Targeted by superpowered terrorists, an actress is protected by the government's strongest guardian--the same woman who broke her heart two years ago.
☆
Elsie Bates won't deny that she's made a few enemies during her fifteen-year acting career, but she never thought her actions would warrant her death at the hands of meta-human terrorists. As if that wasn't bad enough, her federally appointed bodyguard is the famous Camilla Wyatt, the most powerful guardian in the country and Elsie's sworn enemy. Because behind Camilla's sunny personality is a cold and heartless young woman, and no one but Elsie knows the truth.
At least, that's what Elsie initially thinks. As it happens, being forced into a protective lockdown with someone can change perspectives, and Elsie slowly uncovers the secret behind Camilla's complicated character. In turn, Camilla begins to realize that maybe "trust issues" shouldn't be in her superpower repertoire, and self-preservation doesn't necessarily require self-isolation.
But as the women grow closer, so do the forces that attempt to split them apart. And when the worlds of superpowered militaries, propaganda movies, and hidden conspiracies begin to collide, Elsie and Camilla must rely on each other to survive.
☆
INCLUDES:
✓ Militarized superheroes
✓ LGBTQ+ romance
✓ Diverse characters
✓ Subtle sociopolitical commentary
✓ "Science"
FEATURED:
★ 2023 Amby Awards Top Pick (Sci-Fi)
★ @lgbtq Pride Awards 2023 Category Winner (Sci-Fi)
★ @FreeTheLGBT Pride Awards - Third Place
★ @TripleACommunity Aro Ace Awards - Shortlist
★ @superhero, @FreeTheLGBT, @WattpadUrbanFantasy, @StoriesUndiscovered
Mature rating is for violence, grotesque descriptions, and swearing. Applicable warnings will precede the most notable chapters.
Word count: +300k
Genres: Science Fiction, New Adult, Action, Superhero, Romance
Written: 18 MAR 2020 - 28 MAR 2021
Published: JUL 2021 - SEP 2021
This story is only available on Wattpad by @laurendoubleu
The Return of the Gods (Children of the Sun Book 1)
28 parts Complete Mature
28 parts
Complete
Mature
[2023 Wattys Shortlist, 2023 Amby Awards winner, Featured 4 times in Wattpad Picks lists]
Kaleth has worked as an agent of Luxarx for years. What the average person might see as an exciting, dangerous job has become the routine, and the only thing that fazes Kaleth now is that his habit of wearing suits everywhere is somehow still a thing his teammates tease him over.
But that's all about to change.
An encounter with one unexpectedly peaceful (and cute) terrorist soldier brings everything he thought he knew into question. If not all Umbra are dangerous criminals, what else does Luxarx get wrong?
As he investigates, Kaleth stumbles onto a conspiracy that doesn't just concern the agency, but also his government, and the whole world. There are monsters hiding in plain sight, secretly in charge of everything since the very beginning - the long-forgotten dragon-gods with supernatural abilities. And they are definitely not as mythological as everyone thought.
Now branded traitors, can Kaleth and his team fight back against the government they once served, and stop a world war before it can start?
---------------------------
[word count: ≈ 90 000 words]
• Book 1 - The Return of the Gods
• Book 2 - The Return to Irithara
• Book 3 - The Return of the Lifebringer
• Book 4 - The Aperios
[Featured in Wattpad Picks lists: 'Extraordinary Realms ✨' in December 2023, 'Reading Radar' in January 2024, 'Celebrating Wattpad Hits' in February 2024, and Valiant Heroes 🏰✨🏔 in June 2024, and also on the @fantasy profile]