Faking Death in Alaska

Roslyn "Rosie" Blackthorne, a half-vampire, half-human hybrid, flees her old life in Alaska, desperate to escape a dangerous arranged marriage and the supernatural politics threatening her family. She stages her own death, leaving behind everyone she loves, and sets out alone into the wild, cold landscape. Her only hope is to disappear so completely that even her powerful vampire husband, Gavin, and his family cannot find her. Exhausted and freezing, she seeks out Asher Henry, a notorious hacker, hoping he can erase her existence and give her a new start. The emotional weight of leaving her family and the fear of being hunted haunt her every step, but Rosie is determined to survive, no matter the cost.

Hacker in Hiding

Asher Henry, a brilliant but reclusive hacker, has made himself invisible to the supernatural world after a disastrous betrayal by a witch. He lives in deep cover, using disguises and fake identities to avoid detection. Asher's life is one of isolation, paranoia, and constant vigilance, haunted by a magical curse that is slowly spreading across his skin. When Rosie appears on his doorstep, she shatters his carefully constructed solitude. Her ability to find him terrifies Asher, but her desperation and vulnerability stir something in him he thought he'd buried. Their uneasy alliance is forged in mutual need and mistrust, setting the stage for a collision of secrets and desires.

A New Identity

Rosie convinces Asher to help her disappear for good. Together, they craft a new identity: Nadia Black, a woman with no ties to her past. Asher uses his skills to create documents, alter her appearance, and coach her on how to blend in among the supernatural misfits of Aurora Springs. Rosie struggles with the loss of her old self and the guilt of abandoning her family, but she clings to the hope of freedom. The process is both liberating and painful, as she must let go of everything she once was. Asher's gruff exterior begins to crack, revealing a man as lonely and damaged as she is, and a subtle, dangerous attraction simmers between them.

Demon's Bargain

Alone and afraid her supernatural scent will betray her, Rosie attempts a risky spell to mask her identity. In her drunken, vulnerable state, she accidentally summons Pan, a seductive and powerful demon. Pan offers her a bargain: he will change her scent and make her truly untraceable, but the price is steep—her virginity and her ability to bear children. Faced with no other option, Rosie agrees, sacrificing her future for her family's safety. The encounter is both terrifying and intoxicating, awakening dark desires within her. Pan marks her as his own, binding her to him in ways she cannot fully understand, and setting in motion a chain of consequences that will haunt her.

The Devil's Price

Rosie's deal with Pan leaves her physically and emotionally changed. The demon's mark on her skin is a constant reminder of the price she paid, and she finds herself drawn to him against her will. Pan's influence seeps into her dreams and desires, making it impossible to forget him. Meanwhile, Asher and Rosie's relationship grows more complicated as they navigate their mutual attraction and the secrets they keep from each other. Rosie's new life is a delicate balancing act, threatened by the ever-present danger of discovery and the seductive pull of the demon who owns a piece of her soul.

Becoming Nadia Black

With Asher's help, Rosie fully embraces her new identity as Nadia Black. She changes her appearance, learns to mimic new accents, and adopts a new persona. Asher arranges for her to work at The Tipsy Moose, the local bar owned by the Mercer twins, Ben and Remi. Nadia's arrival in Aurora Springs is met with suspicion and curiosity, but she quickly proves herself resourceful and resilient. The process of reinvention is both empowering and isolating, as she must constantly guard her true self. Asher's feelings for her deepen, but his own curse and fear of attachment keep him at arm's length, even as their chemistry becomes undeniable.

Shifters and Secrets

Nadia's new life brings her into close contact with Ben and Remi Mercer, twin wolf shifters who run the bar. Ben is stoic and protective, struggling with a stutter and a painful past, while Remi is charming, flirtatious, and quick to laugh. Both are immediately drawn to Nadia, sensing something special about her. The bar becomes a haven for supernatural misfits, and Nadia finds herself at the center of a web of secrets, rivalries, and unspoken desires. As she navigates her new relationships, the threat of her past—and the demon's claim—looms ever larger, complicating her growing feelings for the Mercer brothers.

The Mercer Brothers

Ben and Remi's connection to Nadia deepens, each drawn to her in different ways. Ben's protective instincts war with his fear of vulnerability, while Remi's playful exterior hides a longing for acceptance and love. The twins share everything, including lovers, and their pack bond is unbreakable. Nadia is both tempted and terrified by the prospect of belonging to them, knowing that her deal with Pan could endanger them. The brothers sense her secrets but are patient, offering her a place in their world. The slow burn of attraction builds to a fever pitch, threatening to ignite into something neither Nadia nor the Mercers can control.

Dangerous Attractions

Nadia's relationships with Ben, Remi, and Asher become increasingly tangled. The demon Pan continues to haunt her, demanding her presence and feeding on her pleasure and pain. His possessive influence makes it difficult for Nadia to fully give herself to anyone else, and his threats against the Mercers keep her from surrendering to her feelings. Asher's curse worsens, and his fear of intimacy clashes with his need for connection. The Mercers struggle with jealousy and the instinct to claim Nadia as their mate, even as they sense the danger she brings. The tension between love, lust, and loyalty threatens to tear them all apart.

Demon's Claim

Pan's hold on Nadia intensifies, his visits growing more frequent and his demands more extreme. He is both tormentor and lover, pushing her to the edge of her endurance. Nadia tries to resist, but the bond between them is supernatural and nearly unbreakable. She realizes that Pan's interest in her is not just personal—her blood is the key to a larger, darker plan. The demon's mother, Pestilence, is revealed to be orchestrating events from the shadows, and Nadia's role in their scheme becomes clear. The cost of her freedom is higher than she ever imagined, and the lives of everyone she cares about hang in the balance.

The Vampire's Shadow

Just as Nadia begins to find happiness with the Mercers and Asher, her past catches up with her. Gavin, her vampire husband, discovers she is alive and comes to Aurora Springs to reclaim her. His arrival throws everything into chaos, reigniting old fears and forcing Nadia to confront the consequences of her choices. Gavin is possessive, dangerous, and unwilling to let her go, setting the stage for a deadly confrontation. The fragile peace Nadia has built is shattered, and she must decide where her loyalties truly lie.

The Mate Bond Tested

The revelation of Nadia's past and her connection to Gavin tests the bonds she has formed with Ben, Remi, and Asher. The Mercers struggle with their instincts to protect and claim her, while Asher battles his curse and his feelings of inadequacy. Nadia is torn between her desire for freedom, her love for her new pack, and the supernatural forces that seek to control her. The threat of Pan's wrath and Gavin's obsession forces everyone to confront their deepest fears and desires. The lines between love and possession blur, and Nadia must choose who she truly wants to be.

Blood, Lies, and Loyalty

As the truth about Nadia's past, her deal with Pan, and the supernatural politics of Aurora Springs come to light, old alliances are tested and new ones are forged. The town is rocked by a series of murders, and suspicion falls on Ben when a rival shifter is killed. Nadia's loyalty to her chosen family is put to the ultimate test as she fights to clear Ben's name and protect those she loves. The web of lies threatens to unravel, and the cost of honesty may be more than anyone is willing to pay.

The Pack's Protection

With Ben imprisoned and the town turning against them, Nadia, Remi, and Asher must work together to uncover the real killer and save their pack. The bonds between them are strained but unbreakable, forged in the fires of adversity. Pan's interference grows more dangerous, and Gavin's presence is a constant threat. Nadia's strength and resilience are tested as she fights for her freedom and the lives of those she loves. The pack's unity is their greatest weapon, but it may not be enough to overcome the forces arrayed against them.

The Demon's Endgame

As Pestilence's plan comes to fruition, Pan's obsession with Nadia takes on a new urgency. Her blood is the key to opening the seals between worlds, and Pan is torn between his duty to his mother and his possessive love for Nadia. The final confrontation between demon, vampire, and shifters looms, with Nadia at the center of the storm. The choices she makes will determine the fate of everyone she cares about—and possibly the world itself. The lines between love, power, and sacrifice blur as the endgame approaches.

The Queen's Gambit

Pestilence, Pan's mother and one of the Four Horsemen, manipulates events from the shadows, using Nadia as a pawn in her scheme to unleash chaos. The chessboard is set, and every move brings the players closer to disaster. Nadia's strength and agency are tested as she fights to reclaim her life and protect her chosen family. The true cost of her deal with the demon is revealed, and the stakes are higher than ever. The battle for control, love, and survival reaches its climax.

The Past Returns

Gavin's return forces Nadia to confront the unfinished business of her past. The truth about her marriage, her family, and her own desires comes to light. The battle between old loyalties and new love is fierce, and Nadia must decide who she truly is and what she wants. The final showdown between vampire, demon, and shifters is both brutal and cathartic, forcing everyone to face their deepest fears and hopes.

The Final Choice

In the aftermath of betrayal, sacrifice, and hard-won victories, Nadia must choose her own path. The bonds she has forged—with Ben, Remi, Asher, and even Pan—are tested, but her strength and resilience carry her through. The cost of freedom is high, but Nadia emerges transformed, no longer a pawn but a queen in her own right. The story ends with the promise of new beginnings, hard choices, and the enduring power of love and loyalty in a world where nothing is ever simple.

Characters

Roslyn "Rosie" Blackthorne / Nadia Black

Rosie is a half-vampire, half-human hybrid born into supernatural royalty. Intelligent, resourceful, and fiercely loyal, she fakes her own death to escape a dangerous marriage and protect her family. Rosie's journey is one of self-discovery and transformation, as she sheds her old identity and becomes Nadia Black. She is torn between her longing for freedom, her guilt over abandoning her loved ones, and the seductive pull of the supernatural men who enter her life. Rosie's psychological arc is defined by trauma, resilience, and the struggle to reclaim agency in a world that seeks to control her. Her relationships—with Asher, Ben, Remi, Pan, and Gavin—force her to confront her desires, fears, and the true meaning of love and sacrifice.

Asher Henry

Asher is a brilliant, reclusive hacker living off the grid after a betrayal by a witch left him cursed. Paranoid, sarcastic, and emotionally guarded, he is haunted by loneliness and the slow spread of a magical mark that threatens his life. Asher's relationship with Rosie/Nadia is fraught with tension, attraction, and mutual vulnerability. He is both protector and outsider, drawn to her but terrified of attachment. Asher's psychological journey is one of learning to trust, confront his trauma, and accept love despite his fear of loss. His curse and his role as a fixer for supernatural runaways make him both a target and a reluctant hero.

Ben Mercer

Ben is one of the twin wolf shifters who run The Tipsy Moose. Quiet, strong, and fiercely protective, he struggles with a stutter and the trauma of losing his family. Ben's sense of duty and loyalty to his brother and pack are central to his identity. His attraction to Nadia is immediate and intense, complicated by his fear of vulnerability and the supernatural dangers she brings. Ben's psychological arc is about overcoming self-doubt, embracing his role as a mate, and learning to accept love and happiness despite his scars. His relationship with Remi is foundational, and his willingness to share Nadia is both a strength and a source of inner conflict.

Remi Mercer

Remi is Ben's twin brother, the more outgoing and flirtatious of the pair. He uses humor and bravado to mask his own insecurities and longing for connection. Remi is quick to accept Nadia, drawn to her spirit and resilience. His relationship with Ben is unbreakable, forged in shared trauma and mutual dependence. Remi's psychological journey is about moving beyond surface-level charm to embrace vulnerability, honesty, and the complexities of love. His willingness to share everything—including lovers—with Ben is both a coping mechanism and a genuine expression of pack loyalty.

Pan

Pan is an archdemon who answers Rosie's desperate summoning and binds her to him through a dark bargain. He is both tormentor and lover, feeding on her pleasure and pain. Pan's obsession with Rosie grows into something deeper and more dangerous, blurring the lines between captor and captive. His psychological arc is one of conflicted desire, as he is torn between his duty to his mother, Pestilence, and his possessive love for Rosie. Pan's manipulations are both self-serving and, at times, unexpectedly tender, revealing a vulnerability beneath his monstrous exterior.

Gavin Donoghue

Gavin is Rosie's arranged husband, a powerful vampire duke with a dark, dominant streak. His love for Rosie is twisted by obsession and a sense of ownership. Gavin's return to claim his "widow" is both a threat and a catalyst, forcing Rosie and her new family to confront the dangers of the past. Gavin's psychological complexity lies in his capacity for both cruelty and genuine longing, making him a formidable antagonist and a tragic figure.

Pestilence

Pestilence is Pan's mother and one of the Four Horsemen, orchestrating chaos from the shadows. She is cold, calculating, and utterly ruthless, using Rosie as a pawn in her scheme to unleash destruction. Pestilence's psychological profile is defined by ambition, a lack of empathy, and a twisted sense of maternal pride. Her relationship with Pan is fraught with manipulation and power struggles, making her a central force in the unfolding endgame.

Tom, Dick, and Harry (The Gargoyles)

This trio of supernatural barflies provides both levity and unexpected wisdom. As regulars at The Tipsy Moose, they serve as a Greek chorus, offering commentary on the unfolding drama and occasionally stepping in to protect Rosie and her friends. Their loyalty and camaraderie are a reminder of the found family that can be forged in unlikely places.

Darla

Darla is a shifter and Nadia's first real friend in Aurora Springs. She is brash, confident, and fiercely independent, having survived her own share of loss and heartbreak. Darla's friendship helps Nadia acclimate to her new life and provides a model of resilience and self-acceptance.

Sheriff Dallas Walker

Dallas is the town's sheriff, tasked with keeping order among a population of supernatural misfits. He is both ally and antagonist, suspicious of newcomers and determined to solve the string of murders plaguing Aurora Springs. Dallas's role is complicated by his own secrets and the shifting allegiances of the town's residents.

Plot Devices

Identity and Reinvention

The narrative is driven by Rosie's need to escape her past and reinvent herself as Nadia Black. The process of erasing her identity, adopting new personas, and navigating the dangers of supernatural society is both literal and metaphorical. The tension between who she was, who she pretends to be, and who she wants to become is a central engine of the plot, explored through shifting relationships, disguises, and the ever-present threat of discovery.

The Supernatural Bargain

Rosie's pact with Pan is the story's inciting incident and ongoing source of conflict. The bargain—her freedom in exchange for her body and fertility—serves as both a literal and symbolic loss of agency. Pan's mark is a constant reminder of the price she paid, and the supernatural contract binds her to him in ways she cannot escape. The motif of bargains, both explicit and implicit, recurs throughout the narrative, from Asher's curse to the Mercers' pack bonds.

Found Family and Polyamory

The story explores the formation of a found family among supernatural outcasts, with Rosie at its center. The polyamorous relationships between Rosie, Ben, Remi, and Asher are depicted with nuance, highlighting both the joys and challenges of loving more than one person. The pack dynamic, the sharing of lovers, and the negotiation of jealousy and loyalty are all central to the emotional arc. The narrative structure alternates between points of view, deepening the reader's understanding of each character's desires and fears.

Foreshadowing and Parallelism

The story uses foreshadowing to build tension, from the slow spread of Asher's curse to the ominous presence of Pestilence and the string of murders in town. The parallel between Rosie's flight from her past and the Mercers' own traumas creates emotional resonance. The chessboard motif, introduced by Pestilence, serves as a metaphor for the larger game being played, with Rosie as the queen and the men in her life as knights and pawns.

The Power of Consent and Agency

The question of consent—sexual, emotional, and supernatural—is woven throughout the narrative. Rosie's struggle to reclaim agency after being used as a pawn by her family, her husband, and Pan is mirrored in her relationships with the Mercers and Asher. The story interrogates the boundaries between love and possession, protection and control, and the right to choose one's own fate.

Analysis

Deal with the Demon is a dark, sensual, and emotionally charged exploration of identity, trauma, and the search for belonging in a world where supernatural politics and personal desires collide. At its core, the novel is about the cost of freedom and the power of found family. Rosie's journey from a pawn in others' games to a woman who claims her own agency is both harrowing and empowering. The polyamorous relationships at the heart of the story challenge traditional notions of love and loyalty, offering a nuanced portrayal of desire, jealousy, and the negotiation of boundaries. The supernatural elements—demons, shifters, vampires—serve as metaphors for the forces that seek to control and define us, while the recurring motif of bargains and contracts highlights the ways in which we trade pieces of ourselves for safety, love, or power. The novel's modern relevance lies in its interrogation of consent, the trauma of erasure, and the resilience required to forge one's own path. Ultimately, Deal with the Demon is a story about the courage to face the darkness within and without, and the transformative power of love, loyalty, and self-acceptance.

Last updated: September 10, 2025