Vaironian Tides: Chapter 35

microbiology - dnaAshrom informs Darion and Tolrek about Meric’s clandestine activities in Vaironian Tides, Chapter 35. Here’s an excerpt:

“We’d first heard rumors of Ledano’s experimental program about ten years ago,” Ashrom began to explain. “We weren’t completely convinced about the civil war. Various details made us suspicious. Ledano was still trading with our merchants. They’d barred all other nations but they were afraid to shut down commerce with us and anger us. Ledano is the strongest in its sector but not as strong as Tildar. For years, it delicately managed its relationship with us. After all, not pissing off an empire has its benefits. At any rate, we began to use our merchants as a source of information. We’d been interested in certain resources that Ledano has but we didn’t imagine what else we’d find; certainly not this program. Behadan Kyniska had cautioned that we’d primarily monitor what was taking place, in case we were misunderstanding the situation. We’re now prepared to share that information with you.”

Vaironian Tides: Chapter 34

swimming-poolDarion considers his current circumstances, unaware of how drastically they are about to change, in Vaironian Tides, Chapter 34.  Here’s an excerpt:

When Darion and Tolrek went back to the house, Darion talked Tolrek into a late night swim in their pool. Tolrek was floating gracefully and serenely by Darion, causing his lover to smile. Darion’s smile slowly faded, as his mind went back to the issues that remained unresolved. He looked up at the night sky, thinking of the rest of his family on Tildar. He still hadn’t spoken to his parents, since the argument. While he had no intention of apologizing, at least in the near future, the disagreement still hurt his heart. His circumstances were mainly grinding on his patience, as even now Meric still wasn’t under his control.

Vaironian Tides: Chapter 32

lie and truthDarion hopes the negotiations will bring Meric Treih under Vaironian control but events take an unexpected turn, in Vaironian Tides, Chapter 32.  Here’s an excerpt:

Darion had been careful to manage his reactions, as he considered a series of possibilities, none of which he liked. The main factor that went through his mind was that the negotiations were a ploy to get him out in the open, so that Meric could make another attempt on his life. Each side had various guards posted in the negotiation room; Darion still understood that didn’t mean an assassination could not be carried out.

Vaironian Tides: Chapter 31

chess boardDarion continues to feel the pressure to deal with Meric’s traitorous actions in Vaironian Tides, Chapter 31.  Here’s an excerpt:

The other nations in the sector remained well-aware that Tildar was quite protective of anyone with Tildari blood, regardless of where those individuals resided. For someone of Darion’s background to have been targeted was especially infuriating. Darion had repeatedly beseeched his family and friends with powerful connections to the Tildari government to give him room to work against Meric and his factions.

Vaironian Tides: Chapter 30

Tolrek blames Beilon for his mother being shot, which takes the official and Darion by surprise, in  Vaironian Tides, Chapter 30. Here’s an excerpt:

Beilon stared into Tolrek’s eyes, half-mystified and half-chilled, as Tolrek’s irises darkened to a malevolent greenish black. A ripple of energy that represented Tolrek’s craving to maim surged around him. His hands closed around Beilon’s throat, as he fixated on his target, wanting to feel the life drain out of him.

Vaironian Tides: Chapter 29

Those who are working against Darion and Tolrek, commit another act to hurt the couple, in Vaironian Tides, Chapter 29. Here’s an excerpt:

As Tolrek escorted his mother to his car, he surreptitiously looked around the perimeter of her house, spotting the agents that had been assigned to protect her. They’d all been made aware of his decision to take his mother in public, something that rarely happened.

Vaironian Tides: Chapter 28

Darion learns that Tolrek and a few others have been acting on his behalf in Vaironian Tides, Chapter 28.  Here’s an excerpt:

They’d set about gathering information, putting the pieces together. They’d enlisted a variety of resources; having Fei review a multitude of communications for clues to Meric’s whereabouts, using the state-of-the-art surveillance equipment Tezza and Reya had provided, accepting Makdan’s financial support to pay informants and directing Halsam to make sure that Tolrek was aware of the proceedings, while he was still fighting Ersha.

Vaironian Tides: Chapter 27

After being apart due to the war with Ersha, Tolrek is able to see Darion again in Vaironian Tides, Chapter 27. Here’s an excerpt:

Tolrek had requested special permission to take leave from his duties. No matter how much Darion tried to shut him out, he was determined to check on his lover’s health. However, Darion was refusing even to look at him.

 

Vaironian Tides: Chapter 26

Darion deals with some unexpected repercussions from the conflict with Ersha in Vaironian Tides, Chapter 26.  Here’s an excerpt:

Approximately an hour after his slumber had ended, he left his home to go to the VSB. As he was walking into the building, he heard the unmistakable sound of incoming missiles. Two missiles hit the VSB, reducing the front of the building to rubble. Various individuals who had also been on their way to work either immediately lost their lives or were severely injured.

 

 

Vaironian Tides: Chapter 24

Tolrek’s misunderstanding about Darion causes him some frustration in Vaironian Tides, Chapter 24. Here’s an excerpt:

“I feel like a fool,” Tolrek admitted to his sister. He drove around the city, still trying to get the image of Darion and the pregnant woman out of his mind. Needing to talk to someone, he’d called Sheyla, trying to manage his pain. “I didn’t even know he was seeing someone. You’d think there would be news of it somewhere. How was he able to keep things quiet?”