Countering the Hands of Crime

Containing low level monsters for Monster Containment ought to be easy enough. But Rarkin's doing it handicapped by the struggle to let down walls he's had up with most people, for self preservation, for 17 years.

That would be hard enough with people he's been studying with for two years. But a new classmate is joining his team. Ilara is surprisingly capable for a 'new student,' particularly with magic. Rarkin suspects Ilara has secrets of her own. But he's barely begun to gauge her capacity when their team begins working under extraordinary conditions.

Not only is crime boss Mavon still at large, he's as clever and capable as Rarkin suspects, and less than half as rational. Worse, a second crime boss is going rogue, as organised crime continues morphing into something far more dangerous.

In countering both crime bosses, Sythe's resources are stretched thin. Rarkin finds his team on missions they're barely experienced enough to handle, at the edge of their monster containing and fledgling magical capabilities. The survival of his team is about to depend on the trust Rarkin is struggling to develop.

This is book 2 of an intended 4 book SciFi-Fantasy Crime Series, with mystery and political thriller elements, a queer (especially asexual) cast and neurodivergent rep. Subplots include exploring queer and neurodivergent relationships and gender identities.

Content Warnings: can be viewed on the author's website: https://elisecarlson.com/sythe-series/, or the copyright page.