Note: This audiobook was created using AI technology.
My very existence is under attack. Iโve kept a low profile, told myself the craziness sweeping the world would pass me by. Yeah, it was wishful thinking, actually an outright lie, but itโs kept me sane.
Iโve been hiding out forever in one guise or another. Currently, I run a nightclub. Ascent is an โask me no questions, and Iโll tell you no liesโ haven. For everybody. Iโm a Vampire. Far be it from me to judge.
My closest ally is a shapeshifting dire wolf. I adopted him when he was a scrawny puppy, but Iโm getting ahead of my tale.
The fragile dรฉtente between supernaturals and humans has crashed and burned. I canโt avoid the truth any longer. Lucky for me, mortals donโt know exactly what I am. When I moved to Seattle, some vampiric sixth sense urged me to play my cards close to my vest, but Iโm done burying my secrets.
And my power.
Itโs past time for supernaturals to get over their stupid infighting. Meh. So what if Witches hate Druids? Or Fae never deal with Sorcerers? We have to pull together, or weโll have no chance at all.
Not that itโs likely, but if any mortals see the light and sign up for our side, weโd damn well better welcome them.
Iโm Ariana Hawke. No more skulking in the shadows for me.ย
Ann Gimpel is a USA Today bestselling author. A lifelong aficionado of the unusual, she began writing speculative fiction a few years ago. Since then her short fiction has appeared in many webzines and anthologies. Her longer books run the gamut from urban fantasy to paranormal romance. Once upon a time, she nurtured clients. Now she nurtures dark, gritty fantasy stories that push hard against reality. When sheโs not writing, sheโs in the backcountry getting down and dirty with her camera. Sheโs published over 100 books to date, with several more planned for 2022 and beyond. A husband, grown children, grandchildren, and wolf hybrids round out her family.