Anathema, The Eating Woods BY Keri Lake

In Anathema, the first installment of The Eating Woods duology, Maevyth Bronwick, a shunned woman, finds herself drawn into the terrifying realm beyond Witch Knell, a cursed forest whispered about in fear. Known as The Eating Woods, it’s a place where lost souls are devoured and only the banished dare tread. When tragedy forces Maevyth past the archway of bones, she encounters Zevander Rydainn, the cold and calculating assassin known as The Scorpion. Tasked with hiding her from a vengeful magehood that seeks to fulfill a dark prophecy, Zevander is torn between his duty and an unexpected obsession with Maevyth. Her blood holds the key to breaking his curse and defeating a slumbering evil that plagues Witch Knell. As their fates intertwine, Maevyth must navigate a world filled with grotesque creatures and deadly magic, while Zevander grapples with the danger their connection poses to both of them. With a unique magic system, a slow-burn romance, and elements of horror, Anathema invites readers into an atmospheric gothic dark fantasy where every choice could lead to salvation or doom.