Acclaimed for her novels of “delectably entertaining paranormal romantic suspense” ( Booklist ), the wildly popular alter ego of bestselling author Jayne Ann Krentz takes off on a star-dusted excursion to a rich civilization where danger and passion are just a heartbeat away. Amaryllis Lark is one of the best psychic detectives on St. Helen’s, the Earth colony recently cut off from the mother planet—and a place where love defies the most incredible odds. Lucas Trent, the rugged head of Lodestar Exploration, isn’t attracted to prim and proper women and takes no interest in Amaryllis, with her crisp business suit and her aloof evaluation of his request to bust a corporate thief. But when a bold hunch leads them from a wild murder investigation to an electrifyingly red-hot love affair, no power on heaven, Earth, or St. Helen’s can keep them apart. The author of more than fifty New York Times bestsellers, Jayne Ann Krentz writes romantic suspense in three different worlds: contemporary (as Jayne Ann Krentz), historical (as Amanda Quick), and futuristic (as Jayne Castle). There are over 35 million copies of her books in print. Amaryllis Chapter 1 “Damn it, I don’t need a conscience, Miss Lark.” Lucas Trent eyed the woman seated behind the desk with grim determination. “I need a security expert.” “Our company believes that the two are not incompatible,” the lady said coolly. She was starting to irritate him already, Lucas thought. And it was unlikely that the situation would improve. Unfortunately, he needed her. Her name was Amaryllis Lark and she worked for Psynergy, Inc. Lucas knew that, while he could do business with her, she was potentially very dangerous. But you’d never know it to look at her, he thought. She had green-gold eyes and hair the color of dark amber. Approximately thirty seconds after meeting her, Lucas concluded that she was the most interesting thing he had encountered since he had blundered into a cave full of mysterious relics in the Western Islands. He was baffled by his own reaction. It was obvious that Amaryllis was, in her own way, as alien to him as the ancient artifacts. She was prim, proper, and downright prissy. She looked as if she could have modeled for a statue of one of the heroic, determined, and excruciatingly upright founders. The expression in her green-gold eyes was perceptive, intelligent, and vaguely disapproving. The rich, thick, amber hair was bound in a prim knot at the nape of her neck. The neatly buttoned jacket of a conservative little business suit concealed whatever curves were beneath the fabric. A discreetly flared, calf-length skirt hid the rest of what appeared to be a slender figure and, judging by the trim ankles, nicely shaped legs. Lucas had a strong suspicion that Amaryllis was stuffed to her pretty eyeballs with a host of old-fashioned, boring, and very inconvenient virtues. Definitely not his type. But that was not the worst of it. He was accustomed to taking challenges in his stride, after all. He might have persuaded himself to tackle this one, too, if it had not been for the fact that she worked for Psynergy, Inc. Lucas exhaled deeply and forced himself to concentrate on the reason he was here in Amaryllis’s extremely well organized, highly functional office. He got to his feet and planted his hands on the unnaturally neat desk and leaned forward just far enough to ensure that he had the lady’s full attention. “I was told that Psynergy, Inc. was one of the best companies in the business.” “I assure you that it is, Mr. Trent.” Amaryllis’s feathery brows snapped together above her very straight nose. “It is also a company that maintains the highest professional standards. We do not take just any sort of case, and that is why I am obliged to ask certain questions. If you don’t care to answer, that is your affair. But don’t expect me to work with you without first ascertaining that you are a suitable client.” “Suitable?” Lucas set his teeth and willed his simmering irritation to stay below full boil. “I’m Lucas Trent, president of Lodestar Exploration. I’ve got unlimited lines of credit with every bank in New Seattle. I can call the mayor’s office and get Her Honor to vouch for me. Hell, I can call the city-state governor’s office for that matter. Damn it, what more do you need to know?” “I know who you are, Mr. Trent.” Something that might have been genuine excitement sparked in her eyes. “Everyone in New Seattle knows who you are.” She lowered her gaze and made a small show of shuffling the forms that lay on the desk in front of her. “I’m quite satisfied that you can afford our fees.” She was blushing. Lucas was stunned by the sight of the unmistakable tint of pink on Amaryllis’s high cheekbones. The prissy little founder was actually blushing. He looked down at his big, scarred, calloused hands which were still flattened on the desk. He was suddenly very conscious of Amaryllis’s elegant, neatly manicu