Inquisitor (Witch & Wolf Book 1) (46 page)

I snorted. “It’s an entire lifetime for you, Mark, but it’s a few short years for me. It wouldn’t be all that long until you died.”

Like Samantha had died, taken from me early, though time’s passage would have inevitably torn us apart. I could forgive his part in her death when my witch’s true killer lay cold and unmoving not far from where I stood.

Mark had given Amelia mercy while giving Samantha at least some justice for her death.

I couldn’t hate him for that.

“So what?”

I shivered again from more than the cold. “Wolves usually mate for life, Mark. It’s more than just some vow when my kind weds. It’s better for both of us this way.”

It was better for me. It would hurt a lot less, but I wasn’t brave enough to tell him that.

Mark smiled his best confident, charismatic smile. “So turn me into a proper wolf. Problem solved.”

I stiffened, my eyes widening as the impact of his words hit home.

“I’m serious,” he said.

“I know you are.” I could trust Mark for something like that, at least. He was a lot of things, murderer included, but once he gave his word, he kept it, suffering through the consequences of his decisions to their bitter ends.

To my surprise, Mark pulled out the slightly dented engagement ring he had proposed with on Halloween. “Give us a chance. I’ll show you that you won’t regret it.”

Samantha would have laughed. No, my witch wouldn’t have just laughed, she would have wept, kicking her feet until she couldn’t breathe from the strength of her mirth. She would, with her eyes twinkling, make a snide comment about how set in my ways I was and say that I needed my fur ruffled every now and again.

Then she’d say, in her serious tone reserved for something truly important, that I needed to start living a little. I swallowed back the lump forming in my throat.

Even after death, she managed to win arguments.

I stared at the ring warily. “If you even think of offering me that old silver ring, I’ll kill you.”

Mark grinned. “I’ll hold onto it until I get you a ring that won’t hurt you. I promise.”

“Ten years.” My announcement surprised both of us. “If you’re still serious in ten years, I’ll consider it.” I narrowed my eyes at him, baring my teeth in a warning snarl. “And I mean just that. I’ll consider it. Nothing more, nothing less.”

The corner of Mark’s mouth twitched. “You drive a hard bargain, Allison. I shall endeavor to stay as radiant and young as you for the next ten years so my vanity is not sacrificed as I wait.”

“We haven’t been properly introduced. My name is Victoria Allison Mayfield Hanover, Werewolf.” I held out my hand.

His cold fingers clasped mine, and as a lord would for a lady, he brought my hand to his lips. “Markus Alexander Dupree, Inquisitor.”

I think Samantha would have approved. There was nothing wrong with making new beginnings.

Maybe this time, we’d get it right.

Storm Without End (Requiem for the Rift King, Book 1)

Kalen’s throne is his saddle, his crown is the dirt on his brow, and his right to rule is sealed in the blood that stains his hand. Few know the truth about the one-armed Rift King, and he prefers it that way. When people get too close to him, they either betray him or die. The Rift he rules cares nothing for the weak. More often than not, even the strong fail to survive.

When he’s abducted, his disappearance threatens to destroy his home, his people, and start a hopeless and bloody war. There are many who desire his death, and few who hope for his survival. With peace in the Six Kingdoms quickly crumbling, it falls on him to try to stop the conflict swiftly taking the entire continent by storm.

But something even more terrifying than the machinations of men has returned to the lands: The skreed. They haven’t been seen for a thousand years, and even the true power of the Rift King might not be enough to save his people — and the world — from destruction.

Available now at Amazon

The Eye of God (The Fall of Erelith, Book 1)

Blaise tries to act like a good human, but someone always manages to ruin things for him. When the Emperor’s most powerful weapon is stolen and its human vessel is kidnapped from the Arena, Blaise must choose between meddling in the affairs of mortals or remaining true to his duty.

To make matters worse, the Archbishop has betrayed the church and God by giving the Emperor the second piece of the Triad, the Heart of God. Should Blaise stand idle and leave the mortals to their own devices, the people of Erelith won’t just lose their lives: Their souls will be destroyed by a power that was never meant to fall into mortal hands.

If Blaise can find the Eye of God, he might be able to save the humans from themselves. Unfortunately, his only hope for success lies in the hands of a slave who wants nothing more than to die. If Blaise can’t save Terin and enlist his help, the Erelith Empire will fall.

Available now at Amazon

Coming Soon

Royal Slaves – The Fall of Erelith, Book 2 (2014)

Storm Surge – Requiem for the Rift King, Book 2 (2014)

City of Clocks (2014)

About the Author

RJ Blain suffers from a Moleskine journal obsession, a pen fixation, and a terrible tendency to pun without warning.

When she isn't playing pretend, she likes to think she's a cartographer and a sumi-e painter. In reality, she herds cats and a husband. She also has a tendency to play MMOs and other computer games.

In her spare time, she daydreams about being a spy. Should that fail, her contingency plan involves tying her best of enemies to spinning wheels and quoting James Bond villains until she is satisfied.