After months of running, Ven finds himself thrust into a dangerous world of magic and murder—and tumbling into a tantalizing throuple—in this spicy queer urban fantasy.

Ven Parna accidentally obtained a contract that gives him shadow-stepping powers, which he was super excited about until people tried to kill him for it. Broke and tired of running from pursuers who want his magic for themselves, he’s finally settled in his latest home—complete with a job, a friend, and his beloved cat—and he’d really prefer not to run again.

Of course, trouble finds him anyway in the form of (very hot, very wealthy) Kieran Matthews, who proposes a trade: Ven will use his rare magic to keep Kieran safe from his arranged fiancé, who may or may not have killed his own brother, and Kieran will use his seemingly unending financial resources to protect Ven from whoever’s chasing him. Ven accepts, and soon discovers that the fiancé, Darion, may be dangerous, but he’s also dangerously good-looking—and far kinder than Ven anticipated.

Caught in the crosshairs of rival magical mobs, the three men are forced to work together and their connection deepens. But Darion and Kieran are clearly keeping secrets, and whoever’s been chasing Ven is closing in. If Ven wants to survive, he’ll have to run again—or decide he values himself enough to fight for his new family.

This debut blends the fantasy elements of Holly Black’s The Book of Night with the banter of Casey McQuiston, all wrapped up in a magical life-or-death struggle.

Publication

World English: Alcove Press (Crooked Lane Books)