Axle has known magic his whole life. Not the kind of magic from stage acts and swindlers on the streets, the kind that was used in secret, under the cover of lies and facades. Magic that, when found out by regular non-magic civilians, will be mercilessly sought out and destroyed if they weren't able to use it for themselves. This was his father's warning. But even when kept a secret, danger lurks ever so closely and Axle had to find a way to stop it all on his own... Or did he? Elaine knew she wasn't the only one. She had this feeling that there were others in her high school that did what she could do: real magic. Just when she was mustering up the courage to ask someone else that she thought was like her, danger strikes her school. A danger that she felt was related to her magic. She knew she had to do something about it. Should she deal with the threat alone like she usually faced everything else in her life? Or will she finally confront her suspicions about a certain boy from her school that she was sure had magic like her? ------------------------------------------------------- Huuuge thank you to the user @rainhither for creating this beautiful cover. You're the best!! This is an original story by me. The characters from this work are part of a different, but same universe, original novel I am currently writing. However, the main story of this universe will not be published here (at least that's my decision for now.) since I plan to publish/self-publish that work. Thanks for reading all the way to the end and I hope you like it!

Someone stole the Weeping Widow. The priceless artwork is gone, ripped from its place on the wall and leaving only broken glass behind. The pride of Whitehill Museum and Art Gallery fell victim to heists in the night, and the museum is determined to find the painting and nail the culprit. She's been labelled the main suspect after being found at the scene of the crime. He's been hired to protect Whitehill and keep the rest of the art safe. Both with a job to do at the museum, and both determined to fix broken reputations. But the biggest question of all haunts the exhibits they roam: who stole the Weeping Widow? They painted her the villain. He's learning art is open for interpretation. -------------------------- "Art is to be seen, not touched." His breath curled next to my ear. "But I'd do anything to touch you." "Are you saying I'm art?" My heart knew no limit as it pulsed in my throat, right where his lips began to hover. "As beautiful as what hangs in the Louvre, and just as forbidden to touch." Disclaimer: all works depicted above the chapters are real works, and some real works are mentioned throughout. However, some works and artists described within the story are fictional. Additionally, this story has light language use. *A stand-alone spinoff of "In Love and Diplomacy"* ~ Featured on Wattpad's Crime profile "Crimes of Passion" Reading List (November 2022) ~ Featured on Wattpad's StoriesUndiscovered profile "Thrills N Spills" Reading List (December 2022) ~ Featured on Wattpad's Romance profile "Dangerous Love" Reading List (May 2023) ~ Winner of the 2023 Winter Zodiac Awards ~ Featured on Wattpad's StoriesUndiscovered profile "Light Up the Dark | Horror/Mystery/Thriller" Reading List (June 2023) ~ Featured on Wattpad's Romance profile "Romantic Suspense" Reading List (May 2024)

The dead have never been so alive. After a deadly contagion reduced the world's population into mindless, undead monsters, the ruins of America still teem with activity, as some of the dead have regained their intelligence and created their own society; one free from the living's touch. Now, more than a decade later, survivalist extraordinaire Liam Fenix undertakes a harrowing escape from the uninhabited island that has been his prison since before the outbreak began, only to discover that he is the sole survivor of the civilization he left behind. He is not alone, however, as reincarnated bounty hunter Leah believes that Liam holds the key to reversing the pandemic that created her race. Armed with their survivalist expertise and following traces of the past, the two must traverse the wastelands together and bring back life to an otherwise dead world, even as they are pursued by a tyrant who does not want this plague to end. ------- Top tags to date: #1 in Gritty 12/21/2022 - 1/11/2023 ------- New chapters will be posted on Mondays, 4:00-6:00PM EST. Cover art made by @AnnamitaMuscaria.