by Diane Rapp
Laughing boys ran down the stairs into the arms of their weeping mothers.
Jarrack’s mind is inside one of these boys?
It is true. Kriegen confirmed. All of their minds live but Jarrack hides deep inside one of them, afraid to be detected.
“Can you find him, Jordan?” Donovan asked.
Jordan stared at his brothers. “No. Their auras are all tainted with a blue glow, probably the residue of prolonged contact with his mind. Jordan slid his blade into its scabbard. “I won’t destroy a brother if his mind still lives. There is always a chance he’ll prevail.”
Donovan nodded. “We can’t punish children for their father’s evil.”
Kriegen said. One of them may rise up and become your enemy. Would it be better to kill him while his mind is weakened?
How do we know which child is possessed? Can we kill an innocent mind to rid ourselves of evil? Donovan asked.
Kriegen’s mental voice remained silent.
Mothers fawned over their children and carried them from the red tower while Jordan quietly watched. Tanya hugged her son, small for his age with blond hair and sky-blue eyes. He smiled like a little angel at his mother.
Marasuta stroked the silken head of the toddler. “The story ends well for you, Tanya. He’s a beautiful boy.”
“Yes. He looks nothing like Jarrack.” The woman’s eyes held hope as she embraced the small boy. “He can’t be the son of that man.”
Marasuta said, “Regardless of his father’s blood, he’s your son. Give him guidance, and he’ll grow into a fine man. He’s already well-mannered.”
She beamed. “He’s such a good boy. I can’t wait until he meets his grandparents. I hope they’re still alive.” Her eyes glistened with excitement. “Do I have permission to leave the Samurai?”
“You kept your oath and fought well for your King. Go but keep your body and sword ready to face another emergency as your oath demands. If your family is gone, please return to the Samurai. You will always be part of our family.”
“That knowledge gives me comfort.”
“Samurai are never turned away from my stronghold.” Marasuta smiled.
“Many women want to return home but some will be grateful for another choice.” She gazed down at her son. “He’s the reward for all my effort. I love you, Anthony.”
Chella touched Jordan’s shoulder. “It will take years for the boy to become dangerous and a mother’s love could make the difference.”
“I survived the taint of my father’s touch. If there’s a chance for the boy, I must give it to him.” Jordan’s voice shook.
Kriegen said. We will watch the boy for any chance to rescue him. We will watch all of Jarrack’s sons since he might try to overtake an older body.
Jordan looked surprised. I thought you didn’t know where he went.
Kriegen’s eyes glowed. Your mind gave us the knowledge. We will not gainsay your choice. Jarrack is dangerous but we will watch the boy until his father tries to take control.
Jordan felt relieved. Thanks, Kriegen. He followed Felesia outside.
Donovan walked outside and surveyed the damage to the castle. “We’ve got lots of work to refurbish this place,” he said.
“It will be difficult living here.” Krystal watched women fleeing from the castle. “He caused so much pain and suffering.”
Mandrake held his nose. “Can we ever get rid of that stench?”
“You sound like Marasuta,” Donovan said. “Have you taken to regular bathing?”
Mandrake frowned. “A little bit of water never hurt anyone.”
Donovan and Krystal laughed and turned to greet their daughters. Donovan grinned so hard his eyes squinted. “While I slept, my little girls turned into beautiful women.”
He lovingly examined each face. “Tessa, Trenton says your courage and craftiness outshine his own—high praise from that scoundrel.” He gazed at Felesia and her menagerie. “With this brood you qualify as our planet’s first zoologist.” Flash spread her wings and displayed a dizzy spectacle of swirling colors.
Felesia said, “She says she’s happy to meet the King.”
Donovan chuckled and turned to Lauryn. “You look just like your mother.”
Lauryn dropped her gaze.
Krystal wrapped an arm around her daughter. “I understand. What Jarrack did to his sons frightens you, but you’re all are more precious to me than my own life. I stayed away because I needed to protect you from Jarrack.”
“I know.” Lauryn smiled into her mother’s face. “We missed you so much.”
Donovan wrapped his arms around his girls and remembered when they snuggled against him as toddlers.
Felesia beckoned Jordan to approach.
He swallowed hard before speaking. “Sire, I love Felesia and ask for her hand in marriage.” Jordan’s eyes nervously met Donovan’s unwavering stare.
“I’m not a father who arranges marriages. Felesia will decide who she plans to wed, but she’s too young to decide just yet.” Donovan gazed at his tawny daughter, who radiated love and happiness as she leaned against Jordan. “I see you’ve won her heart and the loyalty of her animal friends. Give me time to know you before I grant permission.”
Jordan’s smile lit up his face and erased any resemblance to his father.
Donovan glanced around with a stern expression to deter any more suitors who tried to approach. “Am I to lose all my girls so quickly?” Andrew blushed as Donovan gazed in his direction. “I give a royal decree. No more suitors may approach the throne until my daughters reach the age of eighteen. You must give me time to get to know my girls first.”
He wrapped an arm around Krystal. “You’ve done well organizing the troops, my dear. Rest assured I won’t leave you alone again.” He kissed her warmly. “We’d better get started on clean up. I don’t want my bride sleeping in a smelly castle.”
“I’ll sleep anywhere if you’re by my side,” Krystal said and turned to the girls. “As a family we have much to say to each other, but as leaders we should hear the reports of our generals.”
The girls accompanied their parents, waving to the cheering crowd. Friends formed a backdrop to the royal couple as they made their way into the Great Hall.
“Tell me how you planned this battle, Krystal.” Donovan spoke quietly as they walked.
“A few things I did might require governmental reform now that you’re back, the thriving black market, the wolf Council of Elders, and the Samurai all have a place in our society. I’m relieved that you’re here to handle everything.” Krystal’s eyes sparkled.
“Handle everything? You mean clean up the mess!” Donovan rolled his eyes.
“You might be right.” Krystal watched her daughters, chatting eagerly with each other. “I have teenage daughters to worry about, a duty I’ve dreamed of assuming for years.”
“You won’t get out of governing that easy. I need you at my side. Since you’ve proven your skills you can share the responsibility of the crown.” Donovan squeezed her waist.
Krystal laughed. “You’re forever trying to shed the job of King. I’ll gladly help as long as we can enjoy our family. It won’t be long before they’re gone. Their lives are going to seem dull compared to all this excitement.”
Donovan glanced at the assortment of animals and friends. “Somehow I don’t think the word dull accurately describes our future. Where will we put everyone?”
“I’m glad you’re back.” Krystal laughed and ran ahead to escape Donovan’s effort to tickle her. The girls laughed. Their parents looked more like adolescents enjoying a romantic chase than royalty. The hall rang with laughter for the first time in years.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Council of Elders: A group of ruling telepathic wolves who interpret and implement Pack Law. They meet at the Bloody Lake, a sacred place constructed of red clay that blocks telepathic intrusion. The elders host the oldest ancestor minds. Pack Law requires the wolves watch over humans with telepathic
ability and prevent the evil of forced hosting. The ancestors have not revealed their full history.
Drako: A planet on the fringe of civilized space colonized by humans as a recreation planet. The planet is part of a two-sun system, but the red dwarf sun looks more like a second moon from the planet surface. It is described as the dark moon by wolves and the red moon by humans and provides extra energy for night-blooming flora.
Institute: The Earth-based organization formed by the inventors of Transfer to operate and maintain the details of the program. The original team of scientists assigned their patent rights to Institute management but later regretted losing control over their organization.
Host: Telepathic wolves on Drako voluntarily absorb the minds and memories accumulated by an ancestor, also referred to as “hosting” an ancestor line. Although the living host assumes the identity of the ancestor line and listens to advice from ancestor minds, the final decision rests with the living host.
Span: The normal fifty-year time period between standard Transfers. Emergency Transfer can occur at any time.
Speed time: A skill that Donovan developed after many Transfers. He has the ability to move so fast that regular people can’t see him, but to Donovan it appears people and animals are moving slowly or frozen in place. If he touches an object, he can take it along but touching a living creature causes him to drop out of speed time.
Transfer: The scientific process of moving a patient’s mind into a clone of the patient. Multiple Transfers magnify an individual’s natural talents and learned skills in a logarithmic fashion. These skills eventually appear to be supernatural abilities.
Wolves: A telepathic species that are larger and live longer lives than Earth-type wolves. They carry white knives strapped to their chest and stand erect when challenged to fight. A wolf voluntarily “hosts” the ancestor minds of a dying pack member to keep their knowledge and minds alive. Pack Law is complex and governs group behavior. Readers of the series slowly learn the history of the wolves. The creatures arrived on the planet in a spaceship from Earth centuries before the arrival of humans on the planet. One of the ancestor minds that Tessa hosts is an Earth human but she seldom answers questions.
CAST OF CHARACTERS ~ Books 1 and 2 (Alphabetical)
Bryant: The best soldier on Drako, Bryant was King Halder’s right-hand man. He pledged his life to King Donovan’s service when Halder asked. Soldiers look to his leadership without question. He understands his friends’ telepathic talents and barely tolerates the use of technology.
Chella: Is a lanky black woman who was once an African princess. She developed a deep religious conviction after watching her father die for his principles. She’s a talented healer but sees unreliable visions of the future. Chella is also a skilled fighter, who stands ready to defend her friends but prays for the victim’s soul.
Donovan: Captain of the medical spaceship Zebulon, Donovan is a tall, imposing figure with reddish brown hair, green eyes and an infectious smile. He learned that he was an heir to the dying king (Halder) and won the crown to protect his people. Special talents: He has an uncanny sense of strategy, strong leadership, and he can move faster than the eye can detect using speed-time.
Dr. Alexander: Part of the research team that invented Transfer, the doctor is a powerful empath, able to heal with his touch. It’s difficult for him to share the pain of his patients. He implanted cloned embryos of Krystal in her womb and she gave birth to three beautiful daughters. As a cloning expert he changed hair and eye color to make the girls look different.
Felesia: One of the three daughters of Donovan and Krystal. After her nanny was killed, Felesia grew up with animals in the forest. She is able to mind-meld with Marra (a panther), Arrow (a hawk), Killer (a mongoose) and the dragon chick, Flash. She has tawny hair and skin with hazel colored eyes, prefers living wild in the forest, and loves Jordan with all her heart.
Fremont: He was the Institute spy among the scientists who developed Transfer. Under his orders the scientists were targeted by Jarrack for assassination (in book 1). He was embarrassed by the scientists and held frozen in a stasis field while they planned their escape from the Institute. As a result, he is determined to get revenge.
Jarrack: He’s a sadistic Institute assassin who takes pleasure in causing pain and killing. After spans of Transfer he developed the dangerous talent of mind control, able to invade dreams and force his victims to do his will. He’s obsessed with living forever and wants Krystal or one of her cloned daughters as his queen.
Jordan: He is the oldest of Jarrack’s many sons. He learned to hide from Jarrack by blocking his mind. He’s a strong telepath and sees auras (Jarrack’s is blue). He found an injured Felesia and nursed her back to health, while falling in love with the girl. He’s afraid of Jarrack but willing to fight and die for Felesia.
Kriegen: A black telepathic wolf with golden colored eyes—he is pack leader of the Forest Guardians and protector of the humans. He hosts one of the longest lines of ancestor minds on Drako but prefers to remain with his pack rather than serve on the Council of Elders. He met Donovan while the human prepared for the tournament for the crown (in book 1), and they became fast friends. His pack works closely with Donovan’s people.
Krystal: A medical empath who worked with Dr. Alexander for many spans, she is a lithe blond with blue-gray eyes, an ethereal beauty who captured the heart of a young cadet (Donovan) during his first span of duty. Her experiences on other planets helped her develop extra talents: She can manipulate energy, heal by touch, and amplifies the talents of other people.
Lauryn: One of the three daughters of Donovan and Krystal, she is a blonde with gray-blue eyes who looks exactly like Krystal. Lauryn is a highly skilled healer with talents that rival her mother. Chella raised Lauryn in a convent. She knows about Chella’s erratic visions and often has her own dreams about the future.
Maggie: The small dark-haired woman who stole Trenton’s heart when they served on Donovan’s crew loves to cook. Her skill in the kitchen almost matches her ability to detect nuclear radiation. She once operated a nuclear reactor on Earth and navigates the complexities of reactor design from memory. She cannot bear children, but she and Trenton raised Tessa in their mountain retreat.
Marasuta: He’s an inscrutable samurai warrior with his own oriental castle, a master horseman, as well as a fierce and skilled soldier. He formed the Samurai Guild that includes women, who were abused captives in Jarrack’s harem. He vowed to fight Jarrack to the death and won’t rest until the kingdom is safe.
Tanya: She was an abused woman in Jarrack’s harem and bore a son. After she escaped from Havenshire, she joined the Samurai to fight Jarrack and rescue her son. Because Anthony was born with blond hair and blue eyes, she believes one of the desert riders sired him.
Tessa: One of the three daughters of Donovan and Krystal, she’s the auburn-haired princess who volunteered to “host” the wolf minds of the line of Amber. One of the ancestor minds she hosts is a human (Sandra) from the original ship that brought wolves from Earth. She was raised by Trenton and Maggie to keep her safe from the desert riders.
Trenton: Claiming to be the best tracker on land or in space, Trenton was born on Drako. The ruling king (Donovan’s father) sent him off the planet on a secret mission to guard and train Prince Donovan. He kept the secret and waited spans until they were called home so Donovan could become king. He’s a trapper, a wiz at computers, has a quirky sense of humor, and loves Maggie. He uses clever disguises to spy for King Donovan and secretly constructed an elaborate mountain home inside a network of caves with illegal spacer tools.
A Note From Diane Rapp
FREE Offer
Thank you so much for choosing to read this book. If you enjoyed the story, please write a brief review to encourage other readers to purchase the novel. Just a few short sentences can make a real impact on potential buyers and help the book qualify for extra promotion by Amazon.
Reviews also provide encouragement to
an author struggling to dream up new adventures. Since writers work alone, we often wonder if anyone out there is paying attention. Therefore, if you post a review and e-mail me with the permalink to the review, I will send you a FREE short story to enjoy. My e-mail link is available through:
Quick Silver Novels Website:
http://www.quicksilvernovels.com
Feel free to connect with me on my
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/quicksilvernovels
Follow me on Twitter https://twitter.com/DianeRapp
If you have not read the other books in the series, you might enjoy the beginning of the story:
THE ALPHAS is a prequel to HOWL OF THE WOLF, Heirs to the Throne Trilogy. It takes place in modern day on the planet Earth and is a mix of Mystery and Science Fiction. Has your dog ever stared into your eyes, trying to send you a message you can't quite understand? Learn what happens when you finally “get” that message.
What starts off as a perfect day for Carra Taylor, quickly spirals into a terrifying race to solve a deadly mystery. Carra learns that her friend, Frieda, has been murdered and the dogs in Frieda’s kennel are missing. Frieda was the breeder of Carra’s beloved German Shepherd, Kriegen, who was stolen five years before. Now Carra learns that she’s the heir to Frieda's hefty estate and the next target for a group of killers.
As she searches for clues to Frieda’s murder and a series of dog thefts, Carra and her husband Mike, find themselves on a dangerous journey through Frieda’s past. They uncover painful secrets about the woman and learn about a secret breeding project Frieda initiated over fifteen years earlier. Can two amateur sleuths blast through a web of lies to unravel the truth and rescue endangered wolves? Will they survive against a ruthless company that is determined to exploit helpless animals to complete research that might be worth millions? Carra is faced with decisions that might affect generations of sentient beings. You can buy the book by clicking this link: THE ALPHAS
