Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html The scanning, uploading and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal, and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author's rights is appreciated. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Destiny Earth Copyright?2003 Jeanine Berry and Judy Russell ISBN: 1-55410-007-0 Cover art and design by Martine Jardin All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher. Published by eXtasy Books, a division of Zumaya Publications, 2003 Look for us online at: www.zumayapublications.com www.Extasybooks.com Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html Dedication To my husband, Pat, who taught me how crazy and wonderful love can be. ~ Jeanine Berry To my darling Art: Thank you for all the joy you've brought into my life. ~ Judy Russell Chapter One "Our race is doomed. We're stagnating, and we'll perish if we stay on Reatar." Norrath je Zakee fixed his companions with a steely gaze. The clear silver-blue brilliance of idealistic passion pulsed through his aura. "Someone must lead our people out of this hiding place and back into the galaxy." Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html Etaoine je S'henhess stared at the visionary and philosopher with mounting excitement. Her own natural radiance brightened, casting a rich amber glow over the images of the goddess Adoru sporting with her lover Inne painted on the walls of Norrath's home. She'd longed to escape Reverlore for many starturns. She wanted to see the stars that shone far above her. Instead, she'd spent her life trapped in the underground city where her people cowered in fear of an enemy that might have perished eons ago. Norrath's strong features blazed with his zeal. Bare-chested, he wore a soft sarong around his muscular hips. He stood with his feet spread and his arms folded. "I believe I know the way for us to leave this world." Etaoine gasped. Norrath sounded like a man in the throes of the Final Madness, the fatal paranoia that struck the residents of the underground cities without warning. It was the result of living in a cage. Entire cities had fallen when the madness swept through their populations, leaving death and destruction in its wake. "How?" she demanded. "We're trapped in Reverlore. The exit tunnels are rigged with bombs." Norrath shifted his attention to the strikingly beautiful woman who occupied the chair to his right. A flowing gossamer gown of pale yellow trimmed with silver clung to her slim figure, emphasizing her full breasts and dark nipples. "Why don't you explain, Quintannah?" With a lithe grace that befitted one of Reverlore's greatest artists, Quintannah je Mowbry rose to her feet and glided to Norrath's side. To Etaoine's surprise, the older woman made no attempt to hide the deep rose of love shining in her aura. Instead, her light golden skin flushed as she studied Norrath with unconcealed longing. Then she turned her attention to Etaoine and Teilar je Ruthmea, the final member of their small group. The four of them, gathered in secret in Norrath's apartment, were the only ones in the city bold enough to seek a way to escape from their luxurious prison. Quintannah twirled a lock of flaming red hair around her index finger and looked from Etaoine to Teilar with sorrow in her luminous silver gaze. "I am ashamed of our once great race. We Ailunneans consider ourselves highly evolved because of our ability to transform matter to energy and shapeshift, but we deserted our heritage to run like cowards from our enemies--from those who wanted to enslave us and exploit our ability. Now our race seems content to live life in a safe burrow, abandoning our majestic destiny." Norrath nodded. "Quintannah and I are proud that at least two young people in this city want to know freedom again." Quintannah's face took on a faraway look. "Our ancestors fought a terrible war with our enemies and suffered despair when our home world was destroyed. They feared our whole race would be killed. I can understand the terror that drove them to flee to this forsaken corner of the galaxy and hide below the surface. But we cannot live hidden on Reatar forever. As Norrath so truly said, our race is dying." Etaoine cast an excited glance at Teilar and saw his sharp-featured face burned with exhilaration. Was it possible they could escape Reverlore? The city lay buried far beneath the icy surface of a desolate planet. Moreover, the tunnels out of it were honeycombed with deadly traps. Any escape attempt was fraught with dangers. She admired her fellow priestess for her determination to find a way to freedom. Quintannah shook off her reverie. Hope shimmered in her gaze as she fixed her attention on Etaoine. "A few years ago when I was the God's Mate during the Mayavore Festival, I sensed something in the mind of the high priest. I didn't realize its importance at the time, but now I believe it might help us." Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html Her words brought a hush to the group. To be the God's Mate was a great honor. The chosen priestess coupled with the High Priest Rith je Loirun on the massive altar in front of the Temple. The people of Reverlore watched and applauded as he took her in a variety of ways, his long shaft throbbing with power, his being aflame with the healing energy shooting into her core. The entire city, even those who no longer believed in the god and goddess, still turned out for the annual ceremony. The crowd delighted in watching young people coming of age shapeshift for the first time. Even more popular was the group B'rath that followed. "During the mating, the bond is so intense that our minds touch and we share a vision from the goddess." Quintannah's eyes grew wide as she remembered that mystical moment. "When I touched Rith's mind, I learned something he may not have wanted me to know." "I hope you're not planning to tangle with the high priest." Teilar leapt to his feet. A stormy red brilliance shot from his golden skin. His yellow locks, worn long in the current style, curled around his broad shoulders."The priesthood opposes any attempt to leave Reverlore. Rith must not learn of our plans. He already pays us too much attention." His lips pressed into a tight line as he turned to Etaoine. "I've seen the way he stares at you. He wants you." Etaoine lifted her head, flinging her long white hair over her shoulder. Her sheer orange gown glittered with her angry movement and her aura changed to tempestuous lavender. "I'm a priestess of the goddess. I come of age this year, which makes me eligible to become the God's Mate. It's no surprise that he might look at me with interest." Teilar's face darkened. "Do you think it's only because you are beautiful that he'd pick you for God's Mate? The man's no fool. He knows we're trying to escape this damned place. If he can touch your mind during the ceremony, he will confirm his suspicions." Norrath scowled and raked his fingers through his silver hair. "By the goddess, we can't just wait here and die. We must act, and soon." "With luck, we can." Quintannah's quiet statement reclaimed their attention. "Rith is a proud man. During our mating, he opened his mind to me so I could see his power--and I saw more than he intended. He knows how to navigate past the explosives in the tunnels. I didn't realize the importance of this at the time, but now I do. If Etaoine could mind link with him, we might learn how to bypass the traps and reach the ocean. The city of Errock lies hidden beneath the ocean, and the starship is somewhere in Errock." Etaoine's eyes widened. How could she possibly guarantee the high priest would choose her to be the God's Mate? "Is it possible to learn enough during the mind link to navigate these tunnels?" Teilar arched his brows, his skepticism obvious. "Yes." Quintannah's golden skin burned brighter. "But Etaoine must go deep into his mind." A proud confidence stirred in Etaoine. Despite her youth, her skill in establishing a mind link with her partner during lovemaking was already well known. She could read Rith's thoughts, and learn the safe route through the tunnels. Teilar read her intention in her eyes. "No!" he shouted, balling his hands into fists. "This is your first Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html shapeshifting. Afterwards, you should lay with the one who will be y...
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