Category: book tour

The Waking of Ghosts Lost Souls Academy Book 1 by Lilliana Rose Genre: Teen, YA Paranormal Fantasy

There is an evil awakening. At the Lost Souls academy, students aren’t your typical everyday alumni. Rejects from clans, packs, and covens walk these halls, but there’s something more sinister haunting the academy. A resident ghost has new student, Zarya, on the fight to banish it. Will her actions cause more enemies at her new school than friends? ‘I’m coming for you.’ A message from beyond has Zarya fearful. Her skills are underdeveloped, but as a ghost hunter, she must stand and fight this new evil. Can Zarya grow to be the ghost hunter she’s destined to be or will forces overpower her and bring chaos and destruction to the Lost Souls academy? Goodreads * Books2Read

Lilliana is an Amazon Bestselling author, who writes romance in the subgenres of contemporary, paranormal, steampunk, and rural. She enjoys helping characters overcome problems, or issues, and the misunderstandings that often plague relationships, to help them fall in love. Whether it city heels being replaced with country work boots, or some magic beyond this world, or cogs and gears and corsets, each story shows how love can prevail. Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

Confused, Zarya looked around. Leaves rustled on the surrounding trees in a chaotic
movement, so she couldn’t see the direction of the source. The park seemed to darken in the
afternoon light. Time slowed. Her senses sharpened as she engaged both her ghosthunting and
witching abilities.
Another chilled rush of wind wrapped around her. Every muscle in her body fired on alert,
ready to contract so she could spring into action. The problem was with nothing obviously there,
she couldn’t fight back, let alone defend herself.
Adrenaline coursed through her body. Zarya ached to release the pent-up energy instead of
being unable to do anything.
Snapping her head to the left, then the right, she scanned her surroundings, desperate to
detect any anomaly. Her skin prickled as she realized she was the only person in sight. Zarya
realized with a panic she was way too vulnerable there. That this might be some sort of trap,
even though she was certain ghosts weren’t capable of that type of thing. The ghost was here
somewhere, it had to be. It was the only logical reason why she saw nothing.
There was no vibe that this was a spell, so it had to be a ghost.
“Show yourself.”
Was that laughter in the air?
She glanced to the left where she thought the sound might’ve come from.
Nothing.
What the hell is happening?

“Chicken,” Zarya yelled out, struggling to keep her nerve. She summoned her magic, ready to
block anything that might attack her, but again she was too slow.
A coldness wrapped around her neck. She gasped. Air pushed from her lungs. Unable to
refill, she wheezed hard. Cursing herself for being so slow to react, she knew better than to
have stayed exposed as she had on the ground.
Why didn’t I get up and run?
She knew damn well running wasn’t her thing. She was a fighter through and through, and her
style was to stay and fight.

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Expendables The Wall Series Book 1 by Alison Ingleby Genre: YA Dystopian

One girl. A corrupt government. A secret that could shatter a country. ★★★★★ “I haven’t been this hooked on a dystopian series since The Hunger Games and Divergent.” What would you sacrifice to discover the truth? For twelve years, Aleesha has survived as an illegal citizen in poverty- stricken Area Four. She lives by one rule – trust no one. When her illegal status is discovered, Aleesha is forced to join a mysterious organisation intent on taking down the corrupt government. Then she’s introduced to Trey, an Insider who’s been brought up with everything she longs for: wealth, privilege, education. An Insider who, like her, is being hunted by the government’s sinister militia. Aleesha wants to hate him. But Trey may be the only person who can help her find her father – the man who could be her ticket out of poverty. If she can learn to trust him. But discovering the truth comes at a terrible price. And too late, Aleesha and Trey realize that they’re just pawns in a much bigger game… From USA Today Bestselling Author, Alison Ingleby, The Wall Series is an emotional rollercoaster packed with heart-pounding adventure, vivid characters and slow-burn romance. Perfect for fans of Suzanne Collins, Veronica Roth and Marie Lu. Goodreads * Amazon

Infiltrators The Wall Series Book 2

They thought the truth would bring people together. Instead, they started a war. When Aleesha and Trey hand over the secret files they found in the basement of the government headquarters to the media, they hope it will bring Insiders and Outsiders together. United, they would have the power to rebel against the oppressive government. They’re wrong. While the Insiders turn their backs, protected by the Wall that divides the city, Outsiders rebel in the only way they know how: riots, death and destruction. As London erupts in violence, taking down the government’s sinister militia seems to be the only viable course of action. But what Aleesha finds inside the Metz compound will change her life – and her relationship with Trey – forever. Join Aleesha and Trey as they fight for truth, justice and freedom in dystopian London. With fast-paced action, romance, danger, intrigue and one kick-ass heroine, you won’t want to put it down! Goodreads * Amazon

Defenders The Wall Series Book 3

The battle for control of Area Four is over. Or is it? Aleesha is determined to give the captured Metz officers a chance to change. But as tensions rise between Outsider gangs and the newly freed officers, events take a devastating turn and Aleesha is forced to confront her darkest fears. Still reeling from the battle of Rose Square, Trey has his own decision to make. Does he remain Outside or listen to his mother’s pleas and return to his family’s aid? Forced to decide between family and friends, duty and their hearts, Aleesha and Trey must decide which path to choose and if that path involves each other. The explosive third book in The Wall Series features complex plot twists, heart-stopping fight scenes, romance and betrayal, plus all the characters you’ve come to love. Will they all survive? One-click to find out. ★★★★★ “I loved this book and can’t wait to read the next one!” ★★★★★ “This series just gets better and better.” Goodreads * Amazon

Liberators The Wall Series Book 4

When it comes down to it, what do you do – protect your family or follow your heart? Captured by the government, Aleesha is slated for execution. Only her father can save her, but doing so will put the Chain’s plans in jeopardy. Is it worth risking the future of a country to save the life of one girl? As Trey investigates the mysterious additive in the Outsiders’ food supply, his sinister boss closes in. Acting on his suspicions could risk his incarceration and his family’s safety. But can he turn a blind eye to the truth? As the balance of power shifts and alliances are made and broken, Aleesha and Trey must decide who to trust. Because trust risks betrayal. And betrayal means death. Get your copy of the nail-biting conclusion to The Wall Series today and find out how the story ends. Goodreads * Amazon

Alison Ingleby is a USA Today bestselling author of sci-fi and fantasy fiction. She loves writing cross-genre books featuring complex characters, twisting plots and fast-paced action with a dash of romance. When not writing, Alison enjoys reading, drinking tea and spending time outdoors. She lives in Yorkshire, England, but her heart loiters by the sea in north-west Scotland. You can find out more about Alison, sign up to her Readers’ Club and get a free story by visiting her website: https://alisoningleby.com/ Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

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Obsessed The Locke Brothers Book 1 by Twi J Bryant Genre: Contemporary Fiction Love Story

When Vanessa loses Sebastian to rehab once again, she finds passion in the most unexpected person. Vanessa and Sebastian have been best friends forever, but they’re not just friends, they’re friends with benefits. This arrangement has never been a problem, but Vanessa starts to long for more. How much longer can she stand the empty bed and a note on the bedside table the morning after? When Sebastian, a sexy drummer with a bad boy attitude, falls back into his bad habits, Vanessa watches him go to rehab with a broken heart, again. But the lead singer of Sebastian’s band, Jessie, is ready to cheer her up. Vanessa needed a shoulder to cry on; instead, she found a dom she can’t help but want to please. Jessie ignites her body in ways she’s never imagined and slowly inches his way into her heart. Vanessa didn’t want to fall in love, especially with a man so different from Sebastian, but sometimes the heart wants what it wants. The only problem is, Jessie is Sebastian’s younger brother. Add to GoodreadsAmazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo * Books2Read

Devoted The Locke Brothers Book 2

Jessie and Vanessa are happy and in love. Finally, she’s with the brother that is ready to commit, or so she thinks. Sebastian is back from rehab and although he wants Vanessa to be happy, it’s hard to be just a friend while his brother steals her heart. Regrets follow him daily; but if he reveals his true feelings now, he won’t only lose a brother, he might lose Vanessa for good. An awkward situation becomes impossible when Jessie asks Vanessa the unthinkable. Faced with a life or death decision while Jessie is already running for the hills, she turns to the one friend who has always been there for her, Sebastian. The rift between Jessie and Vanessa puts Sebastian in the middle; a hard place to be when you’re trying to balance on a thin line between a devastated brother and the girl you’ve always loved. Will Jessie realize what he’s giving up? Can Sebastian finally be the man Vanessa needs him to be? How will Vanessa choose and will it be the right choice? Add to GoodreadsAmazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo * Books2Read

Beloved The Locke Brothers Book 3

For the Locke brothers loving the same woman has always been a challenge, but nothing compared to the challenge they’re yet to face… Finally able to pursue her happily ever after with Sebastian, Vanessa is overwhelmed and excited for the future. With Jessie’s blessing, they move from dating to being engaged in a matter of weeks. She can’t wait to spend the rest of her life with Sebastian and doesn’t want to waste another second. But something is lurking in the background, something neither the brothers nor Vanessa could see coming. Something more dangerous than love, more threatening than heartache. When the news strikes, the turbulent love triangle is shaken to the core. Out of desperation to change her story, Vanessa, who was ready to say I do to one brother, ends up proposing to the other. The Locke brothers are at a crossroads. Faced with impossible decisions, heart-wrenching revelations and a love strong enough to tear them all apart. They both know that in the end, they’ll do anything to please the woman they love. Love, heartache, regret, and passion all converge in this final novel of the Locke Brothers Series. Twi J. Bryant turns this love triangle on its head but in the end only one thing matters; their memories of her. Add to GoodreadsAmazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo * Books2Read

This is actually two authors writing together! J. Bryant lives in a zoo. Not really, but come over at dinner time and you’ll think you’ve stepped right into one between the teenagers and twins. She started writing as a creative way of getting her frustrations out and never expected anyone to read the madness that she jotted down. Then she partnered with Twi, who encouraged her to start a tumblr account and post the stories she’d written. HUGE MISTAKE! Now, we’re sitting by the phone waiting on Ellen’s call to invite us on her show. In the meantime she’ll be cheering on her beloved Saints (ehhhm. Ellen, we’re practically family) football team from where she resides in Louisiana! Twi is a devoted mother and wife who wasn’t that good at cooking to begin with so she doesn’t feel guilty when she orders dinner in so she has time to write. Her love of sticky notes and all office supplies keeps her organized while her house slowly dissolves into madness during writing jags with her lobster, J. Bryant. (It’s a Friends reference. Look it up.) She lives in Phoenix, AZ, where it is too hot to do anything outside, so she spends most of her free time on her computer or playing Destiny 2 with friends. Writing is her favorite creative outlet. Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

DEVOTED

Jessie looks remorseful for the first time in the conversation, but a cloud of anger comes
over his face only a moment later. “You put these ideas in her head about marriage and
kids and all along you knew there’d be no way out for me.”
“I may have had a moment of weakness after Anna, but not Nessa. She was certain you
would give her everything. She slapped me so hard for telling her that you wouldn’t. She
had absolute faith in you. There was nothing I could have said to change her mind,”
Sebastian explains plaintively. “She was absolutely certain you wouldn’t ask her to go
through that again.”
“Why didn’t you ever tell me? Why hasn’t she told me? We tell each other everything,”
Jessie rambles.
“I didn’t tell you because I was ashamed and after a while, she wanted to block it out. We
vowed to never discuss it, pretend it didn’t happen. I pushed her away, and she pushed
me but neither of us wanted to break our promise, so we just pretended; we were just
friends. The jealousy, the nights together followed by me sabotaging any chance we may
have had together with the other girls… It all stems from my absolute certainty that I
didn’t deserve her love because of what I asked her to do. She absolutely refuses to
discuss it… or she did, until recently. It’s a very difficult topic for her. We managed for a
long while, but it was always hanging over our heads in the background.”
“She forgave you,” Jessie mutters, the reality of the situation starting to sink in.
“She always said there was nothing to forgive. We were young and stupid, and we
agreed, and it still crushed her,” Sebastian clarifies.
“She’s not going to forgive me for this, is she?” Jessie asks, looking to his big brother for
assurance.
“Are you going to change your mind?” Sebastian asks with a pleading tone.
Jessie takes a moment to try to reconsider it. In the silence, tears fall down his cheeks,
and he knows he can’t give Sebastian the answer he wants. “I’m not.”
“Well then, no, I don’t think she will,” Sebastian tells him point-blank. “How can you let
her go so easily?”
“Does this look easy to you? But I can’t, Seb. I don’t know how. I just can’t.”

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Chameleon by Zoe Kalo Genre: YA Paranormal Psychological Suspense

FIVE GIRLS. AN ISOLATED CONVENT. A SUPERNATURAL PRESENCE. A DARK SECRET. SHORTLISTED for the 2017 Dante Rossetti Awards for Young Adult Fiction! I can’t believe it has come to this. The way things have blown out of proportion. I only wanted to contact my dead father. Ask his forgiveness. Seven months. Seven months isn’t that long, is it? I’ll go through the motions, no need to make friends that I’ll never see again. When you get close to people, you end up getting hurt. Puerto Rico, 1973 17-year-old Paloma only wanted to hold a séance to contact her dead father. She never thought she would be kicked out of school and end up in an isolated convent. Now, all she wants is to be left alone. But slowly, she develops a bond with a group of girls: kind-hearted Maria, insolent Silvy, pathological liar Adelita, and their charismatic leader Rubia. At night, the waterfall’s dark music haunts her dreams of drowning… When Paloma holds another séance, she accidentally awakens an entity that has been dormant for years. The body count begins. Someone doesn’t want the secret out… Are the ghost and Paloma’s suspicions real—or only part of her growing paranoia and delusions? If you love the vibes in “The Orphanage,” “The Craft” and “Pretty Little Liars,” you’ll enjoy this mess-with-your-head, YA supernatural/psychological thriller! Add to GoodreadsAmazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo * Smashwords * Website

A certified bookworm, Zoe Kalo has always been obsessed with books and reading. Reading led to writing—compulsively. No surprise that at 16, she wrote her first novel, which her classmates read and passed around secretly. The pleasure of writing and sharing her fantasy worlds has stayed with her, so now she wants to pass her stories to you with no secrecy—but with lots of mystery… She’s had the good fortune of living on 3 continents, learning 4 languages, and experiencing a multicultural life. She holds a BA in Creative Writing and an MA in Comparative Literature. She lives in Belgium with her husband and two evil cats. Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

I cannot clearly say how I had entered
the wood; I was so full of sleep just at
the point where I abandoned the true path.
–Dante Alighieri, Inferno 1. 11-12

Chapter 1

Puerto Rico, 1973

Oak trees dripping with Spanish moss embraced us from both sides, but not enough to shield us
from the prison that would be my home for the next seven months. The high stone walls and neo-Gothic
bell tower loomed over us as my stepfather drove his Mercedes through the spiked iron gates and into the
sloping, curving driveway.
A spider of dread crawled up my back. Prison indeed.
I couldn’t believe it had come to this. The way things had blown out of proportion. I’d only
wanted to contact my dead father. Ask his forgiveness.
My mother reached for my hand from the front seat without turning around to look at me. I
stared at her perfectly polished red nails and the glittery square cut emerald on her ring finger. Her fingers
flicked, silently pleading for my attention, but I was frozen inside. Her hand retreated.
I stared at the convent, my eyes studying the dark arched windows, the worn, age-blackened
stones. The place looked haunted. Perfect for my state of mind. What was my mother thinking?
Something moved behind one of the windows. A face. For an instant my pulse raced at the sheer
paleness of it, at the two dark holes that made up its eyes.
“What are you looking at?” Sara, my six-year-old half sister, asked.
I pointed. “A girl.”
She followed my line of vision. “Where?”
“There. High up. In the window.”
She dipped her head so she could have a better look. “I don’t see anything.”
I felt a shiver, but not from the cold. It’s white. It’s watching us.
Then the car moved too close to the building, and the face vanished from view.
“Is this your new school, Paloma?” Sara asked.
I nodded. Sara was the child, female version of my stepfather. Her bottomless dark eyes, framed

by velvety lashes, stared at me with misery. “I don’t like it,” she whispered, grabbing my hand.
“It’ll be okay,” I whispered back, and gave her hand a little squeeze.
“You promise?”
“I promise.”
“Well, here we are,” Domenico said in his strong Castilian accent, stopping the car in front of the
entrance. He climbed out and opened the door for my mother. Then he proceeded to take out my suitcases
from the trunk.
My mother was silent. She stepped out like a wooden mannequin, her eyes shimmery with
unshed tears.
I climbed out, followed by Sara, the gravel crunching under our shoes. The early morning air was
cool and a blanket of mist still lingered—not surprising, since the convent was on the outskirts of El
Yunque, the island’s rain forest. More Spanish moss hung from the oak trees and rippled in the breeze
like long, shivering memories. I could smell the dew on the leaves and the rich perfume of moist earth,
redolent of open graves.
I glanced at the ominous clouds. “Beautiful morning.”
An ongoing distant hum resonated all around us. One, two beats passed, before it struck me:
Waterfall.
Something within me shut down—or exploded, I couldn’t be sure.
I shut my eyes for a second, wiping out memories of chilled water searing my lungs.
I repeated the eighth multiplication table in my head.
“After you,” Domenico said, interrupting my thoughts.
I wanted to loathe him. Tried to, anyway. I could see what my mother saw in him: a powerfully
charismatic, handsome man with the infinite skill to make people do his bidding. My mother, with her
small delicate features and petite frame, looked invisible beside him. A mere spectre. But that was just a
façade. I knew better.
The big oak door opened and a nun clad in black habit and a wimple came down the steps to
greet us.
Sara wrapped her arms around my waist. Her gesture both comforted me and heightened my
anxiety. Nuns in habit made me think of great black birds.
“Bienvenidos,” the nun said. Like my stepfather, she also had a Castilian accent. “I’m Madre
Estela and I’m second in charge to Madre Superiora. You must be Señor and Señora de Aznar.”
They exchanged small talk. Madre Estela sounded polite enough, but she didn’t offer to shake

hands with my parents, which I found strange. Maybe nuns weren’t allowed to shake hands. I wouldn’t be
surprised. I noticed the wedding band on her ring finger. Married to God. Absurd.
“You must be Paloma,” she said tonelessly.
“Yes,” I said. Wasn’t it obvious? I didn’t know what else to say.
The cross on her chest caught my attention. It had a crucified Christ on it and I noticed the thorns
cutting Christ’s forehead, the little drops of blood glistening on His fragile body.
“Welcome to our school, Paloma.” Her critical gaze scrutinized my makeup, my tight jeans.
“I’ve heard much about you.”
I didn’t miss the hint of cold disapproval in her voice. I wasn’t sure how much my parents had
complained about my behavior, but considering I had been kicked out—well, actually, kindly asked to
leave—my previous school in the middle of October, it couldn’t be good.
“Are you ready to resume your senior year of high school?” Stress on resume.
“I can’t wait,” I said. There was no point in being nice—or pretending to be. That just wasn’t me.
I felt miserable and couldn’t hide it. Besides, I could tell from our short exchange that she’d made up her
mind not to like me long before meeting me, and I had the sinking feeling that no matter what I said or
did, her opinion wouldn’t change. I had already been stamped in her Inquisition book, tagged a criminal.
Madre Estela’s stony eyes moved to Sara. My little sister’s arms clutched my waist even tighter.
From the nun’s expression, I could tell she was wondering if I had infected Sara with whatever plague
ailed me. She dismissed us and turned back to my mother and stepfather. “Madre Superiora is expecting
you in her office. Let’s not keep her waiting, shall we not? Don’t concern yourselves with the suitcases.
Someone will come for them shortly.”
They thanked her and followed her up the steps.
“I don’t want to go in,” Sara said.
“It’ll be okay,” I said. I glanced at the window. I wanted to see the pale face again. But there was
nothing.
A drop of rain hit my cheek and I wiped it off. Then I held Sara’s hand and together we walked
up the steps and through the arched doorway.
I felt my throat closing up.
Seven months.
Seven months wasn’t that long, was it? Besides, Thanksgiving break was just around the corner.
Six weeks, to be exact. I had already marked my calendar. I couldn’t wait. I would go through the
motions, no need to make friends that I’d never see again. When you get close to people, you end up

getting hurt.

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Faerie Forged The Magicsmith Book 3 by L.R. Braden Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance

New world, new rules . . . Alex is screwed. She’s due at the fae Court of Enchantment in less than twenty-four hours, but she’s not even close to being ready. Her job is hanging by a fraying thread. There’s a new vampire master in town. And several of her werewolf friends have been captured by the Paranatural Task Force. She’s their best chance for release before the full moon reveals their secret, but the Lord of Enchantment is not someone you keep waiting—even when he happens to be your grandfather. All Alex can do is call in a favor, hope to hell she can survive the plots of the fae court, and hightail it home to salvage her life. One mistake at court could change everything . . . . “Original and riveting.”—Book Likes Blog on A Drop of Magic, Book One of The Magicsmith series “Great plot. Lovable characters. Heart-pounding action.”—Lauren Davis, Netgalley Reviewer on A Drop of Magic Add to GoodreadsAmazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo

Courting Darkness The Magicsmith Book 2

“A great story of murder, mystery . . . and well-developed characters.”— Margie Hager, Netgalley Reviewer on A Drop of Magic “A Drop of Magic is a damned fun and original read, with sass, action, hot men, and a whole lot of magic.” —Diana Pharaoh Francis, author of the Diamond City Magic, Magicfall, and Horngate Witches series Deeper into the shadows. . . The paranatural community isn’t done with Alex. She’s been summoned to the fae court, and she’s got her hands full trying to prepare. But her date with the fae will have to wait. There’s been a death at the gallery, and the man she hoped would be a part of her future is the prime suspect. Bitter enemies pull her into the middle of a paranatural war for territory that has her dodging police, swords, teeth, and claws—not to mention the truth. The deeper she digs, the more secrets she uncovers, and the less certain she is about the innocence of the one man she wanted to trust. She thought she was done with murder and monsters, but she’ll have to enter the belly of the beast if she hopes to save her friend. Add to GoodreadsAmazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo

A Drop of Magic The Magicsmith Book 1

The war isn’t over . . . With the world clinging to a fragile peace forced on the Fae by humanity after the Faerie Wars, metalsmith Alex Blackwood is plunged into the world of the half-fae who traffick in illegal magical artifacts. Her best friend’s murder and his cryptic last message place her in the crosshairs of a scheme to reignite the decade-old war between humans and fae. Worse, violent attacks against her and the arrival of a fae knight on a mission force Alex to face a devastating revelation of who and what she is. To catch a killer, retrieve a dangerous artifact, and stop a war, Alex will have to accept that she’s an unregistered fae “halfer” with a unique magical talent—a talent that would change everything she believes about her past, her art, and her future. Her world is crumbling around her, and Alex will have to decide who to trust if she and the world are going to survive. “A Drop of Magic is a damned fun and original read, with sass, action, hot men, and a whole lot of magic.” —Diana Pharaoh Francis, author of the Diamond City Magic, Magicfall, and Horngate Witches series Add to GoodreadsAmazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo

Born and raised in Colorado, L. R. BRADEN makes her home in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains with her wonderful husband, precocious daughter, and psychotic cat. With degrees in both English literature and metalsmithing, she splits her time between writing and art. Website * Facebook * Amazon * Goodreads $20 Discount code to L.R. Braden’s Etsy Shop!! https://www.etsy.com/shop/WimsiDesign

MY BREATH PUFFED out in angry little clouds as I shivered under the star-streaked sky that
stretched above my patch of frozen mountain. Jaw clenched, I shoved a key into the lock on my
front door with enough force to jerk the purse off my shoulder. It slid down, snagging at my
elbow, and the shift in weight jostled the dome-covered cake balanced in my other hand.
I couldn’t believe James had stood me up again. After all his promises. Twenty minutes
standing outside his house. Then a quick call about unavoidable business at the gallery. Sure
he’d apologized, given me his
usual line about making it up to me “another time.” But another time never seemed to come for
James and me.
I twisted the keys. Those not in the lock dug into my palm.
Another time. If he said those words again, I was going to run him over with my Jeep.
The door stuck, swollen by moisture. I growled and pushed harder, hissing when my weight
settled onto the freshly re-knit muscles of my right leg. I gave the door another shove, and it
finally gave way, slamming
into the adjoining wall with a bang, my keys still dangling from the lock.
I froze in the doorway. My living room was occupied.
I’d been looking forward to curling up with my cake and my anger. Habits formed through years
of solitude were hard to break, and I still wasn’t used to having roommates. Company was going
to put a serious crimp in my plans.
Kai and Chase were sitting across from each other on my faded furniture, cards and poker chips
on the coffee table between them. Neither seemed surprised by my dramatic entrance.
“You’re home early.” Kai glanced in my direction, and his eyes were swirling galaxies of color
rather than the deep brown of his glamour—the human disguise he wore less and less these
days. He was a fae knight from the Realm of Enchantment who’d been living in my guest room
for about a month, most of which was spent saving the world from a murderer with a magic,
world-eating box. He cradled a hand of cards to his chest so his opponent couldn’t cheat. “Didn’t
think we’d see you till much later.”
“Or tomorrow,” added Chase without looking up.
I’d let Chase into my home when I thought he was just a cat, before I knew he was actually a
fae who could change form at will. I let him stay because he saved my life. Of course, when I
made that deal, the understanding was that he’d remain the gray tabby I’d taken in last summer,
but he’d been spending more time with fingers than fur lately.
“Call.” He dumped a handful of colorful plastic chips onto the pile already on the table.
“Yeah well . . .” I pulled my key out of the door and kicked it closed behind me. “Plans change.”
Chase glanced up and raised a silver eyebrow over one luminous green eye. “You’ve replaced
James with a cake?”
The plastic dome I hugged gave a clear view of the decadent chocolate cake I’d picked up on
my way home.
“This is my consolation prize.” I lifted my chin and carried the calorie-laden confection to the
high counter that separated the kitchen from the living room. “Don’t judge me.”
“Let me guess.” Chase tossed his long silver braid behind his shoulder, making his pointed,
slightly furry ears twitch. “Something came up.”
“Again,” Kai added. He spread his cards on the table. “Two pair.”
“Full house,” Chase said with a grin. He scooped up his winnings.
Kai looked over at me. “It’s important to know when to fold.”
I’d been thinking the same thing all the long drive home. I’d done my best with James. I’d really
put myself out there. But after all the excuses, and conflicting schedules, and missed dates. . . .
I’d been down this road enough to know where it ended. I’d had my fill of waiting for men who
never showed up. Still, I wasn’t about to give Kai the satisfaction of an “I told you so.”
I crossed my arms and dropped onto the couch next to Kai. “That little tip just lost you a piece of
cake.”
His smile went slack. Kai had the biggest sweet tooth I’d ever seen.
“You’ll get fat if you eat it all on your own.”
I gestured to Chase, who was stacking his winnings into neat little piles. “Chase can help me.”
Chase shook his head. “Cats don’t eat chocolate.”
“They don’t normally eat pizza either, but that’s never stopped you.” I “accidentally” nudged the

coffee table with my knee, sending Chase’s carefully stacked poker chips cascading across the
surface.
“Hey! Don’t get pissy at me just because your old stiff couldn’t follow through.”
“James is not an old stiff,” I said. “He’s refined. Something you wouldn’t understand.”
He snorted. “Whatever you say.”
I turned to Kai. “Back me up here.”
“Will it earn me some cake?”
“Ha,” roared Chase. “Spineless elf.”
“Mangy stray,” Kai shot back.
Chase took a bow and began to melt, shrinking and shifting until a gray tabby sat on the faded
beige cushion of Chase’s chair.
Sighing, I lifted a blue poker chip and rolled it over my knuckles.
“What were you betting?”
Kai tipped his head to one side and frowned. “Little bits of colored plastic, obviously.”
I rolled my eyes and tossed the chip back on the pile. “The chips are usually backed by money,
but I guess you and Chase aren’t exactly rolling in human cash.”
“Actually, I received my first paycheck last week.”
When Kai made the decision to stick around the mortal realm to instruct me in all things fae, he
also started working part-time at a convenience store owned by a registered halfer who owed
him a favor.
The job was dull, but necessary to get a work visa from the PTF—the Paranatural Task Force
that policed interactions between humans and fae—which was the only way a full-blooded fae
could legally stay in the
human realm.
“Congratulations.”
“I’ve been thinking about what to do with it, though I hadn’t considered rolling in it. I believe
humans have a custom of paying a portion of the expense of shared living space, so I thought I
might do that.”
“You mean rent?”
He thrust a finger at me. “Exactly. What do I owe you?”
I lifted one shoulder. “On the house.”
“Yes. What do I owe on the house?”
I rolled my eyes. “It means forget about it. I don’t need your money.”
“Are we not roommates?”
“Sure, but it’s not like this is a permanent arrangement. We haven’t even talked about what
happens after my trip to court.” My breath hitched, as it often did when anyone mentioned my
summons to the fae

Court of Enchantment. Kai had convinced the powers-that-be— namely my long-lost great-
grandfather—that I wasn’t ready, hence his new job as my personal tutor. But we had no idea

how long the arrangement
would last. Maybe I’d never be ready for life among the fae.
He frowned. “I still feel I should contribute.”
“How about groceries? Between you and Chase, the fridge is almost always empty.”
“Deal.” He thrust out his hand, and I shook it, trying not to laugh at his triumphant expression.
Chase, who’d been watching our exchange, perked up at the word “groceries.” Once the deal
was struck, he sprang into my lap and nuzzled his head against my chin.
Without thinking, I stroked his back and scratched around his ears.
“You know that’s still Chase, right?” Kai watched us with a mixture of amusement and
frustration. “You shouldn’t treat him differently just because he looks like a cat.”
I shrugged. “I can’t help it.”
Kai made a disgusted noise and scooped the cat out of my lap, dropping him unceremoniously
to the floor. Chase gave an indignant hiss and sauntered off.
“If you can’t even deal with that riffraff, how do you expect to get by at court?”
I nibbled a piece of loose cuticle and hunched deeper into the sagging couch cushion, wishing
for the millionth time that life could go back to the way it was before Kai showed up at my door.
Back when I
thought I was human.

Most halfers—fae-human hybrids—returned to their regular lives after registering with the PTF,
but that wasn’t an option for me. Unlike the vast majority of fae offspring, I wasn’t allergic to
metal. Hell, it was
how I made my living. And according to Kai, there was only one bloodline capable of producing
fae that could handle iron. That was why Kai was still there, why I had to take faerie protocol
lessons, and why
Uncle Sol, the man who’d raised me since a car crash killed my mom, was doing his best to
keep my name off the PTF registry.
I rubbed the intricate tattoo that wound its way up my right arm.
Learning I was the by-blow of a fae-human love affair untold generations ago had been a hard
pill to swallow. Finding out I was royal had been a kick in the head.
“I still don’t see why I have to go. Your mission was a success, the killer was brought to justice,
and gramps got back his magic death-box.
Why can’t we just leave it at that and all go our merry ways?”
Kai pinched the bridge of his nose. “We’ve gone over this. There is no going back. The gift my
lord gave you to boost your powers also marked you as his blood-kin. There’s no hiding who
you are now.”
“I could hide just fine if I stayed here,” I argued. “But parading around a fae court with the Lord
of Enchantment is going to make me pretty damn conspicuous.”
There was a time I would have been happy to have a long-lost relative come and claim me, as
any orphan would, but I held no delusion that he’d found me out of kinship or caring. I was one
of only three
living imbuers—a rare gift. No fae would pass up his claim to an imbuer, regardless of how
tenuous the connection or how weak the blood of the halfer.
Kai rolled his eyes—an expression I was pretty sure he’d picked up from me. “You’re a member
of the court now, like it or not. If you don’t go to them they will eventually come to you, and I
guarantee you would not enjoy that experience. In either case, learning our customs and
traditions is the best way to protect yourself. Besides, there’s no one in this world or any other
who can instruct you in the art of imbuing as well as my lord.”
I crossed my arms, frowning. “My abilities are fine the way they are.”
Truth be told, there was a lot I still had to learn about my powers, and magic in general, but that
was the one subject Kai had steadfastly refused to cover. Mostly our sessions consisted of
mind-numbing etiquette
and history lessons, although he’d recently begun teaching me how to fight with a sword.
“It’s important for you to understand how the fae world works before you take your place in it. To
that end . . .” He picked up an old leather-bound book from a pile on the floor and held it out. “A
little light
reading before bed.”
“Haven’t I suffered enough tonight?”
“It’s the chronicle of your family tree. I thought you might be interested to see where you came
from.”
“I know where I come from,” I snapped, but I took the proffered tome just the same.
“You know less about yourself than anyone I’ve ever met.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Never mind.” He waved his hand as if wiping the words away.
“I’m turning in. I have an early shift at the store tomorrow.”
“How’s that going, by the way?”
He shrugged. “I play tricks on the customers to entertain myself when it’s slow.”
My jaw dropped. “If someone reports you, your visa will be revoked.
You’ll be deported back to the reservation.”
“Don’t worry.” He grinned. “Humans haven’t got a clue.”
I scowled. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

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