The Gauntlet — Karen Chance

The Gauntlet is a short story connected to the New York Times bestselling Cassandra Palmer and Dorina Basarab series of urban fantasy novels.

Set in the England of Elizabeth I, it features Kit Marlowe as a newly created vampire and Gillian Urswick, a witch with a penchant for highway robbery. That little hobby landed her in trouble with the Silver Circle, the self-appointed guardians of the magical community. They don't like thieves, particularly not when they're also members of the Druid covens that have been nothing but thorns in their side. Now Gillian has a date with a noose and only Marlowe has a chance of breaking her out of the Circle's high security prison in time.

First published in the Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance 2, it is now being offered as a free ebook. The sequel is The Queen's Witch.