I felt whole. Complete. And I knew I was exactly where I needed to be.
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Continue reading for a sneak peek of book two, Devoured by Darkness!
About the Author
R.L. Perez is an author, wife, mother, reader, writer, and teacher. She lives in Florida with her husband and two children. On a regular basis, she can usually be found napping, reading, feverishly writing, revising, or watching an abundance of Netflix. More than anything, she loves spending time with her family. Her greatest joys are her two kids, nature, literature, and chocolate.
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Acknowledgments
THERE ARE SO MANY FANTASTIC people without whom I couldn’t have made my dreams come true. Firstly, Aubrey and Mary, for the amazing editing and book covers.
Nix, Marion, Whitney, Andrea, Jamie for your incredible critiquing and support.
My beta readers, Kari, Melanie, Janete, Ben, Arielle, Jenni, Melissa, and Sarah. Your comments and suggestions were monumental in shaping the story.
My father-in-law for reading over my manuscript and ensuring it was accurate and authentic in regards to Cuban culture and history.
My parents and sisters for your strength and support. You have always been an inspiration to me, and I am so grateful for how you’ve encouraged me in meeting my goals.
And lastly, my amazing husband and wonderful children, for your endless patience and understanding as I tried to squeeze writing into our already hectic life. You have been a foundation of support and love during the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Devoured by Darkness
Sneak Peek
Chapter 1
SWEAT TRICKLED DOWN my face. Breathing heavily, I ducked, narrowly avoiding a punch to the face. Guillermo grunted as I barreled into his legs, knocking him to the ground. He easily twisted, locking my arms behind me. I wriggled, but his grip was firm and unyielding. I groaned in frustration.
“Don’t give up,” he said in a strained voice. “Use your head. Find a creative way out of your situation.”
Creative. Right. I bit back a sarcastic retort and inhaled deeply. With the calming breaths came a rush of clarity to my mind. Think outside the box, I told myself.
I stretched my legs into splits and arced over backward, leaning into Guillermo so far that he had to fight to keep his grip on my arms. Sensing my freedom, I swiveled, pulling my arms free. I vaulted to my feet and cartwheeled in the other direction. With Guillermo now several feet away, I lifted my arms and Pushed him backward.
Guillermo floated to the other side of the room before he Teleported back to me with a soft pop. He crossed his bulky arms over his chest and raised an eyebrow. “You can’t always rely on that, you know.”
I peeled my damp curls from my forehead. “Rely on what?”
“Dancing away from an opponent so you can Push them. One day you might face a different kind of demon. Someone who is stronger than me, or someone you can’t dance away from.”
I shrugged. “Then I’ll find a new creative way out of that situation.”
Guillermo pressed his lips into a thin line but said nothing. Darkness clouded his eyes, and I turned away, picking up a cloth to mop up my face and neck. I suppressed a shudder as I remembered being chained to a wall while El Diablo drank my blood last year. So helpless. So weak. Completely at his mercy.
Guillermo was right. If I was ever in that situation again, I couldn’t exactly pull the same move. But I wasn’t about to bring it up. Guillermo had only just started working with the coven a few weeks ago after transferring from Havana. I didn’t know much about him, but when we first met, he told me he was working undercover for El Diablo when I’d been tortured. He’d been there—seen it happening to me. I hadn’t noticed him there, but occasionally things got awkward between us as we were both reminded of that dark moment.
I glanced at Ramón, who sat quietly at the small square table in the corner, his beefy arms crossed like a bouncer as he watched us through impassive eyes. Our referee, in case training turned nasty. Also our chaperone. Not that we needed it. Guillermo definitely wasn’t my type—too brooding. But, for the sake of propriety, I played along and allowed the extra dose of testosterone to linger in my apartment.
“What do you think?” I asked, gesturing at Ramón. “How’d I do?”
Ramón lifted one shoulder. “Fine. Your footwork is sloppy.”
I sighed. The corners of Guillermo’s lips twitched as he pulled back his shoulder-length black hair.
The door opened, and Elena burst inside, breathless and eyes blazing with determination. I knew that look.
I straightened. “What is it?”
“A Second Tier demon has been sighted,” she said, dropping her bag onto the decorative end table by the door.
My eyes widened. Demons who performed a specific blood ritual could Ascend to the Second and Third Tiers, making them more powerful. After El Diablo’s disappearance last year, the coven and I had tirelessly hunted demons, cleaning up the mess from the demon war and the mortal war. We thought there weren’t any left but those of the First Tier. Easy targets.
So if someone had spotted a Second Tier demon, this was big news.
I set down my cloth and raised a hand toward Guillermo. “We’ll meet you outside.”
Elena darted to her bedroom down the hall. Ramón was already on his feet, and he followed Guillermo out the door. I rushed into my room, which was across from Elena’s, and searched for a pair of weather-appropriate trousers. My current leggings weren’t exactly suitable for Demonhunting outdoors.
Elena emerged when I did, also wearing a tight tunic and trousers. I smirked. At some point
