Chapter 2: A World of Chains   Dawn’s first light crept over the village, bathing the rooftops in pale gold as Ella slipped through the kitchen door, her breath coming in shallow gasps. Her muscles burned from the night’s relentless training, every fiber of her body aching with exhaustion. Sweat clung to her skin, mixing with the faint scent of damp earth and morning dew. She barely had time to wipe her brow before a voice, cold and razor-sharp, sliced through the silence. "You’re late." Ella stiffened. The kitchen’s familiar warmth did nothing to soften the ice in her veins as she turned to face the speaker. Lady Tremaine stood at the base of the grand staircase, her figure poised in the dim light like a specter waiting to strike. She was wrapped in a silk dressing gown, its embroidered patterns intricate yet severe, much like the woman herself. Her dark eyes swept over Ella’s disheveled form, lingering on her dirt-streaked hands, and the loose strands of hair clinging t...

WARRIOR CINDERELLA: A DARK FANTASY RETELLING   SUMMARY Ella is no ordinary Cinderella. Forced into servitude by her cruel stepmother, Lady Tremaine, she endures years of mistreatment—but she is not helpless. Trained in secret by the former warrior Gideon, Ella hones her skills, preparing for the day she will reclaim her freedom. When she stands up for a mistreated village girl named Nyah, she gains an unexpected ally and draws the attention of those who wish to keep her powerless. Meanwhile, whispers of a kingdom-wide tournament reach her ears—a contest that could change everything. Determined to forge her own destiny, Ella infiltrates the tournament, where she must face deadly opponents, courtly intrigue, and the truth about her father’s mysterious death. As she battles for her future, she discovers that the prince is not just a figurehead—he is a rival warrior with his own agenda. With the kingdom on the brink of war, Ella must decide: will she fight for vengeance, or will she ri...

                                                 Chapter 2: The Velvet Veil Part 2 AUTHOR'S NOTE: Please be aware that the characters, events, and locations in this story are entirely products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or real events is purely coincidental. This work of fiction is intended for entertainment purposes only.                                                           SUMMARY  Selene Onyx, is a black-and-white were-tiger private investigator who walks the razor’s edge of two worlds—human and supernatural. Selene is no ordinary PI...