In this scene from Bringer of Chaos, Ahjdaya, a human tech agent, is speaking to one of the immortals who’s been deemed “safe”. In other words, a traitor to the other Ultras.

30 Days of Chaos: Day 10

To celebrate the launch of Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas I’m sharing 30 Days of Chaos. Each day during April, I’ll post one excerpt from the book, along with a poster of a quote by Pietas. On the final day, members of my Romance Lives Forever Reader Group will receive a full color book containing all the quotes and posters. Unlike my website, the book posters will have only a quote and a beautiful image. Look for a giveaway at the end of this post.

Dead People Fighting

Ahjdaya ran a hand through his hair. “We were so sure Pietas would get in the pod.” He chewed his lower lip, and then shot the advisor a sharp look. “You didn’t think he’d do it, did you? You knew he’d refuse.”

“I counted on it.”

“That’s why you’re so dead set on us jettisoning the module they’re in. You wanted us to terminate him. If you hate him that much, why didn’t you kill him yourself?”

“It has nothing to do with hate. Pietas is more dangerous than you can imagine.”

“Who is he, anyway? I mean, I know he’s the head of the Ultra Council, and everyone freaked when they heard he was coming here, but… What has he done?”

“He’s killed more humans than any known Ultra. He doesn’t negotiate, and he doesn’t show mercy. You’ve heard of the Rroglyn?”

“Cat people from the edge of the galaxy. Striped fur and huge claws. They eat humans. Who hasn’t?” He shuddered.

“He created them. He designed other races of non-humans. You don’t hear about them because they haven’t come here yet, but they will. Pietas will use them for war, and they’ll swarm like insects once he sets them free. His parents are both scientists. His father created the Fire-Eyes. Remember them? Warriors who can kill by looking at a person? Mahikos enhanced Pietas and his sister before they were born, and then added more enhancements for years after. Pietas is more lethal than whole armies. Dessy is a tactician unlike any the galaxy has ever seen. Their mother is a scientist who single-handedly made it possible to terraform entire planets. That history lesson should suffice. Do not free this man.”

“I’ve seen war all my life. His entire family is a threat, not just him.”

“As long as the ap Lorectic family is alive, humans will not be safe, but Pietas is the worst. Kill them while you have the chance.”

“I can’t do anything without clearance.”

He took a deep breath, let it all out. “All right.” He rubbed his brow, and turned away. “Send in more than four people. At least twice that many. They won’t land one blow. He’s fast. No human has ever hit him. When they open that door, they’ll be facing Death. I don’t mean the risk of death. I mean Death incarnate. He’ll confuse them by using emotion against them. He can take the fear of one and broadcast it to the others. He’s a strong empath. They don’t call him the Bringer of Chaos for nothing. And remember, he can project illusions. Don’t turn off the cameras. Cameras don’t lie. Believe the cameras before you believe your eyes. He doesn’t have much air, but he might try illusions.”

“We’ll do that. Thank you.” Ahjdaya’s earpiece buzzed, and he listened a moment. “You’ll be happy to know, they’re sending in a team from Ghost Division.”

“You can’t be serious. You’re sending in recycled ops soldiers. Ahjdaya, they’re dead people.”

“They’re not dead. Special ops soldiers who die are reanimated for short-term missions. Ghosts are better than cyborgs. They can go without air for a time, like Ultras. Sure, they have a short life but their sole objective is to kill. People are terrified of them.”

“People, yes. Pietas? He’ll laugh. You can’t send ghosts against him. He’ll take them apart with his bare hands.”

“Not this team. They’ve been reanimated before, and they’ve been on the front lines. They’ve fought Ultras. They’re the best fighters we have.”

“Had.”

“Excuse me?”

“Might as well start using the past tense. They’re going to be dead. Again.”

The voice in Ahjdaya’s ear prompted him, and he repeated what he was told to say. “These guys are good. You’ll see.”

“What you’ll see is slaughter. You’re sending dead people to fight the strongest Ultra in the galaxy. He will–literally–eat them.”

Ahjdaya tapped his earpiece, listened, and relayed the message. “They want to know if you have any other advice.”

“Not for dead people. If they were alive, I’d tell them to say their prayers.” The Ultra said nothing more.

Ahjdaya tapped the earpiece. “Good to go.”

The Ultra started to walk away, but then turned back. “One more thing.”

“Yes?”

“Don’t send in reinforcements. You’d have to open the door. That’ll give him air. He’s going to make you want to do that.”

“How?”

With those glistening, solid-colored eyes, his smile looked like a mask on a demon’s face. “By killing everyone you send in.”
—
Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas
Immortal. Warrior. Outcasts. Traitors took everything. Except their honor.
Preorder on Amazon http://amzn.to/1R8DAbb (Out May 1, 2016)
Read now in print on CreateSpace http://bit.ly/boc-origin-csp

Giveaway – Free Download

Download and print three PDF Bookmarks. The first features Six, the human warrior. The second is Pietas, the immortal warrior. The third is the two, back to back.
Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-six.pdf
Pietas https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas.pdf
Pietas and Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas6.pdf
Download a free adult coloring book you can print and share. Relax and color with friends. It’s fun! https://kayelleallen.com/media/pietas-coloring-book.pdf

When every avenue fails, Pietas realizes he will have to get his people out of this mess on his own. While his family and the council prepares to enter stasis as part of their surrender, Pietas makes other plans.

30 Days of Chaos: Day 11

To celebrate the launch of Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas I’m sharing 30 Days of Chaos. Each day during April, I’ll post one excerpt from the book, along with a poster of a quote by Pietas. On the final day, members of my Romance Lives Forever Reader Group will receive a full color book containing all the quotes and posters. Unlike my website, the book posters will have only a quote and a beautiful image. Look for another giveaway at the end of this post.

See his Defiance, his Pride

Mahikos railed and punched the wall, showing enough anger for everyone in the room.

Pietas remained near the door, removing himself from the drama.

Above them stood silent sentries, a row of human-shaped silhouettes.

At last, around the barren room, the casket-like stasis tubes hissed, sealing the council members inside. These tubes wouldn’t jettison like lifepods to protect against implosion or the hazards of space. They were the Ultras’ prison. Who knew how long they’d lie trapped within them, or if they’d ever be released.

Pietas lifted his head, willing anyone who watched to see his defiance, his pride. His determination never to surrender. He guarded the door, daring anyone to enter. All had been sealed inside his or her pod except his family, but Pietas remained vigilant.

Mahikos accompanied Dessy to hers. Though it was common knowledge his family was on the council, Pietas refrained from any show of affection in public. Enemies needed no details as to who was more–or less–fond of whom.

Besides, all of them were empathic. He felt their love, or lack of it.

“Pietas.” Dessy spoke, but did not look at him. “You were right.”

“This one, Dessy.” Mahikos patted the middle of three empty units. “Between your mother and me. Close to family. We love you.”

How like their father to throw all caution to the wind and show his weakness to everyone. Yet he would expect Pietas to defend him if attacked.

The tube they expected him to occupy sat isolated from the others, nowhere near family. As usual, his father had isolated him.

Dessy climbed nimbly into the unit. “Love you all. Stay safe.”

The pod sealed. Through its small window, his sister’s face showed. Her eyes closed. Her color paled. Within two minutes, she was frozen, as good as dead. Gone.

For no reason would he let them do that to him.
—
Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas
Immortal. Warrior. Outcasts. Traitors took everything. Except their honor.
Preorder on Amazon http://amzn.to/1R8DAbb (Out May 1, 2016)
Read now in print on CreateSpace http://bit.ly/boc-origin-csp

Giveaway – Free Download

Download and print three PDF Bookmarks. The first features Six, the human warrior. The second is Pietas, the immortal warrior. The third is the two, back to back.
Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-six.pdf
Pietas https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas.pdf
Pietas and Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas6.pdf
Download a free adult coloring book you can print and share. Relax and color with friends. It’s fun! https://kayelleallen.com/media/pietas-coloring-book.pdf

In this scene from Bringer of Chaos, Pietas has been captured, and ordered to enter a stasis tube, where he will be put into cryogenic sleep and transported to a world far across the galaxy. Pietas has other plans.

30 Days of Chaos: Day 12

To celebrate the launch of Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas I’m sharing 30 Days of Chaos. Each day during April, I’ll post one excerpt from the book, along with a poster of a quote by Pietas. On the final day, members of my Romance Lives Forever Reader Group will receive a full color book containing all the quotes and posters. Unlike my website, the book posters will have only a quote and a beautiful image. Look for another giveaway at the end of this post.

I will not.

The leaders of his people gathered in sleep around him, sealed inside their curved, steel stasis tubes. Above him, humans waited for Pietas to enter the last one.

He folded his arms.

“Feast your eyes, vultures.” He lifted his chin. “You think to imprison me? You think to bring me down like a hunted animal?” He spread his hands outward, indicating the pods. “I will not cower before you. I will not bow. I will not kneel. I will not serve. I will never submit. Humans were made to be ruled, not by my people, but by me.”

The silhouettes of humans above him contrasted with the bright light behind them. One by one, they slipped away, until a single silhouette remained.

“Fighting us accomplishes nothing.” The disembodied voice echoed in the chamber. “You won’t leave that room until you’re in stasis. Enter the pod or we’ll siphon the air, and let you die.”

“I’ve died countless times. I do not fear death. Death fears me.”

“So be it. Since you’re so set on dying, have it your way. I told you if you didn’t cooperate, I would detonate the bombs within the hostages you took aboard your ship. See for yourself.”

On the opposite wall, an image of the Uurahkal sparkled into life, and a bloom of light filled the screen. A mass of debris shot in all directions.

“Your crew has ceased to exist.”

“That image is a farce. You would not dare to destroy the council’s flagship, and you will not destroy the council. You are cowards. You lock us away in a barren room and threaten our people. This is why humans do not deserve freedom. You are worthless, miserable liars.”

“Believe me, your crew is quite dead. The universe is a safer place for it.”

“It will never be safe. Not for you.” His fists ached from clenching them. “I will hunt you down and make you pay to the last generation of your bloodline.”

“Good-bye, Pietas.” The silhouette moved from the window, and all the lights went out.

In the darkness, the pod indicator lights showed. The green pinpricks of light cast eerie shadows. High up, tiny points of blue revealed the presence of cameras and projectors embedded within the walls. They were watching, even in the dark. No doubt recording him to show his people and humans that he’d failed.

He’d make them watch his escape before he slaughtered them. Then he’d broadcast it to humans across the galaxy. Let them see their doom coming for them. He would kill them all for this.

A low hissing sound signaled air leaving the room.

Pietas could hold his breath longer than ten humans combined, but he pretended to stumble. He braced himself against his mother’s pod. His chest ached, not from lack of air, but from the love he held for her. He would make them pay for every affront.

Clutching a hand over his heart, he acted as if unable to breathe. He sucked in the escaping air, saturating his blood with oxygen. He shook as if unable to catch his breath, and hurried toward the isolated pod. He put himself on the far side, away from the door, between the wall and the tube, and let himself fall against it. He grappled with the opening, and then slid to the floor. As hidden from the entry and the cameras as he could make himself, Pietas curled into a tight ball before going limp.

He conserved his strength, and waited for the loathsome humans to enter.
—
Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas
Immortal. Warrior. Outcasts. Traitors took everything. Except their honor.
Preorder on Amazon http://amzn.to/1R8DAbb (Out May 1, 2016)
Read now in print on CreateSpace http://bit.ly/boc-origin-csp

Giveaway – Free Download

Download and print three PDF Bookmarks. The first features Six, the human warrior. The second is Pietas, the immortal warrior. The third is the two, back to back.
Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-six.pdf
Pietas https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas.pdf
Pietas and Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas6.pdf
Download a free adult coloring book you can print and share. Relax and color with friends. It’s fun! https://kayelleallen.com/media/pietas-coloring-book.pdf

In this scene from Bringer of Chaos, we meet VASH, but also one of the traitors, a man who seeks to destroy Pietas.

30 Days of Chaos: Day 13

To celebrate the launch of Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas I’m sharing 30 Days of Chaos. Each day during April, I’ll post one excerpt from the book, along with a poster of a quote by Pietas. On the final day, members of my Romance Lives Forever Reader Group will receive a full color book containing all the quotes and posters. Unlike my website, the book posters will have only a quote and a beautiful image. Look for another giveaway at the end of this post.

Meet Vash

At the guard gate on the space station, he waited while security forces identified him. He had been the one to terminate the Ultra ship and help imprison their council. Yet after a mere three months away, no one knew him.

How soon humans forgot their benefactors.

He reined in his thoughts. There were rumors a few telepaths had survived the purges of the Human Pure movement. Best not to reveal he was Ultra.

At last, the two guards who’d been eyeing him stepped aside for the one who returned. A tall, slender young man in a blue jumpsuit accompanied him.

“Your ID is in order, sir. May I ask you to state your full name for VASH, please?”

“VASH. That wasn’t here before. What is it?”

“Voice Analysis Security Hallmarking. It’s a system that identifies your voice. Once entered, no one can imitate it and fool security.”

“Is that necessary?”

“Some Ultras imprisoned here are natural mimics. Others are illusionists who can duplicate your external image and voice. VASH will identify your voice and brain pattern while you speak and compare it to what we already have on record. It’s a precaution.” He gestured for the young man to come. “Meet VASH-T, the AI who’ll be escorting you. He has full access to the station, same as you’re allowed. Go ahead and tell him your name.”

A flesh-encased android. Rheault had heard of them but never seen one. The android’s eyes had tiny, human-looking red-colored blood vessels within the white sclera, and blue irises with brown flecks.

“The skin and eyes are quite human.”

“Thank you, sir.” The android inclined his head. “Welcome to Enderium Six.”

“Can you detect emotions?”

“No, sir. Only lies.”

That settled that. “I prefer a human escort.”

“I do not take breaks,” the android responded. “I cannot be bribed, and I can protect you from an Ultra. I have the strength of one. I am immune to their illusions and empathic weaponry. Please pronounce your name for me, sir. Once I hear it, I will never forget it, or you.”

And wasn’t that the real problem?

He looked to the human security officer for help, but the man gestured for them to enter the secured part of the station.

He’d passed as human for a long time. No reason to think his hard work–and luck–wouldn’t continue. He entered the door beside the android. “I’m Rheault ap Kirin. My first name is pronounced roe, like fish eggs.”

“Pronunciation established. Thank you, Rheault Like Fish Eggs.”

Rheault chuckled. “Just the word roe. I was defining the term.”

“Thank you, sir. I have adjusted the name. You may call me Vash-T. This way, please.”

Beside Vash-T, he entered a lift.

The android placed a palm against a panel, and both his hand and the device lit up in blue. The car rose.

“Where are you taking me?”

“My supervisor said you were to inspect the ship where the Ultras are detained.” The doors opened. “Section six is this way.” He exited and turned right.

Built to hold a million Ultras, the ship’s bulk filled the sky. A gangway sealed the ship to the opening ahead. The name of the vessel showed through the vast windows.

Rheault slowed, and then halted, transfixed by the sight.

Vash-T stopped and came back. “Sir? Is something wrong?”

“Are you aware of the significance of this ship’s name?”

Vash-T glanced at the giant letters in white against the black hull. “One moment, sir, while I access historical references. Ah, yes. Shall I explain it to you?”

“I understand already.” Long-stifled emotions within Rheault fought to rise, but he drove them back. “Let’s do this, shall we?” He walked with Vash-T.

Outside, in the cold of space, spotlights traced the hull of Charon’s Boat.
—
Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas
Immortal. Warrior. Outcasts. Traitors took everything. Except their honor.
Preorder on Amazon http://amzn.to/1R8DAbb (Out May 1, 2016)
Read now in print on CreateSpace http://bit.ly/boc-origin-csp

Giveaway – Free Download

Download and print three PDF Bookmarks. The first features Six, the human warrior. The second is Pietas, the immortal warrior. The third is the two, back to back.
Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-six.pdf
Pietas https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas.pdf
Pietas and Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas6.pdf
Download a free adult coloring book you can print and share. Relax and color with friends. It’s fun! https://kayelleallen.com/media/pietas-coloring-book.pdf

When a team of reanimated special ops soldiers pits itself against Pietas, the immortal learns a new truth. Even the dead feared him.

30 Days of Chaos: Day 14

To celebrate the launch of Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas I’m sharing 30 Days of Chaos. Each day during April, I’ll post one excerpt from the book, along with a poster of a quote by Pietas. On the final day, members of my Romance Lives Forever Reader Group will receive a full color book containing all the quotes and posters. Unlike my website, the book posters will have only a quote and a beautiful image. Look for another giveaway at the end of this post.

Even the Dead Feared Him

The stasis pod Pietas hid behind rested on the floor, and came up to mid-thigh. It hid him, but allowed no view of the door. A sudden change of light told him soldiers had entered. Grunts, they wore beams on their chests to light their way. The idiots had left them on, which let him calculate the level of brightness. At least six.

That was all he warranted? He hardly knew whether to be amused, or insulted.

He waited for a stirring of emotion, but felt none. Smart. They’d sent either androids or ghosts with those new anti-emo chips. The latter would be fun to fight. When he killed them, would they experience a human death, or did they have to be terminated like an Ultra? How well did the chips work?

He’d find out in a minute.

A tiny trickle of fear leaked. That meant three things.

One: ghosts.

Two: anti-emo chips? Worthless.

Three: even the dead feared him.

More fear leaked, and then frustration. The ghosts were fighting the effect of the chip. They were afraid of being afraid. Typical. Humans underestimated the power of death. They thought dying and coming back to life meant you’d overcome the fear of dying. He had died thousands of times, yet he still avoided it. Their anti-emo chips had given them no edge whatsoever.

Excellent. He could use that.

Another hint of fear surfaced. It zinged over Pietas’s skin like a cool breeze, good as a waft of air. How interesting! Emotion from the reanimated energized more than emotion from the living. He drew the aetheric fear into himself, gathering strength.

The silence meant no air had entered the room. He’d miss his favorite sound: bones breaking in his enemies.

Remaining on his side, Pietas let them get all the way inside the room.

Crowded as the space was between his pod and the wall, two ghosts crept into it. Six spots of light showed on the other side. Eight ghosts then. That would be a much better fight. One nudged him with a foot.

Suppressing a smile, he continued to play dead.
—
Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas
Immortal. Warrior. Outcasts. Traitors took everything. Except their honor.
Preorder on Amazon http://amzn.to/1R8DAbb (Out May 1, 2016)
Read now in print on CreateSpace http://bit.ly/boc-origin-csp

Giveaway – Free Download

Download and print three PDF Bookmarks. The first features Six, the human warrior. The second is Pietas, the immortal warrior. The third is the two, back to back.
Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-six.pdf
Pietas https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas.pdf
Pietas and Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas6.pdf
Download a free adult coloring book you can print and share. Relax and color with friends. It’s fun! https://kayelleallen.com/media/pietas-coloring-book.pdf