The Arbiter: Divinely Damned Book One Read online

  My mistress sits in one of her many black, skin-tight dresses that shows off her sexy curves. Her legs are crossed, and her foot is tapping in aggravation as she files her nails to a lethal point.

  “What do you have to report?” She asks immediately.

  I ring my hands together in my lap, anxiety flooding my body once again. “The Factory was lost. The Arbiter and the Rites have freed all those we captured. I managed to wipe everything before leaving, though.”

  She stops filing her nails and sets down the file, before picking up her wine glass and sipping it gingerly. “And the others?”

  “Not to worry, Mistress Marilith,” I assure her quickly. “The other facilities are still running full function and are undiscovered by her or the Rites. Security has been increased in all locations as well.”

  A sultry smile grows across her blood red lips. My shoulders lose some tension at that. Her smiling is always a good sign.

  “Very good, my pet.” She says with a purr, lifting her hand and tracing her knuckle down my cheek. “It’s a shame Saul had to be thrown under the bus. He could’ve been valuable. Oh well. As long as everything else is still running, then our plans have not been derailed yet. He will be most pleased by this news.”

  She withdraws her hand, and I almost whimper from the loss of contact. I hold it in though and instead ask, “What do we do about this new Arbiter? She’s more powerful than Cassia and far more determined to stay truly balanced unlike all the ones before her. She won’t bend easily.”

  Marilith sets down her glass and picks up her file once more, holding it in front of my face with her thumb pressed against the side.

  “Simple. If she refuses to bend,” she begins to push the side of the file until the metal snaps beneath her thumb. “—then we will just have to break her.”

  “How will we do that?”

  Marilith tosses the broken file and looks out the window towards the rising sun with a wicked smile.

  “By going after the ones she loves most. I already have one within my grasp. It won’t be long before we have the rest.”

  TO BE CONTINUED…

  Acknowledgments

  K.B. Ladnier:

  A special thanks to our editor Rachael from Muddy Waters Editing for being so dang fast with getting our edits to us. Not only were you amazing at helping us strengthen our story, but you pushed through them to get them to us on time. To my betas Anna and Carli for being so patient and yet again doing marvelous jobs! To my priceless PA Alexandria for being such a huge support and help during the chaotic time of writing this book, you truly are so perfectly amazing at your job, and I’m so unbelievably thankful to you. To my lovely street team Brooke, Ashleigh, and Heather for sharing the shit out of this book! Job well done ladies! You are a fantastic team! To my long time friend Krystina for designing the runes used in this book and future books. To Gina for making this book look perfect and eerily beautiful, just the way we wanted it! And finally, to my amazing co-author Brandy. Working with you on this book has been so much fun! *cough* even though you killed off people. =P I look forward to continuing this series with you and truly can’t wait to see what magic you make happen as we go! Love you lots girl!

  Brandy Slaven:

  I’ll keep this short and sweet. Firstly, I want to thank everyone who has stuck by me in writing this. Victoria Schaefer, Shelbi Gehring, and Meagan West, you ladies have been amazing in every aspect of the word. Thank you for all your hard work! Second, thank you to Rachael from Muddy Waters editing for just as KB said, taking us on and making quick and awesome work of it. I truly appreciate it. Last, but most certainly not least, KB. I was so excited when you pulled me on board with this story and I just knew that our heads would put together something truly dark and beautiful. Even when we’ve been frustrated, or sweeping characters up off the floor, this has been a fun ride and I cannot wait to start the next on this journey with you! XOXO

  Other Books By The Authors

  K.B. Ladnier

  Make Me a Wish: The Conduit Trilogy Book One

  Wishful Thinking: The Conduit Trilogy Book Two (May 31, 2018)

  The More the Merrier: A Naughty Nights Novella

  Polarity of Us: A Northern Lights Novel

  Blood: Under the Skin Book One

  Flesh: Under the Skin Book Two (April 2018)

  Brandy Slaven

  Of Death and Darkness: Lady of Darkness Book 1

  In Dreams of Despair: Lady of Darkness Book 2

  Reviving Kendall: White Trash Trilogy Book 1

  About the Authors

  K.B. Ladnier

  K.B. Ladnier is from a small city in Southern Mississippi. She has one daughter and three cats who she claims are stealing her soul in only tiny doses, so she won't notice. She is a cyborg and spends most of her time hiding from her tiny human, so she doesn't have to share her snacks as she reads her favorite books. She is married to a hot nerd and loves him dearly; even though he hordes cookies and occasionally hides her prosthetic leg from her when she's mad to make a quick escape. She plans to write as long as people continue loving what she does, otherwise she's going to say screw it and do her second dream of owning a coffee shop. Though, she may still do both.

  Brandy Slaven

  Brandy Slaven lives in Tennessee with her husband and two wild children. If you can't find her typing away at her laptop, you will find her with her nose in a book at the beach or hiking at one of the state parks. Bringing her characters to life is one of her greatest accomplishments.