The White Wolf’s Wrath Shea Hulse (Dragon Fire and Druids, #1) Published by: Hot Tree Publishing Publication date: September 26th 2024 Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Step into a world where betrayal cuts deeper than a knife, and vengeance burns hotter than wildfire.
My life took a sharp turn when the White Wolf unleashed his fury upon my family’s once-glorious estate, shattering everything I held dear.
But from the rubble, I emerged with a fierce determination. Disguised as a humble servant in the Wolf’s inner circle, I tread carefully, balancing on the edge of survival and discovery.
In my quest for payback, I unearth truths that rock my world. The man I swore to hate reveals surprising depths, stirring emotions I never thought possible. Caught between seeking revenge and a budding attraction, I’m trapped in a whirlwind of conflicting feelings.
With the help of the mysterious Amergin, I navigate the dangerous territory of enemies and secrets. War looms on the horizon, and betrayal lurks in every shadow. I must summon all my courage to follow my heart’s uncertain path in this turbulent journey of love and revenge.
The White Wolf’s Wrath is the first book in the intense Dragon Fire and Druids romantasy series.
Shea is a bestselling author on Amazon, with her books falling under the genre of inspirational, steamy, and fantasy romance. Her award-winning works are filled with elements of magic, mystery, and sarcasm. During her free time, Shea loves to travel with her family.
Sparktopia JA Huss Publication date: September 19th 2024 Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Sacrifice one for the Greater Good? Or burn it all down to save her?
Spark is light, Spark is magic, Spark is power. Spark is everything and it blooms inside the bodies of Tau City’s young women. Once a decade, in exchange for enough power to keep the city modern and comfortable, a Spark Maiden must be sacrificed to their mysterious tower god in a ritual called The Extraction.
Ten Maidens are Chosen, but only one enters the tower as a sacrifice, never to be seen again. The nine leftovers are elevated to celebrity status and spend the next decade living in the luxurious Maiden Tower, wearing couture gala gowns, and partying with the city’s most interesting and beautiful people. Every young woman in Tau City wants to be a Spark Maiden because the odds have always been in their favor.
Until now.
One by one, the greedy god has summoned the leftover Spark Maidens into sacrifice. When Clara Birch, Spark Maiden number nine, gets the call, she fully expects her fiancé, Finn Scott, the Extraction Master’s son, to save her.
Spoiler alert: He’s not going to.
At the same time, a rebellion is brewing. The forgotten underclass is plotting the end of the god and his tower with strategically-placed Rebel spies that will bring it all down. Jasina Bell is a young woman on a mission to make history and she will stop at nothing to get the fame she deserves.
When Clara is forced into the tower against her will, she makes an unexpected discovery. There is no god—just a man, one willing to do what Finn Scott wouldn’t: save Clara Birch.
Even if it means destroying the entire world to do so.
Betrayal and sacrifice, loyalty and power plays—four people are entangled across time and space as they seek truth, freedom, and true love in this wild and twisted adult romantasy that will have readers breathlessly turning pages until the very last word.
Inside the pages you’ll find…
Spicy Romantasy
Enemies to Lovers
Friends to Lovers
Ride or Die
Anti-Hero
Found Family
Across Time and Space
Ultimate Betrayal
Morally Grey Characters
I stare up at him, marveling at how handsome a man he’s grown into over the last decade. Same shoulder-length, but messy blond hair. Same deep and penetrating blue eyes. But his shoulders are broad and muscular now. His jaw set with that hard, squared-off chin and covered in just the right amount of golden stubble.
He was still a boy of eighteen when I was Chosen and now he’s a man. Did I miss something and not realize it? It didn’t feel that way as time was passing. Finn and I were never really apart, we just led separate lives. But we’re not kids anymore and it just right now occurs to me that we gave up something irreplaceable so I could be a Spark Maiden.
Our youth.
We’re only twenty-eight, it’s not like we’re old. But still, it feels like a loss.
“I want this to be over now, Finn. I don’t wanna go back to the Maiden Tower. I wanna stay here with you and never leave.”
He smiles as he kisses me. “Three months. We’re practically there, Clara. Nothing will get in the way.”
“I know. But I want it now.”
“We’ve waited ten years. We’ll be together forever before we know it.”
Then he pulls away, slips his hand around to the small of my back, and guides me over to the door. We press our foreheads together and sigh, lingering in this embrace for one more moment. You’re my future. And the god can’t take you away from me, Clara Birch. Not ever. Our love is destiny.”
Author Bio:
JA Huss is a scientist, New York Times Bestseller, USA Today Bestseller, and a cowgirl who rides English. Five of her books were optioned for TV/film, several of her audiobooks have been nominated for the Audie and SOVA Awards, and she was a RITA Finalist in 2019. She has been an indie author in both fiction and non-fiction for seventeen years and lives on a ranch in Colorado with her family, horses, dogs, goats, donkeys, and chickens.
The Kingdom of Shadows and Wolves Martha Sweeney (Stardust & Shadows, #1) Publication date: August 27th 2024 Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Being raised by the viper who slaughtered my family, along with being beaten and berated by him for merely existing, takes a toll on my heart and soul. Uncle bears the crown, has changed the name of our kingdom Soare to Krigare, and desires more destruction throughout the Fae lands. While plotting his quest to rule all, I’m bartered to forge a union with Cysgod, a formidable ally and one who could ensure Uncle’s victory. King Caelum of Cysgod has a reputation that precedes him, defining him as a tyrant as well. He killed his father for the crown and is known to be just a ruthless and bloodthirsty as Uncle.
Just when I thought the Gods had forsaken me, as they did the Enkeli and Conroicht, my life turns upside down. While I fear my new king, he and his people see me as their queen. Though he does not punish me, I expect it nonetheless and flinch at his touch.
I may be rid of Uncle, but I doubt his hold on me is truly released. Does he plan to capture Cysgod from the inside, using me as his weapon, giving him the army he needs to take and conquer any kingdom? Is there a way to stop Uncle and seek revenge for the death of my kin?
Your name does not fit you, my soon-to-be King,” I state. “Your father surely didn’t expect his son who is named of the heavens, where our beloved Gods reside, to take his crown by force. Did you go rabid like the Conroicht? Perhaps he should have named you—”
His grip tightens around my fingers and I’m forced to stop speaking and walking when he does. I dare not look at him, knowing I have spoken out of turn.
There isn’t a sound other than his controlled breath in and out of his nostrils.
“I have heard the rumors, King Caelum.” My stare pierces the floor. “I know a wolf in a sheep’s hide even if that wolf is a kingdom away.”
“One would almost say the same of your beloved Uncle,” he jabs.
I snicker. “Beloved is a word that has never been used to describe him.”
A hand wraps around my throat and I’m pushed against the stone wall. “You know little of me, Princess Aurora. Mind your words or I will seek pleasure in punishing you.”
My chin raises. “You know little of me.”
King Caelum’s attention lowers from my face. My dagger, which was hidden against my thigh, is pressed against the bottom of his leather chest guard. A low chuckle reverberates from him.
“With the tip of my hand like so,” I state, lowering my wrist an inch. “I merely need to press up and I will wound you greatly.”
“Princess Aurora,” Kion chides, stepping closer.
King Caelum growls at the guard who backs down a second later. “I know more about you, my soon-to-be Queen of Cysgod than you realize.”
“Not enough to know that I was armed and—”
He snarls like the wolf he is which cuts me off. “Three punishments so far, Princess Aurora. The odds gain in my favor.”
“Three?” I scoff.
The fire in his eyes intensifies. “First, for calling me a coward. Second, for calling me a wolf. And now, the attempt on my life.”
“Your life?” I balk. “You and your guards outnumber me. If you wanted, I would be dead and my blade wouldn’t be where it is.”
“Precisely.” His grip tightens around my neck, his thumb pressing into the bottom of my chin. “You pose no threat to me.”
“That is what Uncle would wish you to believe,” I inform. “Who was kneeling to whom earlier today? Not one Krigare guard rose when either of us stood, not that they have ever risen for me other than to escort me somewhere.” A yelp rushes out of me when my weapon-wielding hand is pinned against the wall. My gaze darts to its proximity and I swallow the lump in my throat when I realize its tip is a mere inch from my eye.
A devious smirk tugs at his lips as King Caelum chuckles deeply. “I’ll very much enjoy the punishments you will receive from me when we are afforded the time.”
Indignantly, I reply, “I’m certain it won’t be worse than what Uncle has done to me.”
King Caelum releases me, returning my dagger to the inside of my left thigh. I’m speechless as his fingers graze my skin and linger longer than needed. Should he lift his fingers barely an inch, he will touch a place no Fae male has ever touched. “We shall see, Princess Aurora.”
Author Bio:
Martha Sweeney is a BESTSELLING author who writes in a variety of genres: romance (contemporary, romcom, suspense, paranormal and historical), suspense, fantasy, thriller, coloring books, and soon, science fiction. She strives to push herself as a storyteller with each new tale and hopes to push her readers outside of their comfort zone whether it be genre or the stories themselves.
With a B.S. in Psychology, Martha utilizes her knowledge of human and animal behavior successfully in the business world and in her writing to present realistic characters and situations. She’s been creative since she was little, always drawing, coloring or making crafts, so her venture into being an author was a natural transition.
Elements & the Fae Jillian Beane (The Elemental, #2) Publication date: August 12th 2024 Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Dirrin is gone, but who took his books? And why?
Cleaning up after the last battle and establishing the newly formed Council of Erist is hard enough, but when Dirrin’s books turn up missing and a chunk of obsidian with a strangely familiar magical signature is found, how will Suleima and her friends figure this out?
When new information about Suleima’s past comes to light, how will her dynamic with her found family change?
Rejoin Suleima and her friends as they face a new threat and discover that Dirrin may have only been the beginning.
“There’s so much here, but nothing I am looking for!”
“Let’s take a break. Go for a walk, clear your head. We can talk about what you’ve read or talk about nothing. You decide.”
She nodded and rose from her chair, heading for the door. Suleima didn’t venture far, content to sit on the porch, looking out into the woods beyond her house. Gage sat next to her, their legs touching, his arm behind her, sitting silently. After yawning, she laid her head on his shoulder. He tilted his head down to touch hers and held her hand.
They hadn’t had time to define what was happening between the two of them. She knew she enjoyed his company and wanted to spend more time with him. But things had been so chaotic since the two of them met. Gage’s friendship and strength were things she was beginning to rely on, and it was scary and wonderful at the same time. She thought he felt the same. It was usually Gage who initiated the first touch, and it had never gone beyond holding hands or sitting close. She certainly didn’t want to jeopardize their friendship, and danger was never far in all of their time together, it seemed.
Suleima drifted off to sleep like that.
She was sitting in her house again, going over and over the journals lying on the table. There was nothing. Nothing. Nothing! What good was all of this journaling and documenting of EVERYTHING, if it wasn’t going to be helpful to her situation?
Damnit, Erist!
Suddenly, she felt weightless and woke with a start. She was in Gage’s arms as he jumped the railing of the porch and took off in a full sprint into the yard beyond. “What happened?” she cried out.
The growl in his voice raised the hairs on the back of her neck. “I don’t know!” He set her on her feet and put himself between her and her home. “Don’t move. I’m going to shift. Stay right here!”
“Gage, my wards….”
“Shtay heree!” Gage’s words were a guttural growl and his elongating jaw distorted his words.
She shifted her weight, and his growl sounded again. “Okay, I’ll wait for you.” She raised her arms in surrender. “My wards are in place and intact. Whatever you heard is not a danger.”
He growled once more, and she sensed him pulling from the pack to speed his shift.
Her next move was to sit and patiently wait him out.
A few minutes later, Gage shook out his fur and turned to her.
“Can I go now?” she asked.
Gage showed her his large, white fangs.
“I’m telling you, nothing got past my wards.”
He grumbled next to her and kept his own body between her and her home, but he allowed her to follow.
Walking up to the porch, Suleima saw nothing out of the ordinary. She approached the door, but Gage put himself in the doorway and wouldn’t move. Despite his grumblings, she leaned into the doorway above him to survey her home. Tea dripped from her ceiling onto the table and floor below. Her tea kettle seemed to have…exploded.
“What the…?” She again tried to push past Gage, but he was immovable. “I need to go in and clean up this mess. I don’t sense anyone else in the area. But I do need to look and find out what happened.”
He planted himself in the center of the doorway and refused to budge, sitting in the way as if he were bored.
“Fine!” She stomped her foot and sat on the railing of the house. “Go satisfy this neanderthal need to clear the house, while the little weakling woman sits on the porch and waits alone for the boogeyman to come while you are inside. And watch where you step. I don’t want to clean blood off my floor as well.” She waved her hand dismissively at him.
Author Bio:
I have been writing since I was in high school and have finally found the courage to put some of that writing out for all to see. I have a love of all things artistic and crafty. Reading books, watching movies and listening to music makes my heart happy. I am a self-proclaimed Jack of All Trades, Master of None. I live in the mid-west with my husband, two amazing and crazy kids, and a cat who we think is part squirrel.
No one said escaping her bloodthirsty fated mate would be easy.
Half Fae half wolf-shifter Tavi Alderidge’s only chance to dodge a disturbing arranged marriage to a dangerous werewolf is to embrace her Fae heritage and escape to the land of Faerie. To do that she must attend the Fae Academy for Halflings. There’s just one problem: no wolf-shifters allowed.
Hope comes in the form of a potion to suppress her shifter half while she works to earn her ticket to Faerie. The cost is steep but one she’s willing to pay for a chance to escape. However, surviving the Academy’s purgings meant to weed out the weaker students is the least of her problems when a murderer begins taking out the top students.
Soon Tavi finds herself doing the one thing she swore she would never do—falling for another student. And when she discovers he’s the Crown Prince of Faerie, she realizes the one person she thought she could trust is the last person who can ever learn her secret.
Fans of Sarah J. Maas, Bella Forest, and K.F. Breene will find themselves enthralled with this dark fantasy academy series full of magic and betrayal.
BREA VIRAGH is a contemporary and paranormal romance writer based in the Blue Ridge Mountains. She is a proud Gryffindor, a graduate of Brakebills, and a member of Fairy Tail. Can you tell she loves anything magical? Her addictions include good books with delicious heroes, traveling pretty much anywhere, and food. If she could eat anything she wanted without repercussions, it would be amazing!
She is the author of the Promise Me series, a small-town contemporary romance, and the Cavaldi Birthright, a witchy paranormal romance. All her stories have a tantalizing mix of sweet and heat and are a guaranteed happily ever after!
Realm of Dreams and Destiny Stella Dale
(Entwined Hearts Series, #1)
Publication date: TBA
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance
They were bound by destiny long before their hearts were entwined…
Aralin’s life is a complex web woven with delicate threads of secrets and destinies. Born into a world where supernatural creatures are hunted, she hides a dangerous reality.
She is not human.
As a princess and pawn in the royal games of power, she finds herself betrothed to the emperor’s son. Yet, her heart beats for another––a warrior in the emperor’s army, a commoner unaware of her true identity.
Just as her world teeters on the brink of disaster, a mysterious vigilante enters her life, his dark allure tempting her toward rebellion against the oppressive emperor. His charm is undeniable, and his cause justified. With each encounter, their fates become increasingly intertwined.
Caught between two men who awaken different desires within her, Aralin struggles with conflicting feelings of duty and desire. However, a new obstacle arises in the form of an ancient prophecy. As signs of the prophecy reveal themselves, Aralin must make a difficult decision: surrender to the expectations placed upon her by others, or fight for her own fate?
She was, in every way, an enigma––a beautiful witch who appeared from the shadows, capturing my heart and imagination. And leaving me forever changed.
The witch with chestnut hair and vibrant green eyes has been appearing to me for five years. Each visit is our shared secret, a hidden world that unfolds within the confines of the empire grounds. She meets me in the courtyard, gardens, and stable, always under the veil of secrecy.
She believes I’m a knight in the emperor’s service because it’s what I’ve allowed her to believe. Perhaps it’s the way she often finds me in training, always clad in golden armor. Or maybe it’s the way I carry myself with the discipline and bearing of a soldier.
In her eyes, I see a mixture of curiosity and innocence. It’s a wonder that the harsh realities of our worlds have not marred what we share. She speaks to me of her life, her dreams, her fears. But never once has she asked about my lineage. Never once has she voiced suspicions that I’m more than what I appear to be.
To her, I’m a knight. Not the crown prince. Not the heir to the empire. There’s a simplicity in that identity, a freedom that allows me to be someone other than the person everyone else expects me to be. With her, I’m not burdened by the weight of the crown, the expectations of an empire or the gaze of a demanding father.
Our conversations meander through topics both mundane and magical. She speaks of her world, a place of beauty and enchantment, so different from the structured life I lead. Her tales are a balm to my soul, providing a respite from the rigors of my princely duties.
Yet with each visit, a part of me aches with the guilt of deception. I long to tell her the truth and reveal who I am, but fear holds me back. I’m afraid of losing the connection and bond we share. The truth could tear us apart. I don’t know how I might cope with losing her and what we have. So I remain silent, cherishing each moment we have, living in the stolen time of our secret encounters.
In her presence, I find a peace I never knew I needed. It’s a connection that transcends the boundaries of our respective worlds. As the crown prince and future emperor, my life is filled with duty and expectation. But with her, I’m just a young man caught in the spell of a beautiful young witch.
Sometimes I wonder if she ever looks at me and sees beyond the armor and guise of a soldier. Does she ever glimpse the prince hidden beneath the golden metal? Does she sense the lineage coursing through my veins or the destiny that awaits me outside our secret meetings?
The connection we share has grown beyond mere friendship. I’ve found a confidante in her, a kindred spirit who understands me in ways that others can’t. Our conversations drift from the mundane to the profound, each word a thread in the intricate web of understanding and acceptance we’ve built.
In the quiet moments we share, I often catch myself marveling at the ease with which we interact. There’s an effortless flow in our conversations, a rhythm as natural as the ebb and flow of the tides. She listens with a depth that makes me feel heard in the truest sense, her responses thoughtful and genuine.
There’s a vulnerability in our interactions and a mutual openness that has grown. I’ve revealed hidden parts of myself I’ve kept guarded from the world, and shared fears and dreams that I’ve never voiced aloud. In return, she’s entrusted me with her own inner thoughts, her hopes and her sorrows.
The ability to be my truest self with her is liberating and poignant. In her company, I find a sense of peace and belonging that eludes me in my royal life. She’s become a sanctuary and haven where I can lay down the burdens of my title and just be me.
This witch who’s cast a spell over my heart… I like her more than I ever thought possible. And lately, I’ve grappled with a startling realization.
I might have fallen in love with her.
Author Bio:
Stella Dale is a passionate storyteller who’s always had a love affair with books, devouring stories from all genres since she could first hold a book. She spent years as a dedicated nurse, providing care and comfort to those in need, before embarking on her writing journey. However, her true calling beckoned, and she left the medical field to follow her dream of becoming an author.
Nestled in the heart of Mississippi, Stella weaves captivating stories that are brimming with love, adventure, and enchantment. At home, she is surrounded by her loving husband and their three spirited felines, who never fail to provide inspiration and entertainment. When she’s not crafting characters and worlds, she loves to embark on international travels, immerse herself in different cultures and landscapes, and satisfy her insatiable curiosity for life’s endless tales.
Fire Called Edeline Wrigh (Ember & Ash, #1) Publication date: July 23rd 2024 Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance
She’s the ember that started the fire. He’s the ash that remains when all is dead.
When Emberly, a field biologist with a connection to the spirit world, returns to her hometown for her dream job, she thinks she’s prepared to defend her home and confront her destiny. But she’s not prepared for Ashton: the man she must marry to uphold the bargain she made for her life. And no amount of chastising from her ghost twin is going to change her mind.
Ashton, the handsome, reluctant heir to the mining empire that killed Emberly’s grandfather, wants nothing to do with his family legacy. But when his father announces plans to resume mining operations, his only hope at protecting the mountain is to work with the woman he fell in love with at first sight—and who can’t stand to look at him.
Forced into a fake relationship to keep the circumstances of their magically arranged marriage—and the supernatural salamanders—a secret, their annoyance with each other is only heightened by their mutual attraction. But there’s only so long they can avoid fate.
Fire Called is the first in a new contemporary romantasy trilogy. If you like steamy romances, hearing ghost stories around the campfire, and finding magic in so-called ‘mundane’ places, this one’s for you.
The Appalachians are ancient—they existed millions of years ago, before the continents separated. They have stories aplenty to tell those who will listen to the pines sway in the wind, to the howls of the coyotes, and to the stories wildflowers tell when they bloom, each a different shape and color as the weather warms and cools in the spring.
It takes practice, sure. And there are those with gifts, like Virginia—the youngest of seven daughters—who have a special affinity for those conversations.
The sky was overcast, the air was thick with the scent of rain, and the birds chattered warnings about the impending storm on Ember’s first day in the field.
Today’s goal was to survey the area to prepare for future outings.
She had convinced Nicole she could handle the woods alone. And Nicole, ever trusting, had granted her the autonomy she craved.
Ember reveled in the solitude of the mountains. She relished the freedom to explore at her own pace, unburdened by the presence of others.
But then she heard a voice she didn’t recognize.
“Emberly,” it said.
She neither saw anyone nor was sure where it was coming from.
It wouldn’t be the first time she’d heard her name called by someone—or something— she couldn’t see. It wouldn’t be the last either, especially with the amount of time she’d be in the woods after dark. She knew what the tales said about those who acknowledged such voices with words or action; it was best to ignore it.
In the early daylight, it was less likely to succeed at harming her. It was also loud enough it was probably far away. Still, spirits gossiped, and she didn’t want a reputation for being gullible.
It kept talking to her anyway.
“Emberly Jane Whitmore, you have a debt to repay.”
The “debt” mention gave her pause.
It was unwise to talk to spirits you couldn’t identify, especially in the woods. Then again, it was unwise to promise yourself to the spirits, too. Ma had warned Ember about that a thousand times and about the consequences that befell those who promised themselves and attempted to evade payment.
“What do you want me to do?” she asked, directing the question nowhere in particular just in case. “I’m supposed to be working.”
“This is the work,” the voice said cryptically.
“Again, what exactly are you asking me to do? Shed my blood on a rock?”
“You will know when you know. But consider this your summons. When the time comes…”
The spirit voice? Confusing as shit. And not at all helpful.
“When the time comes, I what?”
“Be ready to meet your betrothed.”
Author Bio:
Edeline Wrigh is an eccentric storyteller with a penchant for swearing, drinking too much caffeine, and spending more time with cats than people. She writes fantasy, romance, and love stories without happy endings from her house in the midwest. When she’s not putting words on paper, she’s busy upleveling her martial arts game or taking in stories in any way she can.
Wormwood D.H. Nevins (Wormwood, #1) Publication date: October 10th 2011 Genres: Adult, Dystopian, Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult
Angels. Demons. Love. Deceit.
“Nevins should be at the top of the New York Times Best-sellers List with this series.” – Amazon Reviewer
Tiamat and his brothers, a legion of one hundred half-angels, have orders to end all of humanity. Yet in a moment of weakness, Tiamat risks his life to rescue a hiker named Kali from the very destruction he initiated.
Kali, thrust from the surety of her world into the boundless hell of Tiamat’s, must try to find a way to survive on the Earth’s vast, devastated landscape. Plagued by a legion of Nephilim bent on sending her on, she is forced to trust Tiamat – the one being who could prove to be her greatest enemy.
I hastily threw the saddle on Hero and was up and riding before anyone in the group had a chance to ask me what was wrong. With my pulse thundering in my ears, I pushed the horse, leapt over crevasses and rode hard in a wide circle around the camp, scouring both sides of the stream and looking fiercely for anything that might indicate where my three friends had gone. But after a thorough, fruitless scout of the countryside, I began to slow my pace, the gravity of what may have transpired sinking in like a corrosive poison.
“Tiamat!” I screamed, my voice laced with venom. “What have you done with them? Where are they?” I turned the horse and scanned the gray skies but could see nothing. “Show yourself, you son-of-a-bitch!”
And he did.
Tiamat appeared as a speck on the western horizon. White wings spread out behind him, he grew larger by the second as he neared our location. And all around him, pacing his approach and stretching wide across the sky, rolled towering black clouds, thick and heavy with impending rain.
With my heart hammering in my chest, I kicked Hero into motion and raced back to the camp, watching Death approach on silent wings. He was incredibly fast—we reached the camp at almost the same moment—Tiamat, a vulture circling overhead while I thundered in on my horse.
There was a loud clang as the stew pot fell and splattered into the dirt. The group’s hunger was replaced by awe as they took in this supposed heavenly sign. They stood frozen, gawking at Tiamat in wonder and ignorance. Obviously unaware of the danger they faced, they looked expectantly at him, believing, perhaps, that mercy would come from above.
It did not. Like a warning, rain began to fall in a steady drizzle. It gathered and beaded on our upturned faces, and dripped from Tiamat’s wings and body as he circled overhead.
I watched him closely, my limbs shaking from anger and adrenalin. Keeping my eyes glued to his still passive movements, I slid from Hero’s saddle and scooped up the crossbow—Tiamat’s crossbow, actually. But while I loaded a bolt and cocked it, Tiamat matched my ante and calmly pulled out a knife. I was confused by this move at first. He could kill us in any number of ways; quickly and effortlessly. Why use a blade?
I moved to the center of the throng, trying to protect the others by maintaining a simple proximity to them. “Keep close to me,” I told them. “He’s come here to kill us.” A few of the group moved in toward me, but most looked at me like I was insane. Nellie and the tattered-looking business woman, whose name I had learned was Jennifer, actually stepped a few paces away, as if to show this celestial being they did not share my sentiment.
“Damn it,” I muttered under my breath. What was I to do? Did they think he was going to bless them with his knife? “If you want to slaughter them, you’ll have to kill me too!” I shouted at him. My hands shaking, I aimed the crossbow up into the drizzle.
Tiamat didn’t respond and made no move toward us, but instead brought the edge of the knife to his bared wrist. He held it there for a moment, appearing to exert pressure with the blade, and I lowered the crossbow in shock. “Tiamat, don’t…” I gasped.
With a swift, violent movement, he slashed his left wrist deeply and the blood pumped out like a river, running down his arm as he held his gashed limb above his head. Wasting no time, Tiamat flew straight up into the drizzling sky, gaining height at an incredible speed. Then he ceased flying and immediately began tumbling downward, plummeting as he deliberately smeared the blood from his wrist across the feathers of his right wing. At the last moment, he pulled out of the free fall and swooped above our heads, scattering bloody water droplets onto our upturned faces.
“Oh … oh shit!” I cried, realizing what he was doing. There was something with his blood … what was it about his blood? I raised the crossbow again, watching as he tightly bound his wounded left wrist while he circled us, flinging blood from his wings with every beat. I had to shoot him … I had to…
My hands were slippery on the crossbow and my eyes blurred with tears. With quick, angry swipes, I dragged my arm across my eyes to clear them, and tried to aim again. I had him in my sights; he was about to slice into his right wrist—all I had to do was pull the trigger. I could feel the tears running freely now as a sob escaped my throat. The crossbow shook, but I fought to hold it steady, and focused my aim on his chest, the only way I could be sure…
Author Bio:
D.H. Nevins was born in Toronto and currently lives in a quiet area of Ontario, surrounded by forests and lakes. By day, she is a personable, friendly school teacher. By night, she silently chuckles as she writes about destroying the world. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys world travel, hiking, camping, flying around on her motorcycle or dabbling in live theatre.
The Accidental Sereph Maci Aurora (Carran Hollow Fated Mate, #1) Publication date: June 25th 2024 Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
When Atlas Black, a bad boy with a reputation in Carran Hollow, walks into The Hole-in-the-Wall bar investigating a demon sighting, it’s mostly business as usual until he comes face-to-face with his calix—his fated-mate. Except Ivy Day, oblivious to the world of seraphs and demons, thinks she’s stranded in Carran Hollow because a stupid bus has broken down. She just needs a ride to get to the next bus in order to get to her sister across the country. While the guy in the bar hitting on her is hotter than any human has the right to be, unless he’ll give her a lift, she doesn’t have any patience for anything else. But little does she know, Atlas is about to take her on the ride of her life—that is, as long as they can get through the demons.
[Rome] pulls his phone from his pocket and glances at it. “Bus coming into the Hollow.”
Samson and I groan. Buses mean tourists. Obnoxious tourists drag in the demon riff-raff hiding among them, and they aren’t usually the organized kind, but rather the fledgling demons or the deserters attached to the taedae, unsighted humans.
“Not it,” Samson says.
“How’s that injury?” Rome asks me.
“Not an injury,” I repeat. “How many times do I have to say it?”
Rome looks me over, eyes narrowed, as if he can see beyond my skin and bones. “Fine,” he relents. “You go into town. Wait for the bus to roll in, see if any demons have hitched a ride.” He points at me. “But don’t engage, not without backup.”
I’m already walking over to the cabinet, pulling on my harness, sliding a sharpened dagger into a sheath, along with another into my boot. “Me? Engage?” I glance at my bow but leave it, knowing I probably won’t need it. Those off the bus are rarely difficult to dispatch. I glance at Rome with a smile. “Never.”
Samson laughs.
I shrug into my black leather jacket and grab my helmet before I’m out the door, headed for the heart of town. After driving past Lowry’s Gas and Sundries, where the bus stops, and seeing the hulking, metal can is already empty, I ride down Main. I park my bike, cross to the other side, and duck into The Hole in the Wall, a small bar sandwiched between a diner called The Getaway, and a witchy souvenir shop that sells Carran Hollow guidebooks. One of these three establishments is often the first stop for tourists, and thereby their parasitic demons, when they reach town.
My eyes adjust to the dark. There’s an older guy playing guitar near the door. The shiny wooden bar is on the left and runs the length of the room. There are a few people lined up along the counter, atop barstools. Booths—mostly empty—line the right wall, and in between is a stretch of space big enough to walk between the two. I’ve been here before. I have been in every single shop in Carran Hollow, every single home—though the owners haven’t known I was there. The Hollow is my town.
The locals glance at me then look away, giving me a wide berth. They might know me. They might know I’m a Black. If they don’t, they feel it—that sensation skittering across their skin telling them danger is near. That’s all that’s needed.
Author Bio:
Romance author.
Lover of stories.
Maci Aurora has been writing stories since she was a child. When she was eleven, she fell in love with reading Sunfire Historical Romances about girls who made a difference in their lives and still fell in love. In high school, a friend introduced her to Lavyrle Spencer and Judith McNaught, and from there, her writing journey was cemented in telling stories about love. Having already published many novels (all of which are threaded with romance as upper YA and New Adult titles) under the pen name, CL Walters, Maci Aurora wanted to write stories that offered the same attention to story and characters but with additional steam.
Maci writes in Hawaiʻi where she lives with her husband, their children, and their fur-babies.
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