Cassandra burst through my bedroom door, eyes wild, fists clenched. A second later, I heard the echo of her slippers pounding against the marble floors as she stormed down the hall toward the grand stairwell.

“Cass—wait!” I stumbled after her, yanking my silk nightgown off the floor so I wouldn’t trip on it. My bare feet slapped against the cold stone as I jogged toward the stairs, heart pounding ...

The gente pattering of the rain on the brick exterior of the house was like a calming mantra for Mercy. She gently lifted her hand to grace the cold glass of the window with her fingertips.

She longed for a sharp bolt of lightning to make itself known along with the rolling sound of thunder.

She turned to face the painting on the other end of the large room. As she was squinting to make it o...

With one final shove, we tumble through the door into a great room with dimmed lights adorned to the vast walls connecting to high ceilings. Otherwise completely empty.. Again.

I look over to Cam and he looks to be feeling just as hopeless as I do in this moment. “I’m sorry Lia. I really thought..” he trails off. I can’t help the sigh that escapes me, making my way to a large fountain staircase w...

The smell of him surrounds me—Earl Grey with a hint of spice. Warm breath tickles my ear as he leans in to whisper, “I love you.” His hard body presses against mine, effortlessly gliding me around the room. Etta James’ “At Last” floats through the air, wrapping us in its melody. My mind drifts, consumed by him, by us.

An hour has passed since the sun sank beyond the horizon, and our daughter slee...

Visalia was only fifteen when she killed the does devil.

She had imagined herself in a beautiful gown with handsome prince dancing with her surrounded by the most fantastical of people in the most fantastical of places.

The ruined castle she had played in almost everyday since she could leave the yard was her sanctuary. Her safe place. Her home.

She would live the life she wanted but could n...

The invitation could not have been more cryptic. I held it in my hands and read it once, twice and then after the third I thought about giving up and going home.I was standing in a small abandoned looking theater. The place smelled of mothballs and dust.

The small black card I was holding in my hands had been slipped under my door when I held arrived from a long shift. The message or riddle made...

As I walked into the ballroom I admired the beautiful mosaics in gold and other fine jewels that made up the walls and floor of the room. It was exactly as it had been in my dream the night before. I couldn’t help but notice the subtle rain patter on the roof that made a pleasing environment in the quiet ballroom.

I walked around and had deja vu from my dream. I had been dancing with a stranger ...

ESCAPE PLAN

Written by Queen Nerva and King Redfal

Advised by Louisa Lace, Official Royal Doctor

Witnessed by Mr. Nevyle, Official Royal Personnel

The Royal children, Covelle, Adella, Kent, Halina, Amerie, and Spade, are the best hope for the kingdom. If an attack occurs, all possible heirs flee in various but mapped out places. This procures the most favorable outcome of all or as many of the...

“I think we need to go,” Cove said, tugging on Louisa’s hand that felt like a death grip. She stood rooted in place.

The heavy ballroom doors busted open with so much force the chandeliers rattled, shaking the tiny light rays. Soldiers with no distinguishing emblems poured into the room. Cove and Louisa were farthest from the source of overpowering warriors.

Her hand instinctively pulled out her...

The ballroom was huge. Just his luck. But the ballroom was not only huge but painted in crimson. Crimson blood. Adrian stood there transfixed on the body. Twisted all the wrong angles. A woman dressed stood tall just over the body. The woman crossed the room the heels of her boot echoing on the hard wooden floor. The sound reverberating through the high ceiling ballroom. She reached him within a c...