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

 

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

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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:

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* * **

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