Infiltration: Chapter Four Scene Two

 

Piras is keeping a secret from his departing Nobek. Is that ever a good idea?

* * * *

Pirasswallowed past the thickness of his throat as half his clan disappeared in theumbilical. He’d miss the pair he’d spent almost every waking moment with forover five years.

“Okay,so why didn’t you tell them you have a phased bodyguard from the spy divisionassigned to you? Finding out he’s showing up tomorrow might have helped themfeel better, don’t you think?” Scrubbing tears from her cheeks didn’t keep Hopefrom eyeing Piras with a note of belligerence. Her dark glare gave him a notentirely unpleasant jolt, but he’d be lucky if she allowed him to sleep in thesame bed with her tonight.

“It’sfor the best, that’s all. Thanks for keeping it quiet.” He set his sights onthe door leading to the public shuttle bay. A couple of armed Nobeks, verifiedto have had no relatives on Laro Station when it had fallen thanks to Piras’seeming treachery, waited to escort him.

Hope’shand on his arm halted him before he took more than a step. She was a smallwoman, but she had the commanding aura of a Dramok when it suited her. “Piras.”

Herelented, because his beloved wouldn’t until he did so. “If Kila had discoveredFleet Command assigned me a bodyguard, he’d have insisted on knowing who itwas. He’d have demanded to personally check his credentials and threaten severebodily harm if I were attacked.”

“TypicalNobek, in other words. Why’s it such a big deal? Kila’s a member of the spydepartment of Fleet Command. Who could they have assigned he shouldn’t be awareof?”

“Someonehe wouldn’t approve of. I can’t say more until we’re in our quarters or my office,my Matara. It’s absolutely essential his identity remains undisclosed for now.”

Hopescowled, but she allowed them to head home. “He will remain outside ourquarters, won’t he? My privacy’s never been up for grabs, and the fleet canstuff it if they think they’ll waltz in for a peek whenever they wish.”

“He’llonly accompany me when I leave our quarters. I actually have to wait for him toconfirm his presence before I open the door.” Though the phased bodyguard couldeasily walk in if he wanted. Piras and Hope would never be the wiser unlessthey phased themselves.

Hewon’t. I trust the bastard. Piras bit his lips together. He could have laughed. Darkhumor filled the situation.

Kilawouldn’t have agreed. He’d have found no hilarity in it at all. Thinking abouthis clanmate’s reaction if he’d had the least inkling quelled Piras’ urge tolaugh.

He’sgoing to kill me for this. Despite the fact it hadn’t been Piras’ idea.

* * * *

The alien force dubbed the Darks has grabbed control of keypositions on Kalquor and the Galactic Council of Planets. Other leaders arestill unaware of the threat among them. The galaxy is wide open for destruction by an unfathomable enemy.

Former emperor Nobek Yuder has suspicions, but due torestrictions placed on him after his prison sentence, he can only stand by andwatch helplessly. A renegade Royal Councilman has designs to bring him back tothe political arena, but doing so could destabilize the Kalquorian Empire,leaving it vulnerable to invasion.

Meanwhile, one man on the brink of death, the only man whocan detect the nearly invisible Darks, is pulled from a lifeless shuttle byCaptains Kila and Nako. His incredible story tells them they’re in a raceagainst time to save not only the empire but the whole galaxy…but are theyalready too late?

On Earth II, Governor Stacy Nichol’s relationship with ClanRihep continues to grow. So does the danger, as opponents make deadly movesagainst her and the orbiting Kalquorian station where the clan lives. NobekKuran is determined to keep his clanmates and would-be lifemate safe, but howcan he stop a faceless enemy?

Relationships, old and new, are strained to the breakingpoint at a time when Earthers and Kalquorians need each other more than ever.The Darks are closing in, and no one is ready to oppose them.

Releasing November 3. Pre-order now at Amazon, Amazon UK, Nook, Smashwords, Kobo, Apple, and print.