CAVENDII TWO: A military base of the Star Empire under command of Colonel Yaloom.
CORS PARTICLES: Matter produced at the event horizon of a dimensional rift.
DAZLITE: A thumb-sized pushbutton light.
DISRUPTOR: A hand weapon with two settings: stun and kill. Disrupts neural pathways. Used by planetary patrols and local military units for crowd control. Class One military use restricted armament.
DOKTER: Trollek word for doctor.
DONIK: Curse word equivalent to bastard.
DONJON: Tower.
DRAGON’S TRIANGLE: Also called the Devil’s Sea, this is an area in the Pacific basin southeast of Japan between Iwo Jima and Marcus Island that is the site of anomalies where ships and planes disappear and radios and compasses stop working.
DRIFT LORD: A warrior from Karrell who has the special ability to sniff cors particles.
DRIFT WORLD: An adult role-playing theme park in Orlando, FL. “A place where your fantasy job becomes reality. Whatever part you want to play, it’s yours for a day.”
DROTT: Trollek military form of address for superior officer.
DWARFS: Short-statured men who live underground. They have pale faces and beards. Skilled metalworkers and goldsmiths who craft magical items for the gods. Greedy fellows, they may also have the gift of prophecy.
DYTHIUM CHARGES: Explosive compound.
EDDA: An epic of Germanic origins.
ELVES: Nocturnal beings who live in the water, woods, or mountains. They enjoy dancing and gambling, but men who dance with them must be wary. Ruled by a king.
EVENT HORIZON: Rift caused when dimensional plates grind against each other.
FAFNIR: A giant disguised as a dragon to guard his treasure.
FARARRA: A pleasure planet with resorts, emporiums, eateries, and entertainment complexes.
FENRIR: A son of Loki and a fire giant disguised as a wolf. He killed Odin at Ragnarok.
FOUNTAIN OF WISDOM: A source of water under the roots of the giant World Tree.
GATEKEEPERS: Allies of the Drift Lords, these shapeshifters help protect humanity during Trollek incursions on Earth.
GIANT: According to Norse mythology, giants were the first living creatures. They command storms and tremors and have the gift of disguise. Two types: Fire Giants and Frost Giants.
GLITTER BUG: A lightning bug type insect on Paz’s homeworld.
GRAND MARSHAL: Governor of Trollek towns. Addressed as “Your Eminence”.
HAGRET: A bird with outstretched wings.
HAS’PUTE: A Karellian curse word.
HEL: Goddess ruler of Niflheim; Loki’s daughter.
HERIS: Form of address for a Trollek landowner, second in rank to a Grand Marshal.
HYPERSPACE: Faster than speed-of-light travel via a distortion of the space-time continuum.
IMMOBILIZER: Stun weapon, used by Star Empire military units in covert ops. Class Two restricted armament.
JADLOK: Elvin liege of the lakes region.
JAK’TAR: The Trollek home world.
JAWANI: A standard universal language.
JORG: King of the Trolleks.
JORGONAUTS: Followers of the Trollek King Jorg.
KABAK: Trollek who commands a confounded human.
KAG: Man who likes boys.
KARRELL: Home world of Zohar Thorald and training ground for the Drift Lords.
KASH: A Trollek dice game.
KEWA STONES: Diamonds.
KIMMLEBUSH: A curse word in Dwarf language.
KNESTA: “Beloved” in Lord Magnor’s tongue; term of endearment.
LASER CARBINE: RAD-4 Rifle with enhanced infrared scanner; used by military troops.
LAVA BOMB: Explosive device, like a grenade.
LEERA: A term of endearment in Paz’s native language.
LIEMA: A long-necked animal that moves with grace, native to Paz’s home world.
LEY LINES: An energy grid intersects Earth at twelve distinct geographic points called Vile Vortices. Ley lines are the lines connecting these points of the electromagnetic field.
LEYTNANT: Officer in Trollek military force.
LOKI: Loki is a mischievous trickster and shapeshifter who was banished to an underground prison by the Norse Gods. He is a malevolent being bent on revenge and galactic domination.
LOXOTAN: A painkiller.
LYTHIX SERUM: Truth serum used by the Trolleks.
MALNATIUM: A volatile but powerful energy producing compound.
MAUG: A curse word used as an adjective; a derogatory term.
MENIG: Lowest enlisted rank in Trollek military force.
MIDGARD: The middle land occupied by mankind in Norse mythology.
MIMIR: God who guards the Fountain of Wisdom.
MIMIR’S WELL: The Fountain of Wisdom guarded by the God Mimir. This water supplies one of the roots of the great World Tree.
MIN DROTT: Trollek form of address for superior officer.
MINGLING: Sexual intimacy.
MJOLLNIR: Thor’s magic hammer, forged by the dwarfs. When thrown, it returns like a boomerang.
MODGUD: Giantess and guardian of the bridge over the river Gjoll in Niflheim.
MORABI NERVE JAB: A hand chop to a sensitive bundle of nerves.
MORANO CONFEDERATION: An alliance bordering the Star Empire.
NEUTRINO: A small elementary particle that carries no electric charge. Created by nuclear reactions like the Sun, neutrinos pass through matter almost undisturbed.
NIDHOG: Dragon who gnaws on a root of the World Tree and guards the spring Hvergelmir.
NID RUNE: A curse.
NIFLHEIM: The realm of the dead, ruled by the Goddess Hel.
NORNS: Three Goddesses of Fate who guard the Urd Well.
ODIN: Ruler of the Norse gods.
ORIGINALS: Early sentient beings who inhabited Earth.
PAMADORE: A type of poultry consumed on Karrell.
PFRELL: Flying creatures with sharp talons and spear-like beaks; a hunter species native to the Trollek world.
PHASE GUN: Type of energy weapon. The Drift Lords carry Monix T-6 laser pistols. This gun has three settings: stun, kill, vaporize. Spare power packs are carried in their utility belt pouches. Older model, T-4, has to be reloaded more often. This model is more commonly used by the general populace. Energy bolts can penetrate body armor.
PHASE RIFLE: Long-range version of above.
PIP: Portable Intel Platform; handheld data unit with sensors and scanning capability.
POLARIZE: The means by which Drift Lords protect themselves from the Trollek spell.
PURPURA BLOSSOMS: A sweet scented flower on Karrell.
RAGEESH: Honorary form of address for the Crown Prince of the Star Empire.
RAGNAROK: End of the world and destruction of the multiverse.
RIFF: Karellian term for lowlife or thug.
SCREEN (verb): To hide from sight.
SETUS FIVE: Paz’s home world.
SHAPESHIFTER: Beings who can alter their form.
SHELL SHEDDER: Old-fashioned gunpowder projectile weapons. DL’s lightweight clothing armor protects against these pistols and lightweight rifles.
SHIRAJO MANOR: Trollek stronghold on Pacific island.
SHOCK STICK: Rod-like punishment device used by Trolleks for slave control, it delivers a painful electric shock.
SIRE: Honorary form of address for royalty on Karrell.
SIRA: Honorary form of address for noble ladies on Karrell.
SKAP: Slang term for a Viden.
SLOGG: Trollek word for slave.
SMARK: A curse word in Paz’s native tongue.
SNIPELING: A reptilian creature that lives in rock crevices. Poisonous venom.
SONIC GRENADE: Weapon used by Star Empire troops, it causes a blast of sonic waves.
SPATIAL SHIFT: Instantaneous transport from one place to another.
STAR EMPIRE: An alliance of sentient planets ruled by a hereditary Emperor.
TEECAHT: A derogat
ory name for a Trollek woman who steps out of bounds.
TENT TEN: Site of Trollek medical experiments on humans.
THOR: Warrior god of Norse legend, he carried Mjollnir, a magic hammer.
THOR’S HAMMER: Thor’s magical weapon that returns to its thrower.
TROLLEK: Intelligent creatures derived from the Originals, the Trolleks revere nature, despise humans for chasing them from their land, and believe in taking by force what suits their needs.
VECTOR: An invisible line on the time-space continuum.
VECTOR SHIFT: See spatial shift.
YMIR: The first Giant in Norse mythology.
UGRON: A grizzly bear-like creature.
URD WELL: Fountain of Youth protected by the Norns, its spring feeds the root on the World Tree that supports Midgard.
VALHALLA: Odin’s hall where dead warriors lived in honor and prepared for Ragnarok.
VALKYRIES: Virgin warriors of the god Odin, they selected the warriors who died in battle to go to Valhalla. They carried the souls of these dead warriors there. They had swan plumage and could fly. Also called Shieldmaidens.
VANIR: Norse gods who were farmers and merchants.
VEILED: Shielded from view.
VIDENS: Faction of Trolleks who support science instead of conquest as a solution to their problems.
VILE VORTICES: An energy grid intersects the globe at twelve distinct geographic points called Vile Vortices. These are often sites of anomalous activity. They originate from deep below the Earth’s crust and may have multiple surface areas of manifestation. The lines connecting these points on the electromagnetic field are termed ley lines. Five each of these vortices are at an equal distance above and below the equator. Two are located at the north and south poles.
WAGMIRE: A type of rodent.
WIGONK: A domesticated canine on Karrell.
WONK: Trollek slang term for male appendage.
WORLD TREE: The great ash tree that connects all realms of the universe. Also called Yggdrasil.
A word about the author...
Nancy J. Cohen is an award-winning author who writes romance and mysteries. Her first title won the HOLT Medallion Award, while her latest release, Silver Serenade, won Best Book in Romantic Science Fiction/Fantasy at The Romance Reviews. Several titles in her popular Bad Hair Day mystery series have made the IMBA bestseller list. Shear Murder is the tenth book in this series and her sixteenth title.
Active in the writing community and a featured speaker at libraries and conferences, Nancy is listed in Contemporary Authors, Poets & Writers, and Who’s Who in U.S. Writers, Editors & Poets.
Follow Nancy online:
Website: http://nancyjcohen.com
Blog: http://nancyjcohen.wordpress.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/nancyjcohen
Facebook: http://bit.ly/c3YchC
Books by Nancy J. Cohen
available from The Wild Rose Press
Silver Serenade
The Drift Lords Series
Warrior Prince
Coming Next: Warrior Rogue
Turn the page for a sneak preview!
WARRIOR ROGUE
Book 2 in the Drift Lords Series
“If he doesn’t show up in the next ten minutes, I’ll kill him.” Jennifer Dyhr paced back and forth on the Tokyo film set for a video game commercial. Their lead actor, Keith Monroe, was more than an hour overdue. Where the hell was he?
“I called his hotel room.” Sandi tapped her pen on the clipboard cradled in her arm. Dressed in a prim suit, she looked more like a schoolteacher than a fashion designer’s assistant. “He didn’t answer, so I left a message. Ditto for his cell.”
“The jerk. You’d think he would be more reliable.” Jen tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Her twist was coming undone, same as her composure.
“It’s the producer’s problem, not yours.”
“Oh, yeah? Who else could we get to look the part of a vengeful Norse god?” She waved a hand. “If you recall, I’m the one who recommended Keith for the role. I wouldn’t have won this project without him.”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself. Like, your costumes have nothing to do with Keith’s no show.”
Sandi’s calm tone failed to reassure her. “The producer might not see it that way. He’ll lump us Americans together and blame me for Keith’s behavior.”
“Oh, come on, Jen. He’s lucky to have you. You’re the best in the field.”
“True.” Jen squared her shoulders. Inspired by visions from the past, she’d made her mark on the fashion industry and garnered numerous awards for her designs based on Viking influence. She’d become as much a celebrity as the stars who wore her garments.
Nonetheless, Jen had yet to introduce her line overseas. If she wanted her company to expand, she needed gigs like this one to show she could compete in the global marketplace.
“I hope Keith wasn’t in an accident.” Her heart raced at the thought. “Maybe we should call the hospitals.”
“You can suggest that to Mr. Nakamura.” Sandi bobbed her head in a warning nod.
Jen braced herself as the director hurried over. A lanky man with black hair, Mr. Nakamura wore a perpetual scowl and his tense posture like a cloak.
“Keith Monroe is passed out drunk in his hotel room,” the translator interpreted after a rapid-fire dialogue by the director. A boyish-faced youth, Akeno had confided to Jen his wish to work on the film crew someday.
“You’re kidding,” Jen blurted before remembering her place. “I mean, I’m so sorry. Please accept my apologies for Keith’s irresponsible behavior.”
She bowed her head in deference, expecting a tongue-lashing in response. Her Japanese associates would need someone to blame. Jen only hoped this snag wouldn’t damage the reputation she’d worked so hard to build.
“The producer has already called the casting office for a replacement,” Akeno said after another spate of dialogue from his employer, whose irate tone matched his angry eyes.
“We need a guy with the right build,” she reminded them. “Blond hair and blue eyes would be a bonus.” That might be a tough find in August when people took vacations to cooler climates. She’d really give Keith hell when she saw him next.
While they waited for the stand-in actor to arrive, Jen inspected the stitching on her costumes.
“Jen, this woman’s seam is splitting.” Sandi indicated one of the extras portraying a villager.
Jen cursed under her breath. “Did she sit down? I told her not to bend. This shift barely fits around her hips.”
She grabbed a needle and thread from her kit as the director herded everyone to take their places on set. The storyline involved a barbarian ravaging a peaceful village until a Norse god appeared to battle him.
It amazed her how the sound stage looked like a real Viking town with thatched roof houses spewing smoke from holes in the roofs, vendors lining a busy market street, and wood planked walkways leading toward a fake pier rimmed with barrels of wine.
The village street bustled with action as actors walked through their paces and chatted amongst themselves. She could almost smell the sheep dung and wood smoke.
Uh, oh. Her visions often started with a sensory impression. Quickly, Jen wrapped up her repair and stashed away her kit as reality receded.
When her eyes focused again, she was strolling down the village street in the distant past. Her gown swished against her leather boots as she beamed a friendly smile to the blacksmith. Across the road, the fur peddler waved. She nodded a greeting, her nose wrinkling at the smell of fish emanating from the wharf. Shivering, she drew the edges of her shawl closer together as a stiff breeze blew off the sea.
Shrieks of surprise made her vision evaporate. A man charged into view from around the corner onto the studio set.
A naked man, wearing not a stitch of clothing.
Jen stared at him, aghast. What kind of joke was this?
Lacerations marred his body, and heavens
above, what a magnificent body the man had. Her glance dropped from his massive shoulders to his muscled chest and then down to his very masculine package. The glory of him stole her breath.
“Where am I? What’s happened?” His wild-eyed look and combative stance froze the actors on set.
His American accent startled Jen. Brilliant, just brilliant. Who else but their stand-in for Keith Monroe would show up with such melodrama? She should have recognized him at once from his wheat blond hair and blue eyes, but she’d been too focused on his, ah, other parts.
Good Lord, it was warm in there. She fought an urge to fan herself, the heat from the spotlights raising her temperature. Or maybe that wasn’t what caused her to feel so hot all over.
The man’s gaze slammed into hers, and time stood still. The distance between them receded, blotting out their surroundings, and they alone stood facing each other on a plain where mist swirled at their feet. Their heartbeats pounded a sensual rhythm in harmony. In her mind’s eye, she shed her clothes as a hunger she’d never known swept through her. A hunger for him.
Shaking her head, she reoriented herself. Much as she’d like to admire his physique all day long, they had to get moving. Time was money as far as the producer was concerned. This guy needed to be clothed, fast.
“Sandi, get me Keith’s costume and tell the makeup artist we need her.” Jen’s voice came out as a high-pitched squeak. She cleared her throat. “Our new stand-in has done a great job on those fake wounds, but we don’t want his greasy cosmetics on our clothes.”
Mr. Nakamura hustled over with the translator in tow. He jabbed his finger at the new guy. “You there, what is your name?”
The actor stiffened but didn’t respond. He glanced at the other crew members who had stopped to watch. A look of confusion spread over his face. His jaw tightened, a day’s growth of bristle adding authenticity to his role.
“What’s your name?” Jen spoke in a loud tone like people did to foreigners who could hear perfectly well but didn’t understand.
“I am Paz Hadar.” His dimples deepened as he regarded her. “Who are you?”
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