given him the most important thing in the universe. Her love had made him human again—had made him whole again. And he was going to spend the rest of his life proving he was worth it.
Epilogue Father had been nearby; Rashana had felt his energy even through the deep sleep of her cryopod. The cryopod he tricked me into. Extreme empathic and biometric sensitivity. That was her father’s diagnosis. At the age of nine, she’d admitted to hearing voices. Then she got in an argument with her tutor, and he’d dropped dead right in front of her. Father said the death was her fault. That he would find a way to rein in her power. He wanted to use needles and tubes, and quarantined her to a lab until she was “fixed.” Mother wanted to train her not to do it again. Rashana wanted to cry when she thought of her mother’s glorious blue skin and shimmering turquoise veins. For years, Mother had been her only view of the outside world. Her eyes and ears, her taste and touch. Gone forever. Again, father blamed Rashana. Said she was a naughty girl, and her power was too strong. But Rashana didn’t feel strong, waiting here in darkness, her anger never quite hot enough to free her from this never-ending stasis. Father said he loved her. She heard the whispers of his mind every time he came within range of the cryopod. He said he was doing it for her own good. That he would find a way to keep her powers in check. To let her live a normal life. Rashana didn’t want a normal life. She wanted to punish him for making her angry. For tricking her. For stealing the very life he promised to give her. If Rashana ever got free, she was going to burn his heart right out of his body. Dear Reader, Thank you for joining me for Doug and Attie’s story. I hope you found it as exciting as I did! If you wouldn’t mind taking a moment to leave a review for the book, I would greatly appreciate it—few words from you helps other readers find my stories! Here are links to places where reviews matter most: Your Bookstore Goodreads Bookbub Please tell your friends on Facebook and in person, too! Thank you a million times over for your support! XOXO Tamsin P.S. Check out a list of all my books on my website at www.tamsinley.com Glossary Anaq - Shit Attahat wheel - A form of gambling using a random wheel much like roulette Burn - The means by which ships travel long distances quickly using ionic frequencies to bend space Cartel - Organized crime ring Cochlear implant - A cybernetic device that transmits communications via vibrations directly against the bones of the ear Cyborg - A person with over 50% of their body replaced by cybernetic parts. Although many people have cybernetic enhancements, actual cyborgs are banned from Syndicorp citizenship. Denaida-daru - The Denaidan homeworld, destroyed by Syndicorp. Also called planet K-4H10 Ellam Cua - The Denaidan deity Enayshuan - A human-like species with prominent eye ridges, known for their metallic body powder. Often associated with the sex trade Enays - A sex planet run by enayshuans Finofan - Aliens with iguana-like frills around their ears and slitted eyes. They like hot and humid atmosphere Garan’uk - A methane breathing alien species Iluq - Brother Ionic power or shield - A Denaidan ability to affect matter and gravity Kwirn - A form of gambling using 3-D tables and pieces Nav-grav seats - Used to keep humanoids comfortable during ship burn Netorpok - An exotic pet banned on most worlds NIU - Nanite Integration Unit, a clandestine Syndicorp lab with cyborg test subjects Parsec - A measurement of distance (3.2 light years) Posungi - An egg-laying alien with an orange tentacled face Qumli - Asshole Rakwiji - Scaled aliens with a poisonous claw, who hunt in pairs and require torture as part of their mating ritual. Often hired by the cartel as bounty hunters Saluqan - A race with an intuitive talent for medical skills. They have blue to purple skin and sometimes iridescent veins that show through the skin. Sizantha pods - Used to make tea Syndicorp - A mega-corporation that runs a huge section of the galaxy Synth skin - Artificially grown biological polymer that mimics actual skin. Most commonly used over cybernetic parts. The Termination - Syndicorp’s destruction of Denaida-daru Ucuk - Dick Uminaq - Dammit Unclassified space - Areas of the galaxy not ruled by Syndicorp Xeimir worm - A glossy-skinned alien that breathes through its skin and is ultra-sensitive to light Yanipa-nimayu - A six-legged alien often found performing manual labor Also by Tamsin Ley Galactic Pirate Brides series *Galactic Pirate Brides Box Set (Includes first 3 books)* Rescued by Qaiyaan Ransomed by Kashatok Claimed by Noatak Taken by the Cyborg Mates for Monsters *Mer-Lovers Collector’s Edition (Includes first 3 books)* The Merman’s Kiss The Merman’s Quest A Mermaid’s Heart The Centaur’s Bride The Djinn’s Desire Khargals of Duras Sticks and Stones Alaska Alphas Alpha Origins Untamed Instinct Bewitched Shifter Midnight Heat **POST-APOCALYPTIC SCIENCE FICTION WRITTEN AS TAM LINSEY** Botanicaust The Reaping Room Doomseeds Amarantox Contents Book Description Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Epilogue Glossary Also by Tamsin Ley All characters in this book, be they alien, human, or something else entirely, are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual people, situations, or events are entirely coincidental. No part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form or by any means without explicit written permission from the author, with the exception of brief quotes for use in reviews, articles, or blogs. This book is licensed for your enjoyment only. Thank you a million zillion hearts and kisses for purchasing. Digital version ISBN: 978-1-950027-28-6 Copyright © 2021 Twin Leaf Press Cover Design by Tamsin Ley
