Tarnished Knight - By Bec McMaster Page 0,64
the craving virus. If a blue blood is not summarily executed once his craving virus levels reach 70-80 percent, then he enters the Fade and finally, devolves into a creature driven purely by its blood lusts and virtually unstoppable. A rash of vampires in Georgian times destroyed thousands of lives in the city and brought into being a law that requires all blue blood’s CV levels must be monitored.
Verwulfen – a similar infection to the craving virus is the loupe, which afflicts many members of the Scandinavian Empire and several of the Bavarian and Austrian countries. The disease used to be present in the highlands, however the Echelon slaughtered most of the verwulfen clansmen at Culloden. Now verwulfen are leashed and kept as slaves, or executed, whenever they are found in the British Isles. This has caused some hostility with Scandinavia in the past. Verwulfen are dangerous creatures, driven by passion and fury and afflicted by berserker rages, in which they are very nearly unstoppable. After such rages, they collapse with exhaustion, which is when they are at their most vulnerable. Considered little more than beasts, they are chained and caged for the safety of the public.
COMING MAY 2013
HEART OF IRON
London Steampunk Series, Book 2
Sourcebooks • May 2013
ISBN-13: 9781402270307 • ISBN-10: 1402270305
In the mist-shrouded streets of London’s dreaded Whitechapel district, werewolves, vampires and a clockwork army are one
step away from battle…
NO ONE TO TRUST
Lena Todd is the perfect spy. Nobody suspects the flirtatious debutante could be a rebel against London’s vicious elite—not even the ruthless Will Carver, the one man she can’t twist around her little finger.
Will Carver, is more than man, he’s a verwulfen and he wants nothing to do with the dangerous beauty who drives him to the very edge of control. But when he finds Lena in possession of a coded letter, he realizes she’s in a world of trouble. To protect her, he’ll have to seduce the truth from her before it’s too late.
“Deftly blends elements of steampunk and vampire romance with brilliantly successful results…darkly atmospheric and delectably sexy.” –Booklist, starred review for KISS OF STEEL
A dangerous attraction…
“I don’t know nothin’ ‘bout charm.”
Lena laughed, a miserable little sound. She had to get out of here. The walls felt like they were closing in on her. “That’s the truth.”
The elevation chamber came to a shuddering halt and she spun around. The bell rang and the doors started to open. Lena stepped through them as soon as they were wide enough to accommodate her.
One more flight of stairs to the ground entrance. Lena gathered her pink skirts and started dashing down them, but Will leaped in front of her, a frown on his face. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” She tried to push past, but he blocked her way. Standing two steps below her put his face on a level with hers. “Will, I’m tired. I want to go home. This is not—”
“Your scent changed.” He took a step up, his thighs pressing against her skirts. “As soon as I told you what they’d promised.”
Did guilt have its own scent? She pressed her fingertips against his chest. Whether to hold him at bay or draw him closer, she didn’t know. The superfine of his coat was soft beneath her fingers.
“It changed again,” he admitted, little sparks of molten copper flaring in his irises. “When you mentioned Lady Astrid.” His head lowered, gaze dropping to her mouth. “Just as it’s changed now.”
Lena’s heart started beating faster. Every emotion, every hope, dream, and despair she thought she’d kept hidden from him was betrayed by her scent. She met his eyes and couldn’t read the look in them. Hot amber. Eyes that she could drown in if he let her. The color of them softened, melted, as he leaned closer.
His intentions stole her breath. He meant to kiss her. In the foyer of the Ivory Tower, in front of anyone who walked down the stairs. Exhilaration leaped through every nerve in her body.
“Don’t you dare,” she whispered.
He paused, his mouth an inch from hers. “I never understand you.” His eyes darkened with heat. “Yes or no, Lena?”
Warm breath against her lips. Her hand softened on his chest. She knew the answer before her traitorous mouth could say the words. And so did he.
KISS OF STEEL
London Steampunk Series, Book 1
Sourcebooks • September 2012
ISBN-13: 9781402270277 • ISBN-10: 1402270275
A brilliantly creative debut where vampires, werewolves and clockwork creatures roam the mist-shrouded streets of London…
He craves her like no other…
Honoria Todd has no choice. Only in the dreaded