Riley Cruz

I’m a shifter with a checkered past and sticky fingers. I like my new life. I’ve got good friends, cheap barbecue, and weekly karaoke. Sure, I live in an apartment with more deadbolts than functioning windows. And yeah, I earn just enough tips as a mediocre bartender to buy name brand ramen noodles. But I can be as flamboyant and fun as I want—as long as I keep my hands clean. When a mysterious stranger strolls into my bar with tales of a magical dagger so rare it’s guaranteed to start a bidding war, that itch is back. One last heist… for old times’ sake. At least, that’s what I tell myself.

As a scrawny goat shifter in a pack of werewolves, my role is to get into places they can't go. The alpha who took me in after my parents died molded me into a master thief. For four long years, he's lined his pockets, while I've taken all the risks. Now he's sending me after the magical artifact he's chased for years. This is my chance to escape. All I have to do is pull off the biggest heist I've ever attempted, escape the seethe of vampires I'm about to rob, and ditch the wolves who watch my every move.

I'm a shifter with a checkered past and sticky fingers. I like my new life. I've got good friends, cheap booze, and weekly karaoke. Sure, I live in an apartment with more deadbolts than functioning windows. And yeah, I earn just enough tips as a mediocre bartender to buy name brand ramen noodles. But I can be as flamboyant and fun as I want—as long as I keep my hands clean. When a mysterious stranger strolls into my bar with tales of a magical dagger so rare it's guaranteed to start a bidding war, that old itch is back. One last heist—for old times sake. At least, that's what I tell myself.

Turns out, the only difference between a felony and acquisitions is who’s bankrolling my heist. I’m about to go from scrounging up enough tip money to make rent to pulling six figures. I’ll finally put those years stealing for my old alpha to good use. Only this time, I’ll be the one calling the shots. My crew. My way. When a witch starts dabbling in forbidden magic, the Enclave sends me after the demon artifact fueling her power. The job should be simple, except they can’t point me to the culprit or tell me what I’m after.

I’ve coveted a lot of valuables in my life. Magic was never one of them. My plan was to spend my days on a little team-building, a headquarters’ renovation, and an overdue date with a smoking-hot shifter. Instead, I’m stuck learning to wield a magic as unpredictable as my nature. As the first known shifter witch hybrid, my sexy alpha werewolf isn't the only one pressuring me to join ranks. The local coven is determined to get me under control. With their rules and rituals, they're worse than a supernatural H.O.A. Too bad, I'm allergic to being told what to do.

Stealing magical artifacts was supposed to be my golden ticket, not a death sentence. Securing a dangerous book of spells should’ve earned me some time off and a fat bonus. I’d hoped to spend my days breaking in the new climbing wall at G.O.A.T. headquarters, hanging out with a hot alpha werewolf, and planning my next karaoke set. Instead, the Enclave hands me a ten-day ultimatum and a job hunting a cursed artifact that got their last two thieves killed. When the search turns up clues about my parents, I’ll do whatever it takes to discover who I am—even if it takes blood magic to do it.

A scavenger hunt for the relic my mom hid decades ago should’ve been simple enough. I expected to spend a few weeks chasing clues in my old stomping grounds, followed by a fat payday and an overdue vacation. Unfortunately, I’m not the only one after that artifact. Between the witch trying to get her hands on it and the vampires determined to use it to open the veil, the stakes have never been higher. Since I can no longer trust the Enclave’s intentions, I’m ready to cut out the middleman.