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    Venom: An Elemental Assassin Book
    Venom: An Elemental Assassin Book
    Venom: An Elemental Assassin Book
    Ebook408 pages6 hours

    Venom: An Elemental Assassin Book

    By Jennifer Estep

    4/5

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    About this ebook

    What kind of assassin works pro bono?

    It’s hard to be a badass assassin when a giant is beating the crap out of you. Luckily, I never let pride get in the way of my work. My current mission is personal: annihilate Mab Monroe, the Fire elemental who murdered my family. Which means protecting my identity, even if I have to conceal my powerful Stone and Ice magic when I need it most. To the public, I’m Gin Blanco, owner of Ashland’s best barbecue joint. To my friends, I’m the Spider, retired assassin. I still do favors on the side. Like ridding a vampire friend of her oversized stalker—Mab’s right-hand goon who almost got me dead with his massive fists. At least irresistible Owen Grayson is on my side. The man knows too much about me, but I’ll take my chances. Then there’s Detective Bria Coolidge, one of Ashland’s finest. Until recently, I thought my baby sister was dead. She probably thinks the same about me. Little does she know, I’m a cold-blooded killer . . . who is about to save her life.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPocket Books
    Release dateSep 28, 2010
    ISBN9781439155455
    Venom: An Elemental Assassin Book
    Author

    Jennifer Estep

    Jennifer Estep is a New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling author who prowls the streets of her imagination in search of her next fantasy idea.Jennifer is the author of the Section 47, Galactic Bonds, Elemental Assassin, Crown of Shards, Gargoyle Queen, and other fantasy series. She has written more than forty books, along with numerous novellas and stories.In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys hanging out with friends and family, doing yoga, and reading fantasy and romance books. She also watches way too much TV and loves all things related to superheroes.For more information on Jennifer and her books, visit her website at or follow her online on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Amazon, BookBub, and Goodreads. You can also sign up for her newsletter: https://www.jenniferestep.com/contact-jennifer/newsletter/Happy reading, everyone! ?

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    Reviews for Venom

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    382 ratings22 reviews

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    • 4/5
      Venom
      4 Stars

      Fantastic world building, appealing characters and an engrossing storyline.

      The ongoing story arc is developing slowly but surely toward the inevitable showdown between Gin and Mab Monroe, and the gripping revelations regarding Gin's family and the reasons for their deaths make this conflict all the more interesting. In terms of the book specific plot, Elliot Slater is a truly despicable yet formidable villain and the manner in which he is ultimately dispatched makes for exciting listening - it is both poetic and just that Roslyn gets to blow him away.

      On the romance front, Donovan Caine has thankfully made an exit and one can only hope that it will be permanent. Now Gin can focus her attentions on a much more deserving, and seriously sexy, Owen Grayson.

      The exceptional character development is a highlight of the book. Gin is growing as a person and coming to realize that she is not alone in the world - she not only has a makeshift family in the form of Finnegan Lane and the Deveraux sisters, whose loyalty and faith in Gin is inspiring, but has also found her long-lost sister, Bria, and it will be interesting to see where their relationship goes. Gin is also allowing herself to grow closer to Owen although there is still a long way to go before she trusts him completely.

      The one aspect of Gin's characterization that does need work is the use of her elemental powers, which remain underdeveloped within the story line. She has both stone and ice magic but refrains from using them to their best effect, and this distracts from the action scenes as the reader is constantly waiting for her to finally put them to good use.

      All in all, the Elemental Assassin series is thoroughly enjoyable and I look forward to Gin and company's next adventure in Tangled Threads.

    • 4/5
      Oh yes! I am just loving more of this plot. Such a fascinating magic system evolves in Gin during this book. Also familial ties, with her sister, are rekindled. Not to my satisfaction though, but I do suspect that it will get better. Hoping I can find the next book in the series.
      Cheers and Happy Reading!
    • 4/5
      I do enjoy the story, but some of the writing style drives me crazy. There are several phrases that are repeated frequently. Donovan Caine was not even in this book and he still annoyed me. I keep reading these books because even though there are a few things that drive me crazy, it is a great series with some great characters. I love Gin, Finn, Sophia and even Owen. I really do not feel much about JoJo, she is not as defined as well as the others. I am not sure what I think about Bria yet.
    • 4/5
      Gin Blanco is an almost retired assassin (which the author seems to remind the reader of about every other page - STOP, already!) with a barbecue "gin" joint (another much abused fact). When a favor done her on a previous job results in a dangerous situation for a friend, Gin goes out on a limb to make things right. That it involves making trouble for Mab, mob boss and fire elemental that killed Gin's family? So much the better.Not a bad series - just a few niggling little tendencies on the part of the author that drive me nuts.
    • 4/5
      This series keeps getting better and better.
    • 5/5
      Another awesome nail biter! Simply can not wait for the next book!!! Love this series to pieces!

      Things get spicy for Gin! Fast paced and exciting story!
    • 5/5
      The best one so far in the series. I have to say that I wasn't totally involved in the story as I'm usually am by the third book in another series, but this one got the job done. And what a job well done that was. I was completely immersed in the plot since the first chapter and the story just ket getting better and better. And I have to confess my undying love for the amazing person that is Owen Grayson. I don't ever want him to go away and free the way for that boring and judgemental detective Caine. I know he has his reasons, but still. Can't wait to see what Gin is going to be up to in the next book.
    • 4/5
      This was the best book in this series so far! Our resident assassin, Gin Blanco, takes the meaning of "badass" to a whole new level.

      Dilemma: Roslyn Phillips, a friend of Gin, is being stalked and harassed by a giant called Elliot Slater who works for Mab Monroe. Gin says she already retired from killing people but then if a friend is in danger wouldn't you do something about it if you could?

      This book was full of action. There is freaking blood everywhere. I don't know how the characters survived after being badly beaten. It's really brutal.

      We still see our resident characters. Finn is still loyal and reliable. Sophia and Jo-jo is still the best. I liked how they see each other as family. It's so cool. You will guess that these people involve in assassinations are cold-hearted but no. They are awesome. :D

      We are introduced to Bria Coolidge, a cop, who also is Gin's long lost sister. Interesting right? I wonder how this will turn out in the next books because Bria still didn't know that her older sister is alive in this story.

      And yes, there's a new guy. Owen. He's definitely better than Donovan in so many ways. Donovan is a kind of hypocrite. He says he can't accept Gin because of what she is but he always get it on with her when he has the opportunity. Seriously. -_- He left Gin brokenhearted but I'm so happy that he left. Owen is the perfect guy that Gin needs. He's no "Jericho Barron". Far from it. But he definitely won the hearts of the fans of these series. Right guys?

      I am so glad that I found this series to my liking. I'm definitely eager to read the next installment. ^_^
    • 5/5
      Love these Jennifer Estep novels. Her characters are right on!!
    • 4/5
      Gin is really getting things started with Mab in this book, I LOVE IT. Adding in Bria is awesome as well and I LOVE her and Owen LOVE them. Cant wait to read the next installment in Gin's life.
    • 4/5
      I will never understand how Gin gets herself into these situations. I do know that she loves her friends and family fiercely. That is one of the admirable things about Gin being the Spider. She’s using herself to help people. She also finds out more about Fletcher, her mentor, even though he’s been gone for some time.

      I instantly liked Bria. She’s no nonsense, but willing to do whatever it takes to protect the innocent. I know it’s hard for Gin to see her, but I think she does a pretty good job on keeping things from getting too personal.

      I freaking love Owen. He’s smart and knows how to get under Gin’s skin. Sometimes in a bad way, but mostly in a good way. He’s almost a perfect fit into her world, and doesn’t look at her like she’s an awful person for what she decides to do.

      The only thing that bugs me is the repetitiveness from the previous books. And sometimes even the events that happened in this book.
    • 5/5
      So far Venom is my favorite book of the Elemental Assassin series. The character growth, again, is amazing. The plot is ridiculously suspenseful, the romance is steamy, and the pacing is perfect. This book blew me away. I'm completely in love with this series. I love it as much as I love the Women of the Otherworld series by Kelley Armstrong, and that is my favorite series of all time. Estep is a fantastic writer, and this installment does not disappoint. Gin keeps evolving, and I really like who she's turning into. She's still a bad ass, but she's also showing more heart. Yes, she's still cold, logical, and brutal, but she also has a soul. She's definitely a heroine I can get behind. I love reading things from her perspective, too, and I really admire the lengths she's willing to go to in order to keep her friends and family safe. She's selfless in many ways, but she's still a fighter. She's one of the best female characters I've ever read. The secondary characters are all amazing, and I am enjoying getting to know more about all of them. I still adore Finn, but Owen has really grown on me too. He's pretty much perfect for Gin, and I hope he sticks around for a few books (if not the rest of the series). He's a ton better than Donovan, that's for sure. Violent is another pleasant surprise. She's a tough girl, even though she didn't seem like it when she was first introduced. Also, Roslyn is an impressive character, and so is Bria. This series just has an amazing cast. Even the bad guys are complex and intriguing. Each character is an individual with his or her own voice, and none of them are stereotypes. Each character is fleshed out and interesting in his or her own way. The plot is action-packed and full of suspense. There isn't a ton of mystery, but I was kept on the edge of my seat the entire time. The pacing is perfect, and I didn't get bored at all. I'm not completely clear about how Gin gets the knives to stay in her sleeves, and I keep trying to figure out the schematics of it. I think I'm going with she has them strapped up in there, though nothing like that has been mentioned... Random, I know. Anyway, I couldn't put this book down, and it was a super quick read for me. I really like where this series is going. Overall, I'd recommend this book and series to everyone who enjoys kick ass female leads and urban fantasy/supernatural novels. I'm not a huge fan of a lot of supernatural series. I only read Patricia Briggs, Jeaniene Frost, Chloe Neill, and Kelley Armstrong. That being said, I am completely in love with this series. If you like any of these authors, then I'd definitely recommend giving this series a try.
    • 4/5
      Got a question for you... what color are Gin's eyes? What are her knives made of? What is on her palms? I could go on with examples of descriptions that are repeated, over and over and over. And I'm not talking about repetition between books, but within this one book. Eyes aren't just eyes, they are violet or grey or blue or cold or hard or... well, they were never staring... but they were glazed in death I believe.Most active eyes I've ever experienced, in this series, really.That being said... if you can get over the repeated descriptions and Estep's penchant for listing things in threes ("chest, back, buttocks", "rape, torture, kill" and so on), this story was actually the best of the three. The pseudo-love angst from book 2 is just hinted at here, and Gin actually manages to kill someone(s) almost as planned and not by accident or by sheer luck. Almost as if she were a real assassin. Not quite, but almost.I liked the "romance" in this installment - at least the guy this time is reasonable. And I liked the link to Gin's past. And the killing, murder and mayhem that runs through the whole book, with various victims, but always involving Gin in some manner.There isn't much sex, and what there is was added to the end - but the non-stop action sort of explains that... hard to stop for some loving when you have a giant or two to kill.
    • 5/5
      My life is hard for Gin and Finn. Giants, not just regular ones, nasty super fast killer giants want to kill them. Gin gets beaten and beaten some more. Mab watches and lingers putting everything Gin holds dear in even more danger. A person from Gin's past resurfaces and she is on Mab's hit list. An old truth is exposed and many horrible secrets emerge.
      Wonderful action, dark brutality and a start of a love story. I am anxious to get to the next book.
    • 5/5
      ****Review will contain mild spoilers if you are not update on the series.****

      Ok the awesomeness of this series just gets better with each book. Each book in the Elemental Assassins series has its own plot with a bigger picture plot surrounding the murder of Gin’s mother and older sister. Things keep building as Gin finds out more about that night and about her later handler, Flecter.

      Gin is still mourning her handler and foster father, Fletcher. She is also having a hard time with her love life. But as one douche bag leaves town; another HOTTER and more suited for Gin, guy comes along.

      “I don’t judge you for what you’ve done, Gin. Why are you judging me for another man’s mistakes? Because Donovan Caine did make a mistake,” Owen said in a soft voice. “Letting someone like you go.”

      By the time Venom ends I can’t see a more perfect guy for Gin than Owen.

      Gin just can’t seem to stay retired from the assassin gig. But instead of getting paid for her skills she is using them as a service to the good people of Ashland.

      “I’m just wondering how exactly I went from being the Spider to the Robin fucking Hood of the greater Ashland area... Instead of stealing from the rich, I’m stabbing them to death for the poor.”

      Gin and gang has their hands full trying to help Rosyln Phillips with a stalker problem. The stalker in question is Elliot Slater, Mab Monroe’s head of security. Gin has no problem planning a way to kill the giant, since we start out Venom with Slater beating the crap out of Gin on the college campus. How can that be? Gin decides to go along with the beating as not to give away her cover as Gin Blanco.

      Gin spends a great deal of Venom protecting her cover in order to get closer to Mab Monroe and figuring out a way to take her out for killing her family all those years ago.

      Speaking of family, Gin finally gets to meet her baby sister that she thought died with her other sister and mother on that dark night. Gin and baby sister Bria are on different sides of the law but are more alike than either would have guessed.

      Venom is full of action, mystery and a healthy dose of dark humor and snark. I love the world and characters that Jennifer Estep has built. It’s been a while since a series has grabbed me the way this one has.

      And now that I’m done with this review and can now start Tangled Threads!
    • 4/5
      Review courtesy of Dark Faerie TalesQuick & Dirty: Our favorite Spider comes out of the shadows to save a friend from a stalker, and exact a little revenge at the same time. Opening Sentence: The bastards never even would have gotten close to me if I hadn’t had the flu.The Review: What entices Gin from her comfortable bar stool in her beloved Pork Pit? Well, getting the crap beat out of her is a start. Also, when you find out that a friend who is suffering because she helped you out might be incentive enough. It might be because Gin finally finds her long lost sister, who happens to be a cop. Some days, you have to wonder what Gin ever did to Fate to piss her off so bad. Gin Blanco is a semi-retired assassin that now runs the Pork Pit, the best BBQ restaurant in Ashland. I say semi-retired because she is slightly bored and keeps doing jobs for friends and underdogs for free; much to the dismay of her foster brother, Finn. Her last job brought attention to one of Finn’s, and sometimes Gin’s, friend and co-conspirator Roslyn Phillips. Roslyn is a vampire madam that is being stalked by one of Ashland’s big wigs, Elliot Slater. Elliot is bad news under normal circumstances, but he has been known to have a high mortality rate among his girlfriends. Now that he has set his sights on Roslyn, Gin feels guilty for her involvement in them meeting. Gin has always showed a strong loyal streak when it comes to her friends in the past. She also has a strict moral code that makes her feel responsible for Roslyn’s dangerous position. The debt she feels drives her recklessness in rescuing Roslyn from her fate, including drawing the attention of the local police. Bria Coolidge is the new detective in town. She also happens to be the long lost sister of Gin. Bria is strong of character and doesn’t back down when things get hard; kind of like her big sister. She tries her best to be a good cop in a very corrupt town. She also knows that there is more to Gin that what meets the eye, and she is not going to stop until she finds out all her dirty secrets. Though Gin knows the truth of their relationship, she can’t bring herself to tell it to Bria. Past experience has taught Gin to fear rejection. Can Bria, a straight shooter, love Gin as she is? Will Gin’s past be too much for Bria like it was for the sexy absentee detective Donovan Caine? Speaking of Donovan Caine, Gin has a new love interest in this novel; Owen Grayson. Owen made his debut in the last book and has made his interest in Gin quite obvious. He also has a past that is dark and doesn’t hold Gin’s past against her. We also learn about the first time Gin and Owen meet, so many years ago. Gin is constantly testing his resolve by flaunting her past and her darker solutions toward problems. She keeps expecting Owen to be disgusted with her just like Donovan was. Will Gin open herself up to yet another man who may reject her? If she does let Owen in, will her experiences with Donovan always overshadow their relationship? Gin takes an ambitious stand at the end of this book. Will she survive long enough to avenge her family or is she seriously outclassed? This series just keeps getting better with each book. As much as Gin roots for the underdog, I too am hoping that the Spider comes out on top. Notable Scene: “I can’t believe you dragged me down here tonight,” I muttered. “We have things to do, remember? Long-lost sisters to investigate, Mab Monroe assassination plans to make, her pesky minions to dispatch. Or have you forgotten about all that?” Finn pulled his bright green gaze away from a busty blond hooker long enough to glance at me. “Did you say something, Gin?” I rolled my eyes. “Nothing important, apparently.”FTC Advisory: Pocket Books graciously provided me with a copy of Venom. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. The only payment received came in the form of hugs and kisses from my little boys.
    • 4/5
      So, in this book Gin is still reeling from a major discovery about her family that she found out in the second book. (Check out my reviews of the first book, Spider's Bite, and second book, Web of Lies!)This discovery, along with the knowledge of who killed her family, leads her on a quest. A personal vendetta to annihilate the people responsible. Like I said previously, she doesn't take things sitting down and she definitely doesn't waste any time in this book getting down to business.Although I won't say anything specific about romantic developments, I will give you two words: Owen Grayson. Such a good choice for her, I really hope she can get completely over feelings she has for Donovan, because Owen is such a ridiculously more appealing choice in just about every way.With the first two books, the plots wrapped up very well at the end. With this one - the quest to get her own back in revenge for what was done to her family has been building, and there is no quick fix. She gets things set up very well in this book, but we will have to wait until later books to see just how soundly she kicks ass.I really can't recommend this series enough, every single book so far has been action-packed and incredible! I cannot wait to see what happens next.
    • 4/5
      Pork Pit owner, and retired assassin Gin Blanco, hides her Stone and Ice elemental magic from others as she tries to keep a low profile after killing an associate of the deadly Fire Elemental Mab Monroe in Web of Lies. To her shock, Gin finds out that her sister Bria, who she thought died in the massacre of her mother and older sister; is alive and well, and is now working as a Detective. Gin would like nothing better than to tell Bria that they are siblings, but their respective occupations make that decision not entirely plausible. Especially after her once love interest, Donovan Caine, decided to leave town, rather than be in a relationship with a killer. Meanwhile Mab's prime enforcer giant Elliot Slater, stalks vampire Roslyn Phillips, and Gin decides to intervene on her behalf. Call it payback after being beaten to a bloody pulp by said giant in the opening chapter. Now, if only Gin can keep her sister from getting entangled in this mess as well. Bria, however, has her own agenda which Gin finds during her and Finns rescue of her from said giant. **For the record, this book I had to give a 5 to. The story was outstanding from the first scene to the last. I am hoping that Bria and Gin come to a happy reunion, and not a distangled story line that other novels have traveled down. Book #4 will be released in April 2011.
    • 5/5
      Description: It's hard to be a badass assassin when a giant is beating the crap out of you. Luckily, I never let pride get in the way of my work. My current mission is personal: annihilate Mab Monroe, the Fire elemental who murdered my family. Which means protecting my identity, even if I have to conceal my powerful Stone and Ice magic when I need it most. To the public, I'm Gin Blanco, owner of Ashland's best barbecue joint. To my friends, I'm the Spider, retired assassin. I still do favors on the side. Like ridding a vampire friend of her oversized stalker—Mab's right-hand goon who almost got me dead with his massive fists. At least irresistible Owen Grayson is on my side. The man knows too much about me, but I'll take my chances. Then there's Detective Bria Coolidge, one of Ashland's finest. Until recently, I thought my baby sister was dead. She probably thinks the same about me. Little does she know, I'm a cold-blooded killer . . . who is about to save her lifeThe Good Stuff * Brilliant Storytelling, couldn't put the book down (Damn you, Jennifer -- I have responsibilities, stop writing such fun books that I don't want to put down) * Incredible secondary characters, I dare you not to love Finn! * Kick ass heroine! I want to be Gin -- well without all the messy killing and stuff. Gin really is one of my favorite literary characters -- up there with Jeaniene Frost's Cat and Julie Kenner's Lily * Those who haven't read the 1st 2 books, will still be able to get into the story -- and of course than will want to go buy the 1st two books * Did I mention Finn * Lots more of Owen Grayson who is way more interesting and hot than Donovan Caine * Laugh out loud funny at times - probably best not to read this while out in public * Again, must mention that I just LOVE Finn * Thanks to Jennifer and an episode of Chuck, the term Po-Po doesn't irritate me anymoreThe Not so Good Stuff * I have to wait till when for the next book in the story - god this being patient stuff sucks! * Fletcher is still dead -- hmm I say Jennifer should do a set of books on FletcherFavorite Quotes/Passages"Finn did what he always did when confronted by an angry woman - he checked out her boobs.""Three months ago, I was killing people for money. Lots of Money. Buckets of it. Now, tell me a good sob story instead and I'll take care of all your problems for free. Instead of stealing from the rich, I'm stabbing them to death for the poor.""All this pro bono work I was dabbling in really was turning into public service. The mayor so needed to give me a medal.""This giant was also naked, with an a** that was so fat, dimpled, and hairy that I would have happily killed him just for inflicting that sight on me."What I Learned * That I have a crush on Finn * You can be moral and an assassin LOLWho should/shouldn't read * Those who don't have a sense of humor, might want to stay away -- but I'm guessing if you are reading my posts, you must have a great sense of humor -- and taste! * Those who just like to read a fun and engrossing story * Fans of Julie Kenner (J.K. Beck), Jeaniene Frost, Illona Andrews will Enjoy * Those who enjoy Urban FantasyIf you are interested Jake and I also did a Literary Tasty Treat Tuesday post for Venom5 Dewey's: Why are you still reading GO BUY THE BOOK
    • 5/5
      This series just keeps getting better and better. I loved the first two Elemental Assassin books and was eager to read the third. I preordered it and am so glad that I did; it was the best book in the series so far. This is the third book in the Elemental Assassin series; there are five books on contract for this series. The 4th, titled Tangled Threads, will be out on April 26th of 2011.Gin is getting more deeplu involved with Mab, the Fire Elemental who controls all of Ashland. It's not like she's trying to get involved but when Finn asks her to help protect Roslyn (the vamp who runs Northern Exposrure) from Mab's, literally giant, head of security Slater Gin is ready to help just because of how bad Roslyn is being abused. Now she's taken on a case pro bono, again... Then she finds out that her sister, Bria, (who she recently found out is still alive) is a tough as nails honest cop who just transferred in to Ashland. That's when things get more personal. When she finds out Mab has asked Slater to take out Bria ...well there is really only one acceptable solution to Slater the giant. With the delicious and dangerous Owen Grayson lending Gin a hand from the sidelines...well...let's just say Gin is finding life more exciting than it was before she retired from being an assassin.This was a absolutely stellar book. The writing was spot-on, the dialogue witty, the plot complex and engaging. This book was sooo hard to put down. I was torn between wanted to devour the thing in one sitting and wanting make it last because I know the next book doesn't come out until April of next year! We see more of Gin's emotional side than ever before; she is still tough as nails and I love that she still prefers her weapons over her magic.The addition of Bria is wonderful; Bria is like the light to Gin's dark...Bria is the kick-ass righteousness of the law, where Gin the kick-ass righteousness of the underworld. The complexity of the relationship these two sisters have is amazing. Now let's talk about Owen Grayson. He is such a wonderful love interst for Gin. He is a darker character than you are originally led to think, and he matches Gin in so many ways. I was happy to see he plays a major part in this book and hope he features in future books; he is just such an awesome character.As usual the banter between characters is witty, fun, and clever. I loved where Estep is taking the plot and can't wait to see Gin take on Mab head to head in the next book. I loved where Gin's character ended up at the end of the book and am just so excited to read this book.Overall, this was hands down the best book in what has been a wonderful series. If you liked the previous books you will love this one! I recommend this series if you like urban fantasy series with tough women, with complex plots that are engaging, and just a tad of romance. For example is you like the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews, the Jane Yellowrock series by Faith Hunter, the Jaz Parks series by Jennifer Rardin, or Dorina Basarab series by Karen Chance you will love this series.
    • 5/5
      Gin Blanco is still retired, and running the Pork Pit. Also dealing with the broken heart left behind by the fickle Donovan Caine. Foster brother, Finn, takes her out to the club owned by his on again off again vampire girlfriend, Roslyn. Gin is expecting a night on the town, but what she gets is a front row seat view of Roslyn’s stalker, Elliot, in action. Gin is wracked with guilt knowing she is the reason Roslyn ever crossed Elliot’s radar. Gin decides it is up to her to take him out, and save Roslyn from the crazy giant. This won’t be easy because Elliot is one of powerful Mab Monroe’s henchman. Lucky for Roslyn, Gin enjoys a challenge. Gin is also dealing with the arrival of her long lost baby sister. Retirement has turned out not to be as boring as the former assassin expected.Verdict? Loved it! This is a series that just keeps getting better and better. I adore Gin even with all her faults. She is a chick you just can’t help but love. Plus what is better than an assassin who bakes to relieve stress. I was also so happy to see the frustrating Donovan Caine take a hike. I have good feelings about new love interest, Owen, but admit I still long for a Gin and Finn hookup. With that said, I admit the chemistry between Owen and Gin is good stuff.Gin’s close friends played an even bigger role in Venom, and we get a few interesting tidbits of information about their pasts. This series features a fantastic cast of well developed and interesting characters. I love how well they fit together to complete an intricate, and well paced plot. This is Urban Fantasy done right.Venom was non-stop action. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading. The ending was superb, and I can’t wait for the next installment of this series. A must read for anyone looking for a kick ass Urban Fantasy series.
    • 5/5
      The Elemental Assassin series is the epitome of Urban Fantasy. Venom is like a roller coaster ride- nonstop twists and turns. Venom in no different then its predecessors, all novels have plots that will engage its reader to the very last page. The pace is set perfectly and will take readers on an adventure. The phrase "page fillers" does not apply here, at all. The characters are tangible and developed with readers in mind. What I mean by that is Jennifer Estep has formulated characters with histories readers can feel, relate to, and imagine with clarity. Ashland is still the same town we've come to love even in its most chaotic times. Mab, the Fire elemental, still rules with a heavy fist but there is a price to pay and Gin just might be the one to collect. Slater, is Mab's number one muscle and he's just made it onto Gin's radar. Giants are tough to kill but Gin is not alone and things need to be settled. Venom kicks off with a bang but it should come as no shock seeing as how Spider Bites and Web of Lies both begin with a kick in the arse- literally and unfortunately for Gin in this installment :)Interestingly for an ex-assassin turn Robin Hood, Gin's repertoire is not limited to cutting through giants and dwarves but cutting up some yummies in the kitchen as well. Since Spider Bites I have been playing close attention to Gin's cooking adventures and Venom seems to have a baking/dessert theme which is perfect because it's how I view this Elemental sequel.Spider Bites and Web of Lies serves as the appetizer and main course and Venom as the dessert. Why? Venom serves to enhance what has already been laid out for its readers. Gin will make direct decisions in this novel. We will learn more about Sophia and her mysterious abilities. Fletcher, even though he passed away in Book one still remains important in the sequels and we will understand more of who he was. There is soooo much more that if you've read the first two books you can not miss this one. If you have not read the series yet- you must. I am dying to say more but this is one where you have to read it for yourself.The Elemental Assassin series is fresh in the Urban Fantasy scene, imo. Vampires are in the background and serve a very different role then what's written time and time again- Giants, Dwarves and Elementals are the creatures that go bump in the night here and I would not have it any other way. I am a creature of habit and love my Vamps and Were novels but I can honestly say this series will rock your UF world.Reading the blurb for Book 4: Tangled Threads I predict that Jennifer will continue to rock Urban Fantasy and will set a new bar for other authors to reach.

    Book preview

    Venom - Jennifer Estep

    1

    The bastards never even would have gotten close to me if I hadn’t had the flu.

    Coughing, sneezing, aching, wheezing. That was me. Gin Blanco. Restaurant owner. Stone and Ice elemental. Former assassin. And all-around badass. Laid low by a microbe.

    It had started as a small, ominous tickle in my throat three days ago. And now, well, it wasn’t pretty. Watery eyes. Pale face. And a nose so red and bright even Rudolph would have been jealous. Ugh.

    The only reason I’d even crawled out of bed this evening was to come down to Ashland Community College and take the final for the classic literature class I was auditing. I’d finished my essay on symbolism in The Odyssey ten minutes ago. Now I plodded across one of the grassy campus quads and feverishly dreamed of sinking back into my bed and not getting out of it for a week.

    Just after seven on a cold, clear December night. This was the last day of finals for the semester, and the campus was largely deserted. Only a few lights burned in the windows of the kudzu-covered brick buildings that rose above my head. The stones whispered of formulas, theories, and knowledge. An old, sonorous, slightly pretentious sound that was decidedly at odds with the sinister shadows that blackened most of the quad. No one else was within sight. Which is probably why they decided to jump me here. Well, that and the fact that kidnapping me would be such a bother.

    One second I had my face buried in a tissue blowing my sore, drippy nose for the hundredth time today. The next, I looked up to find myself surrounded by three giants.

    Oh, fuck.

    I stopped, and they immediately closed ranks, forming a loose triangle of trouble around me. The giants were all around seven feet tall, with oversize, buglike eyes and fists almost as big as my head. One of them grinned at me and cracked his knuckles. Someone was anxious to get down to the business of beating me.

    My gray eyes flicked to the leader of the group, who had taken up a position in front of me—Elliot Slater. Slater was the tallest of the three giants, his enormous figure making even his flunkies seem small in comparison. He was almost as wide as he was tall, with a solid, muscled frame. Granite would be easier to break than his ribs. Slater’s complexion was pale, bordering on albino, and almost seemed to glow in the faint light. His hazel eyes provided a bit of color in his chalky skin, although his thin, tousled thatch of blond hair did little to cover his large skull. A diamond in his pinkie ring sparkled like a star in the dark night.

    Up until my retirement a few months ago, I’d moonlighted as an assassin known as the Spider. Over the years, I’d had plenty of dealings in the shady side of life, so I knew Slater by sight and reputation. On paper, Elliot Slater was a highly respected security consultant with his own platoon of giant bodyguards. In reality, Slater was the number-one enforcer for Mab Monroe, the Fire elemental who ran the Southern metropolis of Ashland like it was her own personal fiefdom. Slater stepped in and either cut off, took care of, or permanently disposed of any pesky problems Mab didn’t feel like dealing with herself.

    And tonight it looked like that problem was me.

    Not surprising. A couple of weeks ago, I’d stiffed someone during a party at Mab Monroe’s mansion. Needless to say, the Fire elemental hadn’t been too thrilled about one of her guests being murdered in her own home when she’d been entertaining a few hundred of her closest business associates. I’d gotten away with it so far, but I knew Mab was doing everything in her power to find the killer. To find me.

    I sniffled into my tissue. I wondered if Mab had figured out who I really was. If that was why Slater was here tonight—

    Elliot Slater looked over his broad shoulder. Is this her?

    Slater slid to one side so another man, a much shorter human, could join the circle of giants surrounding me. Underneath his classic trench coat, the man wore a perfect black suit, and his polished wingtips gleamed like wet ink in the semidarkness. His thick mane of gunmetal gray hair resembled a heavy mantle of silver that had somehow been swirled and sculpted around his head. Too bad hate made his brown eyes look like congealed lumps of blood in his smooth, tight face.

    I recognized him too. Jonah McAllister. On paper, McAllister was the city’s premiere attorney, a charming, bellicose defense lawyer capable of getting the most vicious killer off scot-free—for the right price. In reality, the slick attorney was another one of Mab Monroe’s top goons, just like Elliot Slater was. Jonah McAllister was Mab’s personal lawyer, responsible for burying her enemies in legal red tape instead of in the ground like Slater did.

    McAllister’s son, Jake, was the one I’d murdered at Mab’s party. The twentysomething, beefy frat boy had threatened to rape and murder me, among other things. I’d considered killing him pest extermination more than anything else.

    Elliot Slater and Jonah McAllister tag-teaming me. This night just kept getting better and better. I sniffled again. Really should have stayed home in bed.

    Jonah McAllister regarded me with cold eyes. Oh, yes. That’s her. The lovely Ms. Gin Blanco. The bitch who was giving my boy a hard time.

    A hard time? I supposed so, if you thought turning him in to the cops for attempted robbery, breaking a plate full of food in his face, and ultimately stabbing Jake McAllister to death was a hard time. But I noticed that Jonah McAllister didn’t say anything about me actually killing his son. Hmm. Looked like this was some sort of fishing expedition. I decided to play along—for now.

    What is this meeting all about? My voice came out somewhere between a whiny wheeze and a phlegmy rasp. Are you taking up Jake’s bad habit of assaulting innocent people?

    Jonah McAllister’s face hardened at my insult. As much as it could, anyway. Despite his sixty-some years, McAllister’s features were as smooth as polished marble, thanks to a vigorous regimen of expensive Air elemental facial treatments. I would hardly consider you innocent, Ms. Blanco. And you’re the one who assaulted my precious boy first.

    "Your precious boy came into my restaurant, tried to rob me, and almost killed two of my customers with his Fire elemental magic. I spat out the words, along with some phlegm. All I did was defend myself. What does it matter now anyway? Your boy is dead because of some weird heart condition. At least, that’s what was in the newspaper."

    Jonah McAllister stared at me, trying to see if I knew more than I was letting on about his son’s untimely demise. I used the lull to blow my nose—again. Fucking microbes.

    McAllister’s mouth twisted with disgust at the sight and sound of my sniffles. Admittedly, it wasn’t my most attractive moment. He jerked his head at Elliot Slater, who nodded back.

    Now, Ms. Blanco, Slater drawled. The reason for this meeting is that Mr. McAllister thought you might have some information about his son’s death. Jake did have a bit of a heart condition, but there were also some suspicious circumstances surrounding his passing. Happened a couple of weeks ago.

    Suspicious circumstances? I assumed that was polite talk for a sucking stab wound to the chest. But I kept my face blank and ignorant.

    Why would I know anything about Jake’s death? I asked. The last time I saw the little punk was the day he brought his old man there down to the Pork Pit to threaten me into dropping the charges against him.

    Lies, of course. I’d run into Jake McAllister one more time after that—at Mab Monroe’s party. Even though I’d been gussied up as a hooker, he’d still recognized me. Since I’d been there to kill someone else, I’d lured sweet little Jakie into a bathroom, stabbed him to death, left his body in the bathtub, and washed the blood off my dress before going back out to the party. Nothing I hadn’t done a hundred times before as the assassin the Spider. I certainly hadn’t lost any sleep over it.

    But right now, it looked like I might lose a whole lot more.

    See, that’s the problem. My good friend Jonah doesn’t believe you. So he asked me and some of my boys to come down here and see if perhaps we could jog something free from your memory. Slater smiled. His lips drew back, giving me a glimpse of his pale pink gums. The giant’s grin reminded me of a jack-o’-lantern’s gaping maw—completely hollow. We’re going to pay these sorts of visits to anyone Jake might have had a problem with. And your name was at the top of the list.

    Of course it was. I was probably the only person in Ashland who’d ever dared to stand up to Jake McAllister. Now his daddy was going to make me pay for it.

    Slater took off his suit jacket, handed it to Jonah McAllister, and started rolling up his shirtsleeves.

    I sniffled, blew my nose again, and considered the situation. Four-on-one odds were never terrific, especially since three of the four men were giants. The oversize goons could be hard to bring down, even for a former assassin like me. None of the giants showed any obvious elemental abilities, like letting flames flicker on their clenched fists or forming Ice daggers with their bare hands. But that didn’t mean they didn’t have magic. Which would make them doubly hard to get rid of.

    Still, if I hadn’t had the flu, I might have considered killing them—or at least cutting down a couple so I could run away. Although I’d dragged myself out of bed this evening, I’d grabbed my silverstone knives on the way out the door. Five of them. Two tucked up my sleeves. One nestled in the small of my back. Two more in the sides of my boots. Never left home without them.

    Of course, being an elemental myself I didn’t really need my knives to kill. I could just use my magic to take down the giants. My Stone power was so strong that I could do practically anything I wanted to with the element. Like make bricks fly out of the wall of one of the surrounding buildings and use them to brain the giants in their melon-size heads. Splat, splat, splat. It’d be easier than using an Uzi. Hell, if I really wanted to show off, I could just crumble all four of the buildings that ringed the quad down on top of them.

    I was also one of the rare elementals who could control more than one element. Stone and Ice, in my case. Until recently, my Ice magic had been far weaker than my Stone power. But thanks to a series of traumatic events, I could do much more with it now. Like create a wall of Ice knives to fling at the men. I’d sliced through a dwarf’s skin doing just that. Giants weren’t quite as tough as dwarves, at least when it came to cutting into them. Even if they did have more blood to spare than their shorter compatriots.

    But the odds or how to go about killing the giants wasn’t what was holding me back. Not really. It was the consequences; what would happen afterward when their boss, Mab Monroe, got involved.

    Seventeen years ago, Mab Monroe had used her elemental Fire magic to kill my mother and older sister, a fact I’d only recently learned. She’d also tortured me, using her magic to superheat and burn a spider rune medallion into my palms. I was planning to deal with Mab myself after I figured out a few things, like why she’d murdered my family in the first place and where my long-lost baby sister, Bria, was now.

    Taking care of Jonah McAllister and the rest of his hired help tonight would definitely tip my hand and draw even more of Mab’s attention my way. I didn’t want Mab and her minions to realize that I had any elemental magic. To suspect that I was anything more than the simple restaurant owner Jonah McAllister wanted dead for tattling on his son to the cops. At least, not before I killed her for what she’d done to me.

    All that left me with only one option tonight—I was going to have to let the giants hurt me, beat me. That was the only way I could keep my cover identity as Gin Blanco safe, along with who I really was, Genevieve Snow.

    Fuck. This was going to hurt.

    Elliot Slater finished rolling up his sleeves. Are you sure you don’t have anything to tell us, Ms. Blanco?

    I sighed and shook my head. I told you before. I don’t know anything about Jake McAllister’s death except what I read in the newspaper.

    I’m sorry to hear that, Slater murmured.

    The giant stepped forward and flexed his fingers, ready to get on with things. Time for me to put on a little show. I widened my eyes, as though it had just sunk into my flu-addled brain what Elliot Slater was planning to do to me. I let out a phlegmy scream and turned to run, as though I’d forgotten all about the two giants standing behind me. I ran right into them, of course, and they reached for me. Even though I had no real intention of trying to break free, I still struggled to keep up appearances. Yelling, flailing, kicking out with my legs.

    While I fought with the bigger, heavier men, I managed to discreetly slip the two silverstone knives that I had up my sleeves into the pockets of my jacket. I didn’t want the giants to feel the weapons when they finally latched onto me. Most innocent women didn’t go around wearing five knives on them, and my being so heavily armed would be the final nail in my coffin as far as Jonah McAllister was concerned about my involvement in his son’s death.

    The two giants laughed at me and my weak, exaggerated blows. After a minute of struggling, they seized my upper arms and turned me around to face Elliot Slater once more.

    And that’s when the fun really started.

    Slater snapped his hand up and slammed his fist into my face. Bastard was quick, I’d give him that. I hadn’t braced myself for the blow, and I jerked back in the giants’ arms. The force almost tore me out of their grasp. Pain exploded like dynamite in my jaw.

    But Slater didn’t stop there. He spent the next two minutes beating me. One punch broke my drippy nose. Another cracked two of my ribs. And I didn’t even want to think about the internal bleeding or what my face looked like at this point. Thud, thud, thud. I might as well have been a piece of meat the giant was tenderizing for dinner. Every part of me hurt and burned and throbbed and pulsed with pain.

    And he laughed the whole time. Low, soft, chuckling laughs that made my skin crawl. Elliot Slater enjoyed hurting people. Really enjoyed it. His hard-on bulged against the zipper on his black pants.

    Slater hit me again and stepped back. By this point, I hung limp between the two giants, all pretense of being tough and strong long gone. I just wanted this to be over with.

    A hand grabbed my chin and forced my face up. I stared into Slater’s hazel eyes. At least, I tried to. White starbursts kept exploding over and over in my field of vision, making it hard to focus. The light show was better than fireworks on the Fourth of July.

    Now, Elliot rumbled. Do you want to reconsider what you know about Jake McAllister’s death? Maybe you have something new to add?

    I don’t know anything about Jake’s death, I mumbled through a mouthful of loose teeth. Blood spewed out of my split lips and cascaded down my navy fleece jacket. I swear. I made my voice as low, weak, and whipped as I could.

    Jonah McAllister stepped forward and peered at me. Malicious glee shimmered in his brown gaze. Keep hitting her. I want the bitch to suffer.

    Elliot Slater nodded and stepped back.

    The giant spent another two minutes hitting me. More pain, more blood, more cracked ribs. As I coughed up another mouthful of coppery blood, it dawned on me that Slater just might beat me to death, right here in the middle of the campus quad. Jonah McAllister certainly wouldn’t have any objections to that. Damn. Looked like I was going to have to go for my knives, blast them with my elemental magic, and blow my cover after all, if I still had the strength to do that—

    Enough.

    A low voice floated out from somewhere deeper in the shadows. A soft, breathy sound that reminded me of pieces of silk wisping together. I knew that tone, that sultry cadence, knew exactly whom it belonged to. So did my inner psyche. Enemy, enemy, enemy, a little voice muttered in the back of my head. A strange, primal, elemental urge flooded my body, the desire to use my Stone and Ice magic to lash out and kill whoever and whatever was within striking distance.

    Elliot Slater ignored the command and hit me again, adding to the pain that racked my body.

    "I said enough." The voice dropped to a low hiss that crackled with power, menace, and the promise of death.

    Elliot froze, his hand pulled halfway back to hit me again.

    Let her go. Now.

    The two giants who’d had their hands clamped around my upper arms dropped me like I had the plague. I lay on the ground, my blood soaking into the frosty grass. Despite the pain, I managed to roll over onto my side. I also slid one of my silverstone knives out of my jacket pocket and palmed it. The weapon felt cold and comforting against the thick scar embedded in my palm.

    Something rustled, and Mab Monroe stepped out of the shadows to my left.

    The Fire elemental wore a long wool coat done in a dark forest green. Her red hair gleamed like polished copper, but her eyes were even blacker than the night sky. A bit of gold flashed around her pale throat in between the folds of her expensive coat.

    I couldn’t see that well, given the stars still exploding in my vision, but I knew what the gold flash was. Mab Monroe never went anywhere without wearing her signature rune necklace. A large, circular ruby surrounded by several dozen wavy rays. From previous sightings, I knew the intricate diamond cutting on the gold would catch the meager light and make it seem as though the rays were actually flickering. Or perhaps my vision was just that screwed up at the moment.

    Still, I knew what the rune was. A sunburst. The symbol for fire. Mab Monroe’s personal rune, used by her alone.

    At the sight, the silverstone scars on my own palms started to itch and burn. Mab wasn’t the only one here with a rune. I had one too. A small circle surrounded by eight thin rays. A spider rune. The symbol for patience. The rune had once been a medallion I’d worn on a chain around my neck, until Mab had used her Fire elemental magic to superheat and burn the silverstone metal into my palms like it was a cattle brand. That’s how she’d tortured me the night she’d murdered my family. I was looking forward to returning the favor—someday soon.

    Enemy, enemy, enemy; the little voice in the back of my head kept up its muttered chorus.

    Mab Monroe walked over and stood beside Elliot Slater and Jonah McAllister. She glanced down at me with all the interest she might give a cockroach before she crushed it under the toe of her boot. Her dark eyes swallowed up the available light, the way a black hole might. I lay very, very still and tried to look like I was a mere inch away from death. Not much of a stretch tonight.

    I said enough, Jonah, Mab said. Or have you forgotten that you and Elliot work for me?

    After a moment, Elliot Slater stepped back and bowed his head in deference. The other two giants did the same. But Jonah McAllister was too angry to heed the hard edge in Mab’s breathy tone.

    This bitch made problems for my son, and I think she knows something about his death, McAllister barked. "I want her to pay for that. I want her to die for that."

    Mab stared down at me again. You’re letting your emotions cloud your judgment, Jonah. Ignoring the facts. It’s most unbecoming.

    "And what would those facts be?" McAllister demanded.

    "That Ms. Blanco is just a woman, a mere, weak woman with no elemental magic or other notable strength or skills. Otherwise, I’m sure she would have used everything at her disposal to keep from being so viciously beaten tonight. She’s not the person you’re looking for, Jonah. More importantly, she’s not the woman I’m looking for."

    McAllister’s brown eyes glittered. You and your obsession with that blond whore. Why can’t you accept the fact that she’s dead? Buried somewhere in that coal mine, just like Tobias Dawson and his two men were?

    Mab’s eyes grew even blacker. She reached for her Fire elemental magic, holding the power close to her like she might a lover. As an elemental myself, I could feel her magic, especially since she was consciously embracing it. Just the way Mab might have been able to sense my Stone and Ice magic, if I’d been stupid enough to actually reach for any of it.

    Of course, I would have felt Mab’s magic anyway, since she was one of the elementals who constantly gave off waves of power. The Fire elemental literally leaked magic, the way water would drip from a faucet. Unlike me. As long as I didn’t draw upon my own elemental strength, didn’t use it in any offensive way, others couldn’t sense my power. A trait that had saved me more than once over the years.

    Mab’s magic pricked my skin like hot, invisible needles, adding to my misery, but I stayed still, giving no indication I could sense it—or that I knew what they were talking about.

    I doubt that hooker was a real hooker, and they never found her body in the rubble of the collapsed mine, Mab replied in a cold voice. Until I see her body, she’s not dead. I’m going to find her, Jonah, and then we can both have our revenge. She killed Dawson, and she’s the one who killed your son. Not Ms. Blanco.

    They were talking about the night of Mab’s party, when I’d dressed up as a hooker to get close to Tobias Dawson, a greedy mine owner who was threatening some innocent people. Dawson was the one I was supposed to kill that night, but Jake McAllister had spotted me before I’d had a chance to do the hit. Mab had caught me in the bathroom a few minutes after I’d stabbed Jake to death. Evidently, the Fire elemental had put two and two together and realized that I’d stiffed Jake, then done the same to Tobias Dawson later on in his own mine. Not good.

    I agreed to this little test with the understanding that Ms. Blanco would live through it, should she prove herself to be innocent of your son’s murder, Mab continued. She’s done so, at least to my satisfaction. Nobody would willingly let herself be beaten the way she has.

    So Mab didn’t understand the concept of self-sacrifice. Not surprising. I might have laughed, if it wouldn’t have hurt so much. Still, I was doubly glad that I’d let Elliot Slater hit me. Otherwise, I would have been dead by now, ambushed from the sidelines by Mab and her elemental Fire magic.

    Who cares if the bitch lives or dies? Jonah McAllister scoffed. She’s nobody.

    That might be true, but unfortunately, Ms. Blanco is not without friends, Mab replied. Most notably the Deveraux sisters.

    I don’t care about those two dwarves, Jonah snapped. You could easily kill both of them.

    Mab gave a delicate shrug of her shoulders. Perhaps. But Jo-Jo Deveraux is quite popular. It might be entertaining, but killing her wouldn’t win me any favors. Besides, I have other concerns at the moment, most notably Coolidge.

    My dazed mind latched onto the unfamiliar name. Coolidge? Who was Coolidge? And what had he done to piss off Mab Monroe?

    You’ve had your fun, Jonah. Face it, Ms. Blanco isn’t the one who killed Jake. And she’s suffered plenty tonight for whatever insults she laid on him previously. Now, are you going to come quietly so we can talk business? Or should I start looking for a new attorney? Malice dripped from Mab’s voice like acid rain.

    Jonah McAllister finally realized he wasn’t going to win this one. And that if he kept arguing with his boss, she was likely to use her Fire magic to fry him where he stood. So the lawyer clamped his lips together and nodded his head, acquiescing to his boss’s wishes. At least for tonight.

    Then the silver-haired bastard turned and kicked me in the stomach as hard as he could.

    The blow wasn’t entirely unexpected, but it still made me retch up even more blood. Something hot and hard twisted in my stomach. I needed to get to Jo-Jo Deveraux soon so the dwarven Air elemental could heal me. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be breathing much longer.

    Fine. We’ll move on to the next person, then. Jonah McAllister leaned down and grabbed my brown ponytail, pulling my face up to his. You talk to the cops about this, bitch, and you will die. Understand me?

    Cops? Oh, I had no intention of going to the cops. No siree. I was going to handle this matter all by my lonesome. But to keep up the act, I let out a low groan and nodded my head. Satisfied that I was suitably cowed this time, McAllister let go. I flopped back onto the ground.

    Let’s get out of here, the lawyer growled. The bitch dripped blood all over my coat.

    Jonah McAllister stepped over my prone body and disappeared into the darkness. Elliot Slater and the other two giants followed him. But Mab Monroe stayed where she was and studied me with her dark gaze. Her power washed over me again, the invisible, fiery needles pricking my bloody skin. I bit back another groan.

    I do hope you’ve learned your lesson this time, Ms. Blanco, Mab said in a pleasant voice. Because Jonah’s right. Next time you cross one of us—any of us—you will die. And I promise you that it will be far more excruciating than what you’ve experienced here tonight.

    A bit of black fire flashed in her eyes, backing up her deadly promise. Mab Monroe smiled at me a moment longer, then turned on her boot heel and vanished into the cold night.

    2

    After Mab left, I must have passed out from the pain. Because the next thing I knew, a pair of scuffed black boots were planted on the ground in front of me. Whether they belonged to friend or foe, well, I didn’t much care at the moment. I just lay there, too beaten, bloody, and bruised to move. The cold blades of grass dug into my throbbing cheek like miniature icicles. The frosty chill felt good against my feverish skin.

    A walkie-talkie squawked above my head, and someone started speaking. It took me a moment to focus on the clipped words.

    … a body on the southwest quad between the English and history buildings…

    A body? Didn’t he realize I wasn’t dead yet? He probably hadn’t even checked for a pulse. Probably hadn’t wanted to touch me, given all the blood. Couldn’t blame him for that. Besides, this quad was close to Southtown, the part of Ashland where the homeless bums, junkies, vampire prostitutes, and other rough types lived. Mine wouldn’t have been the first body to bleed out on the community college campus. Still, if I’d felt like it, I would have rolled my eyes. I wasn’t dead-dead. Just halfway there.

    I craned up my neck so I could see my would-be rescuer. One of the community college’s rent-a-cops stood above me, a black walkie-talkie clipped to his shoulder like he was a real officer. He let go of a red button on the device, and another squawk sounded. I couldn’t make out the first few garbled words, but I caught the gist of the conversation.

    … cops on their way…

    Jonah McAllister had warned me not to call the police, and I’d been planning on following his wishes. Not because I was afraid of the lawyer and what he might do to me, but because I intended to take care of McAllister myself—with no help and no outside interference. But it looked like the po-po were coming whether I wanted them to or not. Nothing I could do about it now.

    So I put my head back down on the grass and closed my eyes. I already looked the part. Might as well play dead and rest up until the cops got here.

    •  •  •

    I wasn’t sure how long I lay there on the ground, drifting in and out of consciousness, but the lights pulled me up out of the soft blackness I was swimming in. Red and blue lights swirled around and around far above my head. I squinted into the glare. Someone had parked a dark SUV on the grass a few feet away from me. The vehicle doors opened, and two pairs of boots hit the ground. One set definitely belonged to a man, a giant judging from the size. The shoes were almost as long as my arm. The other pair of boots were decidedly feminine, smaller and smartly cut with a low, sensible heel.

    The boots crunched on the frosty grass and headed in my direction, joining the ones of the security guard. I got the sense the three of them were staring down at me.

    Is this how you found her? Just lying there like that? The woman spoke in a voice that was as light and high and delicate as a set of wind chimes. It would have been a pure, lovely sound if not for the cold, flat resignation in her tone. Mine wasn’t the first body she’d seen. Maybe not even the first one today.

    Yes, ma’am, the security guard replied. I was making my usual rounds and called you guys right away.

    Well, now that I had a proper audience, it was time for Gin Blanco to come back from the dead, so to speak. I pulled in a breath and rolled over onto my back. The dull wave of pain I’d been surfing on surged into a tidal wave that threatened to drown me. A low groan escaped my lips, and white starbursts filled my vision again.

    Silence.

    You idiot! She’s not dead. Didn’t you check her pulse before you called us? the woman snapped. Call the paramedics, Xavier. Right now before she bleeds out.

    Xavier? I knew him. He was the giant who worked as a bouncer at a nightclub called Northern Aggression. Xavier also moonlighted for the Ashland police force on occasion. He wasn’t what I would call a close friend, but he’d probably help me if I asked him nicely enough. And slipped him some money later. C-notes would buy you all the friends you wanted in Ashland.

    When I’d pushed the pain back down to a bearable level, I opened my eyes. The swirling police lights on the SUV made it hard to see the three figures, but I still recognized the giant. At around seven feet tall, Xavier was hard to miss with his shaved head and jet-colored skin and eyes.

    Xavier? I mumbled, trying to move my

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