Mellifluous

In which an indentured prostitute makes a dangerous deal to earn his freedom: selling his body not for pleasure, but for blood, to a wealthy vampire-in-hiding with dark plans for the holy city of light he calls home. 𖤓 Reuben has survived decades as an indentured prostitute using one simple tool: deception. With his music, he crafts illusory magic to enchant crowds, and with his persona 'Reubielocks,' he hides behind a bright smile with clients and friends alike. But when a vampire-in-hiding named Everic Payne requests services for an absurd amount of gold one night, he doesn't want Reuben's body or his pretty lies—just his blood. In a holy city whose patron is the god of gold and light, such a creature of darkness should be reported straight to the religious guard. But what's one more sin? The chance to lower his debt and save his loved ones from poverty is far too tempting for Reuben, so long as he ends the arrangement before he joins Everic at the pyre. And Everic turns out to be different from the monster Reuben expected: stern but kind, blunt but gentle, formal and yet endearingly awkward at times. Quickly Reuben finds his knack for flattery and deception can aid Everic's dark plans for the city as well. But just as trust between them blossoms, Reuben's involvement threatens to reveal personal secrets that could unleash the vampire's monstrous side after all. When Reuben tries to conceal the ugly truth instead of ending the arrangement, the consequences will not only threaten his life, but force him to confront his greatest fear: Stripped of all his pretty lies, could Reuben ever be worth more than gold? 𖤓 This story contains many dark themes; sensitive readers should proceed with care. Please visit the author's website to review a full list of potentially-triggering material.