Our troupe of younglings played and sang diligently as we crossed the towering wooden gates. The stone courtyard greeted everyone with icy facade, covered in green cloak, as the passage behind us slammed shut. Torches hung from the inner walls, and candles adorned the path that led deeper into the patio. The atmosphere was majestic ...

He was an unimposing, but very interesting figure. “My name is James O’Donnell. I wanted to come in person to express gratitude for interposing last night and make sure you’re okay.” “I should be thanking you,” Elizabeth said. “You had everything handled and saved me after I tried to play hero.” “Yet I doubt you ...

Content Warning: Sexual Content   Everything about her was perfect: the softness of her skin, those whimpers that escaped her as he pressed his arousal to her core, the bite of her fingers against his neck as she fought the need to grind against him. That last part was going to be his undoing; he ...

The soft roar of the waves grows faint as we make our way deeper into the underbrush of Barrier Island. We landed at its southernmost point. The lab we are searching for is said to be isolated somewhere in this forest. Val flicks fronds out of her hair, plants her hand on her hip, and ...

Between the apartment complexes, the cathedral’s spires pierced the brooding sky. The forecast predicted a clear day, but the pillars of dark clouds augured a different outcome. “Figures.” Sam looked away from the ill weather omen. Why care? The black bank of cloud looked more prophetic the closer he got. What kind of whirlwind of ...

Out in the forest clearing, Hawthorn and I sit in the grass with fresh cups of tea. The sun is warm on my skin. “Now what?” “Just breathe in the air. Feel the surrounding roots. Witchcraft is about connecting with nature.” I close my eyes and try to focus. I’m able to pick out the ...

“I’m coming home!” Sam’s vision blurred as he went faster. “Don’t.” His sister’s voice was steady. “She’s okay for now. Her breathing has calmed, and as soon as she eats or drinks, I’ll let you know. Besides, with rush hour traffic, it’ll take you twice as long as it did me to drive here.” Sam ...

Content Warning: Sexual Content and Graphic Sexual Scenes When Pandora stepped out of the portal into Nyx’s office, her attention snapped to the row of enchanted windows. The view was still her favorite thing, even a month later. The gods didn’t follow the same linear timeline as mortals, so the view was from a distant ...

It is good to return to work, despite Asher and Val’s opinions. I couldn’t take another day of doing nothing. The social with Asher went as expected: games, plenty of food, and high spirits. No one dwelled on the upcoming Barrier Island landing or what might await us there. The activities were just what I ...

“Lizzie?” She realized she’d zoned out of the conversation while her parents were play-fighting. Jules was looking at her, concerned. “Sorry, my head hurts, but I’m okay.” She gave a loose synopsis of the situation, about the old man and the two gunmen. She minimized how close she came to dying from the gun pointed ...