Emerald Bane

By Jei Anders

Fact 384: Allie’s bad luck knew no bounds.

After surviving a pirate attack by the skin of her very unlucky teeth, she believes life will get better. It had to, right?

Wrong, dead wrong. Literally dead.

Fact 443: Revenge always bites you in the butt.

One little prank leaves her as a prime murder suspect and her newfound friends in jail. If she can’t prove her innocence, she can kiss what's left of her life goodbye - not that she had much of one to start.

Fact 537: Human-hating aliens had no right to be so sexy.

At least she’d have something pretty to look at while being blackmailed into espionage.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Renegade Publishing, LLC
• Release date: Aug 28, 2018
• ISBN: 9781732442092

Jei Anders

International Bestselling Author Jei Anders was dound in the forest when she was young, and raised by aliens, monsters, and troll princes. She's been kidnapped by space pirates twice and liberated countless worlds from the clutches of evil while managing to write epic romantic sci-fi and fantasy stories. If you adore true love, enemies to lovers, mates, thrilling action, found family, grey characters, and diversity; her books are for you! She claims ownership to the bestselling sci-fi series Mixologists and Pirates packed with snark, adventure, and slow burn romance. Mixologists and Pirates 1 - Amber Vial 2 - Emerald Bane 3 - Scarlet Venom 4 - Cyan Toxin 5 - Onyx Elixir 6 - Indigo Alloy

Book preview

1

Long Lines and Short Girls

Holy bananas, this line is freaking long, Jer said, pushing her crimson hair out of her face.

Allie eyed her and grimaced when someone bumped her from behind again. She huffed out an annoyed breath. Their customs system surely leaves something to be desired.

A snort from Jer. And here I was, led to believe everything on Sars would be better than on Earth. Customs is just as bad here as back home.

Now it was Allie’s turn to snort. It sounds like you’ve been drinking the Kool-Aid.

Kool-Aid? Wrinkles of confusion appeared between Jer’s brows.

Allie blinked slowly. Kool-Aid? The weird sugary stuff you mix with water to create a drink so sweet you’ll bounce off the walls for days? No recognition. Seriously, Jer? How do you not know what Kool-Aid is? Where were you raised? Under a rock?

Military base.

Huh, what about—? Something inhumanly smooth brushed the skin of her arm, making her pause. Her gaze darted to the side and she scooted closer to Jer.

You really don’t understand the concept of personal space, do you? the redhead muttered, eyeing the side Allie had plastered herself against.

Allie lifted her finger and pointed. He has black snakeskin.

Jer slapped her hand down. Don’t point, it’s rude. It’s not like there weren’t Sarpe on Earth.

I’ve never met one, she whispered, not able to tear her eyes away. She’d never really liked snakes, and seeing one in humanoid form honestly freaked her out.

The alien in question craned his neck and stared down at her with solid black eyes. Allie stifled her gasp when he smiled at her, showing just a hint of fangs.

No need to fear me, darling. I won’t hurt a little morsel like you. Plus, you’re too tender for my liking.

All her fear seemed to evaporate. Her cheeks heated with anger; she released Jer’s arm and stepped toward the lithe alien, ready to do battle. Tender? Was that a fat joke?

His pupil-less eyes widened, and he shook his head.

Her eyes narrowed when she noticed he didn’t have ears either. Peculiar. How did he hear what they were saying? She brushed that thought aside and focused on the sputtering alien.

I-I-I just meant it as a joke. On my planet, our meat is tough, almost impossible to eat unless you have teeth like mine. We don’t eat Humans. We like Humans… His hands sketched an hourglass shape in the air. You women are sought after because of your shape. It’s appealing. Very appealing. His voice took on a hissing quality that wasn’t all that unpleasant.

Jer pushed in front of her, blocking Allie’s view of the tall, dark alien. Now, now, none of that. I’ve heard how your kind are. She’s part of my family, my harem.

Harem? What in the world? Allie peeked around Jer just as the alien’s shoulders fell.

I was hoping to add her to my new harem.

Harem? Allie squeaked.

He means his clan, her friend explained. All the families live together and raise the children together.

 So they don’t share women?

 The alien’s obsidian gaze narrowed. No! That would be a disgraceful way to abuse a mate. He straightened and smiled at her, keeping his lips together. That creeped her out a lot less than with the fangs. Are you sure you wouldn’t want to tour my home? I’m sure you’d love it.

 I’m sure it’s lovely, Allie replied, but I’m not looking for a mate. Thank you for the offer.

There. That was polite.

His resulting grin revealed dimples. The snake man had dimples. It totally transformed him. He was extremely good-looking. She pulled herself from her dimple-induced stupor as he shoved his hand out to her. Fascinating. He had slightly pointed, black nails and bitty black scales that swirled along his skin in decorative patterns that seemed to glimmer in the silvery moonlight. A deep blush infused her cheeks when she glanced back to his face and caught his amused expression.

Forgive me, she rushed out, feeling like her face was on fire. I’m just curious. Your scales are beautiful. Stunning, really.

Thank you, he murmured, more gracious than she deserved. I’m Obsidian, but my friends call me Sid. His hand still hung in the air as they shuffled forward a few feet.

 Allie Sai. She slipped her small hand into his and was surprised at how soft his skin felt. She’d expected it to be rough. He lifted her hand up and brushed a kiss to the back of it. Sid stilled, his cool lips pressed to her hand, and inhaled softly.

 Moons, you smell good, Allie, he remarked as he let go of her hand.

 Thank you… she drawled and darted a glance at Jer. What was up with the sniffing?

 Your scent… It calls to me. We’re compatible.

 She shifted on her feet, awkwardness settling over her. Uh, thanks…I think.