ancient short sword

When Carmen finally had the opportunity to submit her work at an art gallery alongside thousands of other women, she didn’t think twice and instead forged ahead to try her luck. Luck was definitely on her side because she was called into the office of the CEO of the gallery where he made her a mouthwatering proposal, become his wife for a year or two for a million dollars. Andres' need for a wife surpasses any other thing going on in his life at the moment and when he saw Carmen, he knew he had to make her his wife, even for a short time. She fit perfectly into what he needed her for. Upon agreement, the dream marriage Carmen was hoping for seemed to be more of nightmares and secrets when trials and backstabbing keeps showing up. She finds out the truth about Andres’ wealth and even worse, her new best friend wasn’t what he actually seemed to be. Will the love she was beginning to feel for him overshadow her sense of responsibility and keep on with Andres? Will Andres decide to trust her with his secrets in order for them to be able to fight the people who keep showing up to destroy not only their marriage but them as a whole? Will their love be enough?

In a world where magic is a distant memory, where humans have the ability to harness a dormant power within them called Battle Force... A man from modern Earth suddenly awakens in the body of Norton Lorist, a young man of noble ancestry who has been exiled from his northern homeland by his family to Morante City, the capital of the Forde syndicate, under the guise of furthering his education. Little did he know what was in store for him when, years later, he received a summons from his family to return to the northern lands and inherit the position of head of the family... This is the story of his life before the summons... This is the story of his journey north and the allies he gathers along the way... This is the story of his rebuilding of his family's dominance and his protection against other power-hungry nobles... These are the "Tales of the Reincarnated Lord".

A COLLECTION OF SHORT LOVE STORIES. 1. FATED TO LOVE YOU She wasn't looking for love; yet, found it in the least expected person. When Dr. Mahnoor first laid eyes on Captain. Dr. Haider, she couldn't fathom even in her wildest dreams the mess she was about to get herself into. Haider, who was a , quirky and charming neurosurgeon, could hardly be described as anything except trouble personified. The kind of man, whom she never thought she could give a second thought about, least of all get involved with.Yet, little did she know that all her prayers had led her to someone, who was going to challenge everything she had ever believed in and break down the barriers she had spent a lifetime building. Fate brought them together but love tore them apart. 2. A LITTLE BIT OF LOVE Hoorain is done with her studies and ready to be thrown into all this marriage business. But what she isn't prepared for, is meeting the dashing and arrogant Hadeed who is not only far from her ideal type but a cold jerk whom she wishes to have nothing to do with. Hadeed is coldhearted and ruthless to anyone who messes with him. His past still haunts him and he measures a person's worth on that scale. Yet, he finds it hard to ignore the girl who dares challenge him at every step. Despite their mutual hatred, the two get thrown into a marriage pact. What do you do when you realise that the world is not all that it seems and you have battles to fight that you didn't sign up for? Can the two overcome their hatred and heal each other, mending the broken pieces of their souls? Or will the reality of their world tear them down even more?

When Exalia's 18th birthday coincides with a mysterious dream and a long-awaited meeting with the alpha, Jake, her life takes a drastic turn. Rejected by the one she loves and humiliated in front of the pack, she is mated to another, the most dangerous Alpha. Exalia must do everything in her power to save her pack and mate from the world of werewolf politics and ancient magic. With a powerful wolf awakened within her and a prophecy unfolding, Exalia must embrace her true potential and confront the forces that seek to destroy her. Will she find the strength to rise above her circumstances and claim her rightful place, or will the shadows of a mysterious woman define her future?

He took a step into the room and stopped as he heard her breath hitch in her chest, and she shrank back slightly in fear. “What is your name?” His raspy voice carried across the room. He pulled off his shirt, revealing the beautiful, intricate tattoos that designed his skin. He noticed her eyes shine with interest. He caressed the side of her face with the back of his hand. She stiffened on the bed as hand traced down her shoulders. When his hand cupped her breast and massaged her hard nipples, it was like she came to life. She swung with all her might, burying the pointy end of a comb into his abdomen. He cursed under his breath as she slipped away from his grasp and made a run for the door. He bound across the bed in one leap and pressed her face and chest against the wall. Growling under his breath, he gripped the neck of her cloth and tore it away. “You. Have. Not. Answered. My. Question -” His sentence was cut short by a knock on the door, and his brother walked in. ************ Claire Fischer had a perfect life. A perfect family. A loving fiance she was supposed to marry and rule over the pack. But it all changed as soon as her father died. She caught her fiance cheating and a family secret looms overhead. After being betrayed twice in a row, she decides that she can't take it anymore and she leaves the pack, placing her life in the hands of fate. Would fate treat her better than her pack? Or did she just get into an even worse situation because fate is not kind to anyone, especially a wolfless mutt with alpha blood, and a cursed Lycan king on the hunt.

100 years ago, amidst WW3's nuclear bombing, a deadly virus was released in the atmosphere and nearly wiping out the humanity. It lives inside the human brain thriving on the empathy receptors, leading to irrational behaviour and ultimately brain death. To slow the damage, scientists created L.O.V.E, short for Living Off Vital Emotions, a nanovaccine that numbs the virus and switches off all strong emotions. As a last resort and with a dying planet, the Supreme Government created the City, a place to contain the infected survivors suitable for the experiment. Those in the first stages of illness became ideal candidates to receive the neuroinhibitor. Having their feelings restrained and their memory altered, those who come of age are designated a life partner through a selection process, thus preserving the humankind. A few decades after the trial had started, scientists had a major breakthrough. The nanites, which are highly chemically reactive organisms, are changing their bio-engineered purpose when dopamine levels are high. With a new generation of nanoids, stronger and smarter to fight the battle, the virus doesn't have a chance. Many attempts were made to create a man-made version of synthetic dopamine and each time the outcome was a disaster. Their goal is to create new generations, immune to the virus. These are called Purebloods, the offsprings of those who find pure love, the only cure to save them from a violent death. Running out of time, the Experiment entered in its final stages. To minimize the threats, the Colonies have sent their best soldiers to oversee the trial and protect its key subjects. If only things were going according to plan, or better... stay hidden. With Iron Guard, the resistance outside the walls, hunting the Purebloods too, will the trial save human race before it's too late?

I always get what I want. Every time. But not with her. The beautiful woman my father forced on me through our billion-dollar firm has curves that make me ache. Never in my short life did I imagine falling for her. Office romances are forbidden in my company. But she’s a rule breaker. I guess I am too, but no one knows that side of me. This single mother with brilliant business sense has a side hustle and still kicks ass at my firm daily. There’s no way in hell she’s giving in. No matter what I try. Not even when Valentine’s rolls around. And I pull out all the stops. Her denial has me needing her like I’ve never needed anyone else. Where this girl is concerned, I’m not asking for a friend. I’m asking for me. For today. Tomorrow. Forever.

The wolf within me fights for control. The guy who broke my heart keeps trying to win me back. And my life as I knew it is over forever. My name is Alyssa, and I thought I was just an ordinary human girl until supernatural powers started manifesting and a werewolf pack took me in. But the alpha's son Adam ignited a fire in my soul - and a passion in my veins - that I can't resist, no matter how hard I try. Adam promises me a destiny greater than anything I imagined. And pleasures deeper than anything I've ever known. But his anger and violence shattered my trust, leaving me wounded and afraid. I wanted to hate him, but the mating bond between us won't be denied. My wolf knows she has found our perfect match. If only my heart could be mended that easily. An ancient evil is coming for me and my newfound pack. Blood and betrayal lurk around every corner. The only way to survive is to embrace the power within, even if it means sacrificing everything I hold dear. Even if it means sacrificing Adam. The beast within presents me an impossible choice: give in to the mate my soul cries out for, or survive an enemy I may not have the strength to defeat. Do I follow my heart into the fire, or turn my back on passion for the sake of victory? All I know is the storm is coming - and this time, I'm ready to rage. My name is Alyssa, and this is my dangerous love. Come howl with me - if you dare! The moon is rising, the battle is just beginning...and my story has yet to be rewritten under starlight's glow.

In an East London lock up, two film makers, Jimmy and Sam, are duct taped to chairs and forced to watch a snuff film by Ashkan, a loan shark to whom they owe a lot of money. If they don’t pay up, they’ll be starring in the next one. Before the film reaches its end, Ashkan and all his men are slaughtered by unknown assailants. Only Jimmy and Sam survive the massacre, leaving them with the sole copy of the snuff film. The film makers decide to build their next movie around the brutal film. While auditioning actors, they stumble upon Melissa, an enigmatic actress who seems perfect for the leading role, not least because she’s the spitting image of the snuff film’s main victim. Neither the film, nor Melissa, are entirely what they seem however. Jimmy and Sam find themselves pulled into a paranormal mystery that leads them through the shadowy streets of the city beneath the city and sees them re-enacting an ancient Mesopotamian myth cycle. As they play out the roles of long forgotten gods and goddesses, they’re drawn into the subtle web of a deadly heresy that stretches from the beginnings of civilization to the end of the world as we know it. ©️ Crystal Lake Publishing

"You know, don't you?" I took a deep breath. His gaze was still on me. "What do you mean—" "Don't play dumb," he cut me off, and I swallowed. "I..." I paused and stared at the ground. "I don't know much... I don't know yet." "Do you know who I am?" I shook my head. "I know you're not normal." I looked up. "But I don't know why." His eyes flashed silver as I tried to read his expression, but came up empty. "I know your eyes change color because of your emotions. But I don't know what it means." As the room fell silent, he averted his gaze. ******* On her first day on campus, Rayline Hale, an average girl just starting college, never thought her world would change. That's when she meets Cole Spencer, a handsome young man who seems to be every girl's walking nightmare. With his cold stare and mysterious aura, Cole is a young man unlike any other. But behind his frightening appearance, Cole hides a secret that Rayline cannot understand. He is no ordinary man. This is the beginning of an adventure that will change Rayline's entire life. He opens the door to a world far beyond her imagination, where supernatural creatures roam and ancient secrets shroud human reality. The deeper Rayline digs for clues, the clearer the hidden truth becomes. But the closer she gets to Cole, the stronger her feelings for him become. The love that grows between them seems magical, though Rayline is terrified. How can she love someone who is not human?