Nameless

Description

With his head on the chopping block, Jakob has resigned himself to his fate for the crime of sleeping with men. Then an unlikely savior swoops in and takes over. Jakob doesn’t know what to think, but Theron isn’t like anyone he’s ever known.

Theron knows Jakob is different, but he doesn’t realize just how different until they are alone. When he discovers the truth, he swears no one will ever touch Jakob again.

Although this story is set in the Magic & the Pagan world of Aurora, it can be read as a stand-alone.

Available at:

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Apple Books

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EXCERPT:

Theron walked silently through the crowd gathered in the main square. Execution Day always drew out the citizens in their best finery. By comparison, he was dressed completely in black, from the metal mask obscuring his features to the tip of his leather-clad toes.

“Nameless.”

The whispers of his name followed him as the people in front of him gave way, leaving an open path. Several of his own guard flanked him, and the men watched the crowd menacingly.

The ripple of his nickname swelled as it ran through the citizenry of Krialis City. Ignoring it, Theron strode to the center of the square and its gaily-decorated platform. Only the young man on his knees in front of a large block of wood held Theron’s interest. Badly bruised and beaten, at first glance, he didn’t seem to be someone who would interest the undisputed ruler of Sycos. However, Theron knew things none of the rest did. A narrowed gaze drifted to the executor, and he waited to see if the boy would crack.

Grabbing a fistful of auburn hair with a meaty hand, the executioner jerked the prisoner’s head back at a visibly painful angle. The young man winced and squeezed his eyes shut, but outside of that, he didn’t move. Before them, an aging man began reading off charges.

“Jakob Leary,” the judge rumbled in a voice more fitting a bear than a man, “you have been found guilty of lewd acts with those of the male population of Malacera. Do you deny this?” Looking over a pair of small spectacles, the judge peered down at Jakob.

A sharp tug on Jakob’s hair broke the silence.

“No.”

The judge’s lips twitched in the start of a grin. “We need a list, young man, of those you’ve been with. You have one last chance to give the names.”

At that, Jakob remained silent as the grave.

With Jakob’s refusal, the judge motioned to the executioner. “You are sentenced to death for your criminal acts, Jakob Leary. Your light will find no rest.”

When he finished pronouncing the sentence, the judge stepped back to a chorus of cheers from the crowd. The executioner pushed Jakob’s head down to the block, stretching the back of the young man’s neck for a clear blow.

The dark glitter of Theron’s eyes held Jakob’s as the executioner lifted his sword.

Jakob remained silent and motionless, wrists bound at the small of his back. He closed his eyes slowly, as if resigning himself to his fate.