Strategic Surrender — Elizabeth Lapthorne

Kiera Patrick has one rule and one rule only -- she keeps work and play separate. She doesn't intend to follow her playboy wizard partner's example and let her love life make a mess of her magical work life.

But when her mentor teams them with Hayden Foxworth, a wizard who is rumored to be involved with the darker side of magic, and tasks them with deciding the fate of an evil grimoire, her heart hurts for the damaged Mage.

When Hayden persuades the others that the only way forward it to destroy the tainted thing, they bring down the wrath of the Tribunal, the council of elders who lead wizardkind. Kiera must deal with the magical fallout of their decision while battling a burning attraction to Hayden that has them scorching the sheets even as they fight for their lives.