The following is an excerpt from Fire and Brimstone. The first book in my new Mulberry Underground series featuring the Hellhounds of Mulberry. Fire and Brimstone will be published February 15th, 2023! Enjoy!

Desmon Burrage glared down at the city from above, the cool glass of scotch in his hand quickly heating to a boil as he searched the streets below. His anger built as he sensed his woman somewhere just beyond his reach. The only thing keeping him from actively searching for her was that he had business to attend to. The city's lights were too bright, but Desmon could still smell the tang of smoke in the air. Smoke from the fire he'd set on the property of his business partner's rival.

"Do I need to remind you where you are?" A dark whisper said from his left.

Desmon looked up and glared at Kevin Kerrigan. The hotel's owner and his gracious host during his stay in Mulberry. Desmon would be gladly received by the area's shifters but didn't want to expose his hand to those greedy bastards. It was better to deal with the devil than risk losing track of his Phoenix now that he'd finally gotten her in his sights again. It was too late to seek help from the Shifters now that he'd set fire to the Pack leader's estate. A warning from Kevin and a calling card for his flighty Phoenix mate.

"Your physical possessions are safe as long as you make good on your part of the deal," Desmon muttered, taking a sip of his now lukewarm scotch.

Kevin chuckled and pulled an envelope out of his suit jacket. Desmon reached for it, only for Kevin to pull it back suddenly.

"Don’t forget the second part on your end.”

Desmon grit his teeth as he pulls the silk handkerchief that held three of his plumage feathers from his pocket and hands them over to Kevin. His grip tightened on his drink at the man’s self-satisfied smirk, fingering the red and black feathers that Desmon had plucked from his own plumage just a few hours earlier. One feather was more than enough for any ritual purpose. Three was excessive, too much power for any man, but Desmon had learned that Kevin was much more than a power-drunk human. He was touched by a demon. The darkness was deep in his bones, and Desmon had seen firsthand just what the dark serpent could do when unleashed.

Kevin tucked the feathers away before handing Desmon the information packet, “Your mate is gorgeous. I should have charged you more for this information.”

Desmon snatched the packet from Kevin and tore into the tan envelope. Ready to confirm the information presented to him. Inside was all the information he needed to lure Cerrita into a trap she couldn’t escape from. The anger inside him dissipated and his Phoenix pressed against his skin, ready to be set free.

“Once I have my mate, I hope to never need your services again.” He didn’t give Kevin a chance to reply before allowing the shift to overcome him. He circled once around Kevin’s head before disappearing into the night sky.

Dodging the high rises, the Phoenix soared through the city. The flames dancing along the red and black feathers on his back scanned the streets below. She was here in Mulberry, Kevin had confirmed it, but she continued to evade him. Five years of this cat and mouse game. She belonged to him. His right was to claim the golden Phoenix and bring her heel before him. She would mate with him and produce his legacy. He would be all-powerful with his golden Phoenix by his side. Whether she comes willing or not. Cerrita will be his.

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Fire and Brimstone will be available February 15th, 2023 as part of the Shifting Hearts Anthology.

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