In the grim and shadowed realm where darkness reigns supreme, two unlikely companions are thrust into a harrowing journey that will test their courage, resilience, and the very essence of their beings. Kael, a troubled youth bound by a sinister pact with the devil's emissary, and Aric, a determined adolescent haunted by the loss of his loved ones, find their destinies intertwined amidst the chaos and despair of a world on the brink of collapse.
Aric, aged 14, is driven by the agony of his past, wielding his grief like a weapon as he seeks vengeance against the forces that tore his family apart. With each step he takes, he grapples with the weight of his burden, his youthful determination tempered by the harsh realities of the world around him.
Kael, aged 12, is a lost soul adrift in a sea of shadows, his innocence shattered by the pact he made in desperation. Bound by dark magic and haunted by his choices, he struggles to find his place in a world that views him with suspicion and fear.
As their paths converge, Kael and Aric must confront the darkness that threatens to consume them both, forging an unlikely alliance born from the ashes of their shared pain. Together, they embark on a perilous journey through lands ravaged by war and corruption, facing enemies both mortal and supernatural as they strive to unravel the mysteries of their intertwined destinies.
But as they delve deeper into the heart of darkness, Kael and Aric will be forced to confront not only the shadows that lurk in the world around them but also the demons that dwell within their own souls. For in the crucible of their shared trials and tribulations, they will discover that the true battle lies not in the realm of swords and sorcery, but in the depths of their own hearts.
A criminal mastermind makes a bold move against a wealthy client to put himself in a position to retire in comfort. He has no idea what he's up against when a young widow, desperate to make ends meet, sets her eyes on earning the bounty set on his head.
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Newly widowed housewife Melody Scott needs to earn some major cash, fast. When her bright and busy children learn that a priceless ruby bracelet has been stolen and a six-figure reward is being offered, they convince her to try to do what the police, museum security, and the best private investigators have failed to do. Working against them is a notorious thief who has met people from around the world, but who has never once encountered a woman like Melody Scott. When the sweet innocence of the Scott family clashes against criminal forces more dangerous than they ever imagined, Melody is all too aware that a mom's got to do what a mom's got to do to protect her family.
The Widow, Melody Scott is a 2021 Watty Award Winner!
Content Warning: This story does contain depictions of stalking behavior.