Page 108 of The Tenth Muse

Who am I? Kaelen Veyra. Master thief. Panthera shifter. Shadow walker.

And, a thorn in the side of the nouveau-magique elite, specifically the Rossi syndicate.

I have my sights set on the legendary Amethyst Grimoire. The jewel of the Rossi’s collection.

I’m so close, I can taste the power humming from it. One step, one touch, and it will be mine.

Then a voice from the shadows stops me cold.

Arisya Dain. Nightshade mage. Blade of the High Priestess. Spellworker for the Rossis.

Once, she was more than that—once, she was everything.Myeverything.

Now, she’s the one thing standing between me and freedom.

Content Considerations

“Nightshade & Jasmine” is a story in the Nouveau Magique universe. It is a contemporary fantasy romance set in a magical underworld hidden from human eyes.

It features a heist-gone-wrong, rivalries, and second chances.

"In a world of crime and magic, love is the most dangerous power of all."

Beneath the glittering facade of high society lies a world unseen by most—a world where magic is currency, power is control, and those who wield both rule from the shadows. This is the domain of the Cabale Magique, a secretive network of supernatural crime families who govern the underworld with ruthless precision. Bound by ancient bloodlines and unbreakable oaths, they trade in secrets, spells, and influence—where the right enchantment can buy loyalty, and a single curse can seal a fate worse than death.

In the Cabale Magique, magic is not a gift—it’s a debt. The elite hoard it, the ambitious kill for it, and those who can’t pay the price find themselves consumed by forces beyond their control. Power is a game, and every spell cast carries a cost. Alliances are forged in blood, debts are collected in pain, and love? Love is the ultimate risk in a world where nothing is given freely.

Each story within Nouveau Magique is a standalone tale of forbidden passion, dangerous bargains, and ruthless power struggles—all inspired by the fairy tales you thought you knew. But in this world, there are no innocent princesses, no noble princes. Only those willing to rewrite their own destinies, break the chains of the past, and claim their happily ever after—by any means necessary.

But beware—fairy tales in the Cabale Magique rarely end without a little blood on the floor.

one

. . .

I creptthrough the shadows of the opulent mansion, my steps light and silent thanks to the stealth spells woven into my sleek black catsuit. The glittering throng of oblivious partygoers made a convenient distraction as I made my way toward the vault where I knew Rossi kept his most prized magical relics—including the Amethyst Grimoire I planned to liberate tonight.

“You’re looking good, Kae,” Ryn’s voice crackled over my earpiece. “Two more turns and you should reach the vault entrance. I’m looping the security feed ... now.”

My lips curved into a smile. Ryn’s high-tech wizardry never failed.

I slinked down the marble hallway, my keen panther senses on high alert. Notable mages from every discipline were in attendance tonight—necromancers, shadow mages, and others whose power I didn’t care to tangle with. But they were all too busy schmoozing and politicking to notice little old me.

“Rossi really needs to update his security,” I murmured into my comm as I approached the heavy vault door, etched with glowing runes. “This is almost too easy.”

“Don’t get cocky,” Ryn warned. “I’m reading some funky energy signatures in there. Could be wards.”

I smirked. Wards were child’s play for a thief of my caliber. Reaching into my belt, I pulled out a matte black disc—one of Ryn’s more ingenious inventions. I placed it over the rune-lock and it whirred to life, glowing lines racing across its surface as it overrode the magical encryption.

With a nearly inaudible click, the vault door swung open. I grinned and palmed the disc. “I’m in. Now to grab that grimoire and get the hell out of here.”

“Be careful, Kae,” Ryn said, their voice unusually serious. “Something doesn’t feel right. Watch your tail.”

I paused, my panther instincts prickling. Ryn was rarely wrong about these things. But I was already inside. No turning back now. I prowled into the vault, my senses reaching out for traps, both magical and mundane.

There, sitting on an ornate pedestal in the center of the room, was the Amethyst Grimoire. The ancient leather binding seemed to drink in the light, the gems set into the cover glinting with arcane power. I felt a thrill rush through me. After tonight, Rossi would have one less ill-gotten treasure in his collection. And I’d be one step closer to my goal.

Freedom.

---