The Reaper's Heart

By Michele Hauf

Every winter solstice, white witch Ananda must steal a beating heart to replenish her power. But years of feeding on other people's passions have left her hopelessly lovesick–without anyone to love. Ananda knows there's one heart that can quell these unrequited desires…if she can claim it before her strength runs out.

Half–human, half–demon, Vashon reaps lost souls for a living. He can't imagine what a witch would want with his black, unfeeling heart. But he's not about to give in–to Ananda's beauty, or to her fearsome magic. Vashon is desperate to experience love, and Ananda's passionate soul is ripe for the reaping.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Australia
• Release date: Jun 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781488740138

Michele Hauf

Michele Hauf lives in Minneapolis and has been writing since the 1990s.  A variety of genres keep her happily busy at the keyboard, including historical romance, paranormal romance, action/adventure and fantasy.

Book preview

Chapter One

Snow fell on the man’s obsidian wings, bent out behind him in wicked darkness. The wings appeared fashioned from metal, yet resembled feathers as they tested the air with a shudder, unfurling outward in an impressive span.

He rose from the squatted position in which he had landed within Ananda’s consecrated circle of ash. His broad, bare chest glistened with snowflakes as the chill hit his skin and steam rose in the wake of the melting flakes. He wore articulated silver armor, pauldrons and bracers, but only along his arms. Curious. Had he no need to protect that handsome chest?

Ananda did not step back from the imposing sight, nor did she cry out when his red eyes arrowed on her. When he spoke, a shiver trickled down her neck and coiled in her belly—in a good way.

Why have you summoned me, witch?

Gripping her hematite wand at her side, she stepped forward, proudly lifting her head, and declared, I want your heart, reaper. Give it to me, and I will release you from the circle.

The reaper’s smile touched evil even as it curved into charm.

Ananda’s heart raced—curse the thing. She’d always been prone to romanticizing every little moment, person or object. Even the curve of a man’s smile. And oh, but he was a beautiful specimen any woman would love to—

I have reason to keep my heart, the reaper stated with a touch of mirth.

Churlish man. Whenever she had needed a heart in the past, she had only to ask; the man would relent, and that was all the permission she required.

You don’t need it, she argued, because she knew he was demon. It is adamant and unfeeling. Incapable of experiencing love. Whether or not it resides within your body, you will continue to live.

You’ve done your research. He tapped the air before him, testing the circle’s magical boundaries. His fist hit upon the barrier Ananda had conjured with a sweep of her wand. But I must keep my heart if I’m ever to know love.

Love? No, that’s— The last thing Ananda wanted to hear about was love. Something she’d wanted desperately but had given up on. Thus, her need for this specific heart. You can’t know love.

I could if I reaped the soul of one who has taken hundreds of hearts—a white witch’s soul.

But I’m… She gasped to avoid finishing with a white witch.

Yes, and rare. I know. I’ve done my research on you, too, Ananda. He winked at her. Actually winked! Because of the hearts you have taken over the years, your own has accumulated untold quantities of love. That’s why I have come to you.

No, you didn’t. I summoned you!

Right. Do you think your magical chanting got me here all on its own? His bold laughter rippled through her chest and tickled at her foolishly tender heart. White witches require a new heart once a year to stay alive. You’ve three days left, Ananda. The full moon is your deadline. Moonlight glittering in his red eyes, he looked down his nose at her. "You think you can convince me to hand over