Strong Female Characters Archives - Page 7 of 26

He hadn’t come to reconnect. He’d come to negotiate. How utterly vexing #PietasFans #SciFi #MMRomance

Kayelle Allen 08/25/2024 Fallen Empires

In this scene, Pietas had waited all day for Cyken to arrive, and now that the man has come aboard the ship, Pietas is eager to reconnect. They're in Pietas's quarters, and they've seated themselves on a couch.

But Cyken wasn't here to reconnect, was he? No. He'd come to negotiate on behalf of his new love. The young immortal Pietas himself had created.

How utterly vexing.

With a hesitant motion, as if reaching out to a wild animal, Cyken pressed the back of his fingers against Pietas's cheek in a hand-kiss.

He leaned into the touch, and returned it. "I've missed you, Cyken."

"You haven't cut your hair."

No 'I've missed you too?' No 'I can't live without you?' No 'I need you more than air?' Or 'You are my soul's fire. Stay with me forever.' No, he got, "You haven't cut your hair." Cyken might as well have stabbed him.

The man picked up a strand of Pietas's hair and rubbed it between fingers and thumb. "I'm glad you kept your hair long. Such pure platinum. I like it down. Always have." Luc released him and sat back.

Pietas only cut it in preparation for battle; he'd worn it long far less than he'd like. "I'll cut it for the ritual when I judge your Changeling."

Cyken's visage remained impassive and unreadable. Those solid black eyes hid much, but Pietas had angered Cyken before. A long-familiar blaze of fury flickered across the man's face and disappeared.

Which told Pietas he'd scored a hit. Why didn't that feel like a victory? One leg tucked under himself, he faced Cyken.

"You talk first." Cyken gestured. "Since you claim to know what I'll say."

"You want me to exempt Izzorah from the fealty test." Pietas required the test of all immortals who followed him. The only proof of immortality was coming back from the dead.

Anyone with the courage to die to prove loyalty deserved a place at Pietas's side.

"You never let anyone skip. Everyone knows that."

"You're right, and I won't start now." Good, then. That was settled.

Cyken broke into a slow smile, the corners of his eyes crinkling, making him look far less deadly than Pietas knew him to be. Cyken had aged during this lifetime, giving his face character, and... What was the word... Gravitas. Nobility. Revealing the majestic warrior Pietas had fallen so deeply in love with.

The one he loved still.

"Pietas." Cyken reached over and clasped Pietas's left hand. A touch strong but gentle, commanding yet yielding. As it had been with them from the beginning. But this time, Cyken had clamped his entire hand over Pietas's, immobilizing him. Holding him in place. Shifting the power.

If Pietas pulled back his hand, he acknowledged the shift. If he did not, he acknowledged the shift. For him, lose/lose either way.

Shrewd of Cyken. And downright cold-blooded.

For millennia, they fight side by side. Now one king faces a lonely quest.

As Light and Shadow, King Pietas and General Cyken share every battle, as well as a fierce and passionate love.

But, torn apart by the king's rage, Cyken ends their stormy relationship.

When General Cyken falls in love with another man, Pietas undertakes a perilous quest on the dangerous world of Felidae to prove he is the better choice for Cyken.

If he succeeds in his quest, it will either bring Cyken back, or drive him even closer to his new love.

Pietas must try, for he cannot walk into eternity alone.

He must have a shadow to balance his light...

Support me by buying direct https://payhip.com/b/oMIY0

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team

~ Copyright ©2025 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!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay.

Read more →

Tornahdo’s world moved in slo-mo #Excerpt from Lights Out #SciFi #PietasFans #MFRWhooks

Kayelle Allen 07/31/2024 Fallen Empires 5 Comments

In this scene, Tornahdo enters the chamber with seven other ghosts, having been given orders different from the others. Fighting Pietas with only seven others — what advantage can that possibly offer?

The world shifts to slow-mo

As ordered, Tornahdo illuminated the beacon on his chest. Not smart. Pietas would know from the level of brightness how many had entered the unlit room, but there was no sense saying so. Ghosts did what they were told.

Maybe the next team would subdue the Ultra after Tornahdo's crew exhausted him. Assuming there were ghosts left who hadn't been shot by their own leaders.

Inside, as instructed, he stayed near the back. Two of the eight ghosts closed in on the pod.

Pietas lay on the floor behind it. His body showed, not his face.

Tornahdo tingled with a fighter's high. The mix of anxiety and excitement kept his instincts on maximum alert.

Beside Pietas, a ghost stooped. The change in lighting angle showed the Ultra, limp on the floor. When turned, the body flopped. The ghost pressed two fingers against the throat.

With a jerk, Pietas yanked the man down while thrusting a hand up.

A pierce of mindless fear stabbed Tornahdo. He'd faced that snap of terror before. It meant two things. First, the Ultra was controlling their emotions. Second, the chip was worthless.

Pietas tripped the next ghost, jabbed an elbow into his neck.

Another spurt of fear and confusion.

All that training. Days of suffering, learning control. For nothing.

Pietas flashed into speed mode.

Tornahdo's world moved in slow motion.

A blur showed where the Ultra had been. Pietas halted, braced both hands on a pod and kicked a pair of ghosts behind him.

They flew backward. Slow.

Momentum carried the Ultra straight toward Tornahdo.

Stumbling out of the way, Tornahdo went down in a tumble, taking out the ghost beside him, who knocked down the last two.

Tornahdo rolled to his feet, out of range of those long arms and carbon-hard fists. But for how long?
---

Like what you've read so far? Pick up Lights Out, a free novella introducing the Bringer of Chaos series.

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team

~ Copyright ©2025 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!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay.

Read more →

The bandit mask really adds to the “good guy” look #Excerpt from Lights Out #SciFi #PietasFans #MFRWhooks

Kayelle Allen 07/24/2024 Fallen Empires 4 Comments

In this scene, a Ghost Corps official (hiding behind a holographic "mask") is giving Tornahdo and a group of eleven other ghosts the final details of their mission.

The "Good Guy" look

The leader facing them activated a device on his wrist, and a holograph of a room full of lifepods popped into being.

There wasn't a human alive who wouldn't recognize Pietas. Seven feet tall. Slim. White hair. White uniform.

Seriously. Like he was the good guy.

Painted on bandit's mask.

Because yeah, the mask went so well with the good guy look. The sarcastic thought sang pain through Tornahdo's head. He pressed fingertips against one temple.

Pietas clutched his chest, bracing himself on a pod. Slid to the floor. Out of sight.

"You see?" The man shut off the view. "He's out."

Sure he was. Tornahdo ignored the sharp reminder to avoid disagreement.

"Pick up his body and put him in a pod. Each of you will carry a pair of wristlocks. Bind his hands behind him." The man gestured. "Questions?"

The guy in front raised his hand again. "Sir, there's only twelve of us. If he wakes up, that's not enough."

"No? Who agrees?"

Three ghosts beside him also put up their hands.

Without a word, the man pulled out a gun and shot them, one after the other, so fast, they all went down together. Headshots were final. No rebirths.

The air went from thick to non-existent. Tornahdo did not so much as flinch. He needed none of that maniac's attention.

He might not know the other ghosts, but if an enemy put one down like an animal, that person deserved his hate. Like him, his fellow soldiers had trained hard to hate. One slip and they'd be on him like the animals he seemed to think they were.

Chip or not.

The guy holstered the weapon. Had to be standard issue. Guns for Ultras set you on fire. "Anyone else doubt the plan?"

Nope. No more fools present.

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team

~ Copyright ©2025 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!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay.

Read more →

“The best day in human recollection.” #Excerpt from Lights Out #SciFi #PietasFans #MFRWhooks

Kayelle Allen 07/17/2024 Fallen Empires 6 Comments

In this scene, Tornahdo and eleven others have been waiting to be briefed on their mission. The air is close, the heat is rising, but like the good, obedient soldiers the Ghost Corps has trained them to be, no one asks a question. The insertion of an "anti-emo" chip that deals out stinging reprimands ensures obedience is less than voluntary.

Excerpt: If it's such a good day...

After half an hour of waiting, no one had spoken.

Probably another test.

Tornahdo, for one, wasn't failing it.

The door opened, bringing a shock of icy air.

They all knew they were being sent to die. They were ghosts. That's what ghosts did. They hammered at Ultras until they perma-killed them or they kept Ultras busy until others escaped. But at least they were getting to breathe first.

In walked a person close to seven Terran feet. Silhouette looked male. Tall enough to be an Ultra. He strode into the center of the room and beckoned everyone closer.

No clue who hid behind the full-body fake-face. It cycled through various images, too fast to keep up. Like trying to count air bubbles rising in a pool.

Remaining at the back, Tornahdo stood at ease.

"This is the best day in human recollection." Speaking through a voice changer, the voice took on genderless robotic tones. "Today, we make history."

If it was such a good day, why hide behind a fake-face and voice changer?

The chip in Tornahdo's head pinged a stinging reminder to avoid such thoughts. He reined in his doubt and focused.

"This mission is called Lights Out. Your duty is simple. Chancellor Pietas is unconscious. You'll put him in a lifepod. That's it." The guy paused. "Questions?"

A tall ghost removed his helmet. "How can Ultras be unconscious?"

"The peace talks were a trap. When he and the Council arrived, we told them we'd jettison their module unless they entered their lifepods, which they did. Except Pietas, of course, so we siphoned the air out of the room. Before you go in, you'll hyperventilate, store up oxygen. This room is being pumped full at a high rate. Your chip will aid you."

Ultras held their breath ten times longer than humans. Tornahdo had trained to hold his five times longer. Pietas probably managed fifteen or twenty times.

Twelve of them. In a vacuum. Against the Ultra called Bringer of Chaos. Whose motto was, "Pain is a warrior's ally." No number of chips made that doable.

"You'll go in unarmed. Otherwise, there's a miniscule chance he'd awake and disarm you."

Miniscule. Like an ocean was a miniscule puddle. Tornahdo pushed past the pain caused by his traitorous thoughts and ignored the migraine-level headache.

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team

~ Copyright ©2025 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!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay.

Read more →

“Is this stupid chip even working?” #Excerpt from Lights Out #SciFi #PietasFans #MFRWhooks

Kayelle Allen 07/10/2024 Fallen Empires 8 Comments

Excerpt: Is this chip even working?

In this scene, Tornahdo is aboard the starport Enderium Six, awaiting assignment. All he's been told is he'll be providing security during peace talks aboard the station. He's locked in his room, with no outside contact, and no idea what's next or when it will happen. An "anti-emo" chip has been inserted into his brain, supposedly to help him control emotions. The enemy has the psychic ability to control the emotions of others, and this chip is designed to prevent that. So when he's called to the armory to report for duty, he's eager to go.

In the armory, Tornahdo and eleven others donned the black body armor and helmets of the Ghost Corps and followed a woman into the next chamber. There, she left them with instructions to await a briefing.

The teamwork in the regular army had no place in Ghost Corps. Isolation was the point of being a ghost. After his previous run-in, Tornahdo had less reason to interact.

The unlit room where they waited closed in as if the walls pulled together and the ceiling sank. The longer they waited, the thicker the air. Warm, heavy with sweat and the tart bite of fear, every breath choked the senses.

More than one ghost pulled at his collar. Tension arced through the room, lightning skating over a metal fence.

Was the chip even working?

After half an hour of waiting, no one had spoken.

Great. Probably another test.

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team

~ Copyright ©2025 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!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay.

Read more →

“Don’t call me sir. I work for a living.” #Excerpt from Lights Out #SciFi #PietasFans #MFRWhooks

Kayelle Allen 07/03/2024 Fallen Empires 8 Comments

In this opening scene of Lights Out, we meet Tornahdo (who in later Bringer of Chaos books will be renamed "Six" by the immortal king, as an insult at first, which quickly becomes a token of respect). Having served as an enlisted sailor, I heard the phrase, "Don't sir me" more times than I could count.

Except: I work for a living

The air reeked of antiseptic and starch stiffened the pillowcase. If only the mind-numbing jabbering would stop.

Tornahdo pried open his eyes. The flattened blood bag above him, stenciled equipment and gray walls screamed military hospital.

He'd died. Again.

Spanish curses slipped out. His abuela would've taken a switch to him. He made the sign of the cross and kissed his fingertips.

After yanking the tube out of his arm, he pressed a thumb over the entry point. Thankfully, this time, he wasn't writhing on the floor in agony. Well, not yet.

A faceless android in a Ghost Corps uniform loomed over a bank of equipment displaying Tornahdo's name and vitals. First impression was right. Military hospital.

The weapons-grade yapping continued.

"Did you hear?" a youthful voice bragged. "He killed six of 'em last night."

"Yeah, but they don't stay dead. They never do."

"If Ultras didn't come back to life, their plasma wouldn't bring our own people back."

The transfusion of enemy blood healed the hole in Tornahdo's arm in seconds. He thumbed off the red smear and rolled over on the gurney.

An open door led to a sink and toilet built to let gravity do its work. Which meant this was a planet. You hadn't lived until you were in space, floating in zero gravity while your body's final twitches sent your corpse spinning.

Notices on the wall confirmed this was San Xavier in the Colonies of Man. Same place he'd bought it the first time.

This was getting old.

"He's awake." The pair of baby-faced orderlies ceased bickering with each other and blabbered at him.

"¡Silencio!" Pressing fingers against his brow, Tornahdo fought lacerating pain.

"But I was telling him that—"

"For the love of all that's holy, will you shut up!" He levered himself into a sitting position and jammed his hands against his temples. "You're enough to wake the dead."

"Sorry, sir."

"Don't call me sir. I work for a living."

"Yes, sir." Blushing, the orderly swallowed. "Sorry, sir. I mean—"

Mimicking a zipper across his lips, Tornahdo slid off the gurney onto unsteady feet.

The other orderly hustled forward and supported him.

He shook off the touch. Last thing he needed was boys fussing over him. You could bet when immortals came back to life, they didn't put up with nattering attendants.

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team

~ Copyright ©2025 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!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay.

Read more →

From Lights Out: “Saving humans is not your job, soldier.” #SciFi #MFRWhooks #FreeBook

Kayelle Allen 05/29/2024 Fallen Empires 6 Comments

In this scene, Tornahdo is reeling from the death of two of his compadres in the Ghost Corps. Although they were no friends of his, he had tried to protect them. The following takes place early in the morning, not more than 24 hours after Tornahdo had been disciplined for sacrificing his life to protect humans. If the military can bring you back to life, how is that not a good thing? Saving humans is not his job, as he is constantly reminded. He's to kill immortals, and that's all he's to do.

But what are they fighting for if not to protect humanity?

Excerpt from Lights Out

Standing at attention in the general's office at oh-three-hundred, Tornahdo maintained his silence. The smell of burning flesh clung to his clothing. Wails of the dying rang in his ears. He kept his gaze fixed on the star map opposite while the general paced.

"Master Sergeant." A civilian coat covered her. Her pink pajama bottoms and fuzzy slippers didn't paint as intimidating an image as her medal-covered uniform, but her voice still held command. "Can you not stay out of trouble for one full day?"

He knew better than to answer.

"You intervened for a human." She stopped pacing and turned to him. "Again."

"Yes, ma'am."

"And it wasn't your single death you caused this time. It was the death of two ghosts."

Not technically. Morally, maybe, but he'd tried to spare them. "Yes, ma'am."

"Irreversible death. Ultras don't come back from fire. Ghosts with Ultra blood don't either. They died because of you."

"Ma'am, they died because Ravenstongue is a certifiable crackpot who never deserved the uniform, let alone a weapon." The words hadn't left his mouth before he knew he'd overstepped. Why couldn't he keep his mouth shut like he'd been told his entire life?

The look of disdain on the general's face said far more than words. She resumed pacing, but then stopped again, not facing him. "That may be true, Master Sergeant." Her voice had gone quiet, all but gentle. "But that's not your call. Ravenstongue is being dealt with."

"Thank you, ma'am."

"Don't thank me." Her gaze snapped to his. "You are not innocent. The bartender told us his side. According to him, you were trying to save him."

Same stuff. Different day. He took a deep breath. "Yes, ma'am."

"Do I hear annoyance in your tone, Master Sergeant?"

"Not my intention, ma'am."

"Didn't we have this discussion about humans?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Are you not tired of having it?"

Oh, for so many reasons. "Yes, ma'am."

She paced again. "The fire damage to the bar will be compensated out of Ravenstongue's salary." The general paused, slapped her hands behind her back and smiled. "And yours." She stared at him as if daring him to argue.

What would he spend it on? Why did they pay him? He could go nowhere and do nothing.

"Master Sergeant, if there were more than fifty ghosts, you'd be history."

Fifty? That was all they had?

How could fifty humans hope to defeat an army of nearly one million warriors who could never die?

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team

~ Copyright ©2025 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!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay.

Read more →

“Feast your eyes, vultures.” Pietas levels a challenge #SciFi #PietasFans #MFRWhooks

Kayelle Allen 05/15/2024 Fallen Empires 4 Comments

His people permit Pietas no choice. He must attend insipid peace talks on Enderium Six and what's worse, be polite. To humans.

In this scene, Pietas has been betrayed and trapped, and now they're coercing him to enter a lifepod.

Feast your eyes, vultures

The leaders of his people gathered in sleep around Pietas, sealed inside their curved, steel stasis tubes.

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 indicated the other life-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 above him contrasted with the bright light behind them. One by one, they slipped away, until one remained.

"Fighting us accomplishes nothing." The disembodied voice echoed in the chamber. "Enter the pod, Pietas, or we'll siphon the air. You'll die."

"I'll revive. 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 his ship 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."

"Untrue. It will never be safe for humans. Especially for you."

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team

~ Copyright ©2025 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!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay.

Read more →

“You inflexible, intractable narcissist.” ~signed Love, Dad #PietasFans #SciFi #MFRWhooks

Kayelle Allen 05/08/2024 Fallen Empires 5 Comments

In this scene from Bringer of Chaos, Pietas is returning from a meeting where he refused to accept the ten hostages offered by a group of humans. He insisted on thirty instead. His parents, both former leaders and still on the council, follow.

You Inflexible, Intractable Narcissist

His parents trailed him back toward private quarters. "Pietas," his mother called. "Wait!"

For her, he stopped, and turned around.

Small compared to most Ultras, and delicate of face, Helia ap Lorectic was as tough as any soldier. Like him and his father, she possessed an eidetic memory, and a fine scientific mind. If anyone was the hope of their people, it was she.

"Pietas, you know this is wrong. We agreed to those terms before we arrived."

"It is not wrong, Mother, and the terms were made by the previous council head, not by me." He opened the door to his quarters, and turned back to Helia. "They'll agree to my terms or they'll die."

Mahikos stepped in front of his wife. "You will destroy these talks, you inflexible, intractable narcissist!"

"Why, Father. I'm impressed you know words that big. Thank you."

The man lurched toward him.

"Stop it!" Helia positioned herself between the two. "Pietas, please. It took—"

"No, Mother. I never negotiate with humans from a position of fear."

Mahikos jabbed a finger toward him. "You never negotiate at all."

"Your precious humans have five minutes." He shut the door in the man's face.

His father's shout of anger followed, and then his mother's calmer tones, soothing. The thud of a fist rattled the door before Mahikos gave way to whatever Helia was saying to him.

"Just like old times." The message board lit up. Furious texts and outraged faces filled the screen. "It seems I made every council member angry at the same time. How efficient of me."

The device on his wrist let Pietas portal anywhere on the ship, or to the side of whichever member he wanted. He could use it to communicate. He kept his on private mode, always. No one entered his presence or spoke to him unless he wished it.

His empathic senses, however, he left open. Politicians lied as a matter of policy. Emotions did not.

"Better the enemy you know, than the enemy you do not."

He stroked a fingertip over the bracelet's smooth black surface, and then gave it one tap. "Security! Keep the guns hot."

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team

~ Copyright ©2025 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!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay.

Read more →

Even if he never beat another drum, he could die with his ears straight up #SciFi #Romance #Rockstar #MFRWhooks

Kayelle Allen 04/17/2024 Immortal Empires 4 Comments

In this scene, Izzorah is recalling a concert where he entertained as the drummer for the rock group Kumwhatmay.

Surrender Love

Izzorah cranked up the hot water and turned his back, head tilted down so it soothed the tension in his neck and shoulders. He lathered Kin shampoo into his pelt, a thick band of long fur covering the upper part of his chest above his nipples, up to the collarbone. Humans likened it to a lion's mane. He always hid his pelt beneath shirts, unwilling to bare his alien nature to fans. It was one thing for them to know he was Kin. Another to flaunt it.

He lifted his face to the water, rinsed everything and turned around again. While the fall of heated water soothed his back, his mind wandered to the past. At their last concert, he'd been tired. He was always tired, but that night had been extra hard. His chest had been hurting him again and it hurt to breathe. He'd psyched himself up by remembering a vid.

He had never seen the audience, but one time, Kory had found a vid of Kumwhatmay on Imperinet and downloaded it to Izzorah's player. It showed Izzorah's drum solo halfway through the show. About ten Praetorian guards had sat on the front two rows, all decked out in the black military uniforms of the Empress, clapping in unison.

To Izzorah's music. The beat of his drums. His drums.

Talk about knocking yours ears off. That cut them off at the base and threw them on the floor. He, Izzorah Ceeow, had played for Praetorian and hadn't even known it.

So the night of the last concert on Kelthia when he was too weary to stick out a claw, he pretended the whole audience was nothing but Praetorian. He'd played better than ever.

The audience had hooted and cheered and screamed. After his solo ended, the others tried to join him on cue, but the audience went crazy. Izzorah fumbled a drumroll, unsure what was happening. When he realized what they were chanting, it shocked him into flat-eared silence.

Humans repeated Izzy! Izzy! Izzy! which was pure out-and-out stellar, but his people, the Kin fans out there, had set up the sustained howl of a speerus kinthu—a spirit of pride. A call to the spirit of the people to come witness. Come judge. It was done so bad things didn't happen without being seen, or to celebrate a wedding, or a birth. Except on that night, you could hear the pride as well as smell it. Chills chased over him even now, prickling his pelt as if he were there.

The crowd was calling for his people to come and witness his song.

If he never beat another drum, he could die with his ears straight up.

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team

~ Copyright ©2025 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!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay.

Read more →

Tag: Strong Female Characters

Heart of the Immortal King

The world shifts to slow-mo

Bringer of Chaos

Welcome to Book Hooks!

The "Good Guy" look

Bringer of Chaos

Bringer of Chaos

Welcome to Book Hooks!

Excerpt: If it's such a good day...

Bringer of Chaos

Welcome to Book Hooks!

Excerpt: Is this chip even working?

Bringer of Chaos

Welcome to Book Hooks!

Except: I work for a living

Bringer of Chaos

Welcome to Book Hooks!

Excerpt from Lights Out

Bringer of Chaos

Welcome to Book Hooks!

bnr

Feast your eyes, vultures

Bringer of Chaos

Welcome to Book Hooks!

bnr

You Inflexible, Intractable Narcissist

Bringer of Chaos

Welcome to Book Hooks!

Surrender Love

Antonello Brothers: Immortal

Welcome to Book Hooks!