Dark Empire Book Five: Desperate Measures - Chapter Three, Scene Two

 

Hello again, Shalia.

* * * *

“It’ll be so good to see you and Oses! A hunting trip soundsfantastic.”

Betra grinned at Shalia’s enthusiastic reply to hisinvitation. “Do you think your clan can make it?”

“We’re in the middle of the slow season as far as the cruiseline is concerned,” she said, referring to the ocean-going line of vacationships her Imdiko Cifa owned. Shalia was in charge of vid promotions for CifilerCruises. “Seot said only last night he needs to take time off. That goes doublefor me. Larten would stop whatever he’s doing to go on a hunting trip.”

“Excellent.” Betra beamed at her.

Shalia, appearing to stand before him thanks to the com vid,was as beautiful as ever. Ten years had passed since he’d first met thetroubled young woman fleeing a dying Earth. She’d had a penchant for gettinginto life-threatening scrapes, often through no fault of her own. She’dcertainly kept Betra and Oses on their toes and had brought them together asclanmates. In a way, Betra thought she’d had a hand in making Resan theirDramok too, though the eternally at-odds pair would have hotly denied it.

Maturity, motherhood, and career certainly agreed with her.Beyond her work at the cruise line, she also ran a fertility foundation, whichprovided Earther eggs to the many infertile Kalquorian women who wished to bemothers. Despite having five children of her own, she was in incredible shape.It was clear she’d kept up the workouts Resan had bullied her through duringher stay on the ship.

Betra marveled for the millionth time that though they’ddiscovered an instant mutual antipathy, Resan and Shalia had done each other alot of favors. He suppressed a sigh.

“I’ve missed you,” he said.

Her smile was warm, reminding him of the occasions he’dearned it. Of the days and nights he’d been fortunate to have her love. “It’llbe wonderful to spend a few days with you and Oses. We have a lot to catch upon.”

How he wished they could have more. If he’d been a differentman who could curb an insatiable wanderlust that kept him from putting downreal roots, if she and Resan could have dropped the visceral dislike even theyadmitted they had no real reason for…

If only.

* * **

 All-out war has begun, with innocents caught in thecrossfire.

Former nun Cheryl Taupin and her husband Nobek Besral,in charge of the remaining orphans of Earth’s Armageddon, watch the terribleevents unfolding in the Dark-overrun Galactic Council of Planets. Kalquoriansin Galactic Council space are being rounded up to suffer an unknown fate andmartial law is declared on many of the system’s worlds. A desperate plea to theKalquorian Empire sends Admiral Piras and Captain Kila to the orphanage…but howcan a lone spyship protect hundreds of children against the full might of theGalactic Council’s warships bent on destruction?

Charity Nath has been brought to Alpha Space Stationto hide from those determined to exact vengeance against her father. Young andirrepressible, she’s determined to claim a measure of freedom from stiflingrestrictions placed on her. When her identity and location are revealed, herKalquorian protectors must thwart those who’d harm her while contending withher stubborn refusal to be kept in check.

Imdiko Betra has done his best to put the past behindhim. He knows letting go of the only woman he could ever love was the bestcourse of action. But when he encounters Shalia Monroe again, his heart speakslouder than his conscience. Will unquenchable desire destroy the life she’sbuilt, or will Betra’s clanmates Oses and Resan stop him from doing theunthinkable?

Against the backdrop of pandemic and plague, Kalquorand Earth II fight for their very survival against an enemy they’re onlybeginning to learn the strength of. As the All tightens its fearsome grip onthe galaxy, humans and Kalquorians alike tremble on the verge of annihilation.

Releasing Friday, July 26

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