The Lasaran (Aldebarian Alliance Book 1) Read online

  THE LASARAN

  Copyright © 2019 by Dianne Duvall

  Published by Dianne Duvall, 2020

  www.DianneDuvall.com

  Editor: Anne Victory

  E-book ISBN: 978-1-7345556-0-8

  Print ISBN: 978-1-7345556-1-5

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

  No part of this copyrighted work may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to five years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

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

  THE LASARAN

  Aldebarian Alliance: Book 1

  New York Times bestselling author Dianne Duvall brings readers the first novel in a thrilling new sci-fi romance series full of action, intrigue, humor, and happily-ever-afters.

  Taelon searches the galaxy for his younger sister, who mysteriously disappeared while on a diplomatic mission. When an ally reveals that she was seized and is being held prisoner on Earth, Taelon descends upon the blue planet, intent on freeing her and exacting vengeance. However, all does not go as planned. Before he can find her, Taelon is captured and becomes the subject of torturous experiments. For what feels like an eternity, all he knows is pain and fury… until a mind tentatively touches his own and a woman’s voice forever changes his world.

  After suffering tragic losses, Lisa is finally beginning to carve out a future for herself when chance sends her to the Anomalous Cognition Research Institute. What at first appears to be a benign organization seeking participants for a psychic study instead turns out to be a government facility harboring a much darker intent. Lisa discovers this too late and soon becomes the unwilling subject of a terrifying experiment. Just as fear and desperation threaten to consume her, a deep, compelling voice penetrates the looming insanity and lends her hope.

  Having seen only the worst of humanity, Taelon is shocked when Lisa risks everything to free him. Together, the two make their escape, and Taelon finds himself fascinated by the small human woman who—despite all she’s suffered—can still laugh and tease and lure smiles from him. Friendship swiftly grows between them as they work together to evade soldiers intent on capturing them and find themselves hunted by mystifying preternatural beings. Through it all, Lisa steadfastly remains by his side, stealing more of his heart each day while she helps him unravel the mystery of his sister’s fate. Can they find his sister before the hunters find them? If they survive their quest, will Taelon have to bid Lisa farewell… or can he coax her into leaving her planet and joining him for the adventure of a lifetime?

  Titles by Dianne Duvall

  Immortal Guardians

  DARKNESS DAWNS

  “A strong start in what looks to be a thrilling and chilling new paranormal series. Fantastic!”

  —RT Book Reviews

  NIGHT REIGNS

  “Crackles with energy, originality, and a memorable take-no-prisoners heroine.”

  — Publishers Weekly

  PHANTOM SHADOWS

  “Done so well that I truly want to live in her world regardless of the threat of vampires!"

  — Smexy Books

  IN STILL DARKNESS

  “Readers will appreciate the rich characterizations and the kick-butt action … as Richart d'Alençon, a 200-year-old Guardian, woos charming Jenna McBride with warmth and passion.”

  — Publishers Weekly

  DARKNESS RISES

  “Featuring a fascinating take on vampires, Darkness Rises is a thrilling, action-packed, suspenseful, funny, steamy paranormal romance readers won't be able to put down.”

  — Affaire de Coeur Magazine

  NIGHT UNBOUND

  “Hello epic kick-ass forbidden love story! Night Unbound is simply A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!”

  — Saints and Sinners Books

  PHANTOM EMBRACE

  “Duvall's hauntingly beautiful novella, set in the world of the Immortal Guardians, portrays the deep love between two people who can never touch, with a wonderfully unexpected ending.”

  —Publishers Weekly

  SHADOWS STRIKE

  “Full of awesome characters, snappy dialogue, exciting action, steamy sex, sneaky shudder-worthy villains and delightful humor.”

  — A Voracious Reader

  BLADE OF DARKNESS

  “Between the banter, the steamy scenes, and all the twists and turns, I was engrossed from start to finish.”

  — Little Shop of Readers

  AWAKEN THE DARKNESS

  “This series is earth-shattering awesome and Dianne has quickly become one of my favorite authors. Each of the stories … has been heart-stopping, intense, humorous and powerfully romantic.”

  — Reading Between the Wines Book Club

  DEATH OF DARKNESS

  “Teeming with passion, humor, action and suspense … a perfectly paced paranormal urban fantasy paired with a timeless romance.”

  — Reading Between the Wines Book Club

  The Gifted Ones

  A SORCERESS OF HIS OWN

  “Full of danger, intrigue and passion… an addicting and exciting new series. I'm hooked!”

  —Reading in Pajamas

  RENDEZVOUS WITH YESTERDAY

  "I loved this book! It had pretty much all of my favorite things—medieval times, a kick-ass heroine, a protective hero, magic, and a dash of mayhem."

  —The Romance Reviews

  NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR

  Dianne Duvall

  www.DianneDuvall.com

  Dianne Duvall Books Group

  © 2019 Dianne Duvall

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  Table of Contents

  Titles by Dianne Duvall

  Prologue

  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

  From the Author

  Preview - The Segonian

  Acknowledgements

  About the Author

  Prologue

  Lasara

  Taelon strode toward the king’s receiving chamber. His heartbeat pounded in his ears as loudly as his footsteps echoed off the palace walls. Fury filled him, curling his hands into fists. Two attendants, both male, rounded the corner at the end of the hall. Both began to bow but halted halfway through their genuflection. Eyes widening, they leapt out of his path.

  Normally, Taelon would have greeted them with a smile and asked after their families, always appreciative of the aid they provided and their contributions to palace daily life.

  Today, however, he ground his teeth and clamped his lips shut, his rage too close to the surface.

  Four guards manned the doors to the receiving chamber and offered bows when he reached it.

  Taelon delivered a curt nod—the best he could manage at
the moment—and threw open the doors. The tall slabs of wood slammed against the walls, then bounced back toward him, the breeze they created ruffling his hair as he continued forward.

  The men and women inside started and spun toward him.

  Seated behind his large desk, the king took one look at Taelon’s face and turned to his guests. “Give us the room.”

  Half of those present immediately rose and took their leave, giving Taelon a wide berth. Two of the guards in the hallway leaned in and closed the doors, ensconcing them in quiet.

  Taelon studied the men left behind. His father, the king, regarded him with a grave expression. His brothers—Duras, Gefen, and Levik—frowned at him.

  “What is it?” Levik asked. Closer to Taelon in age, he knew Taelon better than the other two, who were significantly older.

  “I know where she is,” he announced grimly. Taelon didn’t have to say whom. His baby sister had been at the forefront of their thoughts every day since they had abruptly lost contact with her four months ago.

  Every man stood.

  “Where?” his father demanded.

  “Earth.”

  Faces paled. Curses erupted.

  “You’re certain?” Levik asked.

  “Yes. When our allies could find no trace of her, I contacted the Akseli.”

  His father’s face darkened. “I didn’t authorize that.”

  “I didn’t ask because I knew you wouldn’t,” Taelon replied. His sister’s life meant more to him than evading his father’s wrath.

  “Because they’re soldiers of fortune!” his father thundered, rounding his desk. Though he was four centuries old, he still bore the muscular build of a warrior and had only a hint of gray at his temples. “They are more likely to ransom Amiriska than rescue her! They have no honor!”

  “That’s true of many of them,” Taelon conceded. “But I have encountered some who are honorable. And those are the ones I contacted through back channels.”

  Duras took a step closer. “You’re speaking of Janwar?”

  “Yes.”

  His father scowled. “Who the srul is Janwar?”

  “Janwar and his brother are Akseli who have gone rogue. They were part of the rebellion that took place when his government swung hard toward tyranny. He and his brother broke ties with his people when the rebels lost. They don’t follow his monarch’s penchant for hiring out his soldiers to the highest bidder, regardless of the atrocities they are paid to commit. Janwar picks and chooses those he fights for.”

  Gefen arched a brow. “And those he steals from?”

  “Yes.” Taelon had no problem with that, nor should they. “He mostly steals from enemies of the Aldebarian Alliance. And when he does, he sometimes steals information. Which is why I contacted him about Amiriska. I was hoping he could find some clue to her whereabouts we could follow.”

  “Did he?” Duras asked.

  “Yes. His investigation kept pointing toward the Gathendiens. So he and his crew tracked down a Gathendien scout ship that all reports indicated was returning from near-Earth space. Janwar and a couple of his men snuck on board—”

  “How the drek did they manage that?” Gefen blurted.

  Taelon shook his head. “He’s very good at what he does.”

  Levik frowned. “And wanted whatever reward you offered him? It must have been enormous for him to risk so much.”

  Their father cut a hand through the air. “Whatever reward he wishes I’ll grant if he’s found Amiriska for us.”

  “He has,” Taelon confirmed. “He imprisoned the Gathendiens who survived his attack and tortured them for information. Then his crew searched the ship’s data chips to confirm its accuracy.” Fury rose. “If the Gathendiens are correct, members of Earth’s military forces destroyed Amiriska’s ship and took her captive shortly after her arrival.”

  Heavy silence fell.

  Duras swallowed hard. “Does she still live?”

  Taelon couldn’t speak for a long moment, too overcome by fear for her. “I don’t know. The Gathendiens didn’t either but assumed the Earthlings had killed her.”

  A muscle in Gefen’s jaw leapt. “If they didn’t kill her…”

  Levik looked sick when he spoke, his voice hoarse. “They’ve had her for months.”

  There was no telling what atrocities they had committed in that time. Taelon wanted to weep at the notion of his sweet, delicate, sheltered little sister being at the Earthlings’ mercy.

  His father roared in fury and swept everything off his desk. He paced away, his back to them. “I told her they were drekking barbarians! I told her they were a primitive species unworthy of our sympathy or concern! She knows they are a greedy, grasping, warring people! Everything the Sectas have learned in their study of Earth confirms it!”

  Gefen shook his head. “She has always had a soft heart, Father. Once she realized an alliance with Earth could save both our species and theirs…”

  The doors flew open, again slamming against the wall.

  Taelon turned as his mother raced inside.

  Her face pale, she swept them all with a distressed gaze, then focused on her husband. “What is it? What’s happened?” The two were linked so closely she must have felt his turmoil.

  Once more, the guards outside leaned in and gently pulled the doors closed, secluding them inside.

  Taelon caught her eye. “I believe I’ve found Amiriska.”

  She glanced at her husband, whose rage was unmistakable when he turned and met her gaze. Her eyes filled with tears as she shook her head. “No.” She took a step back, her pretty face contorting with grief. “No-no-no-no-no. Please don’t say it.”

  Taelon held up a hand. “My source said she traveled to Earth where she was captured and her ship destroyed.”

  “She went to Earth?” She stiffened as though bracing her knees to keep them from buckling. “Did they kill her?”

  “We don’t know,” he admitted. “It happened months ago, after we lost contact with her.” They had thought she was traveling to Aurelia on a diplomatic mission. “My source has no knowledge of what has happened since then, so I’m going to go find her. I’ve already ordered my ship to be readied. I’ll leave tonight.”

  “You’ll leave in two days,” his father growled. “And you’ll take an armada with you. If they’ve harmed her in any way, you will slay every barbarian on that planet.”

  His mother’s face hardened. Nodding, she crossed to her husband and wrapped her arms around him. “Wipe it clean. They don’t deserve to live if they’ve harmed our baby. If she went there, she went in peace to offer them an alliance and to warn them of the threat the Gathendiens pose. She wanted to help them. To save them. If they hurt her, they deserve whatever punishment you deliver.”

  Duras stepped forward. “I’m going with you.”

  Gefen and Levik echoed the sentiment.

  “No, you aren’t,” Taelon countered. “Right now we are the only ones aside from my source who know about this, and I trust him to keep his silence. If most of the royal family suddenly departs with the entire armada in tow, it will raise questions and leave the planet vulnerable to attack from enemies who have been banned from the alliance. I’ll go alone”—he held up a hand when protests erupted—“with a Yona guard. And I’ll rendezvous with Janwar.”

  “Who is Janwar?” his mother asked.

  “My source. I’ll pore over all of his intel, then decide what approach to take to locate Amiriska or—if the worst has happened—to learn who is responsible for her death. It will take me thirteen months to reach Earth. I’ll have Janwar continue to hunt down information while I travel. And while we take care of that, Father, you can begin drafting battle plans. As soon as I know without a doubt what happened to her, I will contact you and you can determine what action to take. Do not send battleships after me until then. We don’t want our enemies to learn Amiriska is on Earth, or they may reach her before I can find her.”

  His mother looked up at her
husband. “Are there no alliance members closer to Earth?”

  He shook his head. “The cost to travel that distance discourages trade. And the inhabited planets closer to Earth’s solar system bear similarly primitive societies.”

  “The Segonians have a base about halfway between Lasara and Earth,” Taelon mentioned. “But it’s still under construction. They aren’t yet equipped to perform search-and-rescue missions.” Which left him.

  He glanced at his brothers. All were thinking what he was: the Earthlings who had captured their sister would have her for at least one Earth year before he could reach her. All feared what she would suffer during that time. All feared what she had already suffered… if she still lived. “If they’ve harmed Amiriska,” he vowed, “they will be punished.”

  His father nodded. “They will be punished.”

  Chapter One

  Texas

  Lisa Holt stuffed her binder and heavy Biology II book into her backpack and rose.

  “See you in sociology,” Vanessa said as she passed.

  Lisa smiled. “See you there.” As she strode up the aisle of desks, she glanced at her professor. A couple of students chatted with him. Lisa held back until they were finished and let them pass. “Hi, Dr. Aguera.”

  “Hi, Lisa,” he replied with a smile. “How are you? Hanging in there?”

  She nodded. Dr. Aguera was her favorite professor. Not for the reason some of her female classmates loved him—because he was tall, handsome, and in his thirties. Lisa had just found him to be a very nice person. And, more than any of her other professors, he had really helped her after her father’s unexpected death. “I wondered if you’d glance at some of these and tell me what you think?” She held up a handful of flyers.

  “Sure.”

  Leaning back against his desk, he took the pages and began to peruse them.

  Lisa waited patiently. Though Dr. Aguera was not her assigned academic advisor, he was the one she had turned to when the world had crashed down around her and she’d had to drop out of school last year. Unlike the friends she’d had in high school, Lisa hadn’t been able to leap right into college after graduation. Her mother had needed her too much after her cancer diagnosis, as had her father. The college fund her parents had spent years scrimping and saving and accumulating had instead gone toward covering high insurance deductibles, travel costs for treatments, medications and fees insurance wouldn’t cover, and the loss of her mother’s income. Her father had worked two jobs while Lisa stayed home and cared for her mom. She worked part-time at a bookstore to help make ends meet and to try to reduce the debt her parents were steadily racking up as her mother’s long battle continued. A battle she had ultimately lost after six years.