“All is in readiness, my Sovereign.” The sentient scholar-worker groomed his antennae eagerly. “The scout is dispatched and it carries with it one of the Druvian E’lo stones.”
“And you’re certain it will work?” Sovereign X'izith demanded. “You’re certain the stones are functional?”
“We made many trials, my Sovereign,” the worker buzzed, nodding. “The stones will work.”
“Test her once more before giving her the stone,” the Sovereign instructed. “We must make absolutely certain—we do not wish to bring any but the ten’sora back to the Hive.”
“The test shall be made and you will see, my Sovereign—this female is the one. The answer to all our prayers to the Nameless Ones,” the worker promised.
“You had better be right or I will rip off your head and eat it,” the Sovereign muttered savagely.
The scholar-worker began grooming his antennae nervously—almost compulsively.
“That will be unnecessary, my Sovereign. You will see—this is the female and soon she will be ours.”
His certainty satisfied X'izith.
“Very well.” He rubbed the twisted scar tissue around his breeding barb restlessly. Soon he would make use of it again—he would impregnate this special female with grubs as many times as it took for his successor to be born.
Soon there would be grubs enough to fill the royal and the common nurseries alike, which now stood empty and waiting. Soon there would be workers and drones and guards and warriors—all the components they needed to take over this little solar system and after that, the entire galaxy!
Soon it shall be done, he promised himself. By the Nameless Ones, Lords of Darkness I swear it. The Hive shall live forever.
The End…?
Nope! There is always another Kindred coming. Look for Kindred 21 in the near future but before that, you'll be seeing a Kindred novella called Seeing with the Heart, hopefully coming out in September. Here’s a blurb to give you a taste:
Seeing with the Heart: a Kindred Tales novella
Braxx is a Beast Kindred with a painful past. A traumatic crash stole his brother and his bride from him and left half of his face horribly scarred. Desperate to avoid the pitying and disgusted looks he gets whenever he goes out, he takes a job as a scout, travelling across the universe to find new trade partners and power sources for the Kindred. He thinks he'll never love again until he comes back to Earth and meets Molly.
Dr. Molly Reynaud has a doctorate in Cultural Anthropology. She's also completely blind and has been since a car accident took both her parents and her sight at the age of sixteen. When she is chosen to do a field study on the elusive Tal'ossi people from Tal'os Trenta, she doesn’t expect to have feelings for the Kindred warrior who is supposed to guard her there. But she can't seem to help the instant connection she feels to Braxx and she knows he feels the same for her.
Though he wants Molly desperately, Brax is scarred on the inside too--such a perfect female isn't for him, he's certain. If she knew his past, if she could see his face, she wouldn't want him--or so he tells himself.
Then the unthinkable happens--Molly is kidnapped by the Deep Dwellers of Tal'ossi and taken down to the subterranean depths as a bride for their leader. Braxx must go after her and suddenly the idea of claiming turns from a wish to a necessity.
Can Braxx overcome his tragic past and save the woman he loves? And can Molly convince him they belong together? Both of them will have to practice Seeing with the Heart or they will be parted forever…
Hugs to you all, and thanks, as always, for reading. Now read on for a taste of Stone Cold Fox, the third book in the Cougarville series.
Evangeline
***PS--If you've enjoyed Surrendered, please take a moment to leave a good reivew . Good reviews are like gold for an author--they let other readers know it's okay to take a chance on a new series which means I can keep writing for a living to feed your Kindred cravings. ; ) Hugs, Evangeline
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Stone Cold Fox: Book 3 of the Cougarville series
Cougarville's mechanic, and resident Alpha fox, shelters a mysterious woman who ignites his protective animal instincts when evil forces try to tear them apart.
Jo Ferrell has been cast out of her home for reasons she doesn’t understand. The grey streak in her hair is gone, her body is younger, and there’s an ominous shadow chasing her. With nowhere else to go, Jo finds shelter in a shed whose owner she wants nothing to do with—but he’s too much to resist.
Reese Cooper has never felt a pull towards a woman like he does towards Jo and his Fox is desperate to claim her as their mate. After offering her a place to stay, Reese finds it difficult to resist his beautiful new roommate. But when dark magic threatens their happiness, Reese will use all of his strength to protect the woman he loves…if he’s not too late.
Read on for an excerpt and to see the sexy cover… ; )