striking the planet. Better yet, there’s little opportunity for the enemy Darks who traumatized him to show up either. Still, he knows he isn’t the man to lead a clan of his own despite the tempting potential of his new friends who are everything he could hope for. 

Imdiko Mitag is charming, gorgeous, and resolved to draw out the trio who seem perfect for the clan he’s always dreamed of. His eagerness conceals a long-ago tragedy and an unloving childhood he’s determined won’t dictate the rest of his life, if he can convince the others.

It isn’t that Nobek Detodev doesn’t want friends and lovers. As a Nobek who hates who he is, he’s certain no one else could want him. His aloof persona begins to crack when Charity, Ilid, and Mitag refuse to let him remain unapproachable. But surely they’ll run when they discover the truth.

When Charity comes under attack by those who’ll stop at nothing to destroy the uneasy peace between Earth II and Kalquor, the quartet finds secrets are the greatest danger to keeping her safe. Can her life and their growing love survive the truth of their pasts?

After six years, a new novel for the original Clans of Kalquor series…the fiftieth book in the Kalquor Universe…is here. One big adventure in two versions celebrates this milestone. Version One is the traditional Clans of Kalquor heroine-centric story. Version Two is both a Clans of Kalquor and Clan Beginnings same-sex-friendly edition. Both versions are here in one volume. Choose which to read…or read both.

On sale now at Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Kindle, and print.

Coming soon to Apple and Kobo.

Clans of Kalquor 13: Alien Haven - Chapter One Scene Three

 

On sale now at Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, and Amazon (print).

Coming on November 12 to Kindle (if Amazon approves the date change...still waiting for confirmation).

Coming soon to Apple and Kobo.

 

Getting acquainted with Dramok-less Clan Amgar

* * * * 

“Has it been difficult to respond to the name Jennifer?” Sara asked as Clan Amgar’s well-used but clean shuttle, piloted by Groteg, zipped over vast swaths of fields and woods.

“I’m getting used to it. I went under another name on Jedver, while I was at university. I’ve had to be someone else for a long time now.” Charity grew glummer by the second as she viewed a few buildings in the distance. No doubt it was the town Sunrise, which was closest to the spaceport and her hosts’ farm. The spaceport’s scatter of landing pads and buildings covered more land than the town did.

Maybe I’m not in the middle of nowhere, but I can see it from here.

“This has to be a shock to the system after the bustle of a university area and a crowded space station.” 

Imdiko Utber was what Charity thought of classically handsome, though in a way too boyish for his years.
“This is, uh, quite bucolic. Wide open spaces, plenty of room to run wild and free, huh?”

They must have picked up on her false brightness. The trio chuckled.

“Don’t worry. There are activities for young people to do besides yank weeds and feed chickens,” Sara assured her. 

Playing ‘dodge the cow shit,’ for example. Charity had a habit of tossing such smart remarks around, especially when she was in a foul or depressed mood. However, Clan Amgar was doing her a favor by letting her hide at their home until the heat of being the daughter of the so-called traitor General Borey Nath cooled.

She shrugged. “You don’t just farm, is my understanding. Besides Groteg being Haven’s head of security, Imdiko Utber is chef to the Kalquorian governor, right?”

Utber smiled. “Which is why I can guarantee a nice meal tonight to properly welcome you to our home. How do steak, potatoes, salad, and apple pie sound?”

Her grin was genuine this time. “Like heaven. Sara, I was told you manage the farm. What does Dramok Amgar do?”

Their warmth toward her didn’t diminish, but she detected a dampening of mood. Groteg’s voice was quiet as he kept his attention on the shuttle controls. “Our Dramok passed eight years ago in a fire.”

“Oh. I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”

“It was a hero’s death,” Groteg said, pride mixing in the heaviness. “He saved our sons.”

“While Groteg saved our daughter and nearly died doing so.” Sara’s gaze showed love as she regarded him. “My clanship to Amgar was short, but I count myself as lucky to have had the months we did.”

“Let’s talk about you, Jennifer. I hope you don’t mind me getting in the habit of your assumed identity, rather than using your real name.” Utber interjected smoothly. 

“Not at all.”

“Your role isn’t exactly a compliment, is it? Are you all right playing the part of a troubled young woman?”

“It’s a shame you’re coming in under a supposed cloud of mischief. You’re already dealing with the actual problem of radical Earthtiques wanting to interrogate you for their own ends.” Sara’s pretty face took on a determined cast Charity recognized. It was the look her elder sister Hope had worn years ago. She’d been hellbent to shelter Charity from a powerful man who’d wanted to force her into marriage and sexual slavery. It was the expression her aunt Ruth had taken on when the supposedly dead Charity had been outed as alive and well on Alpha Space Station.

It looks as if I found myself another mama bear. Charity was equal parts amused and dismayed.

“The cover story the fleet’s spy division decided on is the best possible excuse for her being here. We’re known for taking in youths who’ve encountered difficulties in society. Usually we foster Nobek teens, but few will question our having you move in.” Groteg spoke in a steady tone. Charity thought she heard an underlying attitude of this is how it is so deal with it.

Very Nobek, in other words. She bet he kept his past problematic wards in line easily.

“It’s only a part you have to act.” Sara was doing her best to soften what she believed must be a blow to Charity’s ego.

The younger woman had to laugh. “If you only knew how my family would respond to my situation. They’d tell you no acting is required on my part when it comes to youthful hijinks and bad attitude.”

“Really?” Utber gazed at her, his disbelief tinged by growing concern as he tried to detect wickedness in her demeanor. Perhaps he was thinking of her potential influence on his children.

 “Don’t worry. I tend to be less mouthy to those I’m unrelated to. Especially those who might decide I’m more bother than I’m worth. I have no interest in giving you a reason to send me to the barn to sleep.”
She earned chuckles, including from Groteg. 

Sara said, “Children typically let their parents have the worst of their behavior. Our kids’ teachers go on and on about how well behaved they are, but when it comes time for homework and chores—”

“The daily beatings commence to get them in line.” Groteg shot a grin over his shoulder at Charity to show he was joking. She was startled how handsome a smile made his somewhat stark features.

“As for farm work, I don’t expect you to do much. Just enough to keep anyone from becoming suspicious,” Sara said. “I’m sure you have your studies to keep up on until you can return to school. I prefer you to focus on them as much as possible.”

“I don’t mind pulling my weight,” Charity was surprised to hear herself say. She found she meant it, however. Her instincts insisted these people, who were going out of their way to help a stranger, were the best sort. 

“We can always use the help,” Utber sighed. “I don’t know how Sara does it, despite us having hired help. Groteg and I pitch in when our jobs allow.”

Charity was prompted to warn them. “Please understand, I don’t know the first thing when it comes to farming. Someone once gave me a spider plant as a gift. I was told it was low-maintenance and hard to kill. It lasted three months before my black thumb of death did it in.”

“We’ll find something nonlethal for you to demonstrate to visitors you’re helping us.” Sara glanced at the window vid as the shuttle began its descent. A very Earth-style two-story farmhouse featuring a wraparound porch came into view. “Here we are. Welcome to the farm of Clan Amgar, Jennifer.”

* * * * * 

Using the alias Jennifer Seng, Charity Nath hides on Haven, a planet settled by Earthers and Kalquorians. She’s less than thrilled to be on the agricultural outpost where the height of culture is a play titled Cow Patties in Paradise. With a bounty on her head and ruthless enemies determined to cash in, she has little choice but to work on Clan Amgar’s farm until the danger is past. At least the view is nice, thanks to three young, handsome Kalquorians…but they have their own secrets they’re unwilling to share.

After his encounter with a merciless entity that performed horrific medical tests on him, Dramok Ilid is eager for a place where he can feel safe again. Haven’s strict security protocols mean the pandemic raging in his home empire has little chance of striking the planet. Better yet, there’s little opportunity for the enemy Darks who traumatized him to show up either. Still, he knows he isn’t the man to lead a clan of his own despite the tempting potential of his new friends who are everything he could hope for. 

Imdiko Mitag is charming, gorgeous, and resolved to draw out the trio who seem perfect for the clan he’s always dreamed of. His eagerness conceals a long-ago tragedy and an unloving childhood he’s determined won’t dictate the rest of his life, if he can convince the others.

It isn’t that Nobek Detodev doesn’t want friends and lovers. As a Nobek who hates who he is, he’s certain no one else could want him. His aloof persona begins to crack when Charity, Ilid, and Mitag refuse to let him remain unapproachable. But surely they’ll run when they discover the truth.

When Charity comes under attack by those who’ll stop at nothing to destroy the uneasy peace between Earth II and Kalquor, the quartet finds secrets are the greatest danger to keeping her safe. Can her life and their growing love survive the truth of their pasts?

After six years, a new novel for the original Clans of Kalquor series…the fiftieth book in the Kalquor Universe…is here. One big adventure in two versions celebrates this milestone. Version One is the traditional Clans of Kalquor heroine-centric story. Version Two is both a Clans of Kalquor and Clan Beginnings same-sex-friendly edition. Both versions are here in one volume. Choose which to read…or read both.

On sale now at Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, and Amazon (print).

Coming on November 12 to Kindle (if Amazon approves the date change...still waiting for confirmation).

Coming soon to Apple and Kobo.

Clans of Kalquor 13: Alien Haven - Chapter One Scene Two

 

On sale now at Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, and Amazon (print).

Coming on November 12 to Kindle (if Amazon approves the date change...still waiting for confirmation).

Coming soon to Apple and Kobo.

 

Meeting Clan Amgar; "Jennifer" and Ilid hatch plans to get together

* * * * 

“In spite of the acoustics, I wish the trip had been longer. I enjoyed getting to know you,” Jennifer whispered to Ilid.

He darted a glance at his parent clan, who followed them a few feet behind in the aisle toward the exit hatch of the shuttle. The vessel had landed a couple minutes before. “Me too. I will see you again?”

Jennifer grinned, delighted at the prospect of encountering his familiar and classically handsome face again. And of seeing far more of him from head to toe. It was all she had to look forward to on the planet she’d never aspired to visit, much less spend an extended stay on. Three days of flight had barely scratched the surface of what promised to be an exciting fling where Ilid was concerned. She hadn’t come close to getting her fill of the compelling man. 

“Remember, Clan Amgar’s farm is where I’ve been sentenced. I will be insulted if you don’t visit in a day or two,” she warned.

There was no trace of the reserve that sometimes gripped Ilid. He smiled broadly. “I’d never insult a woman such as you,” he swore, his Kalquorian accent slightly slurring the English he spoke for her benefit.

Perhaps his parent clan overheard them despite their quiet conversation. Kalquorian hearing was insanely sensitive. Maybe they’d have heard her and Ilid getting friendly even if the walls had been thicker. Over Ilid’s shoulder, she saw Matara Diju and her trio of male clanmates exchange smirks. 

Far from the protective type for whom no woman would be good enough for her son, Diju had acted determined to play matchmaker between the young people. Every chance she’d gotten during the flight to Haven, a mixed Earther-Kalquorian community in Kalquorian Empire territory, Diju had pointed out Ilid’s best traits to Jennifer. 

She might have been delighted to hear them having sex. Jennifer somehow kept her nose from wrinkling at the thought.

She had no designs on any long-term relationships, though Ilid was a compelling temptation to give her daydreams to the contrary. Twenty-three years old, he was perfect for sheer fun, especially when his pronounced serious streak disappeared. 

She would see him again, she vowed. Though his problems were his own, she was determined to loosen him up. His laugh brightened their surroundings when it came, which was far too rare. He was a genuinely good guy.

Had she been in the market for a serious relationship, she admitted she would have judged Ilid a better than acceptable prospect. The Dramok breed of Kalquorian men had a habit of being bossy in her opinion. In defiance of his categorization, Ilid possessed an aura of vulnerability under the surface. She found it alluring. His parents were absolute darlings from what she could tell from their short acquaintance. That assessment included the watchful and brooding Nobek Gruthep, the protector of the clan. He and his clanmates doted on Ilid while obviously trying not to smother him.

In short, Ilid was wonderful, as was his family. Jennifer almost regretted her determination to play the field, but she’d eschewed dating Kalquorians until recently. She had a lot of catching up to do when it came to the species her elder sister Hope had committed to, in love and career. Fortunately…or unfortunately, depending on how things went…Ilid would possibly return to Kalquor in a month anyway.

An attendant who’d kept the sole five civilian passengers of the spacious shuttle comfortable during the trip, wearing the armored uniform of a Kalquorian fleet member, offered a slight bow as Jennifer and Ilid neared the hatch. “Welcome to Haven.”

“Ee-i-ee-i-o,” Jennifer muttered in sing-song. 

“Matara?”

“An old Earther tune regarding the glamorous life on a farm. I can’t wait to be among the cows and pigs.”
Ilid chuckled. He’d heard her complaints when it came to being stuck on Haven, a mostly agricultural community. He’d been appropriately sympathetic while finding humor in her concerns about backwoods hayseeds and watching where she stepped when she went outdoors.

She was relieved not to be knocked backward by the smell of animal manure when she exited the hatch. Indeed, Haven’s largest spaceport bore a remarkably respectable resemblance to such facilities she’d been to throughout the galaxy. It appeared as technologically modern as busier ports, if less hectic and noisy.
Despite the welcome absence of fertilizer aroma, Jennifer noted an appalling amount of flannel shirts, stained dungarees, and tall boots among the obvious fulltime residents who hurried past groups of uniformed ships’ crews. Even the Kalquorians whom apparently called Haven home had adopted clothing reflecting an Earther influence. Yeehaw, she thought, her mood dipping. Two flavors of hayseeds.

She slowly descended the ramp to the ridged flooring, which offered stable, nonslip footing. Feeling Ilid close behind, she said, “It’s quieter than most spaceports. Fewer ships.”

“Anti-virus protocols have shut out a lot of commerce, I’d guess,” he ventured, also gazing at their surroundings. His expression had taken on the nervously watchful cast she’d caught glimpses of during the trip.

Nobek Gruthep, a scarred but likable member of Kalquor’s warrior caste sporting an ass-long graying braid, placed a hand on Ilid’s shoulder. “Their security watches carefully for Darks, too. There have been no instances of suspicion our enemy has gained a presence on Haven.”

Ilid visibly drew a deep breath. Another nervous glance at his surroundings, and he relaxed enough to smile at Jennifer. “Where is this Clan Amgar supposedly responsible for rehabilitating you, Miss Behavior?”

Jennifer blew a raspberry at him but laughed. As far as Ilid and anyone who asked knew, she’d run a bit wild in the now Dark-overrun Galactic Council, where she’d attended university until a few weeks prior. According to her cover story, she hadn’t gotten in the sort of trouble to land her in a detention facility…thanks to her father’s high-ranking position in the government…but it had been decided she should cool her heels on Haven while she learned to stay out of mischief.

In response to this tale, Ilid had given her the pun nickname of “Miss Behavior.” His mother had been quick to defend Jennifer. She vigorously protested a young person’s right to make mistakes, especially in the current climate of war and viral pandemics. Jennifer had merely laughed at Ilid’s gentle teasing. She could take a joke, and he was as non-malicious as a person could be.

In response to his question about her guardians, Jennifer glanced at the few people rushing past. “I have no idea what they look like. Their Matara is an Earther and…oh, that might be them.”

An attractive blond woman, flanked by two Kalquorian men, was hurrying along the walkway in the middle of the docked vessels. The blonde waved at Jennifer, smiling a welcome.

“Nobek and Imdiko. There’s no Dramok,” Ilid’s father Jadel said in an undertone, probably to his clanmates.

“It’s nice three of the four came to meet her on a regular workday.” Diju stepped forward to stand next to Jennifer. The muscled but plump Kalquorian woman waited expectantly, making it clear she regarded herself responsible for the younger woman until her rightful caregivers arrived.

The oncoming trio eyed Ilid and his parent clan warily, but their expressions remained pleasant. Jennifer decided it was up to her to head off any concerns.

“Hi!” she called. “Clan Amgar?”

“Here we are, Jennifer.” The Earther woman was extremely slender, the sort of leanness that spoke of hard work rather than lack of nourishment. When she shook Jennifer’s hand, there was surprising strength in her grip. “Sorry we ran a bit late. I’m Sara.”

“It was my fault we weren’t prompt.” The unfamiliar Nobek’s gaze took in Clan Codab, each man in turn. “I’m Nobek Groteg, head of the Kalquorian branch of Haven’s security. This is our Imdiko, Utber.”

“It’s good to meet you. Let me introduce my new friends. This is Dramok Ilid and his parents, Matara Diju, Dramok Codab, Imdiko Jadel, and Nobek Gruthep.” Jennifer glanced between the Nobeks. “Your names are similar, and you’re both involved in law enforcement. I bet I’ll get them mixed up. Don’t smack the silly Earther when she calls you the wrong names.”

The pair glanced at her and chuckled. Groteg visibly relaxed. “I’ll let it pass this first time.” His eyes twinkled.

She grinned, liking him on the spot despite his intimidating appearance. “You’re the head of the planet’s security? Isn’t the area kind of…isolated for you to work from?”

“Isolation describes Haven’s overall setup in a nutshell,” Utber laughed. “The town of Sunrise is small, but it’s mere kilometers from the seat of our government. The location has been deliberately kept rural for the safety of the planet’s leaders.”

“It’s easier to keep tabs on those who show up to cause problems,” Groteg agreed. “It appears to be an odd arrangement, but so far, it’s worked for us.” His attention turned to Clan Codab. “I understand your clan is interested in expanding your bakery business beyond Kalquor.”

“Under our son’s management.” Diju beamed at Ilid. “If we find Haven suitable, he’ll do an amazing job.”
Groteg, Gruthep, and Codab exchanged what Jennifer thought were overly meaningful glances. What had she missed?

“A bakery would be wonderful,” Sara said, her blue eyes brightening. Their corners creased pleasantly as her smile deepened. “The only one in Sunrise closed when the owner passed away several months ago. We have a coffee shop, but it isn’t the same. I understand the building and its equipment are for sale.”

“It sounds like an intriguing opportunity for Ilid.” Diju beamed at the news.

“Let me give you the address. Had you planned to stay nearby during your visit?”

While the women put their heads together, the men, save Ilid, drew close to mutter. Ilid jerked his head to indicate Jennifer and he should retreat a couple feet distant so they could talk.

“Clan Amgar seems to be a good bunch. Are you okay? Nervous?” he asked.

She smirked. “I was told I’m not the first wayward youth they’ve worked to put on the straight and narrow. I don’t see what kind of trouble I could find on Planet Farm Hell anyway. Hey, have you ever heard of cow tipping? I bet you’d be great at it.” She eyed his muscular build, her grin widening.

“I don’t know what cow tipping is, but it sounds as if Miss Behavior is already up to no good.” He shook a finger, laughing as he pretended to reprimand her.

“Ilid, Clan Amgar needs to get Jennifer settled and return to their workday. We’ll have to say our goodbyes for now. We’ll see you again, Jennifer?” Diju sounded hopeful.

Jennifer kept her gaze locked on Ilid. “I certainly plan on it.”

“If only to distract you from mayhem.” He dipped a traditional Kalquorian bow to her. “I look forward to hearing all about you toiling in the fields while seeking to keep your shoes clean. Until then, Matara Jennifer Seng.” He winked, his broad grin dispelling the formality.

Wistful loss swept through her as Ilid and his family said their goodbyes and walked away. For some reason, it bothered Charity “Jennifer Seng” Nath to see her would-be lover leave, unaware of her true identity.

* * * * * 

Using the alias Jennifer Seng, Charity Nath hides on Haven, a planet settled by Earthers and Kalquorians. She’s less than thrilled to be on the agricultural outpost where the height of culture is a play titled Cow Patties in Paradise. With a bounty on her head and ruthless enemies determined to cash in, she has little choice but to work on Clan Amgar’s farm until the danger is past. At least the view is nice, thanks to three young, handsome Kalquorians…but they have their own secrets they’re unwilling to share.

After his encounter with a merciless entity that performed horrific medical tests on him, Dramok Ilid is eager for a place where he can feel safe again. Haven’s strict security protocols mean the pandemic raging in his home empire has little chance of striking the planet. Better yet, there’s little opportunity for the enemy Darks who traumatized him to show up either. Still, he knows he isn’t the man to lead a clan of his own despite the tempting potential of his new friends who are everything he could hope for. 

Imdiko Mitag is charming, gorgeous, and resolved to draw out the trio who seem perfect for the clan he’s always dreamed of. His eagerness conceals a long-ago tragedy and an unloving childhood he’s determined won’t dictate the rest of his life, if he can convince the others.

It isn’t that Nobek Detodev doesn’t want friends and lovers. As a Nobek who hates who he is, he’s certain no one else could want him. His aloof persona begins to crack when Charity, Ilid, and Mitag refuse to let him remain unapproachable. But surely they’ll run when they discover the truth.

When Charity comes under attack by those who’ll stop at nothing to destroy the uneasy peace between Earth II and Kalquor, the quartet finds secrets are the greatest danger to keeping her safe. Can her life and their growing love survive the truth of their pasts?

After six years, a new novel for the original Clans of Kalquor series…the fiftieth book in the Kalquor Universe…is here. One big adventure in two versions celebrates this milestone. Version One is the traditional Clans of Kalquor heroine-centric story. Version Two is both a Clans of Kalquor and Clan Beginnings same-sex-friendly edition. Both versions are here in one volume. Choose which to read…or read both.

* * * *

On sale now at Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, and Amazon (print).

Coming on November 12 to Kindle (if Amazon approves the date change...still waiting for confirmation).

Coming soon to Apple and Kobo.

Surprise! Alien Haven is on Sale (in some stores)

 

Well, hello. If you're surprised by the headline, I'm right there with you. The release of Clans of Kalquor 13: Alien Haven, has been beset by all sorts of mayhem. I was on the brink of announcing it coming out on November 29. Today I discovered, much to my chagrin, that certain booksellers already have it on sale rather than pre-order, and I can't get them to switch it back. And another bookseller has put the rankings and comments of Alien Redemption on Alien Haven's sales page. Nice, huh?

So here's the lowdown: for those of you who don't know, Smashwords was bought out by Draft2Digital. It was through Smashwords that sellers like Barnes & Noble, Apple, and Kobo, to name a few, received my books. Now it's through D2D.

Alien Haven is my first book to be loaded onto the D2D platform. I went through the process carefully, made sure to put November 29 as the release date, and hit "Submit." All seemed well until the emails started rolling in this morning. "Your book is now on sale at Smashwords." "Your book is now on sale at Barnes & Noble." 

"Hmm," says I. "Surely they meant on pre-order." I check the links...and no, those aren't pre-orders. The book is on sale. Right now. With no promotion, no excerpts to lead up to the big day. And...no way for me to fix it. I tried. D2D somehow reverted it to an immediate release, and I can't change it. To say I'm disappointed might be putting it lightly.

I mean, this is the 50th Kalquor Universe book! A return to the original Clans of Kalquor series. It was due having a big deal made of it, right? I'd certainly planned to.

Sigh. 

I'd already set up the Amazon release for the 29th. The bulk of my readers use Kindle. So with no relief in sight from D2D, I moved up the release for Kindle...but the earliest it can be had on that platform is November 12. The print book is on sale now. At least I could manage that.

Oh, and another major glitch, thanks to Kindle. The sales page for Alien Haven on Amazon? Yeah, that's the one with Alien Redemption's reviews. If you own Alien Redemption, when you go to buy Alien Haven, it'll alert you that you've already bought it. It won't keep you from pre-ordering or buying Alien Haven, but cue the confusion. Ditto for the print link...if you click that from Haven's kindle page, it'll take you to Redemption's print sales page.

Are we having fun yet?

Okay. Deep breath. Life has handed me this big ol' basket of lemons. Time to make lemonade. 

Let's do this.

On sale now at Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, and Amazon (print).

Coming on November 12 to Kindle (if Amazon approves the date change...still waiting for confirmation).

Coming soon to Apple and Kobo.

Clans of Kalquor 13: Alien Haven

Two versions in one book!

If you had told me way back when that my first book, Alien Embrace, would spawn a series, I’d have laughed. A bunch of stories of intense romance between three doubly-endowed aliens and a human woman? Right. I’d have suspected there was a bridge in Brooklyn you want to sell me too.

If you’d told me it was the first of fifty books set in the Kalquorian universe, I would have asked you what you’d been drinking and could I please have a bottle or five?

Yet here we are, and the books are still coming. To say I’m amazed would be putting it lightly. I mean…FIFTY books about Kalquor! That’s a staggering number.

It seems fitting this particular story returns us to the original series, Clans of Kalquor, which I thought I’d wrapped up in 2018. When I put Charity Nath and Dramok Ilid on board a shuttle at the end of the fifth installment of the Dark Empire series, I realized they had their own separate story to tell. It was almost immediately obvious theirs was a Clans of Kalquor story.

At first. For at the end of their journey to the agricultural planet of Haven, awaited two more young men, Nobek Detodev and Imdiko Mitag. Here were four people, strangers to each other, on a collision course of love and adventure. I couldn’t deny it also felt the story fit in the Clan Beginnings series. A little problem on that front: Clans of Kalquor has always been all about the men loving the woman only, and Clan Beginnings is geared toward the men turning to each other for intimacy. 

Which route would I choose? That turned out to be the wrong question. The right question is, what will you, the reader, choose? 

There are two versions of Alien Haven included in each volume. The first is what you’d expect from the Clans of Kalquor series: it’s all about the heroes doting on the heroine, no same-sex interaction.

Version Two is quite a bit freer. It contains a mashup of Clans of Kalquor and the same-sex intimate interplay between the heroes of a Clan Beginnings series. 

The choice of which to read…or to read both versions…is yours. I hope you enjoy whatever path you set out upon as we take our fiftieth journey together in the Kalquor Universe. 

With much love and gratitude,
Tracy
 

* * * * * 

Using the alias Jennifer Seng, Charity Nath hides on Haven, a planet settled by Earthers and Kalquorians. She’s less than thrilled to be on the agricultural outpost where the height of culture is a play titled Cow Patties in Paradise. With a bounty on her head and ruthless enemies determined to cash in, she has little choice but to work on Clan Amgar’s farm until the danger is past. At least the view is nice, thanks to three young, handsome Kalquorians…but they have their own secrets they’re unwilling to share.

After his encounter with a merciless entity that performed horrific medical tests on him, Dramok Ilid is eager for a place where he can feel safe again. Haven’s strict security protocols mean the pandemic raging in his home empire has little chance of striking the planet. Better yet, there’s little opportunity for the enemy Darks who traumatized him to show up either. Still, he knows he isn’t the man to lead a clan of his own despite the tempting potential of his new friends who are everything he could hope for. 

Imdiko Mitag is charming, gorgeous, and resolved to draw out the trio who seem perfect for the clan he’s always dreamed of. His eagerness conceals a long-ago tragedy and an unloving childhood he’s determined won’t dictate the rest of his life, if he can convince the others.

It isn’t that Nobek Detodev doesn’t want friends and lovers. As a Nobek who hates who he is, he’s certain no one else could want him. His aloof persona begins to crack when Charity, Ilid, and Mitag refuse to let him remain unapproachable. But surely they’ll run when they discover the truth.

When Charity comes under attack by those who’ll stop at nothing to destroy the uneasy peace between Earth II and Kalquor, the quartet finds secrets are the greatest danger to keeping her safe. Can her life and their growing love survive the truth of their pasts?

After six years, a new novel for the original Clans of Kalquor series…the fiftieth book in the Kalquor Universe…is here. One big adventure in two versions celebrates this milestone. Version One is the traditional Clans of Kalquor heroine-centric story. Version Two is both a Clans of Kalquor and Clan Beginnings same-sex-friendly edition. Both versions are here in one volume. Choose which to read…or read both.

* * * * *

Chapter 1, Scene 1

The woman who’d introduced herself to her shipmates as Jennifer Seng ran her palms along Dramok Ilid’s chiseled chest as he drowned her in a kiss. He clutched her honey-blond hair in a demanding manner that excited her. “Jennifer” had enjoyed intimacy with a few men, including aliens at the university she’d attended until recently, but never a Kalquorian.

His body, still fully clothed, was a revelation of curves and hollows. Kalquorians were naturally muscled. Jennifer’s companion, slightly older than her twenty years, had obviously worked to add to his delicious physique, improving on what genetics had generously bestowed.

They’d had a couple bottles of kloq to start their tryst in her tiny sleeping quarters. They traveled on board a Kalquorian fleet shuttle, which was taking them to the planet Haven. The room was cramped from the massive bed Jennifer and Ilid writhed on. She’d compensated for the tight space by ordering the window and ceiling vids to display the vast stretch of space the shuttle shot through. Satin blackness was dotted by sequin stars overhead and next to the bed they lounged upon.

Had she thought of them as lounging in their star-speckled retreat? No, they weren’t doing anything so restful or serene. They were squirming and groping and clutching, rumpling the cover and sheets to a fine mess.

The handsome Kalquorian tasted of the warm ale they’d imbibed. The scent of his arousal, a sweetish aroma accented by the bite of spice, mingled excitingly with his flavor. 

He lay half on her, his excitement hard against her thigh through their clothes. He was intent on removing barriers as he kissed her deeply and passionately. He tugged on the front of her blouse, parting the resealable seam to bare her to his eager touch.

Two days. It had taken her this long to get him where she’d wanted him from the moment she’d set eyes on him in the shuttle’s main cabin. They were mere hours from docking at her port of exile. She was thrilled to have at last herded him where curiosity and pure lust could be satisfied.

He succeeded in getting her top open, and his hand was hot as he rubbed along her abdomen and ribs. He found her bra-clad breast and rubbed his thumb on the brazen nipple poking at the fabric.

Thank the prophets he acted as if he were in as much of a hurry to get to the good stuff as she. He didn’t delay by undoing her bra. He simply shoved it up toward her throat, and his calloused fingers closed on bared voluptuous flesh. A flash of brilliant excitement shot straight to her pussy, and her wide-mouthed moan interrupted their kiss.

“Ancestors,” he muttered, purple cat-pupil eyes staring at her. “You bear no resemblance to the fabled repressed Earther female.”

She smirked. “I’m not only not repressed, I’m extremely vocal. As our earlier petting has forewarned you. I hope you like it loud.”

His grin lit his bronze face. “Where you’re concerned, I like it any way you’ll give it to me. Especially since my parents are nowhere in the area.”

An important point. Their transportation was an older shuttle, and the walls weren’t soundproof. Ilid’s parent clan’s quarters were next door to Jennifer. His room was on the opposite side of his adoring fathers and mother, collectively known as Clan Codab. Their proximity on the small vessel and Jennifer’s uncontrollably loud delight during sex were the reasons it had taken the couple so long to get a real chance at intimacy. 

There was nothing like parental presence to dampen even the fieriest of youthful urges.

Ilid buried his face between Jennifer’s ample breasts, groaning his approval. Her breath caught as he kissed his way to a nipple, then to the other. He’d admitted to little experience with women…none where Earthers or the rare Kalquorian females still in existence were concerned. Nonetheless, she discovered no reason to complain as his hot mouth licked and sucked and kissed her to heady rapture. 

“Still too many clothes,” she gasped. She pulled at his soft blue shirt, untucking it from the black trousers he filled out oh so well. She wanted to feel him naked against her.

“Ladies first,” Ilid chuckled. He grabbed her wrists and pinned them over her head to thwart her eager attempts to unclothe him. 

The hint of dominance sent wet warmth fleeing between her thighs. Dramoks were the breed acknowledged as Kalquor’s natural leaders. During the two days they’d spent together, Jennifer had seen hints of command from Ilid on occasion, but not as often as the majority of Dramoks she’d encountered. The sudden control he exerted was a thrill. 

He was intent on stripping her, but she sensed the constraint he placed on himself to do so. He concentrated on thoroughly enjoying all he revealed. She was delighted at how he meticulously unfastened her belt and slid it through the loops of her pants’ waistband. He slowly peeled them down her legs. He licked his lips as he eyed her lacy panties, which matched the bra crumpled above her chest. He paused to inspect his conquest, and Jennifer basked in the satisfaction of her curvy figure. At least that hadn’t been altered when she’d left behind her identity on Alpha Space Station. She’d have fought the Kalquorian Empire’s spy contingent tooth and nail if they’d attempted to change one inch of her lush five-foot-six frame. The modifications to her hair, eyes, and face had been more than she could stand as it was, thank you very much.

Ilid stroked the skin he’d revealed, his expression of reverence shaking her. She’d been gazed at appreciatively, lustfully, and hungrily, but never had anyone appeared worshipful before. She wasn’t sure anyone should be stared at in such a manner. Her particularly.

“Magnificent,” he breathed and went for her panties.

They wetly peeled from her flexing pussy. He drew an admiring sniff. He grinned at her and tossed a glance at the ceiling. “Watch the sky.”

“As an astronomy student, I watch it all the time. I’d rather watch you.” 

His tone took on the edge of a Dramok’s natural command and repeated, “Watch the sky.”

She huffed even as she obeyed instinctively. Dramoks had the ability to encourage compliance from the reluctant. Jennifer wasn’t reluctant in the least when it came to sex with Ilid. She also wasn’t known for submitting without a fight. Or at least an intense discussion.

As he kissed, licked, nipped, and caressed every inch of exposed flesh he could find, she found the will to surrender, if only for a few seconds. Each instant of contact roused her higher, and her excited noises grew loud as he worked his way lower. Her gyrations increased too. He’d descended halfway down her abdomen when she bucked hard enough for him to look up.

“Do I need to tie you up?”

A surge of exhilaration greeted his threat. Or maybe it was his hot yet steely gaze. 

“How?” she smarted off, pretending there was no tremble in her voice. “Do you see any ropes floating around space?” She gestured at the ceiling.

“I suggest you stay still and take it or suffer the consequences.” He was in full Dramok mode. 

Jennifer blew a raspberry and snuggled deep into the bed, as if sinking in it might keep her immobilized. She wished they did have some rope. The idea of being helpless for Ilid’s attentions was a stimulating notion.

He kissed her deeply to take any sting from his dominant demand. His muscled thighs squirmed between hers. She dared to shift so his crotch, deliciously engorged behind the trousers, rubbed where it felt most incredible. 

“Watch the sky,” he muttered, moving down. 

No argument this time as he mouthed her throat, her breasts, her abdomen. She loved the vast depths of space, teasing its mysteries of far reaches in the distant twinkles of planets and stars. There was no better view than infinity as Ilid slid her legs up on his shoulders and bent to where her pulse pounded hardest.
His rough, raw silk tongue lapped. She unleashed a cry of rapture, singing to the galaxy her pleasure. Another lick and a ringing shout of her avid approval as bliss devoured her—

“…can’t imagine even a fleet vessel mess crew thinking such a meal is worthy of being served…”

Jennifer gasped as Matara Diju’s voice spoke outside her door. She shoved at Ilid. “Your parents!”

He came up, his lips shiny from her passion and scowled. “Damn!” he hissed so he couldn’t be heard. “Why are they back from dinner so soon?”

“Apparently, the food wasn’t very good.” She could hear them chattering about under-tenderized ronka and pastry burnt at the edges as they entered their quarters. She eyed his obvious excitement, which hadn’t eased despite the shock of nearly being overheard. She wondered if his discomfort was worse than her own ache of unfulfillment. “Damn. We were so close. Me especially.”

He grimaced, adjusting himself. The shuttle was small, a nondescript little vessel. The craft had been utilized by the spy arm of Kalquor’s fleet to escape unwanted attention as it transported those who needed to keep a low profile to safety. 

In short, there was nowhere besides the sleeping quarters to escape to for a tryst. Since Jennifer’s pussy had a direct connection to her vocal cords, even those “private spaces” were no real sanctuary from sensitive Kalquorian hearing. Particularly when it came to the ears of doting parents.

Her disappointment was tinged by curiosity. She wondered once more why Ilid and his parent clan warranted a secretive escort to Haven. Ilid had hinted he’d once been on a spyship crew before leaving the fleet. His former duty had allowed them to hitch a ride when their application to visit the mixed Earther-Kalquorian colony of Haven on business had been approved.

Jennifer strongly suspected there was more to the story than had been revealed. Ilid had little to say when it came to his recent past. The haunted expression he often wore and the way his parents’ often nervous attention focused on him suggested he was running from someone or something. 

Jennifer had her own issues and her own secrets to keep, however. Taking on another person’s problems was beyond her current capacity. She liked Ilid, but she’d firmly counseled herself he was simply a distraction from her exile to what she feared was the most backward planet in the known galaxy. 

He smiled at her ruefully as he helped her recover her clothes. “We’ll both be close to the town of Sunrise, smack in the middle of farms and ranchlands. I’m sure we can find a place to meet where we can both yell our heads off and not be heard.”

“Yay for Planet Farm Hell, where the deer and the ronka play. Just don’t expect me to go for a roll where we might find their blessings heaped.” Jennifer swept her hair loose from the blouse she’d put on, letting still-unfamiliar honeyed waves tumble to her shoulders.

Ilid chuckled. After their conversations, he was aware of her sight-unseen opinion of Haven. “I’ll make it a point to scout out the cleanest pastures.”

“Ha! Find us a nice room in a decent inn, or forget it.” She grinned and kissed his lush lips, making it a hearty smack. At least she could get away with that amount of noise. Ilid’s parents continued to audibly chatter their low opinions of the kitchen staff on the other side of the too-thin wall.

“Consider the earliest reservation at a local inn done.” Ilid sighed his regret as he closed her blouse, hiding her heavy breasts from his view.

On sale now at Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, and Amazon (print).

Coming on November 12 to Kindle (if Amazon approves the date change...still waiting for confirmation).

Coming soon to Apple and Kobo.