Whatever he’d meant by that—whether it was supposed to be another personal and private insinuation or just a reference to what sounded like a hell of a Xaharí party moving toward them between the trees—Jessica realized she didn’t actually care.
The wild shouts and cheers and rhythmic drumming ahead grew louder, then Leandras stopped before a curtain of tree branches and thick moss draping down to the forest floor to hide the Laenmúr gathering from view. He turned toward her, his eyes flashing once with silver light as he stared down at her and bit hit bottom lip.
Jessica eyed him warily but couldn’t keep down a small chuckle. “What?”
“You’re already quite popular here.” He dipped his head toward her and reached out to brush a strand of hair away from the corner of her mouth. “But I don’t intend to wait all night before you and I finish what we started.”
No, he hadn’t changed that much.
Smirking, Jessica lifted her chin and leaned toward him. “If the Laenmúr are ready to make an arrangement with the Guardian, maybe you should get in line.”
His finger slid under her chin and lifted it higher toward him. “Meaning?”
“Make me an offer, fae. Then we’ll...talk.”
Without giving him a chance to reply, Jessica turned toward the thick drapes of moss and lush greenery and drew them aside.
They still had a lot to do before she could even consider letting herself relax at home, on Earth, inside Winthrop & Dirledge with a vanquished warlord and two undestroyed worlds behind her. But Jessica Northwood was the goddamn Guardian. If she’d made it this far, it was about time she started acting like it.
The bank would have agreed.
How far is she willing to go?
TWO WORLDS COLLIDE. The light is gone. And the truth just doesn’t exist.
Aided by the original Order of Laenmúr in a Xahar’áhsh, Jessica Northwood finally discovers how far her role as Guardian really extends. But to truly fulfill it, she must bend the truth for everyone, and it won’t be pretty.
Her vestrohím darkness battles with a powerful magic she didn’t know she had. Leandras tries to come clean, but it’s one disaster after another with the fae man who apparently can’t decide where his loyalties lie. Or maybe Jessica just can’t accept how intertwined their fates have become.
Deadly alliances and maddening deceptions greet Jessica at every turn while both sides of the Gateway crumble beneath a ravaged world desperately trying to break free. Jessica can’t do this on her own, but her greatest ally makes her doubt everything she knew about life, death, and the mysteries between. If she lets herself trust Leandras, she may as well throw herself at the enemy’s feet. Without him, though, there’s no hope left for the Guardian—or for anyone.
Ilona Andrews’ Innkeeper Chronicles meets The Magicians in this snarky, fast-paced Urban Fantasy Adventure from International Bestselling Author Kathrin Hutson.
Connect with Kathrin
Visit KathrinHutsonFiction.com for new and updates on more Urban Fantasy, LGBTQ+ Speculative Fiction, Dark Fantasy, and Dystopian Sci-Fi. You can also sign up for Kathrin’s newsletter, where you get some exclusive dark surprises not seen anywhere else.
Check out Kathrin Hutson’s Other Series
Accessory to Magic (Dark Urban Fantasy)
The Witching Vault
The Cursed Fae
The Secret Coin
The Poisoned Veil
The Spellcast Gate
Do you like Dark Fantasy?
Check out Kathrin Hutson’s other series:
The Unclaimed Trilogy (NA Dark Fantasy)
Sanctuary of Dehlyn
Secret of Dehlyn
Sacrament of Dehlyn
Gyenona’s Children Duology
(Grimdark Fantasy)
“The Jungle Meets Kill Bill... with dragons!”
Daughter of the Drackan
Mother of the Drackan
And don’t miss the International Bestselling LGBTQ Dystopian Sci-Fi series, Blue Helix
“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo meets X-Men.”
Sleepwater Beat
Sleepwater Static
About the Author
INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING Author Kathrin Hutson has been writing Dark Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and LGBTQ Speculative Fiction since 2000. With her wildly messed-up heroes, excruciating circumstances, impossible decisions, and Happily Never Afters, she’s a firm believer in piling on the intense action, showing a little character skin, and never skimping on violent means to bloody ends. In addition to writing her own dark and enchanting fiction, Kathrin spends the other half of her time as a fiction ghostwriter of almost every genre. She is a member of both the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America and the Horror Writers Association. Kathrin lives in Colorado with her husband, their young daughter, and their two dogs, Sadie and Brucewillis. For updates on new releases, exclusive deals, and dark surprises you won’t find anywhere else, sign up to Kathrin’s newsletter at:
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The Poisoned Veil (Accessory to Magic Book 4) Page 31