In the ruins of a fractured world, defiance is a death sentence.

Excelling in the fine arts of covert observation, she collects secrets and trades in betrayals. This data broker doesn’t believe in fairness or morality. After all, that’s the only way to survive – and thrive – in a limited human space, constantly besieged by strange fauna.

She’s spent a lifetime running from the powers that be and slipping through the cracks. However, a fateful misstep pulls this furtive shadow into the sights of a man set to inherit the hopeless war. His ascent to the throne is paved with the bodies of those who stood against him – and those who didn’t.

This capricious warlord intends to cut the trespasser’s insolence out with a blade. Slowly and carefully – because death would be far too kind. He wants her taught a lesson. Disfigured. Broken. Owned.

Yet she vanishes into the overcrowded streets.

A hounded prey becomes an umbrage with a vendetta and wages a one-woman war on his reputation. From the darkness, she turns the rising officer's name and affairs into rot. She never lets him forget she’s still out there. Watching.

The nobleman handles it all without faltering. However, the manhunt gradually twists into a slow, burning obsession. The woman’s daring, her rage fascinate him. Consume him. All grudging sentiments warp into respect… and something stronger.

When enemies close in on all sides, he calls upon his shadow with an alluring promise of truce.

Trust is a knife.

And he hands it to her – willingly.




Story ahead can be found here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DRSX826G

Story ahead, as well as this excluded excerpt, is available at:


Chapter 16 - 9 L 2