“And how do you propose to do that?” Councilor Lor’iim asked, frowning.
“In such a way that Gorn never even knows that it is gone,” Sylvan said. “We are in the process of manufacturing an exact replica, but the process of making a credible fake will be a long and delicate one due to the intricate shading of the crystal. We need someone in Gorn’s home to plant the fake when it is ready and to guard the real Shannom-rah from the Knower until that time.”
“So you need someone to go undercover as…what? A servant?” Councilor Bel’icos asked.
“I was thinking, why not a Replicant?” Sylvan said. “Our intelligence indicates he trusts them more that humanoid servants—a Replicant would be beyond suspicion and probably have full access to the Shannom-rah.”
“So someone has to go to the Replicant brothel and just hope that he buys them?” Councilor Lor’iim asked, raising one eyebrow skeptically.
“Not for long,” Sylvan said. “There is an auction coming up in a few days time. We could plant our agent there. My understanding is that Gorn will be at the auction, looking to buy a Replicant who can cook to his satisfaction.”
Suddenly Dark, the Kindred warrior who had been silent at Sophie’s side all this time, jumped up and began to pace.
“Dark?” Nikki looked at him uncertainly. “Are you okay? What’s wrong?”
“This is it—this is the mission I dreamed of.” Dark looked up, speaking to Sylvan. “Forgive me, Head Councilor, but I believe that I am meant to do this—I and no other.”
“Oh?” Sylvan frowned. “And why do you say that?”
“I had a dream last night.” Dark was still pacing, still running his hands through his hair as he spoke. “It was so strong—so real—I couldn’t forget it. In it, I saw a female with a bruised face and then she faded and I saw a crystal that was pure white with rainbow colors shot through it.”
“That’s the Shannom-rah,” Nikki said excitedly. “Did you ever see it in Mistress Hellenix’s collection when she had you as her slave?”
Dark shook his head. “No—she never trusted me with it. She held the key to that particular collection herself. But I saw it in my dream and I heard a female voice saying to me—‘You must go. A life for a life.’”
“A life for a life?” Sylvan frowned. “What does that mean?”
“I think it means the way in which I was saved from Mistress Hellenix in the first place,” Dark said. “Mistress Nicole traded her ex-mate for me and my younger brother. I owe a life-debt for that.”
Sophie looked at her new friend in surprise.
“You, uh, traded your ex husband away to Mistress Hellenix?” she asked in a low voice.
“Well, it wasn’t like she gave me much choice.” Nikki pursed her lips. “She liked Gary, for some reason. And who knows where he is now that she’s been captured and taken into custody?”
“Her slaves were auctioned off as well,” Sylvan said, addressing her implied question. “I’m afraid they went to all quarters of the galaxy so it’s impossible to know where your ex-mate is now.”
“No great loss,” Malik growled and Dark nodded in agreement. Sophie thought Nikki looked conflicted about it—probably on behalf of his kids. From the bits and pieces the other woman had let drop, it sounded like her ex had planned to clean out their mutual account and run out on her. No great loss indeed.
“So, to return to the matter at hand, you think you are meant to be our agent in this matter?” Sylvan asked, speaking to Dark. “Because of your dream?”
“I wasn’t sure until now,” Dark admitted. “But then you said he’s looking for a cook.”
“So…you can cook?” Sylvan raised an eyebrow at him.
“I used to own my own restaurant on Rigelis Prime before I was captured by the Yonnites,” Dark said shortly. “Which isn’t too far from the Trollox home world—so I even know some of the dishes this bastard is likely to want. So yes, Head Councilor, I believe this mission is meant for me.”
“But it is the Kindred of the Mother Ship who are in danger—not your own branch of the Kindred,” Councilor Lor’iim protested. “Er…if you don’t mind me asking, what is your branch? You have fangs like a Blood Kindred but your coloration…”
“I know I look wrong. Most blood kindred look like Commander Sylvan there.” Dark gestured at Sylvan, who had blond hair and pale blue eyes, as did most Blood Kindred. He, in contrast, had flashing dark bronze eyes and black hair, worn a bit long and shaggy. “My mother was a rare Blood Kindred female,” he continued, “And my father was a Dark Healer.”
“A Dark Healer?” Sophie murmured, surprised. “What’s that?”
“Dark Healers are a race of people who can heal the physical and emotional wounds of others, but at a cost to themselves,” Sylvan said. He frowned. “Not that you’ll probably need it, but do you have the ability of your father’s people?”
Dark nodded, grudgingly, Sophie thought.
“I do. Not that I ever use it. I worked in a kitchen, remember? Not a counseling office.”
“Well, most Blood Kindred are able to heal their mates, anyway,” Sophie remarked. “Maybe you’ll use your ability when you find the right woman.”
The look on Dark’s face grew hard.
“Sorry, but I just spent the last five cycles being owned and abused by a female. Forgive me if I’m not in a hurry to commit to one right away.”
“I spent as many and more cycles as Mistress Hellenix’s slave and when the Goddess sent the right female to me, she looked exactly like my Mistress and captor,” Malik remarked quietly, locking eyes with Nikki. “Still, I gave her my whole heart—I couldn’t help it. When the time is right, you’ll know.”
“I believe we are getting somewhat off the subject,” Councilor Bel’icos remarked. “The question before the Council is, do we believe that this warrior—Dark—is the right one to send on this mission?”
“He just spent the last five years serving a tyrannical Mistress so you know he knows how to act like a servant,” Sophie pointed out.
“Also, he can cook the right kind of food to tempt Gorn,” Sylvan said. “And he believes that the Goddess wants him to go.”
“Is that the only reason you want to go?” Councilor Lor’iim asked Dark.
“Hell, no, I don’t want to go,” Dark growled, frowning at the Councilor. “But I need to go. I must repay my debt—a life for a life, as the Goddess said. I would still be in bondage somewhere if Nicole hadn’t traded for me—and my younger brother as well.” He shook his head. “Thank the Goddess she freed him before she was captured and her other slaves were sold. He is safe at home now on Rigelis Prime. I was going to join him there, but now it’s clear I must do this first.”
“I think the will of the Goddess is that Dark should act as our agent in this matter,” Sylvan said quietly. “All who agree—a show of hands, please?”
Almost every hand was raised, Sophie saw approvingly. She didn’t know all of Dark’s story, but he really did seem to be the perfect person for this mission.
“Very well. The motion carries.” Sylvan nodded and banged the speaking stone again. “In that case, we will adjourn so that Dark can get ready for his journey.”
“Thank you.” Dark nodded and looked around the room. “I won’t let you down.”
Sylvan put a hand on the other warrior’s shoulder.
“We know you won’t, Brother, and we thank you for submitting yourself to the will of the Goddess in this matter.”
Dark nodded shortly. “You’re welcome. It’s no less than my honor demands. I will go and serve in Gorn’s domicile and watch the real Shannom-rah until you can get the fake to me and I can exchange them and get the real one back to you.”
“But what about the rest of your dream?” Sophie couldn’t help asking. “Didn’t you say you saw a woman with a bruised face?”
Dark shrugged, his broad shoulders rolling.
“For a moment only. I don’t even know if she was part of the dream or
just a fleeting image. She doesn’t matter—the important thing is the Shannom-rah.”
“Oh, I see.” Sophie nodded. But she couldn’t help seeing the look of unease on Dark’s face or noticing the way his bronze eyes wouldn’t meet hers when he talked about the girl in his dream being unimportant.
I bet there’s more to it than just a “fleeting image” she thought to herself. I bet the Goddess has something more in mind for him than just stealing a shiny crystal, no matter how amazing it might be.
But her suspicions would have to wait for another time. The Council meeting was breaking up and Nikki was asking her more questions about the schools aboard the Mother Ship. Before she turned to answer, Sophie sent a quick mental prayer to the Goddess for the girl with the bruised face—whoever she was—and another prayer for Dark, that the Mother of All Life would guide him in his quest.
Then she smiled at her new friend and got up to go. Whatever happened in the future, she knew the Goddess would direct their paths as she always had and always would.
That certainty was a part of being one of the Brides of the Kindred.
The End?
Of course not! There are always more Kindred coming. In fact, I have two new stories outlined right now. The first is Dark’s story, Kindred 24, Deceived. And the second is a Kindred Tales novel set on Yonnie Six.
Now bear with me, readers who aren’t big fans of Femdom, because this new story isn’t just about a Mistress mastering her slave—it’s a quid-pro-quo exchange that will have your toes curling. I’m going to list blurbs for both stories below and you can hop on Facebook and tell me which one you want to see first.
Read on and get ready to vote for book 1. Brides of the Kindred 24, Deceived, or book 2. Kindred Tales: Handling the Hybrid.
1. Brides of the Kindred 24: Deceived
Anna is living in a nightmare. Stolen by raiders from the arms of her loving family, she is bought by a hulking Trollox as a wife for breeding purposes and forced to accommodate him any time he wants her. She wants to die until her thuggish husband buys a new robotic cook who also doubles as a guard for the house. At first Anna thinks he is just another Replicant, without emotions but soon she finds herself pouring out her heart to him. It’s safe because he’s just a machine so she knows he’ll never hurt her like a real male would. Is it wrong to think that she’s falling in love with him? Especially since a machine can’t really love her back.
Dark is a Kindred warrior on a mission. He must steal the Shannom-rah, an ancient crystal capable of storing trillions of personalities, before the enemy of his people gets it. In order to do this, he has to infiltrate the home of the Trollox collector who owns the priceless artifact. Posing as a Replicant, he is in the perfect position to complete his mission. But he didn’t count on finding a female in danger. Despite his determination not to get involved, his heart is torn by her plight. As his feelings of protectiveness for Anna grow, he longs to tell her the truth about himself. But he knows doing so will destroy her faith in him—she has been hurt so badly by living males, she can only trust him because she thinks he is a Replicant.
When the truth comes out will Anna still care for him, or will she feel betrayed knowing that she has been…Deceived?
2. Kindred Tales: Handling the Hybrid
Tandy has a big problem. She stands to inherit a huge estate and the title of her late aunt, a powerful Mistress of Yonnie Six, a planet where women rule and men are nothing but slaves. But in order to prove herself worthy of the exulted position and the money that comes with it, the Judge of the Change has ruled that Tandy must train her first slave. And the slave she is given to train is huge—a muscular Hybrid Kindred with rage dancing in his mismatched eyes and fangs long enough to tear her throat out. How can she possibly subdue such a massive male without losing her life? Then Tandy has an idea—in the dead of night she steals down to her new slave’s cell to offer him a deal.
Vrox is enraged to be stuck in this situation. Captured by accident, he is determined to kill whoever tries to enslave him and escape at the first opportunity. But then the curvy little female who bought him offers him a deal—if he will pretend that she has mastered him, she will give him his freedom along with a generous settlement. Vrox is intrigued by the deal but he puts his own spin on the bargain. Whatever Tandy does to him by day to prove that she is a true Mistress, he is allowed to do to her by night, in the privacy of her quarters—including any kind of sexual punishment or mastery.
Feeling she has no choice, Tandy agrees to the huge Hybrid’s terms—never expecting to lose her heart. She thinks Vrox cares for her too, but when the huge Kindred escapes and she is left to face the consequences of their deception alone, she fears that her life is over. Will she survive after…Handling the Hybrid?
So…which book strikes your fancy? Be sure to VOTE and let me know which one you want to read first. I can’t promise you’ll get your way but I love to hear from my readers about what excites them.
But before you vote, if you enjoyed Twisted, please take a minute to leave a review HERE. Good reviews are worth their weight in gold to an author. They let other readers know it’s okay to take a chance on a new author or series. Plus, they give me the warm fuzzies. ; ) Thanks for being such an awesome reader!
Hugs and Happy Reading!
Evangeline
April 2019
Also by Evangeline Anderson
Brides of the Kindred series (Sci-fi /Action-Adventure /Romance)
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 (Also Available in Audio)
Chained (Also Available in Audio)
Divided (Also Available in Audio)
Devoured (Coming soon to Audio)
Enhanced
Cursed
Enslaved
Targeted
Forgotten
Switched
Uncharted
Unbound
Surrendered
Vanished
Imprisoned
Twisted
Deceived
Kindred Tales series (side stories in the Brides of the Kindred which are outside the main story arc. These can be read as STAND ALONE novels.)
Mastering the Mistress (Also available in Audio)
Bonding with the Beast (Also available in Audio)
Seeing with the Heart (Also available in Audio)
Freeing the Prisoner (Also available in Audio)
Healing the Broken (a Kindred Christmas novel) (Also available in Audio)
Taming the Giant (Also available in Audio)
Bridging the Distance
Loving a Stranger
Finding the Jewel
Bonded by Accident
Releasing the Dragon
Sharing a Mate
Instructing the Novice
Awakened by the Giant
Hitting the Target
Born to Darkness series (Paranormal/Action-Adventure/Romance)
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 (Sci-fi /Action-Adventure /Romance)
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
(Paranormal/Action-Adventure/Romance/)
(Older woman/Younger Man)
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 (Daddy-Dom/Age Play Romance)
The Institute: Daddy Issues(Also available in Audio)
The Institute: Mishka's Spanking
The CyBRG Files with Mina Carter
(Sci-fi /Action-Adventure /Romance)
Unit 77: Broken
Unit 78: Bred
The Swann Sisters Chronicles
(Contemporary Fairy/Funny/ Fantasy/Romance)
Wishful Thinking (Also available in Audio)
Be Careful What You Wish For (Also available in Audio)
Compendiums and Box Sets
Brides of the Kindred Volume One
Contains Claimed, Hunted, Sought and Found
Brides of the Kindred Volume Two
Contains Revealed, Pursued, and Exiled
Brides of the Kindred Volume Three
Contains Shadowed, Chained, and Divided
Brides of the Kindred Volume Four
Contains Devoured, Enhanced, and Cursed
Brides of the Kindred Volume Five
Contains Enslaved, Targeted, and Forgotten
Brides of the Kindred Volume Six
Contains Switched, Uncharted, and Unbound
Kindred Tales Volume One
Contains Mastering the Mistress, Bonding with the Beast, Seeing with the Heart
Kindred Tales Volume Two
Contains Freeing the Prisoner, Healing the Broken, Taming the Giant
Kindred Tales Volume Three
Contains Bridging the Distance, Loving a Stranger, Finding the Jewel
Alien Mate Index Volume One
Contains Abducted, Protected, Descended, and Severed
Born to Darkness Box Set
Contains Crimson Debt, Scarlet Heat, and Ruby Shadows
Twisted: Brides of the Kindred 23 Page 39