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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.
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