In GUARDIANS OF THE BAY, award-winning writer Annie Reed does what she does best—puts her own unique spin on the classic shapeshifter story.

Elias Sandoval makes his living playing songs for tourists at The Wharf in San Francisco. He'll play whatever tunes make the tourists happy.

He never expected to get a request for a classical song seemingly out of thin air.

Playing that one simple song sends Elias headlong into a world that shouldn't exist. A world where stray cats can pass for any creature they wish. A lion. A tiger. Even the beautiful woman who thanked him for playing her song.

A woman who decides to claim Elias as her next human companion.

A jealous creature who will do anything to keep him safe.

Even kill.

"One of the best writers I've come across in years. Annie excels at whatever genre of fiction she chooses to write." — KRISTINE KATHRYN RUSCH, AWARD-WINNING WRITER/EDITOR

"You can't go wrong with Annie Reed. Her deftly-crafted tales—with characters as memorable as the stories themselves—far surpass most of what's out there. She deserves a wide audience." — MICHAEL J. TOTTEN, AUTHOR

"Annie's writing is magic, seriously." — ROBERT J. MCCARTER, AUTHOR

"Annie Reed is considered by many to be one of the best new writers appearing in fiction." — DEAN WESLEY SMITH, EDITOR PULPHOUSE FICTION MAGAZINE