by Lisa Shearin
“On behalf of my ego, I accept.” I thought a moment. “You said that your ‘host integrity’ was intact after all this.”
“It is. My honor would have been damaged if a guest under my roof had been injured or killed due to my negligence.”
“But not arrested and taken home for trial. I mean, it’s not like you were plotting a Red Wedding or anything.”
Rake grinned. Our guilty pleasure was watching Game of Thrones. Rake liked it because it reminded him of home savage home. After he’d told me that, I’d decided right then and there that I was in no hurry to visit Rake’s world.
“As the owner of the hotel and host of the summit, I was honor bound not to harm any who came under my roof. Arresting Gremien Pivaine and Dagara Jakome saved many lives. He ran his government more like a criminal enterprise. Those who rose up against him were imprisoned and killed. We only recently acquired the proof we needed to act. My only regret was that it was not possible to act sooner. More lives might have been saved.”
“And if your reputation and honor had taken a hit?”
“I would gladly suffer any damage to my honor to save one goblin life here.”
“You’re a good man, Rake Danescu. And you’ll be an even better governor.”
He smiled. “Don’t say that out loud. That will ruin my reputation.” The smile faded, and he studied my face for a long moment. “Now that I’m a duke and colonial governor, do you think I’m respectable enough for your family?” he asked in a quiet voice.
I looked up into his eyes, and realized that was why he hadn’t put up much of a fight after Dakarai’s announcement. He’d done it for me.
“You were always respectable enough,” I told him softly. “But why don’t we ask them?”
Rake’s eyes widened. “Are you . . .?”
I smiled. “Yes, I’m taking you home to meet my family. That is, if you want to.”
In response, Rake stood, took my hand, and led me back into the penthouse . . .
. . . and proceeded to give a whole new meaning to room service.
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The End
About this Series
Thanks for reading The Myth Manifestation. I hope you enjoyed it! Reviews help other readers find books and I appreciate all reviews, whether positive or negative. Please take a moment and write a review for The Myth Manifestation.
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Suggested reading order for the SPI Files series:
The Grendel Affair
The Dragon Conspiracy
The Brimstone Deception
The Ghoul Vendetta
I also have a story in the Night Shift anthology, containing Lucky Charms, a SPI Files novella.
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You may also enjoy my Raine Benares series. For me, writing the SPI Files was a natural progression from my Raine Benares novels. Mago Benares and Dakarai Enric are but two of the supporting characters from Raine’s adventures. From their covers, these books may look like traditional fantasy, but I wrote them with a modern urban fantasy tone—full of the type of action and humor found in the SPI Files. In short, if you like Mac, you’ll love Raine. And if you love Ian and Rake, you’ll go gaga over Mychael Eiliesor and Tam Nathrach. My Raine Benares novels are packed with adventure, intrigue, hot elves, and sexy goblins. There are sample chapters on my Website at lisashearin.com.
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Suggested reading order for the Raine Benares series:
Magic Lost, Trouble Found
Armed and Magical
The Trouble with Demons
Bewitched and Betrayed
Con and Conjure
All Spell Breaks Loose
Wild Card (a Raine Benares novella)
Wedding Bells, Magic Spells
Treasure and Treason, A Raine Benares World Novel
Ruins and Revenge, A Raine Benares World Novel
About the Author
Lisa Shearin is the New York Times bestselling author of the Raine Benares novels, a comedic fantasy adventure series, as well as the SPI Files novels, an urban fantasy series best described as Men in Black with supernaturals instead of aliens. Lisa is a voracious collector of fountain pens, teapots, and teacups, both vintage and modern. She lives on a small farm in North Carolina with her husband, four spoiled-rotten retired racing greyhounds, and enough deer and woodland creatures to fill a Disney movie.
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Sign up for Lisa’s newsletter at: http://lisashearin.us11.list-manage2.com/subscribe?u=681363f47430f46d0d895d1b9&id=8e94bd9428.
lisashearin.com
Also by Lisa Shearin
The Raine Benares Series
Magic Lost, Trouble Found
Armed and Magical
The Trouble with Demons
Bewitched and Betrayed
Con and Conjure
All Spell Breaks Loose
Wild Card (a Raine Benares novella)
Wedding Bells, Magic Spells
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Treasure and Treason, A Raine Benares World Novel
Ruins and Revenge, A Raine Benares World Novel
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The SPI Files Series
The Grendel Affair
The Dragon Conspiracy
The Brimstone Deception
The Ghoul Vendetta
The Myth Manifestation
Night Shift (anthology), containing Lucky Charms, a SPI Files novella
Copyright © 2018 by Lisa Shearin
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
ISBN: 978-1-62051-269-2
Praise for Lisa Shearin
Praise for The SPI Files Novels
“Fresh and exciting, humorous and action-packed . . . Urban fantasy at its best.”
—Ilona Andrews, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Kate Daniels series
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“Nonstop action, hilarious klutziness, romance, and lethal Lotharios everywhere. What could be better?”
—Rob Thurman, New York Times bestselling author of the Cal Leandros series
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“Makenna Fraser brings Southern sass, smarts, and charm to the mean streets of Manhattan as she battles monsters and other magical beings.”
—Jennifer Estep, New York Times bestselling author of the Elemental Assassin novels
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“An absolute must-read. Shearin’s incredible ability to combine the scary and the wacky is why she is a star on the rise!”
—RT Book Reviews
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“One heck of a series that is not to be missed.”
—A Book Obsession
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“A wonderfully adventurous series, pairing dangerous mystery-solving with the bizarre and supernatural.”
—That’s What I’m Talking About
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“X-Files meets Men in Black . . . Snappy and entertaining.”
—The BiblioSanctum
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“Shearin is a fabulous writer who draws the reader into her world.”
—Fresh Fiction
Praise for The Raine Benares Novels
All Spell Breaks Loose
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“Exceptional…Shearin has proven herself to be an expert storyteller with the enviable ability to provide both humor and jaw-dropping action.”
—RT Book Reviews
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“All Spell Breaks Loose not only lived up to my expectations but was even BETTER!”
—Dangerous Romance
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Con & Conjure
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“Tons of action and adventure but it also has a bit of romance and humor…All of the characters are excellent…The complexities of the world that Ms. Shearin has developed are fabulous.”
—Night Owl Review
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“Action packed and fast paced, this was a fabulous read.”
—Fresh Fiction
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“Con & Conjure is a great addition to a wonderful series, and I’m looking forward to All Spell Breaks Loose and whatever else [Shearin writes] with high anticipation.”
—Dear Author
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Bewitched & Betrayed
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“Once again, Ms. Shearin has given her readers a book that you don’t want to put down. With Raine, the adventures never end.”
—Night Owl Reviews
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“Bewitched & Betrayed might just be the best in the series so far!…an amazingly exciting fourth installment that really tugs at the heart strings.”
—Ink and Paper
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“If you’re new to Shearin’s work, and you enjoy fantasy interspersed with an enticing romance, a little bit of humor, and a whole lot of grade-A action, this is the series for you.”
—Lurv a la Mode
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The Trouble with Demons
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“The book reads more like an urban fantasy with pirates and sharp wit and humor. I found the mix quite refreshing. Lisa Shearin’s fun, action- packed writing style gives this world life and vibrancy.”
—Fresh Fiction
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“Lisa Shearin represents that much needed voice in fantasy that combines practiced craft and a wicked sense of humor.”
—Bitten by Books
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“The brisk pace and increasingly complex character development propel the story on a rollercoaster ride through demons, goblins, elves, and mages while maintaining a satisfying level of romantic attention…that will leave readers chomping at the bit for more.”
—Monsters and Critics
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“This book has the action starting as soon as you start the story and it keeps going right to the end…All of the characters are interesting, from the naked demon queen to the Guardians guarding Raine. All have a purpose and it comes across with clarity and detail.”
—Night Owl Reviews
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Armed & Magical
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“Fresh, original, and fall- out-of- your-chair funny, Lisa Shearin’s Armed & Magical combines deft characterization, snarky dialogue, and nonstop action—plus a yummy hint of romance—to create one of the best reads of the year. This book is a bona fide winner, the series a keeper, and Shearin a definite star on the rise.”
—Linnea Sinclair, RITA Award-winning author of Rebels and Lovers
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“An exciting, catch-me-if-you-can, lightning-fast-paced tale of magic and evil filled with goblins, elves, mages, and a hint of love interest that will leave fantasy readers anxiously awaiting Raine’s next adventure.”
—Monsters and Critics
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“The kind of book you hope to find when you go to the bookstore. It takes you away to a world of danger, magic, and adventure, and it does so with dazzling wit and clever humor. It’s gritty, funny, and sexy—a wonderful addition to the urban fantasy genre. I absolutely loved it. From now on Lisa Shearin is on my auto-buy list!”
—Ilona Andrews, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Magic Shifts
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“Armed & Magical, like its predecessor, is an enchanting read from the very first page. I absolutely loved it. Shearin weaves a web of magic with a dash of romance that thoroughly snares the reader. She’s definitely an author to watch!”
—Anya Bast, New York Times bestselling author of Embrace of the Damned
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Magic Lost, Trouble Found
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“Take a witty, kick-ass heroine and put her in a vividly realized fantasy world where the stakes are high, and you’ve got a fun, page-turning read in Magic Lost, Trouble Found. I can’t wait to read more of Raine Benares’s adventures.”
—Shanna Swendson, author of Don’t Hex with Texas
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“A wonderful fantasy tale full of different races and myths and legends [that] are drawn so perfectly readers will believe they actually exist. Raine is a strong female, a leader who wants to do the right thing even when she isn’t sure what that is…Lisa Shearin has the magic touch.”
—Midwest Book Review
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“Shearin serves up an imaginative fantasy…The strong, well-executed story line and characters, along with a nice twist to the ‘object of unspeakable power’ theme, make for an enjoyable, fast- paced read.”
—Monsters and Critics
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“Lisa Shearin turns expectation on its ear and gives us a different kind of urban fantasy with Magic Lost, Trouble Found. For once, the urban is as fantastic as the fantasy, as Shearin presents an otherworld city peopled with beautiful goblins, piratical elves, and hardly a human to be found. Littered with entertaining characters and a protagonist whose self- serving lifestyle is compromised only by her loyalty to her friends, Magic Lost is an absolutely enjoyable read. I look forward to the next one!”
—C. E. Murphy, author of Raven Calls
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“Nicely done. I actively enjoyed the characters and their banter.”
—Critical Mass
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“Fun, fascinating, and loaded with excitement! Magic Lost, Trouble Found is a top-notch read of magic, mayhem, and some of the most charming elves and goblins I’ve ever encountered. Enthralling characters and a thrilling plot…I now need to cast a spell on Ms. Shearin to ensure there’s a sequel.”
—Linnea Sinclair, RITA Award–winning author of Rebels and Lovers