The Hunters. The legendary Archers of Alestari were known world wide. Many trained for years, from youth to adulthood, to be good enough to qualify to be an apprentice to the Hunters. Every year, the Hunters would travel all across the land of Alestari, searching for a single apprentice. Many hearts were crushed in this process. Because there were many years, that none were selected to train under the legendary Archers. They would travel to every kingdom, city, town, village and tribe, searching. Royalty and common folk alike revered and worshiped the Hunters, for they were the true protectors of the land. A single Hunter was as good as 20 regular Archers. But they were also known to be excellent spies, as well as swordsmen. Any weapon in the world, they knew how to use properly. Thus they were highly sought after for military purposes and occasionally mercenaries. To have a family member who was a Hunter, was the highest honor. They were treated like royalty, even by royals themselves. Whatever a Hunter said, whoever they chose as an apprentice, no one ever argued. To fight with a Hunters choice, was to eliminate any chances you had of your family becoming one. And for years, no one fought their decision. Until this year. In the kingdom of Alestari, anyone was eligible to try and become an apprentice. Anyone, but a woman. Women were forbidden to learn any kind of weaponry, especially archery. So when the King of the Hunters, chooses a woman to be an apprentice, many were angry. And they were out, to make her pay.

A dark Fairy Tale retelling. Trigger Warning: This is not a light book. There are heavy topics involved in this story, including sexual assault, abuse, murder, and violence. This book is not for the faint of heart of those looking for a light, cheesy love story. Read at your own risk. Happily ever afters are never as bright as Disney says they are. Sometimes, they're covered in blood. Ras: She looked at me with hope. With kindness. She looked like an Angel when I met her. She tried to heal the brokenness in me. And I hated that. I hated her innocence. Hated how she knew so little of her own family's doings. So I showed her. All it took, was letting her see the darkness her father had made. All it took was holding the gun to her head. All it took was one bullet, and she knew. But now she's back. And I want her now, more than before. Anya: I was 8 years old when I met him. A broken looking boy covered in blood. A haunted look in his eyes, and unable to smile. I watched him, grew with him. Loved him. And then he killed me. And now I'm going to kill him. If I don't, I might just lose myself to him again.