She swore she was not like me—she vowed she’d never be a killer. She refused to take my life, and I witnessed her confliction over that choice. Yet, she seemingly murdered her target.

Why take one life and not the other?

What sets me apart from Ericson?

Maybe the answer will be in new brain scans. Or a whole new emotional map. Or maybe it’s something I can’t quantify with data.

Some look for love in flowers and sweet professions of adoration and devotion. Ours is not sweet. Ours is not naïve. Ours is a sick and cruel love born in a lab. Violence and obsession are only a measure away from passion, and our depraved passion owns us wholly.

Blakely belongs with me.

She is my proof. My cure is out there right now, wandering the world, a fledgling in her own right. She’s going to need protection, guidance. She’s going to need her maker to help her transition. Blakely is going to need me as much as I need her.

Soon, little monster. We will be together soon.

* * *

Blakely and Alex’s story continues in Malady: A Necrosis of the Mind Duet: Two, coming soon. Pre-order Malady here. Keep flipping the pages for a special sneak peek at the cover…

Sneak Peek

Malady coming 2021 - Pre-order now

Also by Trisha Wolfe

Darkly, Madly Duet

Born, Darkly

Born, Madly

Broken Bonds Series

With Visions of Red

With Ties that Bind

Derision

Standalone Novels

Cellar Door

Five of Cups

Lotus Effect

Living Heartwood Novels

The Darkest Part

Losing Track

Fading Out

A Necrosis of the Mind Duet

Cruel

Malady

About the Author

From an early age, Trisha Wolfe dreamed up fictional worlds and characters and was accused of talking to herself. Today, she lives in South Carolina with her family and writes full time, using her fictional worlds as an excuse to continue talking to herself. Get updates on future releases at http://www.trishawolfe.com/

Want to be the first to hear about new book releases, special promotions, and signing events for all Trisha Wolfe books? Sign up for Trisha Wolfe’s VIP list here.

Acknowledgments

Thank you to:

My amazingly talented critique partner and friend, P.T. Michelle, for reading so quickly, giving me much needed pep talks and advice, wonderful notes, and for your friendship.

My super human beta readers, who read on the fly and offer so much encouragement. Melissa & Michell (My M&M’s), and Debbie for reading quickly to give me helpful insight as always. All the girls in the Lair for reading the ARC and offering their help and support to shape this book. I really can’t express how much you girls mean to me—just know that I couldn’t do this without you.

To all the authors out there, my kindred, who share and give shouts outs. You know who you are, and you are amazing.