The thought made her claws itch #Excerpt A Stolen Heart #SciFi #Romance #MFRWhooks

Updated on 03/01/2024 by Kayelle Allen

During the ride into Miraj City, Luc pulled out his mobile and scrolled through the list he'd uploaded from the paper in his pocket. He forwarded one item to his assistant, and added a few notes to his own to-do list. The mobile buzzed in his hand.

Shohn Lexius.

He answered, voice mode. "What's up?"

"A bit of intel. I know we're meeting later, but this will only take a minute. I think you'll want to hear it."

He put the device on holophone and his Kin liaison shimmered into view. Catlike ears were up and forward, a sign of curiosity and attention.

"Sir, I anticipated you'd want a background check on"-- She looked at something off-screen --"Senthys Antonello."

"What are you? A mind reader?"

"Oh, no, sir." Shohn picked up a note-reader. "I try to anticipate what'll be needed next. What's the next logical step. Prepare for it best I can."

"Do you have relatives needing work? I could use a dozen more like you."

Inclining her head, she lowered her ears in a Kin thank you. "I'm one of a kind."

"You can say that again."

She gave him a curious look. "Idiom?"

"Means I agree." He gestured toward her. "So you know I took custody of the boy."

"Sir, I know your shoe size, what sort of pickles you like and the thread count on your sheets. You signed papers for him at the Guild. It wasn't hard."

In his other lives, no one had known squat about happenings within Guild walls. "You scare me a little, Ms. Lexius."

One ear flicked back. "Is that good?"

"I'll let you know." He set his mobile on handsfree and dropped it into a pocket. "What do you have?"

"I dug up the name of the place where the boy lived from birth until he was bought by the Guild. He--"

"Bought?"

"He was purchased in a group of thirty children. Twenty-seven humans plus him."

"That's twenty-eight."

"There were thirty total, but two are unaccounted for. Not sure who they were or whether they were human." She tapped a screen. "Looks like they were counted when they left the children's shelter where Senthys was reared, but I have no record of them reaching the Guild. No record of names, either. Just the count."

"Were they sold before the Guild got them?"

"No record."

The more he learned about the doings of his Guild, the less it felt like the one he knew. His Guild had been honorable. Like a family. This felt more and more like a faceless organization. Since when did family sell its most vulnerable members?

"But sir, I'm looking into it. That two children can disappear makes my claws itch. If they're safe, I want to know and if they're not-- Well, I'll let you know either way."

---
*Shohn Lexius is in all the Antonello Brothers books and is the heroine in book five, Crystal Clear Truth.

You'll find these characters mentioned in multiple books in my story universe. Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.

Characters mentioned on this page might be found in multiple books in my story universe. Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.

~ Copyright ©2024 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

To experience art, sci-fi, romance, and space opera with unstoppable, unshakeable, unforgettable characters so real you'll swear you've met them, join me on Ream Stories!

Posted in Blog Hop | Tagged A Stolen Heart, Antonello Brothers, Immortal Heroes, Luc Saint-Cyr, MFRW, Sci-Fi Romance, Senth Antonello, Shohn Lexius |

What? How can a storm make a decision? #Excerpt Crystal Clear Truth #MFRWhooks #Romance

Updated on 03/01/2024 by Kayelle Allen

In this scene from Crystal Clear Truth, Shohn and Joe meet for dinner and to discuss how Shohn's company, idBot, can help Joe find the person he's looking for.

Joe scooted his chair closer. "Is it true that what I say to idBot stays with idBot?"

"It is. Like lawyers and clergy."

"My father considered firestorms not as random incidents." He chewed his lower lip, his bright-blue gaze focused on Shohn. "Kin know when someone's lying, isn't that right?"

"Yes. Human scent gives them away. It's not impossible to lie to us without us knowing, but it is rare."

"You'll know what I say is the truth, correct?"

What was he getting at? Did he plan to lie? Odd way to go about it, if so. "I would know whether you believed something was true."

"Okay." Joe squared his shoulders. "My father believed firestorms have a personal agenda."

She considered those words. "What you're saying is he thought the firestorms themselves were planning where to strike."

"Yes. I know it sounds crazy, but when you examine the evidence..." He sighed. "I don't mean to sound condescending, but you wouldn't understand. There are only a handful of people who would, and those few are all in the TCF. But they refused to take him seriously."

If Saint-Cyr could hear this, he would be cheering. Firestorms did indeed have their own agenda, but this was the first time anyone other than an immortal had recognized it.

Gaining Joe's trust might be the key to carrying out both her missions.

Shohn laid back one ear. "I imagine the TCF tried to silence him."

"They thought he'd lost his mind. He and I debated his theory often, and we'd swap sides. We'd each argue for, then against. We tried poking holes in it, but it held. It frustrated him that the TCF considered his observations 'metaphysical' instead of scientific."

"They didn't appreciate the balance between the two?"

"Not one bit." Joe folded his hands on the table. "My dad literally wrote the book on firestorms, and knew what he was talking about. They'd never dream of letting him go, of course, even if they considered his later theories quackery. I'm more careful about discussing the topic."

"You're saying that, professionally, you have to be dishonest about your beliefs."

"Yes. At least, inside the TCF. I don't talk about what I believe, and I document none of what I do with the TCF. Dad's research was private, but they laid claim to it when he died, and suppressed it. What they don't know is that I have copies of everything in a secure location. His final theories were ridiculed when he was alive, and now that he's gone, they exist, officially, only in what we shared, what I remember, and handwritten notes I've locked away."

You'll find these characters mentioned in multiple books in my story universe. Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.

Characters mentioned on this page might be found in multiple books in my story universe. Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.

~ Copyright ©2024 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

To experience art, sci-fi, romance, and space opera with unstoppable, unshakeable, unforgettable characters so real you'll swear you've met them, join me on Ream Stories!

Posted in Blog Hop | Tagged Antonello Brothers, Crystal Clear Truth, Darq Antonello, Izzorah Ceeow, Joe Townsend, Kayelle Allen Characters, Luc Saint-Cyr, Shohn Lexius |

#BookFair for Romance from sweet to steamy #SciFi #Romance

Updated on 03/01/2024 by Kayelle Allen

You'll find these characters mentioned in multiple books in my story universe. Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.

Characters mentioned on this page might be found in multiple books in my story universe. Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.

~ Copyright ©2024 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

To experience art, sci-fi, romance, and space opera with unstoppable, unshakeable, unforgettable characters so real you'll swear you've met them, join me on Ream Stories!

Posted in Book Fair | Tagged A Stolen Heart, Antonello Brothers, At the Mercy of Her Pleasure, Book Fair, Bro, Crystal Clear Truth, Darq Antonello, For Women Only, Fun Stuff to Do, Joe Townsend, Luc Saint-Cyr, Mehfawni Ruh, NarrAy Jorlan, Senth Antonello, Shohn Lexius |

Crystal Clear Truth – a slow-burn, forced proximity SciFi alien romance set in the far future #Romance #SciFi #MFRWhooks

Updated on 03/01/2024 by Kayelle Allen

How can you trust when your own truth is a lie?

Shohn has only one goal: live a lie-filled life undercover. The elite head of security permits herself no family ties and few friends. But when firestorm scientist Joe needs help to locate his birth mother, and hires Shohn, she begins to rethink her rule of isolation.

Unknown to them, their intensive search triggers an alert that brings powerful, dark forces into play. Every attempt to uncover the truth results in more cover ups. But why? Who is this young woman, and who is the unknown person or power foiling Shohn and Joe's attempts to find her?

But maybe the better question is--what is she?

You'll find these characters mentioned in multiple books in my story universe. Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.

Characters mentioned on this page might be found in multiple books in my story universe. Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.

~ Copyright ©2024 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

To experience art, sci-fi, romance, and space opera with unstoppable, unshakeable, unforgettable characters so real you'll swear you've met them, join me on Ream Stories!

Posted in Blog Hop | Tagged Antonello Brothers, Darq Antonello, Fun Stuff to Do, Immortal Heroes, Joe Townsend, Kayelle Allen Characters, Luc Saint-Cyr, Sci-Fi Romance, Shohn Lexius |

#Excerpt Who is keeping him from discovering the truth? And why? #Romance #SciFi #MFRWhooks

Updated on 03/01/2024 by Kayelle Allen

Crystal Clear Truth

A slow-burn, forced proximity scifi alien romance

How can you trust when your own truth is a lie?

Shohn has only one goal: live a lie-filled life undercover. The elite head of security permits herself no family ties and few friends. But when firestorm scientist Joe needs help to locate his birth mother, and hires Shohn, she begins to rethink her rule of isolation.

Unknown to them, their intensive search triggers an alert that brings powerful, dark forces into play. Every attempt to uncover the truth results in more cover ups. But why? Who is this young woman, and who is the unknown person or power foiling Shohn and Joe's attempts to find her?

But maybe the better question is--what is she?

*Crystal Clear Truth - A slow-burn, forced proximity scifi alien romance set in the far future, in an empire full of treachery and secrets...

*If you like books with take-charge feline heroines and solid romance plots, this happy-ever-after friends-to-lovers story is for you.

In the previous scene, Luc had gotten a call from Shohn asking for his help. She'd discovered that Joe's mother, whom she's been trying to help him find, had apparently been hidden by an agency with at least as much power as the Imperial Witness Protection Program. The only way she'll get around the blocks to find her is if Luc can pull some strings to get access.

Luc sank onto the couch, mulling over what Shohn had said. This news had his king's fingerprints all over it. Missing mothers. Secret experiments.

All stemming from the same period as the Sabbath Experiment.

One isolated incident that refused to die. A pivot point in history. A moment in time every disaster either led up to or was a result of.

When Izzorah entered the room thirty minutes later, Luc was still sitting there. "McDoth says dinner's ready in ten minutes."

"Okay." Luc didn't move.

"What's wrong?" Izzorah sat beside him and took his hand. "You're blanking your emotions, so I know you're hiding something. Do you need to talk about it or need me to wait and let you stew about it?"

Lacing his fingers with his beloved's, Luc took a deep breath. "I have to decide which of two kreynid nesins I'm going to knock down."

Izzorah flicked those perky ears of his and laid them back. "Hornet's nests?" Cocking his head, he sniffed. Kin smelled emotions, but Izzorah smelled intentions as well, which was more than a little scary at times. "This has something to do with Pietas."

"I know you trust him, but, love, believe me, he has things in his past you know nothing about. You haven't known him as long as I have."

"All Pietas and the others say is that I'm only a quarter century old, and how compared to them I'm a baby. I get sooo tired of hearing it. He's done things in the past that he's ashamed of, but he wants to change his ways." Izzorah tapped his nose. "He can't lie to me, as much as I can tell he wants to, so he doesn't."

"Pietas swears that he never lies."

"Yes, t'hahr, but what he means is, he admits part of the truth and lets you figure out what's missing." Izzorah huffed a short laugh. "If this has something to do with him, you should tell him."

"I have a hunch this has more to do with his sister, but it is about him."

"Dessy? Sorry, I mean Rheyn. I'm trying to remember to call her by her preferred name."

Luc squeezed Izzorah's hand. "Talking about people who've had different names in different lives gets confusing."

"I'll say." Izzorah twisted on the couch, facing Luc. "What's holding you back on the decision?"

"I either have to call her, or Alitus."

"Oh, wow. Either your immortal ex, the empress, or the Minister of Imperial Intelligence, the immortal spouse of your human ex."

"That sums it up." Luc scrubbed both hands over his face. "And I'm probably going to have to kick one or both of those nests to get answers."

"If you call Alitus, you'll have to deal with Wulf too. It's going to happen, even if you have the best intentions. Alitus wouldn't keep that from him."

"I don't want to interact with that ex unless I have no choice."

"If you call Rheyn, she'll want something in return."

"Right."

Izzorah gave a small laugh. "Plus if this has to do with Pietas, she'll be angry you even brought it up."

"Yep."

"T'hahr, would Alitus have to get her permission for anything?"

Luc rubbed his jaw. "Probably. Which means I might as well call her and be done with it."

"No time like the present. That's what you always say. I'll tell McDoth to wait dinner." Izzorah squeezed Luc's hand and left the room.

"And I was having such a good day." Luc stood and straightened his jacket. He tapped his bracelet. "Call Rheyn, voice only. Private number." Maybe she'd be busy, and he'd have to leave a message. But no. Two rings and she answered.

"Luc, how are you?" She sounded cheery. Must have gotten good news.

"Fine. You?"

"Great. What's up?"

"Are you alone?"

Silence filled the room, followed by a heartfelt sigh. "What's my brother done this time?"

While he gave her the gist of what he knew, she remained quiet. "That's it? Your liaison investigated a group of twelve women missing during the years leading up to the Sabbath Experiment."

Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all. "That's right."

"And all you want is for whatever blocks we have on the files removed so you can find them."

"Yes. Exactly."

"Listen to me, Luc. I want you to hear every word I say."

His chest tightened. "All right."

"Walk away. You aren't allowed to know this information. No one is. If anyone tries to access it further, I'll consider it a personal attack and a matter of imperial treason."

"What?" The word burst from his mouth before he could stop it. But did he stop there? No. He added, "Why?" as if he had a death wish.

"Did you not hear me? I said walk away. Forget this. I don't care what your reasons are for knowing. You can't. You won't. And anyone who tries to go around those orders will disappear into the unknown, never to be heard from again. Now, are we clear? Walk. Away."

You'll find these characters mentioned in multiple books in my story universe. Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.

Characters mentioned on this page might be found in multiple books in my story universe. Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.

~ Copyright ©2024 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

To experience art, sci-fi, romance, and space opera with unstoppable, unshakeable, unforgettable characters so real you'll swear you've met them, join me on Ream Stories!

Posted in New Book | Tagged Antonello Brothers, Crystal Clear Truth, Darq Antonello, Dessy, Immortal Heroes, Izzorah Ceeow, Joe Townsend, Luc Saint-Cyr, Sci-Fi Romance, Shohn Lexius |

When the bouncer asked for ID, he flashed the Harbinger’s hand sign #Excerpt #SciFi #Romance #MFRWhooks

Updated on 03/01/2024 by Kayelle Allen

In this scene, Senth and his brother Khyff are heading to a nightclub where they'll meet Senth's adoptive father. But at the door, Senth has a little trouble...

Excerpt

As Senth approached The Ghost, the club's beefy Kin bouncer put out a hand. "Hold up, kid. You--" She motioned toward Khyff -- "Wait over there. Now..." She motioned Senth aside. "You got ID?"
Senth opened his cloak, revealing the lining with its unmistakable Thieves' Guild insignia, a skeleton key inside a slashed circle. He gave his Sen'dai's hand sign, showing the back of two fingers placed together straight across his waist.
"Ffffftt!" The bouncer made an apologetic shrug. "Sorry. Why didn't you say you were the Man's right up front?"
"His shouldn't have to." Senth brushed a hand down the front of the cloak. "And I'm no kid."
"Sorry, sir." She opened the door for both of them and bowed.
Once inside, Khyff held out one palm, and Senth slid his down it, hooked his fingers as Khyff did, and with hands clasped, gave one downward shake.
"C'mon, Bro." Khyff led the way past the darkened foyer.
Inside, music pulsed like a living entity. Throbbing bass tickled Senth's chest, and he coughed. Drums pounded. Colored lights swept the cavernous room. Strobes flashed across the congested dance floor, highlighting bobbing heads and upflung arms. Light glinted off human bodies slick with sweat, while bared and damp Kin furskin stuck out in points, laden with glitter.
"Stay close," Khyff shouted over the pounding music, standing next to Senth. He headed for the rear and left no chance to argue. They skirted around the crammed dance area. Senth liberated a few loose credit stubs clipped to belts and stuffed them into the pockets of his cloak.

You'll find these characters mentioned in multiple books in my story universe. Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.

Characters mentioned on this page might be found in multiple books in my story universe. Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.

~ Copyright ©2024 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

To experience art, sci-fi, romance, and space opera with unstoppable, unshakeable, unforgettable characters so real you'll swear you've met them, join me on Ream Stories!