ConSentiency Universe #1: Whipping Star by Frank Herbert

Suddenly – the end of all life throughout the entire Galaxy! It was only weeks away, or days – or even hours. It all depended on the survival of the last of the entities known as Calebians.
But the Caleban was dying – subjected to systematic torture by the richest, most wicked woman in the Galaxy. Unless she could be stopped, the end was only a few days away, or hours – or even minutes!