Loving a Stranger

by Evangeline Anderson

  Loving a Stranger

  A Kindred tales Novel

  Evangeline Anderson

  Loving a Stranger

  Evangeline Anderson

  PUBLISHED BY:

  Evangeline Anderson Books

  Copyright © 2018 by Evangeline Anderson

  E-book License Notes

  This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to the e-book retailer of your choice and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

  *Cover content is for illustrative purposes only. Any person depicted on the cover is a model*

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  Also by Evangeline Anderson

  Brides of the Kindred series

  Claimed (Also available in Audio)

  Hunted (Also available in Audio)

  Sought (Also Available in Audio)

  Found (Also Available in Audio )

  Revealed (Also Available in Audio)

  Pursued (Also Available in Audio)

  Exiled (Also Available in Audio)

  Shadowed

  Chained

  Divided

  Devoured

  Enhanced

  Cursed

  Enslaved

  Targeted

  Forgotten

  Switched

  Uncharted

  Unbound

  Surrendered

  Vanished

  Kindred Tales series (side stories in the Brides of the Kindred which stand alone outside the main story arc.)

  Mastering the Mistress

  Bonding with the Beast

  Seeing with the Heart

  Freeing the Prisoner

  Healing the Broken (a Kindred Christmas novel)

  Taming the Giant

  Bridging the Distance

  Loving a Stranger

  Finding the Jewel (coming soon)

  Born to Darkness series

  Crimson Debt (Also available in Audio)

  Scarlet Heat (Also available in Audio)

  Ruby Shadows (Also available in Audio)

  Cardinal Sins (Coming Soon)

  Dessert (short novella following Scarlet Heat) (Also in Audio)

  Alien Mate Index series

  Abducted (Also available in Print and Audio)

  Protected (Also available in Print and Audio)

  Descended (Also available in Print and Audio)

  Severed (Also available in Print and Audio )

  The Cougarville Series

  Buck Naked (Also available in Audio)

  Cougar Bait (Also available in Audio)

  Stone Cold Fox (Also available in Audio)

  Big Bad Wolf (coming soon)

  The Institute series

  The Institute: Daddy Issues(Also available in Audio)

  The Institute: Mishka's Spanking

  The CyBRG Files with Mina Carter

  Unit 77: Broken

  Unit 78: Bred

  Compendiums

  Brides of the Kindred Volume One

  Contains Claimed, Hunted, Sought and Found all in one volume

  Born to Darkness Box Set

  Contains Crimson Debt, Scarlet Heat, and Ruby Shadows all in one volume

  Stand Alone Novels

  Purity (Now available in Audio)

  Stress Relief

  The Last Man on Earth

  Anyone U Want

  Shadow Dreams

  Hunger Moon Rising

  Cougar Christmas

  Planet X (Also available in Audio)

  Deal with the Devil (Also available in Audio)

  The Sacrifice (Also available in Audio)

  Blood Kiss

  Take Two

  The Pleasure Palace

  YA Novels

  The Academy(Now available in Audio)

  *Author's Warning*

  Though I have tried to handle it in a delicate way, readers with a past history of domestic abuse may find parts of this book disturbing. Sadly, many of the situations my heroine encounters are taken from true accounts of abused women. If you are in an abusive situation, please seek help.

  In the US you can visit the National Domestic Abuse Hotline online or, if you’re afraid your computer is being monitored, call 1-800-799-7233

  If you are in the UK, you can call the Freephone 24 Hour National Domestic Violence Helpline at 0808-2000-247

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Epilogue

  Sneak Peek at the next Kindred Tales novel: Finding the Jewel

  Also by Evangeline Anderson

  About the Author

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  Chapter One

  “Commander Sylvan? There is a warrior here to see you. A Reeve J’lorn? He says you…called for him.”

  Sylvan couldn’t help but hear the note of distaste in the communications officer’s voice. No doubt the male had recognized his guest for what he was—an M-Switch Kindred—what some called a “Snatcher.”

  Sylvan had good reason to invite the M-Switcher here so he kept his own voice neutral when he spoke.

  “Very well. Allow him entrance, please.”

  There was a muttered grumble of complaint—most unprofessional, Sylvan would have to speak to the officer—and then a tall, dark form filled his office doorway.

  Reeve J’lorn had trouble written all over him, from his pitch-black hair and matching eyes to the slouching, cat-like way he moved. His cinnamon-brown skin was marked by a scar over the bridge of his hawk-like nose and his lips were a thin ribbon of sardonic scarlet.

  Instead of a jewel-toned uniform shirt like other Kindred wore, J’lorn had on a black leather duster which fell to his boots and tight black leather trousers to match. Twin blasters were strapped over his lean hips and Sylvan was betting he had other weapons—many more—hidden from view. He looked like what he was—a pirate and not one who would be content with just stealing your valuables.

  No, Reeve J’lorn would happily hijack your body too—which was exactly why Sylvan needed him.

  As an M-Switch Kindred, he was one of the rare Switch Kindred who, instead of switching bodies with his mate, was only able to jump into the body of another male and take over his life for a time.

  This ability had earned the M-Switchers the derisive nickname “body-snatchers” which was shortened to just “snatchers” after a time. They were reviled and avoided by the rest of the Kindred community, much as the Touch Kindred had once been because of their singular ability to use their Touch Sense to touch others without using their physical hands. But Sylvan had known several honorable Touch Kindred and he was betting that not all the “snatc
hers” were beyond redemption either.

  At least, he hoped not.

  “Commander Sylvan.” The pirate regarded him through narrowed black eyes that burned with curiosity. He held out his hands, as though offering himself. “Well—here I am. What do you want?”

  “Reeve J’lorn.” Sylvan nodded at him. “Thank you for coming. I wasn’t sure you would.”

  “I’m surprised you called me.” Reeve sauntered into his office. “Hell, I’m surprised you trust me aboard your precious Mother Ship. A dirty snatcher like me.”

  “I think you can be trusted not to ‘snatch’ anyone illegally while aboard the Mother Ship,” Sylvan said dryly. “Especially since I’m going to be offering you such a lucrative way to use your Goddess-given talent legally.”

  “Talent?” Reeve barked a laugh. “There’s some—including my own Switch Kindred brethren, what few there are left of them—who would call it a curse.”

  “Nevertheless,” Sylvan said steadily. “I do not believe that the Goddess gives gifts without reason. I would never call any ability of hers a ‘curse.”

  “And what do you want with my ‘gift’ Commander?” Reeve J’lorn raised a sardonic eyebrow at him. “You have a political rival aboard the ship you want me to snatch? I can take over his body and have him do anything you want—I can ruin his reputation, bankrupt his finances, find out his secrets so you can use them against him—whatever you want.”

  “I’m afraid the Mother Ship isn’t quite the hotbed of corruption and intrigue you seem to think it is,” Sylvan said dryly. “I do not need you to ‘snatch’ anyone here.”

  Reeve’s face darkened.

  “If you’re looking to have me snatch the body of a romantic rival and ruin his relationship, I don’t do that. I draw the line at fucking around with other male’s mates. The Goddess might send me straight to the Seven Hells for my sins once I die but that’s not one of them.”

  “I am happily mated and I would never ask you to destroy another male’s mating,” Sylvan said, frowning. “Those who the Goddess brings together must not be separated.”

  Reeve’s face cleared. “Okay, good. So what’s the job?”

  Sylvan sighed and rose from behind his desk.

  “Have you ever heard of a world called Hascion Five?”

  Reeve frowned. “No, why? Should I?”

  “Everyone in the known universe is going to hear from them soon if we don’t do something to stop it,” Sylvan said grimly. “And not in a good way.”

  “Explain.” The pirate leaned against Sylvan’s desk, leather duster creaking as he crossed his arms over his broad chest.

  Sylvan sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

  “As you know, as genetic traders, we Kindred are always on the lookout for new species to trade with. Sometimes we find a people who are a fit for us genetically but there are…other objections to making a trade.”

  “Other objections?” Reeve raised an eyebrow again.

  “In the case of the Hascions it’s their extremely warlike attitude and the way they treat their females,” Sylvan said. “Our immediate concern right now is that they have developed weapons of mass destruction and will be happy to use them to subjugate other planets if they can.”

  Reeve frowned. “And you know this how?”

  “We sent a few spies there when we were evaluating if they would be a good match for a trade,” Sylvan said. “The Hascion males aren’t much smaller than we are and with a few facial modifications, I had some officers who were able to pass easily enough among them.”

  Reeve lifted his hands. “Then what do you need me for?”

  Sylvan ran a hand through his hair.

  “There are places only a few high ranking, elite officers are allowed to go.”

  “I see.” Reeve nodded. “So you need me to snatch one of them—these elite officers.”

  “Essentially, yes,” Sylvan admitted. “We have reason to believe that the Hascions are working on wormhole technology that would enable them to fold space, much like we do using the power of our green sun.”

  “And if they can fold space, they can drop their nasty little bombs or whatever it is they’ve cooked up, all over the fucking place.” The pirate nodded. “I get it.”

  “Once they escape the confines of interstellar distance, they’re going to be a big problem,” Sylvan told him. “The High Council has debated it and though we usually don’t like to meddle with other cultures, we have decided it’s better to keep them confined to their own planet. That way they can’t spread like a plague to the other known worlds in the universe.”

  “Sounds like a truly noble cause, oh fearless leader.” Reeve put one hand over his heart and his dark pirate’s face suddenly turned soulful. “I’d be pleased to help you out with this little problem…for a price.”

  Sylvan sighed. “I expected nothing less. You will, of course, be well compensated.”

  “So who do you want me to snatch?” Reeve asked, looking interested. “I have to warn you—there are limits to how long I can take over a body. So whatever you need me to do has to be done pretty quickly.”

  Sylvan frowned.

  “I was hoping to have you on Hascion Five for several days, at least. It will take that long to get into the inner war room and find the wormhole plans. Once you get to them, it’s vital you destroy all of them, including any prototypes they might have built, if possible.”

  Reeve looked doubtful.

  “That’s going to be difficult. The host of the body I snatch will fight me every step of the way. And anyway, even if I destroy their plans, why can’t they just start from scratch and do it all again?”

  “We have reason to believe they have been working on this technology for years and the most important scientist—a Doctor VanProkk—recently died,” Sylvan explained. “Without his expertise, it’s highly doubtful whether the Hascions will ever be able to approach wormhole technology again.”

  “Sounds good. Still…” Reeve frowned. “The usual limit for a snatch is two hours—three max. I don’t see how I can last several solar days in an alien host—especially one who’s fighting me every step of the way.”

  “We hope to have a solution for you, there,” Sylvan said carefully. “You see, the host we’re thinking of having you, er, snatch, is a highly placed general in the Hascion army who was recently wounded in battle. He is currently in a coma at one of their medical care facilities.” He cocked an eyebrow at the pirate. “Does that help?”

  “Having the host completely unconscious while I take over?” Reeve looked thoughtful. “I’ve never tried it that way but yes—I think it could help. Would be nice not to have the bastard I was trying to take over fighting me every step of the way for once. I could really concentrate on getting the job done.”

  “Good.” Sylvan nodded. “The subject we want you to take over—the host as you call him—is General Harryx Parokk. We’ve been tracking him for some time and we believe you can get the clearance to see the wormhole research using his credentials. He’s not directly involved in it so it might be a little tricky—that’s the reason we believe it will take several days rather than just a few hours.”

  “I can do it.” Reeve nodded with easy confidence. “Provided you take care of my body for me while I’m gone. I’ll need a vitamin supplement and fluid drip to keep me healthy and a safe place to crash.” He frowned. “I don’t want anything happening to me while I do this.”

  “You have my word your body will be safely kept and nourished while you undertake this mission.” Sylvan held out his arm for a warrior’s clasp. “And thank you, Reeve J’lorn. Perhaps this could be the beginning of a new understanding between the mainstream branches of the Kindred and the M-Switchers.”

  Reeve’s grin flashed white in his dark face.

  “Oh, I wouldn’t count on it, Commander.” His tone was light but his words were bitter. “Everybody loves to hate a snatcher.”

  “We’ll see.” Sylvan continued to hold out his ar
m. “Will you shake on our bargain?”

  “Sure. As long as you know that I also require an airtight contract,” Reeve said, holding out his own arm at last. “I don’t like leaving anything to chance.”

  “A good trait to have,” Sylvan said, clasping with him at last. “Nor do I. We’ll have the contract drawn up at once and get you as much personal information as we can on the General so you can interact smoothly with his counterparts and coworkers.”

  “Agreed.” Reeve nodded. “Don’t worry, Commander Sylvan. Those fucking Hascions won’t know what hit them.”

  Chapter Two

  Nallah hoped he never woke up.

  She sat by the stimu-bed which kept her husband’s slack limbs from wasting and stared at his face, quiet and clear of the ever-present rage for once. Harryx was a tall, well-built man—a good 6’6” to her own diminutive 5’3” and he was much stronger than she could ever hope to be. He had fists like hammers and when his blue eyes narrowed to slits of anger or annoyance—which was often—Nallah knew well enough to leave him alone.

  But now he can’t hurt me anymore, she thought, watching him there in the bed, as still as stone, unmoving…unblinking. He can’t beat me ever again—as long as he doesn’t wake up.

  Of course, it wasn’t like the beatings he’d administered were in any way unusual. In Hascion society it was expected that a husband should keep his wife in line with a bit of “home discipline” from time to time. It was just that such correction had become so common in their home that it was almost a nightly occurrence.

  Nallah never even knew what might set him off. She tried to do everything perfectly—tried to have the evening meal on the table hot and ready the moment he came home. She kept their domicile neat and tidy and always folded Harryx’s uniform shirts exactly the way he wanted. She had even tried to keep her pet lannas from mewing too loudly for food—the sound was likely to set her husband off.

  But in that, she hadn’t been successful.

  Tears filled her eyes when she thought of her pets—a pair of lanna kits she’d hand-raised from the time before they opened their big, swirling, opalescent eyes. She’d had them for years—Pitta and Patta, she named them—and they always came running when she called.