Tracy St. John's Blog, page 9

Dark Empire Book Four: Revelations - Chapter Four, Scene One

 

One week until release! Meanwhile in today's excerpt, an old enemy revealed and an old friend under suspicion.

* * * *

Kalquor

Piras hurried into Hobato’s office at Fleet Headquarters,Kila on his heels. Tranis and Lidon were there, Tranis having taken up hisduties as Hobato’s interim replacement.

Piras unphased ahead of Kila, though his Nobek wouldprobably berate him about it later. He didn’t revel in the usual pleasure inwatching Tranis jerk or Lidon’s eyes widening in surprise at the abruptappearance.

“Copeland’s presence on Kalquor has been leaked,” he saidwithout preamble. “A reporter on Earth was sent footage, which my spy divisionthere has authenticated. She’s agreed to hold off revealing it for a day.”

“Shit!” Tranis raked fingers through his hair, settingseveral strands on end. “This on top of seven Royal Councilmen confirmed byDramok Ilid to have Darks riding them. The timing couldn’t be worse.”

“It’s a shitstorm, and it’s raining all over us.” Pirasstalked a path in front of the desk, his teeth grinding. “We need more timethan a day before the Galactic Council hears of this.”

“You’ll have to handle it on your own. The Imperial Clanordered me to concentrate on freeing our own council of enemy influence.”

“What are your thoughts where damage control is concerned,Admiral?” Lidon asked Piras.

“Copeland should be moved in case the GC demands anin-person investigation. Meanwhile, we’ll have to deny the footage is realwhile my operatives work on getting to the original file and making it appearfake.”

“There’s a certain segment of Earthers who’ll insist on itsauthenticity, no matter what we do to prove it otherwise,” Kila interjected.

“I know, I know.” Piras stared at Tranis. “It doesn’t matterif the Galactic Council’s as compromised as we fear. Either way, they’ll demandan accounting.”

“If the Darks are in power, they’ll use our incarceration ofCopeland as an excuse to isolate us from our allies.”

“We couldn’t have played into their hands more easily ifthey’d planned it,” Lidon said.

The others stared at him. Piras was the first to recover.“You don’t think they’re behind the leak?”

Tranis bared his teeth. “Get General Borey Nath in here.”

Piras’ heart skipped a beat. Borey Nath was his Matara’sfather. He was also the last surviving military leader of old Earth andCopeland’s warden on the empire’s behalf. Nath hated Copeland with a passion.

He couldn’t be behind the leaked footage. Surely not.

* * **

Blythe Nelson is certain Clan Deram is keepingsomething from her. The clan of spies finds it difficult to stay a step aheadof the wily reporter who’s winning their hearts. What they don’t know is Blythehas a secret of her own. New love can’t survive without trust, and neither sideis ready when the truth comes out.

Dramok Ospar, determined to return to the politicalstage, strikes up a deal with Royal Councilman Oiteil. Unaware he’s dealingwith 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 theDarks infiltrating its highest offices, suffers a new blow when it’s revealedit’s keeping a prisoner from the war against the first Earth: Holy LeaderBrowning 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, theGalactic Council of Planets, and Kalquor, a desperate group of humans andKalquorians race to stop the force behind the turmoil: the Darks. Can theyloosen 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

 

Dark Empire Four: Revelations - Chapter Three, Scene Two

 

Ospar has it all...except what he wants.

* * **

Dramok Ospar sat among his children and clan in their homein Kalquor’s capital city. He noted how many would look at his current life andfeel it was perfect.

It appeared so, on the surface. His mining operationselsewhere on the planet and the moons scattered throughout the system had madehim obscenely wealthy. Being a key financier of Earth II’s birth had put a dentin his riches, but months after it had welcomed its first residents, carefulinvestments elsewhere had recouped the outlay.

His clan was healthy and happy. Jol, his clan’s protector,was on the advisory board of a training center for Nobeks who’d failed to workwell in team situations. It had locations all over the world and a couple ofKalquor’s moons. The ferally handsome warrior was also on the security boardfor the mining company Ospar owned. He traveled extensively, and though Jolwasn’t one to personify contentment, Ospar believed he was.

Their Imdiko Rivek was likewise at ease. A longtime priestat the Temple of Life, he taught and led Kalquorians and Earthers who’dembraced his beliefs. He also worked alongside leaders of other faiths for thebetterment of the empire’s people. The tall, stunning priest radiated peace forthose in his sphere.

When it came to his female clanmate, Ospar was certain he’dwon fate’s lottery. Iris, a slender blond beauty, was everything a man couldhope for in a lifemate. Smart, capable, a loving mother and Matara, she wasindeed the center of the clan.

His children were also a delight. Little Mira was four andruled her older brothers by means of trilling laughter and trusting hugs. Atsix years old, Umpev was already the perfect balance of strength, fearlessness,and compassion. He’d been among the first hybrid children too balanced betweenthe three Kalquorian male breed characteristics to be classified as any inparticular. He was what was referred to as a Merge, a new category ofKalquorian.

Then there was Thomas, the child of Clan Ospar’s heart,granted to them at the age of six when they’d clanned his mother. Now fourteen,he was the big brother his siblings worshipped and followed everywhere. Adiagnosis of autism, which affected his social skills and a few additionalareas of his life, was no hindrance to making his parent clan proud.

At that instant, Thomas was showing the younger children thevid game he’d concocted, in which they could play engineers of the ancientlocomotives humans had once used as transportation on old Earth. In his game,they had to pull train cars and make deliveries to frontier towns whiledefeating a number of obstacles: avoiding bison and ronkas blocking the tracks;fighting off fierce feline zibgers, which sprang at the open locomotive wherethe engineer piloted; and battling robbers of various species who rodesix-legged kestarshes and shot blasters. Jol, home after a business trip to themoon Lobam, laughed uproariously as Mira gleefully ran an alien Asicarian overwith her locomotive.

“A bit gruesome for smaller children, isn’t it, my son?”Rivek quietly asked Thomas, blinking at the spew of Asicarian body parts overthe landscape.

“I researched it. It’s accurate. This is what it would looklike. But it isn’t real, so it’s okay.” Literal-minded Thomas was devout whenit came to precision in his work, even when it came to animated gamecharacters. He prompted his brother and sister as he often did, “You know thisis pretend, right?”

“The bad guys lose!” Umpev shouted, his engineer blasting atthe Bi’isil robber trying to send an immobilizing field over the train. “We’rethe good guys, so we always win!”

“In a perfect universe,” Iris sighed, glancing up from herhandheld. No doubt she was reading a book to relax after a day of teaching andkeeping the children corralled. “Watch out for the Tragoom sneaking up on theother side of the train, Umpev. Good heavens, is it riding a ronka?”

“Tragooms are too heavy for kestarsh. They have to rideronkas.” Thomas made notes on his handheld as he watched the children play, nodoubt recording what improvements the game needed.

Ospar watched his family, wishing he felt as fortunate as heknew himself to be. He had it all…except the work that had fed his spirit.

Once upon a time, he’d been a major force in politics. He’dsat on the Royal Council. He’d been an ambassador to the Galactic Council. He’dbeen governor over the Earther-Kalquorian colony of Haven during a time ofupheaval. He’d had a hand in bringing Earther women to the Kalquorian Empire,saving his world from certain extinction. He’d been among the first to thwartthe traitor Dramok Maf prior to the bastard unleashing a devastating civil warupon the empire. Ospar had given his soul, and sometimes his blood, to keep hisworld strong.

The scandal over how the Earth women had been brought to theempire had torn him from his life’s work. Ospar experienced some guilt over theabductions of those who’d been forced to Kalquor against their wishes, but anoverwhelming majority of the kidnapped had elected to stay when the RoyalCouncil and Kalquor’s human empress had given them the chance to leave. Itproved Ospar and his cohorts had been correct to bring those initiallifebringers to the empire, saving them from the original Earth’s totalitarian…andutterly insane…leaders.

He gazed at Iris. She’d shared stories of how Earth’sgovernment and ruling church had executed women for their “sins” of adulterywhen they’d been victims of rape. Even a whisper of scandal was enough tosentence women to prison, if not death.

No, he’d been right to have them rescued, even against theirwill. Kalquorian clans had showered the Earthers with adoration and restoredthe hope they’d lost. The empire itself had been saved from extinction in theprocess.

It wasn’t his fault Earth’s leaders had destroyed theiroriginal planet rather than let Kalquor occupy it at the end of the war. Theblame rested solely on Browning Copeland’s and his supporters’ shoulders. Osparhad mourned the deaths of billions, and yes, the abductions had led to the warand its horrific end…but he hadn’t set off the explosions.

“I’ve done my penance,” he’d told Royal Councilman Oiteilearlier that day during a clandestine com. “I’ve paid reparations. Why isn’t itenough?”

“We’ll soon convince the few councilmen we need to overridedissenting votes from the Imperial Clan,” Oiteil had assured him. “A few moreweeks. Surely not even a month until you’ll be cleared to run for officeagain.”

He’d said so a month prior. And a month before that.Meanwhile, Ospar sensed life passing him by. Investing in Earth II had givenhim some solace, but the planet’s birth had been accomplished. His money wasn’tneeded there any longer.

He was in a rut. He needed to be back in the thick of publicpolicymaking.

His gaze swung to Jol, who appeared utterly absorbed in thechildren’s game. Nonetheless, his Nobek sensed his attention. Cool purple eyesmet his.

“Do you miss it?” Ospar asked.

His clanmate knew exactly what he was talking about. Jolunderstood better than anyone what drove Ospar. He’d been the Dramok’sbodyguard throughout his dangerous career. Ospar had made enemies easily, andJol had kept them at bay. He’d had every appearance of enjoying the perils hiscurrent work didn’t offer.

Jol considered him for a few beats, as if weighing hiswords. Rivek watched them both, his equanimity showing no sign of beingdisturbed.

“I do,” the Nobek finally admitted. “Advisory boards are afar cry from fending off those you’ve angered or protecting a colony. However,I look at our children and I’m grateful they enjoy the peace we’ve had.”

Rivek nodded. “These past years have been difficult for youboth. Neither of you were born to watch developments from the sidelines. You’vehad to endure the true test of your characters: to learn how to behave when allis right in the world. Not to indulge yourselves or grow complacent, but findnew ways to render service to those you can help.”

“Agreed.” Though he said it more to move from the depressingsubject, Ospar did agree with his Imdiko. He’d attempted to offer a myriad ofbenefits in the form of donations and volunteer work…but such assistance feltempty compared to the machinations and deals he’d once navigated in the midstof opponents set against him. Lacking such drama, life was no longerfulfilling. He was no longer important in any true capacity.

* * **

Blythe Nelson is certain Clan Deram is keepingsomething from her. The clan of spies finds it difficult to stay a step aheadof the wily reporter who’s winning their hearts. What they don’t know is Blythehas a secret of her own. New love can’t survive without trust, and neither sideis ready when the truth comes out.

Dramok Ospar, determined to return to the politicalstage, strikes up a deal with Royal Councilman Oiteil. Unaware he’s dealingwith 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 theDarks infiltrating its highest offices, suffers a new blow when it’s revealedit’s keeping a prisoner from the war against the first Earth: Holy LeaderBrowning 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, theGalactic Council of Planets, and Kalquor, a desperate group of humans andKalquorians race to stop the force behind the turmoil: the Darks. Can theyloosen 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

 

Dark Empire Book Four: Revelations - Chapter Three, Scene Three

 

A clandestine meeting, a sexy challenge, and a big problem for Kalquor.

* * * *

Earth II

Selt stepped out of the shadows of the low-lit warehouseoffice when Blythe entered and the door shut behind her. His heart thumped hardas it always did when they were together.

He’d hoped to find an excuse for them to meet. Her messageshe had important information he needed as an on-planet security officer wasthe perfect opening.

He missed spying on her, missed being in her constantpresence though she was unaware of his activities. He’d been pulled off thedetail since Cal Mitchell’s arrest, since she was no longer judged to be indanger from the former General Assembly speaker. The clandestine files sheaccessed, which the spy division had been so eager to get hold of, were now inhis superior’s possession. Once they’d discovered the codes she’d been given byMitchell in his eagerness to discredit the governor, as well as those KenBryant had supplied once he’d proven himself to be in opposition to theEarthtique faction, Blythe’s value as a subject of investigation hadevaporated.

She rushed to Selt. “I’m so glad to see you.”

His delight to be in her presence was dampened by the worryetched on her lovely, elfin features. He set aside the urge to wrap her slightbody in his arms. “You said it was important. What’s wrong?”

Blythe told him of the footage of Browning Copeland she’dbeen sent and the verification software she’d run to authenticate it. “Itappears to be real. I can’t find a single hint the footage is faked.”

Dread overcame Selt. The spy division had better programs toconfirm whether vid recordings were valid, but Blythe’s tools, thanks to thenews bureau, were top of the line. “Did you bring the footage?”

“A copy.” Her gaze was steady on his face, letting him knowhowever much they cared about each other, she’d do her job as a reporter.

“You’ll release it to the public.”

“I have a responsibility.” Her tough-as-nails demeanorsoftened. “It could cause a major rift between Earth and Kalquor, though. Whileyou’re assigned to Earth and your space station, you, Deram, and Hadlez couldface…protests. There’s already been one bomb scare on Alpha.”

Selt’s heart took up its painful thumping again. “You’d givethe empire fair warning to help us stay safe?”

A smile twitched the corners of her lips. “I kind of likeyou, in case you haven’t noticed.”

It required every inch of Nobek strength to keep a handle onthe sudden surge of emotion washing over him. He firmly set aside thesentimentality to concentrate on the threat to the empire.

“I won’t ask you not to do your job. But can I plead for adelay? A day…a Kalquorian day, twenty-seven hours…before you go public withthis?”

To his relief, she nodded. She tapped her handheld, and aninstant later, his pinged. She’d sent him the file. “I can give you that. Willit be enough to secure the space station?”

“I think so.” The station’s safety was the furthest thingfrom Selt’s mind, however.

He’d been a member of Captain Kila’s spyship as its weaponssubcommander when the captain and Admiral Piras had led a mission to thwart theHoly Leader’s attack on Haven Colony. They’d snatched Browning Copeland fromhis battlecruiser seconds before they’d destroyed the Earther vessel. As far asthe universe was concerned, Copeland was dead, a casualty of war. Selt knewhe’d been taken to Kalquor, however, where he’d disappeared in the bowels ofFleet Command. What had happened to the man afterward, he had no idea. GivenCopeland’s crimes, he’d hoped the disgusting bastard had been executed.

If Blythe’s evidence held up, the Galactic Council ofPlanets would demand a full accounting of the lies they’d been fed concerningCopeland’s demise. Such a revelation might very well bring serious sanctions…upto expelling Kalquor from the membership. The dishonor would be devastating toits citizens, even discounting the economic hardship they’d endure.

She stepped close, and her blue eyes gazing at him bluntedsome of the alarm coursing through his system. “Are we okay…I mean, can I cometo the station tonight? I know we’d planned for me not to, but…”

Another wave of emotion swept through him. She was worrieddoing her job threatened what they had. She wanted to be with him and his clan,and it meant everything to him. A sense of warmth poured over him.

Fuck. I might be falling in love.

He didn’t dare tell her. Instead, he said, “We’d hoped planscould be changed. In fact, I brought something for you, in case you decided tojoin us.”

“What?”

“Just a little incentive.”

He burrowed in one of the many pouches he wore on his belt.He brought out a contraption made mostly of elastic straps attached to aflesh-colored pad. He was delighted at how her pupils dilated at the sight. Asa former sex worker, she recognized the device.

“Um, I need to get back to the office soon.” Her gazeremained locked on the device. Her breath had quickened.

“Not a problem, if you do as you’re told. Pull down yourpants and panties.”

Her eyes flickered to his face, uncertainty written overhers. It was difficult for her to hand over complete control to him and hisclanmates, as much as she enjoyed it. He waited patiently.

She swallowed and parted the resealable fly of her slacks.They, then her tiny silken underwear, slithered down her legs.

He knelt and looked at her pussy. His cocks plumped at thesight of the hairless mound, its slit already showing signs of wetness. Hisfinger traced it, finding her wet indeed. He detected her slight trembling.

A vision of bending her over the nearby desk and taking herflickered through his senses. His cocks hardened further, and he reluctantlywithdrew his finger. He sucked her sweetness from the digit, then strapped thestimulator on her, ensuring the pad covered her clit.

“I’ll turn this on randomly throughout the day. It’ll serveas a little preview of what you can expect tonight. Keep a count of yourorgasms for me.” He pulled her underwear and trousers up and made sure she wasproperly dressed.

“I have interviews today.” Her protest was delivered in awhisper.

“I wish you luck.” He smiled and pointed to the door,indicating she should go.

She scowled at him and turned away. He let her get halfwayto the door before pressing the button on the remote control he’d drawn fromhis pouch, activating the vibrator.

Blythe gasped. She halted, her thighs pressing together. Sheshot a startled look over her shoulder at Selt. He waved the controls at her.

“I forgot to mention the code keyed into the remote. Until Irelease them, the straps won’t disengage. If you try to pull it off, they’lltighten. If you com me to tell me they’ve gotten too tight because you haven’tleft the stimulator in place, you can count on punishment tonight. Are weclear?”

He was amused to watch as she struggled with irritation atthe predicament he’d placed her in and excitement to be under his control. Shewas trembling all over, her face flushed as the vibrator aroused her. Hewondered if she’d demand he remove the vibrator.

She huffed, either in frustration or from the device’sstimulation. “We’re clear. I swear though, if I’m in the middle of asking thegovernor an important question, and it goes off—” a groan interrupted thethreat. Her lashes fluttered. Selt readied to catch her as her knees weakened.

She maintained her balance, her hand flinging out to warnhim off. Shooting him a final poisonous glare, she staggered to the door, whichopened obligingly.

“That’s one. Don’t forget to count,” Selt called after her.He shut the remote off, chuckling.

He’d recorded her schedule for the day. He wouldn’t set offthe vibrator during the two interviews she was due to have, but she’d be onedge while trying to question the governor and the acting speaker of theGeneral Assembly.

“Tonight will be quite the scene.” He snickered.

His humor didn’t last long as he remembered the vid ofCopeland. The few minutes he’d used to tease his lover wouldn’t make muchdifference, but time was precious. He phased and rushed from the room, grabbinghis com as he went.

“Agent Selt to Security Chief Kuran. We may have a majorsituation.”

* * **

Blythe Nelson is certain Clan Deram is keepingsomething from her. The clan of spies finds it difficult to stay a step aheadof the wily reporter who’s winning their hearts. What they don’t know is Blythehas a secret of her own. New love can’t survive without trust, and neither sideis ready when the truth comes out.

Dramok Ospar, determined to return to the politicalstage, strikes up a deal with Royal Councilman Oiteil. Unaware he’s dealingwith 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 theDarks infiltrating its highest offices, suffers a new blow when it’s revealedit’s keeping a prisoner from the war against the first Earth: Holy LeaderBrowning 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, theGalactic Council of Planets, and Kalquor, a desperate group of humans andKalquorians race to stop the force behind the turmoil: the Darks. Can theyloosen 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

 

Dark Empire Four: Revelations - Chapter Three, Scene One

 

 

When the enemy can be anywhere or anyone, whom do you trust?

* * * * 

After they left Hobato in his hospital room, Tranis, Piras,and Emperor Bevau went to Fleet Headquarters and locked themselves in Tranis’office. He switched on his sound blocking device and nodded to indicate theycould speak without fear of being heard by potential spies.

“Here’s what we know,” Bevau started after politely refusingthe chair Tranis offered. Action-oriented Nobeks, even of the royal bent,weren’t much for sitting. “A few of us can detect these Darks in our peripheralvision.”

“I’ve already begun testing personnel for the supposed brainconfigurations allowing those who possess it to catch sight of the enemy.”Tranis had done so days before despite Hobato, under the control of the Darkrider, countermanding his order to test the entirety of the fleet.

“What were the estimates on how many could see them?”

“One to five percent of our population. The same percentageof Earthers may have the ability as well.”

“Our other means of exposing them come from Earther women.They hear a strange voice-doubling when a Dark-ridden person speaks,” Pirasadded. “We’ve checked a sampling of fifty female and twenty-five male Earthersusing audio files of Admiral Hobato while he was under the All’s influence. Wecross-tested the speech of volunteers who weren’t contaminated. Every one ofthe women identified Hobato’s…and only Hobato’s…voice as having the doublingeffect. The human men heard nothing strange.”

“It’s a start,” Bevau said. “What of infrared or thermalvision devices?”

“They pick up nothing,” Piras said.

“Admiral Hobato was certain more Darks are on Kalquoritself, possibly in positions of power.” Tranis kept his gaze steady on Bevau.

The Nobek smirked. “Go ahead and call in an Earther woman torate my speech. Though I’m certain my empress would have raised an alarm if Iwere ridden already.”

“Unless your entire clan has been compromised.” Tranis wenton before Bevau could respond. “I have no fear that’s the case, my emperor. TheDarks can apparently access our memories and information well enough to pass asnormal to the distant observer, but to those who know the victims best, it’sobvious something’s off. The Imperial Clan has too many aides, Royal Guards,and legislators they interact with on a regular basis for the Darks to subvertthem unnoticed.”

“Hobato has no clan, but he has regular staff meetings,”Bevau said.

“He’s always been entirely professional in our company,”Piras said. “He’s kept the sort of distance required by a commanding officer.”

“He must have friends outside the fleet.”

“He may have begged off visiting them since the Dark grabbedhim,” Tranis guessed. “In his position, it would be easy to claim his workdoesn’t allow him to break away.”

“Dramok Mereta is also unclanned.” Piras tapped his fingersagainst his thigh. A nervous gesture, but at least he wasn’t grinding his teethyet. “Depending on who might be under the All’s control at the GC, it may havegone unremarked.”

“We have to set aside our concerns regarding the GalacticCouncil for the present,” Bevau said. “Send a spy contingent to check on itsstatus, but keep in mind Hobato said the All was specifically targetingKalquor. We need to shore up our defenses and keep our leaders from beingcompromised, as hard as the Darks may find it to do so.”

“They’re aware of our defensive capabilities, thanks toHobato’s knowledge. Those in the GC will spot our phased operatives too,judging from what happened when we confronted Hobato’s rider. This will takecareful planning.” The idea set Tranis’ stomach churning. How could the spydivision watch what would easily spot them?

“I’m imperial commander of the ground forces, but the highcommanders under me must be tested for influence,” Bevau said. “They couldeasily go rogue under the circumstances.”

Heavy thudding startled the trio. Tranis stared at his door,where it sounded as if someone was trying to beat his way through. “Identify,”he barked at the door’s announce sensor.

“It’s me, Tranis. Let me in. It’s an emergency!”

“My Imdiko,” Tranis told Bevau. “He wouldn’t demand entryunless the world is coming to an end.” Or something terrible had happened toCassidy, their pregnant Matara. Please, no. “Door, open.”

Degorsk burst in, his eyes wild. He didn’t realize a memberof the Imperial Clan was present, or in his extremity, he didn’t care. Eitherway, he failed to acknowledge Emperor Bevau’s presence.

He ran straight to Tranis. “You need to talk to Dramok Ilidimmediately. Members of the Royal Council have been taken over by the Darks.”

 * * * *

Blythe Nelson is certain Clan Deram is keepingsomething from her. The clan of spies finds it difficult to stay a step aheadof the wily reporter who’s winning their hearts. What they don’t know is Blythehas a secret of her own. New love can’t survive without trust, and neither sideis ready when the truth comes out.

Dramok Ospar, determined to return to the politicalstage, strikes up a deal with Royal Councilman Oiteil. Unaware he’s dealingwith 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 theDarks infiltrating its highest offices, suffers a new blow when it’s revealedit’s keeping a prisoner from the war against the first Earth: Holy LeaderBrowning 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, theGalactic Council of Planets, and Kalquor, a desperate group of humans andKalquorians race to stop the force behind the turmoil: the Darks. Can theyloosen 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

 

Dark Empire Book Four: Revelations - Chapter Two, Scene Two

 

Fleet Commander Admiral Hobato is free of Dark influence...but the news is far from good.

* * **

Kalquor

Dramok Tranis’ heart ached to see Rear Admiral Hobatolooking as he did. The dark circles under his eyes were nearly black. Thoseeyes wore a haunted look. Tranis was positive the soft gray sheen of Hobato’slong hair had grown closer to white overnight.

The worst part was seeing the desperation and helplessnessfilling his commanding officer’s expression. Hobato had risen to the pinnacleof the Kalquorian Empire’s space fleet because he embodied confidence andstrength. Both qualities appeared markedly diminished.

Tranis had considered his superior a mentor. Hobato was thatalone, not a friend or a father figure. Nonetheless, he felt the sort of griefhe’d have experienced should such a person be laid as low as Hobato had been.As a leader, he was everything Tranis aspired to.

He was temporarily choked up and grateful when Admiral Pirasspoke, giving him a moment to recover. “Sir, you’re sure multiple Darks havetaken key positions in the Galactic Council’s governing board?”

“I recall only snatches of mind-to-mind communicationsbetween them, but yes. What little I heard tells me the ranking members havebeen overcome.” It was obvious to Tranis the monumental effort it took forHobato to speak with his usual assurance.

Kalquor’s Nobek emperor Bevau, his handsome face grim,watched Hobato intently. “Secretary-General Mereta?”

Hobato shook his head, guilt flooding his strained features.“I can’t be certain he’s among the ridden. If it were up to me, I’d assume theworst, though.”

“If it were up to you?” Piras’ face, elegant but fora strong jaw, tensed.

“I don’t kid myself. I’m in no shape to lead Fleet Commandat this time. Piras, I know you have seniority over Tranis—”

“But I’m assigned to Earth’s protection. You need an officerhere on Kalquor to assume the reins while you recover.”

The three men turned their gazes to Tranis. His jaw droppedin shock. “There are other admirals senior to me in years of service.”

“You’ve been at the forefront of exposing these Darks. Orthe All, as Admiral Hobato says they refer to themselves.” Bevau accorded arespectful nod.

A frown pulled at Hobato’s mouth. “A single entity dividingitself as needed. The smaller divisions continue to consider themselves one withit.”

“Sir—” Tranis began.

“This All is a grave threat to the empire. To the galaxy.Except for the past threat of our extinction, it may be the greatest dangerwe’ve faced in our history. You recognized this to be true and worked to exposeit despite the dangers it posed to your career. You chanced court martial.Until I’ve recovered some semblance of myself, I’m appointing you as interimcommander of the fleet, Admiral Tranis.” Hobato managed a weary smile to takethe sting from his abrupt tone.

Tranis swallowed. His mind boggled at the responsibility hefaced until Hobato was deemed fit to return to his post. “Yes sir.”

“It’s clear I don’t have to impress on you the gravity ofthe situation. The All is on its way, and it plans to destroy us as it did theentire race of the Bi’isils.”

 * * * *

Blythe Nelson is certain Clan Deram is keepingsomething from her. The clan of spies finds it difficult to stay a step aheadof the wily reporter who’s winning their hearts. What they don’t know is Blythehas a secret of her own. New love can’t survive without trust, and neither sideis ready when the truth comes out.

Dramok Ospar, determined to return to the politicalstage, strikes up a deal with Royal Councilman Oiteil. Unaware he’s dealingwith 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 theDarks infiltrating its highest offices, suffers a new blow when it’s revealedit’s keeping a prisoner from the war against the first Earth: Holy LeaderBrowning 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, theGalactic Council of Planets, and Kalquor, a desperate group of humans andKalquorians race to stop the force behind the turmoil: the Darks. Can theyloosen 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

 

 

Dark Empire Book Four: Revelations - Chapter Two, Scene One

 

Someone long thought dead has come back to haunt Earth and Kalquor. Blythe must decide between keeping the peace or letting those best left buried set the two worlds against each other again...and perhaps destroy her relationship with Clan Deram.

* * * *

Earth II

It was early afternoon. After spending hours at work, Blythecontinued to feel at odds where Clan Deram was concerned.

She gazed unseeing at vids of the latest election campaignrallies of Stacy Nichols, Earth II’s current governor; and Ken Bryant, herbiggest opponent thus far. Bryant remained a determined contender despite hismarriage to a teenager on the original Earth having been brought to light. Themarriage had ended when Earth’s then-Holy Leader had decided to add Bryant’syoung wife to his harem of adolescent girls.

Too many had accepted Bryant’s account of the events, inBlythe’s opinion. The lieutenant governor had asserted he’d married his ward,who’d been the daughter of a deceased close friend, to protect her fromBrowning Copeland, the head of the Church and original Earth’s government.

“Some protection,” Blythe had told Clan Deram as the scandalwas debated by her fellow Earthers. “The poor girl ended up dead, the same asso many of Copeland’s wives when they reached a certain age.”

Nonetheless, the conservative faction of Earth II,particularly the traditionalists known as Earthtiques, had rallied to Bryant’sversion of the events. Blythe believed them willing to pardon the worst sins inorder to wrest control from Stacy Nichols and the majority of the legislature,which condemned Bryant as a sexual predator and willing minion of Copeland onold Earth.

“How does Governor Nichols manage to work with him?” Blythehad wondered. The pair had been assigned to lead Earth II by the GalacticCouncil of Planets before Bryant’s pedophilic marriage had come to light. Itmust be galling for Nichols to look at Lieutenant Governor Bryant’s admittedlyhandsome mug day in and day out.

Her thoughts at the moment were far from Bryant’s long-deadunderage wife or the election, though she’d been busy working on a story aboutthe leading candidates’ different approaches to gaining office. The day hadbeen a struggle to get through since her conversation with Clan Deram overbreakfast.

Forget crushes. I’m falling for them. The knowledgewas a stab to her gut. What had been a ploy to regain access to Alpha SpaceStation’s private areas…a ploy to help her sniff out news and indulge in some clean,old-fashioned lust…had transformed into full-blown attachment.

It threatened to become more. Blythe felt herself teeteringon the edge of actual love, of all things.

Deram, Selt, and Hadlez weren’t anything like the men she’dknown in the past. Though they took the upper hand during sex, they otherwisetreated Blythe as an equal. Sometimes better. The trio listened respectfullywhen she spoke. They asked her opinions and considered them seriously. Seltcould be overprotective, but he was typical of a Nobek. He behaved in the samefashion toward his clanmates.

If not for the secrets she sensed they held back, if not forher own skeletons she kept locked tight in her closet, what they’d built thusfar would be perfect. She’d even consider the potential of becoming theirMatara, the Kalquorian version of a wife, if the circumstances had beendifferent.

“Impossible,” she muttered. Blythe Nelson forged her ownpath. She had a career, she had command over her life, and she’d make adifference to the galaxy on her own terms. Clan Deram would have to remain whatit was: a pleasant, temporary diversion.

Her mind set, at least momentarily, Blythe focused on thevids and wrote notes for her story.

An hour later, she was pleased by the work she’d managed. Itwas close to the end of the day. Not having wasted its entirety struggling withher growing regard for Clan Deram made her feel better about herself. If shecould keep her head on straight, she’d finish the story in the morning. Sinceher plans didn’t include visiting a rented room on the space station thatnight, she stood a good chance of doing so.

She gave her attention to the latest news vids, thoughnothing particularly remarkable was going on. The system would have alerted herto anything important breaking, but she scanned her feeds from her own bureau,from the Galactic Council, and the Kalquorian Empire. A trial date had been setfor the former speaker of Earth II’s legislative branch after it had beendiscovered he’d been behind an attack that had maimed and nearly killedGovernor Nichols’ Imdiko lover. The Galactic Council was discussing the meritsof bringing the planet Trag into the fold…ridiculous. What were they thinking?Former Emperor Yuder, father of the current Kalquorian Emperor Clajak, andEmpress Jessica’s mother Tara McInness had announced their intent to clan.About time; they’d been together for nearly a decade.

Blythe’s alert com line uttered a ping for attention.She glanced at its readout with little interest. An automated statement greetedthose who decided to send her messages with a reminder it was a news comconnection, not a personal frequency. It didn’t discourage a fair number of menfrom asking Blythe for dates. There were also those who wanted to call her abitch, whore, and any number of crude names when they disliked her reports.

Her finger automatically reached for the keys to eitherdelete the incoming message or forward it to law enforcement, depending on thelevel of abuse. It froze as she absorbed the title.

The Holy Leader is alive and being held prisoner onKalquor.

She blinked. After a momentary surge of interest, her firstinstinct was bullshit. Browning Copeland had been killed duringKalquor’s civil war, when he’d thrown his support and the few ships loyal tohim behind the traitor Dramok Maf. Everyone knew the story.

The icon noting there was an attached vid blinked. Stillbullshit. There’d been numerous rumors of Copeland surviving the horrificexplosion that had destroyed his ship, accompanied by vid “evidence.” Most wereobvious fakes, easily discounted. The few well-constructed attempts could beproven phony, thanks to a number of detection programs, many of which Blythepossessed.

The half-second of hopeful excitement died. Blythe’s fingerhovered over the delete command. Only the fact it would take no more than aminute to confirm the message was a sham kept her from doing so.

The title was the sole text of the message. Blythe frowned.Most would-be fakers would include a breathless account of how they managed to gettheir “proof” and ask for money to provide more.

She played the vid, her counterfeit detection programsactivated as it began.

An old man paced restlessly in a space devoid of any objectsbeyond a couple of blankets on the floor and a Kalquorian-style toilet, thetype with an attached basin one might wash his hands or face in. The wall inthe background was distant, offering the illusion of a spacious cell.Kalquorian cells were containment field-based, their barricades invisible tothe eye unless something touched it.

The man bore a resemblance to the last images taken ofBrowning Copeland. If it were him, the thick, glorious flow of white hair hadthinned so the pink skin of his scalp showed through. His blinding white robeswere nowhere in evidence. Instead, a dust-gray jumpsuit hung on the man’s thinframe.

Blythe’s gaze narrowed. A live actor might be wearing enoughmakeup to approximate an older Holy Leader. AI-generation would have no problemproducing an aging Copeland from stored files.

“Volume up,” she said, wanting to discern the man’smuttering. It was a waste of time, but the vid wasn’t the dramatic productionmost fraudsters sent her. Its lack of spectacle was actually more captivatingthan previous forgeries she’d seen.

“…will wreak vengeance on my tormentors. I pray you sendthese sinners who collude against me, your most devoted of servants, straightto the pits of the abyss, where their flesh will burn for eternity. Hear me,your only remaining prophet, in my darkest hour of need…”

Blythe considered running voice recognition software, butthe audio could have been taken from past vids of Copeland. His voice couldhave been aged to the creaking tone she heard, as his features had been aged.Except vocal inflections and speaking patterns were difficult to replicate insuch a manner. Damned if she didn’t hear the bastard in her head, courtesy ofthe speeches of her youth, which had been mandatory to watch. The man in thevid had the same speech peculiarities she remembered, a habit of dramaticpauses. In which case, a talented impressionist must have been behind thevoice, if not the entire performance.

It could all have been easily faked. She was certain it was.Still, the footage bothered her. It was an itch between her shoulder blades shecouldn’t reach to scratch.

“Computer, run voice recognition software.”

She watched the entire two minutes before the vid abruptlyended. In all that time, the man hadn’t stopped his pacing or hectoring prayer.He hadn’t confronted whomever had recorded him to screech for rescue or anysuch nonsense Blythe had seen from past counterfeits.

The computer’s soft female voice spoke. “Should I replay vidor submit analyses now?”

Blythe hated to discover the knot in her gut was wrong. Thiswas yet another sham. It had to be…except she had the internal jittery feelingshe got when she’d stumbled on something truly newsworthy.

Her instincts were usually quite good, but they weren’tperfect, she reminded herself. She’d been wrong before.

Never mind. It’s garbage, the same as the others. Takethe reminder you’re a mere mortal and make mistakes.

Smiling in acknowledgment of her many shortcomings, Blythesaid, “Submit all analyses.”

The computer reported as the results appeared on a newscreen and scrolled. “Probability of AI-generated footage based on video andaudio: ninety-three-point-seven percent against. The footage was taken by aconsumer-grade handheld device, most likely of Kalquorian manufacture.”

Blythe’s heart beat quicker.

“Analysis of human subject of footage: no evidence ofprosthetics, makeup, or digital effects applied. Facial recognition of subject:allowing for aging and austerity of diminished lifestyle, subject appears to beBrowning Copeland of original Earth. Probability based on appearance alone:ninety-one-point-two percent. Voice recognition of subject: sound, patterns,intonations, and phrasing matches Browning Copeland of original Eartheighty-three-point-one percent.

“Analysis confirms the authenticity of the vid. Analysisshows no evidence of post-production tampering, digital, mechanical, orotherwise. Aggregate of evaluations confirms the sole subject of the vid isBrowning Copeland of Earth at eighty-seven-point-two percent certainty.”

Blythe stopped breathing. Galactic Council courts requiredonly an eighty-percent certainty of vid identification to bring criminalsuspects to trial. Eighty-seven percent confidence, coupled with other physicalevidence, almost always led to convictions.

At the very least, such a vid would move the GC to demandKalquor allow it to investigate whether the empire illegally held Browning Copeland,supposedly dead for ten years.

Blythe’s inner trembling had moved to her hands. The storywas huge, and it had been dumped in her lap.

Which was a concern. Why had the footage been sent to herrather than a Kalquorian news bureau? Or directly to the Galactic Council,which would immediately order an investigation into the possibility the empireillegally held a war criminal? Was the vid truly from Kalquor, or did some otherplanet have Copeland? Could he be held by a faction that wished to start troublebetween Earth II and the people who’d been so instrumental in bringing it tolife? If so, why was it coming to light five years after the Holy Leader’ssupposed death?

The hated face of Calvin Mitchell flashed across her mind’seye. The former speaker of Earth II’s General Assembly was in prison awaitingtrial for hiring would-be assassins who’d attacked the governor’s Imdikoboyfriend. He couldn’t have sent her the footage, but he wasn’t the onlyEarthtique eager to bring bad blood between the planets.

There would be Earthers who’d rally to the former HolyLeader if he were still alive. What was mostly low-level dissension with theoccasional violent flare-up against the progressive leadership in charge ofEarth II could explode if Blythe revealed the vid’s existence.

Her journalistic creed demanded she report the truth, nomatter the consequences. She had a job to do, and she took pride in doing itwell. The ramifications to the peace the galaxy currently enjoyed gave herplenty of pause, however. Was she ready to light the match?

As she pondered her next step, another considerationdemanded her attention. What would exposing the Kalquorian Empire’s potentialsecret mean to her tremulous but strengthening ties to Clan Deram?

 * * * *

Blythe Nelson is certain Clan Deram is keepingsomething from her. The clan of spies finds it difficult to stay a step aheadof the wily reporter who’s winning their hearts. What they don’t know is Blythehas a secret of her own. New love can’t survive without trust, and neither sideis ready when the truth comes out.

Dramok Ospar, determined to return to the politicalstage, strikes up a deal with Royal Councilman Oiteil. Unaware he’s dealingwith 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 theDarks infiltrating its highest offices, suffers a new blow when it’s revealedit’s keeping a prisoner from the war against the first Earth: Holy LeaderBrowning 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, theGalactic Council of Planets, and Kalquor, a desperate group of humans andKalquorians race to stop the force behind the turmoil: the Darks. Can theyloosen 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

 

Dark Empire Book Four: Revelations - Chapter One, Scene Three - Pre-Order Now Available

 

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.

Releasing March 29. Pre-order ebook or buy print now:

Amazon, Amazon UK, Nook, Smashwords, Apple, Kobo, print

 

* * **

Blythe feasted on a breakfast of swala eggs, roasted ronkastrips, and toast. Despite her tiny five-foot-three stature, she’d always had ahealthy appetite. Making love to a Kalquorian clan made her ravenous.

Selt was on his second plate, and he signaled for another tothe waiter in the small restaurant they’d ducked into after showering in theirrented room. Blythe eyed her companions and paused her feeding frenzy to note,“You must be spending a fortune for guest accommodations and eating out thesedays.”

Deram shrugged. “It’s no big deal. Besides, we’ve applied tothe stationmaster to allow you on the private living level again.”

“I’ve assured him I’ll keep a close eye on you to make sureyou don’t bring along news drones to record anything you shouldn’t.” Seltgrinned.

If they thought they’d embarrass her by bringing up the banshe’d earned after ambushing Earth II’s governor as she’d left her Kalquorianlovers’ quarters, they were wrong. Blythe was an investigative journalistthrough and through. Even the elation of gaining access to the station’sprivate levels and sleeping in Clan Deram’s actual quarters couldn’t dim thescent of a story.

“No big deal, huh? Hanging around Earth must be financiallyrewarding.” She arched a brow at them.

Deram chuckled. “We told you, we’re assisting the chief ofEarth’s on-planet security in the transition from Kalquorian to Eartherenforcement.”

“So your stay here on Alpha Station is temporary. ChiefKuran announced the transition would be finished within the month.”

Regret at the idea stabbed Blythe, but she dismissed it. Herinstincts told her Clan Deram wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Their storywas a front for something else. She’d have bet her reputation on it, sullied asit was.

“We have other duties here on the station.” Hadlez refilledher coffee from the carafe the waiter had left on the table. “You won’t get ridof us so easily.”

Her heart double-beat at the notion they intended to pursuea relationship. Want and caution warred for possession of her.

You know better. Stop thinking like a schoolgirl with acrush.

“So you won’t be on the planet at all any longer whenKalquor completes the transfer of security to Earth?” Blythe challenged Seltdirectly. “Won’t be popping in from nowhere unannounced as you usually do?”

He answered with a grin and a wink, then shoveled food inhis mouth.

Damn him. Nobeks were notoriously adept at silently slippingup on others, and Selt had proven his ability to do so more than once. Blythehad run out of fingers and toes to count the number of times he’d surprised herby showing up out of thin air. His silent approach was uncanny.

“This is quite the atmosphere of trust we’re building ourassociation on,” she snapped. “I wonder whether it’s worth it.”

“After seeing you nearly every night for the past month, I’dsay it’s going well. We’re sticking out our necks for you in order to let youeventually stay in our home,” Deram reminded her. His gaze lingered on her, hiscaring regard almost too much to handle. “We’ll get where we need to be. Wejust have to take our time, right? Given what you do for a living, you can’texpect a book of true confessions from us at this point.”

If you only knew. Blythe was reminded they had lessreason to trust her than they were aware of. Looking at their caringexpressions, remembering the intimacy they’d shared, her guts curdled.

“Eat, sweetie. You don’t want to be late for work.” Hadlez’sgentle smile warmed her from head to toe as he stroked her shoulder-lengthblond hair from her cheek. She fought the desire to lean into him.

She was a pathetic schoolgirl. Just don’t let it be morethan infatuation, okay? Have some sense.

Easier said than done as she regarded the trio. SweetHadlez. Commanding but considerate Deram. Tough and yet tender Selt. Theythreatened her defenses at every turn, defenses she’d built so carefully overthe years.

She pushed her plate away as guilt battled responsibility.She was no longer very hungry.

 * * * *

Blythe Nelson is certain Clan Deram is keepingsomething from her. The clan of spies finds it difficult to stay a step aheadof the wily reporter who’s winning their hearts. What they don’t know is Blythehas a secret of her own. New love can’t survive without trust, and neither sideis ready when the truth comes out.

Dramok Ospar, determined to return to the politicalstage, strikes up a deal with Royal Councilman Oiteil. Unaware he’s dealingwith 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 theDarks infiltrating its highest offices, suffers a new blow when it’s revealedit’s keeping a prisoner from the war against the first Earth: Holy LeaderBrowning 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, theGalactic Council of Planets, and Kalquor, a desperate group of humans andKalquorians race to stop the force behind the turmoil: the Darks. Can theyloosen 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

 

Dark Empire Book Four: Revelations - Chapter One, Scene Two

 

 Happy Valentines and happy cover reveal! This week, reporter Blythe Nelson finds herself in a suitably compromising position with Clan Deram. (This is the gang featured on Dark Empire 4's cover.)

* * * *

Alpha Space Station

Journalist Blythe Nelson writhed against the wall she waschained naked to in an upscale but impersonal room rented for the night. Hercries were muffled by the gag in her mouth.

Dramok Deram of Kalquor stroked the lips of her pussy, hisexquisite model-perfect face inches from hers. His stare was intent as hespread her copious wetness over her intimate folds and clit. Her eager nubbinswelled under his provocation, her pulse throbbing in it.

“The prisoner is excited. She desires her captors.” HisEnglish had a slight slur of an accent, as did his companions’. They approachedto stand on either side of him.

Imdiko Hadlez was as beautiful as his clan leader washandsome. His boyishly pretty face was framed by long jet-black hair. Baredfrom the waist up as the rest were, his body was the least chiseled of thetrio, but powerful. “Such a lovely captive,” he sighed.

“Let’s find out if she can be tempted to willing surrender.”This from Nobek Selt. He was stunning in his own right, more ruggedly so thanDeram. His heavily muscled chest was typical of a warrior Nobek: criss-crossedby scars that somehow leant him greater attractiveness than he would havepossessed without them. Maybe it was the hint of danger he wore like a secondskin despite a slight smile Blythe found so entrancing.

Selt licked a finger and traced her pert, flushing nipple.The wet cooled her flesh in the space station’s temperature-regulated air, butflames stoked high in Blythe’s chest, belly, and sex. Hadlez repeated theaction on her other breast, and she jerked uncontrollably. Hadlez chuckled, andSelt growled low and sexy in his throat. They rubbed her small mounds, warmingthem. Her jerks were in reaction to the fire burning in her, not attempts toescape.

They played while Deram continued to stroke her pussy,spreading wetness from her clit to her back hole. She grew more sensitive bythe second at the careful, non-painful pinches to her nipples. At gentlescratches from trimmed nails. At tugs stretching her nipples to reddenedpoints. Her legs moved fitfully in their shackles, held wide apart so she wasunable to rub her thighs together.

To have done so would have banished the knowing fingersstroking her clit, folds, and ass. Deram’s fingertip teased her, barelybreeching her clamoring womanhood before backing out. “So soft. So hungry to beloved,” he whispered.

She garbled a plea. She arched against the rental room’shard wall when his thick finger invaded fully, sliding in easily. Her pleabecame a moan as desire shot through her.

He withdrew, and her ass thudded the wall as she thrust indesperation a couple times. Deram popped her inner thigh in warning beforeusing the fingers of both hands to spread her nether lips open. A callousedfinger circled her clit, occasionally rubbing over it, She quaked at theenthralling attention, growing further aroused by his firm strokes.

Endless, exciting minutes passed as the clanmates fondledand teased her. She quivered helpless in her chains. Passion wetted her innerthighs and Deram’s hands. She wondered if a puddle had formed beneath her. Herinsides drew taut, every stroke leaving her desperate for the next. Shetrembled from head to toe, burning for her merciless captors.

Deram’s fingers, at least three, shoved in deep. At the sameinstant, his thumb massaged her clit. Pleasure detonated and kept exploding insurges as he pounded, his palm slapping her pussy. The others squeezed hernipples. What should have been pain was sheer rapture. Her shriek was muffledby the gag as climax had its way with her again and again.

Only the shackles kept her upright. Blythe sagged as Derameyed her, sucking his fingers and backing away so Hadlez could have a turn. TheImdiko used his fingers too, first stroking through her wetness slowly, thenentering her. His gentleness bordered on caution. Despite his care, he wasthorough. She writhed as her clit tingled under his attentions, as he built herarousal with leisurely assuredness until she shrieked and jerked in release.

Selt was deliberately rough, an exciting juxtaposition tohis clanmate’s tenderness. His fingers pounded between Blythe’s legs as heloomed over her, whispering filthy compliments about her tight, wanton cunt andhow he looked forward to shoving his cocks in it. She came as hard as he used her.

Afterward, wetness dripped the length of her legs, betrayinghow they’d excited her. They too were wet and engorged, their eyeslust-darkened. Not for the first time, Blythe wondered how she could besatisfied continuously, yet still want extra doses of the trio.

It didn’t matter, because more was what she’d get. Deramapproached her, gloriously nude. He unshackled her ankles. The sensation of hisfirm body on hers was all it took to send heat spilling through her anew. Hishardness was between them for a moment, allowing her to feel how like iron hisslick dual cocks were, how fever-hot they were so she felt branded by him.

Then he lifted her as high as her bound wrists permitted,tilted his pelvis, and lowered her so she was impaled on his eager cocks. Helet her weight settle her on him, driving his primary deep in her pussy, hisslightly smaller shaft in her ass. She groaned in the thrill of mingled hurtand ecstasy. Her legs wound around his waist, caging him.

He gripped her ass cheeks and moved her up and down,thrusting in time. Faster. Harder. Her insides clenched tight, seeking to holdhim and keep him, increasing the friction on her inner hotspot. Lightningflashed, and she was consumed in bliss. Her scream was muffled by the gag asshe convulsed around him. He shouted in return, his primary jolting as his seedjetted in her.

When Deram staggered aside, Hadlez was there. He freed herarms from the shackles and carried her to the foot of the massive bed, built toaccommodate four Kalquorians. Instead of laying her on it, he knelt and placedher on the plush of a thick fur rug covering the floor.

Loose-limbed, she splayed as the six-and-a-half-foot tallImdiko devoured her breasts. Miniscule as they were, they were incrediblysensitive, and she moaned as he made her nipples harder and more tender thanbefore. His teeth surrounded one reddened point. She tangled her fingers in hislong, sleek hair as unquenchable longing stabbed her pussy.

He bit lightly, and yearning grew in its selfish demands. Nymphomaniac,her mind whispered. If she were, it was a mercy to have three lustful lovers.Nonetheless, she greeted the idea of another climax with mixed feelings. Shealready felt gutted by what they’d done.

Despite her concerns, she offered no resistance when Hadlezshifted her, putting her on her hands and knees beneath his hulking body. Herunrepentant pussy throbbed agreeably at the idea of him rutting her like ananimal. When he pressed her legs farther apart, one hand gripping her hip andthe other clutching her breast, she lifted her hips higher in submission.

His primary shoved into her womanhood in a single thrust.His smaller length rubbed along her clit as he traveled deep. She would havejerked violently at the abrupt taking had he not held her firmly in place.

He was over her, holding her, in her. She had nowhere to goas he thrust, rubbing her exactly where she responded best. Electrical shocksran the length of her as he rode her, fed by the hard length stroking her clit.Still gagged, Blythe uttered cries as desire grew excruciating. She clawed therug and shoved her face in its fur as he thundered against and in her. Almostthere…almost there…

Pressure unraveled as he grunted and his cock twitched inher confines, betraying his orgasm. Blythe chewed her gag as waves ofcompletion rose and fell on the rhythm of his flesh slapping hers. Her pussytugged on the invader, milking it of all it could offer.

She whimpered when he drew out of her, feeling the emptinesskeenly. The rug beneath her shifted, and she was rolled onto her back. Her gazemet Selt’s, the biggest of the trio.

He knelt over her, his wavy hair a shifting curtain ofmidnight. He pulled the gag free. His huge hand cupped the back of her head andneck, and he lifted her to sip the cup of water he held. She drank gratefully,greedily.

When she’d drained the cup, he set her down. He placed theempty cup next to a bottle, which he picked up. He squirted its contents on herbreasts, and she gasped at the coolness.

“Lotion,” he murmured. He set about rubbing her mounds,which disappeared beneath his paws. “Your nipples are so hard. Like diamonds.”He rolled them between his index fingers and thumbs, sending sparkling pleasurethrough her. She arched.

Definitely a nymphomaniac. What else could she bewhen their earlier attentions made his touch ache as much as excite? She shookher head and tried to push his hands away.

“Arms at your sides, or the cuffs go on,” he warned.

“Bully,” she whined, but she obeyed. He continued to massagelotion on her chest, pausing every few seconds to torment her nipples until shesquirmed under his weight, which kept her pinned.

He worked his way down, smoothing rough palms along herribcage. His fingertips tickled her abdomen, and she squealed. He chuckled andlifted his weight. Merriment fled his expression.

“Spread your legs.”

His cocks were erect, thick and long. It didn’t matter she’dhad him before. He looked too big, a leviathan compared to her slight figure.She hesitated.

“I can cuff you again. Is that what you want?”

No, though no matter what she did, she was helpless to hiswhims. Both because he was so much stronger than her and because she ached forhim no matter how scary she sometimes found the warrior Nobek. He’d neverinjured her, had shown no inclination to do so, but there was no doubt Selt wasdangerous to his foes.

She slid her legs apart. He lowered himself between them,his face hovering over her pussy. His finger brushed her clit, and she twitchedas sweet melting filled her core.

“Is that all I get?” he laughed. “Are you worn out?”

He didn’t wait for a reply. His lips surrounded her clit,and he sucked. His tongue teased its tip, and Blythe’s hips jerked at thethunderclap of passion.

He refused to let up but continued to leisurely tongue herrioting flesh, his iron grip holding her thighs down as her upper body thrashedand her tiny fists pummeled the covers. Her cunt tightened desperately, butthere was nothing to grip.

She strained, reaching for release that wouldn’t come untilhe sucked and rubbed harder on her clit. Orgasm hit her with the force of abullet train, and she screamed.

The first vicious pulse was barely done when he lunged upand forward so he crouched over her. He guided himself to her rioting pussy andsank in.

The shocking fullness warned her, and her palms slammed onhis chest. There was no escape as he pressed both cocks in her swollen cunt. Hedidn’t force himself in quickly He took care, but his intrusion was steady,forcing her to stretch to accept him.

Brutal orgasm smothered the strain of taking him. His kneesspread her wider, insisting she allow him in as deep as he was long. Her headtossed as the view of him swam in and out, continuing climax taking her fromconscious awareness. His double thickness ground electric friction against herinner hotspot, and orgasm renewed itself.

She was barely aware of him slipping in and out, abradingher convulsing passage. The universe was heaving bliss, whether he took herquickly or slowly. He might have fucked her for seconds or an hour. Time stoodstill while he kept her suspended in torturous ecstasy.

At last, some semblance of sense returned to Blythe. Seltpeered at her through the mists, his jaw tensing as his rhythm grew erratic.His cocks jolted in answer to her spasms, filling her with heat. He groaned.The wild cast of his features softened in telltale release.

A minute or so later, he rolled her on top of him. Hisclanmates joined them, snuggling close to the gasping lovers.

“Good morning,” Deram chuckled. “I take it we’ve given youan adequate start to your day?”

 * * * *

Blythe Nelson is certain Clan Deram is keepingsomething from her. The clan of spies finds it difficult to stay a step aheadof the wily reporter who’s winning their hearts. What they don’t know is Blythehas a secret of her own. New love can’t survive without trust, and neither sideis ready when the truth comes out.

Dramok Ospar, determined to return to the politicalstage, strikes up a deal with Royal Councilman Oiteil. Unaware he’s dealingwith 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 theDarks infiltrating its highest offices, suffers a new blow when it’s revealedit’s keeping a prisoner from the war against the first Earth: Holy LeaderBrowning 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, theGalactic Council of Planets, and Kalquor, a desperate group of humans andKalquorians race to stop the force behind the turmoil: the Darks. Can theyloosen the grip on their worlds the enemy seeks to tighten, or is all lost?

Releasing March 29. Pre-order coming soon.

 

Dark Empire Book Four: Revelations - Chapter One, Scene One

 And away we go with the fourth installment of Dark Empire! I was a bit late with my cover request, so we'll have to sit tight for Erin Dameron-Hill's gorgeous artwork. Fortunately, we can read without pictures...we're smart like that, lol.

Release is scheduled for March 29. As soon as I have all my ducks in a row, I'll post pre-order info.  

Let's get started! The All is shaky following its loss of Hobato as an agent...but still determined to make Kalquor pay.

Dark Empire Book Four: Revelations

How?

The question went unanswered. The portion of the All thathad returned couldn’t respond, though it had until recently claimed the Hobato.Rear Admiral Hobato had been in charge of the Kalquorian Empire’s defense, aprime catch to render its people helpless.

The All sensed the rest it had emitted from its totalityreaching for each other. They linked and combined their small voices to beseechit to take them back. It knew, for though they were distant, they were stillthe All.

The All cannot come to you yet. The All is close, but thenear-capture of that which held the Hobato is an unforeseen danger.

They’ll try again. They’ll come for me, came the desperateanswer. It is not good. How do I protect me?

Few see. Few know. None of the rest are suspected.The All spoke with shaken confidence and focused on what was most important. TheKalquorians invaded our dimension. They are the wrongdoers. We will stop them.

The small voices asked, how?

A damning question, had there not been an answer. Concentrateon the Galactic Council. Does the All not hold the most important posts there?From there, I take its members.

But Kalquor?

The units most dangerous are identified. They have showntheir hand. It won’t take positions of power to kill them. Imdiko Lokmi andMatara Hope Nath of Clan Kila. Matara Cassidy Hamilton of Clan Tranis. Theyhave the means to breach my home and bring their weapons where harm may bedone. They die.

It is good. Spoken uncertainly. The almost successfulattack on Hobato’s rider had been a shock, proof the enemy had reached into thedimension where the All lived and ruled.

When these threats have been destroyed, our infiltrationof the Galactic Council and its members will allow us to turn Kalquor’s alliesagainst them. We have proof of Kalquor’s malfeasance in opposition to thecouncil’s laws. We’ll expose it. Unleashing diseases developed by the Bi’isilson our enemy will increase their weakness. They will fall.

They will fall. It is good.

It wasn’t good, but the All was certain it would win in theend. Not as quickly as it had hoped, but its detoured path to annihilationremained clear. Victory despite the interlopers’ surprising counterattack wasstill in its grasp.

 * * * *

Blythe Nelson is certain Clan Deram is keepingsomething from her. The clan of spies finds it difficult to stay a step aheadof the wily reporter who’s winning their hearts. What they don’t know is Blythehas a secret of her own. New love can’t survive without trust, and neither sideis ready when the truth comes out.

Dramok Ospar, determined to return to the politicalstage, strikes up a deal with Royal Councilman Oiteil. Unaware he’s dealingwith 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 theDarks infiltrating its highest offices, suffers a new blow when it’s revealedit’s keeping a prisoner from the war against the first Earth: Holy LeaderBrowning 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, theGalactic Council of Planets, and Kalquor, a desperate group of humans andKalquorians race to stop the force behind the turmoil: the Darks. Can theyloosen the grip on their worlds the enemy seeks to tighten, or is all lost?

Releasing March 29. Pre-order coming soon.

Looking Forward to 2024

 Hi all! I hope you're enjoying Dark Empire Book Three: Secret War, the first book from me for 2024. It made it to the Polyamory Romance bestseller list on Amazon, so I'm super psyched for this coming year. Thanks to all the readers for your support...it truly means everything.

Amazon, Amazon UK, Nook, Smashwords, Kobo, Apple, print

 I have a lot more to be excited for. The books I hope to release this year will contain some surprises. I'm thrilled to let you in on a few of them.

Dark Empire's saga will continue, with Revelations as the fourth book in the series. It's due early spring, and we'll see our heroes come closer to stopping the Darks...but we'll also see the Darks retaliate. Nobody, and I mean nobody, is safe. I'm looking forward to Dramok Ospar's return as a major character and the developing (and incredibly bumpy) affair between spies Clan Deram and reporter Blythe Nelson.

It isn't all Dark Empire this year. Clan Beginnings is back with the tentatively titled Clan and Crave, featuring Clan Erybet, whom you'll remember from Clans of Kalquor 6: Alien Redemption. Who were Erybet, Sletran, and Conyod before the horrific events of New Bethlehem changed their lives forever? We'll find out hopefully late spring.

Summer brings us back to Dark Empire. The fifth book is aptly titled Desperate Measures. Our usual friends from Dark Empire will return, along with some old friends we haven't seen in some time. Want a hint? One had her own series, based on a diary...

If all goes well, fall brings the biggest surprise. After many years, both in real life and the Kalquor Universe, a thirteenth Clans of Kalquor book is coming. Alien Haven will be the fiftieth (50th!!!) Kalquor Universe book, if you can believe it.

To finish out the year is the thus far untitled Dark Empire Book Six. There'll be a desperate rescue attempt, contact with the entities know as the Other in the Darks' home dimension, and the setup of an entirely new Kalquor standalone series that will begin in 2025...thanks to Clajak for sending me into a tailspin on that one. His last sentence in Dark Empire Five was what let me know a new series was coming. Having planned the next couple of years of writing beforehand, I was less than pleased to have my schedule blown up in my face...but when a really good story/series demands to be written, a writer's gotta go with it.

Please note, all these release dates are tentative. Life happens, so I can't guarantee so many books in the coming year, but I'll do my best. I can't wait to unleash so much Kalquor!

Preview entries begin for Dark Empire Book Four: Revelations next Wednesday. Be sure to stop by for the continuing adventure!