The White Elephant of Panschin: 2 (The Steppes of Mars)

A dark past. A uncertain future. Under Mars domed city four peoples destinies collideNear the Martian north pole six linked domes form the mining city of Panschin. For generations they have burrowed into the Martian underworld digging tunnels mining ore and uncovering its secrets. At Panschins mining conference Airik the daimyo of Shelleen hopes to find allies to exploit his familys newly discovered Red Mercury lode. But the prospect of fabulous wealth has drawn a target on Airiks back: for con artists and their schemes companies hoping to scam him and women wanting to become his wife. Overwhelmed Airik flees the attention with his aide secretary and bodyguard searching for a quiet place to work in peace. For Veronica Bradwell her familys disgrace after her fathers financial scandal and suicide forces her to open the doors of their last asset the mansion nicknamed the White Elephant to boarders. And while Airik and his cousins look suspicious they are well-mannered and more importantly paid in advance. But Veronica has more concerns. Younger sister Shelby wants to become an artist and her education at Panschin University requires opening the White Elephant to a gallery showing led by Professor Vitebskin whose ideas of art clashes with Shelbys instinct for beauty and color. As Shelby struggles she forms an attachment with Malcolm Cobb a young bank executive who masks his mining background with a serious ambition to rise in Panschins hierarchy. When a sinister thug approaches Veronica demanding to buy the White Elephant she learns that old sins cast long shadows that some people never forget and that the mysterious guest Airik is hiding secrets of his own. The White Elephant of Panschin is the second book in Odessa Moons Steppes of Mars series. Set on a terraformed Mars hundreds of years from now the peoples descended from Olde Earthes cultures struggle with the planets mysteries the elites quest for power and the longings of their human hearts.