Alec Monroe has a gift, and Paul Barrington wants to profit by it. Neither understands the true cost of their arrangement. The Great War casts a long shadow in 1926 Philadelphia. Prohibition is in effect, but largely ignored in the city dubbed "wet as the Atlantic." Séances remain popular, despite the efforts of men like Houdini to reveal mediums as frauds. Class, social, and racial boundaries are razor sharp. Against this backdrop, Paul enlists Alec to help him defraud Henri Deschamps, a wealthy scholar of antiquities from France. Little does Paul know that Henri holds more power than money can buy, and Alec is the key to unlocking it. ONC Prompt 72: A real necromancer sits in on a fake séance. [Author's note/trigger warnings: This story uses period-appropriate language, including terms related to race and sexuality, and discussions of mental health, including suicide.] [All rights reserved. This story is 100% human-generated. No part of this story may be used for the purpose of training A.I.]

Sigmund Pine is a vampire living in a world that considers drinking from a human as 'uncivilised'. Casper Weiss is a human who thinks being bitten is just a really fun kink. Sigmund is rich, is close with his dad, has good friends, and is respected by all - and he's still unhappy. He secretly desires to drink from humans, craves it deeply, and he's thoroughly ashamed of it. It feels dirty, sinful even, and he's stamped on his desires for years. The blood he distributes through his company, Blood Bank, is refined, tasteless, and he wonders if he'll ever feel full again. Sven, his meddling, but well-meaning secretary, is worried about him, and after a desperate push, Sigmund makes an appointment at a company called Love Bites, that matches vampires who want to drink with humans who want to be bitten. There, he meets Casper Weiss, known as Cass, a human who shamelessly flaunts his enjoyment of being bitten and offers himself up as Sigmund's perfect match. They both have a lot to lose if their relationship were to get out; Sigmund's reputation and friendships are on the line, and Cass could lose his business if people thought he somehow corrupted the great Sigmund Pine. But they can't seem to stay away from each other, even when they know the risks. Join Sigmund and Cass on this journey of love, sex, and self-acceptance. Rated 18+ MATURE. There will be sex. Lots of it.

For the Open Novella Contest, based on Prompt 65: On the way to collect a soul, the Grim Reaper is distracted by a stray puppy. Instead of completing the task, he decides to find the puppy's owner, much to the frustration of his assistant. ***** The Grim Reaper has seen everything, really. From the beginning of humans living in caves, all the way to modern-day humanity. These days, he's mostly a figurehead, going through a handful of cases a week that no other reaper wants. While floating through the mortal world, unseen by anyone, he comes across a dog that seems to be able to see him. Despite his over-achieving assistant begging him to return to his duties, Grim decides to seek out the puppy's owner, and in doing so meets Jeremiah. Miah is an accountant who loves numbers but hates the monotonous tone his life is taking. The rescuer of Miss Trixie, his dog, is an unusual but interesting man that he decides to strike up a friendship with... although is it just him, or is Grim a bizarre name for a person?

Evan's dream of being Crestwood's next top detective never included surviving a blood moon, fighting off supernatural stalkers, or sharing an office with four "private investigators" who look more like models than law enforcement. Especially not their boss: Claude-cold, impossibly strong, and infuriatingly attractive. Claude was assigned to protect Evan. Evan would rather chew glass than admit he needs it. But when Crestwood is rocked by a series of unexplainable attacks, Evan and Claude are forced to work side-by-side. Sparks fly (and not the romantic kind... at first). Every conversation is a battle, every glance a dare. Evan is reckless, stubborn, and has a knack for getting under Claude's skin. Claude is secretive, stubborn, and way too good at pretending not to care. The more Evan learns about the world of vampires, the more dangerous-and tempting-his protector becomes. And the more Claude tries to keep his distance, the harder it is to ignore the pull between them. Enemies. Partners. Maybe something more. Welcome to Crestwood, where the biggest danger isn't the monsters outside-it's falling for the one assigned to guard your heart. This book contains: Enemies-to-Lovers | Slow-Burn | Found Family | Disaster Squad Vibes

Finn spent years hiding-first from his small town, then from the high school bully who made every day a quiet nightmare. Now, trapped on a college campus overrun by the undead, Finn is forced to rely on the last person he ever wanted to see: Rook, the boy who once broke him, now fighting tooth and nail to keep him alive. With every sprint down blood-slick halls and every brush of hands while patching wounds, the old rules start to blur. As monsters close in and trust becomes the rarest currency, Finn finds himself wondering: what's scarier-the hunger in the eyes of the dead, or the confusing warmth in Rook's gaze? In a world where survival means facing both flesh-eating horrors and buried pain, Finn must decide if the real danger is outside-or if it's letting himself fall for the boy who was supposed to be his enemy. When the world ends, will you run from your past... or fight for the chance to rewrite it?

Each year across Nir, nations encompassing every race celebrate unity, athleticism, and wisdom. From the trollan jungles of Taniros to the shining elven city of Luminaria, two champions emerge to represent their people. The victors walk away with riches and fame. Honor is optional. No two arenas are the same, and only the strongest survive. Traps, monsters, and puzzles await, fraught with danger and a command to protect the team talisman. ... A young rogue from Nir's northernmost region, Ives only has one goal: win the Games. He's trained his entire life for this, and dreams of being the first player of human descent to win the games since Tallon Colbert's legendary victory several years prior. His motivations or no one else's business The problem? He's partnered with Sera Phenos, a seasoned monk from the native community of a far-off archipelago. Last year, Ives cost her a spot in the games, and Sera is in no mood to forgive her partner. He is reckless and a liability; a disastrous quality in a champion competing in challenges far above his league. The pair lands themselves in trouble before the games even start, making working together nearly impossible. Unfortunately, any hope to win means they must set aside their differences and cooperate, a feat that's easier said than done. After all, only one team can win. *** ©️ Kristi Elliot and S. G. Gardner. A Standalone novella and spinoff of A Mischievous Tale of Magical Mayhem. Cover by @Kaiddance via Canva Pro

Dylan Holland has finally returned to New York City after vacationing for a year in Ireland with his father Don Whittaker and his father's husband Carson Lee Jones. He's returned just in time for his final year of high school, however during that year overseas, a lot had changed at Averin High, and while his reception was widely received positively, there was one person who didn't seem to care about him at all anymore. Isiah Jacobs. His best friend that stopped talking to him completely right after the night before his flight to Ireland. Right after he kissed Dylan out of nowhere, altering the dynamic of their friendship forever. *Sequel to I Did Not Have Sexual Relations With That Woman (was removed on Wattpad and is on Inkitt) which is a spinoff to The CEO's Trilogy and Derek

Vion Catelli had it all. Well, technically, half of it all. And that was the problem. He only have half of it. Half the ports. Half of the trade routes. Half of the underground passages. Half of the intel. Half of the men in this city actually worth a damn when faced with the gun funneling and drug trafficking lifestyle. He only had half of it- the bloody city that was Boston. And he wanted it all.

A desire too strong to ignore. A love too taboo to acknowledge. Hunter and Simon are married. But not to each other. Ten years ago, one kiss led to a second, then a third, and turned into a summer of forbidden discovery. But sometimes, love isn't enough, especially when that love has the power to destroy the life Hunter and Simon have built as stepfather and son. Forced together at Pinewood Lodge for the Holidays, Hunter and Simon are drawn to one another again and again, unable to deny themselves a stolen moment despite the threat of discovery. Is the risk worth the reward? Maybe. Maybe not. But when the reward is more satisfying than the guilt is uncomfortable, stopping feels impossible. Pinewood Lodge is a high heat, low angst Christmas novel featuring a forced proximity, age gap relationship between two helplessly in love idiots who are willing to burn their lives down in order to be together, a tiny hot tub, and a cozy library perfect for secret rendezvous. It does not feature cheating between MCs. Prefer not to wait? Purchase: https://readerlinks.com/l/4804182

Loving a straight man has never been in my plans. I've catered for demanding brides, but this time my mind's not on the wife-to-be -- it's her brother who's got my attention. For once, I've met a straight guy I can't figure out. He's magnetically hot, and it seems like he's into me. Evan's only here for two weeks, so we get close -- fast. But I'm starting to develop real feelings, and the wedding countdown is turning into a ticking clock. I've got too much baggage to move fast, but if I don't, the reception might be my last chance. I don't want friends-with-benefits to end at the altar. **Book 2 of the Neon City Series**