Into the Rift

Book 0: Warriors of the Rift

by Cynthia Garner

Genres: Contemporary Romance; Paranormal Romance; Romantic Suspense

Synopsis

This short story in the sexy vampire romance series offers fans a unique look into the rift between the worlds of humans and immortals. Once a generation, the rift between the paranormal world and the human world opens, allowing supernatural entities to cross. Vampires, demons, or shapeshifters, they can save the world-or send it spiraling into chaos. Sirina Lan Maro, a fearless warrior from beyond the Rift, fights to save her world. But when her own cousin plots against her, Sirina is forced through the Rift and finds herself in nineteeth-century London. Alone and trapped in the body of a human host, Sirina struggles to survive in this strange new world—until she meets a man who offers everything she needs . . .

Release date: May 1, 2012

Publisher: Forever Yours

Print pages: 67

Sample

Sirina lan Maro set a small plate in front of her cousin and smiled to see him start in on the slice of chawberry pie. He ate with the same gusto as when he was a youngster. She took a seat in the dining alcove and cut into her own piece of pie.

Her living quad consisted of sleeping quarters, a central living area that could double as a guest room, a small scullery, and a dining alcove. She’d been allotted this quad once her conscription with the Talisian global security forces had been fulfilled. Ten years she’d been out, ten years of making a living by doing some of the same kind of work she’d done in the service. Only now she did it as a private citizen, providing security consultation to local enforcement officers.

Sirina looked at her cousin. His normally verdant skin seemed pale, a sure sign he was agitated about something. His eyes kept straying to the row of still images she had on her small workstation in the main living area.

She leaned over and put her hand on his, halting the motion of him scraping the last swirls of pie filling onto his utensil. “Natchook, what is it? What’s wrong?”

He pushed away from the table and walked to where the pictures were. He gazed at an image of their squad in their tan desert uniforms. The four members of the elite team stood straight, arms around each other, wide smiles curving their mouths. With his index finger he traced the features of the other woman in the group of four, and sadness pierced Sirina like the bite of a giant pincer. Yura lan Xarchai, her best friend and Natchook’s wife.

She and Yura had grown up together here on Avasa, a colony of the much larger planet Talis. As such, they had been second-class citizens, conscripted into service in defense of their ruling planet. Natchook, who was part Talisian, had already served for five years by the time she and Yura joined.

Shortly after their arrival in the service, Yura and Natchook had fallen in love. They’d been allowed to marry and serve in the same unit. Three years later, when Sirina’s brother, Kester, was drafted, he, too, became part of their squad.

Kester at first balked at the idea of serving as a combatant. The last place a pacifist like her brother wanted to be was in the armed services. But the longer he served, the more he came to appreciate the discipline he learned. It helped him control his compulsive behaviors. That there had been peace between the planets also helped, so his anxiety-induced disorder was easier to handle. His constant access to a behavior modification expert hadn’t hurt, either.

After Sirina and Yura had satisfied their requisite eight years, they’d been released from service. Natchook had taken his retirement soon after. Kester, enjoying the regimentation the security force provided, had decided to make a career of it.

They should have all lived out their lives happy and healthy. Only it hadn’t gone that way for Yura. Three years ago, after a lingering illness, she had died. Sirina still missed her, though time had softened the pain, and she knew Natchook missed her, too.

“Kai Vardan is responsible for Yura’s death, you know.” Natchook picked up the still image and stared down at it. Sirina knew he had eyes only for his deceased wife. “Someone should make him pay. Someone…” He trailed off, his jaw flexing as he tried to control his emotions. “Someone needs to kill the bastard.”

“Are you crazy? No, someone does not need to assassinate Kai Vardan.” Sirina stared in shocked horror at her cousin. She knew he blamed the Talisian leader for what happened to Yura, but this… this was insane. “What would make you say that? Have you heard something?”

His gaze darted to her before he again looked down at the image. “I haven’t heard anything. I just think it would do everybody a big favor if someone did.”

Even talking about the assassination of a world leader was treasonous. “Look, I realize you’re upset, but this isn’t the way to resolve your grief. Visit with the priests at—”

“Don’t you think I’ve gone through all the grief rituals and sought counseling? I have. Several times.” Natchook surged to his feet. “Vardan killed Yura. Someone needs to make him pay.”

“He did not kill her. She died because of a regulation that’s been in place for centuries.” Sirina put one hand on his shoulder. “Yura was Avasan. Talisians get service at hospitals before Avasans, you know that.”

“I’m a citizen of Talis. She was my wife, and she was sick. She should have gotten tests. A diagnosis. Treatment!” He shrugged off her hand. “Our Most Benevolent Leader,” he said with a sneer, “could have taken action when this regulation went to referendum fifteen years ago during his tenure as a member of parliament. Once he became world leader, he could have pushed to change the legislation. He should have…” He turned away, one hand going to his face.

She knew he fought back tears. He’d loved Yura with a fierceness Sirina had never known. And he still did, all these years later.

Natchook turned again to face her. His eyes were wet, his face hard. “It’s not just the health-care edicts. There are many laws that disadvantage Avasans. Laws that are equally unjust. They’ve been unjust for centuries. Yet no one seems bothered by it. They just accept it. You just accept it.” His lips curled with disdain. “She was your best friend, Sirina. Surely that meant something to you once.”

“Of course it meant… means so. . .