For the Murder
Gabrielle Ash
(The Murder, #1)
Published by: City Owl Press
Publication date: February 22nd, 2022
Genres: Adult, Urban Fantasy
A lone crow is a dead crow.
That’s what Diana Van Doren, exiled crow shifter, has always believed. The last murder of crow shifters known to exist wouldn’t accept her into the flock, leaving her vulnerable. Worse, her kleptomaniacal father’s schemes put them in a demon’s crosshairs. Without the support of the murder, Diana fears death will come all too quickly. So when an opportunity to steal a rare blade that can kill anything—even demons—crosses their path, she decides to play her father’s games one last time.
However, she isn’t the only one hoping to take the blade. Sasha Sokolov, a clairvoyant, has been forced from childhood to serve the very demon hunting Diana and her family. After two decades of service, his boss finally offers him what he can’t refuse: freedom. All he has to do is bring in the knife and the Van Dorens, and his bloodline will be free from serving the demon forever.
When Diana and Sasha meet at the auction, they strike an uneasy alliance. Diana sees a way to finally be welcomed into the murder. Sasha sees an opportunity to get his freedom. To get what they want, only one of them can walk away with the blade. But when their magic inexplicably links as they reluctantly work together to steal the knife, betraying each other for their own ends may no longer be an option.
Book Excerpt
He was, without question, the most beautiful person she’d ever seen.
Her heart dropped in her chest as she fervently recounted everything she’d ever taken at her father’s behest. She’d stolen from a ton of people since they were exiled, but she was certain she’d never stolen from him. His face was too memorable. Angular. Serious. She knew without a doubt she’d remember seeing eyes like his: light brown…almost gold.
Her chest, right where her magic lingered in a tight mass, the place she tapped into when she needed to shift, started to burn. Diana inhaled and slowly let go of all thoughts revolving around the man’s jaw and mesmerizing eyeballs. Whoever this beautiful person happened to be was doing something to her magic, and she didn’t care for it.
“I was right then?” Definitely a Russian accent. The corner of the man’s lips turned up, but only a little. It was so minute, Diana wasn’t sure she didn’t make it up, and if he noticed her pain, he didn’t let on. What was this jerk doing to her magic? Being able to shift and escape this supernatural hellscape was vital to her survival if things went south. “Van Doren. Obviously not Charles, and you’re too young to be his wife.”
Diana continued to say nothing because saying anything would have her head separated from her shoulders faster than she could run. The werewolves in the room could definitely hear whoever this guy was if they were paying attention, and there were plenty of other creatures with impeccable hearing too.
If this guy didn’t shut up, she’d be dead before she could even see the stupid knife!
“You could be from a smaller, somewhat secret murder of crow shifters, and you’re simply here for work, but given how rare you lot are, I doubt it.” The man shrugged and pinned her with his eyes. They really were compelling, even though she wanted to wring his neck presently. “So I’m willing to bet you’re a daughter.”
Diana growled and fought the urge to smash his mouth shut with her shaking hands. Getting the knife would be the least of her concerns if he didn’t stop talking. She ground her teeth together as the sharp twist of pain behind her breastbone increased. What the hell was he doing to her magic?
“You seem to think you know a lot about me, but I don’t know who you are.” Diana swallowed and desperately wished Nobu would return with something to drink. Although, given her current company, he’d probably give them a wide berth. She couldn’t blame him. “So I’m willing to bet you’re…unimportant.”
“Depends on who you are.” His dirty-blond hair, tousled in a purposeful way, glistened in the light of the fire.
Diana observed her dirty fingernails to keep from looking at him. “You must not have anything expensive, or I’d know who you are. If you don’t have expensive things, you probably don’t have much money.” The weight of his gaze caused warmth to creep up the back of her neck. “If you don’t have money…well, you probably aren’t important in a way that counts.”
“That’s rich coming from a homeless crow who steals for a living.”
“I never claimed to be important. Not as important as this crow you’re looking for seems to be anyway.” Diana looked up from her nails, dismayed to find the man hadn’t taken his eyes off her face. “But I’m not going to sit here and argue with someone when I have something to do.”
“Something to steal, you mean?” His words kept her feet glued to the floor. “I think you can wait a bit longer. The thing you want isn’t out here yet.”
“I’m sorry, but how is it you know what I want?”
“You want the thing that everyone here wants.” The man raised both his eyebrows and leaned forward a bit, just enough to make her uncomfortable. Goose bumps ran down her arms as he positioned his mouth beside her ear, his breath ghosting her skin. “Hell’s blade: Sheturath.”
Author Bio:
Gabrielle Ash is an author and perpetually tired mom of four from the great state of Texas. Born into a family of mischievous storytellers, she grew up listening to tales of the chupacabra, ghosts, and other things that go bump in the night, never entirely confident that she wouldn’t get eaten if she went out to the creek after sunset.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English, which ultimately landed her in a high school classroom to teach writing and coach the debate team. Dismayed at her inability to wear sweatpants to work, she left the classroom and now dedicates her brain power to books and taking care of her daughters.
When not writing, she spends time with her husband, four daughters, and their dog. The Family Cross is her debut novel.
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