Arista’s Legacy Read online

  There was a three per cent probability that there was a small augmentation to be made to his systems. Although he’d had all of his major updates installed recently, there could be a patch. The Hive wasn’t fond of patches, though, and tended to favor complete updates, thus the low chance of this option.

  There was a four per cent chance that he had to make an interim report, perhaps because he had been an inadvertent witness to the mission of another cyborg, or because his observations could provide necessary intelligence. That would have been calculated based upon his location. Acion calculated the possibility to be small because he’d only been training with the Warrior Maidens, and not with the newer recruits. They were often of interest to the Hive, given their recent arrival, but the warriors who were further advanced seldom had much new to contribute to the Hive’s data collection.

  He passed Arista when he was close to the core and stood aside for her, inclining his head as a gesture of respect for her superior military position. She barely acknowledged his presence, so intent was she on continuing her course.

  It was only after she was out of sight that Acion considered how unusual it was to encounter anyone in the corridors leading to the Vault. The Hive usually ensured as much.

  This led him to the inevitable conclusion that the Hive had wanted him to encounter Arista—the possibility of the Hive making an error was so low as to be nonexistent. Why? Acion knew that Arista was a more sophisticated cyborg than himself. He knew that she was assigned quests off-planet.

  He had insufficient data to calculate the probability of his being granted such an assignment, but it was included on his list of potential outcomes when the door of the debrief room closed behind him. Given that list, Acion couldn’t explain that he’d been ushered into this room, with its tank and port.

  He bowed, though there was no focal point in the room. “Reporting as commanded.”

  “As promptly as ever,” said the Hive, approval in its tone. “Do you know why you were summoned, Acion?”

  “No. All probabilities return single digit calculations.”

  “I have a question for you.”

  Acion waited.

  “You passed Arista.”

  “I did.”

  “And surely that introduced a possibility to your calculations.”

  Acion considered the increasing probability of his being granted an assignment. “I detect no question.”

  “Your experience qualifies you to undertake an assignment off-planet, but your systems will have to be upgraded first.”

  Perhaps the Hive used patches to software for those cyborgs traveling off-planet. It was a definite possibility, but outside of Acion’s experience so he couldn’t verify it. “I am prepared to serve,” he said.

  “Of course. As far as those on Cumae know, you will be dispatched very shortly on this assignment. In reality, you will spend a considerable measure of time here first, being prepared.”

  “For those upgrades,” Acion said.

  “Yes. One required upgrade is still in development and not yet perfected. In most circumstances, its installment would not be justified, however, this situation would provide an excellent test of its limits and potential.”

  “I understand.”

  “No, you don’t. It’s organic. It will mutate within your systems and will be difficult, if not impossible, to recall. You must agree to this installation, Acion, knowing that if the test fails and the upgrade mutates beyond expectation, you will be decommissioned.”

  Acion did not hesitate. “I was built to serve,” he said and bowed again.

  “The installation will require many steps, much observation and a goodly amount of time. Please summon a full report of activities since your last session, as well as a complete schedule of all future obligations.” The Hive paused as Acion stripped down and prepared to enter the tank. “Your computing abilities will be different when you leave the tank, Acion.”

  “I understand.”

  “No, you don’t, but your agreement to be part of this test is welcome.”

  Acion bowed once more, plugged the cable into the port hidden behind his ear, and stepped into the tank. He lowered himself into it and closed the lid, no thought in his processor other than his need to obey.

  That would soon change.

  Watch for

  Wyvern’s Warrior

  Book #3 in the Dragons of Incendium series

  A mysterious stranger arrives on Incendium in secret, but is intercepted by Princess Thalina when he tries to break into the palace. Abducted and held captive, Thalina finds herself intrigued by the dangerous mercenary who seems to have no heart at all, and strangely sympathetic to his quest. Has he cast a spell over her, or is she the only one to see his hidden truth?

  Coming December 27

  The Dragons of Incendium have their own website

  http://dragonsofincendium.com/

  About the Author

  Deborah Cooke sold her first book in 1992, a medieval romance called The Romance of the Rose published under her pseudonym Claire Delacroix. Since then, she has published over fifty novels in a wide variety of sub-genres, including historical romance, contemporary romance, paranormal romance, fantasy romance, time-travel romance, women’s fiction, paranormal young adult and fantasy with romantic elements. She has published under the names Claire Delacroix, Claire Cross and Deborah Cooke. The Beauty, part of her successful Bride Quest series of historical romances, was her first title to land on the New York Times List of Bestselling Books. Her books routinely appear on other bestseller lists and have won numerous awards. In 2009, she was the writer-in-residence at the Toronto Public Library, the first time the library has hosted a residency focused on the romance genre. In 2012, she was honored to receive the Romance Writers of America’s Mentor of the Year Award.

  Currently, she writes paranormal romances featuring dragon shape shifter heroes under the name Deborah Cooke. She also writes medieval romances as Claire Delacroix. Deborah lives in Canada with her husband and family, as well as far too many unfinished knitting projects.

  To be sure you don’t miss a new release, follow Deborah’s blog or subscribe to her newsletter!

  Deborah’s Website and Blog

  Deborah’s Newsletter

  Books by Deborah Cooke

  Paranormal Romances

  - The Dragonfire Series -

  Kiss of Fire

  Kiss of Fury

  Kiss of Fate

  Harmonia’s Kiss

  Winter Kiss

  Whisper Kiss

  Darkfire Kiss

  Flashfire

  Ember’s Kiss

  Kiss of Danger

  Kiss of Darkness

  Kiss of Destiny

  The Dragon Legion Collection

  (including “Kiss of Danger”, “Kiss of Darkness” and “Kiss of Destiny”)

  Serpent’s Kiss

  Firestorm Forever

  - The Dragons of Incendium -

  Wyvern’s Mate

  Nero’s Dream

  Wyvern’s Prince

  Arista’s Legacy (2016)

  Wyvern’s Warrior (2016)

  Urban Fantasy Romance

  - The Prometheus Project -

  Fallen

  Guardian

  Rebel

  Abyss

  Paranormal Young Adult

  - The Dragon Diaries -

  Flying Blind

  Winging It

  Blazing the Trail

  Contemporary Romance

  - The Coxwells -

  Third Time Lucky

  Double Trouble

  One More Time

  All or Nothing

  - Flatiron Five -

  Simply Irresistible (2016)

  * * *

  Books by Claire Delacroix

  Time Travel Romances

  Once Upon a Kiss

  The Last Highlander

  The Moonstone

  Love Potion #9

  Medieval Romances
r />   - Harlequin Historicals -

  The Romance of the Rose

  Honeyed Lies

  Unicorn Bride

  The Sorceress

  Roarke’s Folly

  Pearl Beyond Price

  The Magician’s Quest

  Unicorn Vengeance

  My Lady’s Champion

  Enchanted

  My Lady’s Desire

  - The Bride Quest I -

  The Princess

  The Damsel

  The Heiress

  - The Bride Quest II -

  The Countess

  The Beauty

  The Temptress

  - The Rogues of Ravensmuir -

  The Rogue

  The Scoundrel

  The Warrior

  - The Jewels of Kinfairlie -

  The Beauty Bride

  The Rose Red Bride

  The Snow White Bride

  The Ballad of Rosamunde

  - The True Love Brides -

  The Renegade’s Heart

  The Highlander’s Curse

  The Frost Maiden’s Kiss

  The Warrior’s Prize

  - The Champions of Saint Euphemia -

  The Crusader’s Bride

  The Crusader’s Heart

  The Crusader’s Kiss

  The Crusader’s Vow (2017)

  The Crusader’s Handfast

  Short Stories and Novellas

  An Elegy for Melusine

  Beguiled

  Audio Editions