Destiny's Kingdom: Legend of the Chosen by Daniel Huber, Jennifer Selzer Page B

Their manner of existence didn't garner them any love among the masses either, because after their first natural life had ended, they continued without the presence of a soul. Though they could go on four more times beyond their first life through cloning, it leant to them a certain lack of care or consideration for anything but the hunt, which was all that filled their otherwise empty lives.    
    "Well let's not dwell on it," Quade leaned across the table to kiss her. "I'm just glad to be back." Trina smiled, and looked at him with affection as he sat back in his chair.
    "So am I. Clea was asking about you yesterday, when I hadn't heard from you. Oh, it's too bad you're going to miss her this morning. She had some exciting news."
    "But I'm not going to miss her," Quade said casually, "I dropped a note at her door last night on my way here. Told her to join us this morning." He paused for a moment, looking away slightly. "In fact, that'll be her coming over the ridge. Am I right?"
    Trina looked over Quade's shoulder and to the distant hill that rounded at the bottom of the garden. Just then a figure came into view, a figure that seemed to be braiding her long hair as she crested the hill.  
    "How do you always do that?" Trina asked, and Quade just smiled.
    "It's not many people that I get up early for," Clea called as she approached, twisting a band around the bottom of her long braid. A few stray curls escaped the restraint, framing her face and she brushed them away with her hand. "Hello Quade," she said, walking around behind him and grabbing a handful of grapes. "When did you finally get back?" She settled herself at a chair between them, and reached for the pot of tea, pouring herself a cup.
    "Last night, late."  
    "Well, you're here early then." She looked back and forth between the two then leaned over the table to Quade. "Scale the wall again?"
    "Mmm."
    "I figured."
    "And Aazrio nearly went for blood when he saw me this morning," Quade said with a laugh. "I went downstairs to wait for the Keystone five minutes before ninth hour."
    "Oops," Trina said.
    "I know," Quade replied.
    "You guys should really have some kind of system worked out by now," Clea said, pulling off a segment of spiced breakfast bread. "As it is you’re lucky I had a late night myself, otherwise I wouldn't have even seen your note until I was leaving this morning. But I was prepping the ship…" She paused then continued. "Quade, did Trina tell you? I made a deal with Ryder Deluka yesterday."
    "No she didn't mention it," he said, and Clea looked up with sparkling eyes.
    "Tal-Min Vista," she continued. "And guess for how much?"
    "Not the coveted ten thousand?"
    "The very one!" Clea sat back and let out an exhilarated peal of laughter and Quade watched her, basking in her happiness, in her triumph.
    "Congratulations, Clea," He and Trina exchanged a mutual smile. "I know Tal-Min is your favorite little danger zone. And Ryder Deluka," Quade shrugged. "Well, if anyone can handle him, you'd be the one. Be careful though, he's been known for some pretty unscrupulous tricks." Clea waved her hand, barely acknowledging the warning.
    "I know he's up to something. I knew from the minute I sealed the deal." She looked at him over her mug of tea, no level of uncertainty in her stare. Trina glanced between Clea and Quade and smiled.
    "I'm glad you stopped by Clea," she said. "It's been awhile since we've all been together."  
    "How could I resist a handwritten note under my door?" she replied. "Any particular reason Quade? Or did you just want to surround yourself with as many natural humans as possible after almost a week among the Venrey?"
    "Oh, I don't know," Quade began, feeling his stomach tighten from anticipation of what he was about to say. "Perhaps that. Perhaps because I've been having these really strange dreams lately." He was looking at Trina, fixed on her eyes as she stared into his with interest. Surely, if anyone were to be a part of the