“Of course, and I’ll keep in touch.” He held her gently by the arms, careful not to linger. “You’ll get sick of me bugging you in no time.”
“Never! You better keep in touch.” She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tight. She’d lost Vera and was now losing Hogan too. “I’m going to miss you.”
“Me too, Li.”
Lian closed her eyes to keep the tears at bay.
Hogan stepped back. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to only bug you at the most inopportune times,” he said with a wink.
She couldn’t help but laugh.
“You better not mean that,” Knox said.
Hogan looked away. “And you better take good care of her.”
Knox clapped him on the back. “You know I will.”
“Well, this is farewell.” Hogan turned away and headed for the door. “Don’t forget to get your clearance codes from admin when you’re ready to leave.”
“Will do, mate.”
“And thanks for giving me a choice.” With that, Hogan turned away and left their ship.
“Well, what do you think?” Knox asked her.
“Huh?” She was deep in thought, hoping Hogan didn’t depend too much on his vampiric wiles and get himself hurt. But mostly she hoped he would find what he was looking for and that the leads he was chasing didn’t put his life at risk. “About what?”
“Hey.” Knox pushed a strand of her hair behind her ear. “He’ll be okay.”
“I know.” It didn’t mean she wasn’t going to worry about her friend, but she didn’t want to upset Knox. She peeked out the front window, watching Hogan walk away. When he left the holding bay, she turned back inside.
“You still haven’t answered my question,” Knox said, his eyes shiny.
“Which question was that?”
“What do you think of your new home?”
“I think our new home is perfect.” Love the sound of that!
“Nah, the ship’s all right. You’re perfect!” He cornered her up against the dash and covered her mouth with his, slipping his tongue between her lips for a mind-numbing kiss.
When they pulled away, she felt a lot better.
They’d spent several days inside a cabin with Hogan, so they’d only flirted and teased each other by sneaking in quick kisses whenever they could. She’d also provided blood when Knox needed it. It seemed the nano-mites replenished her as quickly as the blood was lost. Lian wanted to help him transition into his new existence, but she also loved the way his delicate bites made her feel.
Now that they were alone, she was looking forward to really getting to know him.
“You know, you still haven’t told me how you got out of that explosion alive.” He nibbled on her bottom lip, moving lower.
It was true. Since the incident, they’d spent most of their time giving statements to the authorities and dealing with loose ends. No one had found out about Meiling’s dirty business, but it was enough for her to know, and she would never forgive her for it. At least her inheritance had been used for a worthwhile cause, a whole bunch of them.
“As soon as you tell me about DD,” she retorted and regretted it as soon as it was out of her mouth. She’d read the name—and the sadness—inside his head so many times that she couldn’t help wondering about it.
He stiffened in her arms, stopping his mouth’s exploration of her chin. “I won’t ask how you know about her, but I guess we both have a lot of stories to share.” He caressed the side of her face and kissed her cheek. “I’m looking forward to learning everything there is to know about you and your super powers.” He winked.
“As soon as we get going, I’ll be glad to tell you everything about me.” Telling him about the nano-mites growing stronger within her, and her newfound psychic abilities, would help make them feel real. Not to mention that he deserved to know because he drank her blood. What effect did the nano-mites have on him, if any?
His dark eyes shone. “Really?”
“As long as you’re willing to share too,” she said with a smile. The fact he’d just confirmed DD was female, yet he obviously wanted to continue what they’d started, made her even more curious.
“Of course,” he said with a wink. “I have a lot to tell you. And that includes DD.”
“Good.”
“In that case, I won’t be long.” Knox stepped back and headed for the door, the short sword strapped to his hip moving with him. She had one just like it. They’d been a “facing the big, bad world” gift from Hogan.
“Wait, where are you going?”
“I’m going to get those clearance codes so we can set out.”
Her heart sped up. “Are you serious? Now?”
“There’s no better time.”
“Where will we go?” She couldn’t wait to see where their first adventure would lead and couldn’t believe she was actually leaving Shiver. After so many years, it was finally happening.
“I want to show you my home planet.” He looked away for a second, with a faraway look in his eyes. “But first I’d like to go back to Clash, which is something I never thought I’d say. There’s an old woman there who I think can help answer a few of my questions.” He looked at her. “What about you? Where do you want to go? I want to show you the galaxy, take you wherever your heart desires.”
The possibilities made her head spin. There were so many planets, moons and space stations Mya had shown her on the Network that she would love to see. But like him, something personal came first.
“I want to release Vera’s ashes on Sullen. And…” She bit her lip, not sure if she should share this next bit with him. She was going to be searching for a needle in a haystack.
“Tell me, Lian, I want to know everything.”
His thoughts inside her head surprised her. “I want to find my father.” A picture of the way her artificial father had looked before he was destroyed flashed inside her head, every detail burned into her mind.
“That’s your dad?”
She met his gaze. Hold on. Had he just responded to her thoughts?
“Lian, tell me. Is that picture you projected into my head of your father?”
“Yes. Did I really project that into your mind?”
“You must’ve been thinking about him and shared his image with me. It must be one of your abilities,” Knox said with a shrug. “I recognize that man.”
“How?”
“What’s his name?”
“His name was Mike Shan.”
“Shit! What are the odds?” His eyes widened. “Your father’s name is really Mike?”
She nodded. “Yeah. Why?” The story of how her father was replaced with a robot was one she had told him about—but she hadn’t mentioned his actual name until now.
“No reason,” he said, though it looked like there was something on his mind. It has to be a coincidence that the man who set me on this course not just looks exactly like him but shares her father’s name. But I didn’t catch his surname.
“Where did you see him?”
He hesitated before saying, “In the small town of Grit.”
“You saw him in the southern hemisphere?” She knew some town names and had seen aerial shots, but never any real pictures of what the other side of the world looked like.
Knox nodded. “Would you like to go there first?”
Unable to speak, she nodded.
“Sounds like a plan. I won’t be long.”
“Knox, hold on!” She ran to him and threw her arms around his neck, on tiptoes so she could meet his gaze. “I can’t wait to head out on a real adventure with you.”
“Me neither. You’re everything I need.” He kissed her, soft and slow, until a subtle growl reverberated between them.
Lian pulled back and looked deep into his dark eyes, until she felt him relax. “Don’t be long.” She ran her fingers over his spiky hair—it was growing fast.
“I won’t.” He stepped away and kept his gaze locked on hers until he sli
pped out the door.
She couldn’t believe it. Knox had actually met someone in Grit with the same name as her father, and Meiling mentioned he was dumped in the arena. She couldn’t wait to ask him more. But while he was gone, she was going to connect to the ship’s computer.
In the silence, her thoughts mingled with those that weren’t hers. She only seemed to truly sense that she had a virtual world inside her mind when she was alone or trying to fall asleep.
Lian sat in the pilot’s chair and ran her palms over the comfy leather. She tied her hair up into a bun and left the base of her neck exposed. She ran her fingertips over the port now embedded into her skull and was glad the bot had installed it. She grabbed the cable from the dash and plugged it into the compatible port. The cockpit fell away, leaving her inside a radiant rainbow.
“Welcome back, Li,” the familiar female voice said. “So glad you decided to return.”
“Yeah, I’m sorry I haven’t had a chance to drop in sooner.” Lian had been nervous about returning to the virtual world and needed a little distance before attempting this. Now, she was ready. “I need to tell you something.”
“Yes?”
“You won’t need to be crowded inside my head for much longer. I’m about to download the virtual world into a new Network Hub.”
“Thank you, Li. I knew you would find us a new home.”
“I’ll always be one port away now, Mya.”
About the Author
Yolanda Sfetsos has always had a wild imagination and often found herself making up stories in her head. When she was in her teens, she started putting some of those ideas on paper.
She loves to dabble in a variety of genres but especially enjoys writing urban fantasy, futuristic, and Sci-Fi tales—all with a dark, paranormal edge.
Yolanda lives in a suburb of Sydney, Australia with her small family. When she’s not writing, she’s either thinking about it, researching, reading, walking, or watching her favorite TV shows. Or maybe she’s on Twitter.
You can visit her website at: www.yolandasfetsos.com
Look for these titles by Yolanda Sfetsos
Now Available:
Recast
Wither
Clash
Sierra Fox
A Patch of Darkness
Split at the Seams
On Pins And Needles
Coming Soon:
Torn From the Shadows
When revenge, secrets and lust collide, there can only be chaos.
Clash
© 2012 Yolanda Sfetsos
Recast, Book 2
Jenks Maine is dead, but the devastating effects forcing Recast to fight in the arena goes on. Half-Recast Ace Abu is determined to put a stop to it. All he needs is to get to the planet Fray, locate the concealed Clash Arena, and destroy it. But first he has to cross half the galaxy before the sound and smell of his partners’ nonstop lovemaking drives him mad.
By the time he parks himself on a barstool in the town of Grit, he’s more than ready for a few beers. Except the sexy singer on stage is only making him—and his inner beast—burn hotter.
Ely’Shea longs for the freedom Jenks stole from her. She’s his right-hand woman, but when the boss is away she steps out of her enforcer role and ducks into a remote bar to indulge her passion: singing onstage. The night she catches a glimpse of an alluring cowboy in the audience, he ignites a spark inside her she never thought she’d feel again.
Unable to resist temptation, they’re consumed by passion…but once the fuses are set, their deepest personal secrets could blow any chance of forever all to hell.
Warning: This book contains a very lonely shapeshifter in need of some loving, a kick-ass singer leading a double life, a serious case of mutual lust, an arena filled with enslaved warriors, and so many secrets it can only end in total madness.
Enjoy the following excerpt for Clash:
“I don’t think he’s listening to a word you’re saying,” Brynn said, sitting beside him.
“I think you’re right.”
Ace turned to face them after Colt smacked him on the shoulder hard enough to get his attention. “What do you want? Can’t you see I’m enjoying the entertainment?” He didn’t want to miss a single word. This singer’s voice was amazing, so silky it swept through him, relaxing the beast in a way no one had ever managed before.
Colt turned his eyes to the woman singing onstage but shrugged when he said, “I can see why you’re checking her out, but are you really enjoying this boring song?”
“It’s not boring, it’s…” He let his voice trail off. What was the point?
Ace turned back to the alluring woman. Her eyes were closed as her fingertips caressed the microphone stand in a way that had to be arousing every single man inside this crowded bar. Lush black hair framed her heart-shaped face, complementing her caramel-colored skin. A blue dress hugged her curvaceous body so well it made Ace want to reach out for her. She was stunning, gorgeous—a total turn-on. After fantasizing about his co-accomplice for so many days, he welcomed another female to focus on.
He couldn’t tune out this beauty, mesmerized by her every subtle move. He didn’t want to continue the conversation he’d started with Colt and Brynn before entering this place. All he could do now was watch. When she finally opened her eyes and looked right at him, Ace couldn’t help but grin.
Who was this beauty? He had a compulsion to find out. It itched at his skin until her murmuring voice cut out, and everyone around him exploded in applause and whistles.
He sat back in the uncomfortable wooden chair and inclined his chin, winking at her when she met his gaze. He clapped his hands together, lifting his nose in the air and picking up the sweet aroma of her body. Even with all the other odors around him, he singled out her vanilla scent.
“Thank you,” she mumbled, looking away. As if she was suddenly shy and didn’t know how to deal with the onslaught of attention.
“Ace, do you know her?” Brynn asked.
He shook his head, lingering on the beauty before finally turning to his companions. The emcee had announced this woman’s name earlier but he hadn’t been interested enough to take note until she’d actually appeared. Now he was kicking himself for not paying proper attention. “Why do you ask?”
Brynn shrugged and pushed her long blonde braids behind her shoulders, her face shadowed beneath the brim of her hat. They were all wearing cowboy hats Colt had provided to keep their faces concealed. It wasn’t likely that anyone would recognize them, but they couldn’t afford to take the chance. Not even while they were this far from the actual arena.
The small town of Grit lay on the outskirts of the main city of Clash. Clash was dominated by an outrageous amount of ancient stone ruins and temples, all kept in pristine condition. The aerial shots Colt had shown them back on the ship also illustrated a huge market situated between this town and the Clash Arena, though there weren’t any shots of the barbaric pit. It was hidden underground with the main entrance located in one of the many temples.
Maine had ensured that all the temples were highly guarded, and unless you were invited, there was no way to stumble into the arena. It was conveniently located in the southern part of the planet, where many a god and goddess were cherished. The northern part of the planet of Fray, a segregated stretch of icy land, could be a wasteland for all he knew.
“Ace.” Brynn waved a hand in front of his face.
“Huh?”
“You just seem to be looking at her as if you—”
“He’s looking at her because he probably wants to get to know her…naked,” Colt said with a laugh.
Ace looked over his shoulder. Everyone seemed to be hanging on the singer’s every word. “I don’t think there’s a man in here who isn’t thinking the same thing.”
“But is she looking back at any of them? I can see her staring at you right now,” Brynn teased.
Ace looked up and found those dark brown eyes on him, but the woman glanced aw
ay as she waited for the piano to start up again. When it did, she swayed her hips to the rhythm of a new song, lending it another dose of sensuality.
Ace couldn’t help but think about her moving beneath him. How good it would feel to have her writhing because of his touch. Oh hell, Colt was right.
“I think I know what he means now,” Colt said.
Brynn smacked him on the back of the head.
“What? I’m just saying…”
Brynn rolled her eyes and moved a little closer to both of them, hovering over the round table and looking around suspiciously in case anyone was listening. “I think it was a great idea to stop in here. The more people who see us, the easier it will make it to blend in while we’re trying to locate the arena.”
Colt nodded.
They’d gotten the Clash Arena co-ordinates from Maine’s ship and intended to use them to make their way inside. Only one of them would fly right in. The other two had to get inside by foot. It was the only safe way to ambush the place. They’d have to dismantle it one piece at a time because as soon as Jenks Maine’s people realized someone else had hijacked and landed his ship within their secure walls, all hell would break loose. If they planned this just right, which could take a few days of hanging around the outskirts of town before venturing farther in, everything would come together.
At least, that’s what they were hoping. Ace personally thought their plan needed a good dose of enhancement. Three people sneaking in wouldn’t be enough if they didn’t time everything perfectly. Yet, he seemed to be the only one with doubts.
“I also think we should do whatever we can to blend in,” Brynn added. “We could all meet around the back in say…an hour. See what we can find out by chatting to some people, eavesdropping on others. Someone’s bound to know something.”
“I’m not splitting up. You and I can deal with this together.”
“Colt, don’t be a chauvinistic pig. You know I can take care of myself. I’ve handled much more dangerous men than anyone in here.” Her blue eyes were dark and threatening as she peered over both shoulders with a frown. “If you’re really committed to tearing down that barbaric place, we have to do this. I can’t scout the area with you on my back. I need to seem available.”
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