Table of Contents
Welcome to my worlds...
In response to fan demand, this is a collection of short stories I wrote for Berkley many years ago. Originally published in three separate anthologies, they are now brought together in one volume and are a sampling of some of my universes.
Fire and Ice comes from my League series. Completely rewritten with new scenes, and more pages, its the story of Adron, the son of Nykyrian and Kiara from Born of Night. He is, without a doubt, one of my most tortured heroes. Originally written as a novel, I cut it down to a novella just so I could see it in print since at that time no one would publish a full-standing futuristic novel. Im thrilled to see it included in this collection.
Next is the fantasy piece Knightly Dreams. The idea was born on a road trip and looks at my personal belief of where characters come from and what happens to them if writers abandon them. Its quirky and odd, and completely unrelated to anything Ive ever written, but I love it just the same and I hope you will, too.
Lastly is Dragonswan, which was the first of my Were-Hunter stories to see print. A companion series to my Dark-Hunter world, it explores my clan of shape-shifting dragons and features Sebastian, whos been mentioned in several of the Dark-Hunter books. I adore my dragons and hope to write a book about Damos one day soon.
If youd like more information about the worlds and to see character profiles, please visit my website, sherrilyn kenyon.com. In the meantime, I hope you have a great read and that youll come back to my worlds many more times.
Hugs,
Sherrilyn
PRAISE FOR SHERRILYN KENYON AND HER NOVELS
Kenyons writing is brisk, ironic, sexy, and relentlessly imaginative.
The Boston Globe
Kenyons Dark-Hunter books are changing the face of the vampire novel, making it hip, darker, and all the more appealing to the next generation of readers.
Publishers Weekly
Kenyon delivers the goods readers have come to expect and more.
Booklist
An engaging read.
Entertainment Weekly
Acheron is a must read.
The Post and Courier
FIRE AND ICE
ONE
So youre a badass assassin, huh? You dont look like much to me.
Adron Quiakides paused his drink halfway to his lips. His blood rushed through his veins like lava as he narrowed his gaze on the beefy human in front of him.
His elite military training allowed him to size the bastard up in a nanosecond. Dressed in black because he thought it made him look tough, the man wore an abundance of weapons in plain sight, which said he didnt know how to use any of them properly. The obnoxious idiot was hoping the sheer number alone would deter anyone from messing with him.
As if...
His clothes were two sizes too small to show off the muscles that were out of proportion with the rest of him, no doubt from steroid abuse. He stood with his hip cocked, blustering and preening for a group of like-minded clingons who were laughing at his braggadocio.
Bully. Trash. Free assassin too incompetent in his trade to pay his own bills.
In short, he wasnt worth the cost of a blaster charge to eliminate him from the master gene pool. Lucky day for him because in the past, Adron wouldnt have hesitated to perform that public service.
Adron knocked back his drink with one gulp, then poured himself another. You have three seconds to evaporate or Im going to spray your brain matter all over your crew behind you.
The man laughed, then sneered at Adrons black silver-tipped cane resting against the table. Youre a pathetic cripple. What can you do besides get drunk and glower? Im surprised they even let something like you in here with the rest of us. He turned to his friends. Help me, guys. Help me. You have to protect me from the drunken waste. Im so scared. Please dont hurt me, he mocked. Look, Im crying like the little bitch I raped last night.
Adrons fury fled as that old familiar cold seized him. Without hesitation, he kicked the table over, knocking the man back. Even though his body screamed out in agony at his movements, he rose, yanked one of the blasters from the bastards belt, and aimed it between his eyes.
One shot. One kill.
That was the assassins creed, and true to his promise he dispatched one more piece of vermin out of this plane of existence.
Too bad he hadnt done it one day sooner before the trash had found his last victim.
Screams erupted as several patrons ducked for cover or ran for the door. Others merely looked on in curiosity at the blood splatter. Typical Crona behavior.
Adron chucked the blaster at the mans body, then calmly retook his seat and adjusted his coat around him.
Edsel, the owner, who was a man in his late twenties, came forward with a heavy sigh as he looked over the body. He picked up the cane from the floor and handed it to Adron. I would ask what happened, but Ive got a pretty good idea. He returned the table to its previous position. How anyone with even a single brain cell can mess with you is beyond me. Not like you dont telegraph to the world that youre only one step this side of crazylooking for someone to kill and alleviate your boredom. He glanced back at the body. Then again, he has no brains at all... now. Impressive shot, by the way.
Adron held out his card but didnt speak. He didnt like wasting breath, and Edsel knew the card meant hed cover all damages and buy drinks for anyone disgruntled over the bloodshed. Not to mention the small fact that it seriously hurt to speak. So hed learned to keep his comments to the bare minimum when dealing with people.
Edsel took the card and kept bitching. Thanks. He held the card up between his thumb and forefinger. This is the only reason why I still let you in herecause you always make good on the messes you make, unlike the other drunken bums. Though why every few times youre in here some asshole has to challenge you, Ill never understand. Stupid dregs. If they cant tell youre lethal, theyre too dumb to live. Hell, I consider this a public service. You probably do, too. Edsel stepped back as a waitress brought another bottle of Tondarion Fire and set it down in front of Adron.
Edsel motioned to the patrons who were staring at them. Go on, everyone. Just a little misunderstanding. The fire-works are over. Youre all safe now. Then added under his breath, As long as you dont screw with a pissed-off assassin. Morons.
He motioned for his security to come over. Guys, get this cleaned up. I dont want to see it, and I know no one else does either. Then louder, he spoke to the crowd again. Free drinks for anyone who has brain matter on their body or clothes. Sorry for the frayed nerves and inconvenience. What can I say? This is an exciting place.
Edsel shook his head as he turned to Adron. Id ask if you have a permit for that killing, but I dont want to be laying next to him on the floor. Dont worry. Any authorities come in, Ill tell them you ran for the door after the shooting.
Adron scoffed as he knocked back another drink. He ran from nothing, which was exactly why he was here tonight.
Damn fucking bastards.
