Matrix Crystal Rebels

By Janice Seagraves

Earth geologist Steen’s mission is to look and act like a Zeeman so he can locate matrix crystals. But when Steen’s deception fails, the beautiful Rain Namaste coaches him. He doesn’t realize he’s fallen in love with the lovely redhead until someone tries to claim her on Hymeneal Night.
Steen will do anything to get Rain back, but is he willing to take her as a Hymeneal bride for himself?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Janice Seagraves
• Release date: Jan 21, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005144562

Janice Seagraves

Janice Seagraves grew up with a deep love of science fiction and adventure stories. Always the consummate artist, she traded in her paint brush for a laptop to write breathless life-affirming novels that celebrate enduring love.

Book preview

Matrix Crystal Rebels

Janice Seagraves

Copyright © 2017 Janice Seagraves

Cover art © 2017 Winterheart Design, winterheart.com

Edited by Faith Bicknell-Brown

This book is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any reproduction or other unauthorized use of the material or artwork herein is prohibited.

This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only.  This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people.  If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient.  If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return and purchase your own copy.  Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Disclaimer: The persons, places, things, and otherwise animate or inanimate objects mentioned in this novel are figments of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to anything or anyone living (or dead) is unintentional. The author humbly begs your pardon.

DEDICATION

To my family for all their love and support.

In memory, to my late Uncle Bruce Townley, who was a writer, too, and proud of me.

And a special thank you to my editor Faith Bicknell-Brown for all her help.

INTRODUCTION

Earth geologist Steen’s mission is to look and act like a Zeeman so he can locate matrix crystals. But when Steen’s deception fails, the beautiful Rain Namaste coaches him. He doesn’t realize he’s fallen in love with the lovely redhead until someone tries to claim her on Hymeneal Night.

Steen will do anything to get Rain back, but is he willing to take her as a Hymeneal bride for himself?

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

AUTHOR INFORMATION

CHAPTER ONE

Steen strolled down the red hard-packed dirt road. It was wonderful to be outside again taking in the fresh air. He shoved his multi-braids off his shoulders. The homespun clothes protected him from the hot sun and the scorching heat, but scratched his skin. He crossed the road then stopped to speak to a lovely redheaded young woman in the front yard of a brick house.

Good morning, he said pleasantly in Zeeman, letting himself in the gate. Are you one of the Namaste daughters?

She looked up from where she stooped over beating a rug with big green eyes. Good morning to you, too. Yes, I am. I’m called Rain. If you’re looking for my father, he just left with my brother to deliver some packages.

I’m looking for Maya Namaste.

Mom is working with my sister-in-law in the workshop behind the house. She jerked her head toward the back.

He glanced at a small building from which a grinding noise emanated. He leaned a little closer to her. What are they doing?

Making jewelry to sell. That’s their new enterprise since they both have experience with jewelry and recently came back from a dig.

He itched to find out what stones they’d found. It wouldn’t be matrix crystals, but maybe something semiprecious like amethyst, garnets or…

The rug she was beating turned with a grunt.

With a chill crawling up his back, he found himself gazing at a strange creature. It had next to no fur except for a mane that flowed all the way down its spine. Its eyes were close together and tusks poked out of its mouth. It snuffled at him and slowly got to its feet, making a sound that was a cross between a growl and a snort.

Be still, Piggy Boy. She looked at him. By the way, I never asked your name.

It’s Steen Arya.

You’re from the south, then?

Yes, he lied. I came to see your mother and sister-in-law about some stones they collected a while back.

Oh? She straightened.

The pig thing narrowed its beady eyes.

Remembering not to stare at an aggressive animal so he wouldn’t provoke it, he jerked away. I wanted to see if they would collect some stones for me. I have an investment opportunity for them.

She looked him up and down, taking in his homespun clothing. Are you a…merchant?

With the way she was eyeing him, he realized he might have made an error with the clothes he’d purchased at the bazaar. Uh, yes. These are my traveling clothes.

Riiight. She looked unconvinced.

Damn. She isn’t fooled at all.

The door on the small building opened and two women emerged. One with faded red hair and the other with jet black. Removing coverings from their noses and mouths, the two women then swatted dust off their clothing. Maya looked different from the photos he’d seen of her, which were taken over thirty years ago. Winona appeared the same but thinner. Life here must be hard for both the women to lose so much weight.

A shadow hurled itself against Winona’s legs.

Steen tensed. When Rain gripped his arm, he realized he must have taken a step toward the women.

It’s all right. The shadow cat is bonded to my sister-in-law.

Winona chuckled and ruffled the fur on the big cat. Waiting for momma to be finished, eh?

Mom. Rain waved at Maya. Someone is here to see you.

Oh? With one last swat at her clothes, Maya marched over.

He says he’s a merchant. Rain gestured at Steen.

Maya scanned his attire and snorted. Tell your commander, nice try.

His stomach dropped. Huh? What did I do wrong?

Whoever coached you was misguided. For one thing, your clothes are the wrong type. Merchants don’t wear rough weave. Maya rubbed the fabric of his sleeve between her thumb and forefinger. That’s for peasants. Too fine a weave would be clan, so you’d have to find something in-between. She stared at his eyes a moment. Are those contacts?

He rubbed his eyelids. Implants. It cured my nearsightedness, so I don’t need my thick glasses anymore, and I can tolerate the bright sun with them.

She gave a nod. You’ll need it here. Nice touch with the hair, by the way.

He fingered a braid. At least I did something right.

It’s a little long for so many braids. And the skin tone… Is that a skin dye? She stared at his face.

DNA treatments.

How about the Zeeman dual belly buttons?

Steen pulled up his shirt.

Wow. Which is fake?

The top. He handed her his tote. I brought a gift for you.

She cocked her head and sighed. Taking the tote, she nodded toward the house. Will you come in for some tea?

Yes, thank you. He bowed low, hiding a smile.

Maya led the way up on the porch. He did what she did, removing his shoes, washing his feet in the basin, then pulled on a pair of house slippers she handed him.

Nice. You invoked guest privilege, Rain said in his ear. Mother is human but practices the ways of the Zeeman.

I know. He smirked at her.

With a reluctant expression, Maya held the door open for him. Tea won’t be but a moment.

Goddess tea. He bowed again.

Of course. Maya disappeared into the kitchen.

Rain showed him the dining table. My father and brother probably won’t be as nice as my mom.

He sat on the richly carved black ironwood chair next to Rain. You’re an attractive young female. Maybe I should have said I came here to woo you?

Interest lit her gaze. And then you’d have to answer a lot of questions from both my parents. We take wooing seriously here in Zama.

He smiled at the beautiful woman. I see.

Winona came into the doorway last, followed by her black shadow. The cat slinked through the room and disappeared under a piece of furniture.

Steve? When he turned, Winona continued, It is you! She strode over to give him a hug. I wasn’t sure outside with all the rock powder in my eyes. You’ve changed. No glasses. And you look like a Zeeman now. She turned to the younger woman. Rain, this is, Steve Truman, we took a lot of classes together at the University of Los Angeles. He was second behind me for the geologist position for Team Alpha Six.

He held a finger in front of his lips. I’m going by Steen now.

Is that how you know Steen? Rain stared at her sister-in-law.

Steen slung an arm over the back of his chair. My second major was studying anthropology with a focus on the planet Zenevieva.

The cat slunk under the table and rubbed against Winona’s knee.

He quizzed me on my culture. Winona scratched the chin of her black cat. I’m Native American of the Chukchansi tribe.

Steen waved with one hand, fingers wide. After Winona resigned, they picked me to replace her for the next team, Alpha Seven. They decided not to hire women geologists anymore.

Why, because Maya and I got married? Winona sniffed.

Yup. He itched to run his palm down the rich coat of the shadow cat, but thought better of it. He might get eaten. And you both married into the same family, too.

Let me show you something. Winona pulled out a bag and shook out some polished gems, a ring, and two pendants. This is what we were working on today.

Steen picked through the pink, blue, and yellow gems. Tourmalines. Nice colors.

We found these in the same spot.

The same spot? he repeated, his eyes wide.

Only a few people mine gems here. The process has been all but lost. We thought with our combined experience we’d go into business finding, processing, and manufacturing jewelry.

He set the stones down and picked up a pendant. This looks good. Silver?

Winona nodded. We found someone with a smelt to manufacture silver strips so we could cut them and form them around the stones.

Winona is particularly good at working with silver and shaping stones. Maya came in with a tray of cups placed next to the chocolates he’d brought as a gift. We have a nice start for our gem business and a shop at the bazaar. We’re working on inventory to fill it.

He turned to Rain. Are you going to help them?

No. I’m a healer. My sister Zeta finished training me five years ago, right before she got married. She works with her husband in the next town. I’ve inherited this village for my profession.

Both our husbands run a father-and-son delivery business, Maya continued, as she began filling cups and passing them out with chocolate squares. So, you see, we’re way too busy to help you find matrix crystals.

Oh. His heart sank. He’d wanted the family to help him locate the crystals like they had before with the first two expeditions. Then can you help me act and look more like a Zeeman?

Maya stiffened and the other two women froze and traded a tense look. I’m sure my husband wouldn’t approve of that.

Winona took the bowl of sweet lumps they used as a sweetener and passed them to Steen. My husband, River, might get angry as well.

Using the tongs hanging off the side of the bowl, he dropped two sweet lumps into his tea. Why?

It’s considered a cheat. Maya set her chin on her fist. You know, pretending you’re something you’re not. We nearly got in trouble a few years ago with a clan leader when Winona and I tried to pass for clan.

But Dad turned out to be related to the clan leader through his mom, so he made a deal. Rain stirred her tea.

Which ended up being a three-way deal with another clan leader. Maya shook her head. We found the ancients’ mining town, and Winona cleaned the mine out although there wasn’t much to find. Just a single large geode. With you being here, I know the last batch has only whet Earth’s appetite for more matrix crystals.

Earth is full of greedy people. They hunger for money and power, Winona said. That’s how my people lost their land. Greed.

Steen sipped his tea while he listened to the women talk. It was all true, of course, but such talk would land them in trouble if they were still on Earth. It would be considered treason.

Oh, I remember these delicacies. Thank you for bringing them. Rain unwrapped then popped a chocolate square into her mouth, puckering as she sucked on the treat.

With his gaze on her plump lips, Steen had a sudden urge to kiss the gorgeous redhead, but checked the impulse with her mom and sister-in-law at the same table.

There was a scuff on the porch and the stomping of feet. The shadow cat perked his ears then hid under the table.

Oh, the men are back. Winona sat straighter, smoothing out her hair. Intense interest brightened her expression, making her appear prettier.

She must be in love. If he didn’t believe it before, he believed it now.

So soon? Maya asked, looking concerned. I haven’t started dinner yet.

The front door opened. Two men entered. One was older with deep lines in his face and white hair mixed with his blonde mane. The younger man had red-blonde hair. The husband and son of Maya, if Steen wasn’t mistaken.

I told you he’d be there, Dad, said the younger man.

Well, that male isn’t known for his reliability. Vach paused in the doorway, holding it open for his son. He’s addicted to fermented water lily bulbs.

He’s trying to kick the habit now that he has a wife and a child. River dusted off his pants before entering the house.

Maya held a finger in front of her mouth while her eyes danced with mirth.

Steen decided he’d play along with her little game. He wanted to see if his deception could fool a full-blooded Zeeman.

Let’s hope he can, son. Vach turned toward the main part of the home and his gaze swept over the table and settled on Steen. Who’s this?

A visitor interested in our gems, Maya answered in Zeeman. Her accent after all this time still possessed a slight inflection.

Vach strode over, pulled out a chair, and sat at the head of the table. He glanced at the jewelry. You finished with the gems?

Yes, right before Steen showed up. Maya poured a cup of tea for her husband.

Welcome to my home. Vach mixed in the sweetener and took a sip. Goddess tea?

Maya merely nodded, her expression mild.

Steen didn’t want to play poker against her.

Winona greeted her husband with a kiss. Their noise embarrassingly loud. This wasn’t the shy wallflower she’d been on Earth.

Vach leaned back and checked out Steen’s clothes then glanced back to his hair and eyes. He jerked his head toward his wife and sat ramrod straight in his chair. Since when did Earth’s government decide they can fool us?

Whatever do you mean, dear? Maya’s expression showed nothing.

Is this a joke? Vach glared, and his muscles bulged in his shoulders and arms. The large man was all menace.

Maya’s husband didn’t frighten her. Is what a joke, dear?

Vach studied Steen with narrowed eyes. You have the right hair for a merchant, however, the style is out of date. And those rough-weave clothes are too common for a trader. Believe me, I know the difference. I do most of my work making deliveries for merchants.

I’m sorry, I don’t… Steen began.

No, don’t say another word. Vach held up a hand. Your accent is good I’ll give you that, but you’re barking up the wrong ironwood tree. Go back to the base and tell them it didn’t work.

What’s going on? What didn’t work? River tugged out a chair and sat, pulling his wife onto his lap.

Winona giggled and leaned against him.

Our guest. Vach gestured to Steen.

River glanced over. I don’t... You’re from Earth, aren’t you?

Do I have human stamped on my forehead or something? Steen asked with a clenched fist. This wasn’t supposed to happen. His duplicity was perfect, his accent in the Zeeman language flawless. Is it just the damn clothes?

No, the difference is subtle, but enough off to give us pause and make us look closer, River said.

Couldn’t I say I’m from a village farther out? Steen asked, hoping there was some way to salvage his first trip into the field.

Nope. Sorry. Vach shook his head. Your style of dress would be less common then. Maybe even from a far older style with some special stitching around the hem.

Can you teach me to look and act more like a Zeeman? he asked the big man.

Absolutely not. My wife is human, but I am not going to help a spy fool my people so you can nose around where you’re not wanted. Vach stood. I greeted you as my guest and drank tea with you, but my patience has ended. It’s time for you to go.

Steen rose and bowed. I’m sorry I wasted your time. Thank you for the hospitality.

Rain jumped to her feet. I’ll see him out, Dad.

Vach nodded. Don’t tarry, daughter.

Steen marched toward the door. Damn it. All this time wasted. No one told him the Zeeman where this observant.

Rain opened the door. Thank you for the pleasure of your visit. The speech was formal, but her expression told him she meant it.

He smiled at the young lady. Thank you. The pleasure was all mine. I’m delighted to have met you.

I’m glad, too. With a quick glance at her father, she leaned forward. Meet me at the bazaar tomorrow, at my clinic. I’ll help you pick out some clothes.

Rain? Vach bellowed.

Coming, Dad. A defiant expression flickered over her pretty face and was quickly smothered. She glanced back at him with an apologetic smile. I have to go.

See you tomorrow, Steen whispered. Rain must have a rebellious streak, but he was glad for the assistance. He just hoped she didn’t get into any trouble for it.

Once he was out the door, he sat and removed the guest slippers and pulled on his sandals.

The pig thing was rooting around in a pile of refuse. Steen would search through the reports and see if this animal was listed among the pets. All he remembered were the sherakeys, nikkis, and snags. There was also a domestic fowl called the vim.

While he walked down the steps, the pig thing lifted its head and snorted. Steen hesitated on the last riser. Was that thing going to charge him?

Piggy Boy raked a cloven hoof on the dirt, stirring up a cloud of dust.

Oh, shit. He walked to the gate as casually as he could. Don’t look at it, don’t look at it…

There came a grunt and the pounding of hooves on the sandy loam. Steen ran the last few steps toward the gate and launched himself over the ironwood planking. The pig slammed against the fencing, letting out a hair-raising squeal.

Steen tore off down the road, heading toward the base.

CHAPTER TWO

Rain looked over the few patients sitting in the waiting room. Who’s next?

Me. A male in his early forties stood. I have an infected splinter.

Come back here, please. The man followed her into her back room and sat in the chair she indicated.

I didn’t even notice until it started to puff up.

That sometimes happens. Let me see. Rain took his hand and examined it. She pulled out a few things from a nearby cabinet. She started off by sterilizing the finger with a tincture, sliced his skin carefully and then lifted out the black splinter, then cleaned and bandaged the injury. There you go. Just keep it clean for the next couple of days and it’ll heal.