Mind Control

By Barbara G.Tarn

Two Star Minds Snippets - short stories to introduce the main series.
The Heir
Imperial Princess Lin-sun chooses her husband – with her head and not with her heart.
Lost Son
Nine years later Uwe-yuri discovers his son is mind-controlled by his wife.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Unicorn Productions
• Release date: Aug 14, 2013

Barbara G.Tarn

Barbara G.Tarn had an intense life in the Middle Ages that stuck to her through the centuries. She prefers swords to guns, long gowns to mini-skirts, and even though she buried the warrior woman, she deplores the death of knights in shining chainmail. She likes to think her condo apartment is a medieval castle, unfortunately lacking a dungeon to throw noisy neighbors and naughty colleagues in. Also known as the Lady with the Unicorns, these days she prefers to add a touch of fantasy to all her stories, past and present – when she’s not wandering on her fantasy world of Silvery Earth or in her Star Minds futuristic universe. She’s a writer, sometimes artist, mostly a world-creator and story-teller. Two of her stories received an Honorable Mention at the Writers of the Future contest. She writes, draws, ignores her day job and blogs every other day.

Book preview

Star Minds Snippets

Mind Control

by Barbara G.Tarn

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Smashwords edition

Barbara G.Tarn copyright © 2013

electronic edition by Unicorn Productions

August 2013

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The Heir

Lost Son

About the Author

Free excerpt

Smashwords edition license notes

1.

Lin-sun Vaurabi

The Heir

Imperial Princess Lin-sun sauntered into her father's small office ignoring the well-known hyper-technological surroundings and concentrating on her father's face. He looked up from his laptop and stared at her with a surprised expression.

I've chosen my groom, Lin-sun announced proudly, leaning on the desk to look her father in the eyes. He wasn't going to stand up to greet her – he was Emperor after all. He governed the galaxy and bowed to nobody.

Good. He smiled. His mismatched eyes didn't scare her like they did everybody else. I hope your choice is better suited this time.

Lin-sun scoffed, straightening her back and planting her fists on her hips. I won't make the same mistake twice, Father, she retorted, shaking her black mane with contempt. I have not chosen with my heart now.

Excellent. Her father beamed. And who is the lucky young man?

Lin-sun slowly smiled, staring defiantly at her father. Ker-ris Shermac. She crossed her arms on her bosom, ready to engage.

Still smiling, the Emperor shook his head, averting his eyes. Good choice. His voice was flat and emotionless. But I'm not on good terms with his father, so you're on your own.

I know, Father, she said impatiently, starting to pace in front of his desk, her footsteps muffled by the thick carpet. Like I said, I didn't choose Ker-ris with my heart, but with my mind. He's the son of a powerful family and he's the sexiest Sire alive.

Her mind went to the handsome young aristocrat with green eyes and chestnut-brown hair, whose sculpted body could move to the music as if he were boneless. Lin-sun had been really impressed by Ker-ris's looks and dance skills. And he looked naive enough to be easily subdued – so he wouldn't hurt her like Kay-low had done.

She stopped pacing to look at her father, waiting for his reaction. The Emperor was frowning, but Lin-sun knew it wasn't because of her.

Then he focused on her and smiled again. So you're in lust.

Yes. I believe it's a good reason to get married.

Better than love, he said with a nod. He fidgeted with a digital frame on his desk before looking at her again. "I hope you will agree that it will be necessary to control Ker-ris's mind. You saw where not controlling Kay-low took you."

Lin-sun clenched her teeth, glaring at her father. Her first choice of a groom had come from the heart. She had been in love with Kay-low Meraini. She'd been betrothed, but the wedding had been delayed due to the death of the Empress. Now the official mourning was almost over, so she could proceed with her wedding.

Except it wouldn't be Kay-low, but Ker-ris Shermac. A few days after her mother's death, she had found Kay-low with another woman. Her imperial pride couldn't accept it, especially when he told her he didn't want to marry her because she was too cold and emotionless.

This time it will be different, she said bluntly.

The Emperor grinned, staring fondly at her. You can seduce him, Lin-sun. But then we shall control him. The Shermacs have powerful minds – more powerful than ours.

Don't worry, Father. I will seduce Ker-ris, and we'll inject the device in his veins as soon as possible. His father won't be able to stop the wedding of the century.

The wedding of the Heir will be a grand ceremony indeed, the Emperor confirmed.

Grander than yours? she asked defiantly.

Her father chuckled. We'll see. Seduce Ker-ris Shermac first.

I will, she assured him as she turned on her heels to leave.

Imperial Princess Lin-sun was very happy with herself as her long legs took her back to her rooms. She slumped on her canopied bed with a sigh of relief.

Ker-ris's smiling face popped back in her mind. He was always so cheerful and extrovert, he shouldn't be too hard to seduce. And he was often at the palace with Leo-will Khamisi, who was cousin to both her and Ker-ris. Very handy. She