Okay, kids.
The countdown is on.
As of right now, we’re down to less than 2 days before the Hellfire series launch begins with the release of Whispers in the Ether (a Hellfire world anthology) and The Devil You Know (Hellfire book one). I’m not going to take up too much of your time tonight because I am eyebrow deep in the draft polishing of Dance With the Devil (it goes off to my editor this week!) but figured I would do a little excerpt-laden drive by. 🙂
Whisper in the Ether features a brand new short story called Reckoning. This story introduces you to a whole new cast of characters, all of which will play starring roles in my upcoming Executioner series. In this excerpt, you get to see Jamie Hayes, the Executioner female lead, and Marcel Cross, the alpha of the Manhattan werewolf pack.
Enjoy!
“You’re the head honcho, right?” I looked up from my phone to find the cute blonde from the alleyway sitting across from me. I’d been so engrossed in my book I hadn’t noticed her sit down. I hit the power button and gave her my full attention.
“Excuse me?”
“El jefe? The Big Cheese? The Don?” I continued to stare at her, waiting for the real question. She huffed out of a frustrated sigh and rested her arms on the table, leaning in toward me. “Look,” she demanded, slamming a twenty dollar bill down on the table, “you’re in charge of that motley band of assholes, are you not?” I peeked around her to see Dylan and Ace having a bromancey high five over something almost certainly stupid.
“I am,” I admitted begrudgingly.
“Good, then this is for you.” She slid the twenty toward me. “Your next few drinks are on me if you promise to keep that one,” she turned and pointed to Ace, “in line. If you don’t, I will.” Although she didn’t explain further, the warning was clear.
At first, I chuckled imagining her giving him a face full of liquor, but then I remembered the throwing blades. Provided they’re not made of silver, they wouldn’t do much to him except maybe teach him a lesson. Not a bad idea.
“Did he touch you?” I asked, worried he’d already overstepped his bounds.
“No, you would know if he did. Keep his ass in line. I’m not in the mood, and it’s, like, your job or whatever.”
Without another word, she scooted out of the booth and walked away, leaving the twenty behind. I watched as she made her way to a seat at the far end of the bar away from the bulk of the crowd. Not thirty seconds after she sat down, Ace made like he was going to try his luck with her, but Dylan spotted me glaring at him. He grabbed Ace’s arm before he could get too far and pulled him in to whisper something in his ear. Ace turned to me, wide eyed, and nodded in obedience. I tipped my hat in thanks and returned my attention to the sexy mystery girl. Only her chair was empty.
Her glass and her jacket were both gone. I glanced around the bar, but didn’t see her anywhere. Probably for the best.