Tempting the Fates

Life was far from perfect after my mother's sudden death, but it was one I'd grown to love. And now, it's a life I'll never know again. Not after she and her two cruel sons entered our lives. My father swore he'd never love again, but just as suddenly as Merelda arrived, she became the very center of his world... and just as quickly, I was all but forgotten. Still, I did not complain... if only for my father's sake. Not even when cruel words turned into even crueler punishments at my new step family's hands. It isn't until I suddenly find my father on his deathbed and myself sold off to a sadistic lord that I finally decide to take matters into my own hands. I have to save my father, and, in order to do that, I'll have to make a deal with The Bargainer. If I fail, I'll be found, beaten, and married off to undoubtedly die at my husband's hand. If I succeed, my father will live, though at what cost to my own life I do not know. Either way, my life as I know it is forfeit... but at least this way, I'll be able to choose my own fate. Or, so I thought. Contains mature themes.

Death was just the beginning. I have suddenly found myself in a strange new realm. A realm in which all I know is death. Where the life I led before is nothing but a shadow haunting the peripheries of my mind. It calls to me, begs me to remember what happened... but the more I try to recall, the less I seem to remember, and the more terrifying this cruel new world becomes. I am an enigma, not only to myself, but everyone around me. A soul lost in a world of darkness that wants nothing more than to devour me. To claim me as its own before I have a chance to escape. Before I have a chance to remember who I am... and how I came to be here. Before I remember, him. But even then, the Underworld has no intention of letting me go. Not unless I can win them to my side. Contains mature themes.

Death was all he deserved... until it wasn't. No sooner than I step out of sight of Death, and what our deal has wrought, do I regret the words I've spoken. My heart aches from the harshness of my tongue, and I wonder if I have made a grave mistake. And yet, I do not turn back. No. Instead, I harden my heart against these thoughts. Against my feelings. Sealing my fate with yet another mistake borne of disobedience... not only to my mother's dying wish, but to the true desires of my soul. A fate that will force me to my very knees to save the ones I love. To save him. To save... us. Contains mature themes.