New at BlueStarVisions Free Newsletter Spirituality pages

The sun was just beginning to set over the City of Silver Light. Toemeka stopped at a fountain to look at a statue of a nude nymph dancing in the middle of spraying water. The red, blues and purple colors of the sky were reflected in the water. When she paused, she caught a glimpse of someone disappearing around the corner of a nearby building. She had the uncanny feeling that she was being followed and quickened her pace, moving into a crowd of people.

Operating in duel consciousness, Toemeka moved out of her body in full awareness as soul and rose up into the air. From her new aerial viewpoint she looked over the crowded street. She saw herself moving along with the other people, but couldn't detect whether anyone was actually following her. There was an inner feeling of danger that kept her searching for its source.

At last she noticed two men coming out from beside a nearby building and moving swiftly through the crowd toward her body. Feeling a negative force around them, she knew they were sorcerers. She put her attention back on her body and headed in the direction of the Den, which was only a few blocks away

Toemeka walked through the glittering, metallic doors and stepped into the Shomard Pleasure Den. She immediately questioned her sanity in coming here alone as the guard at the door gave her an icy stare. She gave him back a cutting look and walked in as if she owned the place. The den was a huge nightclub, noisy and crowded, with a haze of smoke. It was dimly lit with strobe lights that moved to the weird, heavy beat of the loud electronic music, causing light to dance off mirrored walls and ceilings. The music hammered through her body and made her head ache.

Toemeka stood still a moment, waiting for her eyes to adjust, then began to weave her way through the small, closely arranged tables, anxiously searching for her partner Erling. He had gone to the Den to get news about the interplanetary war from off-worlders. The calm center of her being was disturbed from the discordant music, and negative vibrations.

Wondering if Erling had already left, she moved deeper into the den. Surely he couldn¹t stand being here for long. On the other hand, Erling was better at staying centered emotionally and less open to psychic energies than she was. A heavily tattooed woman with frizzled, bright orange and purple hair gave her an unfriendly look and some of the men stared at her openly. It made her skin crawl. She had never seen such a mixture of races before in one place. It was, as Erling had told her, a place for traders from all over the galaxy-- tough traders. She turned away from a large man who looked like he'd like to slit her throat. Traders were often rough people in this time of unrest.

Toemeka felt a hand on her arm; she jerked away, and then swung around to face a dark-skinned man with a heavy gold band around his neck. He was dangerous-looking with several weapons on his gun belt.

"Buy you a drink?" he asked with a leering grin. His eyes moved slowly down her body and back up again.

"No, thanks. I'm meeting someone." She took a step backwards. His expression darkened and he grabbed her arm again. "No one turns me down."

"I turn down who ever I please. Remove your hand or I'll call the guards and you'll be thrown out."

"The guards won't care." His complete self confidence gave credence to his words. Toemeka faltered only a moment before replying in mocked up confidence.

"I'm a priestess of Imperial Highness Condor." He dropped his hold like he had touched fire

"Many pardons. I had no way of knowing."

"This time I'll let you off with a warning. Touch me again and you won't live till morning."

He hurried away and Toemeka heard a deep resonating laugh. Turning toward the sound, she saw that Cadmus was in back of her. He was her supervisor and one of the top scientists at the Space Center, and a high-ranking officer of Lord Falcon. "Commander Rochambeau! I didn't see you there."

"I came over to help when I saw that man harassing you," he said still smiling. "But I can see you don't need any help. So you're a priestess-- that wasn't on your file."

"A newly acquired position."

"Conjured for the moment, no doubt. Impersonating a priestess of Imperial Highness Condor might be considered blasphemy by some."

"Is it by you?" He might well be angry if he truly worshipped Condor, but she felt only subtle amusement. He didn't answered her question as he looked around for a table. He was a tall, solidly-built man with dark hair slightly graying at the temples, and large but attractive features. He had an aura of authority as one used to power and was dressed in military uniform. The uniform was silver-gray with a jacket that had a raised collar and an emblem of a hawk on the left breast. A cape, black boots, and gun belt completed the uniform.

He gazed down at her. "Come, let's sit down. There's a table free." Without waiting for her answer, he guided her to the table.

"I can't. I'm here to meet someone. Thank you for coming over to see if I needed help." He stared at her, looking a little surprised, and clearly not used to having his decisions questioned. His eyes were arresting as they bored into her, commanding her attention. At work he was the same way; demanding in what he expected from the people under him and never accepting anyone else's opinions. Well, this wasn't work and she saw no reason to try and please him.

"It won¹t be easy to your friend in this crowd. You shouldn't wander around here alone. The next man may not believe you're a priestess of Condor or may kill you because he does." He pulled out her chair and she reluctantly sat down.

Read the opening scene of Chapter 2    

 Receive news when "Star Rider on the Razor's Edge" is published