Liars, Traitors and Fools

If you’re an author, you’ve heard many times that one of the most important ways to improve our writing is by reading. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to cross that task off my to do list no matter how often or how long it’s been there. I write, work, care for my family, help promote other authors and I’m in the process of starting my own business. But even though I haven’t had time lately to read, I can tell you Bringer of Chaos: Forged in Fire is a book you and I both will definitely want to add to our TBR list. The book’s author is fellow Navy Veteran, Kayelle Allen. Just from reading this short interview, I already want to know more about the main character in her story.
With that said, I’m happy to introduce you to Pietas. He’s an Ultra, a race of genetically enhanced people who are immortal.

Happy reading!

 

 

How old are you?
I’m almost two thousand years old.

When you look in the mirror, what do you see?
I only look in the mirror to ensure my uniform is correct or that clothing is in place. However, your question likely assumes I will answer regarding my physical appearance. I’m 7 Terran feet tall, slender (dancer/swimmer type body), platinum blond hair (long – I cut it only for a specific ritual), and because my eyes have multiple green flecks, it gives the impression they’re turquoise, but they are quite blue. My people, as a general rule, do not have facial hair. I am perpetually clean-shaven.

What is people’s first impression of you?
I imagine they think I’m distant. I do not strive for friendliness, but I do show compassion. I’m a king, albeit in name only, since I’m in exile. I try to keep that in mind at all times and act accordingly. My people know me well and are loyal. I would die for them and they know it. Their impression is more important to me than a stranger’s.

Name three of your favorite things.
Sitting with friends around a good meal, my panther – Tiklaus, and a sharp knife at my side. Not necessarily in that order.

Name three things that tick you off.
Liars. Traitors. Fools.

What would you like it to say on your tombstone?
Since I am immortal, I’ll go with “vacant.”

What is your favorite song?
Forged in Fire. It’s a military chant/song sung in a minor key. Our warriors have sung it through the ages. Here’s my favorite stanza.
“We can’t forget. We won’t forgive. We must return. We shall avenge.
We never quit. We do not sway. Our enemies–we will repay.
An Ultra’s will is set in stone.”
Each stanza ends with some aspect of an Ultra’s life. The final line says, “An Ultra’s heart is forged in fire.” Hence the name.

What would you most like to forget?
I have an eidetic memory. It’s impossible for me to forget, no matter how much I might wish otherwise. Besides, my experiences have made me who I am today. I rather like myself. I can look in the mirror and not avoid my own gaze. There’s something to be said for that.

Are you close to family?
Given the least opportunity, I would happily slay my “father” with not one nanosecond of guilt. My mother and sister are another story. Ultras are created, not born, except for my twin sister, Dessy, and me. So I’m rare among Ultras in that I have “family” as such.

What is your most prized possession?
My friend Six is human, which means he will someday die. We don’t talk about that. However, one evening while we were walking across the planet Sempervia trying to find my people, Six pulled a metal cup from his survival kit, filled it, and handed it to me. I drank, and went to hand it back. He said, “I want you to keep that.” Not understanding, I asked what he meant. He said, “The first thing I offered you was water. After I’m gone, whenever you drink from that cup, I want you to remember you had a human friend. Not all of us are your enemies.” His answer tore out my heart. I would not part with that beaten up, worn out and dented metal cup for anything. Not anything.

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Book title: Bringer of Chaos: Forged in Fire
Author: Kayelle Allen
Genre: Science Fiction Romance, Sci-fi
Release date: 12/29/17

When the immortal Pietas is marooned on a barren world with no food and few survival tools, he knows it could be worse. He could be alone. But that’s the problem. He’s not.
Half a million of his people sleep in cryostasis, trapped inside their pods and it’s up to Pietas to save them. He can’t release one at a time. It’s all or nothing. He’s facing over five hundred thousand hungry, thirsty, homeless immortals all looking to him for answers.
It’s not all bad. The beautiful telepathic warrior he’s loved for lifetimes is at his side. He’s bonded with a sentient panther. He hates humans but the one dumped on this planet with him has become a trusted friend.
But before Pietas can build shelter, figure out how to grow food, or set up a government, he must take back command from a ruthless enemy he’s fought for centuries. His brutal, merciless father.
Immortals may heal, but a wound of the heart lasts forever…

Here’s an excerpt

Six slid their canteen off over his head and held it out to Pietas.
Accepting anything from a human, an altered one at that, had violated every instinct at first. To take from an enemy, yes. Always. Let one give you something as if you needed it? Admit a weakness before an enemy?
Never.
But this was Six.
Pietas took it.
Ultras could go days without water, but they consumed it when they had it. He wiped one dusty hand across his mouth. The satisfaction of assuaged thirst never failed to please. What simple things in life brought pleasure! In captivity, he’d dreamed of even a drop to cool his tongue. He’d sworn he’d never take water for granted again.
Six had offered it to their companions during the climb, but the entire lot refused anything a mortal’s lips had touched. Yes, Six was a quasi-immortal, enhanced with Ultra blood. A “ghost.” But to the others, that gave him even less status.
Pietas wavered on few things, but on this? Should he call the man human, mortal, quasi-immortal, or ghost? He’d elected to choose as the mood struck. But one in particular annoyed Six.
“Thanks, ghost.” He thrust the canteen against Six’s chest.
Staggering, he swore in Spanish. “Find another name for me.”
“Tell me your mortal name then.”
“You know I can’t.” Six scratched his cheek. “Gotta protect my family. If your kind knew who they were, they’d slaughter them. You wouldn’t, but them?”
Now they were getting somewhere. “So you do trust me?”
“Pi, there’s more honor in your left big toe than your entire race combined.” He tipped up the canteen but then paused. “No offense.”
“None taken. But we’re stranded, my friend. Unless a miracle happens, by the time we get off this world, your family will be long dead.” He added, “No offense.”
Six finished his drink and plugged the canteen. “None taken. Sorry. Can’t do it.” He lifted the strap back over his head and settled it onto his shoulder, the canteen at his back. “Seriously, Pi, your people hear you call me you-know-what, it’ll give away I was Ghost Corps. We both know what they’ll do to me.”

 

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Get a copy of Bringer of Chaos: Forged in Fire
Free on Kindle Unlimited

 

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About the author

Kayelle Allen writes Sci Fi with misbehaving robots, mythic heroes, role playing immortal gamers, and warriors who purr. She’s a US Navy veteran and has been married so long she’s tenured.

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