by Lisa Edmonds
The fourth member of the group stood off to the side, arms crossed, biceps bulging. He’d been standing for almost an hour without moving, expressionless and silent. Kent Stevens was a former Marine who worked at the quarry with Robinson. He’d shaken my hand when I arrived and then stationed himself near the doorway like a very large, very ominous sentry. His brother had been killed by a vampire while Stevens was serving overseas in Iraq. If Mike Robinson and Andrew Davis’s anger was visible and red-hot, Stevens’s was ice-cold. For all of Robinson’s talk of genocide, I was pretty sure Stevens was the real menace in this room.
No doubt my driver-slash-bodyguard agreed. He stood behind me, a silent sentinel in a suit. Though Robinson and the Davis brothers glanced at my companion constantly, Stevens watched me, as if sensing I was the bigger threat, despite the size of the man standing behind me and the fact I appeared to be unarmed. It was this perceptiveness as much as anything that made me wary of him.
“We’re ready to act,” Robinson said. “Give us a target, or we’ll find one on our own, but we want to do something. This city is the place where it starts, Ms. Day. This is where the revolution begins. People are angry after the harnad murders. They hate mages, they hate shifters. They’ve always hated fangheads. I heard local membership in Human rights organizations like yours is up by three hundred percent in the past two or three months. It’s the perfect time to declare war.”
I held up my hand. “I appreciate your enthusiasm, Mike, but as I said before, Human Future is cautious about making new affiliations. That’s what has kept this side of our organization under the radar for so long, while the public front supports laws and political candidates who share our vision of a supe-free future. After this meeting, I’ll go back and make my recommendations and then we’ll decide whether to bring you into the network.”
Robinson drummed his fingers on the arm of his chair. “When can we expect a decision?”
“When the background checks are complete and we’ve had a chance to evaluate your potential.” I regarded him. “You’re enthusiastic and driven. You have good leadership instincts, and I believe you have the potential to do well in an organization like ours.”
Robinson preened at my praise.
I glanced at the others. “The rest of you each bring skills to the table that would be useful, but so far, all I’ve heard is the same kind of big talk I read in the ‘Comments’ section on our website, or in the online forum where we first made contact with Andrew.” I raised my hands, palms up. “You claimed responsibility for quote ‘the biggest attack on the fangheads’ during the protests a month ago, but several groups have made that assertion. There were a half-dozen cases of arson, but none of them were what I’d call major attacks. For a city you argue is on the front line in the war, there doesn’t seem to be much going on.”
“We didn’t set any of those fires.” Robinson looked smug. “We bombed a business belonging to a member of the Vampire Court.”
Stevens’s eyes flicked to Robinson and back to me. I wondered if he was unhappy Robinson had told me that. Andrew crossed his arms, as if daring me to contradict their leader. Even Corey raised his chin defiantly.
I narrowed my eyes. “You’re the third group who has told me they were responsible for that bombing.”
“Bullshit,” Robinson snapped, his face reddening as he pointed to Corey, Stevens, and Andrew in turn. “He obtained the van we used, he built the pipe bomb, and he made the detonator.”
“And what did you do?” I asked, my tone skeptical.
“I chose the target and did the recon.” He crossed his arms. “The bar was closed, but the building was destroyed.”
I glanced at Stevens. “Why did you put ball-bearings in the bomb?”
He remained impassive. “I didn’t. I used silver flechettes.”
That particular detail had certainly never been released to the public, but that question had tripped up others who had claimed responsibility. It would appear they were telling the truth.
I nodded slowly. “Perhaps we can find a place for you with our organization. Let me ask you this: if you had access to better weapons and better resources, what would your next target be?”
Robinson didn’t hesitate. “Northbourne Manor. The Vampire Court.”
My eyebrows went up. “That’s a big target.”
He smiled. “With the right people and the right weapons, it could be done. I want to be the one to do it.”
“I,” not “we,” I noticed. Interesting.
I rose. Robinson and the Davis brothers followed suit. I extended my hand to Robinson and he shook it. His palms were damp. “I’ll be in touch,” I told him. “Keep a low profile for now, until you hear from me. There are a lot of feds in town, thanks to the protests and the attacks on Darius Bell’s cabal. It’s a lot of heat. Not a good time to be careless.”
“We’re never careless,” Stevens said, with a note of finality in his voice that I didn’t particularly care for.
I picked up my briefcase and headed for the door, with my driver in front of me and Robinson right behind us.
The meeting had gone well; better than I’d hoped, really. I wasn’t home free yet, but thanks to the recording device in my briefcase, we had what we needed. My escort reached for the doorknob.
And that’s when it all went to hell.
Find book one of the Alice Worth novels with HEART OF MALICE and discover more from Lisa Edmonds at www.lisaedmonds.com
Meet Alice.
Private Investigator of the Supernatural.
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The first time Moses Murphy’s granddaughter killed on his orders, she was six years old.
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For twenty years, she was a prisoner of an organized crime syndicate, forced to use her magic to make Moses the most powerful and feared man on the East Coast. To escape his cruelty, she faked her own death and started a new life as Alice Worth. As a private investigator specializing in cases involving the supernatural, Alice walks a precarious line between atoning for the sins of her grandfather’s cabal and keeping her true identity hidden.
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Hired to investigate the disappearance of a mysterious object of power, Alice enlists the help of Malcolm, a ghost running from a past as nightmarish as her own. It soon becomes clear the missing object was taken by someone with a dangerous secret and an unknown agenda. When her client is kidnapped, Alice must find her and the object of power before a vengeful killer destroys the city and slaughters thousands—starting with Alice.
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Acknowledgments
I am so very grateful to the readers who took a chance on a new series and got to know Alice, Malcolm, Sean, and Charles in Heart of Malice. Alice’s second adventure, Heart of Fire, is dedicated to you.
I am forever indebted to Heather, Tina, Yelena, and the rest of the hard-working staff at City Owl Press for their direction in the writing, revising, and publication process that takes a manuscript from its draft to the version you’re holding in your hands.
I owe a special thanks to my Heart of Fire beta readers: Dr. Adrienne Foreman, Dr. Kimberly Dodson, Dr. Robert James, Dr. Marie Guthrie, Amy Hopper, Shannon Butler, Christine Rice, Leonora Barry, Helen Wawrejko, and Sonja Laughlin. You are all so very wonderful.
Many thanks to my subject matter experts (SMEs), whose knowledge is as limitless as their patience: Dr. Rick Moberly, my official source for medical knowledge; Dr. Galen Wilson, whisky connoisseur; Barry
Littleton, specialist in human cognitive abilities; and Sgt. Richard Hass, U.S. Army Combat Engineer and my go-to guy for details on all things that go bang and boom.
All my love to my wonderful and supportive mother Shirley Edmonds and my newlywed sister Susan Michelle Edmonds and brother-in-law Josh Herrin. Kisses to my sweet nephew Madden and hugs to my lovely and brilliant cousin Antoinette. I’d also like to thank my dear friends Stacey Kelley, Amy Barnes, Trey Jansen, Adrianne Treinies, Jen Bauer-Krueger, and Jennifer Miller for their unwavering support.
I am eternally grateful to Bridget Talmage and Jennifer DeWitt, owners of The Full Cup Books & Coffee in Weatherford, Texas. The Full Cup is basically my second home and the magical place where I turn caffeine into words. I even have a coffee drink named after me there! (Stop in and ask for a “Lisa.” It’s a honey macchiato with an extra shot of espresso.)
Most of all, I am thankful to my husband Bill for so many things. He loves when I quote Archer or Family Guy. He doesn’t complain when I stay up all night writing and then I’m cranky the next day. He doesn’t ask me if I really need another pair of great boots. He’s seen every episode of Supernatural and cosplayed as Dean so I could go as Castiel. And he definitely understands how important it is that we are fully stocked with good coffee at all times. We’ll have been together twenty years next year. When I was a kid, I used to wonder how people stayed together for so long. Now I get it. I love you so much.
About the Author
© Madison Hurley Photography
LISA EDMONDS was born and raised in Kansas, and studied English and forensic criminology at Wichita State University. After acquiring her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, she considered a career in law enforcement as a behavioral analyst before earning a Ph.D. in English from Texas A&M University. She is currently an associate professor of English at a college in Texas and teaches both writing and literature courses. When not in the classroom, she shares a quiet country home with her husband Bill D’Amico and their cats, and enjoys writing, reading, traveling, spoiling her nephew, and singing karaoke.
Want an exclusive look at the playlists for the Alice Worth novels? Check out her website: www.lisaedmonds.com
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And be sure to find Lisa Edmonds across social media.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Edmonds411
Instagram: www.instagram.com/edmonds411/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Edmonds411
About the Publisher
City Owl Press is a cutting edge indie publishing company, bringing the world of romance and speculative fiction to discerning readers.
www.cityowlpress.com
Additional Titles
HEART OF MALICE
By: Lisa Edmonds
The first time Moses Murphy’s granddaughter killed on his orders, she was six years old.
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A TOUCH OF DARKNESS
By: Yelena Casale & Tina Moss
USA Today Bestselling Authors
Cassie Durrett dreams of the darkness. And lives the nightmare.
Award Winning Urban Fantasy
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EMBRACING DARKNESS
By: Yelena Casale & Tina Moss,
USA Today Bestselling Authors
After a hellish ordeal suffered at the hands of evil, demons haunt Zoey’s every step.
FREE Short Story Sequel to A TOUCH OF DARKNESS.
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CODE BLACK
By: Tina Moss
USA Today Bestselling Author
Gossip mag reporter Sera Benenati knows a thing or two about unearthing secrets…and burying them.
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FROSTBITE
By: Joshua Bader
Getting hired to be a personal wizard for a billionaire may just become a death sentence.
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TWO WIZARD ROULETTE
By: Joshua Bader
While working as a personal wizard for a billionaire, the stakes have never been higher.
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FUTURE THAT NEVER WAS
By: Kin S. Law
A steampunk romp featuring an unorthodox, multi-cultural pirate Captain!
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MAD GOD WALKING
By: Connor Drexler
A stranger on earth and a refugee from a twisted Sideways world, can Damon save his friends before he turns into the Mad God the Inquisition believes him to be?
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MIXED IN
By: Catherine Haustein
When passions are regulated, which laws will you break?
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MUD
By: E. J. Wenstrom
Torn apart by war and abandoned by the gods, only one hope remains to save humanity. But the savior isn’t human at all.
Royal Palm Literary Award for Book of the Year and First Place for Fantasy.
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RAIN
By: E. J. Wenstrom
After Nia’s father dies from a mysterious illness, she grows in isolation amidst the fear and suspicion from her village.
Prequel novella of Chronicles of the Third Realm War.
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TIDES
By: E. J. Wenstrom
Rona didn’t ask to be brought back from the Underworld, and now that she is alive again, she’s angry enough to raise hell.
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PURGATORY’S ANGEL
By: B. Hughes-Millman
We all have a dark side where inner demons roam. When devils of our nightmares murder in their sleep, only she can stop them.
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SORROW’S POINT
By: Danielle DeVor
Not All Exorcists are Equal….One is Marked
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SORROW’S EDGE
By: Danielle DeVor
Uncovering The Truth…Will Take An Exorcist
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SORROW’S TURN
By: Danielle DeVor
Some Things Are Worse Than Demons
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SORROW’S LIE
By: Danielle DeVor
Only an Exorcist Can Confront His Demons
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THE MARKER CHRONICLES: THE FIRST TRILOGY
By: Danielle DeVor
From Examiner’s Recommended Women in Horror comes the First Trilogy containing books 1 – 3.
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SOUL OF THE UNBORN
By: Natalia Brothers
Can you call yourself human if supernatural forces control your every breath, every emotion, every desire?
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THE FIX
By: Kristin Rouse
Sometimes the fix is worth the fall.
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TRUTHSIGHT
By: Miriam Greystone
Rowan and Amy must join forces with the creatures who were once her patients and fight to uncover the one secret that may be powerful enough to save them all.
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WINTER’S MAGE
By: Miriam Greystone
A strange new danger is stirring in the forest …
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UNAFRAID
By: Megan Lynch
When Freedom Has a Price, Who Will Stand Unafraid?
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UNREGISTERED
By: Megan Lynch
Living the ideal life is a human right, unless you’re unregistered.
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WAKING THE DEAD
By: D. B. Sieders
The road to hell begins when the reaper darkens her door.
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RAISING THE DEAD
By: D. B. Sieders
Afterlife management is a tricky business, especially for a living soul broker.
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