There are creatures that live only in our darkest dreams and deepest fantasies. Call them what you will; myths, legends or fairy tales, the stories are passed down through generations. Lovingly told tales of dragons and shape- shifters who once walked among mortals. And what would you say if I told you that they still do? These are the men and women of Dirk & Steele, outsiders who have banded together to form a family and who use their special skills to make the world we all live in a better place. Even the legends have their own tall tales. First among these is the story of the Chimera, the offspring of shape-shifters of different species.

With his mother being a dragon and his father a lion, Karr's parents were hunted and killed by their own kind for daring to fall in love and mate. Karr survived the slaughter and thrived and, in time, became the prince of his people, the Chimera, the outsiders among the outsiders. Karr eventually died a traitor's death for an act of violence against his people. He was murdered, interred and forgotten for millennia. Now he has been awoken. And he is none too happy about it.

Soria's gift is communication. A virtual "universal translator," Soria can understand every language, living or dead, after spending only a short amount of time with her subject. When she is called in to translate for Karr, she recognizes an ancient tongue, one that has not been spoken for over 3000 years.

When the facility Karr is being held in is attacked, the pair begins a trek that will take them across continents in their flight towards freedom and acceptance. Karr has no reason to believe his people still exist and yet, he is drawn toward them and a final battle that will pit him against new enemies, as well as ancient ones. Where he once faced death willingly, now he fights to survive, for himself, his people and the wounded, lonely woman he has grown to love.

With this ninth book in the Dirk & Steele series, Liu is writing at the top of her game. THE FIRE KING is a must- read for the paranormal romance crowd.