Releasing March 29. Pre-order ebook or buy print now:
Amazon, Amazon UK, Nook, Smashwords, Apple, Kobo, print
When will my characters learn secrets and relationships don't mix? Here we go again.
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Blythe feasted on a breakfast of swala eggs, roasted ronka strips, and toast. Despite her tiny five-foot-three stature, she’d always had a healthy appetite. Making love to a Kalquorian clan made her ravenous.
Selt was on his second plate, and he signaled for another to the waiter in the small restaurant they’d ducked into after showering in their rented room. Blythe eyed her companions and paused her feeding frenzy to note, “You must be spending a fortune for guest accommodations and eating out these days.”
Deram shrugged. “It’s no big deal. Besides, we’ve applied to the stationmaster to allow you on the private living level again.”
“I’ve assured him I’ll keep a close eye on you to make sure you don’t bring along news drones to record anything you shouldn’t.” Selt grinned.
If they thought they’d embarrass her by bringing up the ban she’d earned after ambushing Earth II’s governor as she’d left her Kalquorian lovers’ quarters, they were wrong. Blythe was an investigative journalist through and through. Even the elation of gaining access to the station’s private levels and sleeping in Clan Deram’s actual quarters couldn’t dim the scent of a story.
“No big deal, huh? Hanging around Earth must be financially rewarding.” She arched a brow at them.
Deram chuckled. “We told you, we’re assisting the chief of Earth’s on-planet security in the transition from Kalquorian to Earther enforcement.”
“So your stay here on Alpha Station is temporary. Chief Kuran announced the transition would be finished within the month.”
Regret at the idea stabbed Blythe, but she dismissed it. Her instincts told her Clan Deram wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Their story was a front for something else. She’d have bet her reputation on it, sullied as it was.
“We have other duties here on the station.” Hadlez refilled her coffee from the carafe the waiter had left on the table. “You won’t get rid of us so easily.”
Her heart double-beat at the notion they intended to pursue a relationship. Want and caution warred for possession of her.
You know better. Stop thinking like a schoolgirl with a crush.
“So you won’t be on the planet at all any longer when Kalquor completes the transfer of security to Earth?” Blythe challenged Selt directly. “Won’t be popping in from nowhere unannounced as you usually do?”
He answered with a grin and a wink, then shoveled food in his mouth.
Damn him. Nobeks were notoriously adept at silently slipping up on others, and Selt had proven his ability to do so more than once. Blythe had run out of fingers and toes to count the number of times he’d surprised her by showing up out of thin air. His silent approach was uncanny.
“This is quite the atmosphere of trust we’re building our association on,” she snapped. “I wonder whether it’s worth it.”
“After seeing you nearly every night for the past month, I’d say it’s going well. We’re sticking out our necks for you in order to let you eventually stay in our home,” Deram reminded her. His gaze lingered on her, his caring regard almost too much to handle. “We’ll get where we need to be. We just have to take our time, right? Given what you do for a living, you can’t expect a book of true confessions from us at this point.”
If you only knew. Blythe was reminded they had less reason to trust her than they were aware of. Looking at their caring expressions, remembering the intimacy they’d shared, her guts curdled.
“Eat, sweetie. You don’t want to be late for work.” Hadlez’s gentle smile warmed her from head to toe as he stroked her shoulder-length blond hair from her cheek. She fought the desire to lean into him.
She was a pathetic schoolgirl. Just don’t let it be more than infatuation, okay? Have some sense.
Easier said than done as she regarded the trio. Sweet Hadlez. Commanding but considerate Deram. Tough and yet tender Selt. They threatened her defenses at every turn, defenses she’d built so carefully over the years.
She pushed her plate away as guilt battled responsibility.
She was no longer very hungry.
* * * *
Blythe Nelson is certain Clan Deram is keeping something from her. The clan of spies finds it difficult to stay a step ahead of the wily reporter who’s winning their hearts. What they don’t know is Blythe has a secret of her own. New love can’t survive without trust, and neither side is ready when the truth comes out.
Dramok Ospar, determined to return to the political stage, strikes up a deal with Royal Councilman Oiteil. Unaware he’s dealing with a Dark entity controlling Oiteil, he finds himself fighting for his honor, his relationship with his clan…and his life.
The Kalquorian Empire, already struggling against the Darks infiltrating its highest offices, suffers a new blow when it’s revealed it’s keeping a prisoner from the war against the first Earth: Holy Leader Browning Copeland. The schism between Kalquor and its allies grows deeper, setting the empire against the rest of the galaxy.
As chaos descends on rioting Earther colonies, the Galactic Council of Planets, and Kalquor, a desperate group of humans and Kalquorians race to stop the force behind the turmoil: the Darks. Can they loosen the grip on their worlds the enemy seeks to tighten, or is all lost?
Releasing March 29. Pre-order ebook or buy print now:
Amazon, Amazon UK, Nook, Smashwords, Apple, Kobo, print
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