The Pawn and The Puppet

More about the book

The Emerald Lake Asylum is a place few wish to enter, but nineteen-year-old Skylenna is determined to fulfill a promise. Once hired, her mission is to convince the council that inhumane treatments like waterboarding and beatings are outdated. Everything changes when she encounters Dessin, a patient with a split personality—one side a bloodthirsty genius, the other a hidden self buried deep within. After Dessin is caught attempting a cell break, he faces execution unless Skylenna can reveal his core humanity. With only ninety days to save him, she must navigate his world of manipulation and strategy. As their bond intensifies, a forbidden attraction develops, challenging her better judgment. Skylenna gradually uncovers the dark secrets of Dessin’s past that transformed him into the feared monster he is today. Despite his terrifying facade, Dessin reveals a vulnerability that could be his undoing. This story contains explicit content and darker themes, including violence, depression, and emotional trauma. It is intended for readers over 18 and is the first in a series. Trigger warnings include gratuitous violence, torture, and various forms of abuse.