Book Title: Seeing Death
Author: L M Somerton
Publisher: Totally Entwined
Cover Artist: Kelly Martin
Release Date: September 9, 2025
Tense/POV: third person, present tense
Genres: Contemporary MM Romance, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Mystery/suspense/thriller
Tropes: Peril, self-sacrifice, protector/protected, found family
Themes: Saving the world
Heat Rating: 0 – 1 flames: There are hints about what they want to do, but it doesn’t happen in this book.
Length: 58 617 words
It is a standalone story. The first in a new series. (Book 1 in the The Augur series)
It does not end on a cliffhanger, though there are unresolved plot threads.
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Universal link | First for Romance
Some futures were never meant to be seen.
Blurb
At eighteen, Bryn Ashton is preparing for a new chapter at Harvard, if fate doesn’t intervene. An orphan raised in a group home, he has spent his life fearing the moment a latent gene, mutated by a past virus, might awaken supernatural abilities. He could transform into a lupine or sanguine, but when a blood test confirms he is neither, his world shifts. Instead of wolf or vamp, Bryn is revealed to be an augur. His eyes glow green, his psychic abilities emerge, and suddenly, his future is no longer his to control.
Three years later, Bryn is partnered with Detective Gunnar Ericson, a lupine with enhanced abilities of his own. As an augur, Bryn can read memories and glimpse the future, making him an invaluable part of high-stakes investigations. But his rarity also makes him a target, and Gunnar is more than just a partner, he’s Bryn’s protector.
As they navigate complex cases, their connection grows. But their partnership will be tested in ways they never expected. With a dangerous investigation unfolding, their relationship must take a back seat and even if they survive one killer, another is always waiting.
“No way. You are not getting out of buying me Twinkies. I want my trip to the market. Chemically enhanced goodness will make me feel so much better.”
“You know that’s not a good thing, right?”
“Drive, wolf boy. We can get you some goodies too.”
Bryn slumped in his seat and Gunnar guessed that his eyes were closed behind his glasses. “Okay, but you ain’t gonna fit in the kiddie seat in the cart. You’ll have to walk.”
“Fuck off.”
Gunnar grinned—that was the spark of attitude he’d been looking for.
There was a Walmart less than fifteen minutes’ drive away so Gunnar headed there. He hoped it wouldn’t be too crowded but if Bryn pushed the cart, he’d have a bit of protection. When they got there, the lot was more than half full. Bryn’s face was still bone white, accentuated by his dark clothing and hair, and Gunnar was a bit concerned about how he’d cope being around so many people.
Not going to insult him by asking if he’s sure about this. The kid knows his own mind even if his decisions aren’t always in his best interests. “We’re here.”
Bryn perked up. “You know how long it’s been since I had free rein in one of these places? Never. The group home was always on a budget and once I went into training, I didn’t get any choice about what I ate.”
“This may be the first time but it won’t be the last, so go easy. I don’t need you bouncing off the walls because you’ve eaten a shit-ton of candy.”
“I need chips and strawberries and chicken tenders and stuff to make sliders and…”
“Shall we get in there?” Gunnar chuckled. “I get the feeling this is going to be an expensive trip.”
“It’s Warden’s dollar.” Bryn shrugged. “He can afford it.”
In the end it was Gunnar who pushed the cart because Bryn kept getting distracted and running off to different shelves. He drew a few curious looks but Walmart’s clientele was the full spectrum of humanity. There were shoppers who looked a lot stranger than Bryn. Bryn had apparently found his Nirvana. Even though he did pick out a lot of sweet, unhealthy things, he also stocked the cart with the makings of lots of different dishes.
“We can have mac and cheese tonight, can’t we? With garlic bread? I even got salad for you.”
“I love homemade mac and cheese,” Gunnar admitted, licking his lips.
“I hope you know how to cook it, because I don’t have a clue,” Bryn said.
“As it happens, I do.” Gunnar eyed the heaped cart. “I think it’s time I got you out of here or there won’t be any groceries left for anyone else.”
“Okay, deal. Can we make a stop at a Walgreens? I think I’m going to need a fresh supply of painkillers.” “Don’t worry about that. Warden has it covered. You’ll be able to get what you need back at base. Prescription strength rather than over-the-counter meds.”
“Good to know Warden has a candy store just for me,” Bryn muttered.
There was a line at the checkouts and while Gunnar waited, Bryn wandered off to browse the chips aisle for a second time. When he came back, Gunnar was paying and Bryn had to negotiate his way through the line. “Sorry, sorry… Coming through. I’m with the big guy.”
It was impossible for him not to brush past people and Gunnar suddenly realized that Bryn hadn’t put his gloves back on. Their eyes met and Gunnar knew that Bryn had connected with someone and whatever he’d seen hadn’t been good. He looked shell-shocked. There were so many people there was no way of telling who it had been.
Bryn stumbled toward the exit and Gunnar followed him shoving the cart like a battering ram. Shoppers scattered and they made it outside.
“Hold the side of the cart. You look like you’re about to fall over.” Bryn grabbed it but still weaved as he walked. Gunnar had parked in an empty portion of the lot. He shoved bags of groceries into the trunk as fast as he could then got Bryn into the car before abandoning the cart and getting in himself.
“Tell me.”
“I’m so dumb. I should have known better.”
“It’s not your fault… What did you see?”
“Not sure if it was memory or the future. Death. So much death.”
Lucinda lives in a small village in the English countryside, surrounded by rolling hills, cows and sheep. She started writing to fill time between jobs and is now firmly and unashamedly addicted.
She loves the English weather, especially the rain, and adores a thunderstorm. She loves good food, warm company and a crackling fire. She’s fascinated by the psychology of relationships, especially between men, and her stories contain some subtle (and some not so subtle) leanings towards BDSM.
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