Valerie Stonehold

When three local bullies pick on Iron Hills dwarf Eiravel (Val) Stonehold, she naturally defends herself. Why is she the only one who gets thrown out of the tavern after the brawl? On her way home, two bumbling dragons in human form, Axl and Livius, accost her and hand her a letter. What can the new Eternal Queen Julie possibly want with her? As it turns out, the queen wants her body.

Val is expanding her horizons as she settles into her new abode. Her jewelry business is taking off, and she's also found a pub or two for relaxing. Plus, she's got the bodyguard business, and the occasional bouncing gig. Busy dwarf! She's also learning the art and science of having friends. One of them, Stella, will be moving, which forces Val to make a choice. Has she finally found a world that will accept her? Does she want to make it her home? Then Anne, her first client who is now a friend as well, calls her about another protection job, and she can't say no.

Valerie "Val" Stonehold faces her toughest challenge yet when her best friend Sinatria asks for a life-changing favor. Val must become the faerie Tetra's liege—a magically binding contract that grants her complete control over the assassin. Playing jailer to a resentful faerie is the least of Val's worries. As she juggles to protect her dwarf clients from a ruthless gang, and unravel the secrets of her mysterious amulet, Val finds herself in a web of danger and deceit that threatens everything she holds dear.

Val Stonehold never fit in with other Iron Dwarves. At nearly six feet tall and struggling with her identity, she carved out a life for herself in New York City as a bodyguard and blacksmith. When an ancient power awakens within her, Val discovers she's more than just an outsider. She's a Warrior of the Red Bear, sworn to protect the Lunar Fae and all of paranormal-kind.