Long Shadows David Baldacci

The shadow’s have secrets. They see everything, and for a special few individuals they actually can hear the shadows whisper. But for a teenager named Cassia and here 5 year old sister Lillyanna the shadows hold secrets to their lost past and what happened to their village and the Kingdom of Archon. Follow the 2 on their journey through the wilds with a talented rag tag group of misfits. All the while being chased by Vampires, Werewolves, and Farrell Humans.

Penelope Faelan’s life was ordinary, if not for her haunting beauty—an allure so striking it seemed almost otherworldly. But the life she knew vanishes the moment the goddess Demeter kidnaps her, desperate to save her daughter, Persephone, from a fate worse than death: becoming the Queen of the Underworld. Transformed into an exact replica of Persephone, Penelope is thrust into a world of darkness and deceit, forced to take her place as Hades’ queen. Bound by magic to conceal the truth, Penelope finds herself at the mercy of the brooding and enigmatic King of the Dead. But Hades is not the monster she was warned about. Beneath his cold exterior lies a smoldering intensity that stirs something Penelope has never felt before. As Penelope struggles to adapt to her new role, the Underworld reveals its secrets—and her own. With every passing day, she begins to question her past and the mysterious circumstances that led her to this moment. Meanwhile, Persephone watches from the shadows, determined to reclaim her throne and the man who was never meant to fall for her mortal double. As passions ignite and loyalties are tested, Penelope must navigate a labyrinth of lies, lust, and power. When Demeter’s betrayal sets a deadly plan into motion, Penelope faces an impossible choice: to fight for her freedom or embrace the darkness and claim her place as the true Queen of Shadows.

[1st Account in the Tale of Shadow's Enigma] Z doesn't sit well in a world where a shadow is manipulated. As someone who has no memory of her past, she can't summon her shadow like others used to. It's a fatal mistake that may as well cost her life. But she can't worry with the facing danger when she's the only one who sees their world becoming undone. The legend of Dark, the only Shadow Wielder able to control time, is resurfacing once again. With a mob of wielders going on a rampage and going missing here and there, Z is losing a battle that haven't even started yet. In her haste, she makes the first mistake of leading her only friend to his death. And commits the second one by signing a deal with Dark himself just so he can be resurrected. Dark sends Z in a prestigious school where she's been thought of as someone she doesn't know. And while she has to endure living a stolen life, listening to a brat's whining, being patient with a maniac's snide remarks, and taking in the dazzling cold stares of an enthralling man whose eyes are only set at her, will she allow the world to crumble in the hands of Dark any further? And sacrifice every wielder alive just for a single friend?

“You’re useless.” I lift my head, wrists aching where the rope bites into skin already numb from the cold. My father stands over me, his shadow long and sharp in the firelight spilling from the clearing behind him. I can hear the celebration. My sister’s laughter. The pack chanting her name. “I tried,” I say. My voice cracks, and I hate it for that alone. “I did everything you asked.” He scoffs. “Everything?” His gaze drags over me like I’m something rotten. “If you’d done anything right, your mother would still be alive.” My chest burns, each breath a knife. “She chose—” “She died because of you,” he snaps. “Because you were too weak to protect yourself. Too weak to be worth the trouble.” I swallow, tasting blood. “I’m your daughter.” “No,” he says coldly. “You’re a reminder of my failure.” He turns away, already done with me. “Be grateful I’m hiding you instead of killing you. An Alpha can’t afford dead weight.” The rope tightens as he knots it higher, out of reach. He doesn’t look back. Behind him, the pack howls in celebration. I lower my head and let the tears fall silently into the dirt because crying is the only thing they haven’t taken from me yet. But as the night deepens and the forest breathes around me, something else stirs—slow and patient. They call me useless. One day, they’ll choke on that word.

Everyone always talks about how amazing it would be to find your mate. For me, that's the last thing I want. I mean when you're held prisoner by some sick bastard, there's not a lot you can offer your mate. No matter who it is, they can't save me from this. All that finding my mate would do is crush my heart and make my life that much more harder. Yet when I saw him at that gas station, I couldn't get him out of my head. I need to stay away, but I don't know that I can. I keep finding myself traveling to him even when I don't mean to. This doesn't bode well for me. *** "I have to go." I told him. "No, wait." He grabbed my hand, causing a strong spark to course through my body. It made me inhale deeply, intoxicating me with his scent. I pulled my hand away quickly, as if he'd burned me. His eyes widened as he stared at me. He had felt the spark too. He furrowed his brows at me, but I let the shadows start to swallow me, disappearing before him. "Please, come see me again." Were his last words to me. ***** Zerena has had one rule all her life, never find her mate. The life she leads is dangerous and not her own. Held captive by a scientist, forced to do his bidding alongside 4 others. Zerena has always known that if she found her mate it would cause her more trouble than anything else. As a shadow weaver, she knows nothing but darkness & cruel fates. She's used to danger, but how will she handle love?

Prince Ryder son of Alpha Than the tyrant king whom was known for his desperate need for having a male heir. His mistresses and Luna's were all unable to bore him a male cub and as a result were all beheaded for disappointing him. What happens when Prince Ryder the air apparent have a secret that could consume him wholly. Summoned to service by Alpha Ethan, the Lycan King whom is also a sorcerer rumoured to be going feral. He is entangled in a confusing mated game of chess. Would his true identity be revealed or would he pass off as what he was trained to be, the perfect prince.

An ambitious human journalist, investigating a series of gruesome murders linked to a powerful but secretive family, finds herself drawn into the orbit of their ruthless and dominant alpha. He offers her protection and exclusive access, but his help comes at a price: she must submit to his control, all while trying to uncover the truth about his pack's dark secrets and the brutal murder of her own sister.

Lena never expected her life to change overnight. One minute, she was just another invisible girl scraping by—dodging bills, counting coins, and pretending the weight of survival didn’t choke her daily. Then came Kai Ashford. A billionaire with a cold smile and eyes that saw through everything. He plucked her from the shadows and wrapped her in silk, marble, and secrets. Designer clothes replaced thrifted rags. Penthouse nights took over sleepless street corners. Everything she ever dreamed of was handed to her no questions asked. But nothing in Kai’s world is ever free. As Lena is pulled deeper into his luxurious web, she begins to realize she isn’t just living in his world she’s owned by it. Every choice, every glance, every step has been calculated. Her comfort is his control. And the deeper she falls, the harder it becomes to untangle what’s love… and what’s manipulation. Because Kai didn’t save her. He claimed her. And her entire existence may be the price she never agreed to pay.

In a world which is filled with evil, where the powerful rules the city,where power and danger mean the same thing, a beautiful young woman called Alexandra finds herself in love with a man who seemed like the man of her dreams. With him,she feels like a woman and for a second,she thought that he was all a dream which she wishes never to wake up from. Luca, the mysterious man who captured her frail heart,hides a very deep secret from her as he fears that revealing it to her would make her distance herself from him. He is the feared leader of a very powerful mafia group. Never having time for love, he finds himself confused as he falls for Alexandra. He refuses to let her go even though he knew that she would be safe away from him. As the love between them blooms, Luca finds it difficult to protect Alexandra as her colorful life contrasts with the dark, corrupt world in which he belonged. Can their love stand strong against the weight of his secret and the danger that comes with them?

Emma Caldwell's ordinary life as a librarian in Willow Creek is turned upside down when she receives an enigmatic invitation to the reading of a stranger's will at Haverstone Manor. What begins as an inexplicable summons quickly spirals into a labyrinth of secrets, danger, and intrigue. As Emma delves deeper into the manor's mysteries, she discovers she's not the only one with a stake in its secrets. Fellow guests, each with shadowy motives, vie for a piece of the late Lord Haverstone's enigmatic legacy. Amid ancient symbols, cryptic maps, and peculiar artifacts, Emma uncovers the existence of a machine designed to manipulate time itself. Guided by clues left by the deceased lord, Emma must navigate a gothic maze of shifting alliances, hidden chambers, and eerie warnings. Her companions, including a sardonic teenager and a glamorous but cunning relative of Haverstone, are as unpredictable as the dangers lurking in the shadows. When betrayals come to light and an old foe reveals their true intentions, Emma finds herself the reluctant guardian of a power that could reshape existence—or destroy it. As the stakes rise, she must unravel the truth about Haverstone’s experiments and decide whom she can trust, all while racing to prevent the manor’s secrets from falling into the wrong hands. Blending gothic suspense, unexpected humor, and thrilling twists, "Haverstone's Legacy" is a gripping tale of mystery and courage, where every choice could mean the difference between salvation and catastrophe.