Sentinel: Shadowborn Rebellion, #2

By Cyndi Friberg

Determined to spend some time alone with the feisty human he wants as his mate, Salvo Xett invites Natalie Marino to Ghost City. He's afraid she will find the abject poverty shocking after the relative luxury of the other villages, but he must know her reaction before he claims her. Ghost City is his home. His mate must be able to see beyond the scorched ruins to the forgotten people desperately needing their help.

 

No sooner do Salvo and Natalie arrive in Ghost City than they are asked to rescue a kidnapped child. Their investigation takes them on an inadvertent tour through the seediest parts of town. Natalie is horrified yet filled with compassion and determination. Her intense attraction to Salvo might have brought her to Ghost City, but a burning need to help the "urbanites" convinces her to stay. Pleased by her reaction to the conflict, Salvo is even more convinced that he has found his soulmate and will stop at nothing to claim her as his own.

 

Note to Readers: This book contains detailed descriptions of sizzling passion only suitable for mature readers.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cyndi Friberg
• Release date: Jul 18, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393007685

Cyndi Friberg

Passionate Sci-Fi with a touch of danger and a whole lot of sass. Cyndi has written about rock stars, vampires, and cat shifters, but she’s currently focused on outer space. Her stories are fun, fast-paced, and seriously hot. Her books have made the USA Today Top 100, and frequently land on Amazon Best Seller lists. She is currently working on the Shadowborn Rebellion, a spin-off series set in the Outcasts universe.   She loves to hear from readers: [e-mail] https://facebook.com/fribergc https://twitter.com/Cyndi_Friberg

Book preview

Chapter One

Protecting her hands with insulated pads, Natalie Marino carefully lifted her latest creation out of the hydro-electric oven and placed it on the counter. Experimenting with fresh ingredients was such a treat that she didn’t care if all the vegetables and herbs were unfamiliar, even alien. She was having fun discovering the taste, scent and texture of each item and what resulted when they were combined. Some of her attempts had been more successful than others, but anything was better than the synthesized garbage produced on the spaceships that brought her to Sarronti Prime.

She, like the rest of the human females currently on this secluded planet, had been brought here against her will. Back on Earth, Natalie volunteered for a program that matched young, healthy females with brave alien soldiers known as the Battle Born. She had been tested, interviewed, and given in-depth profiles of her potential mates. Before she could meet any of them, however, she and several thousand other volunteers had been kidnapped by the Outcasts.

The Outcasts were a group of mercenaries who had similar goals as the Battle Born. They just had very different ways of achieving them. Both groups were the same species and had been disregarded by an unforgiving, regimented society. The long-term goal of both was to start over, to leave their bloody pasts behind and build something worthy and lasting. The Battle Born chose an alliance with humans as the conduit to their bright new future. The Outcasts set their sights much farther away.

Determined to found a society free of prejudice and oppression, the Outcasts settled on what they believed to be an uninhabited planet. Together with the human females they hoped to claim as mates, they dug in and began to build their unique new world. Only problem was, the planet wasn’t uninhabited, and many of the kidnapped females wanted nothing to do with their captors. After several months of defiance and upheaval, Kage Razel, leader of the Outcasts, offered to return the females to Earth. Once the females were given a choice and had spent time with their potential mates, most decided to stay.

Dinner’s ready, Liandria, Natalie called out, letting the past slip to the back of her mind.

I’ll be there shortly, her new friend responded. Liandria was the sweet and generous Sarronti female with whom Natalie had been staying since her arrival in Lake Walker Village. The elf-like Sarronti were the indigenous inhabitants of this planet. They had been driven underground many centuries ago when a biological weapon made them extremely sensitive to ultraviolet light. The resulting mistrust of outsiders motivated them to develop technologies that concealed their existence from others. This led to the Outcasts concluding that the planet was uninhabited.

Natalie gathered what she needed to set the table and crossed to the nook adjacent to the kitchen. Compact but welcoming, Liandria’s cottage was much like its primary inhabitant. Liandria’s vivacious personality and boundless energy contrasted sharply with her diminutive size and delicate features. She shared Natalie’s love of cooking, so the two had clicked from the start.

Liandria came rushing out of her bedroom, worry twisting her expression.

Rambling thoughts forgotten, Natalie hurried over to her friend. What’s the matter? Are your kids okay? Liandria had gone into the bedroom to check in with her family members, who were scattered through several villages. It’s not one of the grandkids, is it?

I’m not sure. Roshi refused to respond at first. When she did, it was obvious she had been crying. She wouldn’t tell me what’s wrong, but it must be something bad. Roshi is not a crier.

Roshi was the only one of Liandria’s four children that lived in Lake Walker Village. Go. Find out what’s wrong. Let me know if there’s anything I can do.

Liandria nodded then motioned toward the stew on the counter. I’m pretty sure Mirra’s alone tonight. Why don’t you surprise her with dinner? It’s a shame for your newest creation to go to waste.

Mirra Tryge was Liandria’s best friend and lived across the cottage cluster. Mirra’s duties as village healer kept her busy, but she’d found time to visit with Liandria and Natalie earlier that afternoon. The two old friends loved to gossip, so Natalie usually sat back and listened as they spun tales about everyone in their acquaintance.

I haven’t tasted the finished product yet, Natalie grumbled. It might only be fit for the compost pile.

We both know that’s unlikely. Liandria grabbed her favorite sweater off the peg by the front door and pulled it on as she said, Share the stew with Mirra. She spends too much time alone.

Natalie saw her out, then sighed as she shut the door. She hoped the crisis was nothing serious. Natalie didn’t know Roshi well, but she seemed to be a lot like her mom, and Liandria was one of the most selfless people Natalie had ever met.

The lights were on in Mirra’s house, Natalie discovered as she looked out the front window. Six cottages were built in a semi-circle around a shared grassy area. Most of the homes in Lake Walker Village were arranged in similar clusters. Unlike Riverside, the oldest and largest of the Sarronti villages, Lake Walker Village was not entirely underground. Large multi-use rooms and a variety of workshops were subterranean, but most of the homes had been built aboveground. Lake Walkers used the deep shade of a dense forest to filter out the sun. Even with the natural barrier, the inhabitants needed to limit the amount of time they spent outdoors. The entire village shut down during the heat of the day when the sun’s rays were the strongest, rather like an expanded siesta.

Life among the Sarronti was slower and less stressful than it had been with the Outcasts. Natalie felt more at home here. She’d started dressing like the female elves in long skirts and sleeveless blouses, and hoped to catch the eye of one of the Sarronti males. Until that happened, she would focus on her cooking and enjoy the company of her new friends.

Natalie turned from the window with a sigh. Liandria was right. It didn’t make sense for Mirra and Natalie to spend the evening alone. Natalie had tasted each ingredient in the stew, so she was relatively sure it was palatable. If she stayed here, she’d spend the rest of the night worrying about Liandria and Roshi. Instead, Natalie grabbed the potholders and picked up the stew. If Mirra wasn’t there or didn’t want company, Natalie would just return to Liandria’s cottage.

A cool breeze played across Natalie’s skin, and the verdant scents of leaves and moist dirt teased her nostrils. Unseen creatures scurried about, their rhythmic chatter oddly soothing. Lulled by the tranquil setting, it took Natalie a moment to realize how quickly heat from the earthenware dish was penetrating the potholders. Steam from the oven must have dampened the quilted material. She rushed to Mirra’s door and knocked with the toe of her shoe. Mirra, can I come in? Her hands started to sting, so she pushed against the door with her shoulder. Thankfully, it swung inward, allowing her to enter. She ran to the nearest table and set down the dish. Sorry for busting in on you, but this stupid thing is burning my— She turned around and froze. What’s going on?

Mirra sat in front of a multi-view surveillance system that hadn’t been there earlier in the day. Salvo Xett, Mirra’s nephew, sat beside her and Jaron, her son, stood behind her chair.

Close the door, Jaron urged as he turned back to the monitors.

You can stay, dear, Mirra told her, but we need you to be quiet.

Natalie’s brow furrowed, but she remained silent as she closed the door. She buried her hands in the pockets of her skirt and crept closer to the surveillance station. Who were they spying on, and why was it necessary to surveil them?

All three Sarronti were members of one of the most powerful families in the world below. Mirra’s older sister Arpovae Xett was Prime Healer, which meant she ran a large hospital in Riverside Village and was responsible for all the other healers. Salvo’s older brother was General Malik Xett, commander of the entire Sarronti military. Malik was also soul-bonded with Natalie’s best friend Kara, which was why Natalie knew so much about the Xett family. Salvo was a sentinel and she’d been intrigued by him since they met. He could form portals, instantaneously connecting two vastly different locations. Natalie had yet to see the spectacle for herself, but she’d heard others describe it.

Jaron, Mirra’s son and Salvo’s cousin, had paranormal abilities, but he refused to divulge the exact nature of his gift or gifts. Mirra was a healer like her sister, but Arpovae’s abilities were second to none. Mirra hadn’t come right out and said so. Still, Natalie suspected that the frustration of living in Arpovae’s shadow was the reason she moved to Lake Walker Village and would not even consider returning to the capital.

The three Sarronti silently watched the displays, obviously waiting for something specific to happen. Not wanting to interrupt, Natalie stood back and quietly observed.

There he is, Salvo said, pointing to a blurry figure on one of the displays.

As per usual, Natalie’s gaze drifted to Salvo. Whenever he was in a room, she couldn’t seem to look anywhere else. He wasn’t as tall or muscular as Malik, but the top of her head would easily tuck under Salvo’s chin. According to human standards, Jaron was better looking. Salvo was best described as striking. The contrast between his long silvery hair and dark beard drew attention to his rugged features and the intensity of his crystal-blue eyes. Salvo didn’t make eye contact nearly as often as flirtatious Jaron. But when her gaze locked with Salvo’s, she felt hot and achy, more than ready to melt into his embrace.

Where is he going? Mirra muttered. His cottage is on the other side of town.

Forcing her gaze away from the handsome sentinel, Natalie looked at the middle display. It took her a moment to identify the person in question, Blitz Perian, the youngest of the governor’s three sons. She knew Blitz was a manipulative pain in the butt, but he must have done something serious if Jaron and Salvo were watching him. Both worked for Malik, and in the world below the military was also in charge of law enforcement.

He’s running back to Daddy, to tattle on us, Jaron muttered. Typical.

Hush, Mira urged, shooting her son an impatient look.

He can’t hear me. Jaron motioned toward the monitors.

No, but we can’t hear him with you yammering.

Natalie smiled. Only a mother could get away with such direct criticism. Jaron crossed his arms over his chest and narrowed his eyes, but fell silent.

Two of the displays were clearly provided by external cameras, but one reminded her of a first-person video game. It seemed to be coming from inside Blitz. Maybe he was in on whatever this was. Were the rebels using Blitz to spy on his father or brothers? Not wanting to interrupt, she just watched, hoping more would become apparent as the scene progressed.

Blitz entered his father’s house without knocking and found his father and two older brothers seated around the fireplace in the main living space. It was a common gathering place on these chilly spring nights. His brothers looked annoyed at the interruption, but his father immediately stood and walked toward Blitz.

Are you all right? Stras Perian asked, eyeing his son with obvious concern.

I’m fine, but I just overheard the most disturbing conversation down by Crystal Lake.

Why were you prowling around in the forest? one of his brothers asked in between sips of paftor brew, the Sarronti equivalent of beer.

Who were you spying on this time? the other brother sneered. You have always loved to stir up drama.

Stras ignored his older sons and motioned Blitz toward the small study tucked away under the stairs. The two stepped inside and Stras closed the door. Ignore them, and tell me what happened.

I expanded the perimeter coverage like we talked about this morning, so I decided to check in with the guards once they’d settle into the new pattern.

Leaning back against the edge of is desk, Stras studied his youngest son. That couldn’t wait until morning? You could have talked to all of them at once during shift change.

Blitz shrugged. I needed some fresh air and exercise. You should try it sometime.

Stras made a face, but only said, What did you overhear?

Salvo Xett was arguing with Velmar Rylin. They said—

Are you sure it was Velmar? Stras narrowed his gaze, starting to sound impatient. The older brothers weren’t wrong. Blitz did love to stir up trouble. No one has seen Velmar since he murdered Tajon Marr.

Natalie glanced at Salvo then Jaron to see their reactions. They both calmly waited for the conversation to continue. She was as confused as the governor. According to Kara and everyone else Natalie knew, Velmar Rylin was still missing.

It was Velmar, Blitz insisted. He’s back and plotting with Salvo Xett. It sounded like they tried—

Hold on. Stras held up one of his hands while he reached over to his desktop and activated a holo-com with the other. Zerna needs to hear this.

Zerna? Mirra muttered, looking from Jaron to Salvo and back. As in Law Guardian Zerna Stront? Mirra’s tone sharpened as she said the name.

Natalie understood the reaction. It had been obvious Zerna was involved in the resistance when she’d wrongly convicted Malik of murder and sentenced him to death. But despite all of Malik’s efforts, he hadn’t been able to definitively identify the resistance leaders. All Natalie knew was Zena Stront’s name kept coming up.

A quarter size holo-image of a sleepy Zerna formed on top of the governor’s desk. Her copper-colored hair was mussed and purple smudges shadowed her orange eyes. It’s been a long night, Stras. What’s so damn important that it couldn’t wait until a more civilized hour?

Stras looked at his son and said, Tell her what you overheard in the forest.

I saw Salvo in the forest with Velmar Rylin, Blitz began. They were arguing about the failed attempt to assassinate Malik Xett. Velmar told Salvo that he hadn’t tried hard enough and that he and Jaron were too busy playing hero to make sure the job concluded the way they had planned.

Natalie looked at Salvo. Blitz Perian had just accused him of trying to murder his brother. Even attempted murder was a serious accusation, but the silver-haired sentinel didn’t react. Jaron looked just as indifferent to what Blitz was saying. Clearly, they knew something she didn’t.

Then Velmar argued that it was—

"It