She’d heard it said that women tend to marry men that are like their fathers. She had to admit, she certainly had. Alford displayed all the qualities that she saw her father to have. Roger was always patient and supportive of Mitzie, no matter how outlandish she could be. So was Alford. No matter what was going on in his life, Roger always made time for Mitzie. So does Alford. Roger was dedicated to working hard to be a provider for and protector of his family. Another characteristic of Alford’s that Mitzie admired. The list would go on and on, and Mitzie knew she hit the jackpot when Alford entered her life. Mitzie would never forget how nervous she was when she took Alford to meet her parents for the first time. Alford had been insistent that he believed in the old-fashioned way of seeking her father’s permission to date her. She’d dated men before, not a lot, but she’d had her share. They were all casual relationships, nothing serious enough to take home to her parents. Sure, she

Alford could hear the sorrow in Zara’s voice. “Commandant,” she started, “I should have reported to you when Luceron and Seraphine were late for the warrior briefing in the bar area at the hotel the day of the benefit dinner. Seraphine told me it was because of last-minute arrangements and changes with the dinner, and while I wasn’t quite sold on the excuse, I couldn’t argue it.” Alford let out a frustrated sigh and scrubbed his hand over his face with one hand while keeping the other on the steering wheel and his eyes on the road. “You aren’t the only one that missed signs of something aery, Preticus,” he spoke in an assuring tone letting her know he placed no blame on her for this. “I’ve had my suspicions about something being off with them for quite some time; ever since the Ervilan spy was caught trying to sneak into the Milky Way. I should have dug deeper into the spy’s getaway since they were the two who sighted them. Something changed in both of them after that, but I was cha

Marilee’s eyes widened as she gasped in surprise and placed her hand over her chest. “When Etherios was attacked, Milvan detected Claris’ magic at work in the battle. We assumed she’d defected to a neutral galaxy where she’d be free to practice as she pleased,” Zara answered folding her arms across her chest. Alford was still pacing with a hand on his hip and rubbing the back of his neck in thought. “That would explain how Luceron and Seraphine were able to incapacitate the staff so easily. None of them were warriors, but they all had basic defense training,” Alford remarked tilting his head towards the ceiling and rubbing his temples. “What’s happened?” Sheloah asked as she, Stanley, and Maria rushed into the study. “A cleaning crew from Shiros is downstairs,” she said glancing in the direction of Emma who was still laying on the couch with her eyes closed and crying softly. There was a somber feel over the room as Alford recounted what information that were able to gather. “We

He chuckled and removed the remaining hand from her arm placing it on the small of her back and edged her in the direction of the chair. “She said Japheth doesn’t want me dead,” Mitzie whispered. “That’s a two-part scenario, my love, and I give you my word that I will explain everything to you once we’re out of here,” he replied smiling as she sat in the chair placing her hand across her stomach. The flutters had increased. “Here,” he started to say reaching in his back pocket and removing one of Mitzie’s favorite protein bars. “It took us four hours to find you, and I saw that your lunch was mostly uneaten at home. Please, eat,” he implored stretching the bar in her direction. Even in the middle of a chaotic venture, Alford was still wanting to make sure his wife and his son were nourished. Mitzie chuckled at this as she reached to take the bar. “Thank you. I had no idea how long I’d been here, and I have developed a bit of an appetite.” Alford leaned down and gave her a warm kis

Mitzie’s face softened as she rubbed her stomach with both hands. Alford glanced up at her and gave a small reassuring smile. She began walking forward, then abruptly stopped. “I have no idea where I am or how to get out of here.” Walking up beside her, he chuckled at her look of confusion. He removed one of her hands from her stomach, and laced his fingers with hers. “This way, my love.” He silently led her through multiple winding corridors before they reached an exit. Once they were outside, Mitzie squinched her eyes and placed her hand on her forehead to use as a visor against the sunlight. “Where are we?” she asked visually exploring the desert-looking landscape around them. “This is an abandoned and unmapped military bunker. The earthlings used this space for confidential strategizing.” He said moving them towards the Rolls Royce SUV parked not far from the door they’d exited. He opened the passenger door for her and placed his hand on the small of her back guiding her. “Whe