The Scars That Bind Us — Michele Notaro

Sometimes the worst scars are the ones you can't see.World War III broke out 130 years ago when humans found out that my people-magi-and shifters were real. They've been imprisoning and enslaving our two species since. But now humans need our help protecting the world from the strange monsters they let cross the veil between realms.Eighteen years ago, my world changed. Suddenly I was allowed freedoms I'd never had before, but I was still at the Non-Human Specialties Operations' beck and call. Which is how I found myself on a team with my best friend, five shifters, and a human.Now, I have to figure out a way to work with others-with shifters. I've never been one to trust easily, and I don't see that changing, but this shifter pride has a way of getting past my walls. Unfortunately, all that means is now I have even more people I need to protect against the evils of this world, and I really don't know how I'm gonna do it.All three species have been at odds for more than a century, but maybe Cosmo-a lion shifter-and I can put aside our differences to work together and keep everyone safe. And if I'm secretly crushing on the guy, well, I think I'll keep that to myself.The Scars That Bind Us is a 115K word novel and the first book in the MM urban fantasy series, The Magi Accounts.*Intended for adults only. Please read the trigger warnings at the beginning of this book.