by A. C. Melody
Jag pivoted to the left where a row of glass showcases were spaced along the exterior wall. Any other day, they would be filled with all of Deston's Steampunk inventions and costumes. The lights would be on to illuminate his award-winning craftsmanship. The room, with its ribbon dome of stained glass down the center and crystal chandeliers would look more like an underground train terminal than this seedy dungeon of dirty desires. The doors to the solarium across the other side were wide open, a hint of hothouse flowers and plants tinting the air of sin, leather and anticipation. Red pulsing lights captured the silhouettes inside those glass cases where some subs had yet to be claimed.
Jag knew the secret of their temporary cells. Their truest purpose, and his fingers curled from the shot of adrenaline to his system. Too long...fuck he'd gone too long.
He approached the case painted with a number 4, his steps measured for the sake of his own self-control, nothing else. His size blocked out most of the light, making it nigh impossible to see inside the box, so he tapped his gloved finger on the glass. Jag watched the sub step out of the shadows, draped in a silk robe of red with black stockings covering her otherwise bare feet. Her head was bowed, her dark hair too difficult to single out from any other in the dimness. He needed to see her face. When she stopped just on the other side, he tapped the glass again right in front of his chest and waited for her gaze to meet it. Still not enough. He slid his finger higher, pleased when she followed that silent directive, and stopped with his hand obscuring his own vision. Then, he removed it altogether and accepted the fiery punch of lust to his gut, as he watched her blue eyes widen; red lips parting with surprise and fear.
Did she recognize him? There was a chance, since the mask couldn't disguise his height or build. Not that it mattered. She was the one he'd chosen. The woman who'd captured his attention at the fundraiser and had given him every right to stake his claim on her by wearing the golden arrow on her wrist. Jag adjusted the key in his hand and pressed the ornate pendant to the glass, showing her the number. Proving that he was there for her, that Cupid had stole her away in the dead of night and brought her there just for him. Her startled eyes flicked from the key to the matching number painted on the glass and Jag's hidden grin was sinister.
Happy fucking Valentine's Day, sweetheart.
...
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Acknowledgments
Thank you, new readers, for taking a chance on me and my characters - I hope we brought you a little happiness and entertainment. If you're already a reader of mine, thank you so, so much for your continued support and encouragement, even when I make you wait longer than intended for new books. I promise, I'll try not to do that again!
Felicia Denise, thank you so much for your feedback on Chapter One! That was my biggest hurdle, and once I was finally able to "nail it" as you put it, the rest of the revisions came through so much easier. You don't even know how helpful that was, so thank you bunches!
To my beta readers for the first version of Scavenger, I wish I could thank you by name, but only have your Goodreads user names: Roughseas and Fani, thank you so much for your invaluable feedback and suggestions. Because of your help, I believe this newer version of Scavenger is so much better! It may have taken me a long time to put all of your insights into the revisions, but I'm so glad I did and that you took the time to read and give me your honest thoughts, suggestions and editing tips!
To Anna Adler, thank you for beta reading both versions, especially when your plate is already so full with your own books and revisions! I'm so grateful for your time and for always giving me straight-up honest feedback and encouragement!
To Sharon Standke, thank you for taking Scavenger on as a beta reader, your insights and suggestions were extremely helpful in polishing this book up to its greatest potential! I'm so glad you got in touch with me, not only to offer your help, but your encouraging words about this series. It means the world to me to know that my book left such a positive impression with you! Thank you again!
To my amazing editor, Monique Fischer - I'm sorry I made you wait for this one, too! Thank you for not only all of your editing prowess, but for always spending the extra time answering my questions or explaining things to me, I appreciate it!
And last, but not least, to all of my friends and family - you know who you are, but why are you reading my books? What have I told you? This is not for you...go read something clean and appropriate for crying out loud. LOVE YOU!
About the Author
A.C. Melody is a hybrid author of Erotic Romance and all its savory sub-genres. Confessed javaholic, introverted geeky girl with a twisted sense of humor and a wretched muse. She has a weakness for hard ass Alphas and the strong women who capture their hearts, without damaging their rough edges.
A lifetime lover of fairytales, myths, legends and ancient pantheons, A.C. spends more time researching than writing. Her biggest goal is to provide new, captivating angles on old, favorite tales with enticing twists and characters that redefine preset expectations.
She's 100% guilty of placing all her money on the underdogs, anti-heroes and shameless whores.
Learn more in her author interview at: https://www.smashwords.com/interview/ACMelody
Connect With Me
Blog: https://acmelodyblog.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AC.Melody.77
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorACMelody
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a.c.melody/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9835277.A_C_Melody
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B011PTY1PO
Other Titles By A.C. Melody
Red Sage Publishing:
The Zen Lounge: The first in the Matron City Trilogy, a fast-paced Erotic Romance set in 2192 with Crime/Detective elements.
Hearthstone Alpha: The first in the Úlfrinn series, a Contemporary Paranormal Romance about wolf shifters.
Little Queen: The second in the Úlfrinn series, an Erotic Paranormal Romance about wolf shifters.
Euphoria: The first in the Pleasures of Paradise trilogy, a modern-day-historical-fantasy mashup that's strictly BDSM.
Dark Duplicity: The first in the Dark Descendants series, an Erotic Paranormal Romance that transcends planes of existence.
Self-Published:
Collar Me Foxy: The first novella in the Dark Day Isle series about a Kink getaway in paradise.
Avarice: The first novella in the Hell on Earth series, a Dark Erotic-BDSM-Paranormal.
Avarice Unforgiving: The second novella in the Hell on Earth series, a Dark Erotic-BDSM-Paranormal.
Avarice Unleashed: The Third novella in the Hell on Earth series, a Dark Erotic-BDSM-Paranormal.
The Avarice Collection: Get the entire Avarice trilogy plus bonus materials with this box set. Available in eBook and Paperback!
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