Mandy M. Roth's Blog, page 69
September 9, 2013
Raven Author: Excerpt: Slake by LA Brookes
Paranormal Shifter Gay (MM) Romance
Leo Morgan is a werewolf on the prowl and there is only one man who can slake his burning desires. Jackson may be an unsuspecting human, but this wolf gets more than he bargained for when a night of seduction goes wrong… and oh-so-right.
Rating: Contains graphic sexual content, adult language, and violence.
EXCERPT
Must be 18 years and older to read. If not, please leave the site.
“Evening,” Leo returned, keeping it cool. He noticed the guy’s eyes lingered a little longer than usual on his face before quickly averting Leo knew he was a handsome guy and hid his delight that Jackson noticed as well.
“Nice night for a ride. You bring the motorcycle?” Jackson asked as he waited for the bartender to bring him his change.
Leo thought about offering the man a ride right then and there, but resisted. He’d planned his seduction of Jackson carefully. He would not stray from that plan. “Yeah, only thing I have to drive. Even in the snow, I’m on it.”
“Must be nice,” Jackson answered. Leo heard his breath catch, nervously. “Just to take off and ride whenever you want. If I had the money, that’s what I’d do. Just me, a bike, and the open road.” He cleared his throat, seeming unsure as to why he’d revealed so much. “Well, have a nice night.”
“You, too,” Leo answered. He watched the man make his way to the door before saying to the bartender, “I’ll settle up.”
Leo absently grabbed cash from his pocket and threw the wad onto the bar top. He probably overpaid, but he didn’t care. Money wasn’t really a concern.
The bartender answered, but Leo ignored him as he moved to follow Jackson outside. He looked at the thick muscles of the man’s thighs, imagining the moment he’d be able to peel material from flesh to reveal his prize. A cool breeze hit him as the door opened, but it did little to slow the blood pumping in his veins.
He slowed his step as Jackson walked across the parking lot. The dim light flickered overhead. Leo made his way to his motorcycle, pretending to kick at the tires to check their pressure. The wolf inside him wanted to howl and play.
Soon. Very soon.
http://ravenhappyhour.com/Slake.html
September 8, 2013
Bundle Mania, New Release!
Daughter of Darkness Trilogy Bundle by Mandy M Roth
Kindle US | Nook | ARE Romance | Smashwords
Book is available at ALL Amazon Kindle Retailers. To find it in your country simply search by its ASIN Number: ASIN: B00F01WK5C
Contains the titles: Daughter of Darkness, The Enchantress and Bella Mia. All three full-length titles at one low price (nearly $10 off).
The King’s Choice Bundle Books 1-2 by Mandy M Roth
Kindle US | Nook | ARE Romance | Smashwords
Book is available at ALL Amazon Kindle Retailers. To find it in your country simply search by its ASIN Number: B00F0YZPLA
Contains the titles: The King’s Choice and The Advisor’s Apprentice
The Beast Masters Collection Books 1-3 by Reagan Hawk
Kindle US | Nook | ARE Romance | Smashwords
Book is available at ALL Amazon Kindle Retailers. To find it in your country simply search by its ASIN Number: B00F0SMIMU
Contains the titles: Trading Teon, Securing Sara and Rescuing Reya.
Zodiac Gatekeeper Collection Books 1-2 by Mandy M Roth
Kindle US | Nook | ARE Romance | Smashwords
Book is available at ALL Amazon Kindle Retailers. To find it in your country simply search by its ASIN Number: B00F11CJ16
Contains the titles: Pisces Phenomenon and Somber Resplendence
JUST RELEASED! Programmed for Pleasure (Cyber Sex Series) by Reagan Hawk
Lt. Commander Dirks gets his kink on by hooking himself to a homemade hologram machine. He’s programmed in the woman he’s loved his entire life and spends his free time taking her every way he can. The only problem is, she’s not the real deal—she’s not his Haels.
Haeley settled on a planet that doesn’t allow modern technologies because she wanted away from anything to do with the Star Union—the very organization that lured Dirks away from her so many years ago. When he shows up, attempting to negotiate the safe return of one of his crew members, she’s shocked to see him and even more surprised to learn he still has feelings for her. She doesn’t shy away from his advances. She’s hardly the same girl she used to be. Now she’s a woman who is in control of her sexual side and isn’t afraid to show it. Desire ignites and the two find themselves heating up the sheets, the wall, the floor and just about anywhere else they can manage.Programmed for Pleasure (Cyber Sex) by Reagan Hawk
Kindle US | Nook | ARE Romance | Smashwords
Book is available at ALL Amazon Kindle Retailers. To find it in your country simply search by its ASIN Number: B00EYH9NBC
September 3, 2013
JUST RELEASED! Programmed for Pleasure (Cyber Sex Series) by Reagan Hawk
JUST RELEASED! Programmed for Pleasure (Cyber Sex Series) by Reagan Hawk
Lt. Commander Dirks gets his kink on by hooking himself to a homemade hologram machine. He’s programmed in the woman he’s loved his entire life and spends his free time taking her every way he can. The only problem is, she’s not the real deal—she’s not his Haels.
Haeley settled on a planet that doesn’t allow modern technologies because she wanted away from anything to do with the Star Union—the very organization that lured Dirks away from her so many years ago. When he shows up, attempting to negotiate the safe return of one of his crew members, she’s shocked to see him and even more surprised to learn he still has feelings for her. She doesn’t shy away from his advances. She’s hardly the same girl she used to be. Now she’s a woman who is in control of her sexual side and isn’t afraid to show it. Desire ignites and the two find themselves heating up the sheets, the wall, the floor and just about anywhere else they can manage.
Kindle US
http://www.amazon.com/Programmed-Pleasure-Cyber-Series-ebook/dp/B00EYH9NBC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1378230690&sr=8-1&keywords=programmed+for+pleasure%2C+reagan+hawk
ARE Romance
https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-programmedforpleasurecybersex-1278404-340.html
Smashwords
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/353968
Book is populating out through other vendors.
August 30, 2013
Fridays After Dark: Marcel Manor Part 4
Welcome to Fridays After Dark—a joint project between Yasmine Galenorn and Mandy Roth.
Marcel Manor (Lunatic Moon Series) by Mandy M. Roth continues… (remember you can’t get this version anywhere but here. Also, this page is set up for those 18 years and older. If you are here and not at least 18, please leave.)
Chapter Two
Present Day, America
Marcel sat within his home—his castle—his manor. The grandfather clock ticked by, reminding him that time passed slowly, very slowly. The hour grew near when darkness was at its strongest. Though it seemed anymore the dead could reach through the veil whenever it suited them. They were no longer bound by hands on a clock. That being said, the witching hour held the most power for them, allowing them to spare him no pity. And they never did. For over a hundred and sixty years they had followed him, torturing him, reminding him of what he’d done, of the lives he’d taken and of the fact he was no longer a man. He hadn’t been human for so long he vaguely recalled what it had been like.
He’d had a family once—a mother, sister and father. He had no one now. They were all dead and gone, yet silent to him, unlike his victims. His family had died with the knowledge he’d lost his humanity and had become the stuff of nightmares.
The clock struck three a.m., and Marcel stiffened, already knowing what was to come. The room around him blurred. Mist eased under the doorframe and seemed to seep in from the windowsills. Everything around him changed. The grandfather clock vanished, replaced by a wooden chair with straps and restraints. Marcel flinched at the sight of the chair, the remembered pain as fresh today as it had been in the late 1800s when he’d found himself at the hands of “healers”.
Mad men.
Even more so than he.
The doctors had sought to cure him of his ills. To rid him of his voices and the darkness he harbored. Their treatments were barbaric and did nothing to stop the demon or the voices. All they did was serve to anger the demon more.
The room shown to him now, one he knew wasn’t real, had been one he’d spent far too long in. The scratch marks he’d clawed into the stone walls were there, mocking him, reminding him of the time he’d spent held captive within, unable to do anything beyond claw and cry out in agonizing hunger.
They’d given him just enough blood to survive, but not enough to thrive. He’d been a testing marvel, something they relished the chance to study. No help was ever offered. Only pain. Only death.
He closed his eyes, trying to shut out the horrid memories. They’d brought him beggars and street urchins to feed upon whenever he’d been so hungry that the demon he carried took the lead. He’d taken so many lives in a place he’d thought would provide sanctuary. They’d made him an even bigger monster, and the spirits haunting him rejoiced in the agony seeing the room caused him.
Their laughter, maniacal, surrounded him.
“Look,” they said in unison. “Remember.”
“No more!” he shouted with a start.
August 26, 2013
Life in Oxford: Phillips Grocery
As promised I’m doing a series of blog posts about my experiences here in Oxford, MS and Oxford through my eyes. Today I’m featuring a place to eat–Phillips Grocery. Now, I’ll admit, my first time driving past it, I really did just drive right on past. Then when we turned around (because of course we were lost again) we noticed a lot of cars in the parking lot and people eating at the tables outside of the establishment. We thought, why not? So, we pulled in and gave it a go. It doesn’t seem like much from the outside and when you walk in you make a right and order from a small counter. The menu is hand written on a dry ease board. You’re handed a number and you grab your drink and find your own table. The inside walls are host to a variety of nostalgic memorabilia that really just makes Phillips Grocery feel more and more like home. The food is great! I mean it. So much so that my normally picky oldest son ordered more of it to go. If you’re in Oxford and you want a nice little place to stop for great food, give Phillips Grocery a try. Take a look at their online gallery.
August 22, 2013
Condo Life: Are you fucking kidding me? Am I being punked?
Just got a text from owner asking if I’d be interesting in subleasing my place out during some upcoming football weekends. Um, let me get this straight, I’m not allowed to sub-lease according to my lease, except for this apparently and then I’m supposed to consider allowing strangers to come into my home, be all over my things, do gods know what on my bed and my children’s beds, have access to all my electronics and all my work computers and office all while I find somewhere else to be down here during that time with my husband, three kids AND my dog? Um, wondering how ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME will come off as a return text.
August 21, 2013
Pen Name Book: The Unexpected by Rory Michaels
Contemporary Western Threesome Romance
A Macon Valley Ménage 1
Best friends since childhood, Perry and Sean know each other’s deep dark secrets. The people of Macon Valley whisper of their deviant sexual ways—the fact they like kink and enjoy sharing women. But the town doesn’t understand they’re looking for that one perfect woman to fill the void in their hearts. They understand they’ll be sharing her both in and out of the bedroom and they’re fine with that. Trouble is the woman they’ve selected isn’t so sure she’s ready for both of them. Can they sway her heart and her mind?
Warning: This short story contains ménages a trios, explicit sex, strong language and cowboys who will melt your socks off. This short story also has explicit, graphic sexual content and is not for the faint of heart.
EXCERPT
Must be 18 years and older to read. If not, please leave the site.
Chapter One
The faint glow from the wall light in the dimly lit hotel room cast shadows over the brown carpeting. Jesse wouldn’t go so far to say the décor was cheap but rather builder grade and cookie cutter. There was nothing personal about the room. It felt sterile in a sense. The walls seemed as if they were closing in on her. She clasp and unclasped her hands. Fear licked at her insides. She tipped her head and her long dark hair fell forward. She pushed it out of her face and tried to calm her nerves. She couldn’t believe she was about to do something as wild and crazy as this. This was such a stretch for her character she wasn’t even sure how to label it.
Her gaze fluttered towards the blond in the hotel room with her. Sean licked his lower lip. She found it hard to look away from the obvious bulge in the front of his Levi’s. Was the man truly that hung? She’d often wondered and soon she’d find out. The room heated to unbearable levels and she tugged at her blouse. What was she doing here?
“You still game?” the blond asked, a twang apparent in his deep voice. He looked so unsure standing there. Part of him seemed slightly predatory-like, the other seemed uneasy, as if he sensed she was on the verge of bolting and running.
Her throat constricted and she dug her nails into the palms of her hands. “Y-yes.”
“Listen,” he said. He stalked toward her. “If you aren’t into this, I get it. Perry will understand, right?”
Jesse looked toward her fiancé wondering if he’d object to what had been his idea to begin with. Perry’s dark gaze swept in Sean’s direction. She knew he wanted a threesome. It’s all he’d talked about for the past six months. He wanted more than anything to see her with another man and he wanted the man to be his best friend Sean. She knew from his past that he and Sean had shared women before. The small town she now resided in was full of stories of their past conquests. They were the talk of the town—each person whispering about the kink the guys were into. She wouldn’t be the first woman they shared but she would be the last. Perry had given up his wicked sexual ways when he met her and she’d thought he’d left the deviant desires behind him. It was glaringly obvious he’d not.
Perry pulled his shirt over his head, tousling his dark hair. He tossed his shirt aside and motioned to her. “Come here, sweet thing.”
Blindly, she did as instructed. She was putty in his hands and he knew as much. She’d come to him a virgin and he’d taught her things she never imagined possible. Still, this seemed like too much. She wasn’t the type of woman who shared her body with multiple men. But Perry wanted a threesome and it was the least she could do for him. He’d done so much for her. And she loved him. That wasn’t the issue or the question.
Sean moved out of her pathway. He made a move to grab his cowboy hat off the hook near the hotel door. He and Perry worked as ranch hands. Their jobs were hard and their bodies were proof of as much. They were honed and tanned. Delicious looking. “I can go.”
“No,” Perry said, his tone level. “Stay. Jesse is fine. Aren’t you, sweet thing?”
Once again, her throat tightened. She managed a tiny nod.
Perry drew her to him and his muscles rippled. “It will be good. Very, very good. Trust me.”
She did trust him. What she didn’t trust was herself. One too many times she’d gotten lost in fantasies about Sean. Perry was a stone cold ten by anyone’s standards. Sean was on par. It was hard to avoid noticing the two of them and it was equally as hard resisting the temptation of Sean’s green eyes. It wasn’t right to lust after two men. She’d been raised with better values than that. Yet here she stood, at the ready to let them have access to her body. The entire event felt dreamlike. She was trapped in a testosterone driven whirlwind and she wasn’t sure if she wanted to throw caution to the wind or get to packing.
Jesse took a deep breath and allowed Perry to unbutton the top two buttons of her blouse. Her gaze moved to Sean. Unable to hold his hungry stare, she flicked a speck of lint from her skirt. Perry caught her wrist and brought her hand to his mouth. He kissed the back of it. “Relax, sweet thing. Let us love you.”
Her breathing quickened and she looked toward Sean again. This time, he was closer yet she’d never heard him move. He pulled at her blouse and eased it over her head. Her nipples hardened to diamond like points as the cool air of the room dusted over them. She knew they were visible through her lace bra. Sean’s hand found one and he smoothed his finger over it. Her nipple flared to life even more so than before. Her breath caught in her throat. Already she was prepped to explode and he’d only just grazed her. Could she really handle a night of both of them?
http://ravenhappyhour.com/The_Unexpec...
Welcome to Oxford, Mississippi?
Its been just over two weeks since I arrived here in Oxford, MS. Its certainly different from what I’m used to. The people (for the most part) are friendly. I’ve had trouble with getting Lil R Boy in school and then trouble keeping him in school due to his allergic reactions to immunizations and the fact he can’t be given them anymore. That was interesting and resulted in me in tears in the school office. Never fun.
We’re leasing a condo for a year (hopefully JUST a year) until we are able to buy. Prior to signing the lease I was told in writing that a mother and two kids would be placed above me. Nope. Four college girls. I was informed of this after I’d already signed the lease, mailed it with the deposit. Mind you, they’re nice girls. Very nice girls but they’re college girls all the same and they want to be able to have fun and enjoy life and freedom. They were told four college girls would be below them. Imagine their surprise when we showed up. Not only that but our parents had insisted on caravaning down with us (so embarrassing at our age but there was no stopping them) and the girls only saw our parents to start with. They assumed THEY were living below them. LOL
You can hear EVERYTHING from above. When they walk, when their dogs walk/run, bark. You can hear the girls talking, laughing, playing music, etc. And when they have a get together you hear that as well. Also other “things”. And this is with them trying so hard NOT to make a lot of noise because of us. I really can’t thank them enough and I can’t express my displeasure in having been mislead over the living situation prior to signing the lease.
There is limited parking here. Just enough for each unit, no more. Yesterday, I let the owner/landlord know that kids from the high school were parking here and walking over to attend classes all day. He told ME to put a sign on the windshield informing them they’d be towed. I expressed my concern with doing this because these didn’t look like kids you’d want to tangle with. I asked that a sign be posted. Owner/landlord told me no, that once a few of their cars were towed they’d get the hint. And he let me know he’d drop off a sign for ME to put on the windshield.
Uncle. Really. I mean uncle.
Already my family is taking out all the trash and bringing the cans back for the units here so that the trash actually gets out. We’re cleaning up dog crap all over the yard (in addition to when ours does it because we stand there with a bag). Now I’m supposed to be parking police too? FUCK THAT. I’m paying too much to have the above unit in echo form all day as is. Not taking on anything else. Already with what we’re doing we should be getting a break on the crazy rent. We’re not.
So, with the giant purge up in Ohio, painting the house up there, getting it ready to go on the market, packing ourselves and moving ourselves and arriving to all this I’m sure you can guess I haven’t touched a book. This means lost sales. Big time. And if I can’t have a quiet work space (which I spelled out in writing as needing prior to signing the lease) I can foresee even more sales lost. Plus, my youngest two are school aged and need sleep.
Ugh.
So, this ends my current condo life rant. I am making this a blog topic/thread so I can jump on and share more from it all. I’m assuming I won’t be short of fodder for it anytime soon.
I will say that I’m in good company down in Oxford as far as being an author is concerned. They seem very welcoming to writers. I’ll keep you posted on that as well. The town square is pretty and full of lots of neat little shops. Ole Miss is right here so Big R Boy is starting his sophomore year there. There are positives but it just seems like the negatives want to overshadow them.
August 5, 2013
Pen Name Book: The Untold by Rory Michaels
Contemporary Western Threesome Romance
A Macon Valley Ménage 2
Cody and Everett have the kind of relationship that others raise a brow at. It’s not easy keeping it secret in a small town like Macon Valley. People talk and Nicole, Cody’s new bride, hears their whispers. She knows there is something between the men—something more than mere friendship. When they confess their desire to have a threesome, she’s stunned. She doesn’t want to be like the women they’ve used and discarded in the past. However, it’s clear this is what her husband needs. She can’t deny him and knows the men will give her a night of passion the likes of which she’s never imagined. What she doesn’t realize is the men aren’t aiming for a one shot deal. They’ve got their sights set on sharing her for good, regardless what the people of Macon Valley think.
Warning: This short story contains ménages a trios, explicit sex, strong language and cowboys who will melt your socks off. This short story also has explicit, graphic sexual content and is not for the faint of heart.
http://ravenhappyhour.com/The_Untold....
August 2, 2013
Trading Teon by Reagan Hawk
The Beast Masters Series
Trading Teon
Reagan Hawk
The Beast Masters Series, Book 1
Garon and Lorne, shapeshifting males of the Ralenium race, are fierce guns for hire in the universe. When a cargo ship transporting women charged with crimes by the Galactic Star Union arrives on their planet, the men make the traders an offer they can’t refuse. Planet Ralen is sorely lacking in women, and the males have an inborn desire to dominate, to tame females and to reproduce. When their inner beasts’ clocks start ticking and the burning need to spread their seed consumes them, they go on the hunt for the perfect female. Too bad both men want the same woman.
Teon, a lady with a place in high society, thought life as she knew it was over when she was wrongfully charged with a crime by her stepmother. A prisoner en route to a barren planet to serve her sentence, she’s presented with an opportunity to start over again on the planet Ralen. The catch is she has to be willing to be claimed by two males. Not just any males mind you, two burning hunks who are ready to fight to the death if need be to share her bed.
Warning
Novella contains graphic language, light BDSM play/themes, extreme alpha male shifters who cannot wait to get a collar on their female to brand her as theirs for life, women willing to submit and scorching hot sex scenes. If you don’t like strong men who take control in the bedroom and sometimes out, or if you’re in the market for long, drawn-out plots, this isn’t the series for you. This novella is hot and dirty and won’t apologize for that fact.
Disclaimer
This book is a work of fiction and is not meant to be a how-to book or a manual to the BDSM/fetish lifestyle. It is merely meant to be read and provide a mental escape for your enjoyment. Always practice safe sex and never enter into BDSM play without proper knowledge and understanding of the lifestyle and a trained, trusted practitioner to guide you through it all. Serious injury or death could result from improper BDSM/fetish play. Safe, sane and consensual (SSC) is a must. The Raven Books and its authors, owners and operators are not responsible for any injuries or death that may occur from improper use of techniques or information found within this document.
The Beast Masters Series
Trading Teon
Securing Sara
Rescuing Reya
Capturing Clara
Binding Bree
Chapter One
Garon of Ralen neared the outer quadrant’s guard tower. The path to it was well-worn, unlike some of the other paths on Ralen. Regardless of how used the path was, the forests of Ralen were known to be fast-growing. The huge, deep blue of the leaves of the talium tree were starting to turn yellow on the ends, a sign of the season change coming upon them. Soon the area would see temperature drops. And soon enough the primal heat would be upon many of the men.
Garon reached the tower and ascended the staircase. He entered to check in on the guards stationed there. They’d reported a craft on radar, and since no crafts were scheduled for arrival it had raised a red flag. Ralen wasn’t a planet offworlders dared to arrive at without proper protocol. The Ralen warriors were known to blow things out of the sky first and ask questions later. They were a proud, fierce race. A race known throughout the galaxy.
He leaned over one of the males to survey the screen and grunted as he spotted the shape of the vessel nearing their orbit. Cursed stars. This was the last thing he wanted to deal with today.
Lorne, a seasoned warrior and trusted friend, entered the guard tower. “I heard we have visitors. Any news on who or what they are?”
Garon tapped the screen. “Looks to be a salvage ship.”
“Or traders,” said Lorne, disgust evident.
None of the men were too keen on the salvagers but traders weren’t much higher on the like scale. Both were basically pirates of the skies and tended to deal in goods that were too hot to touch. Since Ralen boasted a planet of fierce warriors, they were often left untouched by the Galactic Guards—free to do as they pleased.
“Sir,” one of the men seated at his station said. “Should I alert the planet-to-air defense team?”
It was on the tip of Garon’s tongue to say yes, but he held back. He glanced to Lorne. “It’s been too many moon cycles since we last had a shipment of women. Think it could be some?”
Lorne worried his jaw and then tipped his head, his long, blond hair falling over one shoulder. “Perhaps. We could allow the vessel to land and see.”
Garon nodded in agreement. He touched the man’s shoulder at the station. “Open the landing platform two.” He looked to Lorne. “It would be wise if an armed team greeted the vessel.”
“Of course,” replied Lorne. “Jaston and his men are on duty now. I’ll send them.”
“Perfect. Tell them we’ll meet them there.”
Garon, Lorne said, using the mind path common to their kind. If women are aboard…
I know. I will see to it any price is paid.
With that Lorne pivoted and left the tower. Garon remained long enough to watch the slow descent of the vessel upon the screen before him. From its sluggish movements and shape he was fast beginning to suspect it was Voxenites, a race of opportunistic bottom feeders who did whatever they had to in order to turn a profit. They’d taken to human trafficking hundreds of years ago and little had been done to stop them. Truth was, planets such as Ralen depended upon them.
Ralenium males far outnumbered females, and nothing the men did lured women willingly to their planet. They were simply too far out on the edges of the quadrants to offer any appeal. They weren’t proud of the fact. It was what it was.
“Sir?” the man at the station asked. “Is it traders? With women?”
There was no mistaking the note of hope in his voice. Galen patted the younger warrior’s shoulder. “Let us hope. Stay and man the station. Should it be traders with women, a summons shall be sent forth.”
The other guards shared a look with the young one. Garon knew hopes would be high and he hated to dash them. The men needed something to look forward to.
He left the tower and made his way down the path in the direction of the landing bays. The outer force field was in the process of retracting. Its opening would be timed perfectly with the vessel’s landing.
While they had technologies, some of the finest in the galaxy, they preferred to do many things the way their ancestors of old did. They did not use any type of craft for surface travel on their planet. They preferred to use their shifted beast forms or that of domesticated animals. It was kinder to their planet.
They’d seen too many planets fall victim to their own advancements to want to see the beauty of Ralen snuffed out.
He spotted Lorne with Jaston and the team of Ralenium men all armed and surrounding the landing pad. They stayed back a safe distance, already knowing what would come next.
There was a flash of red light, and then a popping noise signaling the main control tower was now in control of the vessel’s power and its system. There was no chance the vessel could fire upon them this way and zero chance it could leave without permission.
Lorne motioned to Garon and then pointed to the vessel’s side symbol.
As Garon suspected—Voxenites.
If they came bearing anything other than women, they would find the men ready to hang them by their scaly, webbed feet. None of the Ralenium men thought much of the Voxenites. They were a means to an end. Nothing more.
The ship sputtered to a stop, its engines cutting out with a loud groan. Garon sighed. If the ship refused to start back up, there was no way the traders would be welcome to stay until it was fixed.
Garon moved with a quickened pace in the direction of Jaston and the other on-duty guard team. Jaston nodded and then hurried into the main control center.
If their suspicions proved true and the ship carried women, then it was a joyous day. If not, then the security team needed to be prepared. One never knew what one might encounter this far on the edges of the galaxy. Often the area was looked upon as lawless. Often it was.
Garon left the landing bays and entered the main control center and found Jaston near the monitor booth. The relays from the outer towers were no doubt reaching the main control center. Jaston glanced up and made eye contact with Lorne.
“Does Garon have orders?”
Lorne took a deep breath. “He does. Be prepared with your men and ready to greet our visitors.”
“Of course,” answered Jaston, his expression knowing. He relayed the message to one of the men closest to him and then covered the distance between him and Lorne. Jaston lowered his voice. “Traders with females?”
“Garon thinks perhaps it might be.”
Jaston’s jaw set. He nodded and stepped away.
Lorne knew the warrior would show no signs of hope. He knew Jaston was too seasoned to ever let on to his true feelings. All the men were desperate for more women to arrive. This wasn’t news. It was fact. None would risk getting their hopes up. Not yet.
