Velvet Whispers

In the dark of night, they come to life. Whispers through haunted tombs. Cackles beneath a dreaded moon. Malevolent spirits from the twisted mind. Be mindful of whose door you knock on. A reaper may greet you. For those that care of Halloween scare, abandon intent and take the dare.

Leon Vincent, the shark of Warren Street, is the one who raised me. Twelve years ago, a fire tore through the orphanage and took everything from me. He was the one who pulled me out of the flames and gave me a second chance at life. To repay him, we make a weird deal—a 99-debt contract. I have to either obey him or be abandoned 99 times. After that, the debt will be cleared. Every time he goes on a date with some high-society socialite, he'll toss another insanely expensive piece of jewelry into my safe. In just two short years after turning 18, I've accumulated 96 diamonds in my safe, each one marking the 96 times he's cast me aside. One day, his fiancee, Elena Harrington, sends me a provocative email. "Dearest Isabelle, Leon and I are finalizing the wedding invitations. Do you think velvet with gold foil or matte leather would be more elegant? The ceremony's early next month. Can't wait to see you there! Love, Elena." Right after that, Leon calls, asking me to pack his bags for the summit in Parienne tomorrow. I simply send the wedding gift I've prepared in advance—a seven-figure emerald necklace—straight to his darling Elena without any words. That night, Leon returns to the apartment and finds out what I've done. He praises me for being considerate. Late into the night, he pulls me into his arms with rare tenderness. Nothing is left between us; no clothes, no holding back. He whispers that he wants to give me a special kind of reward, one that only I can carry. Somehow, Elena discovers my pregnancy. She stands on the balcony of Vincent Estate, screaming like her life depends on it. "Leon, I'm begging you! Don't let her have that baby! If you do, I'll jump!" The cold and proud Leon begs me, for the first time, to get rid of the baby. Everyone at the party awaits my breakdown, but I just smile softly and nod. "Alright. I will." He whispers in my ear, "Our marriage is just a business arrangement. I don't even like her. Once we're divorced, I'll give you another baby." What he fails to realize is that it was never in my plans to keep this one. There are only three more times left before I pay off this life debt from when he pulled me out of that fire all those years ago. After the 99th time, I board a ship bound for Azara to join a medical research mission. From that moment on, my life will be mine alone to live for.

I've been in love for six years, but my wedding has been called off 99 times by the man who claims to love me most, the mafia boss, Daniel Reed. The first time is on a private island off the coast of Sorellia. He promises me a secret wedding. But an hour before the ceremony, he gets a call saying that his new assistant, Emily Jennings, has been taken by a rival family. Without a word, he leaves me behind and sails off into the night. The second time, we're standing at the altar, exchanging vows. His underboss then leans in and whispers, "Emily's in trouble." Daniel tears off his boutonniere and walks out without looking back. Emily has been kidnapped again—this time, near the border district. He leads an armed raid that very night while I'm left behind, becoming the laughingstock in the mafia's VIP lounges. No matter when I schedule the wedding, Emily always ends up in danger. And Daniel always runs to her without hesitation. Eventually, I realize I will never win against the reckless Gen Z assistant who constantly drags him into chaos. After the 99th cancellation, I decide to break up with him and disappear from Valemont. I move out overnight, erase every trace of myself, leaving nothing behind. But I never expect him to go completely mad. He shuts down the ports, searches every villa, and unleashes his entire family's intelligence network just to find me. His eyes burn red like a wild animal on the edge of collapse. "Elara," he growls, "just give me one more chance."

Tiffany Jones is beautiful, innocent and a straight-A student, straight from elementary school, well, until she met Zeke. She had a lot of bad experiences while growing up, but that didn't stop her from becoming the person she was. Except that she had very huge trust issues. In college, she's made to share a bedroom with who she calls a total jerk. Yup, that's him, Ezekiel Blakely, popularly known as Zeke. He's a bad boy. He's a player. He's dangerous. He's reckless. The two are seen and talked about in the college, making Tiffany get attention, which she dislikes. How's she gonna cope with such a jerk? Would she give in to his flirtatious character and risk it all or would she flee before it's too late? Keep reading to find out. "Why the f*** did you have to wear this," This time, he pinned me to the wall, completely taking me off guard. "Nerd you're turning me on," He said and then pressed himself against me. There was no doubt he was already turned on. Oh, God! He brought his face to my neck and breathed hotly against it, sending shivers to my body. He trailed one of his hands up to my dress and our breathing was already getting hot. With one hand on my waist and the other making its way to my bra he whispers, "Stop torturing little Zeke."

The things we want are so very rarely the things we need. Clifton Heights, a modest Adirondack town, offers many unique attractions. Arcane Delights sells both paperbacks and hard-to-find limited editions. The Skylark Diner serves the best home-cooked meals around, with friendly service and a smile. Every August, Mr. Jingo’s County Fair visits, to the delight of children and adults. In essence, Clifton Heights is the quintessential small American town. Everyone knows everyone else, and everyone is treated like family. It is quiet, simple, and peaceful. But shadows linger here. Flitting in dark corners, from the corner of the eye. If you walk down Main Street after dark, the slight scrape of shoes on asphalt whispers you're not alone, but when you look over your shoulder, no one is there. The moon shines high and bright in the night sky, but instead of throwing light, it only seems to make the shadows lengthen. Children disappear. Teens run away. Hunters get lost in the woods with frightening regularity. Husbands go mad, and wives vanish in the dead of night. And still, when the sun rises in the morning, you are greeted by townspeople with warm waves and friendly smiles, and the shivers pass as everything seems fresh and new... Until night falls once more. Handy's Pawn and Thrift sits several blocks down from Arcane Delights. Like any thrift store, its wares range from the mundane to the bizarre. By daylight, it seems just another slice of small town Americana. But in its window hangs a sign which reads: We Have Things You Need. And when a lonely traveling salesman comes looking for something he desperately wants, after normal visiting hours, after night has fallen, he will face a harsh truth among the shelves of Handy’s Pawn and Thrift: the things we want are rarely the things we need. ©️ Crystal Lake Publishing

He was meant to be a sacrifice. Instead, he became an obsession. When Elias is cast out of his master’s home, accused of seducing a nobleman’s son, he flees into the forbidden lands of Lucian D’Arcy—the cruel, beautiful vampire lord feared by all. But instead of killing him, Lucian claims him, drawn to Elias in ways neither of them understand. Elias resists the dark temptation Lucian offers, but his body betrays him, his pulse quickening under the vampire’s touch. The longer he stays, the harder it becomes to deny the hunger in Lucian’s gaze—or the sinful desire curling in his own belly. But something is wrong. Elias’ body weakens, his dreams haunted by whispers of an unseen force calling to him. And when a shadow from his past sends a warning, Lucian realizes Elias is more than just a mortal in his grasp. He is something else. Something dangerous. Lucian swore he wouldn’t break Elias. Wouldn’t ruin him. But as desire turns to obsession, and obsession to possession, one thing becomes terrifyingly clear. He will burn the world to keep him.

Elara has spent her life as an outcast. Marked by a half-moon birthmark and whispered to be cursed, she has known nothing but isolation in the Grimshade Pack. When her fated mate rejects her—only to die soon after—the rumors of her misfortune spiral out of control. Then, in an unexpected twist, Alpha Andrew of the Salientmoon Pack claims her as his mate. Ruthless and feared, Andrew is known for his icy heart and the dark whispers that surround him. His offer isn’t born from love—it’s a calculated move in a brewing war. But as Elara is pulled into his world, she begins to wonder: is she truly cursed, or is there more to her fate than she ever imagined? And beneath Andrew’s cold exterior, does a heart beat that just might shatter the chains binding them both?

In a car, Matteo Gallagher kisses Evelyn Walsh until she's breathless and entranced. She's been stripped, but he's still fully clothed. The stark contrast makes her blush. Matteo wraps an arm around Evelyn's waist and pulls her close. He chuckles and whispers, "The soundproof divider is up, so the driver can't hear you. He wouldn't dare listen in, anyway. Why are you so shy?" She watches as he intensifies his ministrations on her and throws her arms around him. Love fills her eyes, and she's about to reach her climax. Just then, a phone rings, interrupting them.

The infamous Alpha Xavier Ashford is known as the ruthless king of the rogues. Although few have ever seen him and survived, there are whispers throughout the packs of his cruel reputation. No one knows what he looks like, but everyone knows the rumors. Elena Madden has been looking forward to the day she turns 18. Her 18th birthday means escaping her glass castle and the freedom she has always craved. Ever since she was little, she has dreamed of going to college and becoming a doctor. But when she is rejected by her mate, the pack's Alpha, she is forced to abandon all her plans and run away from everything she knows. What will happen when their fates intertwine? Will she run away again or fight for the life she wants?

Run! Run! Run! Carmella run!!!! A huntress been chased by demons...... Not just demons, soul eaters and other vile creatures She is destined to be the next demonress But.... Something keeps calling her..... It whispers Calling out to her Carmella...........your blood!!!!!! Between this demonic possession, she finds companion in an angel..... But something..... Something feels wrong!!!!! Something walks to the door.....then knocks...... "Carmella....... "Open my sunshine!!!! momma is here for ur blood!!!!!