There's a bit of truth in every story. Do the characters really live "Happily Ever After," or was something sinister behind the whole story?What happens if the hero isn't who we all thought he was?What if the children are left to clean up the mess others have made?Dash has been raised as the Young Master of a small island country. He knew his Daddy was a monster who hurt Mommy. He tries to be her hero, like in all the bedtime stories his favorite maid told him.One night when he is little changes his whole world. He has to keep secrets and learn hidden truths on his own. He is tasked with seeking that which is hidden in shadows and learning who is really is.Will he be able to become a hero in his own story, or will he burn it all to the ground?

They say, "Be careful what you wish for." They say, "There's truth to every story." They say, "Karma's a B***h." A heart's wish is a powerful thing. But magic doesn't exist. Or so I thought. Now, a troll has found me. ************* Cara I can't... It hurts... Why? Am I not good enough? Not pretty enough? What did I do to be betrayed like this? I feel numb except for the gaping hole in my chest. The darkness starts creeping in. I wish... Heavens how I wish... Friday June 13th I don’t know when, how, or why I ended up where I am, but here I am. As insane as it sounds, I am no longer on earth. I think. Maybe I’m dead. Or maybe I’m in a coma! One where I can feel a hell of a lot of pain and new scents are being created? Maybe, just maybe, I should have listened to Grandmother’s crazy stories of magic in our blood and being careful what we wish for. They don’t sound so crazy anymore. All I know is I’m on the ground, can’t move, staring up at an impossibly blue sky through broken branches of trees I’ve never seen before. That’s saying a lot. Botany is my favorite hobby. I think I have internal bleeding from falling through the three-story tall trees like a pinball. My only regrets are knowing my Mum will be in a panic, won’t quit searching, and my sweet American Pit Bull Terrier, Nimuë, fell through with me. ************* Tavirian Our laws are clear. If we find any creature wounded past the point of healing, we kill them. It's a mercy. We've gotten a reputation for being ruthless and cannibalistic because of it. Hundreds of years ago, perhaps, but not anymore. I'm still a monster. I'm on my ancestral pilgrimage to present the spirits with my potential brides. I'm not thrilled with my options. My mate is out there, but the elders are pushing me to take one of our Tribe. When we come across a nearly dead, tiny human and her creature, I can't kill them. Especially now. I can use the pilgrimage to save them for now, but I'll need help.

The innocent 4-year-old Mateo Angel García, orphaned by the pandemic, is thrown into the foster care system. His life becomes a roller-coaster as he bounces from one family to another. Being more intelligent and driven than most is his only constant. This new foster home is pure torture. Treated like slaves, given the bare minimum and abuse reports ignored, the kids have to protect each other and try to find a way to stop the madness. Mateo’s friends and chosen family are working hard to help the kids legally, but their efforts are constantly blocked. If only he was like them... Mateo has to discover their secrets, keep them, learn their world, and live through being Jenny’s favorite target of abuse. The future depends on all the pain he's suffering, according to the mischievous Goddess Bastet. A group of paranormal zealots by the name of O.N.E. are constantly ruining his and his loved one's happiness. Darkness haunts his every step. The thing about Mateo is... he can always find the light in the darkness, and he will do everything in his power to fight back! ************* I see Patricia seething and realize she's seen my arm. I fasten a few buttons and try to hide it, but it's too late. "Mateo. What. Is. That?" Everyone stops to look and find out why she's so angry. "It's fine. I..." "Show me." she demands. "Yes, ma'am." I sigh in defeat. I know better than to argue, and she's still my case worker, on leave or not. As soon as my arm is uncovered, anger and shock fill the faces of the people around us. "She's been arrested!" I blurt out, and the tension eases. "That she has!" Mark announces, walking up the stairs. "I'm not sure it'll stick. There weren't witnesses, and she claims to have grabbed him to keep from falling." Out of the corner of my eye, I see Angelise shake her head 'No' with a pained expression. Mark looks sad. I wonder what that was about? "That's okay." He tries to highlight the good in the situation, "It's on record, at least. Let's have tea, and we can all discuss the plan." ... I'm lying awake, staring at the decal painting on my ceiling, too energized to sleep. Hushed whispers catch my ears, and I hear Tía Emily cry out in pain from the yard. I look out my window. It looks like her arm is broken. How did that happen? I keep watching, and it's like she's possessed! I'm shocked, and everyone is so calm. I go to scream at them to help her when a hand is placed over my mouth. Before I can panic too much, Angelise comes into view and holds her finger to her lips, telling me to keep quiet. I turn around to see it was Eian covering my mouth, and our squad has gathered. They all keep quiet and give me the signal to watch like we would in paintball. ... I lay in bed trying to calm my heart when my door opens and Abuela Edwards comes in. She kisses my cheek and whispers, "I know what you saw mijo. Please keep an open mind. If you were one too, all of this would be so much easier." I roll over and give her a questioning look. "If we knew your grandparents or any relation that was one of us, like Gemma, we could have you out of the system." she's silently crying. I move quickly to hug her. "It's okay, promise. You're doing all you can."