The Mercy Series Box Set - The Mercy Series, #2.5

Edge of MercyCharlie Little exists in a dangerous world. Her best chance of survival is to disguise herself as a boy and guard her secrets well. Yet just when it seems things can't possibly get worse, they spin completely out of control. In this new and deadly version of the world, where a friend might be an enemy and an enemy might be a friend, seventeen-year-old Charlie protects her baby sister and herself from the once-human Draghoul, as well as, the human survivors who might not be as benevolent as they appear. Heart of MercyWith Zeke and her sister Star by her side and the fresh memory of Thomas's kiss still on her lips, she narrowly escapes the horrid plans of Jonas Bannon, a monster of a human being.
Forfeiting the safety of the community, they leave and begin the search for the city of Mercy, the one secure place Charlie knows. However, as she struggles to reach her sanctuary, doubts creep in that anywhere is truly safe. If the Draghoul don't get them, the human scavengers just might, and the assumption Mercy will be a place of protection could be the most dangerous risk of all. "Range of Mercy"Thomas's side of the story.
Saving the world on a daily basis didn't make you a hero. Thomas Morgan knew that much from experience. The hard decisions he was forced to make weren't pretty and not all that heroic. He was the one who did whatever it took to maintain security. Each day he climbed into the guard tower and kept the microcosm that was the community safe from Draghoul, the once-human monsters that attacked every night.
More importantly, he watched out for the vulnerable, especially Charlie and her sister Star. Charlie disguised herself as a boy, but Thomas knew the truth, and though she wasn't aware, and though it put them all in danger, he kept her secret from the others. Reality was harsh in this unmerciful world, and if Jonas Bannon ever figured out the truth, Charlie didn't stand a chance against the schemes of the self-appointed leader.
Doing the right thing didn't make Thomas a hero. But it did keep him human, and it did put him in range of mercy. Around 9400 words and 30 pages, this is a short story in The Mercy Series