A rogue explorer discovers a cursed compass that promises untold riches but awakens an ancient evil with every step toward the prize.
The sea gnashed at Kael Drayce's boots, cold and bitter as a scorned lover. He clung to the jagged prow of the sunken galleon, its timbers groaning under the weight of centuries. Waves battered the ship's corpse, half-swallowed by a reef no sane sailor would dare chart. Kael wasn't sane, though-not by a long shot. Sanity didn't pay debts, and it sure didn't keep the sharks off his trail, both the finned kind and the ones with knives and ledgers.
"Move, you bastard," he muttered, wrenching a rusted plank free. Spray stung his eyes, but he squinted through it, peering into the gaping maw of the hold below. His torch flickered, spitting embers into the dark. The storm had driven him here-three days off course, rations gone, and a crew muttering mutiny louder than the thunder. But Kael knew wrecks like this held secrets. Secrets meant gold. And gold meant freedom.
He dropped down, boots thudding on sodden deck. The air reeked of rot and salt, thick enough to choke a man. Shadows danced as his torch swept the hold-barrels split like skulls, a skeletal hand clutching a busted spyglass. Nothing worth a damn. He kicked a crate aside, cursing under his breath. "Two days of rowing for this? A pile of-"
The glint stopped him cold. There, wedged beneath a coil of barnacled rope, something gleamed. Not the dull sheen of tarnished coin, but a sharp, bloody red that pulsed like a heartbeat. Kael's pulse quickened to match. He crouched, prying the rope away with his dagger. The object slid free, heavy in his palm-a compass, its casing carved with symbols he couldn't read, its glass cracked but glowing faintly crimson.
"Hell's teeth," he breathed, turning it over. The needle spun wildly, ignoring north, darting like a cornered beast. No rust, no wear-just that eerie light, spilling over his scarred knuckles. He'd seen trinkets before, peddled by liars in dockside taverns, but this? This was no fake. It thrummed against his skin, alive in a way that made his gut twist.
A low rumble shook the wreck. Kael froze. Not thunder-too deep, too close. The compass flared brighter, and the needle snapped to a point, quivering as if it'd found its mark. Then the voice came.
"Find the Vault of Veyra," it rasped, sharp as a blade on stone. "Or the world drowns in shadow."
Kael jolted, dropping the compass. It hit the deck with a clang, but the voice didn't stop-it coiled inside his skull, cold and unyielding. He scrambled back, torch clattering, heart hammering against his ribs. The wreck shuddered again, timbers splintering as water surged through the hull. Whatever this thing was, it wasn't just a compass. It was a summons.
He snatched it up, cursing his luck, and bolted for the breach he'd climbed through. The sea roared louder now, clawing at the ship like it meant to drag it-and him-under. Kael hauled himself onto the reef, the compass clutched tight, its glow cutting through the storm's gloom. Above, lightning split the sky, illuminating his skiff bobbing dangerously close to the rocks. His crew's shouts barely pierced the wind.
"Kael! You alive, you mad dog?" Torv's gravelly bellow rose over the din. The big man clung to the oars, his beard soaked, eyes wide with something between fear and fury.
"Barely!" Kael yelled back, leaping into the skiff. The boat lurched as he landed, and Torv rowed hard, cursing the waves. Kael didn't look at the others-little Jyn with her patched cloak, or grim-faced Marek sharpening his axe. He didn't need to. He felt their stares, heavy as the storm.
"What'd you find?" Jyn asked, voice sharp despite the tremor in it. She leaned closer, peering at his clenched fist.
Kael hesitated. The compass burned against his palm, its whisper echoing in his ears. Vault of Veyra. Shadow. He should toss it overboard, let the sea swallow it. But the weight of his debts pressed harder than the storm-the bounty on his head, the promises he'd broken. This thing, cursed or not, was a chance. Maybe the only one left.
"Trouble," he said finally, tucking it into his coat. "Same as always."
The skiff rocked as a wave crashed over the bow, and Torv barked a laugh that sounded more like a growl. "Trouble's your shadow, Drayce. Hope it pays this time."
Kael didn't answer. The compass pulsed against his chest, its needle steady now, pointing into the black heart of the storm. Wherever this Vault was, whatever Veyra meant, he'd find it. He had to. Because if the world was going to drown, he'd damn well be the one to outswim it.
When sixteen-year-old Maya Bennett survives a vicious wolf attack during a camping trip, her life shatters as the full moon triggers her first painful transformation. Before she can expose her new werewolf nature to the world, representatives from the secretive Moonlit Academy arrive at her doorstep with an ultimatum: attend their hidden school for werewolves or risk losing control and hurting those she loves. At the academy, Maya discovers a rigid hierarchy between prestigious "Bloodline" werewolves born into their heritage and "Turned" werewolves like herself, considered dangerous and unpredictable. Under the reluctant guidance of Lucas Gray, an arrogant Bloodline heir assigned as her mentor, Maya struggles through transformation classes where her scientific approach fails against centuries of werewolf tradition. As Maya forms an alliance with her roommate Zoe-a Bloodline werewolf who secretly struggles with control-she begins developing innovative techniques that combine her human intellect with her wolf instincts. Her methods catch the attention of the enigmatic Headmaster Blackwood, who reveals a startling truth: Maya wasn't randomly attacked. She was specifically chosen due to a rare genetic marker that allows her to achieve partial transformation-maintaining human consciousness while accessing wolf abilities, something thought impossible for centuries. When a rogue pack of feral werewolves attacks the academy during a full moon lockdown, Maya's unique abilities make her the only one capable of protecting the younger students. Using her partial transformation, she confronts the pack leader only to make a devastating discovery-her beloved Professor Silverhowl, who has mentored her since arrival, orchestrated Maya's attack and the raid on the academy. **PLOT TWIST:** Professor Silverhowl isn't just any werewolf but the leader of a revolutionary movement seeking to overthrow the Bloodline families' control. She selected Maya specifically because a centuries-old prophecy foretold that a human with Maya's genetic marker, when turned, would develop the ability to transform others without the trauma of a violent bite. Silverhowl plans to use Maya's blood to create an army of controlled werewolves loyal to her cause, eliminating the Bloodline families' power and exposing werewolves to the human world. Caught between Silverhowl's radical vision and the elitist Bloodline traditions, Maya must forge her own path. With help from Lucas-who has gradually shifted from contempt to respect-and Zoe, Maya uses her unique abilities to defeat Silverhowl not through violence but by demonstrating a third option: werewolves of all origins working together, combining tradition with innovation. In the aftermath, Maya discovers her abilities go beyond partial transformation-she can actually help newly turned werewolves maintain their humanity during transformation. As Headmaster Blackwood steps down, acknowledging the failure of the old ways, Maya is offered a unprecedented position: creating a new curriculum that bridges the divide between Bloodline and Turned werewolves, science and instinct, tradition and innovation. The story concludes with Maya standing before the academy under a full moon, demonstrating her controlled transformation to a mixed class of Bloodline and Turned students-no longer just a reluctant werewolf but a leader who represents the future of their kind.
In the steamy, neon-lit underworld of Bangkok, Mira, a gifted forger, is thrust into the heart of a mafia empire when her brother vanishes, leaving behind a trail of secrets and debts. Forced to work for Kai, a charismatic yet ruthless syndicate boss dealing in black-market tech, Mira crafts fake identities to survive, all while searching for her missing sibling. As she navigates a world of betrayal, rival gangs, and a growing, dangerous attraction to Kai, Mira uncovers a conspiracy that could topple his empire-and her own loyalties. Torn between escape and power, love and revenge, she must decide: forge her way out or become the shadow that burns it all down.
Brenna lived with her adoptive parents for twenty years, enduring their exploitation. When their real daughter appeared, they sent Brenna back to her true parents, thinking they were broke. In reality, her birth parents belonged to a top circle that her adoptive family could never reach. Hoping Brenna would fail, they gasped at her status: a global finance expert, a gifted engineer, the fastest racer... Was there any end to the identities she kept hidden? After her fiancé ended their engagement, Brenna met his twin brother. Unexpectedly, her ex-fiancé showed up, confessing his love...
After three loveless years, Neil's betrayal deeply wounded Katelyn. She wasted no time in getting rid of that scoundrel! After the divorce, she devoted herself to career pursuits. Rising to prominence as a top designer, skilled doctor, and brilliant hacker, she became a revered icon. Neil, realizing his grave mistake, tried in vain to win her back, only to witness her magnificent wedding to another. As their vows were broadcast on the world's largest billboard, Vincent slid a ring onto Katelyn's finger and declared, "Katelyn is now my wife, a priceless treasure. Let all who covet her beware!"
Melanie married Ashton out of gratitude, but she quickly found herself entangled in a web of relentless challenges. Despite these struggles, she stayed true to her commitment to the marriage. In the hospital room, Ashton indifferently attempted to draw her blood, disregarding her discomfort. This callous act was a harsh revelation for Melanie, awakening her to the grim reality of their relationship. Resolved to prioritize her own welfare, she decided to sever ties. With newfound resolve, Melanie filed for divorce. In the process, she unveiled her concealed identities, leaving everyone in shock. Throughout these turbulent times, Melanie realized that Derek, Ashton’s uncle, had been discreetly protecting her all along.
It was a big day for Camilla. She looked forward to marrying her handsome groom. Unfortunately, he abandoned her at the altar. He never showed up throughout the wedding. She was made a laughingstock in front of all the guests. In a fit of rage, she went and slept with a strange man on her wedding night. It was supposed to be a one-night stand. To her dismay, the man refused to let her be. He pestered her like she had stolen his heart on that night. Camilla didn't know what to do. Should she give him a chance? Or just stay away from men?
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"
Two years ago, Ricky found himself coerced into marrying Emma to protect the woman he cherished. From Ricky's perspective, Emma was despicable, resorting to underhanded schemes to ensure their marriage. He maintained a distant and cold attitude toward her, reserving his warmth for another. Yet, Emma remained wholeheartedly dedicated to Ricky for more than ten years. As she grew weary and considered relinquishing her efforts, Ricky was seized by a sudden fear. Only when Emma's life teetered on the edge, pregnant with Ricky's child, did he recognize-the love of his life had always been Emma.