Jennifer kept her gaze locked on Ilid. “I certainly plan on it.”

  “If only to distract you from trouble.” He dipped a traditional Kalquorian bow to her. “I look forward to hearing all about you toiling in the fields and keeping your shoes clean. Until then, Jennifer.”

  Wistful loss swept through her as he and his family said their goodbyes and walked away. For some reason, it bothered Charity “Jennifer” Nath to see Ilid go, unaware of her true identity.

  * * * *

  “Has it been difficult to respond to the name Jennifer?” Sara asked as Clan Amgar’s shuttle, piloted by Groteg, zipped over vast swaths of fields and woods.

  “I’m getting used to it. I went under another name on Jedver, while I was at university.” Charity grew glummer by the second as she viewed a few buildings in the distance. No doubt it was the town Sunrise, which was closest to the spaceport and her hosts’ farm. The spaceport’s scatter of landing pads and buildings covered more land than the town did.

  Maybe I’m not in the middle of nowhere, but I can see it from here.

  “This must be a shock to the system after the bustle of a university area and a crowded space station.” Imdiko Utber was what Charity thought of classically handsome, though in a way too boyish for his years.

  “This is, uh, rural. Wide open spaces, plenty of room to run wild and free, huh?”

  They must have picked up on her false brightness. The trio chuckled.

  “Don’t worry. There are activities for young people to do besides yank weeds and feed chickens,” Sara assured her.

  Playing ‘dodge the cow shit,’ for example. Charity had a habit of tossing such smart remarks around, especially when she was in a mood. However, Clan Amgar was doing her a favor by letting her hide at their home until the heat of being the so-called traitor General Borey Nath’s daughter cooled.

  She shrugged. “You don’t just farm, is my understanding. Head of security and Imdiko Utber is chef to the Kalquorian governor, right?”

  Utber smiled. “Which is why I can guarantee a nice meal to welcome you here tonight. How does steak, potatoes, salad, and apple pie sound?”

  Her grin was genuine this time. “Like heaven. Sara, I was told you manage the farm. What does Dramok Amgar do?”

  Their warmth toward her didn’t diminish, but she detected a dampening of mood. Groteg’s voice was quiet as he kept his attention on the shuttle controls. “Our Dramok passed eight years ago in a fire.”

  “Oh. I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”

  “It was a hero’s death,” Groteg said, heaviness mixing with pride. “He saved our sons.”

  “While Groteg saved our daughter and nearly died himself.” Sara’s gaze showed love as she regarded him. “My clanship to Amgar was short, but I count myself as lucky to have had the time we did.”

  “But let’s talk about you,” Utber interjected smoothly. “Your role isn’t exactly a compliment, is it? Are you all right playing the part of a troubled young woman?”

  “It’s a shame you’re coming in under a supposed cloud of mischief when you’re already dealing with the actual problem of radical Earthtiques wanting to interrogate you for their own ends.” Sara’s pretty face took on a determined cast Charity recognized. It was the look her elder sister Hope had worn when she’d been determined to shelter Charity from a powerful man who’d wanted to force her into marriage. It was the expression her aunt Ruth had taken on when the supposedly dead girl had been outed as alive and well on Alpha Space Station.

  Looks as if I found myself another mama bear. Charity was equal parts amused and dismayed.

  “It’s the best possible cover. We’re known for taking in youths who’ve encountered difficulties in society. Usually we foster Nobek teens, but few will question our having you move in,” Groteg said in his steady tone. Charity thought she heard an underlying this is how it is so deal with it attitude.

  Very Nobek, in other words. She bet he kept his troubled wards in line easily.

  “It’s only a part you have to act.” Sara was doing her best to soften what she believed must be a blow to Charity’s ego.

  The younger woman had to laugh. “If you only knew how my family would respond to this. They’d tell you no acting would be required. Don’t worry; I’m usually a lot less mouthy to those I’m unrelated to who might decide I’m more trouble than I’m worth. I have no interest in giving you a reason to send me to the barn to sleep.”

  She earned chuckles, including from Groteg. Sara said, “Children tend to let their parents have the worst of their attitudes. Our kids’ teachers go on and on about how well behaved they are, but when it comes time for homework and chores—”

  “The beatings commence to get them in line.” Groteg shot a grin over his shoulder at Charity to show he was joking. She was startled how handsome a smile made his somewhat stark features.

  “As for the farm work, I don’t expect you to do much. Just enough to keep anyone from becoming suspicious,” Sara said. “I’m sure you have your studies to keep up on until you can return to school, and I want you to focus on them as much as possible.”

  “I don’t mind pulling my weight,” Charity was surprised to hear herself say. She found she meant it, however. Her instincts insisted these people, who were going out of their way to help a stranger, were the best sort. “A word of warning: I don’t know the first thing when it comes to farming. Someone once gave me a spider plant as a gift. I was told it was low-maintenance and hard to kill, but it lasted only three months before my black thumb of death did it in.”

  “Don’t worry. We’ll find something for when you have to demonstrate to visitors you’re helping us.” Sara glanced at the window vid as the shuttle began its descent. A very Earth-style two-story farmhouse featuring a wraparound porch came into view. “Here we are. Welcome to the farm of Clan Amgar, Jennifer.”

  Other books by Tracy St. John available at Amazon:

  Unholy Union

  The Font

  To Protect and Service: Ravenous Virtue

  To Protect and Service: Righteous Fury

  THE CLANS OF KALQUOR

  Alien Embrace

  Alien Rule

  Alien Conquest

  Alien Salvation

  Alien Slave

  Alien Interludes: Clans of Kalquor Short Stories

  Alien Redemption

  Alien Refuge

  Alien Caged

  Alien Indiscretions

  Alien Hostage

  Alien Revolt

  Alien Outcast

  DARK EMPIRE

  Shadows Approach

  Infiltration

  Secret War

  Revelations

  CLAN BEGINNINGS

  Clan, Honor, and Empire

  Clan and Covenant

  Clan and Crown

  To Clan and Conquer

  Clan and Commit

  Clan and Conviction

  Clan and Crave

  Clan and Conscience

  Clan and Command

  FIRST MATARAS

  Michaela

  Maryam

  Iliana

  Irene

  CLANS OF EUROPA

  Sister Katherine

  Tina

  Bernadette

  CLAN COMPANIONS

  Joseph

  Gabriel

  Matthew

  OTHER CLANS OF KALQUOR BOOKS

  Shalia’s Diary Omnibus

  (Omnibus contains all 12 books of the Shalia’s Diary series, also available separately)

  CYBERSERVED

  Made to Order

  Mine to Keep

  Built to Last

  WARRIORS OF RISNAR

  (from Carina Press)

  Not of This World

  Worlds Apart

  Worlds Collide

  Worlds Away

  NETHERWORLD

  Drop Dead Sexy

  Blood Potion No. 9

  Once Bitten Twice Dead

  Animal Attraction

  Please visit Tracy’s website to read first chapters of all her books and sign up for her newsletter at http://www.tracystjohn.com/

  Get the latest updates on upcoming books at Tracy’s blog at http://tracystjohn.blogspot.com

  Follow on Twitter http://twitter.com/@TracySaintJohn

 

 

  Tracy St. John, Desperate Measures

 

 

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