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Refuge #4

Dark Fire

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What the Beast wants, the Beast gets.

Dare’s savage nature has made him an outcast among his kind. The silver-scaled Dracheon warrior can’t control his inner beast. It’s too strong. When his primitive instincts told him his destined mate was on Carinae E, he had no choice. He had to travel to the outlaw planet. There, he hoped to meet a female powerful enough to survive his Drache.

He finds Faylee, a delicate little human.

Faylee is the best thief on the planet. Everyone she encounters mistakes her for a young boy… except for a tall, shiny warrior from off-planet. When she gazes into Dare’s flame-filled eyes, he makes her feel, for the first time, like a desirable female. The fire-breathing male has her yearning for hot kisses, fierce embraces, and a future filled with love. She doesn’t realize mating with him might be the last thing she ever does.

Dare’s beast isn’t the only danger on the planet. An enemy from the past has returned and he’s determined to stop Dare and Faylee… permanently. They’ll need luck and the assistance of every warrior in the Refuge to stay alive.

Dark Fire is a STANDALONE SciFi Romance set in a gritty, dark world.

180 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 12, 2018

128 people are currently reading
151 people want to read

About the author

Cynthia Sax

169 books1,513 followers
USA Today bestselling author Cynthia Sax writes steamy cyborg and alien romances. Her stories have been featured in Star Magazine, on TV, and numerous romance top ten lists.

When she isn't writing, she's traveling the world with her Dear Wonderful Hubby, meeting new people, visiting new places.


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5 stars
227 (49%)
4 stars
148 (32%)
3 stars
69 (15%)
2 stars
13 (2%)
1 star
2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
Profile Image for Badh.
3,311 reviews66 followers
March 15, 2020
I've read all of the books in Cynthia Sax's Cyborg/Refuge universe, most of them multiple times. They all draw me in and hold me captive until I'm done reading them. I just can't put them down and can't not read them. When I saw that this one had showed up on my Kindle in the wee early hours, I had to start reading it and only put it down because my Kindle fell on my face when I fell asleep reading. The second I woke back up, I grabbed it so that I could finish it. There are very few books that I've ever done that with, but Faylee's and Dare's story was so all-enveloping that I couldn't do otherwise.

I think that part of it is that I can really relate to Dare for feeling like I don't fit in and that I'm an outsider. It really makes Dare be such a connectable character because we've all felt that way. And with Faylee, we've all felt like we have to hide some part of ourselves and that we won't find the person who can truly accept us. They are everything together and it makes us all feel so good that they are everything.

I think that this couple is now in my top 3 favorite couples in this verse by Cynthia Sax, and it's going to take a whole lot to knock them out of it.
1,353 reviews38 followers
June 13, 2018
Balvan’s arms, you won’t believe this!

Dare is a being of honour, but has no control over his beast. He left his home planet of Dracheon for Carinae E to find his mate, but will the female want him? Faylee, a little human female, has been a thief all her life, that’s the only way she could survive, she likes shiny things … Dare is covered with shiny silver scales …

DARK FIRE is book 4 in Cynthia Sax’s fabulous Refuge series, and while it’s more fun if you have read the previous books, it stands perfectly as a standalone. And readers who enjoy dragons will definitely want to read DARK FIRE because Dare is unlike any other being I have ever read before. And he is HOT, for real! Ms. Sax’s imagination knows no bounds, and in DARK FIRE, she is at her most creative. The romance is fierce, and amazing; the characters fascinating as always, and some secondary characters really impressed me: Overclocked (what a name!), and Vicuska.

The world of Carinae E and the Refuge is so incredibly dark, yet I often find myself smiling because the writing is so witty and clever; a good example is Faylee’s first attempts at seduction. DARK FIRE has romance, action, fabulous beings, and it is also a story about acceptance, about fitting in, about what is considered normal, and most of all about unconditional love and undying friendship. Cynthia Sax never misses the mark!

Profile Image for Jan.
2,100 reviews14 followers
June 13, 2018
Dracheon pride is what Dare has. His control and honor are absolute. He also has a humanoid side. But that side was always overpowered by the Drache beast. Time was running out. He needed to find his mate. She would be the one to help him control his beast. But where in this place was she? Faylee is one of the best thieves and she planned to get what the Rebel female had. She didn’t expect to meet up with a sexy male that happened to be his mate.

These two burn hot from the start. I love the fact that Faylee tries to flirt with him and he shows little sign. I’m surprised that he didn’t jump her from the beginning but he was using a lot of control. I was glad that we got to find out some information about Faylee’s mom. It was sad but a bit was resolved for her. And Dare realized something about being a Dracheon. Home is ALWAYS where your love is. Hopefully we get to read about what happens to Vic, our rebel. She has a story to be told as well. Perhaps she will meet up with one of our Cyborg friends.
Profile Image for Jannie Cv.
1,082 reviews29 followers
June 13, 2018
Such splendid storytelling!
It takes talent to take two characters with such dismal backgrounds and tell the story of their love in a way that leaves the reader satisfied and happy for them. They’re not perfect. Each is ‘flawed’ in some way (in the eyes of ‘normal’ beings). But they don’t have to be perfect; just perfect for each other. I love Dare’s and Faylee’s story! It’s a pleasure to watch their story unfold. A little snippet: “His little thief had stolen his heart and his soul...”
There are a number of secondary characters I found intriguing as well. Perhaps one or two will show up in future books. Who knows? It is also a treat to see beings from previous books show up here. Great reading!
Profile Image for niki_reads_romance.
883 reviews9 followers
June 13, 2018
Can I live in Refuge too?

Refuge is a place I want to visit. Poor Dare, with his shiny silver scales and hard to control Drache, has no idea that he’s perfect for the tiny little thief with a weakness for shiny things. Their story is full of personal obstacles to overcome, missions to complete, and decisions to make. I loved every moment, every word, and had a read like I was going to lose the book. "Love was trust and belonging, strength and surrender, passion and protectiveness. He was the one being she’d follow anywhere, the one being she couldn’t live without."
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
1,157 reviews1 follower
June 16, 2018
The chase can be quite exhilarating but being caught can also be its reward. These two prove just what they both would do to be part of something more but yet don't see it might just be on front of them. Might take a mighty ruler to shake them up a bit and who said Kralj doesn't have a heart 😉 shh I won't tell.
Profile Image for Rhonda Jones.
2,794 reviews17 followers
June 18, 2018
Awesome Book

I love the characters. They are tortured souls with hearts of gold. And I love how this author is not shy about killing off the bad guys. I dislike when I read a book and the author describes the despicable things the bad guys do, then has the characters show humanity. No! Kill the blighters off! Yrs, I love this series. So good.
Profile Image for Terri.
281 reviews3 followers
July 7, 2018
Love this series!

I want to live in the Refuge and be loved like no other by these amazing humonoid-advanced beings created in Sax's world! Each book is better and better and it's hard waiting for the next book in the series. Like an addict, I can't put her books down until they are gone; then I ache for more
Profile Image for Melissa.
670 reviews9 followers
June 12, 2018
Um where do I start...

Awesome awesome awesome awesome oh and did I mention awesome. Each Refuge book gets better and better, you Cynthia rock my world with each new release. Multiple thumbs up and if I could rate more than 5 stars I would.
Profile Image for Angela.
8,695 reviews122 followers
June 30, 2019
5 Stars

Dark Fire is the fourth book in the Refuge Series by Cynthia Sax. Even though it is the fourth book in the series, it can be read as a standalone, which is what I did. I loved this book so much that I will definitely be going back to read the other books in the series to see what they are about. This is a superb sci-fi romance- with a gritty, erotic, dark story- full of action, adventure, danger, passion, the paranormal, dragons, alien beings & species, modified humanoids, warriors, battles, suspense, acceptance, and finding where you belong. Ms. Sax created a very realistic and believable world in which to set her story- her world building skills are quite masterful, and her story is completely captivating. It’s a little like Oliver Twist meets the Lost Boys, then crossed with Mad Max and Star Wars. The story has emotion and heart-warming and tender scenes which help to give the story depth, as well as balancing all the action.
Faylee is living on a distant planet, where she’s pretty much a slave- indebted to a boss who makes here earn her keep. Even so, she lives in appalling, soul-crushing and squalid conditions. She’s one of the best thieves in the settlement and enjoys going unnoticed. She dreams of buying her freedom and leaving the place- to go somewhere new and start fresh. Until the day she pick-pockets the wrong person, and her world turns upside down.
Dare is a Dracheon Warrior, an outcast amongst his kind for being too primitive. Little does he know that his latest assignment to help a rebel agent, will change his life forever. Finding his Mate on the Outlaw planet turns both their worlds upside down. But with a dangerous enemy on the hunt their battles have only just begun.
Such a great story and well worth the read!

Thank you, Ms. Sax!
Profile Image for Ashley (Red-Haired Ash Reads).
3,404 reviews181 followers
January 24, 2021
Series: Refuge #4
Rating: 3 stars - I liked it

Dare is an outcast among his own kind. The silver-scaled Dracheon warrior can’t control his beast. While searching for his mate in the Refuge, Kralj tasks him with escorting a rebel warrior to the settlement. He meets his mate Faylee, who is a thief and everyone thinks she is a boy.

This was another good alien romance. I liked Faylee a lot. She was an extremely skilled thief but she also is very giving and kind. She looks out for those around her, especially those who struggle to survive. Her thievery was amusing once she was in the Refuge and I like that she will keep Dare on his toes.

Dare has been an outcast to his people all his life. He is an alpha male who is terrified of losing control of his beast and hurting someone, especially his mate. Now that he has a mate he is determined to return so he isn’t permanently exiled. But as more time goes by he realizes that having a family you can rely on is more important than claiming his heritage.

This was another enjoyable fated mates romance in the Refuge. I really enjoyed this couple and their adventure. The side characters in this one were quite enjoyable too, especially Vicuska (her book is Dark Arsenal). I love how diverse and dangerous the Refuge is.

You can also find my reviews at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
Profile Image for JML.
1,304 reviews24 followers
July 1, 2019
Kaylee and Dare💖

I've enjoyed this series as much as I did Ms. Sax's cyborg sizzle series. The characters are intense, passionate and total bad asses ! The most amazing thing about these badass alpha male warriors is their capacity to love the strong sassy woman they encounter. As always the Humanoid alliance is at the top of the enemy list is this story Dare is a Dracheon a type of Dragon being Who is living at the refuge. He's outcast from his own people because he resembles the middle primitive of his species and he's looked down upon. But at the refuge with the other enhanced beings he's found friends and brother warriors and now a mate to be treasured. Faylee has been a their all her life it's what she's had to do just to survive. She dreams and kings for a different life a life she feels unworthy of until she meets Dare. On a mission for the leader of the refuge Dare and Faylee meet and fire 🔥rages between them. Amid action, adventure and battle these two find a long that will last an eternity! So much fun😍
Profile Image for Lucinda.
715 reviews1 follower
January 4, 2020
It's by Sax!

So I make it a habit to buy books by Ms Cynthia. I admit that I nearly always pre-order her Cyborg Sizzle and I do like her Refuge books as well. Dare and Faylee really are perfect for each other. Faylee really needed to believe that she's worthy of love and friendship. The only thing that that I found disappointing was that a bit more of her background wasn't revealed. Why was the Human Alliance so determined to kill her parents? Dare is completely amused and charmed by what a talented thief she is. Definitely a fantastic read!
Profile Image for eevee.
821 reviews23 followers
April 3, 2020
Dare can’t control himself. He has scales and is bloodthirsty. It’s a real problem among his kind. Faylee is kinda similarly ostracized. She’s a thief posing as a little boy. Thieving is kind of frowned upon, but it’s a job and she’s dirt poor. Literally. Dare discovers that Faylee is his mate and worries about accidentally killing her. Faylee worries that Dare will realize she’s gutter trash and go off into space doing whatever it is he does.

It was good. I liked both characters.

Unsure if I would reread, but I’d recommend.
Profile Image for Catherine.
174 reviews2 followers
June 16, 2018
Most enjoyable

This book is another good instalment in the Refuge series. The characters are great - fierce outcast warriors and modified warriors on a desolate planet fighting the Humanoid Alliance and finding their mates to complete them. Now waiting for the next book in the series to be released.
2,374 reviews20 followers
October 24, 2019
Another Great Hit

The book was just as great as all the previous ones and holds your attention from beginning to end. It has everything you want in a romance with plenty of action, adventure, drama, passion, and hot steamy scenes that sizzles but not over the top with awesome characters? I'm so ready to read the next book in the series and definitely a must buy.
1,137 reviews3 followers
November 8, 2019
Dark Fire (Refuge book 4)by Cynthia Sax

Oh wow you are going to absolutely love reading this series by Cynthia Sax! This addition has humor,heartbreaking moments,dramatic scenes and High Heat!😅 You'd miss out if you didn't check this fantastic series out for yourself!!!! I'm Highly Recommending that you don't miss a moment of reading pleasure this fantastic series brings!
Profile Image for Shyla.
717 reviews3 followers
August 11, 2022
Dark Fire

FayLee had to hide who she was by becoming a boy. That was the only way to survive in her world. Then one day Dare came into her town and he wanted to claim her as his mate but because she had hidden who she was for years made her think she would not survive. Can their differences help them become closer? Recommend this book and series.
Profile Image for Deborah.
1,841 reviews
June 13, 2018
He Is Home

This is an exciting, violent, hot, fun read. They both need to realize that acceptance is what they are looking for. And maybe they need to come to the realization that they have it where they are. Enjoy I did.
Profile Image for Jean.
125 reviews
June 15, 2018
Love the Refuge series

Dark Fire was a wonderful read. I have to admit it made me a bit emotional (memories). Fast paced and steamy. And a definite nod to being ok with not being "normal" 😀 highly recommend this book and any other from Cynthia Sax. Truly enjoyed it.
Profile Image for M.R..
Author 10 books3 followers
June 27, 2018
Cynthia did it again,

I loved the detail of the Dare and Faylee characters and their world. The scenes were vivid and interesting to read. The sex was not gratuitous and enticing. The love between the two was different but love is love. Good to see Tralj has not softened.
Mel
Profile Image for Theresa.
210 reviews
July 2, 2018
Awesome Characters!

I've loved every book in this series so far. The characters are well thought out and uniquely lovable. The complete series is captivating and remarkable, highly recommended!
Profile Image for Peggy Miller.
636 reviews
June 27, 2019
Burn baby burn!

Cynthia is one of my all time favorite authors. I love her misfit alpha males and her very unique "gerels" . She shows that her females are as fierce as their males in fighting, smarts and their deep ability to love and be loved in return. We love the Refuge!
872 reviews7 followers
August 18, 2021
Cute

Sweet. Love that she was sweet n feisty and they overcame things together and realized they were enough for each other. Steamy scenes but pretty repetitive from other books.
453 reviews1 follower
March 1, 2025
Dark Fire by Cynthia Sax

This was book 4 of a series of book about honor and love it is a book worthwhile to read. Great world building skills! You will be so into this story that you will be ready for the next book.
2,205 reviews
June 14, 2018
Wonderful book. Great characters and good timess!
Profile Image for Crystal Holloway.
157 reviews3 followers
June 14, 2018
I can't get enough!

I love Cynthia Sax's gritty and dark world filled with love. The battles and struggles are epic! But the love that the mates find and fight for is even better.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews

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