The Collector

by Christina Smith, @thecauldronauthorservices (Editor), @_ellexart

The Collector is summoned every seven years to receive the debt he is owed. A beating heart of one of The Society’s sons is payment for one man’s transgressions, but he is never satiated. When summoned early, the pull at his heart strings is difficult to ignore. Will he collect more than a single heart this time? Abel Cain is a son of one of the seven founding families, which binds him to the town of Overlook, Massachusetts. He was born into The Society, which is rumored to be associated with occult rituals and disappearances of young men. Fixated on uncovering the truth behind The Society’s twisted rituals, Abel has felt the pull towards the beyond since the death of his boyfriend. Deep in his marrow, he knows there have to be darker forces at play. Vivid flashbacks and visions plague Abel as his connection to The Collector grows stronger. How much is he willing to sacrifice to find the answers he seeks?

78 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 17, 2025

About the author

Christina Smith is Floridian with a gremlin toy poodle and an obsession with heavy metal. You can find her at local concerts and maybe even a theme park. She loves tattoos and spending time with her friends and family.

Reviews

[kym.etherington · Rating 5 out of 5]

fated mates... blood binding... and demon/minotaur smut.. oh what a way to start december!!

would you believe me if i told you this is my FIRST fantasy/fated mates story? no me either. but it's perfect, i have fallen in LOVE with christina's writing! & i'm actually like what? like this is perfect. in every. single way.

as somebody who loves queer stories. it was an honour to read abel and esom's story. they are perfect for each other and honestly i have ZERO complaints im literally just rambling lols

anyways,ill add some ratings so i can give extra details! in short :

i loved this book more than i can say. it was such a perfect intro into this world and i got the HONOUR of seeing the character art. and its beautiful! you need need this book like seriously! it is one of my easiest 5⭐️🩷

characters?? 5⭐️ i can't begin to explain how much i love esom & abel. i was hesitant about loving esom but nope he stole my heart just like he stole abel's (maybe literally?😏) but beyond that.. it was such a new fun experience to read about something different and honestly. i had the best time! seeing the development of abel was my favourite,although he was a submissive he wasn't a weak submissive,which i love! it's great to see submission painted in a way that isn't deemed as weak,he portrays such a strong sub mindset but remains in the submissive role throughout the story. which honestly fits PERFECTLY. and esom.. he is huge. literally. and is also a minotaur (hello how cool is that) but he remains in the dominance role and it's fun to actually read a story where the roles DONT reserve for a change! seeing the power dynamic written so beautifully is such a refreshing take on a dominance and submission story honestly!!

plot?? 5⭐️ the plot line is so perfect,i loved it!! it was written in a way where if you aren't familiar with fated mates/fantasy type stories that you would understand it and christina explains it where it's actually easy to understand fated mates,the blood binding,the curse! & also as somebody who is witchy too,i loved the inclusion of the characters from the coven! jamie is so intriguing to me and honestly i wouldn't be mad if we got jamie's story😏 for a novella the story is so developed and honestly i feel like that's hard to do so props to christina for being such a fabulous writer!! also.. this isn't a spicy story per say but somehow christina manages too place the spice perfectly (not me getting ahead of myself.. im excited okay)

spice?? 🌶️🌶️🌶️ although not super spicy the spice is perfectly placed and honestly a joy to read,as somebody who i would say is a spice connesiur.. especially in queer spice.. this isn't your usual spice,you've got knotting,you've got fingers everywhere,spit,blood you've got it all and yet it works.. like really works🥵 christina wrote the spice in such a way it's super immersive,it feels like you're watching it unfold honestly and that is TALENT right there!! safe to say if you love knotting,and you love demons and minotaur spice.. hello you need this. now.

overall?? 5⭐️ easiest 5 stars ever! i've been in the worlds biggest slump and this dragged me out of it by my hair and was like bitch get it together. like wow. i have zero complaints,i had the best experience learning about fated mates & knotting.. and tbe blood binding is the perfect touch! it brings witchy elements too a story that wouldn't nesscarily be super witchy!! also the descriptions throughout,the writing that christina has is perfect for me and is just my style.. i love super descriptive writing styles that include explanations (?) like this felt an easily digestible intro into MM demon smut & im HERE for it. safe to say you need this!! i highly highly rec this!!🫦

[Ms Cataclysm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love me a good short extra spicy read. This was only my 2nd MM romance and I am hooked. Monster romance with a demon daddy count me in.

[Book Ghoulie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Caring for a loved one at the end of their life is a gift”

Not only did this book chew me up and spit me out and left me wanting more. This is definitely a roller coaster ride prepare for all the spice and all the tears.


“Your fear is a feast for the senses, and I want to devour you whole,” he rumbles while palming me with his massive hand through my jeans. “It is almost as delectable as Adam’s beating heart, but I am never quite satiated,”

[Megan White · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick read that hooks you from page one!

I went into this blind and came out gasping! I loved the intrigue and the characters, the pages wouldn’t turn fast enough as I devoured the tale! Highly recommend if you like monster smut with a serious story line!

[Jenna🦇 · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

short, hot af, and a giant monster cock? what more could you ask for 😈

[Amy Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Collector is a quick novella jam packed with goodness. While uncovering the secrets behind the cult he was raised in, Abel finds himself in the sights of a Minotaur demon Esom that has a deliciously filthy mouth.

[Christopher Tizzard · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Collector completely caught me off guard—in the best way. For a short, steamy read, it packs an impressive punch. I went in expecting something quick and spicy, but what I got was surprisingly well-written, tightly paced, and far more immersive than most short-form romance I’ve read.
Christina Smith wastes no time pulling you in. The tension is immediate, the chemistry is electric, and the dynamic between the characters feels intense without being rushed. That’s not easy to pull off in a shorter story, but she manages it effortlessly. The writing is sharp, confident, and atmospheric—there’s a dark, addictive edge that keeps the pages turning.
And yes… it’s filthy. Properly filthy. But it never feels gratuitous. The heat is woven into the story rather than replacing it, which makes it land even harder.
If you’re looking for something quick, steamy, and unexpectedly well-crafted, The Collector is absolutely worth your time. Short, sharp, and seriously satisfying.

[Hailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝕋𝕙𝕖 ℂ𝕠𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕔𝕥𝕠𝕣- Christina Smith

Suuuuuuch a fun quick read. So much spice, and twists, and a wild ride for sure.

𐕣 cult life
𐕣 gay MMC
𐕣 fated mates?
𐕣 we love a demon with GREAT aftercare 🥹

[Kaiti · Rating 2 out of 5]

It feels like there’s just so much packed into such a short book without any real context or explanation. I feel a story like this needs a fully flushed out book.