DARK AND STORMY KNIGHTS is an anthology of urban fantasy short stories edited by P. N. Elrod. Other Authors include: Jim Butcher, Rachel Caine, Vicki Pettersson, Carrie Vaughn, Deidre Knight, Lilith Saintcrow, Shannon K. Butcher, and P.N. Elrod.
Our short story, A Questionable Client, is set in Kate Daniels world, before the events of the series take place. Kate Daniels is tired. She put in a long shift at the Mercenary Guild, she has blood on her shoes and she wants to go home. Unfortunately, a merc’s job is never done and instead of a well deserved rest, she has to bodyguard a VIP client, a man named Saiman. Kate has seen many strange magic beings in her time with the Mercenary Guild, but she has never met one like this.
The following is an exclusive sneak preview.
***
“What are you?” I kept my sword between me and him.
“Does it really matter?”
“Yes, it does.” When people said shapeshifter, they meant person afflicted with Lyc-V, the virus which gave its victim ability to shift into an animal. I’ve never seen one who could freely change its human form.
Saiman made a valiant effort to shrug. Hard to shrug with several pounds of chains on your shoulders, but he managed to look nonchalant doing it.
“I am me.”
Oh boy. “Stay here.”
“Where would I go?”
I left the bedroom and checked the rest of the apartment. The only remaining room contained a large shower stall and a giant bathtub. No kitchen. Perhaps he had food delivered.
Fifteenth floor. At least one guard downstairs, bullet-resistant glass, metal grates. The place was a fortress. Yet he hired bodyguards at exorbitant prices. He expected his castle to be breached.
I headed to the bar grabbed a glass from under the counter, filled it with water, and took it to Saiman. Changing shape took energy. If he was anything like other shapeshifters, he was dying of thirst and hunger right about now.
Saiman’s gaze fastened on the glass. “Delightful.”
I let him drink. He drained the glass in long thirsty swallows.
“How many guards are on duty downstairs?”
“Three.”
“Are they employed by the building owners directly?”
Saiman smiled. “Yes. They’re experienced and well paid and they won’t hesitate to kill.”
So far so good. “When you change shape, do you reproduce internal organs as well?”
“Only if I plan to have intercourse.”
Oh goodie. I stared down at his swollen stomach. “Are you pregnant?”
Saiman laughed softly.
“I need to know if you’re going to go into labor.” Because that would just be a cherry on the cake of this job.
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O’migosh! Checking to make sure I have preordered! Thank you for the snippet!
This sounds great!
Thanks for the snippet.
Pre-ordered this morning!
Will this book be available to buy as an ebook? If so, will it be all the authors separately, or all together?
Lastly, if it is, do you know where I could find it? The site I use – fictionwise, only has Silent Blade.
Thanks!
No clue if it will be available as ebook. I’ll ask Ms. Elrod.
I was told that fictionwise will have the Ace books up. I’m kind of surprised they still don’t.
Really?? That’s awesome news! I’ll have to keep an eye on it to see when they are up again.
Thanks Ilona!
Eeeeek! Can’t wait!
Thanks for the snippet! 
Thanks for the snippet and congrats on the upcoming release.
WooT!!
this is one of my favorite snippets… can’t wait to read the entire story!
I can’t wait to read this story! Thank you for sharing this “treat”
Thank you for the Snippet! Looking forward to reading the story!
I am so excited! I’ve wanted more Saiman backstory since book 3. I love Saiman scenes.
Good call…can’t wait to read it.
Very cool. Saiman is such an interesting character, and the initial meeting between him and Kate is going to be fantastic. Thanks for sharing the snippet!
WANT!
Love the snippet! Can’t wait to get my hands on it!
Saiman is such a slimy guy but he is a very interesting and amusing guy.
I can’t wait. Thanks for the sneak peek!
Thanks for the snippet. Can’t wait until the book is out!
Thanks for the snippet!
And I now have the book ordered so hopefully I’ll get it soon!
SNIPPETS!!! I lurves them all!! Thank you!! (I hope I have $ by release day)
i just wish i could freeze myself in some sort of chamber ( not just my head like good
old Walt) I would place instructions stating that i am not to be brought back until Ilona
Andrews have completed all their work so i would not have to wait and wait and wait
it feels like the day before Christmas everyday not quite there but sure its gonna be great when it comes! Thank god for the blog! Love you guys , any more recommendations so i cant stop stalking your site? x
Ooooh a short story! Thanks for the snippet, I wasn’t aware of this anthology until you made a post about it.
wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!! love it!
Been waiting for this one *hurray* Hopefully Amazon will send out my copy out monday.
Read the shorty story today…..LOVED it!!! You guys Rock!
hi any eta for Dark and Stormy Nights to be added to fictionwise.com as an ebook ?
Ask Fictionwise
enjoyed the story on how Kate & Saimon met! Great job!
Have a fantastic weekend!
Preordered it is
Thank you!
Great Fun, really fills in the blanks and helps us understand Siaman just a little more
Whats to understand he’s a per… sexual deviant
Looks great! I can’t wait to read.
I have been putting all my books on Fictfact (tracks series) and wondered if you consider this a #0 in the series or a stand alone.
Thanks
Got it today loved your story!