Book excerpt: This is book 14 of the Eternal Flames series, you should read Eternal Flames 1-13 and book 1-8 of Eternal Flames Maddox before this book. Music had always soothed Deja and helped him through troubling times. So when he meets his mate, Shadow, and sees how his close proximity is hurting him, Deja takes a job he had only dreamed could be possible. Shadow should be thrilled that his mate has gone off to live in Maddox, but yearns to claim what fate has brought into his life. However, living as long as he has, seeing and experience all the ugly life has to offer, he knows he is no good for the sexy man. When it’s opening night and Deja is attacked, things change. Can Shadow keep his mate at arm’s length, unclaimed, and safe from those that would be out to hurt him?