Dark Fantasy Short Stories

In her second collection from Trepidatio Publishing, award-winning author Gemma Files takes her listeners on journeys out beyond safe borders—from the trackless depths of the sea, to the empty desert frontiers of the Weird West, even to the edges of cracks between worlds. Here, in these narrow spaces between the known and the unknown, behind the paper-thin curtains of reality, lurk monsters both human and ancient: selkies and avenging revenants, voodoo priestesses and pirate sorcerers, ghosts and vampires, and the most famous murderer of all time.

The epic follow-up to the acclaimed short story "The Dark Forest Protocol" In the wake of Earth's desperate survival in the silence of the galaxy, humanity’s fragile peace is shattered once more. The Dark Forest Protocol: Crimson Covenant catapults readers into a thrilling, high-stakes space opera, where the consequences of breaking the universe’s unspoken rule — silence — are far more dire than anyone could have imagined. After the Dark Forest Protocol events, Earth’s connection to the mysterious and ancient Forestworld has led to cautious coexistence. But peace is short-lived ...

Since last Halloween, Kindle and Ebony have experienced the unexpected. Now, more than ever, both women need the men they only get to share their worlds with once a year. One evening, three beautiful, eerie young ladies appear at Kindle's door. They offer a solution to her and Ebony’s problems. Skeptically, Kindle finds it strange the three are already in the loop about what's going on with her and Ebony. As time spent with the love of their lives dwindles, Kindle and Ebony have a hard decision to make. Because this Halloween, neither can fathom another year to recur before seeing LP and ...

From the author of Aevalorn Tales comes a short story about love and letting go. Join Joliver Barleywood, a halfling bard of the Aevalorn Parishes, on a heartfelt journey through the enigmatic Athenaeum, a secret library only found when needed. Just before midnight, Jak Lot frantically busts into the library, seeking words to convince their love to stay and not sail away for a distant suiter, engaging in a marriage of convenience and status. Through the magical power of words, Jak seeks to pen the plea that will anchor her heart to his. Joliver offers to help Jak, but in the process, he ...

From the author of Aevalorn Tales comes a story about the woe of omniscience. Dundermutton is a magical ram who can perceive everything in the universe. Tired of his otherworldly obligations, he sleeps in to enjoy a holiday. Still, the universe isn’t having it—fate screams for his attention. Terror approaches! Opening his mind’s eye, Dundermutton witnesses an unfolding tragedy. Far away, Gammond Brandyford, a troublesome halfling of the Aevalorn Parishes, has stumbled upon a magical chalice capable of transforming water into wine. What could possibly go wrong? Ignoring the universe's ...

From the author of Aevalorn Tales comes a dark fantasy story about self-discovery. Lured by the promise of treasure, Gammond Brandyford, a halfling with a knack for trouble, takes Vongur, a dwarven companion whose soul is trapped within an amulet, to a sacred sanctuary hidden in the mountains. In all truthfulness, Vongur might be looking for a connection to his past, but Gammond only wants a quick buck. Still, at the sanctuary, Gammond must defeat its steadfast guardian to acquire the memories Vongur’s been searching for. Together, they confront a challenge that tests their courage and ...

* Originally Shortlisted in a 2023 Writing Competition * From the author of Aevalorn Tales comes a dark fantasy story about hubris and the abuse of knowledge. Set against the backdrop of the fantasy world of Aevalorn Tales, we follow the ambitious Mulzunite academic Vabriel Shuno on his quest to possess luck itself. After spending two years collecting purportedly lucky creatures, Vabriel seeks one last creature believed to be the pinnacle of good luck. And armed with the luck of his collection, he believes he’s too lucky to fail! On a gloomy night near the Free City of Enceröss, Vabriel ...

From the author of Aevalorn Tales comes a story about remembering and commitment. When Benzie Fernbottom - an eager, helpful halfling innkeeper - learns that Elina Hogsbreath, the inn’s proprietor, will shut down her business for a day, Benzie becomes very concerned. Unable to accept her explanation, Benzie makes more than one very foolish decision and ends up witnessing more than he gambled for. With his and Elina’s lives on the line, can Benzie help save the inn and maybe learn something about unhealthy attachment along the way? Fans of Brandon Sanderson, Travis Baldree, and S. L. ...

From the author of Aevalorn Tales comes a story about the wrongheadedness of prejudice. As the Mulzunite Knight, Ser Rastacil Selabras, traverses the flooded riverbed of the Free City of Enceröss, he comes across a halfling Child of Yondalla, Maedrey Puck, camped nearby. An unlikely and unwelcome encounter, Ser Selebras is eager to be rid of the halfling's company. But when Maedrey offers him a magic potion gifted by the goddess Yondalla–promising to shorten his journey from a week to a single day–Ser Selebras makes a hasty promise in exchange. However, Maedrey remains skeptical of the...

Syngor, the monstrous octopus with tentacles like black serpents, haunted the high seas for centuries. Ships quivered as he emerged, wrapping vessels in a watery grip, leaving fear in his wake. Once a decade, citizens of Elysium Isle converge at the Calm Seas Serenade, offering one innocent maiden to appease the vengeful Syngor's hunger. Will the sea monster devour his sacrificial maiden, or will she tame the beast and become a legend on her own? If you love monster romance short stories that feature possessive monsters, innocent maidens, and insta-love, then buy now!

"The Departed" by Clive Barker: On All Hallows' Eve, a dead and disembodied mother yearns to touch her young son one last time. But will making contact destroy them both? "Creature Feature" by Heather Graham: What could be better publicity for a horror convention than an honest-to-goodness curse? It's only after lights out that the hype - and the Jack the Ripper mannequin - starts to feel a little too real.

When God descends to earth as a Dinka woman from Sudan and subsequently dies in the Darfur desert, the result is a world bizarrely new yet eerily familiar. In Ron Currie's provocative, wise, and emotionally resonant novel we meet God himself; the Dinka woman whose mortality He must suffer when He inhabits her body; people all over the world coping with the devastating news of God's demise.

The prophecy says she is the hope. Her magic will bring prosperity and happiness to her people. But her power makes her the prime target. He WANTS her power. His black magic trap is laid out to seduce her....

An incubus disguised as a high school girl puts a disturbing spin on the teacher/student fantasy. An engineer creates a robot with unexpected consequences during the end of the world. A man becomes the pet of alien invaders. From stories of aliens in other worlds to those living among us, these tales will move you out of your comfort zone and open you up to experiencing something - or someone - completely different.

A mere child yet a precocious writer, young Freddie records a series of terrifying encounters with an inhuman being that haunts his life and seems to predict his death. When an award-winning horror writer on the downward slope of a long career receives an invitation to address the Essex County Science Fiction Group, he figures that he's got nothing to lose. Though she's adopted by the cool kids, the new girl at Renfield High School is most drawn to Nancy Wilhoit, who claims to be haunted.

Year of the Lepper, 746 - 3rd Cycle of the Dragon Every couple of thousand years the Dark Citadel rises in the East, within the Endless Ruins looking to bring darkness and evil to the world of Capris. Every couple of thousand years, the races of Capris are charged with fighting back the darkness or succumbing to its eternal death. In the year of the Lepper, it is no different. Four maybe heroes are called into service of the kingdom to ensure the Dark Citadel is once again vanquished. One, a human past his prime, but a great warrior in his day. One, an energy mage of the Engeli (humans who ...

This short story collection will keep you on the edge of your seat to the last sentence. Misha Burnett has been published in a wide variety of modern fiction magazines, and here we've collected some of his best fantasy work.

Five tales of dragons are included within this special Young Adult fantasy collection. The overall theme is dragons and features a sample of J.E. Feldman’s work. There are no triggers. Inferno A time traveling grandma and her granddaughter discover the true cause behind the burning of the Library of Alexandria. The Loch Legend An orphaned teenager harboring a secret of her own discovers the Loch Ness legend is real, but can she trust her new family with the truth? Instinct Vaccines made from dragon shifter blood turns the world into apocalyptic chaos and there’s no promise of surviving ...

"Everything You've Always Wanted" by Mick Garris: It was supposed to be the night of his life - a celebration of his one hit slasher flick. But the price of admission is higher than this has-been filmmaker ever could have imagined. "The Land of Sunshine" by Kealan Patrick Burke: Although she was mute long before the affair that nearly wrecked their marriage, her silence has tortured her husband ever since. Now he will seek out what he has lost or be driven mad by remorse.

In this new collection, Richard Thomas has crafted 14 stories that push the boundaries of dark fiction in an intoxicating, piercing blend of fantasy, science fiction, and horror. Equally provocative and profound, each story is masterfully woven with transgressive themes that burrow beneath the skin.