Countdown to Clan and Conscience

            Rost wasted no second in coaxing Misru out of the office. As the door shut behind them, Ospar appeared to note Jol’s presence for the first time. He scowled, and a flash of temper lit those brilliant eyes.

            His tone accusing, Ospar said, “You’re still here, Nobek? I’d have thought you’d run to where the real action is. Or are you incapable of anything more complicated than babysitting?”

            An instant of anger lit inside Jol, a spark that if unleashed, would have been more than a match to the director’s. However, Ospar had been remarkably calm thus far, given he’d just survived an explosion. Not for a single second had Jol noted a crack in that controlled veneer.

            He’s antagonistic, because it’s better than having a screaming fit after nearly getting killed. Now that the danger is passed and he doesn’t have Misru to take care of, everything is going to start hitting him.

            It also could be that the Dramok was frustrated that he was stuck in the office himself. It had been obvious to Jol that he’d wanted to assist with the rescue efforts and had resented Talu sending him away. Jol experienced a sense of similar helplessness, playing bodyguard in a safe area rather than rendering aid to those who needed it.

            Jol wanted to give the other man the benefit of the doubt. However, he was well aware of Dramok Ospar’s reputation. The cynic in him wondered if he wasn’t seeing the director on the brink of living up to that character.

            Many accused Ospar of being a bully when he didn’t get his way. He was known for resorting to intimidation tactics when he couldn’t charm situations to his satisfaction. Maybe that was why he baited Jol, acting the tyrant with no redeeming reason for his actions.

            It didn’t matter. In the end, Jol worked for Itga, which meant he worked for its director of operations. He tamped down the flash of hot resentment, bowing to the chain of command much as Misru had. He kept his mouth shut.

            When Jol didn’t offer an answer, Ospar grew more annoyed. His voice rose. “Hello? Are you hearing me, Nobek?” The tone turned insulting, as if he instructed a child. “There is a mess in the mine. An accident has occurred. People may be under that rubble. Shouldn’t you be down there, rescuing them? They need help. I do not.”

            Asshole. Jol had punched others for far less condescension. 

Releasing Friday

Fighting murderous enemies. Battling each other. It’s the perfect recipe for romance, Kalquorian-style.

On the surface, young Dramok Ospar has it all: money, prestige, power. Yet what he dreams of most is outside his grasp. His drive to prove himself has left him lonely, with no one to turn to…except the Nobek bodyguard who is decidedly unimpressed with his accomplishments. Oh, and there’s the matter of the local crime syndicate trying to kill him too.

Nobek Jol faces his worst security assignment ever: guarding the most irritating Dramok to draw breath. It’s not that Ospar isn’t handsome, intelligent, brave, and charitable. It’s just that he’d be so much better gagged into silence.

Temple of Life priest Imdiko Rivek wishes for inner peace and total enlightenment. He knows he won’t find it in the lethal world Ospar and Jol inhabit. However, fighting the allure of the pair to achieve perfect tranquility is proving to be more difficult than he could have imagined…plus the fact that their enemies think he’s the perfect target to bring Ospar and Jol to heel.