The cave’s opening, a portal from the Upperworld, provided entry to the River Styx. It shone so brightly that Persephone shielded her eyes. The illumination was an illusion, meant to soothe souls into thinking they’d found the light. Without enough coins, it morphed into the end of their journey. Kharon was serious about collecting the ...

Red washed over the world. Rivulets of blood gushed from shining, black, plated scales, and the great wings’ labored flapping shredded the lakeside calm. To avoid the beast’s counterattack, Lysander snatched his sword and stumbled backward. His first instinct was to puke, but out of the chaos, his brother’s panic-stricken “run!” fought the fog in his ears. He fled for the forest’s protection, his legs carrying him as fast as they could through the tall grass and into the dense underbrush. Thorns raked deep gouges in his skin, and branches slapped ...

Five years have gone by since the last Solstice. Spring embraced Sur Nam Khaar, and the scent of flowers filled the air. The fields were bursting with ripe fruits and vegetables as the harvest drew near. Adjacent to the barn stood a shed, housing a dining hall for thirty and a kitchen equipped for demand, plus ...

Sawyer, looking flustered, hurried Howard and Jeremy out of the van once they parked. “The police chief called. They found someone else’s fingerprints on The Sea Monkey’s wheel!” he yelled. “Saw, calm down,” Howard said. “How can I be calm? Some slimeball used my precious boat for a heist!” Howard patted his friend’s back and ...

How do you move through your life without your usual comforts? It was a question Lacey asked herself daily. Since moving to the city, the once-familiar sounds in her apartment have echoed hollowly, reminding her of emptiness rather than the relationships she had. She was rebuilding a world apart from June, Brooke, and now Syler. ...

Cassian gripped Marina’s hand, desperate to give her some kind of reassurance. He could tell from the way her eyes slowly dilated and her palm felt clammy, she was worried.  She’s trying to hide, but she’s failing so badly it’s almost funny.  Lanterns and candles cast dim flickers around the captain’s cabin. Deep greens and blues colored the walls in sea story tapestries. ...

Someone was in Hades’ dreamscape. He sensed their presence when they entered. A tired excitement filled him. Whoever arrived could distract the demons and grant him the opportunity to find the rip between dimensions. He’d sealed Hypnos’; he would seal his own. Unfortunately, he couldn’t move from where they’d cornered him. His luminescence dimmed again and ...

Sur Nam Khaar’s history was my obsession when I was a teenager. My dad, Alejandro, needed to intervene and asked Jacob to limit the number of volumes I could take with me when I turned sixteen. Still, I managed to take a fair amount with me. “If you need a guide to show you where ...

A hundred more feet, Vesta thought to herself, hidden among the shadows. Her hood covered her face as she dodged the moonlight. Her chest heaved with worry, and her muscles tensed to focus on every step. Carefully, she avoided the squeaks of scattering rats, interrupted in their search for scraps. She could teleport with magic, ...

Searing pain ripped her from sleep. Pandora shot upright in bed and clutched her throat as a scream died on her lips. Metallic blood tainted her tongue; her chest convulsed as panic tightened and clawed under her skin.     She stumbled into the adjoining bathing chamber and flicked on the light. Her nightshirt hit the ...