faceslapping

Xiao Shou transmigrates into a cultivation world and discovers he is only a minor supporting character destined to be used and discarded in the main plot. To survive, he awakens a special ability called Absolute Fusion, which lets him combine items to upgrade them into higher-level treasures. Avoiding the dangerous main storyline involving the heroine and a transmigrator, he quietly cultivates in a hidden location. By fusing spirit stones, pills, techniques, and rare treasures, he grows stronger at an incredible speed. As powerful cultivators and fate itself begin to close in, Xiao Shou refuses to become cannon fodder. He will use his fusion ability to rise step by step and change his destined ending, becoming strong enough to control his own fate.

When Bai He wakes up, he realizes he has become the youngest elder of Lingguang Sect. Although he looks weak and carefree, he is bound by a system that forces him to change fate. After taking in a noisy disciple and saving the troubled genius Ye Shiyuan, his quiet life is thrown into chaos. As cultivation deadlines, hidden enemies, and dangerous secrets emerge, Bai He must grow stronger or he will lose everything.

From Pig-Faced Trash to the Most Wanted Mate in Beastworld! * * * Aurora died as she lived - feared, skilled, and alone. As a world-class assassin of the 21st century, she expected death to be the end. Instead, she awakens in a primitive Beastworld in the body of a girl who shares her name but nothing else. The original owner of her body was not only overweight, despised, and carried filthy reputation, but she's so hated that even children throw stones at her. And worst of all? She wakes up straddling a bound, enraged, devastatingly handsome Alpha wolf she apparently drugged in an attempt to force him into mating. Aurora immediately realizes she has transmigrated into a complete disaster. With death looming, a ruined name, and a body that can barely run - she has no time to panic. Especially not when a mysterious System binds itself to her and issues a cold command - [Save the Beastworld from extinction… or be erased.] In a world where females are rare, weak, and dying out, and powerful beastmen rule with instinct and dominance, Aurora must survive by relying on the only things she still owns - her deadly skills and forgotten medical knowledge. But survival isn't simple. Because the wolf she tried to "assault" becomes her first unavoidable connection. And he is only the beginning. A tyrannical Snow Lion Beast King with piercing eyes that see too much. A cold and ancient Dragon King who has outlived his entire bloodline. A cunning Nine-Tailed Fox Lord who plays with hearts like games. A blazing Divine Phoenix whose pride rivals the heavens. Each one powerful. Each one dangerous. Each one drawn to her in ways they don't understand. Some want her dead. Some want to claim her. Some can't decide which desire burns stronger. Caught between survival, secrets, and a system that manipulates her at every turn, Aurora must rebuild herself from nothing - changing not only her fate, but the future of the entire Beastworld. All while unintentionally capturing the hearts of the most powerful beastmen alive. Because this time, the "trash" female they all despised is the one who will make them kneel. --- **A reverse-harem fantasy romance filled with danger, humor, slow-burn love, and a heroine who refuses to be broken.**

Verc lived a quiet, meaningless life as an office worker, counting days rather than living them. When he casually wished for excitement, the world answered with steel, headlights, and death. He awakens reborn in a pitch-black cave as something no longer human—but a vampire demon. Guided by nothing, Verc learns a simple truth of his new existence: consume, evolve, rule. By drinking the blood of others, he can steal their abilities, physical traits, and powers, growing stronger with every kill. Starting from the depths of darkness, Verc claws his way upward—hunting monsters, crushing goblins, and uncovering a brutal world ruled by strength alone. As his power grows, so does his ambition. Survival turns into domination, and domination into the rise of a new Demon King. In a world where blood is currency and mercy is weakness, Verc will carve his throne one bite at a time. Discord: https://discord.gg/kfwSu5k8GV

Amara Piers is living the dream everyone double-taps on Instagram. For ten years, Sebastian Creed hasn’t just been her husband; he’s been her entire world. As the charismatic CEO of a global empire, Sebastian is the man who has everything, yet he acts as if Amara is his only prize. The handwritten morning notes, the spontaneous anniversary trips to Paris, the way he looks at her as if she’s the only woman in the room—it was the "perfect" marriage. Or so she thought. The facade doesn’t crack; it shatters. On a mundane Thursday morning, a stranger delivers a sentence that turns Amara’s fairy tale into a psychological horror story: “Ma’am, I’m sorry... but your marriage certificate and your child’s adoption papers are both fake.” In one heartbeat, Amara realizes she isn’t a wife, and she might not legally be a mother. The man she worshipped hasn’t just been keeping secrets; he’s been orchestrating a decade-long performance. As the walls of her high-end life close in, Amara must face a terrifying reality: Sebastian Creed didn't marry her because he loved her. He "captured" her. Now, the woman who was once his greatest treasure is becoming his greatest threat. To reclaim her life and walk away from her husband's child, Amara must disappear from a man who has the resources to find anyone, anywhere. But how do you run from a man who knows your every thought before you even think it? She was the woman he claimed to love. Now, she’s the one woman he can’t be allowed to keep.

The Interstellar Era brought a new reality for humanity. Pollution and space pirates became the latest problems for the government. To Mu Ning, however, things weren't simple. At the height of her career, she got in an accident and ended up becoming a task executor. After completing countless missions and finally returning to her own world, she was greeted by two adorable twins… glaring at her. The worst part? They looked an awful lot like her. After digging deeper, Mu Ning almost wanted to beat herself up. Six years had passed since her accident, and another soul had taken over her body, leaving chaos everywhere. Bringing down her parents? Check. Ruining her sibling’s career? Check. Forcing a marriage with her long-time crush and earning the worst impression possible? Check. Mistreating her own children? Check. Destroying her entertainment company? Check. The checklist went on until Mu Ning’s head throbbed. Her only comfort was that she still knew tons of Earth recipes and had the spirit farmer to purify the land she owned. With danger hanging over her like a blade, Mu Ning had to fix everything and survive... while swearing to find the soul that messed up her life. And at the same time, she had to deal with her husband’s scheming white moonlight, an adopted daughter trying to steal her place, and a mother-in-law who couldn’t stand her! Rolling up her sleeves, Mu Ning let out a cold laugh. After living in so many worlds, very few things could truly scare her. ......................................................................... Extract 1: "Sign this divorce paper, if you still have even a little shame left." The cold, distant crown prince of the empire, Liam, looked at Mu Ning with complete indifference. Mu Ning felt her heart twist painfully. She had liked this man for more than five years. But some relationships simply couldn’t be forced. With a quiet sigh in her heart, Mu Ning signed the divorce papers. .......................................................................... Extract 2: [Alert! To survive, you must kiss Mu Ning within 10 seconds!] Liam blinked at Mu Ning with an innocent expression and blurted out, "Wife, my system is asking me to kiss you 10 times." System: "..." Liar! Mu Ning smirked coldly. "Get lost."

In her past life, he ruined her. In this one, he won’t let her go. In her past life, Princess Katerina was promised to Prince Maximilian, the man she loved… until he betrayed her and destroyed her name beyond repair. When duty demanded it, she married King Dorian to save her people. It was a marriage born of sacrifice, not desire. But Maximilian never let her go. Even after ascending the throne of a rival kingdom, he pursued her relentlessly... not as a lover, but as a hunter. An enemy king. A shadow that followed her across borders and battlefields. A war she could never escape. Because of him, she lost everything. Her name. Her achievements. And the most unforgivable loss of all... her children. She died without ever understanding why he destroyed her… or why he never stopped. Reincarnated into the modern world as Catherine Preston, she wants only one thing: a quiet life. She has wealth, a powerful family that adores her, and a brilliant mind meant for research, not war. This time, she believes merit will protect her. This time, she believes the world is fairer. She is wrong. Traitors circle her once more—stealing her work, erasing her name, cornering her with smiles and contracts. And just as she stands on the edge of ruin… he appears again. Not as her enemy. Not as a king. But as her savior. “Marry me,” Maximilian Whitmore says calmly. “I’ll give you everything you dream of.” Catherine refuses. She will not trust the man who destroyed her once already. But fate has other plans. A curse. A bond. A shackle she cannot break. The only way to ease the curse… is intimacy with the man she despised. Bound once more to the enemy king of her past life, Catherine must face a terrifying question: Does Maximilian truly not remember what he did… or is he hiding the truth behind those unreadable eyes? And when King Dorian returns in this life, offering her peace and safety… Two men. Two pasts. One woman who remembers everything. In a world where names mean power and love is a battlefield, was Maximilian her greatest enemy… or the truth she was never meant to uncover? A reincarnation romance of obsession, betrayal, fate-bound love, and painful second chances. #A heart-throbbing reincarnation romance filled with obsession, power, betrayal, and fate-bound love. #Enemies to lovers. Soul shackles. Overbearing kings. Painful second chances. #Slowburn romance. Update will be once a day and there will be bonus chapters if we reach milestones. Hope you'll join me in this journey.

Ning Wei has been concealing her identity, posing as a man and entering the entertainment industry to become an Idol. She only wanted to make money and look for her family. Unexpectedly, she gained a lot of fans from all ages and gender along the way. She also caught the eye of a certain young master. One day, Ning Wei’s identity as a woman was exposed. Her group members were shocked. The netizens were uproar. Her fans felt betrayed. Ning Wei looked at the young master in front of her and knew that he was furious. He was sincere to her from the beginning while she had lied to him. She tried all sorts of tricks to coax the young master. Just when she thought that she should give up, the young master pressed her against the wall and looked at her dangerously. “Wei Wei, you can’t run away after teasing me.” “Feng An Yu, I am a woman.” “I know. Whether you are a man or a woman, I still want you.” Cover and characters Illustration commission by kirinlukis --- Shared universe with: 1. Loving You Too Much 2. True Love and Other Lies 3. A Lifetime with You 4. The Dragon Beside Me 5. Love So Sweet 6. Commander Qi's Runaway Wife 7. The Wedding Planner's Romance 8. The Author Must Die 9. The Substitute Groom Chases His Wife

[Error!] [Error!] [Error!] [System cannot synchronize with user! The soul is not compatible!] [User don't have any knowledge of future] [Survival chances until the end...........0%!] [Ding!~] [System cannot be initiated. But for poor user who had no future....We pity you!] [So each event you survives you will be rewarded according to your contribution in scenario! That's all we can do for you.] [Best of luck use–no. Best of luck Extra!] [---] ....... Aron lived a normal, happy life. He wasn’t a loner, nor did he have a tragic past. So why was he the one who got transmigrated? While trying out a new game, he found himself inside its world, in the body of an extra. As if that weren’t bad enough, he received a broken, useless system. Offering rewards only if he survived each scenerio. He had no guidance. No warnings. No knowledge of the game. This world was destined for chaos, where Eternal Beings would wage war in the near future. Aron— now Noah would carve his own path to survive. Even if it means to become an Eternal being himself. But for now, surviving the academy alone was already a nightmare. --- [A/N: The Story is Slowpaced. There will be lot of fun and entertainment chapter. Read them as fun and Don't question over their actions since they were written as fun. Story will be more serious and dark when it needed to! So enjoy now!] Discord Server link: https://discord.gg/dtFkwXFrNm You can Support me on kofi: https://ko-fi.com/lolman2020

What happens when the Sentry, a man who can rewrite reality, goes up against Godzilla, the endlessly evolving King of the Monsters? What happens when Thor, fully awakened to the Odinforce, faces King Ghidorah and his devastating gravity beams? What happens when Iceman, master of molecular-level temperature control, stands against Shimo the titan capable of triggering a new ice age? Kong with his battle axe. Rodan, the Lord of Fire. Prime MUTO. One colossal monster after another. From skyscraper-sized beasts to world-devouring titans, from a low-level mutant to a god of the multiverse. After waking up as a human test subject in a mutant laboratory, Fenris gains the power to wield the abilities of countless Titan monsters. But before he can rise from powerless captive to something far greater, he has to do one thing first: break out of a tiny cell.

Argus believed he’d simply been reborn into a mundane world—armed with memories of his past life, he planned to quietly amass wealth and collect a few obedient, well-trained "pets." That illusion shattered the day he encountered a white-haired elder with mismatched eyes. In that moment, he realized the truth: he had transmigrated into the Harry Potter universe... and he was the last surviving bloodline of Gellert Grindelwald. For years, Argus lived in the shadows, silently maxing out every talent with the aid of a mysterious system. Now, the prodigy has stepped into the light. Animagus transformation? Child’s play for anyone with skill. Occlumency and Legilimency? Mastered to perfection. ... - Dumbledore: “I once thought Voldemort’s gifts were unparalleled... until I met someone who eclipses even him.” - Snape: “No one dares claim the title of Potions Master in Argus’s presence.” - Voldemort: “They call me the Dark Lord? Argus walks a darkness a thousand times deeper.” ... As Gellert Grindelwald’s chosen adopted son, Argus inherits his father’s unbreakable will. He is destined to rally the loyal Saints once more. His first act on the world stage? Delivering a speech from the towering walls of Nurmengard that will shake the wizarding world to its core... ... For (FREE) Advance Chapters, Join - [email protected]/Ren_Saga

[Warning: R18+ Content] I thought I was going to die. So I chose to be remembered. One night. One drink. One sin I could never take back. But the men I met at the bar weren’t strangers. They were The Trident… three ruthless heirs of the Corvanni Dynasty, the most feared mafia bloodline alive. Draven. Silent, merciless, a predator cloaked in shadows. Lucian. Calculative, hauntingly beautiful, a devil with a silver tongue. And Azriel. Wild, reckless, dangerously addictive. They don’t ask. They take. And now they want me… completely. Their obsession burns hotter than their empire. Their touch is forbidden, but I can’t resist. Because the deeper I fall, the clearer it becomes… I’m not just their desire. I’m their ruin. Excerpt ********** “Run if you want, Jade.” The nickname rolled off Lucian’s tongue like a promise and a threat, one no one had ever dared call me before. My breath hitched, legs trembling, but before I could take a step, Draven’s hand closed around my wrist… iron, unyielding. “You think you can walk away after tasting us?” His voice was quiet, deadly, sending shivers straight to my core. Azriel leaned in from behind, his lips brushing the shell of my ear as his laughter burned through me. “Sweetheart, we don’t chase what’s already ours. And you, little Jade…” his teeth grazed my skin, “…you belong to the Trident now.” Azriel’s fingers tilted my chin up, his grin sinful, dangerous, carved just for me. “Tell me, Jade,” he purred, voice thick with lust, “what do you want?” Heat scorched my skin, my lips parting, but no words came. My body betrayed me, trembling against the wall of Draven’s chest while Lucian’s hand traced lazy circles on my thigh, teasing, tormenting. Azriel’s laugh was low, filthy. “No, sweetheart. Don’t just tremble for us. Say it.” His thumb brushed my lower lip, slow, taunting. “Say what you want. Say you want our hands, our mouths, our cocks… say it, and I’ll give you everything.” Draven’s breath was at my neck, steady, lethal. “Careful,” he murmured, “once you speak it aloud, there’s no going back.” Lucian’s whisper slid against my ear, silken poison. “And when you do, Jade, you’ll never remember what it felt like to be untouched.” My mouth opened before my brain could reason… “I want you,” I whispered. Draven’s hand tightened, Lucian’s eyes darkened, Azriel laughed as if the world had finally given him his prize. Three bodies pressed in, heat and danger wrapping me like a cage I couldn’t escape. Didn’t want to escape. My heart screamed to run, but my body whispered the truth. I wanted them… All of them. ********** Three men. One woman. A love story carved in blood and obsession.

I was the brightest star in the Tottenham academy, until I punched the director and got expelled. Everyone said my career was over before it began. They were wrong. I am Renzo Uzumaki. I’ve been reborn in 2015 with a secret that will change the pitch forever: The Football Legend System. While others are training their lungs, I’m downloading the S-Level models of the gods. Platini’s vision, Ronaldinho’s flair, and Batistuta’s thunderous strike—all flowing through my veins. From being an outcast in London to becoming the creative engine of Fiorentina alongside Salah and Gomez, I’m not just playing the game; I’m breaking it. The scouts ignored me. The media mocked me. Now, they have to watch as I rewrite the record books with a single pass. Gerrard saw the spark. Liverpool took the gamble. But Serie A is where I’ll become a nightmare for every defender in the world. Even the titans, Ronaldo and Messi, will have to wonder: who is this genius making the beautiful game look this easy? I didn’t come here to be a substitute. I came to be the Legend.

Discord link :- https://discord.gg/6tPfX3d7Pe Life. People say it has meaning. Purpose. Some grand reason you’re supposed to figure out before it’s over. Honestly? I think that’s bullshit. Some people are born strong. Some are born lucky. And some of us are born just… there. Not special enough to matter. Not useless enough to disappear. I tried. I really did. School. Family. Dreams. Didn’t work out. So I ran. From expectations. From people. From myself. And somehow, I ended up here. Inside a game I used to play. The Hero Chronicles. Famous for being unfair. Famous for being impossible. And now I’m part of it. Not as the chosen hero. Not as someone important. Just Leo von Celestial. The human Domain's failure. And the worst part? I've got 40 days until the Path Awakening. The same trial that killed the original Leo in the game. Now it’s my turn.

My name is Lucifer Obsidian Valcrest. I am heir to one of the most powerful noble houses in the kingdom. People calls me arrogant,cruel,womaniser and whatnot.And mind you I am. Or at least… that’s how I was supposed to go in my life. Something happened which caused me at the centre of a conspiracy which will lead me to my Destruction. After all those years of existing, I got to know that I am a mere extra,a discarded pawn in the grand scheme of things. This world worships heroes. It protects their chosen ones. It sacrifices everything else. Including me. I was never meant to survive. I was the stepping stone , the villain the hero crushes to prove his righteousness. The extra with some screen time. But I refuse to die for someone else’s glory. I know where this world is heading. Demons will rise. Gods will watch. The so-called saviors will fall. And in the chaos, fate will demand a sacrifice. This time, it won’t be me. Let the hero chase destiny. Let heaven judge it's followers. I will rewrite the ending. And if the world insists on calling me a villain, Then I will become the one it should have feared from the beginning. Discord - https://discord.gg/PdgEkxg8

The most anomaly and secretive scientific project in history, VILER-D was announced to be halted because of failure. No human trial of the experiment remained alive. Unexpectedly at the last moment before it completely shut down, an infant of fifteen weeks was found alive. Nobody knew if the baby would even be alive or what cruelty would it face along.... *** The secrets of having superpowers and highly sensitive senses have haunted me for a long time. I feel as if someone is controlling my mind and body. My feelings, reactions and character modifies with the passage of time. After surviving the attempted assassination, I, Biva, found clues regarding my abnormality. I disguised myself to live peacefully without disturbances. But sadly, to survive in the cruel world, finding my identity and eliminate the danger is the only choice. So I have to strike back, be ruthless, and take revenge on those who hurt me or my dearest one. I don't want to live as a prisoner, I aspire to be free and soar in the sky. Despite everything, someone in the dark, my shadow or illusion attempts to deprive me of my desires. Will my wish to find my parents, feel unconditional love and care ever be fulfilled? ## Join me in my journey to find out.## *** "Biva, did you have a hand in the destruction of Wega?" "Why only a hand? I solely destroyed it." "WHAT? That was my blood, sweat, and tears; my entire life; WHY? Are you a psychopath, Biva?" "Maybe I am....." *** Note: This is an original story written by me. Disclaimer: The cover is edited by me but I don't own the pictures. Credit goes to the owner.

Xiao Qingya was reincarnated as a pitiful cannon fodder in an ancient drama novel. Well, again.  In her grandfather’s generation, her maternal family was exiled. Now they worked in the countryside as farmers. But… this family wasn't ordinary farmers! The family was full of main characters, but also cannon fodder. The author wrote a lot of stories featuring the same universe. Her mother, father, brothers, and sisters were the future major characters. The mother was a female protagonist who went through so much abuse just to be reunited with her husband and awaken her memories in the previous life as a modern woman! The twin elder sisters’ lives were full of misunderstandings, the kind that would make them fight to the death until only one of them remained alive. The second brother lost his life just to protect the female lead, but unfortunately, the male lead in his story wasn’t him. And the eldest brother…  He was a prodigy in both martial arts and medicine. However, after he failed to save the sickly Xiao Qingya, he fell into depression. He was caught up in his younger twin sisters’ feud and eventually lost his life, too. *** The System fell silent. Another pitiful cannon fodder script for its host. Why did it even get bound to such a small baby who had no power to do anything yet? Its host was truly pitiful. This time around, she would also die young, just like the other books she had been reincarnated into. Feeling useless, it could only tell its host the truth.  Xiao Qingya didn't mind at all. Bored, she spent her time gossiping with ghosts. Yes, she could also see ghosts! However, just as she waited for her time to log off from the book… Eh, why did her parents reunite early? Her sisters lived peacefully with each other, and even her brothers thrived more than ever. Farming peacefully, they were saving themselves from famine and plague by hoarding! The family replied in their hearts: It’s because we heard your inner thoughts. You changed the family’s fate! [Inner Thoughts Exposed + Ancient Time + System + Farming + Space Storage + Famine + General's Daughter + Ghost-Seeing Baby + Slice of Life + Group's Favorite + Palace Drama]

✓ MASSIVE RELEASE ON THE LAST DAY OF EACH MONTH.✓ BLURB: “We are sorry Maria, we never meant to hurt you. Come back to us!" They all thundered. But it was too late, I was determined to make them Pay. *** I am Maria Moon, casted out of my Pack at the age of eighteen. All because of a tradition— one that states, that which ever family the Alpha's mate comes from, any other female wolf of same status is cast out. But it all felt wrong, It wasn't supposed to be me but her— my step sister— Patricia Moon. “I, Darren Copper, Alpha of the Frost moon pack, hereby declare that Maria Moon is no longer a member of this pack!” I pleaded for them to see the truth but no one cared, they were all blinded by their love for her. I became a rogue, wandered about for days and was unfortunate to attacked by the older rogues. And even more unfortunate to be saved by the quadruplet Alpha's, my Pack rival Alpha's. *** “Isn't she the Beta's daughter of Frost moon pack?" Damien growled as he turned to his brothers. “Definitely, she looks the same even after five years!" Adrien replied as he squatted, cupping my chin harshly on his palm. “She is definitely a spy, let's kill her!" Davian roared, stretching his claws, his stance ready to slaughter. “Don't Davian!" Aidan the oldest amongst the quadruplet echoed, “That’s all the more reason we should keep her close, letting her die is to easy.” He turned to the guards beside him, “Take her to the Pack, she is our Personal maid." Adrien chuckled lightly, a sly smirk appearing across his lips. “Nice idea Aidan. We would make her suffer!" CONTENT WARNING. This book contains explicit scenes, abuses, graphic violence and dark obsessive romance. Readers discretion advised.

Aurora Waters was overwhelmed with despair when she faced the truth about her family. She had been born into a family of villains. Even worse, her family had an unhealthy obsession with faking their identities. They took “Fake it till you make it” so seriously that it usually ended with them getting killed! Her oldest brother pretended to be a CEO just to mess with the female lead, but that backfired when the male lead showed up and threw him out. Her second brother? He was an obsessive lover who pretended to be a wealthy second-generation heir—until the real heir ended his life. Her third sister? She faked being an heiress to manipulate the second male lead but ended up being killed by him. Her fourth sister? She faked an illness to attract the third male lead’s attention, only to die from a real one. Her mother? She put on a facade of being a kind and loving mom but ultimately met her end at the hands of the male lead. Her father? He pretended to be a powerful tycoon but lost his job and was drowned by the second male lead. And Aurora? She planned to impersonate the daughter of the richest man alive, but if things went the way they always did in her family, she’d probably meet her end by accidentally falling down the stairs. However, there was one glimmer of hope in this nightmare: she had a 100% rebate system that rewarded her for spending money on her family! [Beep! You bought an eraser worth 1 dollar for your eldest brother! 2 dollars have been credited to your bank account!] [Beep! You bought a candy worth 1 dollar for your second brother! 2 dollars have been credited to your bank account!] Aurora’s eyes sparkled as an idea took shape. She began spending on her family like crazy to rake in cash. [Beep! You gave a bun worth 20 dollars to your childhood crush! 100 dollars has been credited to your bank account!] Aurora: …! That’s walking money! What Aurora didn't expect, though, was that she would end up becoming one of the technology big shots herself, in the end.

18+ MATURE CONTENT BE WARNED!!! WARNING: sexual content, excessive violence, graphic violence, torture AND disturbing scenes. Eli Thorne was once Spector Zero. The government's most successful experiment and the world's deadliest assassin. After he had proved to be way more useful dead than alive, the government attempted to extract his genes to clone others like him. So, he blew up the underground lab that raised him...and died with it. Unexpectedly, when he opened his eyes again, he was no longer Spectre Zero but a weak, bullied, and completely ordinary seventeen-year-old high school student. In this new life, Eli only wanted one thing: To live a normal life. But in a twist of fate, he caught the attention of Roman Vale. The high school bully, rumoured to be the Heir to the Vale Mercenary Group. An organisation with both hands in the government and the underworld. Roman was never supposed to notice someone like Eli. Yet the moment he did, he couldn’t look away.