Scavengers: The Timeless Cycle, #2 – Kobo eBook

Enough pain will turn anyone into a monster.

Terrorised by horrific memories and her own guilt, Aranka numbs herself through substance abuse and objectification. One night, a grotesque oni named Kuroryu appears in her house with six months to live as a human and asks for her help to right its wrongs. Fuelled by selfish motivations, she lets the oni stay.

Aranka demands an explanation after yokai attack the house. The oni tells her of Magatsubi, the Emperor of Chaos, who allowed it to take human form but vowed to make it regret its choice. As they grow closer through weeks of navigating humanity and battling yokai determined to devour her, Kuroryu’s kindness, unique worldview, and passion for music shock Aranka’s apathy, leading her to view the oni as more human than her fake friends.

When disturbing facts from Kuroryu’s past devastate her faith in him, Aranka must choose between hatred and love before his time runs out.