Nine Houses rule the nation, and Melaina stays away from them at all costs. She lives by one hard rule: never mingle with the supernatural. Driven by fear of discovery, she remains on the fringes of society, occasionally stealing to provide for her aunt and her brother. When the opportunity to work for a corporation not owned by a House falls into her lap, she can’t believe her luck. With a forged non-magical certification in hand, she’s ready to embrace a bright future. Unfortunately, the future is an ambush by blackmailing thugs, notorious assassins, and an unscrupulous House leader. Entrenched in House conflict, Melaina’s dream of normalcy has turned into her worst nightmare. Now, to save her brother and family secrets, she’ll have to partake in one last dangerous heist. Success means exposing her forbidden magic, but failure could cost the lives of everyone she loves.

Betrayed, hunted, afraid...half broken. Melaina escaped Henry Nazar’s thugs, but her loved ones paid the price. Desperate to find her aunt, Melaina accepts help from the last person she should: Soldier Bradley Savini, her ex-boyfriend turned rogue hunter. Together, they embark on the hunt for Camila’s whereabouts, dodging thugs, soldiers, and other breed with agendas of their own. And what they uncover could be the one thing to break Melaina forever.

Melaina’s escape plan fell by the wayside. She's entrapped in the tenacious clutches of the very people she’s been running from. Yet, when she finds the opportunity to damn the Resistance and set herself free, she withholds vital information. Deep in her heart, she believes in their cause. Torn between a life on the run, the Resistance, and helping the Houses prevent a war, Melaina finally makes a choice . . . but it’s much too late. The lives of loved ones are on the line. And now, to save them all, she must surrender to the beast within–even if it means losing herself.

The stakes have risen, and I don’t think I can pay the price. Not only am I wanted by every faction, but the Resistance is closer than ever to reaching their goal. Not. My. Problem. My plans are simple: run and hide. I have no dillusions of grandeur, nor do I care enough to help. But when I’m offered a clean slate in exchange of completing one task for the Coalition, I can’t help but fall for the temptation. What I find, however, is so far from what I expect, it is not even on the list of possibilities. Don’t miss the explosive conclusion to Melaina’s story! Perfect for fans of K. M. Shea, Lindsay Buroker, Jennifer Estep, Shannon Mayer and many more!