A Dance with Death - S. C. Bartholomew - Wattpad

Story cover for A Dance with Death by Vuulashka

A Dance with Death

Reads 22
Votes 1
Parts 1
Time 5m

Reads 22
Votes 1
Parts 1
Time 5m

darkfantasy fantasy monsterfiction western

Master Hunter: Thomas Gael O'Donnell take a contract to slay a ghoul which had sacked and slain an entire frontier town's population weeks prior. He enters into combat with the fiend responsible and both trade blows in an effort to slay the other.

This is a small sample from my book series, Dead Man's Gambit.

This was an entry which tied for 3rd in the Fellowship of the Indie Author's March Flash-Fiction contest. 

You can find their community on Twitter and their server on Discord where the event was hosted!All Rights Reserved

darkfantasy fantasy monsterfiction western

Table of contents

A Dance with Death
Sat, Mar 29, 2025

1 part

A Dance with Death
Sat, Mar 29, 2025

Sign up to add A Dance with Death to your library and receive updates

or

Content Guidelines

You may also like

Beyond the Veil of Yonder (Book 1) by XannaLurel

If you love the epic worldbuilding of 𝘓𝘖𝘛𝘙, the dark intrigue of 𝘎𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴, the monster-hunting grit of 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘳, and the soul-deep romance of 𝘖𝘶𝘵𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳, then this story is for you. --------------------------------- He's a battle-hardened knight; she's from the modern world. He survived horrors; she was shielded from them. His body and soul bear scars, but she still believes in wonders. He seeks redemption and peace, and she craves true love. Forgotten forests, cursed kingdoms, and a bond neither of them chose. Together, they must face ancient evils, unravel lost magic, and survive enemies in both shadow and light. Discover if love can truly banish the darkness in this thrilling, emotional tale! ⚔︎⚔︎⚔︎⚔︎⚔︎⚔︎⚔︎⚔︎⚔︎ "Omg... I've never been so invested in a story!" "The story is so captivating and engaging that I couldn't put it down." "The characters are incredibly well-developed!" "It reminds me of Tolkien's lost kingdoms and the mysterious allure of Arthurian and Celtic legends." *********************** 🏆 The Cliffhanger Queen by The Hidden Gem Awards 2024 ************************ 💎 FEATURED ON: @WackyWriters - "Our Judges' Favorites" @Romance - "Slow Burn" and "The Para-Romantasy Experience" @Fantasy - "Dark Fantasy" and "Serialized Spotlight" @highfantasy - "Fair Verona - Romantic Fantasy" @Ambassadors - "Para-Romantasy" @DaturaCommunity - "The Lavender | Fantasy" *********************** Highest Rankings: 🌟 #1 in Medieval Fantasy - 14/03/2025 🌟 #2 in Portal Fantasy - 05/11/2024 🌟 #2 in Gothic - 09/12/2025 🌟 #3 in Medieval - 02/12/2024 🌟 #4 in High Fantasy - 05/08/2024

The Lycan's Bargain by anjay_writess

"Please help me... I'll do anything. I just want my mother to live." I cried, tears streaming down my face in torrents, my body trembling in fear. Kael stared down at me, his glowering eyes devoid of any emotion and a chill ran down my spine. "Anything, you say?" He asked, pointing the edge of his sword against my neck and I stiffened, refusing to breathe. "Anything... " I whispered, my voice small yet resolute. A corner of his lips quirked up, not quite forming a smile. "How about my slave?" ***** She was supposed to be his captive, not his salvation. When Aira sneaks into forbidden Lycan territory to save her mother, she is caught and thrown at the mercy of the ruthless Lycan King, Kael Drathlor. In a desperate bargain, she trades her freedom for her mother's life. But as she becomes the king's unwilling companion, Aira discovers a terrifying truth-Kael is cursed, unable to die, unable to feel the mate bond that should tie them together. As dark forces conspire against them and Kael spirals further into self-destruction, Aira must decide: escape and save herself, or risk everything for the beast who might never love her back. In a world where fate is both a gift and a curse, can she break the chains of destiny before it's too late? 1 in Kael on 24/4/2025 1 in Captive on 26/4/2025 2 in dreamlandbooks on 26/4/2025 1 in beautyandthebeast on 27/5/2025 1 in historicalromance on 30/5/2025 1 in werewolf on 05/10/2025

No Bullets for the Beast by JuicetinBoi

It was supposed to be his last day on the job. Unluckily for Killjoy, this crazed, cannibalistic beast tried to make it his last day on Earth. Killjoy had taken this god-forsaken mission for a little bit extra money before he would quit. He was tired. The middle-aged bounty hunter had etched his name across American mythos after decades of killing, gunslinging, and doing dirty work for one too many fat, greedy pigs. It was easy work, but the man can't get any older after years of doing it. And with a wife at home who he visited only so many times he could them on his one hand, and a daughter whose face he can barely remember year to year, it was time to hang up the boots. But when he is told about one job that could potentially set not only himself and his family for life, but for generations to come, Killjoy decides to screw it and do one last mission. The money he made was good, but not enough to last them. The reward? The deed to a gold mine. And the job? To investigate some desolate woods for missing people. It was as easy as they came. What a load of crap. The second Killjoy stepped foot into those forests, he knew something was not right. Desecrated bodies, the eerily empty mines and woods devoid of any light or humans, and the gnawing hunger that grew in him no matter how much he ate through his rations. Something was not right. And when Killjoy laid his eyes on it, he knew it was either fight or die.

The Orc's Consort I: Born of Blackwater by EM-Albright

IMPORTANT: This manuscript is a rough draft - widely unedited. There may be grammar, spelling, and pacing issues. I've been working on this story since 2023 in my original manuscript and hope to one day publish the final, extended version. I could see him grinning out of the corner of my eye. He was enjoying this far too much. "Just do not ever scare me like that again, Jasper," I fussed. He winced as I moved the cloth across his ribs. "Or what?" he toyed. I stopped and glared at him, stammering, trying to think of something clever. "I-I'll... I don't know, but I'll think of something." Before I knew it, Jasper had his arm around my waist and pulled me into the tub with a splash. "Jasper," I gasped. In a world where humans and orcs have been at war for centuries, 22-year-old Lady Brenna of Blackwater Hold is sent to the Northern Orruk Horde - an unheard-of act. Her father, King Corvus, pledged her to the chief, Jasper Bloodborne, to save his own life. Were these orcs the beasts her father taught her to fear? She soon learns how wrong she was - and that her time in the Northern Orruk Mountains will change everything she thought she knew about loyalty, courage, and desire. ⚠️ Content Warning: This story contains sexual content, mentions of SA, miscarriage, abortion, violence, and gore. Reader discretion is advised. Copyright © [2023] EM-Albright All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in whole, in part, or in any manner without the written consent of the copyright holder, and any infringement of this is a violation of copyright law. Written and Illustrated by EM-Albright

Her Secret by awkwardlyrando

I sighed heavily as I scanned the forest. I had heard something or someone to be specific, wandering about. I decided I would leave once I affirmed they weren't a danger. "What are you doing in my land, human?" A deep enchanting voice spoke I sighed once again "I'm not human, just smell like one" I spoke as I turned around to see the most stunning man I have ever seen "Mate" he spoke "Find another female, Lycan" I spat He only growled at me in response. Men. My brother was the same way. It's kinda funny how all, correction, most shifter men think alike. I would've thought he would be different, after all, he is Lycan. Something of myths. But then again, so are the supernatural. I turned away from him, not even looking at him. I didn't want to remember what he looked like so I didn't give him a second glance. I heard him move closer. I quickly grabbed the knife out of my holster and threw it at a tree next to him. He stops moving then. "Heed my warning. It's the only one you'll get" I spoke coldly "I will find you. Then you will have no escape from me" he spoke as he backed away I could understand. Lycans, like lion-shifters, were going extinct. Therefore mates were even more important to them. But, even if I understood I still didn't want to be someone's mate. After all, I was Destiny Requalhi, Creator and Destructor of All. ------------------------------ Destiny Requalhi, a girl with a rough past and set in stone future. She wanted to be a normal lioness when she grew up but got so much more. She constantly is looking behind her back ready for a random attack to bestow itself upon her. How will she react when her biggest enemy comes back from death? ------------------------------ MAY BE TRIGGERING TO SOME READERS! Started - 9/12/19 Ended - 11/12/19 © Copyright All Rights Reserved 2019 awkwardlyrando(Hit me up any time about the book)

Trapping Quincy (Caspian and Quincy) by Nikkireadw

He teases her. He challenges her. He fascinates her while he irritates her like no other. He drives her insane. He makes her...ughh, so mad she could scream! The only thing he won't do is let her go. Quincy: I'm a human living among the werewolves. My mom is a werewolf. She had a drunken fun one night with a stranger, a human. The union was not supposed to bear an offspring. I'm not supposed to happen, but here I am, an outsider. They all hate me but my Nana loved me. Then Nana died. They moved me to the pack house. Now, their old Alpha three times my age wants to make me his. That is not the life I signed up for. My Nana nurtured me a dream to go off to college. So I run. I run not because I'm a coward. I run to save myself. I will have nothing to do with their kind anymore. I'll be a normal human among other normal humans. I'll be so normal, even the most average normal humans will feel like freaks next to my normal ass. They will bow down before me and call me Queen Normal. Then I see him. The best specimen of men...but I know he's not human. He's not a werewolf either, so what is he? There's this pull between us but I know I shouldn't get close to his kind...whatever he is. The trouble is, he won't leave me alone. Caspian: I've been looking for my erasthai for decades. My mother dearest, the queen of all werewolves and lycans is pressuring me to marry Lady Celeste. I'm supposed to take over the throne from my father and make lady Celeste my queen. I want nothing to do with her. I want my erasthai. Then I saw her. She's a human. The most beautiful mesmerizing creature ever, and she's mine! I thought it's going to be easy. It should have been easy. Come on, ALL girls want me. I mean, look at me. I'm gorgeous! Mirrors weep when I walk past them. She refused to give me the time of the day. Well, too bad princess. I'm not about to let you get away. I'll crush all other competitions. I'm Prince Caspian. I always get what I want.

Hunter and The Hunted [boyxboy] by TheLostOwl

"I'm a hunter - a Shadowhunter. I kill malevolent entities for profit. It is what I am born to do. It is what makes me." Lance Hudson is just your not-so-ordinary nineteen-year-old with a knack for being vain. He's also a Shadowhunter, people given the gifts to manipulate their aura and summon weapons each with their own unique abilities. When the chief called him and his friend, Sven, for what he thought to be just a simple job as a lookout for Evergreen City, they immediately took it. The only things they didn't counted on were the presence of a group focused on wiping them off the face of the Earth and quite possibly the reincarnation of what might be the start of the end. ---- A/N: This story contains what some people may call "sick" or "religiously wrong" so if you don't like those kinds of stories I highly suggest you move on to another page. Talos be with you.

The Weaver's Source by Tophat

Lyra has been waiting for her Weaver to find her for years, unable to leave the safety of her home and only connected to him through passionate dreams - remembering nothing about him apart from his wild, sensual song. When the lone Weaver Grigore finally sweeps into her life, she finds herself instantly drawn to him, instantly recognising him as the man she had dreamt of for years. However, Lyra quickly runs into problems. Not only does he fail to recognise her but he's nothing like she imagined; cold, stubborn and determined to keep himself away from her. Rejected but determined to keep him safe as her magic whispers of his death, she follows him through danger and blood as he stalks his own hunt, desperate to shake the hooks that keeps pulling him back to her. First Volume of the Dark Folktales. This is a horror, erotic romance, with monster-of-the-week vibes, such as Buffy, Supernatural, Witcher, Claymore, and Van Helsing. (I'm a massive fan of the monster hunting genre.) Written from Sep 2011 until April 2014. This was the very first adult romance I'd written and has a plethora of problems. Despite this, I won't do further editing as I'm putting my efforts into a full re-write. Author's note - Please be mindful of what you're saying when commenting. I'm happy with helpful criticism, spelling/grammar pointers, questions or simple chatter. However, a tirade of needless, unhelpful complaints and just outright rude commentary is not welcome. My stories are terrible first drafts, they're going to be riddled with issues, so just politely highlight if you feel there's a problem. I'll listen and likely take on board the criticism. And if you're not enjoying it, that's fine, just move on and thank you for giving it a shot. The cover is my own art; sketched 2017. Mibba version which contains the original unedited draft: http://www.mibba.com/Stories/Read/394326/The-Weavers-Source/

The Wheel of Gods [Monster Hunter] by zazalord

A rookie Hunter from Moga Village, a woman with a broken family and a love for all things pokey, and a cat walk into a bar. Arthur Fallings has spent his entire life training to be a Hunter, and when he is finally shipped off to a coastside trading city, he is elated. However, it doesn't take long for a new yet familiar threat to rear its ugly head, as the rookie's fate begins to intertwine with a monster both powerful and mysterious. Arthur, his friend Ashley, and his Palico Red must endure onslaughts of powerful monsters, deaths of close ones, and deadly creatures driven by the will to survive. All this, as slowly turns the Wheel Of Gods.

The Hollow Hunter by YariAttano

A quest for vengeance leads a strange man known simply as the hunter to a frigid and ramshackle mining town at the edge of the world. Here he faces off against his mysterious foe, the Baron of Black Bellows, as well as the denizens of the town and other stranger and darker creatures yet. A tale of revenge and morality where no one is righteous and justice comes at great costs.

You may also like

Slide 1 of 10

Beyond the Veil of Yonder (Book 1) cover

The Lycan's Bargain cover

No Bullets for the Beast cover

The Orc's Consort I: Born of Blackwater cover

Her Secret cover

Trapping Quincy (Caspian and Quincy) cover

Hunter and The Hunted [boyxboy] cover

The Weaver's Source cover

The Wheel of Gods [Monster Hunter] cover

The Hollow Hunter cover

Beyond the Veil of Yonder (Book 1)

If you love the epic worldbuilding of 𝘓𝘖𝘛𝘙, the dark intrigue of 𝘎𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴, the monster-hunting grit of 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘳, and the soul-deep romance of 𝘖𝘶𝘵𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳, then this story is for you. --------------------------------- He's a battle-hardened knight; she's from the modern world. He survived horrors; she was shielded from them. His body and soul bear scars, but she still believes in wonders. He seeks redemption and peace, and she craves true love. Forgotten forests, cursed kingdoms, and a bond neither of them chose. Together, they must face ancient evils, unravel lost magic, and survive enemies in both shadow and light. Discover if love can truly banish the darkness in this thrilling, emotional tale! ⚔︎⚔︎⚔︎⚔︎⚔︎⚔︎⚔︎⚔︎⚔︎ "Omg... I've never been so invested in a story!" "The story is so captivating and engaging that I couldn't put it down." "The characters are incredibly well-developed!" "It reminds me of Tolkien's lost kingdoms and the mysterious allure of Arthurian and Celtic legends." * 🏆 The Cliffhanger Queen by The Hidden Gem Awards 2024 💎 FEATURED ON: @WackyWriters - "Our Judges' Favorites" @Romance - "Slow Burn" and "The Para-Romantasy Experience" @Fantasy - "Dark Fantasy" and "Serialized Spotlight" @highfantasy - "Fair Verona - Romantic Fantasy" @Ambassadors - "Para-Romantasy" @DaturaCommunity - "The Lavender | Fantasy" * Highest Rankings: 🌟 #1 in Medieval Fantasy - 14/03/2025 🌟 #2 in Portal Fantasy - 05/11/2024 🌟 #2 in Gothic - 09/12/2025 🌟 #3 in Medieval - 02/12/2024 🌟 #4 in High Fantasy - 05/08/2024