Midnight Waters by Rosie Wylor-Owen âIn my family, when someone is born, another will die.â A symbiotic curse has plagued the Arrowood and Everhart households for generations. When a new baby is born, a member of the ancient clans die. Only a truce between the warring families can break the deadly hex once and for all. Upon hearing her cousin is in labour, Maeve Arrowood hurries home to find out which one of them will be next. But the loss of her uncle is the least of her worries when a young man is found dead in the sea under suspicious circumstances. Called in by the police, Maeve has no option but to reprise her role as a scuba diving police consultant to retrieve the body. Unwittingly drawn into the investigation, Maeve is forced to work with the odiously handsome Ben Everhart. Obliged to put aside their differences, Maeve and Ben soon discover that a far deadlier danger has descended on the island of Dusk. One that could destroy both families forever. |
The Ocean Hugs Hard by Eric Avedissian Surfside City, New Jersey. 1966. Cub reporter Harman Bass is cutting his teeth in the fast world of local journalism and getting out-scooped by the competition. Facetious, cocky, and always quoting Nietzsche, Harman isn't making any friends both in and out of the newsroom. All that changes when the daughter of a prominent family is found dead on the beach, handing Harman the juiciest news story of the year. But she isn't any old beauty pageant queen; she's his high school girlfriend. Harman's dogged reporting into the young woman's death reveals pushback from the authorities and pulls the newshound into the resort's darkest corners. After one of his sources is murdered, the routine story becomes dangerous and personal. Something watches Harman from the shadows, something ancient and hungry, worshipped by powerful men who kill to keep their secrets. Harman's job and life are soon threatened, and the once brash reporter must battle his boss, rival journalists, and his own sanity before filing what could be his last story. THE OCEAN HUGS HARD is a mystery with the salty whiff of the ocean, a tinge of nostalgia, and a dollop of eldritch horror. |
Fall, Sacred Apple by Emory Glass The pact is bleeding. What started as a bountiful covenant between a Republic and the goddess who sustains it now suffers a drought of faith. Should a famine of devotees follow, the Blood Mother will uproot the pact. Civilisation will collapse. In the midst of these uncertain times, Corbha, a warrior-nun of steadfast faith, eagerly awaits her brother's birth. He will be the first child born at Madhcha Abbey in twenty-four years. If his delivery suggests divine favour, Corbha and her siblings are to punish a trio of disobedient senators. They have propagated the Republic's growing disregard for the Blood Mother and Her Eightfold Orchard. That cannot stand. For Einaid, a doomsday cultist in hiding, the child's birth raises questions about the abbey and its inhabitants. The answers are scandalous enough to spark widespread dissent should they fall into the wrong handsâand nothing would please Einaid more than igniting the flame that makes Her Orchard burn. Fall, Sacred Apple is a tragic dark fantasy drama washed in insidious and eldritch botanical horror. |
Nightfall: Stories by Jalen Tellis From the author Jalen Tellis comes a unique collection of three short stories, some of which have never been published and some that have. âWhen the night falls, the fear comes to the light.â In the afterword to his brand new first collection of three stories, Jalen Tellis dives into the lives of individuals who must deal with fear and ask themselves, âWhatâs true and not true?â We live in a world of secrets, and everyone walks on it in complete fear. Tellis comes up with his stories about grief, tragedy, fear, living in our nightmares, and making us question life. â Dream Nightmareâ explores a woman who recently lost her husband and keeps having these strange nightmares. The worst part of it, the nightmare came true. In â The Girl Next Door,â As a young man finally moves into his brand-new house, he encounters his neighbor Jessica Lewis, who, at first sight, falls in love with him. Jessica finally reveals her love for him on their night together for dinner. The young man rejects her, and Jessica takes the rejectionâŚnot too great. In â Theyâre Listening,â a girl tells how she witnessed her best friend encounter one of the most famous and questionable theories of all mankind. Tellisâs ability to tell these stories is something else. He will make us feel all types of emotions at once. His ideas, mind, and vision tell each of these stories. Tellis will never write something if it isnât meaningful. |
Reckoning: A Novella by Jalen Tellis In The lasted story from author Jalen Tellis, he tells a jaw-dropping thriller about a 17-year-old boy, William Townleyâwho must go back to the frightening place called Bluff Creek to search for and defeat a mythical creature. The worst thing about Bluff Creek occurred during Williamâs family vacation. During the time they spend on the vacation, a tragedy happens where William becomes numbed by the pain, causing him to build up fear, guilt, and anger. Before Senior year starts again, William must face his demons and return to Bluff Creek to search for the creature that caused his trauma. To help him search for this certain creature, he must reunite with a familiar face, determined for them to put an end to this nightmare. |
Rotting In Vain by Lady Kilroy "I am not the damsel. I am the weapon their parents warned them not to touch." Legends say the fae only exist because our gods are dead. That we were originally the vermin that feasted on their flesh. As future Queen of the Dhadren Fae, I can tell you I've never wielded the power of a god. I feel nothing in this land of death and decay. An ancient malevolence has taken my home hostage with the curse of a blight, and for twenty years I have been rotting in this cage, stalked by a beast and hunted by shadows that lure me into the night. And even though my mind is screaming for me to follow them, to let them catch me⌠I need to survive this world. I need to become the liberator my people need. Because if I don't, Iâll become the crown to a kingdom of dust and famine. |
Space Station X by A.Z. Rozkillis Will the space station bring them together or destroy them? Engineer Jax ran away to the farthest space station from Earth in the galaxy. Itâs nothing more than a pitstop, frequented only by those looking to get away, and there she wanted to live in peace. Itâs a mess, but itâs her Station. But peace was not in the cards once Saunders came on board, a chipper security officer with an infuriating habit of sneaking up on Jax and being friendly. Jax has no interest in attractive security officers reminding her of her stupidest mistakes. Now residents are being killed. There are sounds coming from the walls, ghostly footsteps and murderous, ravenous threats that canât possibly be there. Can they? Deep space is unforgiving. The Station is dying. The residents are going bonkers. Jax discovers there are some problems that canât be fixed by swinging an absurdly large murder-wrench. |
The Three Worlds: The Valley of Kings by Eve Lorenzo A fleshed out fantasy world, with the focus on three mains moving through the same worlds in very different ways, They are thrust into often harsh situations and forced to learn more about themselves and grow - interspersed with much needed breaks for them to take care of themselves and each other when they're taking themselves too seriously. Yet unseen enemies are the cause for a lot of strife and death around them, and with the tools at their disposal in this magical world, they have to fight to bring the enemies out into the open. A queer fantasy with a more mature tone and deep interest in character psychology. |
TEETH TALON TONGUE by Lee Eirinn "You are set to be bound in the mountains tomorrow. Lord Zeus has called all of my brethren for a meeting. I am too scared to think of why. Why He would call us now, on the eve of your exile? Everyone on Olympus knows of your transgressions, that you will be punished but no one will tell me how. Even the most loosed of lips will not speak of it. Lord Zeus has not told anyone, it would seem. I pray to the fates. May they be kind. My hands shake. My mouth feels dry. My stomach aches." TEETH TALON TONGUE is a dark, queer retelling of the Prometheus Myth. What if Zeus wasnât the one to set Prometheusâs punishment, but his avian lover, a vulture? More importantly, a proud beast of Zeus? This is a story about obsessive love, and the measures taken to keep hold of it. TEETH TALON TONGUE is a 4.6k word short story featuring dark subject matter. Please refer to content warnings before reading. This story is not intended for anyone under the age of 18. |
Keepers of the Crossing: The Dark Friars by Ryan J Hamshaw For Seventeen-year-old Liam OâConnor, nightmares become reality when he dreams of a fellow student's murder. Eager to uncover the truth, Liam and his friends investigate, revealing hidden secrets about his identity. Targeted by the menacing Dark Friars, Liam is saved by the enigmatic Tariq, who introduces him to a supernatural world where good and evil battle in the shadows. Can Liam juggle college, family, friendships, and desires while bearing the heavy responsibilities of his newfound destiny? Against the picturesque cathedral city of Sarumbourne, the looming threat of the Dark Friars intensifies, and Liam's normal life shatters amid the chaos. |
Sinister Stories and Twisted Tales: The Ultimate Anthology of Sci-Fi & Cosmic Horror by Anthony L. Abraham A tapestry of interlinked cosmic horrors unfolds in this unique interactive anthology, featuring video links that accompany each chilling story. ⢠"A boy's dream pet morphs into his family's nightmare, serving as a gateway to something far more sinister." ⢠"A father's desperate quest to help his daughter leads him into a dark trade of body parts, where horrific bargains threaten everything he holds dear." ⢠"In a dystopian world of twisted flesh and dark alchemy, a girl must escape her haunting existence or risk becoming the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of the New Flesh." ⢠"In her quest for justice after her husbandâs murder, Betty's plea to a seemingly benevolent god unleashes a dark cosmic force, revealing that true sacrifice may demand a far more monstrous price." This anthology immerses readers in puzzles reminiscent of Black Mirror, exploring unsettling, thought-provoking facets of the human psyche while venturing into realms beyond nightmares and dreamscapes. An absolute must-read for fans of speculative fiction seeking rich world-building and narratives that defy conventions, especially those who appreciate the eerie storytelling of The Twilight Zone, the philosophical twists of Philip K. Dick, and the gripping horror of Stephen King. |
Green Fuse Burning by Tiffany Morris After the death of her estranged father, artist Rita struggles with grief and regret. There was so much she wanted to ask himâabout his childhood, their family, and the Miâkmaq language and culture from which Rita feels disconnected. But when Ritaâs girlfriend Molly forges an artistâs residency application on her behalf, winning Rita a week to paint at an isolated cabin, Rita is both furious and intrigued. The residency is located where her father grew up. On the first night at the cabin, Rita wakes to strange sounds. Was that a body being dragged through the woods? When she questions the locals about the cabinâs history, they are suspicious and unhelpful. Ignoring her unease, Rita gives in to dark visions that emanate from the forestâs lake and the surrounding swamp. She feels its pull, channelling that energy into art like sheâs never painted before. But the uncanny visions become more insistent, more intrusive, and Rita discovers that in the swampâs decay the end of one life is sometimes the beginning of another. |
Three Curses and Other Dark Tales by Leanbh Pearson Come closer, let me tell you a tale or three. Sit nearer the firelight and if you notice the folk in the shadows, best not garner their attention. Beware the gifts, treasures and promises you make along this journey. There are temptations and curses too, plenty of those. From the tricks of jinn, vengeful Ancient Mesopotamian goddesses, the Hidden People and shadowy deals with demons & devilsâmany. In our journey through fairy tales reimagined, legends and folklore, and alternate histories, beware the uncanny folk who prey on unwary travellers. Mind your step now, keep your senses sharp, take nothing offered and you might evade those beings hidden just beyond the reach of the firelight. |
Cursed Shards: Tales of Dark Folklore by Leanbh Pearson Be careful what you wish for⌠Weâve all heard childhood fairy tales and hearthside stories passed from generation to generation warning us of unseen dangers lurking in the dark forest, the glimpse of a future in watery reflections and to be wary of objects and people offering impossible gifts. The Fae are ageless beings dwelling between light and shadow, stalking the moonlit nights and wielding powerful gifts and curses. Welcome to Cursed Shards, a collection of dark fantasy stories inspired by folklore, legends, fairy tales and mythology. Ten authors spin ten different tales ranging from deserts, icy mountains and dark forests to legendary warriors to the mythical Fae. A realm where the landscape is as volatile as the rulers and an ancient cursed mirror, a once-powerful magical artefact created with blood magic was shattered before it could be used against the realm. A cursed mirror broken but never destroyed. Ten shards remain: now disguised and repurposed into ordinary items that are traded, stolen, and sold between rulers, common folk and the Fae. Whenever a shard re-appears its curse influences the decisions of all who come within reach. Table of Contents: FOREWORD â Kirstyn McDermott (Australia) THE CURSED HUNT â Leanbh Pearson (Australia) TATTERMOG â Louise Pieper (Australia) THE WITHERED â Mendel Mire (Australia) THE PHANTOM QUEEN â K. B. Elijah (Australia) LADY MARIANâS GAMBIT â Clare Rhoden (Australia) THE STRENGTH OF BONES â McKenzie Richardson (USA) ONCE UPON AN AUTOMATON â Nikky Lee (New Zealand) THE WRAITH OF MURKDRES â Stephen Herczeg (Australia) CHILDREN OF THE WOODS â Amber M. Simpson (USA) THE LADY OF STRANGENESSE â Leife Shallcross (Australia) |
The Saint of Heartbreak by Morgan Dante Two of the Bible's greatest villains... After his betrayal with a kiss, Judas Iscariot dies in despair and goes to Hell. When Christ saves other souls during the Harrowing of Hell, he leaves Judas behindâbut not alone in the ninth circle, where the most detestable traitors go. Callous, resigned, and abandoned by God long ago, the Devil sees Judas as a pathetic wretch, but he soon finds a kindred spirit. As the centuries pass, they struggle to find even a sliver of happiness in Hell. Doomed by the narrative, will they find happiness, or will their story continue to be a tragedy? |
Welcome to Meadowbrook by Cassandra L. Thompson A psychiatric facility. An upscale hotel. A casino. A place for wellness. A retreat. No matter the decade, the towering edifice perched on the top of a mountain inspires both awe and fear. Holding the secrets of all who have walked her halls (and those who haunt them still), Meadowbrookâs facade shifts with time. But there is one constant that remains unchangedâMeadowbrook makes her own rules. Told in a series of short stories from alternating viewpoints, each from a different era, discover the unique tale of a place that is much more than what it seems. |
There Ought To Be Shadows by Krissie K. Williams Moonstone, South Carolina. A town where nothing is what it seems. Marilyn Maxwell is an accomplished woman in all areas. But what people donât know is she has struggled with the demon of death since she was a child. After a personal crisis forces her to re-evaluate her life, she reluctantly decides to relocate to her hometown of Moonstone, South Carolina. This decision sends her spiraling into a world full of conjure, celestial wonder, and the murky unknown. An insidious force has crippled the town she once left behind, and she must rush against time to stop it. Guided by Great Grandmother, her beloved spirit from the other side, she embarks on the most difficult journey she has ever undertaken. Marilyn uncovers Moonstoneâs dark historyâone filled with horror, deceit, and dread. In the end, she questions what is fantasy, what is reality, and who she really is. |
The Dark Queen's Apothecary by Cassandra L. Thompson Andrei cannot believe his good fortune when he is summoned by the beautiful yet formidable Queen Viorica to serve as her personal apothecary. But he soon learns that things at her dark castle are not what they seem. Haunted by his growing obsession for her, Andrei falls helplessly into her thrall and soon discovers her dark secret. Unafraid, he destroys the competition around him and takes his rightful place by her side. Lost to passion and bloodlust, the two are caught unaware when the queenâs adversaries make their move. But what no one realized was that Queen Viorica created a monstrous king out of the once timid Andrei, bearing a love strong enough to make kingdoms burn. |
Rise of the Dark Goddess by Cassandra L. Thompson "I was thinking of the lie that happy endings exist, wondering if we can jump past it to the part where we creak and ache, remnants ready to embrace the lingering darkness, hand in hand, hoping it will be shattered by mercy..." A dreadful collection of poems dancing the fine line between romance and horror. From the dark mind of gothic horror writer, Cassandra L. Thompson. |
Perdition Street by Leona O'Neill Murdered spirits find Atlas Bishop wherever he is. By day, he works the streets of Dublin as a Private Detective plagued with anxiety and anger issues, living with his dead mother. By night, he works on behalf of the âSacredââangels, saints, and God Himselfâbinding murdered souls to those who stole their lives so Hell can claim its dues. But an ancient pact between Heaven and Hell implodes when Hellâs representative on Earth decides he wants to swell their ranks and take over the world, using dark magic to turn innocents into murderers on an epic scale. Atlas must save Dublin first and then the world, all while trying to bind lost souls, keep Heaven in business, track down his killer father, pine for his married ex-lover, escape various murderous scumâŚand avoid Satanâs manicured talons. |
My Little Black Book of Horror by Cassandra L. Thompson Beware: *This book has teeth*. Tiny teeth, yesâbut they are sharp, and they are many. In 17 stories, Cassandra L. Thompson proves herself the queen of the Short Sharp Shock, and leaves horror-lovers of all stripes gasping for air." - Jacob Steven Mohr, author of The Unwelcome A little black book of bite-sized horror containing an eclectic array of short stories to thrill, intrigue, and disgust you. Brought to you by the disturbed mind of Cassandra L. Thompson. |
Ending in Ashes by Rebecca Jones-Howe Ending in Ashes is a collection of neo-Gothic stories that explore the classic genre through a raw and salacious lens. Spanning across time, from the Salem Witch Trials to the Covid-19 pandemic, Rebecca Jones-Howe stays true to traditional Gothic themes as she boldly explores human depravity and how it relates to the experience of womanhood. A serial killer succumbs to justice in the 17th century. A reclusive village woman is institutionalized, only to find her best self in the confines of her room. A newly-married couple finds their happily-ever-after in a heart-shaped tub in the Poconos. Two trauma survivors meet in a winter village and embark on an affair that blurs reality itself. Ending in Ashes is a tome of modern horrors waiting to be uncovered, each tale functioning as a warning that some tropes truly stand the test of time. |
Change & Other Terrors by Jim Horlock A man is stalked by monsters that only children can see. A newly installed software begins to degrade the reality around it. An artist suffers brutality in the name of transcendence. Bodies twist, minds fray, and sanity crumbles in this gripping horror collection by Jim Horlock. In thirteen stories, Horlock peels back the screaming face of horror to reveal that true terror comes from change itself. In Change and Other Terrors, no one is safe, and we are all powerless to prevent it. |
Carnival Macabre by Brad Acevedo, Valerie Alexander, Fox Claret Hill, Katerini Koraki, Alexander Pearce, Daniel R. Robichaud, Craig E. Sawyer, Erica Schaef, Eddins Sinclair, Sabrina Voerman, and Amy Westphal Marvelous wonders! Wondrous marvels! Come one, come all to the Carnival Macabre, where the shocking and obscure thrives. See the exquisite oddities, avoid centuries old vampires, meet the Master of Fleas, hear the story of The Bone King, and become grateful youâve never been bequeathed an old clown named Sorry. But do be wary on your travels, for if you reach The Goblin Market, youâll know youâve gone too far. Eleven extraordinary tales that will satisfy your morbid curiositiesâŚand ensure you never look at carnivals quite the same again. |
Bleak Midwinter: The Darkest Night by Robyn Dabney, K.R. Wieland, Sarah Hozumi, Mason McDonald, Trevor James Zaple, Aliya Bree Hall, R.A. Busby, E.M. Linden, Amelia Mangan and KB Willson Be wary of the year's darkest night... The first part of a special double-feature anthology from Quill & Crow Publishing House, Bleak Midwinter: The Darkest Night is a winter horror anthology encompassing the eerie stillness that can only be found in the dead of winter. Honoring the unsettling atmosphere found in Gothic horror, these ten stories will offer you a different sort of chill down your spine while you're curled up reading by candlelight. One a bit more dreadful. |
Anomalies & Curiosities: An Anthology of Gothic Medical Horror by Brad Acevedo, David Andrews, R.A. Busby, Marie Casey, Spyder Collins, Roland Garrety, Rebecca Jones-Howe, Jeremy Megargee, and Nick Petrou A new adventure in Gothic fiction, Anomalies & Curiosities features ten terrifying tales of the medically macabre. A collection that explores the intricacies of the human psyche, leaving you with the curious sense of dread that only gothic horror can achieve. |
When Her World Went Away by Alexis L. Carroll Stranded in the desert, supplies dwindling, and armed with only a kitchen knife⌠Sairha is determined to be reunited with her family after a catastrophic earthquake decimates the world, bringing down all technology and leaving deep cracks in the earth. Miles apart and no way to contact them, she sets off on foot across the unforgiving terrain, with her friend and a charming stranger who claims to know the way. Finding empty towns, their epic trek soon turns into a desperate battle for survival. Ravenous creatures emerge from underground, stalking them in the dark. Food and water are scarce. Seeking safety in numbers, they team up with other survivors. But with their lives constantly in peril, tensions rise and Sairhaâs loyalty is put to the test when distrust divides the group. Between the dangers of a ravaged land and a brutal betrayal by someone close, Sairha is barely holding onto the little hope she has left. She will have to dig through the lies, trust her instincts, and build strength to continue her daunting journey home or succumb to the monsters of the night. |
Blue Haven Lake by William Joseph Welcome to the town of Blue Haven Lakeâa picturesque ski-resort that harbors a chilling secret beneath its serene waters. When the town officials lower the lake's water level to explore a centuries-old submerged fort, they unwittingly unleash a long-dormant terror. After a series of events threaten to unravel the town's carefully maintained facade and drive away its vital tourists, a determined and fearless group of teenagers embark on a perilous journey to uncover the truth, plunging into the depths of Blue Haven Lake's past. What awaits them is not just a lost history but an unspeakable horror tied to the townâs long forgotten history. |
Defeating the Moose by Laura Bilodeau Itâs a story weâre all familiar withâŚGirl meets boyâŚBoy meets the streets. When drugs sink their poisons hooks into the love of her life, Arabella takes matters into her own hands. Armed with only her wits and feminine rage, she takes on an underworld of crime and drug lords. She hopes for a happy ending to her love story, but she will learn a hard lesson. When push comes to shove, how far can the bow bend before it breaks? There are no happy endings in the streets. |
A Crow Named Torment by Silas A. Bischoff After a perfectly normal bird is captured by a perfectly deranged alchemist, and her soul is remade in torment, she rots in a cage, dreading her doom, awaiting the perfect moment ⌠Escape lies in the dark secrets of her new mind, as does a disturbing new thirst for blood. Together with Vladimir, her feline companion in captivity, Torment sets out on a flight through realms of dreams and spirits in search of a way to break the curse that binds them to their master. But in the vast and strange worlds yonder dwell the discontented spirits of the dead, and Torment and Vladimir are as likely to uncover the truth they seek as they are to be lost forever, or consumed by the ancient darkness stirring in the depths of their alchemically altered souls. A novel filled with horrors lurking in the shadows, with whimsical creatures from strange worlds â a fable about journeys inward and onward into the unknown â featuring mad scholars, vampires from the dawn of time, animal familiars and giant slugs (among many other oddities). Perfect for fans of Terry Pratchett and Edgar Allan Poe, lovers of Richard Bachâs Jonathan Livingston Seagull and Otfried PreuĂlerâs Krabat, for those who would like to see Lewis Carrollâs Alice in Wonderland meet Mary Shelleyâs Frankenstein in a modern dark fantasy. |
The Scent of Blood by Kit Walker Calebâs life has spiraled out of control ever since the day a stranger sank her teeth into his hand. Drifting from port to port in a haze of blood and guilt, he eventually lands in the city of Saintstown and is promptly arrested for murder. But the night before his execution, Caleb is offered both freedom and a job by the enigmatic Mr. Faulkner. Faulkner says he can teach Caleb to control the animal raging inside him â but what must Caleb sacrifice for the guidance that Faulkner offers? |
To Haunt and To Hold by Taliesin Neith When they first got together, Sam had resolved to never tell him. He was so afraid of loss, and so drawn to the bright, aching thing in Malcolm that called to him. He had reasoned that he never would need to tell Malcolm. In the end, casual practicality had become something stranger. Samâs secret held Malcolmâs secret, like a crocodile holding its young in her mouth, so gently in spite of all the teeth. Malcolm and Sam have been together for a long time. Sam knows what Malcolm does when he leaves their shared flat, late at night, returning alone and washing his clothes immediately. It's something worse than an affair. To Haunt and To Hold is a 5,400 word short story about a trans man who can see ghosts and his lover of three decades: a serial killer who is reaching the limits of what he can get away with. If you like your horny stories to be creepy and splattered with gore, if you like your horny stories to feature older men and/or trans and queer characters, you will enjoy this. |
Too Many Gods in the Kitchen by Ben Schenkman Itâs good to be the boss, but be careful what you wish for. Nick got what he wanted and now has to establish an agency to audit Heaven and Hellâs operations. Rob is his right-hand man, but Amy has responsibilities of her own and owes a favor to the local coven. Nickâs plans go out the window when a mystery client shows up and throws everything into chaos, representing a new godly power no one expects. Things get even more complicated when Rob uncovers a massive loophole that threatens the natural spiritual order. Tensions run high between the agency and a psychic con man. If that wasnât enough, Amyâs bill comes due and the spirits come calling when she discovers a magical dilemma of epic proportions. Caught between loyalties, she must decide where they lie. Our trio faces their largest challenge yet, and the threads they chase threaten to tie everything in knots. Will Nick be able to deal with the elephant in the room, or will everything come crashing down? |
Move Fast and Break Things by Kit Walker There is something wrong with Victor Keane. This makes him the ideal choice to lead a team of mercenaries, hired to recover an oil baron's granddaughter from a tech billionaire's personal cult. But the job gets more complicated when the team encounters Adrian Yates, a kidnapped academic with peculiar insight into the darkness of Victor's own mind. And when things go wrong, Victor must make a choice between the success of the mission and Adrian's life. |
Z.E.R.O: Zombie Elimination and Rescue Operatives by Jessica Ungeheuer Jeffrey Knight is a down on his luck self proclaimed loser. He can't keep a job, forced into hours of work in the hell that is retail. His only stable thing in his life was his relationship with his longtime girlfriendâŚthat is until he catches her cheating on him. Now with nothing left, he begrudgingly agrees to join his best friend on a night of fake zombie hunting paintball. The only solace he has in his pitiful life. That is, until he learns zombies are real⌠Jennifer Mayer has spent her whole life hunting monsters. Working tirelessly for a secret organization of mercenaries to protect normal citizens from learning the truth. However, there are a growing number of undead, and her organization leaders refuse to believe her that something catastrophic is coming. She is in need of new recruits to prevent a coming âDay of the Deadâ event. After saving Jeff from near death Jennifer takes him on as a pupil. Jennifer must train Jeff in everything she knows while avoiding the growing feelings and memories he reignites in her -- feelings she thought she buried long ago. Jeff has never finished anything in his life, allowing his fears to stop him. If he chokes up now, there might not be a normal world to go back to. |
The Price of Admission by Alethea Lyons After a year of searching, Stella stands before the entrance gates of the worlds-renowned Carnivale Incendio. At the centre of the Carnival terrors, her heart's desire waits. She has sacrificed everything to get here and be reunited with her lover, Mona, who was stolen from her on the eve of their wedding. Though the carnival tries to take her as its own, Stella battles through to Mona's side and to face the final challenger, the Ringmaster himself. Standalone short story. Highly descriptive of scenery with some minor gore. |
Dawn's Cozy Horror Corner by Dawn Chen "Dawnâs Cozy Horror Corner: a queer Chinese diaspora horror short stories anthologyâ is a horror anthology which contains five stories featuring supernatural elements and young Chinese diaspora protagonists whose identities clash with the environment around them. In âBottle of Shameâ, a girl who can pull out people's shame must grapple with the gruesome consequences of the truth she reveals. In âThe Girl with No Faceâ, a girl slowly loses her facial features one at a time until she become a faceless horror who take vengeance upon her tormentor. In âMy Future Self Once Saidâ, a girl is paid a visit from her future-self as a warning. In "Judge of the Underworld Household", the protagonist disagrees with the method her ancestor god who rules over the Chinese Underworld and the way he views crimes and punishment. In "Meet Your Demonsâ, a girl is offered to be possessed by a demon and gladly accepts. |