Fated Blades
- Автор: Эндрюс Илона
- Серия: Kinsmen #3
- Год: 2021
- Язык: английский
- Год: Montlake
- ISBN: 9781662500435
- Жанр: Любовно-фантастические романы
Электронная книга - «Fated Blades». Краткое содержание книги:
At first glance, the planet Rada seems like a lush paradise. But the ruling families, all boasting genetically enhanced abilities, are in constant competition for power―and none more so than the Adlers and the Baenas. For generations, the powerful families have pushed and pulled each other in a dance for dominance.
Until a catastrophic betrayal from within changes everything.
Now, deadly, disciplined, and solitary leaders Ramona Adler and Matias Baena must put aside their enmity and work together in secret to prevent sinister forces from exploiting universe-altering technology. Expecting to suffer through their uneasy alliance, Ramona and Matias instead discover that they understand each other as no one in their families can―and that their combined skills may eclipse the risks of their forbidden alliance.
As the two warriors risk their lives to save their families, they must decide whether to resist or embrace the passion simmering between them. For now, the dance between their families continues―but just one misstep could spell the end of them both. (less)
She bristled. “And now you’ve insulted my family.”
“It’s not an insult but a statement of fact. Our families have been enemies for generations. There is no guarantee you won’t stab me in the back.”
She gave out a short laugh. “Oh, that’s rich coming from a Baena.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You have no room to talk of betrayal considering who you come from.”
That was quite specific.
“You talk as if our families had an alliance, which my family broke. There was never any such relationship. We were always rivals.”
“Don’t pretend like you don’t know.” Her words dripped with scorn.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Ramona stared at him, sizing him up.
He spread his arms and stared back.
“Fine,” she said. “We have bigger things to worry about.”
Oh no, you don’t. “Tell me.”
“As you said, Kinsman Baena, we are temporary allies. The information you’re asking for is outside the scope of our limited partnership. We don’t need it to find your wife or my husband. What we do need is everything you know or even suspect about the Vandals on our planet, since they are trying to buy the same type of tech our spouses are selling. If you don’t want to share, tell me now so you can stop wasting our time.”
Nothing she said was wrong. He had to give her enough information to move forward. The most important thing was finding their spouses and recovering the tech.
He realized why he was being petty. He liked this. Without meaning to, Ramona had rubbed his nose in what he was missing. He would never come to a secret room on the Terraces with Cassida. He would never enjoy a delicious meal in comfortable silence and then discuss serious plans and plots with her. His wife had no interest in sharing that part of his world, and she filled every silence with conversation, meaningful or not.
He also understood that he had to draft an immediate divorce agreement. If he were ever to find this again, it wouldn’t be with Cassida, and now having experienced it, he wouldn’t settle.
“I apologize, Kinswoman Adler.”
Ramona drew back.
“This morning taught me many things I didn’t know. I learned that my wife is cheating on me. I learned that she stole our research. I learned that foreign troops have targeted my family, and that my lifelong enemy is the only person capable of helping me. It requires an adjustment.”
Her expression softened, and he was struck by the profound sadness he saw in her eyes. For a moment Ramona looked as if someone close to her had died, and then she hid it, and her eyes were once again calm and warm. He was forgiven.
“Apology accepted. This has been a trying morning for both of us.”
“Here’s what I think. Vandal leadership is planning a coup,” Matias said.
“From what you’ve told me, it wouldn’t be improbable. They are already kept apart from civilians and the rest of the military. Since they are used to punish rogue units, they are viewed as outsiders by other soldiers, and they believe themselves to be above other armed forces.”
He nodded. “The seco shields would give their ships a massive advantage against other SFR forces. Given time, the Vandals could expand their use to small craft. They would go through the regular troops like a knife through butter. That’s why they disguised themselves. They don’t care if we know who they are, as long as the SFR doesn’t get wind of them being here.”
Ramona thought about it. “They would want to acquire all of the technology, everything we have in addition to the Davenports’ share.”
“Yes.”
“But they didn’t approach us. They must have changed strategy after the Davenports turned them down. And how did they know we were working on seco fields in the first place? Someone is helping them. Someone local.”
“Not only that, but the Vandals wouldn’t have taken commercial transport here. They rely on numbers.”
Ramona drew back. “You think they have a warship in system?”
“I would bet my arm on it.”
“State-of-the-art identification is one thing,” Ramona said. “A foreign warship in system is another. They would require a diplomatic waver.”
“Which can be granted by a federal senator,” Matias finished, his tone grim. “Like Theodore Redding Drewery.”
Ramona widened her eyes. “Cassida’s father?”
He nodded.
“Wow,” Ramona said. “That’s fucked up.”
Matias drained the rest of his lemonade. It tasted bitter.
“What we have is a lot of conjecture. I’m going to verify some of this.”
“No, let me. They are probably watching you. If you start making inquiries, their alarms will go off.”
“They’re watching you as well.”
She waved her hand dismissively. “Matias, let me do this. I know what I’m doing, and I will do it quietly.”
He owed her for his moment of pettiness. “Please, be my guest.”
CHAPTER 4
“ . . . so glad that the artist worked out for you.” Ramona smiled.
On the screen Aria Teeling, a short, plump, middle-aged woman in the sky-blue uniform of Orbital Traffic Control, smiled back. “Thank you again. You should see the mural. It’s to die for. You have to come over for dinner sometime soon.”
“Send me the date.” She would keep it, too. She liked both Aria and her husband.
“I will hold you to it.” Aria glanced to the side. “And here it is. Looks like Senator Drewery signed off on the permit.”
“I’m in your debt.”
“Nonsense. Friends don’t owe. Oh, and you will love this. It’s not the first time our dear senator pushed a permit through for the SFR. He’s done it before, seven years ago.”
Ramona kissed her fingers and offered them to the screen.
“Oh, stop it. I’m happy to help.”
They said their goodbyes and ended the call.
Matias stared at her as if she had sprouted a second head.
“What?”
“The New Delphi Spaceport Customs crew leader owes you a favor because you remembered that his father likes Conuvian pottery.”
“Yes, I make sure to send a piece every year on his birthday. They are a nice family.”
“The assistant immigration court clerk loves you because you helped him smuggle in a foo foo dog for his wife.”
“It is an Albine Needlehair Spaniel. They’re fierce.”
“All seven kilos of them.”
“Small dog, big heart.”
“The OTC chief cracked a file open for you because you got her and her husband an artist to paint a wall in their provincial home.”
“Valina is very busy, and she rarely takes commissions. My mother helped her get her start, and our family is fortunate enough to support her art ever since.”
Matias leaned forward. “And now the Davenports may owe you a favor, because you introduced them to a renowned psychiatrist who just happens to have two children with the Tarim mutation and who might save their marriage.”
She hadn’t realized he was paying attention when she mentioned Olivia’s name. “You looked her up. It’s not nice to eavesdrop.”
He gave her a sharp look. “You’re a spider. You sit in the middle of your beautifully woven web and pull the right strings until your prize lands in front of you.”
Beautifully woven, even. She wiggled her fingers at him. “Fear my spider legs, Baena.”
Matias shook his head. “It’s half fear, half admiration. Just so you know, we are partners. I won’t be owing any favors to you at the end of this.”
“That’s the beauty of it, Matias. None of them owe me anything. They help me because they consider me a friend. Being kind to people and paying attention shouldn’t be done with the expectation of repayment. I helped them because I could, and it made me happy.”