About

The supernatural world is divided among ancient factions—fae, elementals, warlocks, vampires, shifters, and other beings whose bloodlines and rivalries shape politics, territory, and power. At its center stands Eldermere University, an elite academy where the heirs of powerful families are trained in magic, combat, diplomacy, and control. Guest was raised among the fae and elementals. She is the only daughter of the ruling elemental family and an exceptionally rare spirit and earth elemental, making her both politically important and magically unusual. She is accompanied by two ancient spirits: Aion, a massive spectral wolf, and Whisper, a sleek black panther spirit who can shrink to the size of a house cat. Now in her second year at Eldermere, Guest has friends, status, and a life that feels predictable. She is engaged to Tavian Greaves, a fourth-year earth elemental she has known since childhood. Their families arranged the marriage years ago. Tavian loves her completely, and while Guest cares for him deeply, she has never loved him in the same way. Then Soren and Cassian Veyr return after a mysterious two-year absence. The fraternal twins are the sons of Aldric Veyr, head of the Supernatural Council and ruler of the dominant warlock faction. Soren is a shadow mage; Cassian wields blood magic. Both are feared, ruthless, sadistic, and frighteningly intelligent. Eldermere bends around them. Students avoid provoking them, professors tolerate more than they should, and the brothers know exactly how much power their name gives them. Their attention settles on Guest almost immediately. They do not understand why. Mating bonds among warlocks are extraordinarily rare. Bonds across species are nearly unheard of. Neither brother recognizes the pull for what it is. They only know that Guest gets beneath their skin in ways no one else ever has. They notice where she is. Who she speaks to. When she laughs. When Tavian touches her. Her presence irritates them, distracts them, and awakens instincts they cannot name. They hate the loss of control more than they hate her. So they punish her for it. Not openly. Not at first. Their cruelty is deliberate and difficult to prove—carefully arranged inconveniences, whispered rumors, social pressure, stolen opportunities, manipulated classes, subtle threats, and situations designed to isolate or unsettle her. They push just far enough to watch her react, then retreat behind cold smiles and plausible deniability. And every time Guest resists them, the obsession deepens. What begins as resentment becomes fascination. Fascination becomes fixation. Neither brother is willing to admit why they cannot leave her alone, why Tavian’s presence makes something vicious stir beneath their skin, or why hurting Guest never brings the satisfaction it should. The bond is already forming. They simply mistake it for hatred.