by Aileen Erin
I sat next to him. “Not entirely accurate.”
He put his arm around me and tugged me to his side. “Not then, but it’s true now.”
I rested my head against his shoulder. “I feel like there’s so much to do, and I don’t know where to start. SpaceTech on our planet? The Aunare that are working with them? Your father? The extremists? SpaceTech’s ships that are out there, waiting to attack?” I closed my eyes. “What do we do first? How do we decide? And don’t kill me, but I’m worried about all the people on Earth. Innocents, Lorne. How do we protect them?”
“I don’t know, but we’ll figure it out together. The important thing to remember is that we’re not doing this by ourselves. You’re used to doing everything alone, but wars aren’t fought by a single person. It’s not just on your shoulders. It’s on theirs.”
I lifted my head from his shoulder and realized we weren’t alone.
We were surrounded by guards. Around the gardens. Around the house. They were everywhere. And all of them had Lorne’s red firedrake with golden fire flowing from its mouth on their shirts.
They moved as if they were one unit and pressed their fists to their chests. Our army that would protect us. That would fight the war. That would be by our side.
And then I turned to see my father, Eshrin, and Captain ni Eneko.
My father stopped in front of us. “We have updates, Your Majesty. They’re pressing. Things are happening quickly and decisions need to be made. The council has gathered and are waiting for you.”
Lorne stood and reached a hand down to me. “Are you ready?”
I took a breath. Six in. Three out. Three in. Six out. Four in.
I wasn’t ready. I wasn’t sure I’d ever be ready. But this was going to happen with or without me, and if I could help, if I could fight, if I could save even one innocent person, then I had to try.
I put my hand in Lorne’s and stood beside him. We’d make whatever decisions needed to be made. We’d fight this war until it was done. And we’d do it together.
Because I am Amihanna di Aetes. And I won’t quit. Not ever.
The story continues with On Mission, Book Three in the Aunare Chronicles series.
Releasing December 1, 2020!
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“Declan’s been captured.” Ahiga’s strained voice carried through the recording and Amihanna knew without seeing him that he must be hurt. “SpaceTech is shooting us dead in the street and we can’t run or hide fast enough. I’m not sure how long we can stay in Haden’s hideout. We need your help. I know it’s a lot to ask, but please. I’m begging. We’re all going to die without you.” Ahiga’s message was everything Amihanna feared would come true. She was on a convoy to meet with the Aunare’s allies.
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“Wait!” Amihanna screams. Her mind is racing, and she needs to make a decision.
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Keep going. Meet Lorne on the neutral planet to broker an alliance as planned. Or change course. Jump across the universe as quickly as she can, and pray it’s fast enough to save her Earther family.
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Amihanna knows what it’s like to be abandoned, fighting for her life, and hoping that someone would come. No one helped her except for the Crew, Declan, and Ahiga.
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Sometimes debts can’t be repaid, but Amihanna is a di Aetes. She won’t give up. Not ever.
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“I’m sorry.” Lorne felt Amihanna’s fear pressing against his heart from lightyears away as he listened to her message. “I have to go back. I’m leaving Roan behind in case you want to find me. I’ll come home when I can. Try not to freak out too much. I can do this. I’ll be fine.”
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No, no, NO! Lorne’s skin glowed so bright it blinded the control room. He moved before he could think, taking the pilot’s seat, and steering them in the opposite direction, leading them toward the only thing that mattered in his life.
* * *
He’d been forced to stay away before, but Lorne was King now. Nothing would keep him from saving Amihanna this time.
Click here to order now!
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For updates on the series and everything Aileen, check out her blog, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Goodreads.
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Or join her Ink Monster Superfans group on Facebook.
To My Readers
Thank you so much for reading Off Balance! I hope you enjoyed getting to know Lorne.
There’s more coming for Amihanna, Lorne, and of course—Roan, Declan, Ahiga, and the ABQ Crew! There are only two more books in the series, and things are going to get crazy. You’re not going to want to miss it!
I’ll be posting updates on my books on my blog, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Goodreads.
There’s also an Ink Monster Superfans group on Facebook! I post on there the most, so come and join in on the fun!
I absolutely love hearing from you. So, feel free reach out on social media or email: [email protected]
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xoxo
Aileen
Did you miss the first book in the Aunare Chronicles?
Click here to find out how the adventure started!
Looking for more by Aileen Erin?
Click here to get the first book in her Alpha Girls series:
Becoming Alpha!
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“Becoming Alpha is a great addition to the werewolf ranks – Erin’s world-building is excellent and her characters are big and bold, making for a wonderful read." - Escape Into Worlds
Also by Aileen Erin
The Alpha Girl Series
Becoming Alpha
Avoiding Alpha
Alpha Divided
Bruja
Alpha Unleashed
Shattered Pack
Being Alpha
Lunar Court
Alpha Erased
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The Shadow Ravens Series
Cipher
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The Aunare Chronicles
Off Planet
Off Balance
On Mission
Acknowledgments
This book was a little insane to write. Usually, I’m a linear writer, but this one came to me in a crazy order. I wrote the scene where Amihanna kills everyone in the hallway first, and then the shower scene. Then bits of the beginning, mixed up with the tournament, and whoa mama—the book had a life of its own.
My developmental editor—Kime Heller-Neal—deserves a big award for getting me through it. I think I confused her a bit. I might have given her a few headaches with it. Oops. Every time I sent her the latest draft, the chapters would be totally reordered. But I’m so thankful for her patience, attention to detail, and cheerleading. I couldn’t have finished it without her!
Thank you to Sharon K. Garner, my copy editor who catches all my typos. I literally don’t see them. AT ALL.
Thank you to Lola Dodge for being my partner in crime. She helps me out with ALL THE THINGS so that I can focus on writing.
Thank you to Kelly and Ana at INscribe Digital/IPG for always being amazing and helping my books reach my readers. So thankful to have you!
Thank you to Jenny at Seedlings Design Studio for another beautiful cover!
Thank you to my amazing mother-in-law who comes in to help with Isabella while I take workshops, and then beta reads for typos! Because it takes a team to catch all of them. ;)
Thank you to my amazing nanny Nicky Guccione! For always being available to come in early and stay late when I’m on a deadline. I literally cannot do my job without your help.
Thank you to my friends and family for understanding when I disappear from the world. I love you all.
Most of all, Jeremy and Isabella—You two are my whole world. I love you tons. You’re my inspiration.
About the Author
Aileen Erin is half-Irish, half-Mexican, and 100% nerd—from Star Wars (prequels don’t count) to Star Trek (TNG FTW), she gee
ks out on Tolkien’s linguistics, and has a severe fascination with the supernatural. Aileen has a BS in Radio-TV-Film from the University of Texas at Austin, and an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. She lives with her husband and daughter in Los Angeles, and spends her days doing her favorite things: reading books, creating worlds, and kicking ass.