Slash
A Slay Series Novella
By Laurelin Paige
Slash
A Slay Series Novella
By Laurelin Paige
1001 Dark Nights
Copyright 2020 Laurelin Paige
ISBN: 978-1-951812-12-6
Foreword: Copyright 2014 M. J. Rose
Cover photo credit © Annie Ray/ Passion Pages
Published by 1001 Dark Nights Press, an imprint of Evil Eye Concepts, Incorporated
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.
This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination and are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or establishments is solely coincidental.
Book Description
Slash by Laurelin Paige
A Slay Series Novella
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Laurelin Paige comes a new story in her Slay series…
Camilla Fasbender has a secret.
Underneath her posh accent and designer clothes lies the evidence of her pain.
Every heartbreak, every bad day, every setback has left a scar.
From behind her camera, she shows the world what to see. And it isn't her.
Until him.
He sees right through her carefully constructed facade.
And he's going to slash it all to pieces.
**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**
About Laurelin Paige
With millions of books sold, Laurelin Paige is the NY Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Fixed Trilogy. She's a sucker for a good romance and gets giddy anytime there’s kissing, much to the embarrassment of her three daughters. Her husband doesn't seem to complain, however. When she isn’t reading or writing sexy stories, she’s probably singing, watching Killing Eve and Letterkenny, or dreaming of Michael Fassbender. She’s also a proud member of Mensa International though she doesn't do anything with the organization except use it as material for her bio.
You can connect with Laurelin on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LaurelinPaige or on Instagram @thereallaurelinpaige. You can also visit her website, www.laurelinpaige.com, to sign up for e-mails about new releases.
Also From Laurelin Paige
Click to purchase
Man in Charge Duet
Man in Charge
Man in Love
Slay Series
Slay One: Rivalry
Slay Two: Ruin
Slay Three: Revenge
Slay Four: Rising
Slash: A Slay Novella
The Fixed Series
Fixed on You
Found in You
Forever with You
Hudson
Falling Under You: A Fixed Trilogy Novella (1001 Dark Nights)
Chandler
Dirty, Filthy Fix: A Fixed Trilogy Novella (1001 Dark Nights)
Fixed Forever
Dirty Universe
Dirty Filthy Rich Boys
Dirty Filthy Rich Men
Dirty Filthy Rich Love
Dirty, Sexy Player
Dirty Sexy Games
Sweet Liar
Sweet Fate
Dirty Sweet Valentine
Wild Rebel
Found Duet
Free Me
Find Me
First and Last
First Touch
Last Kiss
Hollywood Heat
Sex Symbol
Star Struck
One More Time
Close
Co-Written Works:
Written with Sierra Simone:
Porn Star
Hot Cop
Written with Kayti McGee:
Miss Match
Love Struck
MisTaken: A Novella
Acknowledgments from the Author
To my family—Thank you for the best albums of memories. I’m lucky to have shelves and shelves stacked with your love.
To Liz Berry, Jillian Stein, and MJ Rose—I’m inspired by you and so honored to be in your family. And to you, Liz, especially for trusting my telling of this story. It was what I needed to write, and you let it grow into what it needed to be.
To my tribe: Rebecca Friedman, Candi Kane, Melissa Gaston, Roxie Madar, Kayti McGee, Melanie Harlow, Lauren Blakely, C.D. Reiss, Amy “Vox” Libris – You’ve made a crazy, terrible time feel so much more bearable. I wouldn’t survive a pandemicalypse without you.
To my readers—Thank you for letting me explore this ugly, broken, beautiful world with you. I’m eternally grateful you’ve come along for this ride.
To my God—Help me to remember to always wonder and love. Thank you for being patient all the times that I’ve forgotten.
Discover 1001 Dark Nights
Click here to explore
COLLECTION ONE
FOREVER WICKED by Shayla Black
CRIMSON TWILIGHT by Heather Graham
CAPTURED IN SURRENDER by Liliana Hart
SILENT BITE: A SCANGUARDS WEDDING by Tina Folsom
DUNGEON GAMES by Lexi Blake
AZAGOTH by Larissa Ione
NEED YOU NOW by Lisa Renee Jones
SHOW ME, BABY by Cherise Sinclair
ROPED IN by Lorelei James
TEMPTED BY MIDNIGHT by Lara Adrian
THE FLAME by Christopher Rice
CARESS OF DARKNESS by Julie Kenner
COLLECTION TWO
WICKED WOLF by Carrie Ann Ryan
WHEN IRISH EYES ARE HAUNTING by Heather Graham
EASY WITH YOU by Kristen Proby
MASTER OF FREEDOM by Cherise Sinclair
CARESS OF PLEASURE by Julie Kenner
ADORED by Lexi Blake
HADES by Larissa Ione
RAVAGED by Elisabeth Naughton
DREAM OF YOU by Jennifer L. Armentrout
STRIPPED DOWN by Lorelei James
RAGE/KILLIAN by Alexandra Ivy/Laura Wright
DRAGON KING by Donna Grant
PURE WICKED by Shayla Black
HARD AS STEEL by Laura Kaye
STROKE OF MIDNIGHT by Lara Adrian
ALL HALLOWS EVE by Heather Graham
KISS THE FLAME by Christopher Rice
DARING HER LOVE by Melissa Foster
TEASED by Rebecca Zanetti
THE PROMISE OF SURRENDER by Liliana Hart
COLLECTION THREE
HIDDEN INK by Carrie Ann Ryan
BLOOD ON THE BAYOU by Heather Graham
SEARCHING FOR MINE by Jennifer Probst
DANCE OF DESIRE by Christopher Rice
ROUGH RHYTHM by Tessa Bailey
DEVOTED by Lexi Blake
Z by Larissa Ione
FALLING UNDER YOU by Laurelin Paige
EASY FOR KEEPS by Kristen Proby
UNCHAINED by Elisabeth Naughton
HARD TO SERVE by Laura Kaye
DRAGON FEVER by Donna Grant
KAYDEN/SIMON by Alexandra Ivy/Laura Wright
STRUNG UP by Lorelei James
MIDNIGHT UNTAMED by Lara Adrian
TRICKED by Rebecca Zanetti
DIRTY WICKED by Shayla Black
THE ONLY ONE by Lauren Blakely
SWEET SURRENDER by Liliana Hart
COLLECTION FOUR
ROCK CHICK REAWAKENING by Kristen Ashle
y
ADORING INK by Carrie Ann Ryan
SWEET RIVALRY by K. Bromberg
SHADE'S LADY by Joanna Wylde
RAZR by Larissa Ione
ARRANGED by Lexi Blake
TANGLED by Rebecca Zanetti
HOLD ME by J. Kenner
SOMEHOW, SOME WAY by Jennifer Probst
TOO CLOSE TO CALL by Tessa Bailey
HUNTED by Elisabeth Naughton
EYES ON YOU by Laura Kaye
DRAGON BURN by Donna Grant
TRIPPED OUT by Lorelei James
STUD FINDER by Lauren Blakely
MIDNIGHT UNLEASHED by Lara Adrian
HALLOW BE THE HAUNT by Heather Graham
DIRTY FILTHY FIX by Laurelin Paige
THE BED MATE by Kendall Ryan
NIGHT GAMES by CD Reiss
NO RESERVATIONS by Kristen Proby
DAWN OF SURRENDER by Liliana Hart
COLLECTION FIVE
BLAZE ERUPTING by Rebecca Zanetti
ROUGH RIDE by Kristen Ashley
HAWKYN by Larissa Ione
RIDE DIRTY by Laura Kaye
ROME’S CHANCE by Joanna Wylde
THE MARRIAGE ARRANGEMENT by Jennifer Probst
SURRENDER by Elisabeth Naughton
INKED NIGHTS by Carrie Ann Ryan
ENVY by Rachel Van Dyken
PROTECTED by Lexi Blake
THE PRINCE by Jennifer L. Armentrout
PLEASE ME by J. Kenner
WOUND TIGHT by Lorelei James
STRONG by Kylie Scott
DRAGON NIGHT by Donna Grant
TEMPTING BROOKE by Kristen Proby
HAUNTED BE THE HOLIDAYS by Heather Graham
CONTROL by K. Bromberg
HUNKY HEARTBREAKER by Kendall Ryan
THE DARKEST CAPTIVE by Gena Showalter
COLLECTION SIX
DRAGON CLAIMED by Donna Grant
ASHES TO INK by Carrie Ann Ryan
ENSNARED by Elisabeth Naughton
EVERMORE by Corinne Michaels
VENGEANCE by Rebecca Zanetti
ELI’S TRIUMPH by Joanna Wylde
CIPHER by Larissa Ione
RESCUING MACIE by Susan Stoker
ENCHANTED by Lexi Blake
TAKE THE BRIDE by Carly Phillips
INDULGE ME by J. Kenner
THE KING by Jennifer L. Armentrout
QUIET MAN by Kristen Ashley
ABANDON by Rachel Van Dyken
THE OPEN DOOR by Laurelin Paige
CLOSER by Kylie Scott
SOMETHING JUST LIKE THIS by Jennifer Probst
BLOOD NIGHT by Heather Graham
TWIST OF FATE by Jill Shalvis
MORE THAN PLEASURE YOU by Shayla Black
WONDER WITH ME by Kristen Proby
THE DARKEST ASSASSIN by Gena Showalter
Discover Blue Box Press
TAME ME by J. Kenner
TEMPT ME by J. Kenner
DAMIEN by J. Kenner
TEASE ME by J. Kenner
REAPER by Larissa Ione
THE SURRENDER GATE by Christopher Rice
SERVICING THE TARGET by Cherise Sinclair
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Table of Contents
Book Description
About Laurelin Paige
Also from Laurelin Paige
Acknowledgments
Discover 1001 Dark Nights
Foreword
Introduction
Chapter One
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Epilogue
Author’s Note
Discover more about Camilla
Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Seven
Discover More Laurelin Paige
An excerpt from Man in Charge by Laurelin Paige
Discover the World of 1001 Dark Nights
Special Thanks
One Thousand and One Dark Nights
Once upon a time, in the future…
I was a student fascinated with stories and learning.
I studied philosophy, poetry, history, the occult, and
the art and science of love and magic. I had a vast
library at my father’s home and collected thousands
of volumes of fantastic tales.
I learned all about ancient races and bygone
times. About myths and legends and dreams of all
people through the millennium. And the more I read
the stronger my imagination grew until I discovered
that I was able to travel into the stories... to actually
become part of them.
I wish I could say that I listened to my teacher
and respected my gift, as I ought to have. If I had, I
would not be telling you this tale now.
But I was foolhardy and confused, showing off
with bravery.
One afternoon, curious about the myth of the
Arabian Nights, I traveled back to ancient Persia to
see for myself if it was true that every day Shahryar
(Persian: شهريار, “king”) married a new virgin, and then
sent yesterday's wife to be beheaded. It was written
and I had read that by the time he met Scheherazade,
the vizier's daughter, he’d killed one thousand
women.
Something went wrong with my efforts. I arrived
in the midst of the story and somehow exchanged
places with Scheherazade – a phenomena that had
never occurred before and that still to this day, I
cannot explain.
Now I am trapped in that ancient past. I have
taken on Scheherazade’s life and the only way I can
protect myself and stay alive is to do what she did to
protect herself and stay alive.
Every night the King calls for me and listens as I spin tales.
And when the evening ends and dawn breaks, I stop at a
point that leaves him breathless and yearning for more.
And so the King spares my life for one more day, so that
he might hear the rest of my dark tale.
As soon as I finish a story... I begin a new
one... like the one that you, dear reader, have before
you now.
Introduction
Foreground: The area of an image—usually a photograph, drawing, or painting—that appears closest to the viewer. - MoMA Glossary of Art Terms
There’s no way to see an entire life in a single photograph. It takes a portfolio, an expansive collection to understand the nuances of character and experience and circumstance.
Still, there can be a complete story in a snapshot. A good photographer knows how to find that narrative, knows which moments are worth capturing and which aren’t. A good photographer can adjust the lens just right, so the background becomes hazy and unimportant and undistracting. A good photographer knows when the foreground is enough to tell the story that needs to be told. A good photographer focuses in and snaps at just the right time.
That’s what the snobbiest of professional photographers say—that the perfect shots are planned and executed with precision. I’ve said it myself on several occasions, when my work has been acclaimed, when I’m feeling prideful about my compositions.
If I’m being honest, I don’t know that there’s much reason to boast about any of the photos that have earned me attention. Most of th
e time, I just got lucky.
Chapter One
Cropping: Editing, typically by removing the outer edges of the image. - MoMA Glossary of Art Terms
You’ve got to be kidding me.
The thought races through my mind repeatedly as I shuffle through the registration papers in front of me, as if I might have the wrong stack, as if I might see something different when I return to the sheet with the names of all my students.
Of course nothing changes when my eyes return to the enrollment form. There are still thirteen names arranged in alphabetical order. There are still more women than men by a three to one ratio. And Hendrix Reid is still the last male name on the list.
It can’t be a coincidence. It’s bloody unlikely there are many Hendrixes in the photography world, less unlikely more than one of them has the surname Reid.
Despite the unlikelihood, I hold on to the slim thread of doubt, mainly because I have no other choice. I have no time to prepare mentally for the alternative since class is set to begin in, oh, four and a half minutes. A good majority of the thirteen students are already sitting at the three tables squaring the room in front of me, and since none of them are recognizable, it isn’t impossible that the Hendrix Reid enrolled is not my Hendrix Reid.
Not that I have a Hendrix Reid. He was never actually mine. Even for the one night we spent together, we remained strangers. Sure, we took our clothing off and engaged in wicked behavior, but the lights were out so it was more anonymous than not, despite having exchanged names, which I try to never do. Technically, I hadn’t then either. The conference we’d attended had taken care of that, listing both our names and our bios with headshots in the event directory, without any regard to the fact that some of us became photographers because we preferred to remain on the other side of the lens.