Synopsis: Queen of Hearts

It happened when I was sixteen. Believe me, military scientists fooling with the fabric of reality was the last thing on my mind. Whether or not to let Jeremy Wilson in my pants. . .that was the question in those days. Some say The Rift the scientists caused in our dimension leads to Hell. They say this is the End of Days. Whatever. The predators who came through The Rift are more like vampires than demons. We call them Visitors. Though it’s more like look whose coming to have us for dinner.

What does a sixteen year old orphan do when she finds out the world is a crazy, dangerous place and she’s the weak misfit in it? Survive, of course. It’s been three years and I’m strong, fast and smart. Trouble is, you never know if you’re strong enough, fast enough or smart enough.

I’m the only Mercenary working in Las Vegas, Nevada who didn’t have some latent psychic ability spring to life with The Rift. I can’t boil water with my pinky or unlock doors with a wink of an eye. Just Jayne, that’s me. So, how do I protect my secret? At any given time, a muppet would be overwhelmed by the chaos in my head. Dancing puppets, prancing ponies, multiplications tables. . .you name it, I think it. Constantly. The white noise keeps me safe. That and I never let anyone get too close. The Rift gave Jeremy Wilson his answer and I’ve been “just saying no” ever since.

So, I’m a virgin with no ESP who hunts the greatest threat mankind has ever faced. Fancy that. It was actually going pretty well until I tried to snag the most dangerous Visitor on the Wanted List. He’s called The First or Alpha. I call him Ally, for short, but that’s only to boost my nerve. He almost killed me. It would probably be better if he had. I might feel less vulnerable dead than I feel as the new object of fascination for the strongest Visitor I’ve ever faced. Ummm, I should confess the fascination goes both ways. It’s probably just the lingering Charisma he worked with his eyes, but I’m afraid it might be the six foot and then some inches of pure, honed strength capped by black hair with sable highlights and eyes so blue they looked silver in the moonlight. I’m a virgin by necessity, remember?

I’m just Jayne.

I’m a Mercenary.

I watch. I hunt. I bring 'em back alive. If sometimes I dream of forbidden kisses, no one need ever know.