Prologue - Forgive Us, Sinners
“Dear Lord, we thank thee for thy food–”
I shifted uncomfortably in the hard wooden chair, squeezing my eyes shut and trying to keep my mind focused solely on Darlene’s prayer.
“–we are about to eat and for thy continued blessings bestowed upon us sinners–”
Ilias’ left hand gently squeezed my sweaty palm, and his thumb eased the tension in my knuckles. As his skin brushed mine, I couldn’t help but recall all the ways his hands had caressed me...
“–we thank thee for thy love and protection, for Carlton’s recent raise at work, and for Nikolas’ success at his new job–”
Nick’s right shoulder bumped into mine, as if he sensed the nervous energy radiating off me. His solid presence was always a comfort, but lately he’d been putting it to better use...
“–for Ilias’ continued good work on his missions as he spreads your word, dear Lord–”
Ilias was doing more than spreading God’s word, as flashes of him hovering above me in the dark, spreading my thighs to make room for himself...
“–for Colson’s game-winning touchdown the other night and his good grades, despite his lack of focus in the classroom–”
Cole’s foot bumped into my calf, startling me out of my wayward thoughts. But my mind instantly returned to dark deeds when his foot caressed my bare leg. Cole might be easily distracted in all areas of life, but I managed to keep his full attention in my bedroom...
“–and for Evelyn’s remarkable volunteer work at church, as well as her love and support for her family and brothers–”
I couldn’t take it anymore.
The table laden with food jolted as I jumped to my feet, my breaths coming quick and heavy as I looked around at the five people before me.
“Evelyn Grace!” Darlene’s bewildered voice cut through the haze of desire clouding my mind. “What do you think you’re doing? I haven’t finished saying grace, young lady!”
Carlton and Darlene Cohen, my foster parents for as long as I can remember. The elderly couple was a staple at our church, and they ruled their household as firmly as our pastor ruled his congregation.
“Someone’s feeling a bit jumpy tonight. What has you so worked up?” Nick asked, a devilish grin spreading across his face.
Nikolas Royer, my oldest foster brother, whom I’d known since middle school. His brown eyes always held a gleam of edge, and the long, dark hair that Darlene always complained needed cutting gave him the perfect air of a known bad boy in our small town.
Nick’s dark eyes heated as he drank me in, desire barely contained on his face as he watched me like a predator would its prey.
“Back off. She’s had a lot on her plate this year,” Ilias scolded Nick, then turned his attention back to me.
Ilias Shepherd, just a year older than me, was in his first year of college. With golden hair and a lean build, he had a studious look that matched his academic pursuits toward becoming a minister. I mean, I think that’s still his plan...
Ilias’ green eyes held my gaze for a moment, and although I could usually trust him to be the most sensible of us all, he betrayed himself as his Adam’s apple bobbed while his eyes hungrily stared at the little bare skin I was showing.
“She just needs to chill, is all. I can give you a back rub later, Evie,” Cole teased from across the table.
And the last of my foster brothers, Colson Royer, was also Nick’s full-blooded younger brother. We both recently turned eighteen and were in our senior year of high school. He was the all-star athlete, the golden boy, Mr. Popular.
Cole leaned back in his chair with a smirk, knowing exactly what I was reacting to and loving that he got to watch me squirm nervously in this precarious situation. He had already made it clear how much he loved making me squirm...
“Sorry, Darlene,” I muttered as my cheeks burned with embarrassment over causing a scene. “I just need to–”
My stuttering stopped when my mind went blank. Oh my lanta! This was the worst time to be bad at lying. “I need to use the bathroom!” I rushed out, watching Carlton’s brow furrow with suspicion and Darlene’s frown deepen.
“Well, that can wait until after grace,” Darlene huffed irritably. “Really, Evelyn, you know better than this. Now, sit down so we can finish the prayer.”
Tentatively, not seeing any way out of this, I slowly lowered myself back in my chair as I kept my eyes cast downward.
As my foster family turned to face the table, heads bowed and eyes closed, each of us instinctively fell back into our usual prayer routine, reaching out to hold the hands of the people on either side.
I hesitated for a few breaths before tentatively sliding my hand back into Ilias’ warm grasp and into Nick’s calloused grip. Ilias gently squeezed my hand in comfort, even as Nick’s grip tightened and he tugged me closer, as if refusing to let even an inch of me slip from his reach again.
Although Cole kept his feet to himself, I felt his heated gaze burn into my skin from across the round dining table.
Even Nick and Ilias must’ve been stealing glances at me, taking a stupid risk by staring while our foster parents’ eyes remained firmly closed in prayer.
“–Dear Lord, please continue to bestow whatever grace and goodness you can upon us, your ever-devout sinners. We do not deserve your love, O Lord, but we will remain your servants forever as we seek only to serve and please you. Amen.”
“Amen.” Carlton echoed dutifully after his wife.
“Amen.” All three of my foster brothers said in unison, even as their eyes felt like tattoo needles pricking my skin.
“Amen,” I muttered, then yanked my hands away.
I prayed silently to myself that even though I’m a sexually feeding half-demon, God would find a way to forgive me.
Or that I’d find a way to forgive myself.
- - -
Author’s Note:
This is a preview of a book currently under development. I can’t offer a specific timeframe for when it may be released, but I know it is one of many in the works as of September 2026. Please add it to your book list if you’d like to read more soon.
XOXO
The Moni-Ster a/k/a MJ Signe
Tropes = religious themes, succubus, taboo (foster brothers), reverse harem, dark romance, paranormal, contemporary, small town, church girl.
