Knaleg: A Terraneu Novel (Book 3) (12 page)

~*~*~*

Catherine had missed the last celebration. She had
been shot and was considered dangerous the last time the dance was held.
Tonight she was going to enjoy herself to the fullest. She had always enjoyed
dancing, and with Knaleg as a partner she had never enjoyed a party more. The
traditional lights and banners were on full display. The swimming pond even had
light effects even though it was closed for the night. Maybe in the future it
would stay open all night long, but for now it was closed.

Catherine and Knaleg were dancing to a nice slow
song.
“(Everything I do) I do it for you.”
by Bryan Adams.

“I like this song Cat.” Knaleg held her against his
chest, his fingers playing in her hair, which she had let grow and was now past
her shoulders. “Earth music says the words that I wish I could say sometimes.”

Catherine glanced up into his face, “You can always
tell me what you are feeling Knaleg. You don’t have to wait for dances or music
to express yourself.”

Knaleg hesitated for a moment, moving slowly to the
music. Then he softly whispered, “I know we have been taking things slowly, but
I would like to move to New Haven with you.” Knaleg paused to see her reaction,
“I want to show the community that we are committed to each other as mates.”

“Is this truly important to you?” Catherine asked
him.

“Yes. I feel strongly about making this move
together.” Knaleg answered honestly.

“Then I agree it is time to make it official.”
Catherine smiled at the expression of joy on Knaleg’s face, “We are moving to
New Haven.”

Knaleg grabbed her into his arms and kissed her
reverently. “You won’t regret being my mate Cat. I will prove that everything I
do, is for you.”

Chapter One

Kneus

(A Terraneu Novel, Book Four)

Kneus was back on Earth. He was running toward the port pad, yelling at
his brothers to hurry. They only had a few minutes before it lost power and
wouldn’t be active again for another six months. He turned to see Kniam,
Knollig and Knaleg all running with him. It seemed to him that no matter what,
it was always him and his brothers against the world. Even though those three
had found mates, they were all still very close. They had the women and
children to protect now. The lives that they were building on Terraneu was to
be defended at all costs.

Just as they reached the port pad all four of them bounced off an
invisible barrier. Landing roughly on his back Kneus gasped in pain. Groaning
loudly he gingerly got to his feet. Walking with his hands out he was able to
reach a certain distance from the port pad, and then the barrier stopped him
from going any further.

“What is happening Kneus?” Kniam asked from his left. Knollig and Knaleg
just stood stoically waiting for an answer.

“I don’t know.” Kneus stated and for once he really couldn’t reason out
what was happening. He could feel the panic rising in him as he frantically
thought of a way off Earth. He felt again the pain and hopelessness that he
felt when confronted on the port pad by Knaleg’s mate Catherine all those
months ago. He hurriedly turned to examine the area where they were standing
when everything began to fade.

He was instantly engulfed in inky blackness. An icy coldness gripped his
chest. It felt like a steely fist was squeezing his heart. Just when he thought
his lungs would explode from lack of air, he heard a voice that stopped his
attempts at breathing.

“
We are coming
.”

Only three words, but Kneus felt the hatred and pure malevolence
radiating from the speaker.

“
Kneus. Are you coming to the council meeting? We have been waiting
for you.”
His brother’s voice spoke telepathically to him.

Jerking fully awake and bolting upright in bed Kneus rubbed his hands
through his hair. Damp with sweat he wasn’t surprised to see how badly he was
shaking. The dream was rapidly fading and he struggled to hold onto the memory
of it. He needed to try to make some sense out of the imagery. Why would he be
back on Earth when he was safely on Terraneu? The port pad to Earth was long
ago deactivated so there wouldn’t be any more traveling through it. Also, his
brothers Kniam, Knollig and Knaleg had not been on Earth with him all those
months ago. It just made no sense.

What his rapidly awakening brain shied away from the most was that voice.
“
We are coming
.” The voice had said. Just repeating the words made a
chill run down his spine. “
We are coming
.”

His brother Knaleg had been attacked on Antilles almost six months ago.
The leader of that group had left them alive for some reason, giving Catherine
that same warning. “We are coming.”

Maybe his dream and that warning were somehow related?

“
Kneus
?” Kniam was getting a bit impatient. “
Is something
wrong?”

“No. I’m coming.”
He jumped out of bed and stretched his taunt
muscles. They must have been flexing all night to be this tight. It was as if
he had done one of Knaleg’s workouts while he slept!

“
Sorry I just slept in. I will be right there.”
He hurried through
a shower and got dressed as quickly as possible. He knew that the members of
the council were anxious for news about his and Gwen’s research into the
strange blackouts they had whenever they heard the name of the mystery soldier
and the ship. Not to mention how things were going with finding some way to use
shielding and upgrading their weapons system. He only wished he had more to
tell them but no matter how far back he searched he came up empty. As he rushed
to get to the council meeting before Kniam became really impatient, and even
with everything else on his mind Kneus couldn’t help worry about those three
words.

“
We are coming
.”

I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to
write me a review and/or taken the time to e-mail me. All of your words of
encouragement and yes even the critiques have helped me to try to be a better
writer. For that I thank all of you!

I am still just a regular working schlub. I get up
in the morning, put my pants on one leg at a time, and then I trudge off to my
job just like the rest of the world. The only retreat I get from the stress of
day-to-day life is my writing and I had a really great time bringing you
Knaleg’s story! I can’t wait to bring you book four. Oh the surprises I have
planned for you in book four!

The song played at the dance this time was
“(Everything I do) I do it for you.” By Bryan Adams. Since everything Knaleg
does is for his community and now his mate Catherine. I felt this was the
perfect song for them.

There is a link on my webpage at
http://www.stormymcknight.com/
if you want to send me your thoughts, or sign up to be on the mailing list for
release updates and events.