Forced into retirement and ordered to take a mate, she had hoped that taking a bite out of life would involve so many teeth. Thadra has spent decades as the fey executioner. When the fey or their half-human offspring need to be punished, the human courts have no power, so the fey court must step in. If the court pronounces a death sentence, Thadra must go in and prove that the accused isn’t redeemable by letting them commit the predatory crime one more time. Dealing out death takes a toll, and when the fey court forcibly retires her, her marching orders include a trip to the Crossroads until she meets her match. Rik has been waiting for weeks at the Crossroads, and the moment he sees the fey woman radiating power and control, he knows that she is meant for him. He just has to convince her that a fey-shark shifter is warmer blooded than their reputation would suggest. Word Count: 16908