Dark Fantasy Short Stories

Discover six stories sharing one impactful message in this fantasy collection.

A collection of eight horror stories created by New York Times best-selling novelist Scott Sigler, author of horror/thrillers Infected, Contagious, Ancestor, Nocturnal and the young-adult Galactic Football League series.

First published in the US in 1988 and in the UK in 1990, The Wine-Dark Sea contains eight unsettling stories that explore protagonists' fears and desires, at once illogical and terrifying, and culminate in a disturbing and enigmatic ending. Aickman's "strange stories" (his preferred term for them) are a subtle exploration of psychological displacement and paranoia; his characters ordinary people that are gradually drawn into the darker recesses of their own minds. For fans of the horror genre, Robert Aickman is a must read.

When revenge meets redemption, even eternal ice can burn. Last survivor of a murdered coven, Sera infiltrates the frozen fortress of a cursed winter demon seeking vengeance against the Winter Court. But Kairos isn't the monster she expected—he's a collector of frozen treasures, preserving what his cruel kin would destroy. His frost-touched caress should repel her summer magic. Instead, their powers merge in an impossible fusion of ice and fire that could transform their world... or shatter it completely. As ancient magics awaken and forbidden attraction burns, Sera must choose: cling to ...

The old woman had lived alone in the mountains above the village for untold years, never being approached nor approaching anyone. Now that little world has encroached upon her in the form of a girl seeking refuge from a horrible future. Yet the villagers will not stand idly by while one of their own seeks to retreat from them and their ways. They will deal with the “witch” who has been watching them from afar for so many years. The outcome can only be horror. From the author of The Kobalos Trilogy and The Horrors of Bond Trilogy.

After looking for a quiet town where he can finally hang up his gun belt, a weary gunslinger has to face one final enemy before he can retire in peace. "Tumbleweeds" is part of the Tumbleweeds & Terror™ series of standalone tales of the weird west.

In these marvelously inventive stories, Samantha Hunt imagines numerous ways in which human lives might be altered by the otherworldly: an FBI agent falls in love with a robot built for a suicide mission; a young woman unintentionally cheats on her husband when she is transformed into a deer; two strangers become lovers and find themselves responsible for the resurrection of a dog; a woman tries to start her life anew after the loss of a child but riddles that new life with lies.

How does a con man survive with no one around to fool but himself? Who does a knight battle when the demons in the dark begin to pale next to his own? And what, exactly, does a minotaur do when he finally gets a vacation day? Here you’ll find scenes that didn’t have a place in the main series, with new events that fall between the first three books to expand the lore and give fresh insight into some of your favorite characters - all with the same snarky and sinister mix you know and love. And maybe a few secrets too, if that’s your kind of thing.

Together in one package for the first time, the dazzling prequels to the Three Dark Crowns series are finally available for fans in audio format. Uncover the sisters’ origins, dive deep into the catastrophic reign of the Oracle Queen, and reveal layers of Fennbirn’s past, hidden until now.

An ancient promise. An undying king. A love that defies destiny. When a young princess suddenly finds herself in the clutches of the fearsome vampire king, her life is no longer her own. He has chosen her—his bride, his possession, his queen. But Princess Ginger is not ready to submit so easily. She will fight, even though her heart beats faster with every encounter with him. The vampire king is dark, unyielding, and far too seductive. His kiss takes her breath away, his touch ignites an insatiable desire. But there is a secret that puts their connection to the test—an ancient prophecy ...

This is a SHORT STORY set within the ongoing THE UNSEEN franchise. Potential spoilers ahead! This action-packed thriller stars Jillian Moon, recapping her initial encounter with the Unseen inside New York’s Museum of Natural History, an event that occurs during ORIGIN (The Unseen Book 1).

This is a collection of the eighth six short stories in the Caverns & Creatures series. It includes the following titles: This Poo Shall Pass, Hung Ogre, Fortune Favors the Kobold, Asses to Asses, Love on the Rocs, and The Winds of Cooper. If you've already purchased all of these books, there is nothing new for you here. If you haven't yet purchased any, you can save a few bucks by buying this collection. If you've only purchased some of these already, you'll have to do some math.

Anne Bishop's "darkly fascinating"* (SF Site) Black Jewel novels have enthralled readers and critics alike with their mixture of fantasy, intrigue, and romance. Now in Twilight's Dawn, Bishop returns to the Blood realm with four all-new captivating novellas.

As a graduation present for her daughter, Tammy, Samantha Moon and the gang head down to South America for the vacation of all vacations. Next stop: Easter Island On a beach in Chile, the unimaginable happens. Magical cultists kidnap Tammy and Paxton in a blink of an eye—literally. Sam and Allison spring into action, chasing a barely visible trail... and end up, of all places, on Easter Island, famous for its massive collection of giant stone heads. Turns out, the cultists were dead set on sacrificing Tammy and Paxton to a local god. That was their first mistake. And as all hell breaks ...

Fantasy fanatics hang on because The Year's Best Fantasy, Volume 2 will take you on a fantastic journey like no other! Prepare to embark on yet another fantastic adventure with award-winning fantasy editor Paula Guran. Delve into realms that exceed the limits of your imagination and embrace the surreal! Enjoy tales ranging from wonderful to wicked. From lore and legends to myths and fables of alternative realities, you will discover bewitchment with every story.

I've got a man on my mind and no one else can satisfy my naughty cravings. There's just one small problem…he's the man of the house and I don't know how he feels about me. Maybe Thanksgiving will be the perfect time to test my temptation abilities. Warning: This is a dirty tale filled with taboo temptations and hot, dirty action. Adult readers only.

Kendra has been burned and broken, but this omega is ready to rise from the ashes. In the harsh and unforgiving underworld of Solstice Bay, omegas are marked with tattoos, their bodies adorned with the sigils of their claimed alphas. For Kendra, the tattoos she bears are more than just ink; they represent a life of restricted choices, a fate bound to the whims of others. But Kendra is no ordinary omega. Beneath her submissive veneer lies a fiery spirit yearning to break free from the chains of tradition. Fueled by an unwavering determination to forge her own destiny, Kendra's defiance ...

A collection of horror/thriller stories with surprise endings to chill you and thrill you to the bone. The creepers include: TOP OF THE WORLD: A dangerous hybrid of several species of animals has escaped from its cage at a remote research facility in the Arctic during a prolonged blizzard. THE ASYLUM: Paranormal investigators are sent to an abandoned mental institution when a teenager disappears after visiting it for a good scare with his buddies on Halloween. THE DEVIL'S DIARY: A horror author rents a creepy cabin to cure a bad case of writer's block and finds a journal written by a serial...

It's the holidays, and Samantha Moon and her family are ready to get together and celebrate. No, they may not be your average family, but the love is just as real. It's two days before the big Thanksgiving meal when Sam receives a most unusual guest. Unusual because she hasn't seen her brother, Clayton, in twenty years. Turns out, he isn't just here for the pumpkin pies and yams. He's got a problem. He's been cursed and thinks his little sister is his best chance to fix it. With pie baking put on hold, Sam and company set out to break his curse, locate a kidnapped baby, and save the day. ...

The latest thrilling collection of “Vampire for Hire” stories featuring vampire private eye, Samantha Moon, including: Silver Hammer - When a silver hammer appears in the hands of one of Samantha Moon’s closest friends―along with a bloodthirsty need to use it―the vampire detective is about to discover just how clever the Universe can be... When Sam Met Santa - When Santa Claus shows up at Sam Moon's door, it's hardly the strangest thing that's ever happened to her. What happens next, however, is another story... One Swallow - A murdered wife. A desperate husband seeking revenge. ...