Peach Wood Sword

I stepped closer. Close enough to smell his cologne—cedarwood, leather, and power. My hand moved. Smooth, practiced. The pistol slide from under the apron into my palm. I raised it fast. But before I could pull the trigger— BANG. Not my shot. A scream tore through the restaurant as another man launched himself toward Romano’s table, blade flashing. Another assassin. What the hell— Romano didn’t flinch. He shoved the table forward, knocking the attacker off balance. The blade scraped across wood, not skin. I ducked instinctively as the room erupted into chaos. Gunfire cracked. Glass exploded. People screamed and dove for cover. “Get him out—NOW!” one of the guards barked. I aimed for the second attacker. Didn’t even hesitate. One shot—head. Gone. The guard saw me. Confusion flashed in his eyes. Then rage. I ran. I weaved between overturned chairs, plates, and screaming bodies. The smell of blood was real now, thick in the air. One of the guards grabbed me. I slammed my elbow into his ribs, twisted, and brought the butt of my gun down on his skull. He dropped like a sack of bricks. Out. I had to get out. My boots pounded the floor as I tore through the narrow hallway. But then— “Elisa.” His voice stopped me cold. I turned. Antonio Romano stood in the middle of the carnage, suit untouched, blood spattered behind him like art. His eyes were on me. And he was smiling. It was darker. Slower. Like a hunter seeing something worth chasing. Somehow, he knew who I was. “Interesting,” he said softly, tilting his head. “They sent you.” I didn’t answer. I ran. But that voice followed me. He knew my name. And he let me go. This wasn’t over. It had just begun.

At the beginning of the story Prince Yamato is on a mission to defeat the rebels that terrorize the countryside. Local warlords led by Minamoto family, their representative Minamoto Yorimoto, plan to replace the ruling house Nakatomi with one of their choosing. The plans are set. Prince Yamato waits in the Midwinter Town. In the meantime, Fujiwara Fuhito has his own problems to deal with. Like in every other place in the country, bandits roam in his hold. A mysterious figure slowly walks through a mysterious forest. That figure is Kazuma, a man that runs from his past, try to live the present and hoping for a better future.

The Empire of Suramy is the strongest amongst all the Kingdoms in the African continent, ruled by the tyrant, Emperor Zule, and his son, Prince Habeb. When they set their sights upon the kingdom of Muzagah, destruction is certain. Two siblings carry the fate of Muzagah on their shoulders. Banabella, the most beautiful woman on the continent, whose beauty is the cause for the war; and her younger brother, who blessed with the kiss from the gods is destined to subdue their enemy, and restore Muzagah's glory. The role of the gods will be questioned, as the pair face two defining paths: for self, or for glory?

*(Dimitri's story) Can be read as a standalone novel* Alyanna Rosellini's life is on pause because of a murderer on the loose. Only being able to live through the present by holding on to the past while hoping for a better future, she will do anything she can to go back to her old life. Even if it is to act as bait to draw out the killer. Jayden Carlton is in a relationship with two women - his dead childhood sweetheart and a woman who won't leave him alone. Everyone has only one piece of advice for him - go to therapy and move on. But that advice is applicable to people who want to get better, not Jayden. How can he, when moving on also means letting go? Katerina Van Acker has a heart of gold but the world convinced her to use it sparingly. So she wore a bitchy attitude for armour, sharpened her tongue into a sword, and waged a war against it. But if she doesn't stop fighting, she might chase away everyone she cares about. And nothing short of her own guardian angel can convince her of that. Dimitri Volkov might be a prince but he is no guardian angel. Haunted by the memories of the one he was supposed to love and protect but ended up killing, he knows that he deserves no second chance. But fate has other plans. Now, his future rests in his shaky hands. Their life is on pause. The only way to move ahead is to reflect back on the past, learn from their mistakes, and make better choices this time around. Because with stakes higher than last time, they will either get everything they hoped for and more or lose more than their soul can bear.

Gabriel Emmitt, a young angel serving the queen of the light. One day is accused of the murder of Princess Faith. He is punished in the most gruesome way and sentenced to spend the rest of his days in the dark world. Wanting to prove his innocence, Gabe searches for a way to return to the world of light and break his curse.

"I'll take my wolf form, make a run immediately I do." A young blonde haired lady with big green eyeballs said to a frail looking red haired girl. "No! You might as well get yourself killed Ava." She mind linked back. "Trust me Diana, I'm your elder sister. Once you escape, you can come back for me later." Diana shook her head countless times, but then her sister was ready. "Go find mother's sword Diana, and you'll be safe. Once you'll see it, it'll recognize you, and come to you." She heard her sister say. Just immediately Diana ran, she turned back for a second hoping Ava would be behind her, but no, she saw nakura use a Silver blade to stab her sister by the chest. "RUN!" That was the last word Diana heard before running into the dark scary path she knew nothing about. "She's as good as dead." Nakura's voice came next.

"So just to destroy our upcoming union, you were willing to get pregnant for just anybody. Bad girl," he mocked as he poured the wine inside a glass. My eyes widened as he turned and my brain registered his face.    "Alpha Ace-"    Within seconds, he was at my side and his hand was wrapped around my throat. "Be careful, gattina. You're mine now. And nothing you do can change that." ******    In a reckless act of defiance, Natalie Robbie, the daughter of the Alpha of the red wood pack, gambled her future union on a forbidden night of passion. Little did she know that her impulsive encounter would lead to a shocking revelation—the stranger she yearned for was none other than Alpha Ace, the ruthless Alpha of Alphas—and her husband to be.  Bound by a twisted twist of fate, Natalie and Alpha Ace are forced into an arranged marriage for the peace of both packs. With lies, secrets, and dangerous threats lurking around, can they unravel the mysteries surrounding them and start a love that defies all odds? Or will the dangerous path they tread on tear them apart?

Silver, driven by revenge will do anything to grow in power. His hatred for vampires is beyond measure. Follow silver as he learns to open up to the people again and gradually let go of his hatered. April, Driven by the thirst for knowledge joins the school of magic and faces her own hardships and battles. Matt, driven by the thirst for both knowledge and power so that he no longer has to be the one to be protected by the others.

Robert and Steven are both friends. Everyday, they will barrel of laugh to play their game and guitar. Some of the people would consider them; they are both brothers. In the Remark town, there is a new visitor from the other town known as her contemporary name Leah: kind, prepossessing woman, ambitious, and sophisticated as well. Currently, she is staying to her cousin known as her name Menchie. This woman is bashful except to her cousin. In the evening, Steven did not go to Robert’s house due to his new plan; to court Menchie, Leah’s cousin so that he can stay closely with Leah. However, Menchie did not give the nod to her heart because she prefers Steven rather than him. Steven keeps a weather eye on the changing behavior of Robert. One night, Steven sees his cousin who is staying closely with Leah. To that, he thinks to his cousin has bitten on the side on him. Since Robert knows already his knock on the wood to court Leah.

Sitting at the top of the food chain; the new emperor of Arcland who took the crown by force, was the ruthless and cold-hearted former general of the Royal army, Carzus Luis de Saltiere. He was widely known as the Death Sword of the battlefield who slaughtered kingdom after kingdoms with a wave of his sword. Not only that, his beast mask that covers his entire face added a ferocious aura on his already intimidating presence. But this very man that frightened everyone who cross paths with him acted like a shy puppy in front of Chiara ──a woman who was brave enough to ask him for a dance during the royal ball. The emperor was possessed! by .... love?