Sacrifice to the Stars Read online

  That was an interesting question. "I have to say, knowing that the men we are speaking of gleefully slaughtered psychic after psychic in the most brutal and humiliating manner, that they will not simply take his word for it."

  "Will you make a statement that can be broadcast?"

  She blinked. "Of what nature?"

  A row of masculine guffaws ran through the crowd. "Not that. Your public sacrifice has been recorded for our archives. A simple statement of what transpired during the sacrifice will suffice."

  "That will not be a problem. I have read many of your holy books and treatise in the last few weeks and you may want to send your diplomat with several copies of each as well. Morvigeth's priesthood will not give up its traditions willingly. Your emissary had better be ready for a fight."

  Morrer nodded from his seat on her left. "I am. Lassing touched me lightly last night after the priests were judged. He wishes me to travel and correct those who use him as a means for murder."

  Jenner tensed on her other side, but he nodded in agreement. He wasn't going to kick up a fuss in front of those assembled.

  "Now, on to the matter of General Mathwin. What is your opinion of your ability to continue on in your capacity as commander of our defence?"

  Jenner took her hand, "I will have the duties of home and family to deal with as well, being avatar once a year will be an easy job, especially with such a wonderful woman at my side and within my mind." He kissed the back of her hand and a few of the men looked on with envy in their gaze.

  "Accepted. We will evaluate your performance in one year, though your new status will involve trips to the outer reaches to prove these events. Fortunately, the stars marked you both. It will make the most sceptical into believers." The elder winked.

  "Now, Oritia, what do you know of the star that you spoke to last night? What can you tell us about her?"

  Tia kept her hold on Jenner's hand and told them what she knew. Scribes wrote frantically and when asked if she could point out Searaline's location, she smiled. "I believe the map is on my body somewhere, but I will leave it to General Mathwin to find it at his leisure."

  The gathering laughed again.

  "Why did she mark you?"

  "To match the marks Lassing put on Jenner. She wanted my mate marked so that Lassing would not use Morrer's body by accident."

  Morrer was grinning. "I wondered if it was a sign of favour. Now I know."

  She laughed. "If I would not accept Searaline because Lassing was inside you and not Jenner, she would make him pay. They only have one night together per year and they have missed it for many centuries. She will not let him miss one more."

  A few of the priests looked scandalized and she sighed, "What do you think that ritual meant? Lassing poured power into me and used my psychic talents as a broadcasting station to find a star, also in love." She smiled. "The love was key, though it seemed to be missing from your texts."

  "Love?" Jenner leaned close to her and she turned until there was only half an inch between them.

  A cleared throat had them both scowling at the elder.

  "We will be coming to your family compound later in the week to arrange an appearance schedule that does not conflict with your work and family obligations. In the meantime, please look into the location of the star Searaline."

  He chuckled and smiled. "Yes, I will. Thank you for your time. Tia and I will be available for any questions and queries you may have on the matter of the night of the sacrifice. We bid you good day."

  He rose to his feet and bowed for her to precede him. Morrer came with them and they wandered out of the room. She smiled and waited for them, hugging both of them in turn. "Morrer, you have to be careful when you go to Morvigeth. Those priests are evil and they won't hesitate to kill you to keep the status quo."

  "I am aware of it. That is why I am going to pick your brain and get messages from you to your family." He chortled and outlined his plan to meet her people.

  Jenner kept an arm around her as they made their way to the transport. "Where are we going?"

  "Why, Tia, we are going home." Jenner held her tightly against him the whole way.

  She didn't have the heart to tell him that her home was far away, in the stars.

  Starla came running and almost knocked her over with a hug the moment they arrived. The rest of the attending clan was out in a formal assembly that had her nervous.

  The moment that Starla released her, Jenner stood in front of his family and asked her a question she never imagined she would hear.

  "Oritia, would you be my wife, my mate and bear my children should the stars bless us?" His eyes were sincere and his mother was clinging to his father in a way that reminded her of her own parents.

  "I don't know. Does that mean I can stay on Emicar IV?" She tried to keep her face straight, but the gasps were audible.

  "Yes, you evil creature with the lovely golden rainbow for hair. You may stay on Emicar IV. You may even get a work permit if you need one."

  Aida had her hand pressed over her mouth in surprise, but Tia grinned. "Yes, Jenner, I will be your wife, your mate, your partner and if the stars bless us, then may the fates have pity on your world."

  They laughed as Jenner spun her around, their feet bare and bodies marked by the stars. The clan Mathwin howled with triumph and welcomed her to the fold.

  Alion hugged her, "Glad you said yes, I have already added you to the family records."

  She twisted her lips in a mock frown. "You that sure?"

  "I saw you together. I am indeed that sure."

  A feast was arranged and when the clan leader welcomed her, she had tears in her eyes. It was a family again, relaxed and happy. It was something she hadn't felt in a very long time.

  "Oritia, what is your home clan name?" Starla's voice was loud in the sudden silence.

  Tia straightened. "Neevos. Oritia Neevos of Morvigeth. Sakkath province. I guess I am now Oritia Mathwin?"

  Jenner smiled and nodded. "Oritia Mathwin, my wife and psychic of the clan."

  "Does that make a difference?"

  "Only to your personal crest in the clan log books." Alion smiled gently.

  The conversation turned to the new markings and the mental touch of the stars.

  Jenner, can you hear this?

  I can. You can speak this way?

  Apparently. No psychic on my world has been able to let their skills mature. Starla is going into heat soon, by the way. She watched our…uh…ritual and it kicked her into high gear.

  You can sense that?

  Of course. It is what I do.

  Would you like to go back to Morvigeth for a visit after Morrer pronounces it safe?

  Her excitement spilled out of her mind and she slid into his lap to show her approval for that idea. His lap showed its own approval for her actions and with the clan's blessing, they retreated to his quarters.

  Hours passed as they examined each other's new marks and he traced her swirls from the base of her spine to the starburst between her breasts.

  Tia's mind expanded to touch all of the adult clan members and the residual energy of the stars burst out of them as they came together over and over.

  Morrer knocked on the door near dawn. "Could you two give it a rest? Our parents are exhausted and three local girls have gone into heat. Whatever you are doing, reel it in."

  Smiling and slightly embarrassed, Jenner sent a silent message to his brother.

  Laughter echoed through the halls as Morrer walked away.

  "What did you tell him, Jenner?"

  "That he would find his own woman on Morvigeth and that she would drive him to lust and wrath, he could pick which one he wanted to stick with."

  She snuggled down in his arms, "How could you possibly know that?"

  "Lassing didn't just fuck and run. There are many traces of him left and I don't think he will ever completely be out of my system."

  She smiled and enjoyed the feel of her mate around her. Searaline
didn't completely leave her either, but it was best that these things be revealed an inch at a time.

  The stars were not gone from Emicar IV. They had just decided to set up housekeeping. The benefits to the planet were going to be many—the seasons just had to take their course.

  She smiled as she thought of Morrer with a feisty Morvigeth psychic and her laugh rang through her mind.

  Wrath was going to come before lust. She just knew it.

  Author's Note

  Welcome to the Hashka Chronicles. Sacrifice to the Stars seemed a good way to start.

  Morrer's book will be Wrath of the Stars, but that will be the third book in the series. Next, we will meet Siralinalia in Emissary to the Stars.

  Siri is an Emissary to a goddess of pleasure. Siri just wants a vacation, so she escapes and takes some time off to visit her penpal. While on the strange world, she wears loose clothing, braids her hair tightly and doesn't put on any makeup. She starts fights and enjoys the freedoms of being a visitor to a new world who has no social obligations.

  When her clan leader, high priest and war leader arrive to retrieve her, she can no longer resist her obligations to her star, her goddess and her people, but first, she has an obligation to a man she has injured.

  Mirkon has suspected that his sister's friend is more than she appears to be and when she injures him while he assists her to fend off some drunken clansmen, she has to make reparation. Her laws and goddess require it and he is going to enjoy every minute of it.

  Welcome to the stars,

  Viola Grace [email protected]

  http://www.violagrace.com

  http://www.extasybooks.com

  http://www.devinedestinies.com

  About the Author

  Viola Grace was born in Manitoba, Canada where she still resides today. She really likes it there.

  She has no pets and can barely keep sea monkeys alive for a reasonable amount of time. Her line of day job tends to be analytical which leaves her mind hopping to weave stories. No co-worker is safe from her character analysis.

  In keeping with busy hands are happy hands, her hobbies have included cross-stitch, needlepoint, quilting, costuming, cake decorating, baking, cooking, metal work, beading, sculpting, painting, doll making, henna tattoos, chain mail, and a few others that have been forgotten. It is quite often that these hobbies make their way into her tales.

  Viola's fetishes include boots and corsetry, and her greatest weakness is her uncontrollable blush.

  Her writing actively pursues the Happily Ever After that so rarely occurs in nature. It is an admirable thing and something that we should all strive for. To find one that we truly like, as well as love.