Stranded on Earth with no way home on a desperate quest, Blanc will do anything to return to Mehor Prime. Unfortunately, the humans confiscated his ship and his princess and took it somewhere impenetrable. While scouting to get it back, Blanc meets only humans on Earth who seem to have any knowledge of aliens. He knows they are thieves, but they are his only chance. Drafted as the muscle into their crew, Blanc must help them complete their mission to complete his own. All Blanc has to do is help their crew succeed where he alone has failed. Their goal: break in and expose the most classified and impenetrable place in America, Area 51. Open Novella Contest 2025 Prompt 72: An alien stranded on Earth for the first time is led down dangerous paths by criminals promising a way home. What they discover along the way may change everything.

Cassi never feared the soul sucking vampires until they took her voice. Vampire victims are cast out of society and left only as snacks for more vampires. With no way to regain her voice, Grand Duchess Cassi turns to vampire Leith in a desperate gamble to save herself and the country from a hostile takeover. Bored with killing rogue vampires, Leith agrees to use her father's gifts to "puppet" Cassi and give her a voice to court four men for a month. This highly dangerous and illegal vampire magic might get them both killed if anyone discovers that Cassi is drained or Leith's vampire status. As Cassi and Leith fool and fall for two of the dashing suitors, those who know their secrets emerge from the shadows. Will they be able to pull off the ultimate deception, or will they both end up sucked dry by the humans and vampires around them?