Broken Promises, Cold Dinner

Kate Daniels, a magic-wielding mercenary in post-Shift Atlanta, prepares a special dinner for Curran, the Beast Lord, after losing a bet. He stands her up, shattering her trust and hope for intimacy. Kate's anger and pain are compounded by the professional distance Curran maintains, making her question their relationship and her own vulnerability. The emotional fallout sets the tone for the book, as Kate's personal and professional lives become increasingly entangled. Her sense of isolation and the tension between her duty and desire for connection are established, foreshadowing the coming storms—both magical and emotional.

Plague at the Steel Horse

Kate is called to the Steel Horse, a neutral bar on the border of shapeshifter and necromancer territory, where a brutal magical disease has killed a man and threatens to spread. She contains the outbreak with quick thinking and magical wards, but the incident reveals a new, terrifying threat: a cloaked figure who incites violence and leaves behind supernatural plagues. The event exposes the vulnerability of both humans and shapeshifters to magical pandemics, and Kate's investigation uncovers that the victim was a shapeshifter—something previously thought impossible. The city's fragile peace is shaken, and Kate is drawn into a hunt for a killer who wields ancient, godlike power.

The Beast Lord's Silence

Kate's attempts to reach Curran are met with silence and bureaucratic stonewalling. The Pack, Atlanta's powerful shapeshifter collective, is on edge after the plague incident, and Curran's unavailability raises suspicions and fears. Kate's professional obligations as a liaison between the Order (magical law enforcement) and the Pack are complicated by her personal feelings for Curran. The Pack's internal discipline and secrecy contrast with Kate's direct approach, highlighting the cultural and emotional rifts between them. The tension between Kate and Curran simmers, as both struggle with pride, duty, and the risk of vulnerability.

The Cloaked Mary Strikes

The mysterious "Steel Mary"—a cloaked figure—moves from city to city, inciting violence and unleashing magical plagues. Each attack follows a pattern: a brawl, a magical infection, and the death of the strongest fighter, who is then transformed into a vector for disease. Kate's investigation reveals that the Mary is recruiting or creating powerful undead servants, each with elemental abilities. The attacks escalate, targeting key figures in Atlanta's magical underworld, including the head of the Mercenary Guild. The city's factions—Pack, People (necromancers), and Order—are forced into uneasy cooperation as the threat grows.

Undead Mages and Fire

A shocking attack on the People's Casino introduces a new horror: undead mages wielding elemental magic, something thought impossible. Kate is hired by the necromancers to investigate, and discovers that the Steel Mary's power extends to animating and controlling the dead in unprecedented ways. The attacks are coordinated, targeting both the Pack and the People, and seem designed to destabilize Atlanta's power structure. The undead mages' abilities—fire, water, air—mirror the ancient myth of Erra and her seven warriors, hinting at a deeper, older magic at work.

The Pack's Hidden Wounds

The revelation that shapeshifters can be infected by magical disease rocks the Pack to its core. Several shapeshifters go missing or wild, driven mad by the Steel Mary's power. The Pack's legendary immunity is shattered, and their internal cohesion is threatened. Kate's investigation is hampered by Pack secrecy and the risk of igniting inter-factional war. The emotional stakes rise as Kate's friends and allies are put in danger, and the city teeters on the brink of chaos. The Pack's vulnerability becomes a key weakness the Steel Mary seeks to exploit.

Confrontation and Catnip

A heated confrontation between Kate and Curran erupts, blending personal pain with professional urgency. Their argument—fueled by misunderstandings, pride, and longing—culminates in a physical and emotional clash. Kate retaliates for Curran's earlier slight by breaking into his territory and leaving catnip on his bed, a shapeshifter courtship ritual. Curran responds in kind, escalating their private war. Their mutual stubbornness and attraction reach a breaking point, setting the stage for either reconciliation or destruction. The chapter is a turning point, exposing the raw, messy heart of their relationship.

Blood, Family, and Betrayal

Kate's investigation uncovers the true nature of the Steel Mary: Erra, the ancient Babylonian plaguebringer and Kate's aunt. Erra's attacks are not random—they are part of a millennia-old vendetta against shapeshifters, whom she sees as abominations. Kate's own bloodline, as the daughter of Roland (an immortal, godlike figure), is revealed to be both a source of power and a death sentence. The family's history of violence, betrayal, and monstrous ambition is laid bare. Kate must confront the reality that her greatest enemy is also her kin, and that her own existence is a threat to everyone she loves.

The Plaguebringer's True Name

Through magical investigation and a harrowing encounter at the Temple, Kate confirms that the Steel Mary is Erra, Roland's sister and the living embodiment of plague and chaos. Erra's goal is to destroy the Pack before they become too powerful, using her seven undead warriors—each representing an elemental force. The revelation forces Kate to confront her own heritage and the inevitability of conflict with her family. Erra's contempt for humanity and her own kin is matched only by her cunning and power. The stage is set for a final, apocalyptic confrontation.

The Order's Last Stand

The Order, led by the rigid and prejudiced Ted Moynohan, attempts to trap Erra in a public spectacle at the Mole Hole, a ruined amphitheater in Atlanta. The plan backfires disastrously: Erra unleashes her undead warriors, incites mass panic, and slaughters both knights and civilians. Kate is forced to choose between loyalty to the Order and saving lives, ultimately tearing off her badge and siding with the Pack. The city descends into chaos, and the true cost of pride, prejudice, and inflexibility is revealed. Kate's sacrifice marks her as an outcast, but also as a true leader.

The Crocodile's Debt

Kate discovers she has a secret protector: Naeemah, a crocodile shapeshifter assassin, bound by a debt to Hugh d'Ambray, Roland's warlord. Naeemah's presence is both a blessing and a threat, as her loyalty is to the letter of her bargain, not to Kate personally. The web of alliances, debts, and betrayals grows ever more tangled, as Kate must navigate not only open enemies but also the hidden agendas of those who claim to help her. The chapter explores the limits of trust and the price of survival in a world where everyone has an angle.

The Alpha's Mate

With Curran in a coma after the battle with Erra, Kate is thrust into the role of acting alpha. The Pack's Council, divided and suspicious, challenges her right to remain by Curran's side. Kate must fight—literally and politically—to prove herself worthy, facing down rivals and killing those who would usurp her place. The ordeal tests her strength, resolve, and understanding of Pack law. Through blood and pain, Kate earns the grudging respect of the Pack, but at great personal cost. The chapter is a crucible, forging Kate into a true leader.

The Council's Challenge

Kate's position as Curran's mate and acting alpha is contested by the Pack's Council. She must navigate a minefield of alliances, betrayals, and open challenges, all while nursing her own wounds and Curran's comatose body. The Pack's internal politics are brutal, and Kate's outsider status makes her a target. With the help of new allies—Barabas, Jezebel, and others—she survives assassination attempts and legal maneuvers. The experience hardens her, but also deepens her understanding of the Pack's culture and the true meaning of loyalty and leadership.

The Final Hunt

Erra, wounded but unbroken, launches her final assault on Atlanta. Kate, Curran, and their allies prepare for a desperate battle, knowing that failure means the city's destruction. The fight is brutal and costly, with Erra unleashing her remaining undead warriors and the full force of her ancient magic. Kate's strategy, courage, and willingness to sacrifice everything are put to the ultimate test. The battle is not only physical but also psychological, as Kate must confront her own fears, doubts, and the legacy of her bloodline.

Blood and Fire in Atlanta

The climactic battle with Erra is a maelstrom of blood, fire, and magic. Kate is gravely wounded, and Curran is driven mad by Erra's power, forced into a monstrous form. The city burns, and the line between victory and annihilation blurs. In a final act of will, Kate uses her blood magic to bind and destroy Erra, but not before her aunt curses her to outlive everyone she loves. The cost of victory is immense: Curran falls into a coma, and Kate is left to pick up the pieces, haunted by loss and the knowledge that her family's war is far from over.

The Fall of Erra

With Erra dead, Atlanta is saved, but the scars remain. Kate is left to care for a comatose Curran, defend her place in the Pack, and mourn the friends and innocents lost in the battle. The Pack's loyalty is tested, and Kate must fight off challengers to her authority. The city begins to heal, but the threat of Roland—and the legacy of Erra's curse—looms over Kate's future. The chapter is a meditation on the price of leadership, the burden of survival, and the hope that love can endure even in the face of death.

The Beast Lord's Coma

As Curran lies unconscious, Kate faces the loneliness and uncertainty of leadership. She is challenged by the Pack, haunted by guilt over the deaths she could not prevent, and isolated from her friends. The emotional toll of the battle with Erra is profound, and Kate's resilience is tested as never before. Through small acts of kindness, loyalty, and stubbornness, she holds the Pack together and keeps hope alive. The eventual awakening of Curran is a moment of hard-won joy, but the wounds—physical and emotional—will take much longer to heal.

The Price of Loyalty

Kate's decision to side with the Pack over the Order marks a turning point in her life. She is no longer an outsider, but a leader with responsibilities, allies, and enemies. The cost of loyalty is high: she loses her job, her home, and many of her old certainties. But she gains a new family, a new purpose, and the possibility of happiness with Curran. The chapter explores the meaning of loyalty, the necessity of sacrifice, and the hope that comes from building something new out of the ashes of the old.

The New Order

With Erra defeated and Curran restored, Kate and Curran begin to rebuild—both their relationship and the city. The Pack's trust is slowly regained, and Kate's place as alpha is secured. The city's magical factions are forced to acknowledge her strength and leadership. Kate's journey from outsider to leader is complete, but the threat of Roland remains. The chapter is a celebration of survival, love, and the power of choosing one's own destiny, even in a world of monsters and magic.

Cutting Edge Beginnings

Kate, now free from the Order and secure in her place with Curran and the Pack, founds her own investigative agency: Cutting Edge Investigations. The agency is a symbol of her independence, resilience, and commitment to justice. With Curran's support and the lessons of her past, Kate is ready to face whatever new challenges the future holds. The story ends with hope, humor, and the promise of new adventures in a world where magic and humanity are forever intertwined.

Characters

Kate Daniels

Kate is a fiercely independent mercenary with a secret: she is the daughter of Roland, an immortal warlord and living legend. Trained from childhood to hide her power and survive at all costs, Kate is both a master swordswoman and a practitioner of blood magic. Her journey in Magic Bleeds is one of vulnerability and growth—she is forced to confront her own need for connection, her fear of loss, and the legacy of violence that haunts her family. Kate's relationships—with Curran, the Pack, and her friends—are tested by betrayal, sacrifice, and the demands of leadership. Her greatest strength is her refusal to give up, even when hope seems lost.

Curran Lennart (The Beast Lord)

Curran is the Beast Lord of Atlanta, ruling over fifteen hundred shapeshifters with a mix of iron will, cunning, and brute strength. His relationship with Kate is a tempest of pride, passion, and mutual respect. Curran's greatest fear is losing those he loves, a fear rooted in childhood trauma and the burden of leadership. His struggle to balance personal desire with duty to the Pack mirrors Kate's own journey. Curran's transformation—both literal and emotional—drives much of the book's tension, and his eventual willingness to share power with Kate marks a major step in his development.

Erra (The Steel Mary, Plaguebringer)

Erra is Kate's aunt and the book's primary antagonist. An immortal being from ancient Babylon, she embodies plague, chaos, and the ruthless logic of survival. Erra's contempt for humanity and her own kin is matched only by her cunning and power. She seeks to destroy the Pack before they become a threat to her brother Roland's plans. Erra's relationship with Kate is both personal and mythic—a battle of blood, will, and legacy. Her final curse on Kate ("Live long enough to see everyone you love die") is both a threat and a mirror of her own tragic immortality.

Ted Moynohan

Ted is the knight-protector of the Order, a man whose commitment to order and humanity is undermined by his prejudice against shapeshifters and other "monsters." His inflexibility and pride lead to disaster at the Mole Hole, and his ultimatum to Kate forces her to choose between loyalty and conscience. Ted represents the dangers of dogma and the cost of refusing to adapt. His relationship with Kate is adversarial but complex, as both share a commitment to protecting the city, albeit on very different terms.

Andrea Nash

Andrea is Kate's best friend and a fellow knight of the Order. Secretly beastkin (the child of a shapeshifter and an animal-were), Andrea hides her true nature to avoid persecution. Her struggle for acceptance, both within the Order and the Pack, mirrors Kate's own journey. Andrea's loyalty is tested by the conflict between duty and friendship, and her relationship with Raphael (a bouda) adds both humor and pathos. Andrea's courage and resilience make her a vital ally, even as she grapples with her own demons.

Jim Shrapshire

Jim is the Pack's chief of security and a longtime ally of Kate. His loyalty to the Pack is absolute, but he is also capable of independent thought and moral ambiguity. Jim's role as spymaster puts him at the center of the book's political intrigue, and his willingness to bend the rules for Kate is both a strength and a liability. Jim's relationship with Kate is one of mutual respect, tempered by the demands of their respective roles.

Naeemah

Naeemah is a rare crocodile shapeshifter and a professional assassin, bound by a debt to Hugh d'Ambray to protect Kate. Her presence is both a blessing and a threat, as her loyalty is to the letter of her bargain, not to Kate personally. Naeemah's ancient perspective and code of honor add depth to the book's exploration of trust, loyalty, and the price of survival.

Hugh d'Ambray

Hugh is Roland's warlord and Kate's stepfather's greatest pupil. He is a master swordsman, strategist, and manipulator, gathering information about Kate for his own purposes. Hugh's presence is mostly offstage, but his influence is felt through Naeemah and the web of debts and alliances he weaves. Hugh represents the looming threat of Roland and the dangers of power without conscience.

Aunt B

Aunt B is the alpha of the boudas (werehyenas) and a master of Pack politics. Her support is vital to Kate's survival as alpha, but it comes with strings attached. Aunt B's pragmatism, cunning, and maternal ferocity make her both an ally and a potential adversary. Her relationship with Kate is transactional but not without genuine respect.

Barabas

Barabas is a bouda-mongoose hybrid and one of Kate's new aides. His outsider status within the Pack mirrors Kate's own, and his legal and political acumen are invaluable in navigating the treacherous waters of Pack law. Barabas's wit, intelligence, and loyalty make him a key member of Kate's inner circle.

Plot Devices

Blood Magic and Family Legacy

The central plot device is [Kate

Last updated: April 29, 2025