MARY ANN WEIR
Kerry Harker is a man condemned, haunted by a demon that has turned his life into a living nightmare. Every day is a battle to keep the darkness within him at bay.
Gemma Shepherd, a girl with a heart as pure as her power, is thrust into a world she barely understands when her path collides with Kerry’s. She sees the good in him when no one else can and is determined to prove that he is worth saving.
If only Kerry himself believed that...
"No matter how much I wanna burn the world down, I know it won't help, so I keep everything locked down tight. At least for now. Fair warning, though: When I eventually lose it, stay far away from me. I will pay them back a hundredfold for taking what's mine, and I won't be careful doing it."
Kerry Harker and Gemma Shepherd have their hands full figuring out their relationship and navigating the treacherous waters of high school. After an incident with the First Firsters, they decide to make themselves scarce for awhile and accept a mission outside the safe borders of the Sanctuary. When things go horribly awry, Kerry has to decide if it's game on or game over in his quest for redemption.
Still smoldering and half-conscious after destroying nearly forty djinn, Kerry Harker is heading home to the Big Apple in search of any and every clue he can beg, borrow, or steal as to the whereabouts of his girl, Gemma Shepherd.
As he grows increasingly unstable without her, Rome and Mira are left to coordinate with the rest of the team at the Sanctuary, organize a safe house, and send Spin and Chance off on individual assignments with Monkey and Chessie. When the trip to New York City gets off to a less than auspicious start, Kerry is forced to find allies in unexpected places, but he’ll do whatever it takes to save his girl.
The tiger is loose, and he'll fight forever to recover what's his.
Becoming increasingly unstable without her, Kerry Harker will do whatever it takes to get his girl back - even if it means playing nicely with a pack of werewolves, killing the dark witch who saved his life, and depending on the one man he hates above all others.
Gemma Shepherd knows time is running out. The second that Darius’ master realizes a miracle worker is within his grasp, it’s game over. She needs a plan, and she needs one fast. Fortunately, her djinni jailer is willing to work with her - for a price. When Samuel Castle betrays them both, their temporary alliance becomes their last, best hope of cheating the clock. Too bad it may already be too late...
Kerry Harker and Gemma Shepherd have no choice but to do the unthinkable. Taking on a prince of hell may seem like a losing proposition, but it’s the only way to expose the Council’s traitor, bring an end to the Alchemists’ Great Experiment, and banish the shadow that stalks them. Gemma might not realize it yet, but Kerry’s known all along that their success will demand a sacrifice. It’s one he’s more than willing to make if it means keeping her safe, but he doesn’t plan on going to Hell alone...
The Tainted saga concludes with a breathtaking clash of destiny and betrayal, where every secret comes to light in an explosive finale.