Grand Duke Drake Daemon is forced by testing his loyalty when another empire wages war. Drake thinks he can handle it, but now, he has a family. He cannot go into battle and risk dying. However, something very unexpected happens, and now, Drake must make a decision, one that could change his life forever. This problem doesn't end with Drake. On Catakus II, the planet where the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess Lizell Daemon live, a young man's loyalty is also being tested. Although his girlfriend is a shock to him, he is now split in a loyalty battle between choosing her or staying with the empire. * Author's Note: This book is a sequel to GrimThor3's "Retired". In order to understand the events, I would recommend reading "Retired" first. Anyways, enjoy! *

Who will the warrior of the next war be? In a war soon to come, warriors will leverage monstrously terrifying and holistically awe-inspiring feats of new engineering, brave new tactics, and endure new tribulations as they face an ever-evolving host of likewise advanced and ruthless enemies. The Next Warrior tells the stories of a few of these warriors and their struggles to overcome forces an era of new combat. Marines, soldiers, airmen, insurgents, and even their terrorist adversaries will be challenged with surviving the same emotional trials of warriors past, while seeking to overcome evil in the next age of conflict. The Next Warrior is written by Jon Davis, a Sergeant of the United States Marine Corps and veteran of the Iraq War. The Next Warrior is based on real projects currently being funded and under development by the United States Department of Defense and DARPA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. The goal of The Next Warrior is to create an immersive narrative with attention to detail and focus not just on the technologies themselves, but how they will actually be used by tomorrow's frontline troops. The stories are written to communicate as detailed and realistic a story as possible for readers wanting more than just military science fiction, but a quality military nonfiction... which just hasn't happened yet. The Next Warrior is delivered weekly every Wednesday. The Next Warrior is delivered weekly every Friday on Wattpad. Make sure to follow this story and add it to your reading lists. If you would like to support the creation of The Next Warrior, as well as get access to special bonus features, such as essays about the technology being showcased, author's notes and commentaries on the story behind the story, as well as bonus artwork, become a patron of Jon Davis by following this link. http://www.patreon.com/jondavis.

Can a natural killer learn to be human again? Regan's unique talent for murder makes her a perfect assassin. After a lethal encounter leaves her broken body washed up on a beach, she finds herself adopted by a group of teenage bodyguards. She doesn't intend to stay for long, but soon Regan finds herself faced with a choice: become a hero or stay a villain? *** The boy played with the flat brim of the cap in his hands and looked around the room. He sat back in his chair, trying to look casual, but the heel of his hi-top sneaker drummed rapidly on the concrete floor. Regan sat opposite him with her legs crossed and her hands folded on her tartan skirt. She watched him without a word and brushed a strand of blue-dyed hair behind her ear. Somehow this seemed to unsettle him more. 'Calm down,' she said. 'It's just murder.' *** Author's Note: Darkness Girl: Trickster God is represented by Louise Fury from The Bent Agency. P.S. The epic cover was made by Paul Kopetko (you can stalk him at paulkopetko.com). Enjoy!