Flesh Series Book OneAzaleigh's life is simple until, by chance, she meets Kale. Charming and handsome, Az is immediately drawn to him. But long kept secrets lurk in the hearts of those Az holds most dear, and dangerous plans are unfolding around her.
As her life begins to crumble and Kale disappears, Gage, charismatic and striking, arrives, providing a calm port in an increasingly violent storm. But with every narrow escape from a far from human bounty hunter who's after her life, Az begins to unravel a secret with the power to change her forever. In an increasingly hostile world of Angel and Fallen, Azaleigh must navigate her own path, chose her own side, and ultimately protect her heart.
Faced with two gorgeous men, an enemy she doesn’t know, and a future she cannot understand, Az must make a choice - the man she loves, or the man she cannot live without.
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~Excerpt~
Night had fallen on the forest earlier than expected. Scarlet appeared in front of a small cottage near the edge of the woods. Without hesitation, she grasped the handle to the bungalow door and pushed the heap open. Mland backed away as Scarlet entered.
"How did you find me?" Mland asked. Her long jet black hair hung to the side of her face, covering one of her eyes. Her skin, usually more russet, pinkened with anger.
Walking over to the wall, Scarlet stood by the smoldering fireplace. The smell of charred beech wood filled the room. She picked up the poker and began to move the logs around with the steel. Mland was cornered no matter where she stood and would not be fast enough to slip by Scarlet.
"Mland, you look shaken. Do I make you nervous?" Scarlet teased. "It seems you have been a busy witch. I had finally given up on tracking you, and now look, we meet by fate. What an uncanny coincidence." Scarlet laid the poker down with the tip in the flames. She knew her presence alone terrified Mland. "You have your Coven leader to thank for our reunion."
"They are not my Coven! They are amateurs with no respect for the true art of Sorcery."
Scarlet chuckled. "I don't believe you've given them enough credit, my friend. Your leader--I apologize, your former leader--was in possession of Qeres. It seems their skills are a little more advanced than you would believe. Or should I say 'were'?" Scarlet held up a burlap bag that was stained with blood. "I promised Tobias I would bring back a souvenir for him."
"Qeres, you say? Plan to bring back the dead?" Mland's radiant skin took on a yellow tint, betraying her fear. "You need the Arch to do that. I can locate her for you."
Amused, Scarlet said, "I have already done that."
"I have never told anyone of your secret. Shouldn't that be considered loyalty?" Mland continued to bargain.
"Actually, I consider that a loose end."
"Wait! I have something of great value. Tobias would be pleased." Mland's words spilled out, running together. "Besides, what will Tobias say when he hears of my death? There is no doubt he would be enraged."
Mland pointed toward a bow that leaned against the wall as Scarlet raised a brow in question. Mland went on to tell Scarlet of how she had placed a spell on a Horseman and stolen the weapon from him. Scarlet listened to the story with enthusiasm.
Finally, Scarlet spoke. "Well, you have proven to be valuable after all."
Mland breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you."
Scarlet inclined her head and lifted the poker from the fireplace then drove the point into Mland's chest.
Mland gasped. The smell of burning flesh overpowered the scent of the beech wood. Her eyes widened.
"You were right. Tobias will most certainly be upset. But then again, accidents do happen." Scarlet let Mland's body fall to the ground and then kicked a log from the fireplace. The smoldering wood rolled across the cottage floor.
She picked up the bow before exiting the room.
Fire consumed the tiny home in a matter of minutes.
* * * *
Ten days later
Scarlet stood in front of a tiny wooden doorway made of cheap rotting planks. The massive block-stone buildings went on for miles on either side of the Roman street, and boundless archways connected them at the top, creating an enormous canopy that shaded the cobblestone thoroughfare.
Although poverty-stricken, with many people lying on the streets covered in blankets, this region was one of the most architecturally beautiful places on earth. Regardless, she was not here to admire Rome's beauty or observe its ambiance.
She knocked three times on the door and waited. The white hood of her cloak covered her eyes, and she kept her head bowed as she heard footsteps approaching the door.
A small slat in the door opened, and a cold pair of eyes, the color of night, peered out at her intensely for a moment, and then were gone as the notch closed with a loud thud.
The door opened slightly, making the man who stood behind the frame partially visible. "You don't look to be one of the vagrants who clutter these streets." He sounded relieved.
"I have come for the bounty hunter," she replied. She kept her head bowed, carefully maintaining her anonymity.
"Then you must be mistaken." His words were harsh, and he was clearly frustrated by her intrusion. He closed the door abruptly without giving her any time to respond.
The cloaked woman knocked more firmly this time. "I have come to call on Kano. I seek his services."
The slat in the door cracked open again as the man stared out at her.
She lifted her head and slowly removed the hood, revealing her white eyes and platinum hair, which was wound in elegant curls and braids. Her face was pale as porcelain. When she made eye contact with him, a small grin pulled at the corners of her mouth. "Hello, Kano. It's been a long time."
Opening the door wide this time, the man had nothing to hide behind. He wore black pants and a wool pullover. Kano stood taller than average with his dark brown hair was cropped close to his head, framing a stern face. "Scarlet," he said, "I cannot say it is a pleasure to find you here." His high cheekbones made him appear as though he might smile at any moment.
Scarlet grinned. "May I enter?"
Kano moved from the doorway, allowing Scarlet admittance. Once she was inside, he closed the door and turned to her. "Why are you here?"
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