A spark meant to draw blood drew them together instead. Ethan Hernandez is wrapping up his senior year with one thing waiting after graduation: a throne next to his father in the Necromancer's guild - a minor magical crime syndicate he was carefully guarded from growing up. As a self-taught mage with something to prove, Ethan's ready to get his hands dirty. Jacob Wright doesn't have anything to prove. As heir to a rival clan that doesn't take kindly to the use of death magic, he's already drowning in expectation, command, and blood. He knows how to follow the rules, he just doesn't always care to. Which is about to become a problem for both their fathers. The truce between their families was already wearing thin when Ethan and Jacob finally crossed paths. Then the line between fascination and rivalry started to blur. They were never enemies. But they know how to play the part. The more they circle each other, the more inevitable the clash becomes. They could fall for each other. They could drag their families to hell. *Maybe they won't have to choose.*

Marcus never meant to touch her. But the moment he did, something ancient and volatile took root. Reece is disciplined. She's powerful, both as a mage and as a mogul of the wine industry. Marcus is a *decommissioned* sentient weapon. He's emotionally guarded and barely holding himself together after being chewed up and spit out by the military and high magic commission. He isn't even supposed to feel magic, let alone siphon it from Reece and wield it like it's his own. In fact, he was carefully designed to avoid such a scenario. But when an accidental surge binds him and Reece together, it triggers something unprecedented, intimate, and dangerous. *Addictive* even. The government discarded Marcus, but now that he and Reece outclass even the most seasoned of mages and defy the current scientific understanding of how magic works - the feds want their weapon back. It started with an intoxicating spark. It ended with a sobering realization: the new pair can't be apart without unraveling. But being together might be worse. Because Marcus would do anything to safeguard her. War crimes included. And Reece might just let him.

As water is depleted for its magic, a vigilante uses a cold heiress to infiltrate high society and steal their water before the world--and her family--burns. 🜄 After washing up in the desert, nearly dead and with no memories, twenty-something-year-old Lana had a feeling she was involved in something dangerous. "Vigilantes targeting the wealthy" fits the bill, especially when the main perpetrator is still at large. Not that she would blame her past self, for the rich are intent on destroying the world, draining water of its magic and leaving behind its toxic remains. So Lana's surprised to learn she's the bodyguard for one such wealthy heiress. Virre Averten lives up to her fearsome reputation, despite only recently inheriting her fortune at twenty-three. Harsh and cold-hearted, Virre hoards water's magic just as much as her family's trade secrets, and she throws Lana back into her employment to protect them all. Lana has no idea how she tolerated the woman, but she's certain it was for a good reason. For instance, gaining access to the most exclusive events in the city. Thanks to each extravagant gala and lavish feast, Lana dissolves not only the facade of the wealthy, but that of Virre as well. Except she's not the only one fishing for secrets. With their enemies closing in and the world's magic running dry, the women must work together to reveal the truth before they, and all the water, burn for good. 🜄 INCLUDES ✓ Sapphic bodyguard-heiress romance ✓ Magical fight scenes ✓ Environmentalism and sociopolitical commentary ✓ Secret spy stuff ONC 2025 LONGLISTER Word Count: +39k Genres: High Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Romance Written: 05 FEB 2025 - 28 FEB 2025 Narrative: Third Person Limited, Past Tense ★ This story is only available on Wattpad by @laurendoubleu.