Title: Killing Motives
Series: Killing Games, Book Three
Author: Reis Asher
Publisher: NineStar Press
Release Date: 08/19/2025
Heat Level: 3 – Some Sex
Pairing: M/NB
Length: 45200
Genre: Horror/Thriller, action/adventure, alternate universe, bisexual, civil war, dystopia, horror, nonbinary, transmasculine
Add to Goodreads
Description
Reis has spent a year trying to keep the spirit of Anver-Kasyova alive, running Rainbow Bridge, a grassroots rescue network smuggling civilians out of war-torn Anver. It’s all they and Edgar can do in the wake of the destruction of the cities’ connecting bridge.
But when the Kasyovan Bureau arrests Reis, what should be the end turns into an unexpected new beginning: an invitation to lead the very country they’ve been fighting to save. Inducted into the Shadow Government, Reis becomes a reluctant President, aware they’re a pawn, but powerless to say no. The Shadow Government has leverage…and a secret weapon: a powerful
AI named Oracle, whose capability even surprises Edgar.
As Reis takes the helm, they uncover a darker truth—Nation Builders, Inc. (formerly the Killing Committee) is operating out of the ruins of the former seat of government, the Pyramid, to manipulate global regimes. And they’ve built their own AI.
Now, Reis must outwit the puppet masters who shattered their home, confront betrayals on every front, and hold on to Edgar—and their dream of a free, reunified Twin City-States of Anver-Kasyova.
Killing Motives
Reis Asher © 2025
All Rights Reserved
Edgar watched the red blip exit the tunnel on his map of Anver-Kasyova and released the long breath he’d been holding. He and Reis had faced death together so many times, yet it seemed to get harder to bear, not easier, as time passed. Their roots had become entangled, and now he wasn’t sure he could live without his partner. He wondered how he felt about that, but perhaps it had been true from the moment they’d met. As independent and successful as he’d been on his own, Edgar had been no match for the Killing Committee. Without Reis, he wouldn’t be alive. It pained him to think that Reis didn’t rely on him as much as he relied on them.
“Packages are safe and secure, Ed,” Teon said over the radio in their rich, velveteen voice. Their voice sounded heavier than usual; tinged with feeling, as though they were on the edge of tears, and Edgar had to hold himself back from asking if Reis was all right. Of course, Reis was all right—Teon had said “safe and secure,” not “damaged in transit” or “compromised.” That didn’t stop Edgar from cutting into the Kasyovan closed-circuit camera system, following the vehicle back to their office, kicking his chair away from the desk, and practically running to the front door when it pulled up outside. He felt a little pathetic waiting in the doorway like a puppy anticipating the return of its master. He sighed as Reis emerged from the vehicle, the tension that had kept him awake so late into the night ebbing away and leaving a sense of exhaustion heavy in his veins.
When the passenger side door opened, and a man holding a baby alighted, Edgar knew he would need another cup of coffee. Reis always seemed to bring trouble with them. They were such a sap for hopeless causes, but Edgar could hardly fault them for that, even if the government money was running dry. Still, Edgar had never known them to get excited over babies. He’d tested the waters to find Reis’s opinions were similar to his own—babies were needy, loud, and often disgusting—and even asking the question had seemed to trigger a hefty amount of dysphoria in Reis to the point he’d never asked about it again. He hadn’t needed to. He was quite happy with the life he’d built with Reis and their friends, especially since they’d fled to Kasyova. They didn’t need anything else to be a family.
But of course, Reis still protected the vulnerable, personal needs be damned. That was what made them special.
Reis briefly embraced Edgar, then turned to the man next to him. “This is Zach,” Reis said. “His daughter doesn’t have a name yet, but we need to get Zach set up with adoption, medical, and transition resources ASAP.”
“Trans—oh.” Edgar put the pieces together before he could put his foot in his mouth and was grateful for Reis’s heads-up.
“Nice to meet you, Zach.” Edgar held out his hand, and Zach took it. He shook firmly with the hand not cradling the baby to his chest. Teon flapped about in the background like a hen, and Edgar was glad to let them take control. Teon ushered Zach into a side room where the Rainbow Bridge emergency nurse kept her office and shut the door behind them.
“You okay?” Edgar asked as casually as he could manage. He could see the strain on Reis’s face, the exhaustion in their bloodshot eyes, and the general slump in their stance.
“You broke protocol by calling me on the mission,” Reis chided him. “You can see my location on GPS.”
“I’m sorry. Something about this trip had my hackles up in the first place. I’m glad you could help someone, but I’m not going to say I’m not worried about our contact being a no-show.”
“Things are bad over there,” Reis said. “Way worse than the drone images show. It’s so quiet. Like the city’s waiting for something. Or there’s just nobody left.”
Purchase
NineStar Press | Books2Read
Amazon
Reis Asher (he/him) is a transmasculine author living in rural Pennsylvania with his husband and four cats. He loves video games, reading, technology, and of course, writing.
He enjoys shining a spotlight on queer characters and their adventures in a diverse range of worlds, from the fantastical to the everyday.
Catch him on Twitter where he’s happy to interact.
One lucky winner will receive a $50.00 NineStar Press Gift Code!
