{Science Fiction New Release} Touch of the Elegrian by Cheryl A. Arko

Touch of the Elegrian by Cheryl A. Arko
on March 25th, 2025
Genres: Fiction, Adult, Science Fiction
Buy on Amazon, Amazon UK, Amazon Canada, Amazon Australia
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Prejudice. Legacy. Redemption.

Erys carries a secret that could shatter his world. The telepathic Elegrian has spent his life atoning for his dead father’s role in humanity’s disastrous first contact. Now, as a tech specialist for the Earth-led alliance, he serves in silence—until sabotage threatens the lives of dozens of human children. And the traitor is one of his own.

Forced to work with a brilliant but hostile human engineer, Erys must dismantle not only the deadly conspiracy but also the deep-seated mistrust between their peoples. With time running out, he faces an impossible choice: break the fragile Elegrian-Human treaty and invite the death penalty to forge a forbidden mind link with a human… or let innocent lives be lost.

Two worlds on the brink. A single act of defiance. Can compassion rewrite a doomed future?

The Elegrian Legacy begins here—a gripping sci-fi adventure rich in high-stakes dilemmas, deep character bonds, and first-contact intrigue.

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Exclusive Excerpt from Touch of the Elegrian

The long hallway led to a large atrium. Brilliant sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows to make jeweled patterns on the floor, displaying quiet elegance in contrast to the ragged misery of the facility’s youngest patients. Even at this early hour, the area was filled with people. Too many people for him to slip by unnoticed.

Rras. He bit his lip to keep from uttering the curse aloud. 

He kept his eyes focused straight ahead even though his skin tingled under the stares of passing humans as they caught the symbol emblazoned on his sleeve. If only he could take the blasted thing off. But that provision of the treaty between Elegria and the human Alliance was rigidly enforced. And he didn’t need to be a martyr. The scent of smoldering ashes announced each observer’s disapproval, transforming into the sour tang of fear the longer each gaze lingered. At least none of them confronted him directly like that wretched security chief—what was his name, Krenshaw?—had upon his arrival at the colony.

He had learned to shield himself against those reactions on Earth and the other colonies, but here on Loridan the intensity was so much more potent. But then, what had he expected? Loridan had been the site of the deadly First Contact between his people and the humans. Twenty-five years had not been nearly long enough to soothe the mistrust Elegria had earned that day.

He was glad when they passed through the hospital exit. They headed in the direction of the research facility on the other side of the concourse.

The atmosphere shifted. The space around him grew dense with chants and rhythmic speech coming from a gathering in front of them. As he approached the group with Kaytee, their eyes darted toward him, expressions turning from spirited enthusiasm to thinly veiled hostility. A colorful banner caught Erys’s eye. Humanity First Coalition.

His pulse quickened, and a flicker of apprehension ignited in his chest. He’d run into the protest group a few times before on the human home world. Whispers curled through the air, snatches of conversation about “aliens” and where he came from. He reinforced his mental buffer against the sting of their disdain.

He glanced at Kaytee. “Let’s pick up the pace.” The sooner he could move past the rancor, the better.

She looked at him with obvious distaste. He flinched. The person who would be directing his work shared the ideals of the protest group. He swore under his breath.