Read 03 Solar Flare - Spark Series for Free Online

did not divorce on her world, not without
throwing away their honor. She’d contributed tones of money and
time to charitable organizations to earn back a measure of respect.
Only recently had she been able to date with any success, but one
wrong move could wreak everything she’d worked for. Polaris would
give second chances for a price; third chances didn’t exist. She
had to be careful.
    She found him at the bar, and he looked just
like the picture he’d sent. She looked him over. Blond hair worn a
little long, brown leather jacket, casual pants, boots. He’d
claimed to be an engineer for the power plant. He had odd tastes
for someone in a conservative field.
    She made the decision to proceed with caution
as she stepped forward. “Darren Topek?” she said as she caught his
eye, though there was little doubt of his identity.
    He lit up as looked her over. “Well, hello!
You look even better than your picture, Brandy. I’m glad you could
make it.”
    “I always keep my appointments,” she said
mildly as she slid onto the stool next to him, though his too warm
gaze made her uncomfortable. She noticed he had a second drink with
him.
    “I got you something,” he said with a smile.
“Tell me what you think.”
    It looked like a sweet drink. She took one
sip and grimaced. It was like candy in a glass. “A bit sweet for my
tastes, though it was thoughtful of you to order for me.” She
caught the bartender’s eye. “Do you have the good scotch? Anything
over twenty-five years will do.”
    The man nodded and produced a bottle from
under the bar. “No ice?”
    “Never,” she assured him, then turned her
attention back to her date. “Don’t be offended—I’m a brew master.
We’re unapologetic snobs about drinks.”
    “Of course,” Darren murmured, though he still
looked undecided. Maybe his first impression was to run.
    Brandy hid a wry smile behind her glass. “So
tell me more about yourself.”
    It was weird. Darren started talking, but her
attention gradually wandered. Usually she fixed her dates with her
full attention, looking for anything that seemed off. With him, she
could only attend him for about four minutes before her gaze went
to the dancers. She realized what was happening and frowned at her
drink. She was savoring it, and it wasn’t half gone. It shouldn’t
be the problem.
    And then the hallucinations began.
    She gripped the counter as her surroundings
dissolved into smoke. One image, sharp and clear, was all she could
see. Ryven Atarus, her alien brother in law. His irises were flame
orange, tinged with gold at the edges. Brimstone eyes, filled with
bloodlust. Fear surged in her throat, sent adrenaline through her
system in a furious surge. It was not herself she feared for,
though. No, those gleaming eyes were not focused on her, but on
something dear to her, and far more frightening.
    They were fixed on her sister, Xera.
    Brandy drew a sharp breath and shook her
head. The image faded, but the fear lingered. It was hard to focus.
What was happening to her?
    Darren looked at her carefully. “You seem a
little distracted. Would you like to find a quieter place to
talk?”
    Normally she would say no to such a
suggestion, but her mind seemed oddly muddied. “Sure.” She followed
him passively, still wondering desperately what was wrong with her.
Was she ill? If so, it had struck quickly. She couldn’t think what
to do about it.
    She could see wisps of smoke trailing on the
edge of her vision. The image was just a heartbeat away. Maybe if
she kept walking she could leave it behind.
    Darren led her to a set of stairs and up to a
private room. He ushered her in and closed the door. It was quieter
here, but she could still hear the dancers. The bass thumped the
floor.
    There was nowhere to sit but the floor and a
bed. He gestured to it. “Why don’t you sit down until your head
clears?”
    Alarms, deep seated and intense, went off in
her heart. She didn’t feel well, but this wasn’t