Rustbound: The Gear-Marked Apprentice

The forbidden star-core rips through Jax Renner’s chest—and slams straight into the star-huntress sent to arrest him. In one violent flash, the broke rust-rat and the ruthless enforcer are locked together by a living gear curse. Elise Vane can’t stand within a hundred meters of Jax without choking, but staying close means protecting the criminal she swore to cage. Hunted by her own squad, hunted by the black-market mages, they must hide their curse, climb the ranks, and uncover why star-magic was erased from history—while every argument, touch, and stolen breath pulls them dangerously closer. Now an elite enforcer has found them and wants Jax’s forbidden power. If Elise hands him over, she may clear her family’s name; if she refuses, they both become fugitives—and the curse may be the only thing keeping them alive.