The thrilling first book of a steamy duology from internationally bestselling author Kate Dylan!

Two ruthless assassins. One deadly romance.

Talia Atwater has been killing most of her life. When the plague took her parents and left her with a young sister to protect, she had no choice but to become a reaper, a blade for hire who uses her looks, her charms, and her rare ability to sense lies to rid clients of their sworn enemy: the person destined to kill their soulmate.

Cain Hawthorne never intended to be a killer. But as a child, he was surrendered to the Brotherhood—a religious order dedicated to transforming those with magic into weapons who serve the Gods. Cain's mandate is to track down and kill rogue reapers, a sacred duty he's willing to fulfil, even though it means he can never seek out his soulmate and seal the gold mark encircling his finger.

Talia has no desire to seek out her soulmate. She couldn't care less that alongside her gold mark sits a barbed crimson ring—the harrowing promise that her fated love will meet a tragic end at the hands of her sworn enemy.

But when a dangerous client demands that Talia make a shameful kill, the Brotherhood sends Cain to ensure she doesn't succeed, thrusting them both into a lethal game of hidden identities, seduction, and deceit, where they must confront their deepest fears and greatest desires—and challenge everything they've ever known about their destinies.