The Forsaken

For years, myths and legends about the Underworld revolved around the earth. The darkest, most horrible place you could ever think of. But they were just myths and legends, carvings of ancient stories. No, Hades -God of the Underworld- did not exist. No, there wasn't anyone who could rule a place like that. No, a mere person could not radiate fear and darkness. No, millions of souls certainly would never kneel down before just one person. That's what every single one of them believed in. Unless, he was an immortal of course. Like Hayden Stone. Ava Bensen, like every other sane human, did not believe in such stuff. Yes, she had a perfect life -or at least, that's what her parents wanted her to believe in. Rich parents. Beautiful looks. Caring best friends. Everything was perfect. But sometimes, people forget how perfection is just a fancy form of fear. Fear, that kills hundreds of people each day. Fear, that everyone despised and stayed away from. Fear, that could take form of the Furies, the deadliest creatures of the Underworld. Ava didn't know that. She didn't know what was coming her way. Not until she died. For real.

Daniel was forsaken by God and force to collect souls for Lucifer. He was one of the best AODs that is until he got assigned Abigial Davidson a former drug addict turned humanitarian, opening up her own non-profit rehab clinic for people addicted to drugs. Daniel is force to "play nice" with his worst enemies for the sake of his love Elizabeth and their son. But in doing so he is also forced to come to terms with a long-forgotten prophecy.

For years, the witches and vampires of Shadowbrooke co-existed secretly, without much incident. Until one winter evening in 2002. Luca Delacroix was on a hunting trip when the monthly court hosted by his clan turned disastrous. What began as a normal night for the residents of the sleepy town ended horribly when fledgelings in blood-lust took Shadowbrooke under siege. It took a small coven of witches, a powerful spell, the Chaos Star and a virgin's blood to end the terror. But in the aftermath, Julian Delacroix, Luca's brother, along with several of their clan members, were eternally bound to the manor's cellar, forsaken to wither and perish from thirst. It's 2022, and Luca's returned to Shadowbrooke after two decades. His sudden reappearance threatens to destabilise the peaceful town again. He'll stop at nothing to get his brother out, and the Youngblood Coven will not hesitate to destroy him. While the witches scramble to get the missing piece of the Star of Chaos, the rune they once used against Luca's clan, he has to fight hard to stay one step ahead of them. But, his plans go awry when he meets and falls in love with Cadence Youngblood, the same woman responsible for his brother's infernal prison. Cadence is everything he shouldn't want, but for her, Luca is willing to take the backlash from his clan and risk her coven's wrath. © 2022 Val Sims. All rights reserved. No part of this novel may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author and publishers.

My mother was a traitor. To my pack, I am no better. I'm used to being overlooked. I've been unwanted from the time I was born, and my pack, River Crest, made it abundantly clear every chance they could that I was not welcome. No one and nowhere was safe. I've spent my entire life alone, with no family, no friends, and now, no mate. At 24 years old, unmated and unwanted, I've accepted that I must be one of the mateless. Wretched, forsaken wolves who are cursed to live out their lives alone. Or worse. The legends and histories claim that being a mateless wolf is worse than death. They suggest choosing a mate and forming a bond before madness sets in or the pack rejects me. But I've been rejected. I'm used to the feeling. I thrive in it. Because the more they push me away, the less pain and humiliation I have to face. If I can make it another year unmated, I could face banishment, and I'll finally be free. That's my goal. And I'll be damned if I let anyone get in my way. Even my mate.  

My wife's childhood guy best friend came back to the country. He raised a toast to me, thanking me for taking care of her. I turned him down, but my wife blamed me for embarrassing him. To punish me, she stopped our daughter's treatment and demanded I kneel and apologize to her childhood friend. That night, our daughter's condition got worse. I held her as her body kept twitching, calling my wife over and over. But I could never get through. In my arms, our daughter's body grew colder. Meanwhile, her childhood friend posted a picture of them looking cozy on his social media. "Even the northern lights can't outshine you by my side."

Dreams, visions, going insane. What does it all mean? As Nikkias world flips upside, she tries desperately to gain her footing. With everything pushing her farther way from her true destiny, she has to learn to fight harder for what she really wants. Will she be able to do it? Or will she give up and let everybody else decide what she wants.