An adult, dark fantasy romance that challenges the clarity of good and evil within the human soul. In 652 A.D., young Eadric and his family flee their ravaged village of Goznorvan, decimated by northern invaders. They find sanctuary in Mozdeville, a mysterious village said to be cursed-untouched by Norsemen raids yet shadowed by secrets. Eadric meets Emie Zinnethush, an enchanting woman unafraid to wield dark magic, who urges him to embrace forbidden powers to defend his loved ones. Bound by his Catholic faith, Eadric struggles to resist and her allure and the chilling witchcraft rites she performs with Viking blood, summoning creatures from the dark beyond. But as the Vikings grow fiercer, Eadric faces an impossible choice: let his people fall, or wield the powers Emie offers. In the depths of Mozdeville, however, he may unlock a doorway to the most vile realm in all existence and encounter terrors far darker than any Viking blade. Contains vividly described violence and detailed spell incantations. "Led by a strong female protagonist, the story delves into themes of power and moral ambiguity, making it a chilling and thought-provoking read." Olivia Von Holt "It's a tale of seduction, betrayal, revenge, and redemption that shifts seamlessly from poetic beauty to chilling horror, including vivid, sometimes gory descriptions-definitely not for the faint of heart. " Oliver C Emie's laughter rang out, clear and bright as the stream itself. He didn't mind that it was at his expense. Eadric's heart swelled at the sound of her laughter, and he found himself splashing water in her direction, a playful grin spreading across his face. "If I can't catch that fish, perhaps I'll have better luck catching something else." Their laughter mingled with the babbling of the brook as they engaged in a spirited water fight. For a spell, the world beyond the water's edge ceased to exist. They splashed and played, drenched in innocence, while the sun watched, smiling from its lofty perch. "You're far from the first to try and pull this fish from the stream," Emie exclaimed, attempting to dodge Eadric's increasingly accurate splashes. Her foot slipped on a mossy stone, and she stumbled backward with a yelp. Without thinking, Eadric lunged forward to catch her, his strong arms wrapping around her waist. The momentum carried them both down, and they landed in the shallow water with a splash, Eadric instinctively positioning his arms to cushion her fall. As the water settled around them, Eadric became acutely aware of their position. His clothes were soaked through, clinging to his skin, and Emie was sprawled on top of him, her face mere inches from his own. She looked into his eyes, and he felt a jolt of something primal course through his body. "Emie, I..." he began, his voice barely above a whisper. He had never felt this kind of connection to a woman before, and the intensity of it both thrilled and terrified him. Just as he thought about how much of a sin it would be to touch her, to act on the desire building within him, he found that her lips were pressed against his. "Is this your first time kissing a girl?" Emie asked, her eyes twinkling with curiosity and amusement.Eadric's cheeks burned with embarrassment. "I... well, there weren't many girls of my..." he trailed off, unable to finish the sentence. Emie's eyes widened, a slow smile spreading across her face as she once again pressed her lips against his and ran her hands through his hair. "Oh, I have so much to teach you, Eadric Perrymane!"