Askance

By Viola Grace

Recovering from damage done by a psycho, Silari, Agent of the Alliance, has been waiting for a new assignment. When that assignment turns out to be one of two dozen women in line for a shot at becoming the bride of an Avatar, she is slightly disappointed. What man would want a woman damaged in body and mind?

Maksuan has shied away from women who used their wiles to get his attention, but the shy Terran shines in every room she enters. He tries to get closer to her and when he finds out why she is dodging him, he takes action and removes clothing.

• Language: English
• Publisher: eXtasy Books Inc
• Release date: May 30, 2012
• ISBN: 9781771111799

Viola Grace

Viola Grace (aka Zenina Masters) is a Canadian sci-fi/paranormal romance writer with ambitions to keep writing for the rest of her life. She specializes in short stories because the thrill of discovery, of all those firsts, is what keeps her writing.An artist who enjoys a story that catches you up, whirls you around and sets you down with a smile on your face is all she endeavours to be. She prefers to leave the drama to those who are better suited to it, she always goes for the cheap laugh.

Book preview

Recovering from damage done by a psycho, Silari, Agent of the Alliance, has been waiting for a new assignment. When that assignment turns out to be one of two dozen women in line for a shot at becoming the bride of an Avatar, she is slightly disappointed. What man would want a woman damaged in body and mind?

Maksuan has shied away from women who used their wiles to get his attention, but the shy Terran shines in every room she enters. He tries to get closer to her and when he finds out why she is dodging him, he takes action and removes clothing.

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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Askance

Copyright © 2012 Viola Grace

ISBN: 978-1-77111-179-9

Cover art by Martine Jardin

All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.

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Smashwords Edition

Askance

A Terran Times Tale

By

Viola Grace

Chapter One

After three months of therapy and regeneration treatments, Silari was ready to rejoin the workforce and hopefully, today was the day. She fidgeted with her hair, still amazed that the follicle stimulation could take her from one inch to her normal shoulder-length hair in just a few hours.

The assignment officer smiled slightly as he looked through her file. Agent Henderson, you have completed your rehabilitation after your capture and retrieval.

I have.

And your recuperation is complete? Your counselling sessions as well?

They are as complete as they are getting and my counsellor gave me a clear workup. She sat with her hands in her lap, fighting the urge to touch the scars that had been carved into her skin.

The Raider who had tortured her considered himself an artist. He carved matching bands of designs around each wrist bringing the design up to the elbow, the same with ankle to knee. Her abdomen bore the largest of the scars, remembered agony flared every time she looked in a mirror after a shower, so she had simply stopped looking at her reflection.

The torturer had followed each cut with a chemical compound that burned all the way through her skin, making the marks permanent. The Alliance medical teams had been unable to heal her without removing her skin, so she had engaged in therapy to come to grips with her altered appearance.

Today, she wanted her job back as an investigative agent for the Alliance.

Good, good. Well, I have good news, Agent Henderson. We have found an assignment for you.

I am ready for duty. She tried to give the appearance of being in control of herself, but she could feel the look of pity on her dispatcher’s face.

"The assignment we have for you is not active duty, per se. You are being sent to Niiko."

Silari cocked her head. I don’t understand. Am I investigating someone on Niiko?

Her dispatcher rubbed his head and sighed. No. You have been declared unfit for active duty. The assignment on Niiko is more of a tryout.

She was confused. For what?

Niiko wants his Avatar to take a wife and Maksuan is being difficult. The only thing that his Avatar would agree to would be to choose from a few dozen women with compatible biology. You are one of those chosen.

Silari sat in shock. I am unsuitable. You have seen my files. You know what my body wears.

As does Niiko, but he has chosen you as one of the candidates. He saw something that pleased him and you will go to see and be seen.

What happens when he chooses someone else? Her fingers knotted in her lap.

You will be given a full pension and sent to begin your retirement. Several of your planetary sisters have offered you a place in their homes or on their worlds.

Silari jerked her head in a nod. Fine. When do I leave?

The shuttle is waiting. It will take you to the ship.

Fine. I will go and pack a bag.

She got to her feet and her hand was on the door when she heard, Agent Henderson, I wish this could have come out differently for you.

Silari turned her