Dance of Ashes and Smoke (Age of Monsters Book 1)

by Harley Gordon

  He sauntered over to where I perched on my motorcycle as he pulled the shirt over his head. Heat licked deep in my belly when he cupped one side of my face in his hand and leaned in to kiss me. I scooted back to give him room, and he threw a leg over the bike and straddled it backwards, pulling me into his lap, my legs hanging over his. His kisses deepened, and I returned them with all I had, pushing away the doubts that still plagued me about the future. I gave myself over to his lips on mine and his hair in my hands and his chest pressed against me, our breaths tangling together. His hands moved from my waist and he rubbed under my shirt to my spine and back. I clutched him closer, and he groaned against my mouth.

  His lips worked their way around my jaw and down my neck, his face scratchy as he nibbled down to my collar bone, his hands still stroking my bare back. My hands wandered and found themselves on his chest, still, letting the thump of his heart combine with mine.

  Nothing else mattered at that moment but him. This sweet man and the comfort he brought.

  Our kisses tapered off into tenderness, exploring and tasting, breaths calmed and heartbeats slowed. He pulled away and smiled at me, his eyes soft and warm. I snuggled into his chest, our legs still intertwined over the bike, his arms tight around me. Safe and happy for a few precious moments.

  Liv and Aria returned with a few more weapons and we loaded up to leave. No telling what was between us and the twenty miles to the base.

  Another shiver shook me, this time nothing to do with Jax or the chill in the air.

  I opened my mouth to warm them and tried to grab my gun, but I froze. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t even slide my eyes closed at the realization of who was here.

  She sashayed over to us, a dark rage crashing in her eyes. She stepped close until we were nose to nose. “You killed her. But you didn’t win. Even without the power she stored for me, you can’t win against me.” She ran a trembling finger down my cheek where she’d marked me before. She wasn’t as strong as she’d claimed. Freezing us took more out of her than she let on.

  “Don’t worry. I’m not going to kill you. But I am going to send you into a never-ending nightmare.”

  Sweat slithered down my face from the effort of trying to break her hold on me. I met Liv’s eyes, and hers were frantic with terror for me. But it must happen this way. Her music needed to live on, spreading hope to the world. The world needed her light and strong belief in what was right. They didn’t need my fire and rage.

  I couldn’t look at Jax. I didn’t want to see his laughing eyes ravaged with pain and worry. Wherever I was headed, I wanted to remember his eyes bright and merry and green. My chest ripped open. We would never get the chance to explore our new relationship. I’d never kiss him again or snuggle into his arms.

  Adele. My entire body numbed with grief. I’d promised her. But Jax and Liv would take care of her. Keep her safe.

  Maybe I’d see my family again.

  “Your fight is over, dear.”

  I snarled at Tashia, glaring into her eyes with defiance.

  My fight was far from over. I would never stop fighting.

  I would always rage against the dying light.

  Refusing to back down, to take whatever curse she had prepared for me with begging and pleading, I breathed deep, preparing myself.

  With a dark laugh, Tashia spoke a single word. Olivia crumpled to the ground, and the witch disappeared, her giggles trailing behind her.

  Huge thanks to Avery Michaels for being such an extraordinary critique partner. I will forever cherish your angry texts as you read through this book for the first time.

  To Tamara Mataya for her exceptional editing. Thank you for pushing me to add more emotion to the story, and for helping me figure out how to make my poor characters even more miserable.

  To Madeline Oliver for her stunning work on the cover. Without your skills, I would have been lost.

  To Eva Truesdale for taking the time to read and blurb my story. You are a delight.

  To my writing friends for reading and cheer-leading and sending Hiddleston gifs. My world would be a sadder place without you.

  To my littles for knowing when Mama needs quiet because she’s working. And for inspiring me every day.

  To my hot soldier, none of this would have been possible without your love and support. Thank you for always believing in me.

  And finally, thank you God, for your Son and your love.

  Twenty-first birthday? Check.

  Strange new powers? Check.

  Getting through this heinous WTF-ery alive? I’ll get back to you.

  Learning she’s Fae and has powers should have been the coolest day of Syxx’s life. Instead, she’s plunged into a decades-long battle of free will vs survival. Wrong place at the wrong time? Understatement of the century. The Fae Council has brought hundreds of reluctant Fae to the city to participate in The Sowing—a creepy traditional breeding ceremony.

  No one has ever dared openly challenge the Council, but a secret resistance movement has been gaining momentum. Syxx is a Moondreamer—a rare type of Fae that can make wishes come true and will things into being. The Resistance believes Syxx has the power to overthrow the Council, but her untamed abilities are still developing.

  With her new friends—a sexy half-incubus and a sweet leprechaun—pushing her forward, Syxx steps into the role of revolutionary. She’s got three options: Submit (no!), die (hell no!), or start a revolution.

  Available now on Amazon.

  Coming Soon...

  The Awakening of Fiona Archer

  Book 1 of the YA Fantasy, Guardian Fae series

  by Avery Michaels

  Seventeen-year-old Fiona Archer has always found sanctuary deep in the heart of the Allegheny National Forest. Until the day it’s invaded by a psychotic woman who attacks her, and uses magic to invade her thoughts, leaving Fiona temporarily blind.

  In the wake of the vicious attack, her family reveals that they know the woman responsible—only, she’s no ordinary woman. Phaedra’s an evil Faery Queen with a personal vendetta of her own.

  Fiona’s family are Guardians to an ancient and unique breed of Warrior Faeries who bear swirling tattoos upon their skin as marks of their courage and bravery. Beings who are not born with wings, but must earn them.

  Caught in the middle of a Faerie war between Phaedra, who wants to use her as a weapon—and the handsome Fae who holds her heart—and a powerful secret of his own, Fiona’s expected to protect them all.

  With the powers of the elements at her fingertips, Fiona’s abilities as a Guardian soon surpass anything her family has ever encountered. But these new powers come with a price, and Fiona’s sacrifices won’t matter at all if the Fae war spills into the human world.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Eleven

  Twelve

  Thirteen

  Fourteen

  Fifteen

  Sixteen

  Seventeen

  Eighteen

  Nineteen

  Twenty

  Twenty-One

  Twenty-Two

  Twenty-Three

  Twenty-Four

  Twenty-Five

  Twenty-Six

  Twenty-Seven

  Twenty-Eight

  Twenty-Nine

  Thirty

  Thirty-One

  Thirty-Two

  Thirty-Three

  Thirty-Four

  Thirty-Five

  Thirty-Six

  Thirty-Seven

  Thirty-Eight

  Thirty-Nine

  Forty

  Forty-One

  Forty-Two

  Forty-Three

  Forty-Four

  Forty-Five

  Forty-Six

  Forty-Seven

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p; Forty-Eight

  Forty-Nine

  Fifty

  Fifty-One

  Fifty-Two

  Fifty-Three

  Fifty-Four

  Fifty-Five

  Fifty-Six

  Fifty-Seven

  Fifty-Eight

  Fifty-Nine

  Sixty

  Acknowledgments

  Moondreamer: The Sowing by Tamara Mataya

  The Awakening of Fiona Archer