A somewhat random collection of short fiction, starting with a story about a squirrel...

It would be fun, she said. A great way to blow off some steam, she said. Con should have known better. One look at the inn and he could have told anyone it was going to end poorly. But his sister had already spent the money and he already had enough people questioning the state of his mind. Supposed hauntings. Strange guests. Shadows and warnings around every corner. He wasn't going to last the week. At least the room service is good. (Though this started as an ONC project, it is now a full-length novel) Beautiful cover by @StormRidden Copyright © 2021

Survival is all about rules. It's really very simple. Follow the rules and maybe you last just a little bit longer than most other people. These rules are harsh. They are cruel and unforgiving. You might not like them. Hell, you may hate them, but the fact is you must listen to them. I don't really care if you think that's too hard. I don't care if you believe me and I don't care if you think I'm just being a hard-ass. Go right ahead, think that if you must. The rules still stand. Sit there and deny all you want. If you think you can do it better than me that's fine, just don't come looking for sympathy when things go south because you didn't follow the rules. Looking at you I already have my reservations. I just get this feeling that you aren't going to even listen to the rules. But I'm tired of watching people die of stupidity so I'm going to teach them to you anyway. Listen to my story, I'm only going to tell it once. Then, you can follow the rules if you want to. ***This story contains strong language and some sexual references but nothing explicit*** Copyright © 2017

A collection of stories from the Heir of the Gods universe. Inside you'll find backstories, side character stories, god stories, deleted/alternate scenes and more. Requests are welcome if there is a certain facet of the HotG world you'd like to see more of (although some requests may be denied on the basis they spoil something). I hope you enjoy this look at things I couldn't necessarily include in the series itself! Cover made by @StormRidden

Cassia Auralius is farther from home than she's ever been before. Trapped on the war-torn island of Brunia with only enemies and strangers as companions, she knows death will haunt every step. She needs allies--true allies--if she hopes to survive her god-given trials and return to her empire, and knows where she can find them. Calix Julianus has managed to kill a death-maiden. He doesn't know if his success spells victory or doom for himself and his men. He does know that the death-maidens cannot be allowed to exist. It is his duty to eradicate them, the only way to protect his chosen queen and her empire. Elias Lucans has been taken fully into Prince Malitech's confidence and finds himself drawn into plans designed by the prince's death-maiden, Igraine. Dark and mysterious, she brings with her promises of magic and power beyond his imagining. She doesn't just offer the empire of Metus, she offers the world. A danger begins to rise, threatening not just Metus, but the world. Cover made by @StormRidden

Zara Morrigan didn't really expect to get accepted into Belmare, the premier university of magic in Oclia. After all, the entire world already knew the heir to Family Morrigan didn't have any magic of her own. She had only applied to please her mother. It was really more a private joke than anything...until the arrival of the acceptance letter. Now, Zara must survive monsters, magic-users and school politics. Not to mention mounds of homework. Frankly, she would rather face murder charges than attend her mother's alma mater. But when students really do start dropping dead, Zara must fight to clear her name. Belmare wasn't meant for the weak. Incredible cover made by lovely Aria

Darkness is creeping in from the edges of the empire. A threat that has been all but lost to history is rising again. Cassia Auralius is the first female Heir of the Empire of Metus to not abdicate her right to the throne. Behind her is a line of warrior-kings and sacred laws. Before her is an uncertain future painted in blood. Opposed by her father and challenged by her brothers, Cassia must first prove herself worthy of the throne gifted by the gods. Ancient trials--trials she must not fail--will test her strength, both of her mind and her heart. The first trial--three long travel years cut off from her family and her own nobility--will soon begin. If Cassia can survive, she will be one step closer to her throne. A throne that will soon be under a threat she could never have imagined. Cassia will need allies, both common and strange to defeat this threat. If she fails in this, she will lose not only her throne, but her empire. Amazing cover by @StormRidden Copyright © 2019

All Encants are now required by law to be part of a guild in order to keep track of them. In order to control their magic. Even with no family or friends to miss her absence, Maevus Kildaren is still uneager to be coerced into a life suddenly filled with strangers. Ordered by the Queen into one of the largest and most prominent guilds in the capital city, Maevus soon finds guild life to be far different from what she expected. But changing times don't allow for peace. A mysterious contract and an order from the queen forces Maevus into partnering with one of the guild's most powerful Encants, known only by the name of Volt. No one can tell her what his real name is. All she knows is he's brimming with magic and dangerous. But he may just be the only way to stay alive in a city with dangers at every turn. Copyright © 2018

Born the son of a lowly hunter and abandoned as a child, Zhenxing never expected to be brought to Heaven and become the most treasured attendant of the mighty Tiger Immortal, one of the twelve Zodiac Guardians appointed by the Jade Emperor. But the world is tumultuous and not even the Heavenly Realm resides in peace for long. On the eve of the Lunar New Year, a dreadful discovery is made. The Tiger Immortal is found dead and a grieving Zhenxing flees Heaven, blamed and pursued by the remaining eleven Zodiacs. Abandoned and bewildered, Zhenxing seeks refuge in the one place those of the Heavenly Realm are loathe to tread: the Demon Realm. While in hiding, he discovers shocking evidence that the one who killed the Tiger Immortal was not his most beloved servant, but one of his fellow Guardians! With the help of a sinister and charming demon prince named Lixin, Zhenxing digs further into the mystery hoping to clear his name and avenge his beloved Tiger Immortal. Beautiful cover made by my lovely friend @AriaofStorms