Lady Ava Loftus is an unusual woman, even by the standards of sky-sailors. As she pursues her passion- the study and dissection of mysterious creatures called angels- she must move between different social spheres and contend with others' ideas of who and what she should be. Can she adhere to the expectations set for a lady of quality without betraying her true self?--'The Captain's Sphere' is a literary fantasy short story that was originally published in Crossed Genres.

Mining's a rough job-- you have to leave the safety of the Shiphall's air bubble, and travel through the floating rocks in the Void. Tor's trained as a cook- he's more comfortable with a pan than a pickaxe. But all dwarves can mine, if push comes to shove, and Tor's been pushed into the job. The real problem is Kholan, Tor's assigned partner.In the Void, one misstep can send you spinning into nothingness forever. You need someone to watch your back. Kholan thinks Tor's incompetent,...

Sawbones, a wandering veterinarian, is forced into the service of the queen. They must use their knowledge of goat diseases to cure her sick unicorn- or it's off with their head. Can they discover what's wrong- and can they save the Queen's pet from Her Majesty?The Unicorn's Beard is a humourous fantasy short story featuring an autistic, nonbinary protagonist who is not getting paid enough for this nonsense.

Karvek, a cowardly orc lacemaker, must travel into the desert to get to a silkworm oasis.But the last caravan saw an undying, flesh-eating firebird. With a beast like that roaming the desert, there's safety in numbers. And his only traveling companion is a former friend, Alkett. She betrayed his tribe; Karvek still bears an ugly grudge.If they're going to survive the journey through the desert, Karvek must face that grudge- and the two of them must clear the air.

On the internet, no one knows you're a bug... unless you tell them. But when Gregor undergoes a painful transformation, he needs his friends' help to keep his sanity. Can he deal with his new form without tearing his family apart?A love story to the internet, the weird and wonderful people who inhabit it, and the ways it helps us survive.

After treating the Queen's pets, Sawbones wants nothing more than to put as much distance as possible between themself and Her Majesty. But when they stop in a small village to buy supplies, they're forced to to take a detour to take on another patient-- a Cockatrice in crisis! Oh, and help a family suddenly left homeless by a wild sorcerer's awakening. If they must. If there's really no one else around to handle it. ...Is there really no one else around to handle it? Nope, just one beleag...

When the half-vampire protector of the village of Shoel races to rescue a child stolen away by ghouls, she discovers their more dastardly intent. Can she overcome the odds stacked against her or will she succumb to her darker side? What is her vampiric father's stake in the outcome?

Particus is a mercenary who has spent his life fighting. He works hard for whoever pays him the most. He does a good job and understands little else in life. However, his entire life changes when he finds an ancient magic wand -- and he has no idea how much that accidental find is going to change not only his life, but so many others around him.

This journey through many lives, seemingly unconnected is more powerful than any army could dream of being. Solitary face after solitary face in life weave an intertwined whole. Our past informs our future while those alive in the present remain ignorant of sacrifice. He gave his soul so everyone would have a life and an afterlife. The wizard gave himself, peace now reigns where demons once tread.

The wizard's tower is falling down, falling down, falling down! The Wizard's tower is falling down, my fair lady.This is the second short story in the Evenings with Rory series. It is only tied in with Harriet's Mystery in that the inspiration came from Rory's Story Cubes, which are fun and awesome.Should you like to appear as part of Evenings with Rory, please email the author.

"The Desecrator" is an original short story from the Draegaran Empire, by bestselling author Stephen Brust. This is a tale of the Hawklord Daymar, and of a particular Morganti blade. Vlad Taltos fans will enjoy new insight into Stephen Brust's fantasy series.At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

The legendary hero Allanon takes center stage in the first of three gripping new stand-alone eBook short stories set in the world of the fantasy-fiction phenomenon that is Shannara—by beloved New York Times bestselling author Terry Brooks.The history is thus: The once-Druid Brona, seduced by his pursuit of dark magic, was forever transformed into the Warlock Lord—whose evil would be the downfall of the Four Lands and the death of the Races. Against him, th...