Dark Secrets

by Shona Husk

  Dark Secrets

  By Shona Husk

  Six years ago, Haidyn Mast left his home and his betrothed Anisa to follow his magical calling. Too weak to join the Arcane Guild and too ashamed to return home, he has made a life as a prostitute—to all outward appearances. In truth, he sells his mind but not his body, using magic to let his clients experience their most secret fantasies while his hands stay clean. Even the Lawman, the arbiter of justice in Reseda, is one of his clients, but Haidyn would rather not know the extent of that man’s depravity.

  Though successful, Haidyn is shunned as a whore and his lack of formal training is causing his power to grow out of control. He’s ready to retire and leave the city, but when he sees his Anisa standing at the Lawman’s side, he knows he must rescue her from the abusive enforcer. Risking his life and his sanity, he devises a plan, knowing that failure will mean death for him, and a lifetime of torment for her…

  For more Arcane stories, download Dark Vow today.

  35,000 words

  Dear Reader,

  This February, we decided that we would do something a little different for the month that usually celebrates Valentine’s Day. Not everything always needs to be hearts and roses—sometimes it can be swords, mayhem and spaceships as well—so we’re using this month to not only debut new science fiction and fantasy authors and series, but also to reintroduce some returning authors in these genres. And, of course, since we’re a publisher of variety, we have even more genres on offer this month.

  Debut author Steve Vera brings us Drynn, book one in his Last of the Shardyn urban fantasy trilogy. The heroes of two worlds reluctantly join forces to fight the Lord of the Underworld. Joining Steve in the urban fantasy category is David Bridger, returning with his sequel to Quarter Square. Golden Triangle is the story of a golden man, werewolf bikers and two nemeses.

  How Beauty Saved the Beast is the second book in Jax Garren’s continuing science fiction romance trilogy, and the sexual tension is ramping up! A burlesque dancer and a scarred soldier defend a colony of anarchists as friends and fellow agents, but when a new weapon threatens to rip them apart, sparks fly as the dancer must take the lead in a fight for the soldier’s life. Don’t miss the trilogy’s conclusion in May.

  Returning authors Stacy Gail, Inez Kelley, Shona Husk and Christopher Beats all deliver their respective book twos this month, all in four different genres. Don’t miss paranormal romance Savage Angel, fantasy romance Time Dancer, Western fantasy romance Dark Secrets and steampunk mystery Vacant Graves.

  Also in February, author Shawna Thomas launches her newest fantasy series with Journey of Awakening. Trained from birth for one purpose, Sara must reunite three ancient stones to restore balance to the land, but one of the stone keepers has other plans.

  Longing for a heroine who’s not your typical heroine? Have an interest in a unique fairy tale retelling? Tia Nevitt delivers both in her latest Accidental Enchantments offering, The Magic Mirror and the Seventh Dwarf, a Snow White retelling where the seventh dwarf is a young woman who walks into adventure with a runaway princess, a prince cursed by a magic mirror, and a romance of her own.

  Last, but definitely not least, are our February offerings for those of you who want to read outside of science fiction, fantasy and paranormal. Mystery author Monique Domovitch joins Carina Press with Getting Skinny, the first in her Chef Landry Mystery series. Charlie Cochrane delivers another heart-wrenching tale of love in male/male historical Promises Made Under Fire. And cool Southern belle Althea Grant’s subdued life as an art gallery owner burns out of control when a seductive bad-boy metal sculptor pushes her to explore her deepest, most thrilling desires in Platinum, Jeffe Kennedy’s newest BDSM erotic romance book.

  We’re pleased to introduce debut author Darcy Daniel with her contemporary romance Playing the Part. Famous actress Anthea Cane meets her match when she encounters an enigmatic blind farmer…but has she also met the man of her dreams?

  And despite my claim that not everything has to be hearts and roses, I’m still a die-hard romantic, so I hope all of you discover an amazing happily ever after this Valentine’s Day, whether between the pages of a Carina Press book or channel surfing on the couch next to you.

  We love to hear from readers, and you can email us your thoughts, comments and questions to generalinquiries@carinapress.com. You can also interact with Carina Press staff and authors on our blog, Twitter stream and Facebook fan page.

  Happy reading!

  ~Angela James

  Executive Editor, Carina Press

  www.carinapress.com

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  Contents

  The Decihall

  The Whore

  The Lawman’s Wife

  The Lawman

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Copyright

  The Decihall

  Service is its own reward.

  Mistakes are the decisions that seemed like a good idea at the time. But years later they come back to haunt like a breath that never reached the afterland. Which is how I was destined to end up when I died—wandering aimlessly, forever denied the Lords’ grace because I didn’t have a trade.

  Whores don’t get trade papers from any of the ten Lords. No Union wants us. It doesn’t bother me most days. The Arcane Lord I was born to serve refused me entrance to His Union, so now I use my magic to serve myself; or rather, whoever is throwing down the coin. It’s better than thieving and I have a comfortable life, if not an honest or entirely pleasant one.

  I buttoned up my dark purple coat, which I’d bought with my tongue firmly in cheek since it was almost black, the color of the Arcane Lord. Around the cuff and collar was a pale pink band that gradually faded into the purple. It had been fashionable two years ago. Still, it didn’t seem right to wear my favorite red silk coat to the Decihall before noon. Usually I didn’t bother going; I’m not allowed in because of my occupation.

  If I’d been a thief I’d have been in the same situation—no trade, no Lord, no entrance to the Decihall. Between the two choices, whoring had seemed like the better option; a little magic and they thought they were getting a good time while I pocketed their coin.

  I combed my hair and tied it back—it was too long to be fashionable for a man but I didn’t care—then ran my hand along my jaw. There was a day’s worth of stubble. I might shave tonight before the clients arrived, as most preferred a smoother cheek. After a final glance at my reflection I put on my hat and went downstairs, looking like any dapper gentleman with too much coin to spend.

  “You can’t stay away, can you, Haidyn?” Korene looked up from the books that tallied our takings and spendings. She had a mind for numbers, and the truth, that we kept quiet from the Arcane Union. We kept each other’s secrets well.

  A smile curved my lips. “He can’t stay away from me either. I just want a peek at his new bride.” And to offer a prayer for her, even though the Lords wouldn’t listen to the likes of me.

  “Let’s hope she’s luckier than the last one,” she said with a knowing nod.

  Revulsion slithered over my skin like greasy pot water. I knew too well what went on in the Lawman’s mind. I saw the places he thought well hidden, and they were not pretty.

  I was used to seeing people’s fantasies and fetishes. Generally folk fall within a range, but a few tip the scales into places I’d rather not venture. Brixen Saw, the Lawman, was one of them and unfortunately he came to see me once a ten-night. If he’d been anyone else I’d have barred him from visiting, but refusing the Lawman would be like knotting my own noose.

  I poured myself a half glass of golden bizum and downed it in one swallow. I didn’t dare take a wander through town
without dampening my magic first. Korene watched without saying anything. She understood my battle, but not even she knew how bad it was. While I didn’t know what I was going to do yet, I had to do something, as I couldn’t live like this anymore. These days it was hard to tell where my thoughts ended and someone else’s began. I needed peace and a sleep undisturbed by other people’s desires. To be loved for who I was, not what I could do, but I’d thrown it away six years ago because of foolish, prideful youth.

  I tossed Korene a smile, pulled my dark red gloves out of my pocket and tugged them on. Finely stitched kid leather, but even they didn’t protect me anymore. Without training, my power had grown to the point where I could make the whole of Reseda smile with a thought—not that I’d tried, but I was sure I could. As an afterthought I had a second shot of bizum. I’d rather be a little drunk than swamped by others’ thoughts.

  There weren’t too many people on the street when I left the Red Lust House. They’d all be at the Decihall doing exactly what I was about to try and do. People looked at me, but their gaze slid away without catching. It was amazing how many people knew me, or of me, yet how few would look me in the eye and smile. But I wasn’t bothered by the usual snubs, and if they stayed away I wouldn’t risk an accidental touch that would give me more of an insight into their being than I needed. While I could sense their emotions from a distance, touch deepened the connection and my hold on their mind.

  Today the liquor warmed my blood and dulled the edges. Even still I felt the pressure of other folks’ thoughts as if they were trying to push their way in. I took a breath and focused on my thoughts, then moved forward off the spoke road and onto the ring road around the Decihall. Every town had one. Decihalls were the center of life for naming days, marriages, funerals and where people would come and give public thanks to their Lord.

  There were ten sides on the building, one for each Lord. And the Decihall at the center of Reseda was beautiful. Stained glass windows adorned each side. At night it was illuminated by ten lightning boxes. A show of wealth and power. Reseda had more lightning boxes than most towns because the Arcane Union was putting on a show. The Free Arcane Association didn’t care; they operated under the Union’s nose.

  Last spring a Union Bounty Hunter had taken out several key FAA Rogues before being killed. Shot, something the Union had tried to keep quiet because the Arcane were supposed to be immune to bullets, but everyone knew. The FAA made sure of that. Since then Reseda had been smoking like oil waiting to catch alight. Summer had brought riots and autumn tension that was waiting to break. Something had to snap soon. Hopefully not my mind.

  I kept to the edge of the crowd while my gaze skimmed over the people; it was a habit I’d formed during my few months of living on the streets. It paid to know who was around you and what they were up to. Amongst the bright coats were a few black ones. Black, or the absence of color, was only worn by the Arcane or Arcane sympathizers. They looked like dots of mold. Members of the FAA blended in with everyone else. I knew some of them because they came to my lust house too. Ah, the people I saw with their pants down. And the secrets I knew. People’s minds were like an open book if one stopped to read—the difference was I could change the writing and make them believe all manner of things.

  By the size of the crowd anyone passing through town would’ve thought the Lawman popular, but they wouldn’t feel the fear and anticipation pressing against them the way I did. The Lawman was about as popular as a desert skitter in a boot, but much harder to be rid of. Brixen was supposedly impartial and upheld the law for all ten Unions…especially when it suited his purpose. I didn’t think he was corrupt, but he was ruthless when it came to adding coin to his purse. Everyone knew the rumor about the death of his last wife and was here for a look at the new one.

  I had more interest than most. I needed to keep on the right side of his temper so the more I knew the better, and I couldn’t rely on his mind to show me everything. I’m sure if he had half an idea of the tricks I was pulling he’d have turned me over to the Arcane Union, who’d have hanged me for being a Rogue.

  Some days getting out of Reseda seemed like a really good idea. But I had a business to run and people who depended on me.

  A flash of white in the door of the Decihall caught my eye. The crowd around me strained forward. Their breath held in expectation. I found myself joining in, not sure if it was my anticipation or theirs. My heart pulsed too fast.

  Whoever this woman was would feed the gossip mill for a while. I’d heard that some taverns were running a tab on how long she’d last. It was cruel fun, but that people can be cruel for their own entertainment was a lesson I’d learned six years ago when I’d first come to Reseda as a naïve sixteen-year-old hoping to join the Arcane Union.

  Dressed head to toe in the most pure of whites, the Lawman stepped out of the Decihall. As was traditional for a wedding, he left the Decihall through the doorway of the Farmer, for fertility. I couldn’t see his wife, since she was on his other side.

  The Lawman raised his hand and waved, thanking everyone for coming. I’m sure he realized we were only here to see his wife. He turned, and for a moment I saw long hair like gold, a color that was unusual in Westly County. Most folk had either copper-colored hair, like me, or dark hair if they’d drifted over from Easly County.

  My heart clenched and missed a beat. A pang of longing for someone I’d left behind before I’d learned to value love.

  Then the new wife stepped forward, dragged by Brixen’s hand. I couldn’t breathe. Brixen’s wife was my Anisa.

  I stumbled back.

  How had she ended up on that bastard’s arm? My blood ran hot then cold at the thought of what he’d do to her—and I knew everything that went on in his twisted mind.

  Anisa smiled and waved. Her dress was Lawman’s white.

  I had no right to feel resentful or want her back. I had walked away from her six years ago. But the memory of what we’d had still kept me awake at night.

  I’d been young and full of pride, about to join the most powerful Union in Prasine. She was my promised, but when the Union had refused me entrance I’d been unable to go home. Shame had trapped me in Reseda. I couldn’t face her, knowing I’d failed to get in. Once I’d slipped further, I’d known I could never go back no matter how bad things became.

  Now she was here. At Brixen’s side.

  My stomach twisted and gave me a mouthful of bitter bile.

  I’d fallen so deeply into the gutter that I had no hope of ever climbing out and being seen as anything but scum by her. The crowd began to shift and disperse; I slunk back the way I’d come, eager to be gone before either the Lawman or his wife set eyes on me. I couldn’t bear to be seen by either today. How was I going to face Brixen when he came to my bed?

  The liquor I’d drunk became poison in my blood. In the small side road I placed my palm against the cool stone wall, my gut heaving. I swallowed hard and closed my eyes and fought for control. I couldn’t fall apart in public as that would be bad for business and would attract too much of the wrong attention.

  I straightened slowly, then I smoothed my coat and forced my feet to move as if I had not a care in the world. But my boiling blood was killing me and every time I blinked I saw Anisa on the Lawman’s arm. Tonight she’d be in his bed. I wanted to turn around and tell her to run, that whatever he’d told her were lies. I didn’t want her to know the horror that dwelled in the Lawman’s heart. But I couldn’t say anything. She’d made her vow before the ten Lords, which was more than I’d ever done, and I doubted she’d believe a word out of my mouth.

  With a false spring in my step I walked back to the Red Lust House. Korene was sitting at the front desk in case a traveller came by seeking a warm bed and company. She took one look at me and stood as if to make sure I didn’t fall over.

  “What happened?” She touched the sleeve of my coat for a heartbeat. Korene was one of the few people I could easily be around, for the simple reason that I was aro
und her all the time and had learned to separate her thoughts from mine. Not even she knew my power had grown beyond the need for touch. I knew her mind when she walked into a room, but I hadn’t the heart to tell her how badly I was falling apart. She was my business partner and depended on me.

  I couldn’t form a word. I didn’t know where to start, and Korene knew my past better than anyone.

  “Haidyn?”

  I slumped onto a chaise, usually draped with one of my beautiful staff, and rested my head in my hands. My palms were smooth from the lack of real work. If I’d been a real man with a trade and papers they’d be roughened with labor. I’d prefer that to the scars that formed in my mind every time I let someone in and turned their thoughts into reality.

  Her skirts swished in shades of green as she kneeled in front of me. “What did Brixen do? Are we in trouble?”

  I lifted my gaze. Korene was truly worried. The only thing that scared my whores was the threat of the brand.

  “We are fine,” I said softly, my voice on the edge of breaking. And we were. For us in the lust house, life would go on as usual. I’m sure that for most folk who’d seen the Lawman’s marriage service life would remain unchanged. But for me, something had been broken and could never be fixed.

  “Then what? You look like you’ve seen a skinless fox.”

  Seeing that nightmare hunting me down would’ve been preferable.

  “I know Brixen’s wife.” My voice was flat.

  There was a pause before Korene spoke. “Know, as in know?” She raised her eyebrows suggestively. We might trade in flesh but that didn’t mean we were crude in our discussions of it. That was reserved for those who plied the taverns and corners. I knew because that’s where I’d started out before working my way up to owner of the best lust house in Reseda. I had all the trappings of wealth and status without any of the benefits.

  I nodded. Just once, before I’d left for Reseda. It was a memory I clung to the way a drowning man might hold fast to driftwood.