Title: Summer and Shadows

Series: The Pact of the Veil, Book Two

Author: Kathryne Lentes

Publisher: NineStar Press

Release Date: 08/18/2026

Heat Level: 2 – Fade to Black Sex

Pairing: Female/Female

Length: 35900

Genre: Paranormal, Genre/lit, paranormal, pansexual, trans, poly, shifter, elves, witch, magic, conspiracy

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Description

Sah has gone through a lot in three years. I mean how often does a person find out their sister disappeared, meet a hot detective, get bitten by a werewolf, and discover they are part of a legacy of shape shifters? She thought her life would calm down and she could enjoy a summer vacation in LA. But now she is mixed up with the Fae and a magical serial killer. To survive she must find new allies and embrace her new self without reservation.

Summer and Shadows
Kathryne Lentes © 2026
All Rights Reserved

I grabbed my go bag from the floor and followed as he led the way toward a room in the back. The room inside was Spartan; the only items in there were a pair of crystal wine glasses on the table in the center, with a dusty wine bottle set next to them. There was also an ornate box sitting off to one side. Sreng took a seat and motioned toward the other chair. I sat down across from him.

“Would you like some wine?”

“I want to say yes, but I have heard some things about accepting gifts from Faerie kind.”

Sreng got a mildly annoyed look on his face, as if to say, “Do I look like a faery?” But it was gone a moment later. “I am a servant of the high king—our representative to the Council of the Pact. I have been instructed to aid you in whatever you need to do to perform your task of helping us address this situation. I swear to be open and honest with you so long as you are performing that task. You will incur no debt from me while in our service.”

“Then, sure, I’ll take a glass of wine.”

As he poured the wine into the glasses, I looked him over carefully. He was wearing an impeccably tailored suit that probably cost more than my last book advance. The suit, however, could not conceal the muscular chest beneath it. His hair looked like it had once been blond but had long changed to silver, and I had to wonder how old someone from the Daoine Sí had to be to get grey hair.

He handed me my glass, and I swirled the wine around and took a sniff more because that was what I had seen in movies rather than having any clue about the niceties of wine. I took a drink and almost spit it out. It had a very bitter bite to it and tasted like an old piece of oak. I am sure a connoisseur would have called it woody and robust. I put all my effort into keeping my thoughts from my face. “So, can you give me some details about what is going on that you need my assistance with?”

“Before I do that, can I ask why you chose to get involved with the menial dispute?”

“Let’s just say I have a hard time standing idly by while the odds are ten to one.”

“You should try and get over that while in our jurisdiction. The Daoine Sí do not take kindly to interference.”

I looked at him but did not comment. He seemed to take my silence for assent and moved on to the main topic.

“The Dé Danann need your assistance because there is a killer loose on the streets of Los Angeles. They do not know what it is; it leaves tracks like an animal but evades all attempts at pursuit like it is possessed of a man’s intelligence. At first, the Dé Danann family set the men of the LAPD to catch it, but they failed. Now they believe that it might be one of your kin. I understand that sometimes your kind can lose itself to your totems and become animalistic.”

The way he said, “Your kind,” made me think that he thought all the Menagerie was a tad too animalistic for his tastes. I let it slide. I was so going to have someone look over that agreement I had signed with the Speaker. “I can look at the files and crime scenes and see if I can provide any insight.”

“Are you a detective or hunter?”

“Nope.”

Sreng’s face twisted slightly. He was obviously put out, and I did not think it was the wine. “Then why did they send you?”

“Well, first, because I am very knowledgeable about my kin, and second, because beggars can’t be choosers. There is a meeting of the Pact of the Veil currently, which means that everyone important enough to qualify is occupied. So, you get me. I’m no happier about it than you.”

 

 

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Kathryne Lentes has been writing stories as long as she could hold a pen in her hand. She is a transwoman who, when not working on her own projects, operates Paper Phoenix Ink, a blog showcasing queer creators. She is currently living in Saint Louis with her wife, two cats, and a pile of science fiction and fantasy books.

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