In the snowbound region of Snezhnaya, where icy mountains stretch endlessly, lies the feared Fatui organization. Among them, the Eleven Fatui Harbingers serve the enigmatic Tsaritsa, driven by their shared goal to collect the Seven Gnoses from the gods, though their true motives remain a mystery.
Amidst this power-hungry faction, a tragic figure emerges a cursed girl, burdened by the remnants of Khaenri'ah's destruction 500 years ago. Marked as a "Cursed Human," she harbors the immense, destructive power of a "Ghoul" that claimed her soul during the cataclysm. Immortal yet stripped of her humanity, she is a vessel of unimaginable power.
Discovered by the 2nd Harbinger, Dottore, she was taken in not out of compassion, but for the potential her curse offered. A tool of power in a world of manipulation, her story intertwines with the ambitions of the Fatui, a grim testament to the cost of survival in Snezhnaya's merciless landscape.
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.