New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh returns to her extraordinary Psy-Changeling world with a story of wild passion and darkest betrayal... At a time when the fledgling Trinity Accord seeks to unite a divided world, Silver Mercant plays a crucial role as director of a worldwide emergency response network. Wildness and chaos are the last things she needs in her life. But that’s exactly what Valentin Nikolaev, alpha of the StoneWater bears, brings with him. Though Silver is ruled by Silence--her mind clear of all emotion--Valentin senses a whisper of fire around her. And after a shadow assassin almost succeeds in poisoning Silver, Valentin will do anything to keep her safe...even take her into the heart of a powerful bear clan. Her would-be assassin has no idea what their poison has unleashed...

Praise for Allegiance of Honor
 
“An epic delight...Romance, family, and loyalty are celebrated even as the dangers of a brave new world without war are explored.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
 
“The fact that the fifteenth book in this long-running series will only make readers desperate for more is a testament to Singh’s genius for storytelling!”—RT Book Reviews (4 1/2 stars, Top Pick)
 
“A brilliantly plotted, action-packed, and completely satisfying celebration of the series.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
 
Praise for Nalini Singh and her Psy-Changeling Novels
 
“The alpha author of paranormal romance.”—Booklist
 
“Nalini Singh is a master storyteller.”—Maya Banks, #1 New York Times & USA Today bestselling author
 
“Nalini is brilliant.”—USA Today
 
“Complex psychological changes are balanced by deep love...Outstanding.”—Publishers Weekly

Autorentext

Nalini Singh is passionate about writing. Though she’s traveled as far afield as the deserts of China and the temples of Japan, it is the journey of the imagination that fascinates her the most. She’s beyond delighted to be able to follow her dream as a writer.

Nalini lives and works in beautiful New Zealand. For contact details and to find out more about her series, please visit her website.

Leseprobe
This excerpt is from an advance uncorrected copy proof

Copyright © 2017 Nalini Singh

Age of Trinity

October 2082 is a new beginning.

Psy, human, and changeling, all three races have agreed to work together to unite their divided world.

The Trinity Accord is the fragile foundation of all their hopes and dreams of a future without war, without violence, without shattering loss.

It is a noble ambition.

But the past is not an old coat that can be discarded and forgotten.

It is a scent that clings and clings and clings.

That scent is of blood and betrayal and a chilling, emotionless Silence.

The psychically gifted Psy seek to feel emotion for the first time in over a hundred years.

Changelings with their primal hearts fight their natural instinct to trust only pack, only clan.

Humans look to the future with a grim-eyed determination to no longer be the weakest race.

And others . . . they seek to spread chaos and death and division.

Welcome to the Age of Trinity.

Part 1

Chapter 1

To be a Mercant is to be a shadow that moves with will, with intelligence, with pitiless precision.

Ena Mercant (circa 2057)

Silver Mercant believed in control. It was what made her so good at what she did she was never caught by surprise. She prepared for everything. Unfortunately, it was impossible to prepare for the heavily muscled man standing at her apartment door.

How did you get in? she asked in Russian, making sure to stand front and center in the doorway so he wouldn t forget this was her territory.

Bears had a habit of just pushing everything out of their way.

This bear shrugged his broad shoulders where he leaned up against the side of her doorjamb. I asked nicely, he replied in the same language.

I live in the most secure building in central Moscow. Silver stared at that square-jawed face with its honey-dark skin. It wasn t a tan. Valentin Nikolaev retained the shade in winter, got darker in summer. And, she added, building security is made up of former soldiers who don t understand the word nice. One of those soldiers was a Mercant. No one talked his way past a Mercant.

Except for this man. This wasn t the first time he d appeared on her doorstep on the thirty-fourth floor of this building.

I have a special charm, Valentin responded, his big body blocking out the light and his deep smile settling into familiar grooves in his cheeks, his hair an inky black that was so messy she wondered if he even owned a comb. That hair appeared as if it might have a silken texture, in stark contrast to the harsh angles of his face.

No part of him was tense, his body as lazy-limbed as a cat s.

She knew he was trying to appear harmless, but she wasn t an idiot. Despite her offensive and defensive training, the alpha of the StoneWater clan could crush her like a bug, physically speaking. He had too much brawn, too much strength for her to beat him without a weapon. So it was as well that Silver s mind was a ruthless weapon.

Why did you need to see me at seven in the morning? she asked, because it was clear he wasn t going to tell her how he kept getting past her security.

He extended a hand on which sat a data crystal. The clan promised EmNet a breakdown of the small incidents we ve handled over the past three months.

Those small incidents were times when Psy, humans, or non-clan changelings needed assistance in the area controlled by StoneWater or elsewhere, when members of the bear clan were close enough to help. As the director of the worldwide Emergency Response Network run under the aegis of the Trinity Accord, Silve