Stained Perception

STAINED PERCEPTION STAINED SERIES BOOK I JORJOR BATTLE Stained Perception Copyright © 2023 Jordan Battle All rights reserved. Published: Jordan Battle 2023 With an exception to book quotes in book reviews, no parts of this book may be reproduced in any form without written consent from the author. Any further questions can be directed to: [email protected] This book is a work of fiction, and any names, places, characters, businesses, places, or events are fictitious or used fictitiously and part of the author’s imagination. Any real-life similarities are purely coincidental and not meant to be done by the author. First Edition Cover Designer: AS Book Desing Editor: Kaitlyn (Beausoleil Editorial) Created with Vellum TRIGGER WARNINGS Stalker, kidnapping, sexual content, knife and blood play/mention, death, torture, mentions of trafficking, and graphic violence. To my obsession with vampires and werewolves CONTENTS Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37 Epilogue Part 1 Epilogue Part 2 Also by Jorjor Battle Acknowledgments About the Author 1 FLORA Steam raised from the pitcher full of boiling hot water — the final stage of braiding box braids finally in sight for Flora — nine treacherous hours after she had started. Flora’s cramping hands dipped the braids into the water. Finishing off with a hair mousse, her waist-length braids were complete. Dragging her gaze around what she called her "hair nook", which consisted of a huge gold antique floor-length mirror, a pillow, and an end table to hold her hair products, she glanced at the digital clock on her nightstand to confirm the time. Midnight was considered finishing early and she’d take that small win to bed with her. Braids were a lifesaver in terms of time saved in the morning and everyday styling. They were also a pain in the ass when Flora’s braider canceled on her the morning of and forced her to do them herself. Looking the part of a fashion CEO and shoe designer had become of the utmost importance now that her fashion accessory company, Dainty Rebel, had become successful in dressing Shifters all around the United States. Rainfall Avenue was her home and so it was also Dainty Rebels’. Most fashion companies relocate to big cities like L.A, New York City, Atlanta, etc. when they reach whatever milestone they deem successful. Flora, on the other hand, preferred to remain tax-free in her Shifter "town" of Rainfall Avenue, part of a town in Michigan that had a supernatural side and a human side. Knowing what humans do while fearful, the supernaturals of the world decided to keep their “unnatural” being-asses a secret, creating areas where the supernatural could live in peace known as Shifter towns or Shifter sides. Dainty Rebel had become extremely popular among those in the supernatural world. Shifter types especially can’t say no to a pair of good shoes let alone a signature necklace that represents their animal or special ability that they have. While Flora's company focused on shoes, jewelry had been the new hot item when it came to Packs and Shifters, which she had famously tapped into. Shifter Packs, whether of bears or vampires, loved having matching jewelry signifying which Pack they were from. Though Flora was sure Shifters' animals could not care less about a moon-shaped pendant hanging from their necks by a thick silver chain, there was something appealing about wearing something that wouldn't break during shifting, that created another connection to Shifters' animals. Her own animal didn’t try to rip off any of the necklaces, bracelets, or anklets that remained on her body after the shift. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, a reminder Flora kept printed above her wide, floor-length antique gold mirror. She kept it there to remind herself and anyone who asked her for an opinion on anything style related. Being in the Shifter fashion industry, it seemed Flora’s opinion was as important as her customers opinions, something that was oddly similar between the human mindset and the Shifter mindset. The thing was, Flora didn’t mind what others had to say about what she did, what she wore, or whom they thought she was with romantically. It was simply not one of her concerns. According to Flora’s PR team, she should most definitely care. “Flora, why is there a photo of you walking out of Lust Lane on 90th street, for the third time this week?” Willow Buttercup, Flora’s personal assistant and best friend asked. Willow refused to reveal her last name to anyone: Flora was only privy to it after reading her résumé. She also wouldn’t share her next darkest secret, what animal she shifted into, but Flora could understand the need for privacy, seeing as her ex-best friend had dropped Flora like a hot cake after finding out what animal she shifted into. She kept that shit on lockdown ever since. “Well,” Flora started, placing the pitcher of hot water on the end table, “you know my best clients work at the strip club.” The one strip club in town was Lust Lane, a dub on the name Lover’s Lane. Flora thought the name was clever when everyone else thought it was cheesy. Lust Lane gave her great business. No one bought her fun, exotic accessories like they did. The way Flora saw it, she got to make extravagant, eye-catching pieces and the strippers bought them for their equally extravagant and eye-catching performances. It was a win-win situation. “Why can’t you sneak in through a back door or something? You know the media goes wild every time they catch you at the strip club,” Willow stressed. Being sneaky was a part