Harbinger (26 page)

Not surprisingly, Raylon came charging up one of the rows, his expression thunderous. “Why do I sense spikes in her emotions every time you come around?”

“I’m fine.” Chandar turned around and smiled at her mate. “When you feel an emotional spike, you can always ask me what’s wrong rather than running to my rescue.”

He swept her into his arms and kissed her deeply. “Now where’s the fun in that?”

She shook her head and turned back around, neatly contained within the circle of his arms. “You said the plan involved both of us. What is your role in the process?”

Danvier glanced at Haven before answering his sister.

Do you need a hug?
Haven teased, hoping to break the tension.

I need a lot more than that.
He smiled and relaxed, then continued his explanation. “Despite her utter corruption, the former Pyre Sterling had a loyal following. Lisden and Phardin—”

“Want you to head this new council?” Chandar jumped on ahead.

“Yes. That way it will feel like a natural evolution rather than a rebellion against the charter.”

For a long moment, she stared into his eyes. “And you’re considering this? What about Garin and this rebellion.”

“The battle born rebels have a new harbinger now, and I released my anchor bond with Garin so I could claim my mate.”

Chandar’s gaze flew to Haven then back to him, her expression carefully guarded. “You two have been busy.” Finally, she relaxed enough to smile. “Congratulations. I wish you nothing but the best. And if your life path is leading you back to Rodymia, I’ll support you in any way I can.”

Garin walked up a few minutes later, looking freshly pressed and immaculate despite the humid setting. Did the man ever get frazzled or have a bad hair day? She looked at his head. His hair was cut so short it was more of a dark shadow, so bad hair days were definitely out. The rest was doubtful as well. She’d never met a man so ruthlessly disciplined and well-organized.

“Was there a problem or are you still adjusting to Chandar’s moods?” The tiniest hint of a smile pulled at one corner of the general’s mouth.

“No problem,” Raylon muttered, his face half buried in Chandar’s hair.

“Then get back to work.” Impatience snapped through Garin’s tone, but merriment made his gaze shimmer. “Raina needs six barrels of vi-jarek for the super grains and you’re the unlucky grunt who gets to find them.”

“Yes, sir!” Raylon snapped his heels together and kissed his mate on the neck. “I’ll be counting the minutes until tonight.”

Chandar’s only response was a fiery blush. Then to the others she said, “I should be going as well.” She looked at Danvier and added, “I’d like to hear more about the opportunity and your plans if you accept the position.”

“Of course.”

Garin didn’t speak again until Chandar had disappeared through the main door. “How did things go on Rodymia? Your message was seriously lacking in details.” Danvier started to speak, but Garin stopped him. “Let’s go somewhere else. I don’t know how Raina stands the humidity day after day.”

Haven looked back with some disappointment as they followed Garin out of the jungle. She’d been looking forward to meeting Raina. She knew there were other females besides Chandar on Lunar Nine, but she’d yet to run across any of them.

“Letos liked the idea of a three-person panel to oversee all the other governing bodies,” Danvier began as they walked through the heart of the commerce district. Most people only saw the glitzy retail tiers, but this was where industry lived and breathed. Or actually, where industry would live and breathe once Lunar Nine was fully operational. They were surrounded by vacant warehouses and factories, and a network of automated transit pods that would whisk merchandise from one location to another in a fraction of the time it would take conventional transport methods.

“Did he object to the distribution of power?” Garin asked.

“He asked why the elite weren’t to be given their own seat on the Triad.”

“Triad?”

“Sorry, that’s what we’ve been calling the panel.” Danvier shrugged. “It’s just a working title, but I like it.”

“It’s accurate, yet memorable. I like it too.” Then his thoughts seemed to refocus. “But a fourth seat is out of the question. The guild leaders are all elite. As are the majority of their members. The Triad will have three members. A representative of the battle born, one from Tandori Tribe, and one guild master. Simple, equal, fair. End of story.”

Danvier slowly smiled. “It took them the better part of four days to get there, but the steering committee agrees. They unanimously voted to support the Triad once Quinton has been deposed.”

“Excellent.” Then Garin sighed, coming to a stop in the intersection of two of the larger walkways. “I wish my negotiations had been as productive. We’re still fighting it out with Morgan and Nazerel.”

“You mentioned them once before.” Haven refused to look away as the general’s gaze shifted to her. Garin might be the most powerful man in the rebellion, but she refused to be intimidated by him. “Who are they?”

“Morgan is director of the human taskforce that deals with aliens on Earth.” Danvier said. “Her primary responsibility seems to be keeping everything secret.”

“Her? Morgan is female?”

Both men grinned, but she didn’t understand the reaction.

“Most definitely female,” Garin replied.

Curious and somewhat annoyed, Haven looked at Danvier. “Pass me their images.”

Garin chuckled. “Clearly, we’re caught.”

With obvious reluctance, Danvier pushed an image into her mind. The male, Nazerel, she presumed, had harsh, angular features and night-black eyes ringed in Rodyte blue. He would blend perfectly with any of the battle born crews. Morgan, however, was definitely memorable. Her sleek red hair had been pulled back from her face and her clothing was tailored and formal. The problem was the body beneath the conservative clothes was so curvy it compromised the professional message she was attempting to send. And her model-perfect features and vivid blue eyes weren’t helping either.

“She’s gorgeous,” Haven conceded with a sigh. “I can see why you drool whenever you say her name.”

“She’s Nazerel’s mate, so there is no drooling involved,” Garin assured her.

“If you say so.” Even Danvier had been precariously close to drooling when he mentioned Morgan. But she couldn’t really blame them. Morgan was uncommonly attractive.

“What are their points of contention?” Danvier was clearly ready to move the conversation on to a less damning subject.

“As you said Morgan is fixated on secrecy, so she’s been questioning every detail of the situation until my eyes roll back in my head. If it weren’t for Berlynn, I think I might have strangled Morgan by now.” Garin looked at Haven as he said, “Berlynn has been wonderfully patient and articulate. She’s a born diplomat.”

There was an undeniable undertone woven through his praise. Had their attraction progressed during the past few days? Haven would have to ask her niece about it. She liked and respected Garin, but she wasn’t sure she liked him for Berlynn.

“When do you head back to Earth?” Danvier wanted to know.

“Later this afternoon. Berlynn wanted to update the tribal leaders, so she stayed at the Bunker. I’ll let her know you two have returned.”

“The steering committee is expecting us to move against Quinton soon. Is that still our intention?”

“Absolutely,” Garin stressed. “If I can’t find common ground with the humans in the next day or two, I’ll put everything here on hold and move forward with Quinton’s removal. It might be more impactful if Morgan and her shadow supervisors see just how committed we are to this cause.”

“And what do you need from me?” Danvier asked.

“Are you going to accept the harbingers’ offer?”

Apparently, Garin had heard more of Danvier’s conversation with Chandar than they realized. “I haven’t decided yet, but I’m leaning that way.”

“I think you should go. Not only would it be an exciting challenge for you, I would have the novel benefit of knowing I can trust the leader of Harbinger Guild.” Danvier dipped his head, acknowledging the suggestion without committing to one position or another. “And until you’ve made up your mind, I think you should go lock yourself away with your new mate. Anyone that glances at you will know you’re in the midst of bonding fever. You’re not going to be any good to anyone until your link is complete.” Garin smiled at Haven then walked away.

“That was awkward.” Haven moved closer to Danvier, looping her arm through his.

“Not nearly as awkward as what I’d like to be doing.”

His tender threat sent shivers down her spine. “And what would you like to be doing?”

“How much detail would you like to hear?”

“Very little, until we reach either your place or mine.” She laughed then motioned around them. “I have no idea where we are.”

“The Pavilion is that way.” He pointed to the right. “Your apartment building is over there.” He pointed to the left. “I don’t care where we go as long as we’re together.”

She smiled, warmed by the earnestness in his tone and the hunger smoldering in his eyes. Already her pulse pounded at the thought of touching him again. No, it was more than just passion. Her future stretched before her, pulling her in directions she hadn’t foreseen. Yet she wasn’t afraid, she was excited and Danvier was the cause. As he’d said, she didn’t care where they went, or the challenges they might face, as long as he was by her side.

“Is your bedroom as nice as your bathroom?” she asked.

“Nicer.” He grinned as his arm slipped around her waist.

“Then let’s go right.”

Coming Spring/Summer 2016

Battle Born, Book Six
:
General Garin Nox swears he has no time for a female. One by one his brothers and friends have all found their mates, but he has stayed focused on the rebellion, determined to win freedom for the battle born.

Then he meets Berlynn Tandori, a feisty canine shifter born on Earth. She defies him, yet attracts him, challenging him at every turn. He’s used to having his orders obeyed without question, but Berlynn isn’t one of his men. She’s turning their courtship into a battle of wills, which suits Garin just fine. He thrives on strategy, and someone should have told Berlynn that General Nox has never lost a battle.

Coming Summer 2016

Battle Born, Prequel
:
Skyla’s prophetic dreams aren’t enough to keep her from being captured by a fierce Rodyte general, but they prepare her, help her understand what he wants and why he needs her so desperately. She’s now his captive and must decide if she’s brave enough to teach this embittered soldier how to love again.

Tragedy, and years of war, have hardened Kryton Lux, made him ruthless and unfeeling. He’s fascinated with his new captive, ready and willing to seduce her curvaceous body. His heart, however, isn’t part of the bargain. She will submit to his sexual demands. And when their time together has concluded, she will return to her homeworld and he will never think of her again. Luckily for Skyla, fate has a far different plan for this stubborn general.

From Cyndi:
I’ve had many requests for more information about the war brides, so I decided to let one tell her story. Skyla is the mother of three upcoming heroes in the
Battle Born
series. This is a stand-alone story, but I hope you’ll check out my other books as well. Enjoy!