11 parts Complete Discover what lies within, but beware-the truth may come at a price too steep to pay.
Serena's life is about to take a dark turn. When her mother died suddenly, she thought she'd be grappling only with loss-but the secrets hidden in her mother's shadowy past reveal an unfathomable legacy. A gifted actress adored by many, her mother shrouded her life in glamour, but left behind a chilling enigma. The key necklace Serena has worn since childhood isn't just a trinket; it unlocks a mysterious box tucked away in the depths of her mother's closet, and opening it will change everything.
Within the box lies a truth that will shatter Serena's perception of love and loyalty: her mother made a deal with the devil, intertwining their destinies in ways she never imagined. Betrayal stings in the worst of ways, particularly when it comes from family. But as dark forces converge and the stakes rise, Serena learns her mother left behind one last trick-a doorway into the world of the Aces, a powerful and enigmatic paranormal entity.
Caught in a whirlwind of supernatural politics and looming danger, Serena must navigate a terrain where betrayal, loyalty, and sacrifice intertwine. Will she harness the Aces' formidable power to save herself, or will her mother's legacy lead her down a dark path from which there is no return?
This novella has been entered into an Open Novella Contest. I chose two prompts:
ONC Prompt #93: From a deck of cards, pick one. But what will it reveal about your fate?
ONC Prompt #114: For as long as you can remember, you've worn a key around your neck. But what does it unlock? Maybe it's that mysterious box at the back of your mother's closet.
ONC2025 Ambassador Pick & Long List Selection
Copyright @ Marlee Ervin
Cover by: Marlee Ervin
Image: Pixabay
