Exclusive Cover Reveal and Excerpt: Rogue in the Making by TJ Nichols

Welcome to the Exclusive Cover Reveal of TJ Nichol’s Rogue in the Making, book two in the Studies in Demonology series, coming in May from DSP Publications

The Excerpt

I’m really excited to be able to reveal the cover for book 2 in the Studies in Demonology series, Rogue in the Making. Rogue in the Making continues Angus and Saka’s story (Yay!). This story picks up where the first one left off. And as the cover suggests there have been some changes in Demonside. By the end of the book everything has changed.

Angus is such a fun character to write and he’s so resilient I can throw all kinds of things at him and he just keeps on coming back for me *evil grin*. Saka is usually so in control it was nice to have him screw up and have to make decisions based on his heart not his job.

Here’s a little excerpt after the death of a major character from book 1 (no spoilers), but it does hint at what is to come.

§§§§§§

“What happened this morning?” Angus’s gaze darted to the open wound on Saka’s chest.

Saka would have to heal it that evening. There was no point in being foolish and risking infection, but for the time being, he wanted to feel the sting.

“Nothing.” Nothing he could talk about anyway. “I want you to work with Usi.”

Angus stopped walking as though he’d slammed into an invisible tree.

Saka didn’t wait for him.

Angus hurried to catch up. “Why? Have I done something wrong?” Saka made the mistake of glancing at him. Beneath his hat his face was pinched with worry. “Do you not want me as your apprentice anymore?”

The horror in his voice was another twisting blade. Saka didn’t know how not to let it pull him apart and leave him vulnerable.

Mages didn’t have families, yet Guda had said that it was possible. Perhaps it was a modern thing to not get too close. He’d had lovers, but none had expected more than a happy joining when the need arose. He’d never felt more than a passing affection for any of them.

“You are still mine. And I will still teach you, but Usi is better with a blade.”

“No… she is better at inflicting pain. You told me that. You once asked me what I preferred, and I told you pleasure.”

“And I’m telling you, you must learn pain too.” The words came out as a snarl. Saka drew a breath. “I will be there. I will be your subject to practice on.” Usi would enjoy that.

Maybe if Angus cut into him enough times, Saka would stop liking the warlock.

About the Book

The blood sacrifices have brought rain to Demonside, but across the void, the Warlock College of Vinland is still storing and gathering magic, heedless of the warnings of the international magical community. The underground is full of warlocks who disagree with the college, but do they care about wizards and demons or only about snatching power?

With a foot in each world, Angus is no longer sure whom he can trust. The demons don’t trust humans, and even though he is learning more magic, he will never be one of them. He is human and only tolerated. Some demons would be happy to slit his throat. It’s only because his demon is powerful in his own right that Angus is alive.

Saka only has a year to prove that Angus’s people can change and that the magic taken will be rebalanced, but the demons want action. His affection for Angus is clouding his judgment and weakening his position in the tribe. Time is running out, and he must make a choice.
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About the Author

TJ Nichols is an avid runner and martial arts enthusiast who first started writing as child. Many years later while working as a civil designer, TJ decided to pick up a pen and start writing again. Having grown up reading thrillers and fantasy novels, it’s no surprise that mixing danger and magic comes so easily, writing urban fantasy allows TJ to bring magic to the every day. TJ enjoys writing novellas and novels and has a series, Studies in Demonology, coming out with DSP Publications.