Countdown to Clan and Conscience

Ospar’s campaign headquarters was bustling as ever when Rivek arrived that afternoon. Volunteers of all breeds and ages answered and made coms, tapped on computers, and rushed here and there and everywhere, weaving around desks, tables, and chairs. It was an industrious place where people were intent on their goal to send Ospar to the territorial council. For all the work they did, there was no lack of laughter and conversation rising above the coms buzzing for attention.

            The energy was frenetic for Rivek, as enlivening as it was. He preferred the relative quiet in Ospar’s office, especially when the Dramok ordered the door closed after he and Jol greeted the priest with affectionate embraces. More than affectionate, in fact. The way Ospar and Jol grabbed him and held him close was almost as if they were relieved to see him. As thankful as he’d been when Lanjur and his goons had left the temple.

            Jol searched his face. “Something has happened. Tell us about it.”

            Was he that transparent to them? It was as if they were already aware Rivek had been confronted again.

            They hung onto every word as Rivek told of Lanjur’s visit. Ospar turned an ashen face to his Nobek. “They’ll go after him. They’re already doing so. This threat cannot go unanswered.”

            Jol’s expression was thunderous. Usually when he was displeased, he exhibited a cold demeanor. This was different. The bodyguard looked rabid with fury, as animalistic as the thugs that guarded Lanjur. The appearance of Jol’s fangs completed the terrifying picture.

            Rivek had stopped breathing. Forcing himself to calm, he said, “It wasn’t a warning to me. Their posturing in my direction qualified more as a joke. It’s you Lanjur wants to harass. He’s coming after you.”

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.