"I lost my hand a long time ago." He met my eyes. "I thrust it into a stream of acid."
I watched, aghast, as the limb that had fallen to the ground re-formed, shrinking and twisting and turning into what looked like a small, golden cage.
With superhuman speed, Deacon dove for it. And then, before I could even blink in surprise, he threw it straight at my chest.
It didn't, however, hit me. Instead, the thing seemed to have a mind of its own. It bent and twisted and reformed itself over the gemstone on the Oris Clef necklace, making a decorative sort of cage. And the moment it stopped, I understood.
This was the third relic. Deacon hadn't destroyed it; he'd hidden it. And I now wielded the Oris Clef, and all the power it promised.
And then, with the same incredible speed, Deacon burst forward, his feet not even touching the ground as he sailed through the mist and tackled me, drawing me out of Gabriel's whirlwind. I was freaked and shaking, but dammit, I knew what I had to do, and with Clarence's powers surging through my head, I called for the portal to open.
It worked. Thank God, it worked, and a portal opened in the floor only feet away. Gabriel raced after us, hand outstretched as he pulled for us, the tug lessened only by the massive power that Deacon had demonstrated. "In!" Deacon cried, and with him and Rose at my side, we leaped inside, the portal closing behind us even as Gabriel's power yanked us backward.
But he was too late. We were in the void.
For the moment at least, we were safe.
It wasn't over, though. I knew that. Not only did he need me to lock the gates, he also knew that I had the Oris Clef, and he believed that I'd use it. That I wasn't going to lock out the demons but was going to step up to rule them.
Two visions of my future, and both of them called to me. Dark or light, and I would have to choose.
I shivered, thinking of what I'd seen in his head. The hordes bowing down to me. Worshipping me.
The vision had disgusted me as much as it had foolishly, shamefully, intrigued me and tempted me. To wield power such as I'd seen in Penemue. Could I do that? Did I have the strength within me to stand at the head of the demon hordes? Was my destiny, perhaps, to turn them to good? To help them, and me, find redemption?
Or was I only making excuses to slide into the dark?
I had no idea what the future held. No idea what I would do.
All I knew was that I had my sister back. We were, both of us, free.
I reached up and closed my hand around the Oris Clef, this strange relic that was both my salvation and my doom. Despite my uncertain future, I couldn't help but be glad that I'd found it.
Because now I was the girl in charge.
And all I had to do was survive.
Keep reading for Chapter One of Surrender to Dawn, the final book in the Redemption Chronicles!
Surrender to Dawn
Chapter One
My name is Lily Carlyle, and because of me, the world is counting down to the Apocalypse.
How would you like that on your resumé?
Trust me when I say it sucks.
Not that I did it on purpose, mind you. I was tricked. Told I was keeping the demons out when really I was making sure they each had a front-row seat to the end of humanity.
And we're not talking some namby-pamby Internet countdown by some hoo-ha who read Revelation, heard about an earthquake in Taiwan, and concluded that The End Is Nigh.
No, I'm talking the full-meal deal. The real end of the world. When the demonic horsemen are going to burst from the demon realm to swarm over the earth like a plague of really nasty locusts, feeding off torture and torment and evil and lies.
Not a happy time. Trust me on that.
It's coming because of me. I can say that. I can accept it.
But that's not the end of the story. Like every good player, I've got a card up my sleeve. Two, actually.
Play the Ace of Spades, and I can use the Oris Clef, a demonic key that I tracked down, stealing it from a master demon who'd been determined to find it. It won't lock the gate closed, but it will lock it open. And every demon who crosses over owes fealty to the one who wields that key. I'd be a queen, the most powerful creature on earth.
Except I'd be a demon queen, thrust into power by a demonic tool. And the demonic essence that lives inside me—that I've been trying so hard to suppress and compartmentalize and control so that I could hang on to humanity by my fingernails—would surely rise up. It's hard enough fighting it as things are. Fighting it when that kind of power is at stake?
Honestly, I didn't think I could control the madness. I'd make a hell of earth whether I wanted to or not, and a demon of myself. So far, my track record has been less than stellar. I'd tried to avenge my sister and gotten killed instead. I'd tried to stop the Apocalypse, then nailed the gates open. Not really a vote of confidence in my ability to be a warm, fuzzy demon queen. I was pretty sure I'd lose it. I'd give in to the dark. I'd become horrible and vile and dangerous even if I didn't want to.
And then we have door number two. Play the Ace of Hearts, and I can actually lock the Ninth Gate shut tight. Because it turns out there is at least one way left that will do that. Trouble is, that lock is me. My body. My blood. All I have to do is toss myself into the hell dimension right as the portal opens.
No problem, you say? Kill yourself. Go to heaven. Accept the afterlife accolades that would surely come with stopping Armageddon.
Um, don't I wish?
Because I can't die. Not even if you whack off my head. I'd still be alive. In pieces, sure, but alive.
Alive, and suffering. My flesh burning forever. An eternity of agony and horror and utter torment. Torture beyond endurance with absolutely no escape.
Dear God in heaven, "scared" doesn't even begin to describe it.
I've read the bio of Joan of Arc, and yeah, I want to be like her. But then I look at what I am and who I am, and the truth is I'm not St. Joan material. I'm terrified of the pain. Petrified by the torment. And when I peer into hell like that, I've got to admit that the demon-queen thing looks better and better.
But the one thing worse than suffering in the fires of hell is letting down the entire planet. Which pretty much sums up my dilemma.
As you can tell, I'm not sure which way I'm going to go, because both options suck big-time.
But the end is rushing fast toward all of us.
And soon, I'm going to have to make a choice. I hope like hell I make the right one . . .
Grab your copy now: Surrender to Dawn
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J. Kenner Series In KU
Check out these blurbs for KU first-in-series books
by J. Kenner!
Carpe Demon
Kate Connor is your average, everyday mom with two kids, a husband, and one very big secret ... she used to be a Demon Hunter for a secret arm of the Vatican. Now retired, she's more interested in the domestic than the demonic. So when she catches sight of a demon in Wal-Mart, she tells herself it's some other Hunter's problem. But when that demon attacks her in her kitchen, retirement is no longer an option.
Now Kate has to kick a little demon butt, figure out why the creatures are trying to take her out and take over her home town, and at the same time take care of her 2 year old, deal with a hormonal 14 year old, get the family to Catholic Mass on time, and try to keep her past a secret from her daughter and her husband.
She's a little out of practice, but hey ... if she can juggle two kids and an impromptu dinner party, ridding the town of demons should be a piece of cake. Like the saying goes, Carpe Demon ... and Kate intends to do just that.
So (Very!) Much More than
the Girl Next Door
With her X-ray vision and super-senses, Zoe Smith is about as far fr
om normal as a girl can get—and she intends to stay that way. Half-mortal and half-superhero, Zoe is determined to help save the world. But first she has to pass her upcoming tests and avoid having her memory and powers erased through “mortalization.”
An ex-cop turned private investigator, George Taylor craves a normal life with a normal wife in a normal neighborhood. The typical American dream—and when he meets Zoe Smith, he’s certain she’s one-hundred percent “the girl next-door”.
With her super powers, Zoe can do just about anything … except make Taylor fall in love with her. For that, they’re both going to need a different kind of magic …
Down On Me
With his tight muscles and vibrant ink, certified bachelor Reece Walker is the kind of man who’s used to having any woman he craves in his bed—except Jenna Montgomery. She’s been his best friend for years, and that’s a line he just can’t cross.
Until a wild, stolen kiss changes everything. Now anything goes, and Reece is determined to use every wicked skill in his sensual repertoire to claim Jenna as his friend, his lover, his everything.
Born in Darkness
Fight and redeem myself … refuse and suffer an eternity of torment.
I intended to kill him—to avenge my sister by destroying the vile human who’d tortured and broken her. My plan was simple. Foolproof.
Except somehow I ended up dead.
Now the joke’s on me, because I’ve been resurrected as an assassin and given a choice: Fight the forces of darkness and redeem myself … or refuse and suffer an eternity of torment.
The choice seems clear. But I’m unprepared for the depth of the evil I must face. And I’m unsettled by my attraction to the darkly sensual man whose words seduce me, but who is hiding secrets of his own.
All I know is what I’m told. I’m afraid I’m a pawn in a much larger game where I can’t tell my enemies from my allies. I just hope it’s a game I can win.
Also by J. Kenner
Click here for a printable booklist
J. Kenner KU Titles
(At the time of publication, the following titles were in Amazon’s KU program. There is no guarantee that they will remain there continuously.)
Man of the Month
Who’s your man of the month …?
Down On Me
Hold On Tight
Need You Now
Start Me Up
Get It On
In Your Eyes
Turn Me On
Shake It Up
All Night Long
In Too Deep
Light My Fire
Walk The Line
Man of the Month Box Sets
Winter Heat (books 1-3)
Spring Fling (books 4-6)
Summer Love (books 7-9)
Fall Fantasy (books 10-12)
*Bar Bites: A Man of the Month Cookbook(by J. Kenner & Suzanne M. Johnson *not in KU)
Extraordinarily Yours
Sexy paranormal rom-coms!
So (Very!) Much More than the Girl Next Door
The Charmed Affair of an Invisible Bodyguard
The “Super” Secret Life of an Accidental Daddy
Never Trust a Rogue on a Magical Mission
Mayhem, Matchmakers, and a Bit of Bewitching (novella)
How a Sexy Hero and a Marvelous Makeover (Sorta!) Saved the World (novella)
The Seductive Charm of a Sexy Shifter (prequel)
The Redemption Chronicles
A sexy apocalyptic urban fantasy trilogy!
Born in Darkness
Lost in Shadows
Surrender to Dawn
Demon Hunting Soccer Mom
Like Buffy … grown up!
California Demon
Demons Are Forever
Deja Demon
The Demon You Know (short story)
Demon Ex Machina
Pax Demonica
Day of the Demon
Other titles in KU
Wild Thing
’Til Death Do Us Part
Other J. Kenner Titles Not In KU
The Stark Saga Novels:
Only his passion could set her free…
Meet Damien Stark
The Original Trilogy
Release Me
Claim Me
Complete Me
And Beyond…
Anchor Me
Lost With Me
DAMIEN
Stark Ever After
(Stark Saga novellas):
Happily ever after is just the beginning.
The passion between Damien & Nikki continues.
Take Me
Have Me
Play My Game
Seduce Me
Unwrap Me
Deepest Kiss
Entice Me
Hold Me
Please Me
Indulge Me
The Steele Books/Stark International:
He was the only man who made her feel alive.
Say My Name
On My Knees
Under My Skin
Take My Dare (includes short story Steal My Heart)
Stark International Novellas:
Meet Jamie & Ryan-so hot it sizzles.
Tame Me
Tempt Me
S.I.N. Trilogy:
It was wrong for them to be together…
…but harder to stay apart.
Dirtiest Secret
Hottest Mess
Sweetest Taboo
The Dark Pleasures Series:
Sexy immortal paranormal romance
Find Me In Darkness
Find Me In Pleasure
Find Me In Passion
Caress of Pleasure
Rising Storm:
Writing as Julie Kenner
Small town drama
Rising Storm: Tempest Rising
Rising Storm: Quiet Storm
Devil May Care:
Writing as Julie Kenner
Sexy immortal paranormal romance
Seducing Sin
Tempting Fate
Stand alone novels:
Most Wanted:
Three powerful, dangerous men.
Three sensual, seductive women.
Wanted
Heated
Ignited
Wicked Nights (Stark World):
Sometimes it feels so damn good to be bad.
Wicked Grind
Wicked Dirty
Wicked Torture
Stark Security:
Charismatic. Dangerous. Sexy as hell.
Meet the men of Stark Security.
Shattered With You
Broken With You
Ruined With You
Blackwell-Lyon:
Heat, humor & a hint of danger
Lovely Little Liar
Pretty Little Player
Sexy Little Sinner
Additional Titles
One Night (A Stark World short story in the Second Chances anthology)
About the Author
J. Kenner (aka Julie Kenner) is the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, Wall Street Journal and #1 International bestselling author of over one hundred novels, novellas and short stories in a variety of genres.
JK has been praised by Publishers Weekly as an author with a “flair for dialogue and eccentric characterizations” and by RT Bookclub for having “cornered the market on sinfully attractive, dominant antiheroes and the women who swoon for them.” A six-time finalist for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA award, JK took home the first RITA trophy awarded in the category of erotic romance in 2014 for her novel, Claim Me (book 2 of her Stark Saga) and another RITA trophy for Wicked Dirty in the same category in 2017.
In her previous career as an attorney, JK worked as a lawyer in Southern California and Texas. She currently lives in Central Texas, with her husband, two daughters, and two rather spastic cats.
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