Burning Dawn. Gena Showalter

her mother were alive, she would tell Elin to go for it, despite the risk.

      Well, then. Decision made.

      Moving as fast as her reflexes would allow, Elin palmed the shard and swiped the jagged edge across the Sent One’s arm.

      As crimson droplets trickled down his skin, she gagged. Dizziness struck her, and a burning tightness bloomed in her chest.

      Panic...threatening to consume her...already restricting her airways...

      No! Not this time. She focused on her life goals—freedom, money, bakery—breathed in and out with purpose, and the storm passed.

      The Sent One ground to a halt.

      He’s a slave, like me, and I’m his only hope. Heck, he’s my only hope. I can do this. For my family.

      He turned his head, looking at her over the arch of his wing, and she shivered. Curly blond hair innocently framed the face of a born seducer...exquisite, flawless. In contrast, his bedroom eyes were at half-mast, beseeching a female to naughtiness.

      Anything for you...

      Too bad those eyes were so poison-fogged she couldn’t guess their color. Long, spiky lashes of the deepest jet rimmed his lids, and his soft, full lips practically begged for reckless kisses.

      A ring of angry scars circled his neck, and she frowned. Evidence of an injury, no matter how great or small, did not usually remain on an immortal’s flesh. Had someone tried to kill him before he’d been old enough to regenerate?

      Even with the imperfection, he was beautiful. A visual feast. A rare eye candy. A delicacy to be savored. And now I’m struggling to breathe again, drowning, seriously drowning in his utter masculinity, and now in guilt...grief... I haven’t lusted for a man since Bay, my sweet, darling Bay, my husband of only three months, dead now, and I should be ashamed...

      “Female.”

      The smoky voice caught her off guard. What the flip am I doing? Concentrate!

      “What’s your name?” she asked, the words scraping against her throat.

      Scowling, the warrior faced her fully.

      Note to self: gaining his attention is a mistake.

      His expression was all kinds of scary: hot and dark, radiating the evilest of intents. She gulped, expecting to be batted aside like everyone else foolish enough to engage him. But maybe she’d be gutted first.

      Instead, he reached out to pinch a lock of her hair, the dark color an intriguing contrast against the bronze of his skin. His scowl softened. “Pretty.”

      Her rebellious heart hitched into her still-throbbing throat. Another living creature, touching her with no intent to harm...making her tingle...so danged good.

      How starved she had been for some kind of affection, she realized.

      A distant shout jolted him, and he dropped his arm to his side. She swallowed a humiliating whimper. Like an addict, she already wanted more from him. Nothing sexual. Never that. Bay would be her first and last lover. There would be no second chances for her. But she couldn’t help wanting the Sent One’s big, strong hands on her...rubbing her nape, maybe...or massaging her aching shoulders...no, her feet...as a friend! Just a friend.

      A friend with a magnificent body surely chiseled from solid gold.

      Whatever!

      He turned away to resume his stomping, Elin already forgotten. No! She tried to wrap her fingers around his biceps, but couldn’t. He was so large, his muscles so knotted with purpose. But, oh, his skin was deliciously warm and smooth.

      “Please. What’s your name?” she whispered. “Think.”

      Again he paused. His head tilted to the side, as if he gave serious consideration to the question. “I am My Slave.”

      “Wrong. What’s your real name?” The more he reflected on the answer, the faster he would fight his way through the fog. Without the aid of the medication she may or may not be able to steal.

      “My Slave,” he repeated, angry now.

      O-kay. Message received. Conversation over.

      He moved away as a group of Phoenix soldiers inched closer to him, their determination to subdue him by any means necessary evident with every step.

      He threw them aside as easily as he’d thrown the others.

      Hunting his prey, he tore several tents apart.

      In the fifth, the infamous Kendra sat in front of a vanity mirror, brushing her gold-and-scarlet hair. She rolled her eyes as the Sent One approached.

      “You didn’t have permission to leave your bed,” she said, standing and glaring at him. “Therefore, you must be disciplined.” She drummed her fingertips against her chin. “I know. You will spend an entire night away from me.”

      Oh, no. Not that. Anything but that, Elin thought drily.

      Low growls erupted from him as he snatched Kendra by the waist, turned and tossed her on the mattress. The muscles in his back and thighs rippled with strength. “My Slave wants his woman.”

      “Thane!” Kendra scrambled to her knees, excitement now glowing in her eyes. “You didn’t have permission to touch me, either. If you do it again, I’ll have to deny you the luxury of my body for a week.”

      Thane. His name was Thane. Seductive, like the man himself.

      He moved in front of his mistress, breathing hard and fast, his hands clenched into fists. Elin could guess his dilemma. He wanted to do the princess’s bidding, but he also wanted—needed—what only she could give him.

      “Nothing more to say? Oh, how the mighty has fallen,” Kendra cooed, tracing a fingertip down the center of his chest. She must have forgotten about her audience—or she just didn’t care. “I wish the male you were could meet the male you’ve become. You’d realize just how desperately you crave the woman you once abandoned.” She thought for a moment, brightened. “You’re in luck. I can arrange a meeting.” She unsealed the locket hanging from her neck and scraped a few flakes of Frost onto her fingertip.

      “Open,” she commanded, and he obeyed.

      He groaned with pleasure as she rubbed the flakes against his tongue.

      With such a small amount, he would be aware of his predicament, for a little while at least, but unable to deny his body’s needs. Far more would be required to break the bond between master and slave.

      Tense, Elin watched him. What would happen when reality hit?

      A minute passed. Then another. Then he threw back his head and roared with unfettered rage.

      The Frost had worked. Part of him had just realized what had become of him.

      Elin covered her mouth to stop a cry of dismay.

      “That’s right. You worship a woman you despise.” Grinning, Kendra stretched out on the bed. “I’ve changed my mind. You will take me, my slave. You will take me now, while your mind curses me.”

      “No,” he snarled, even as he stroked his erection.

      “Oh, yes. Do it.” Her tone hardened. “Now.”

      Gritting his teeth, as if he fought a war within himself, he tore at her tank and shorts.

      How did he treat a woman when he wasn’t enthralled? Gently? Would he care that others watched him have sex? Or that his lover actually belonged to another man?

      “Isn’t this fun?” Kendra purred. Never had a person so emanated evil.

      What had caused her to become...this?

      Didn’t really matter now. She was what she was.

      They all were.

      Survival