I’m so excited to announce that A Taste of Blade and Roar is officially out today!

This short story prequel is a glimpse into the gritty, atmospheric world of Twilight of Blood before it all begins.

Set before the events of the main series, A Taste of Blade and Roar shows a brief glimpse of Lion’s life before he became the King’s champion beast. It’s a standalone piece, but if you’ve been curious about the story’s darker corners and the journey of its characters, this is the perfect place to start.

Here’s a sneak peek:

---

Mutt hopped out of the carriage and joined the rest of the King’s beasts.

The crowd’s excitement hung heavy in the air outside the Switchblade Arena. The gates remained shut, the fights still hours away, yet already over a hundred people eagerly waited to be let in. Their cheers and shouts peaked when they spotted the beasts. A line of arena guards kept them at bay, giving the King’s team clear access to the path leading to the side entrance.

“Alright, maggots,” Badimar grunted. “Line up and let them take a good look at you. Heads up. Not you, Mutt, you little shit. You wait at the back.”

Mutt stood a few steps behind the other beasts and kept his head down. The others lined up and faced the crowd, soaking their cheers. The beasts kept their faces impassive. No smiles, nothing that would suggest they enjoyed the attention. This display was for the crowd’s benefit, to fuel their excitement, to fill them with awe and leave them craving for blood.

“Stonehelm, salute them,” Badimar instructed.

Stonehelm, the largest of the beasts, stepped forward and raised his right fist, spiking the crowd’s ecstasy. Their affection was intense. People surged forward, pressing against the line of arena guards as if the beasts were worth breaking bones for a closer look.

Mutt’s stomach twisted, though he smothered the feeling instantly. Despite not being at the centre of attention, he could feel their eyes on him too. His tall, imposing figure and his shaggy blonde hair made him stand out. A few people were pointing at him, searching him out, trying to guess his strength. Weighing whether he was worth their interest.

Badimar crossed his arms over his leather vest and watched the crowd with a sharp gaze. He was a stocky but powerful figure, built like an anvil. Long hours outdoors had left his skin weathered and tanned, his hair close-cropped and grey. A whip coiled at the side of his belt, a reminder of his authority over the beasts under his command.

“Alright, that’s enough,” he snapped finally and ushered the beasts up the path to the side entrance. The crowd’s shouts and applauds chased after them, more than half yelling Stonehelm’s name.

Assistant trainers, a physician, an armourer, a weapons master, and a small army of apprentices and labour slaves carrying their equipment brought up the rear. A group of royal soldiers, wearing black and gold uniforms with simple chain mails and long swords, escorted the team for protection.

As Mutt walked behind the other beasts, he resisted the urge to look up and take in the majestic structure ahead. Largest in the kingdom, Switchblade Arena loomed over him like a menacing fiend waiting to devour its prey. The weight of its shadow fell on him, making him feel small. Curiosity was like an annoying itch, teasing him to just look up and see. Excitement, admiration, and an odd mixture of hunger and thrill thrummed beneath his ribcage, begging to be acknowledged. He ignored it all and kept his eyes firmly on the muddy cobblestone ahead.

---

A Taste of Blade and Roar is available exclusively for my newsletter subscribers—you won’t find it anywhere else! If you haven’t subscribed yet, sign up now and download your free copy.

If you enjoy the story, I’d love to hear what you think! Don’t forget to leave a review on Goodreads—it helps more readers discover my books!