fiction

Zephyr is the last human fighting evil in a world abandoned by the gods. After a five-year war against humans and demons, Zephyr is slain by Tartarus, the Demon Lord. In the aftermath, much of humankind was either slaughtered or captured as hosts for demons. When all seems lost, Zephyr is abruptly reincarnated, much to the sinister amusement of the gods, to save humanity and avenge those he loves.

Batman needs a break. But with new vigilante Duke Thomas moving into Wayne Manor and an endless supply of adopted, fostered, and biological superhero children to manage, Bruce Wayne is going to have his hands full. Being a father can't be harder than being Batman, right?.

Showcases the previous year's best offerings in short horror fiction. This edition includes award-winning and critically acclaimed authors Andy Davidson, Tananarive Due, Gemma Files, Jefrey Ford, John Langan, Livia Llewelleyn, Angela Slatter, and others.

The story of a young couple who are about to discover that in a house full of secrets there?s nowhere to hide.

The party of a lifetime is nothing like what they expected. Annabel, Esther, Tanya, and Chloe are best friends; or were, as children. Despite drifting apart in adulthood, shared secrets have kept them bonded for better or worse, even as their childhood dreams haven't quite turned out as they'd hoped. Then one day they receive a wholly unexpected but not entirely unwelcome invitation from another old friend. Poppy Greer has invited them all to her extravagant bachelorette party: a first-class plane ticket to three days of white sand, cocktails, and relaxation on a luxe private island in the Bahamas. None of them has spoken to Poppy in years. But Poppy's Instagram pics shows that the girl they used to consider the weakest link in their group has definitely made good and made money. Curiosity gets the better of them. Besides, who can turn down a posh all-expenses-paid vacation on a Caribbean island? The first-class flight and the islands accommodations are just as opulent as expected; even if the scenic island proves more remote than they'd anticipated. Quite remote, in fact, with no cell service, and no other guests. The women quickly discover they've underestimated Poppy, and each other. As their darkest secrets are revealed, the tropical adventure morphs into a terrifying nightmare.

Stacey and Felix are the glamorous owners of the stylish, modern Glass House, with its pool and floor-to-ceiling windows. Now they?re downsizing, but Stacey can?t sell to just anyone. She needs the right buyer, who will keep her secrets. Millie and Tom have always imagined living in the Glass House. Now it?s for sale. With property prices booming, if they can sell quickly, it could be theirs. But are the house and its charming owners all they seem? Harper and Kyle are moving up in the world. They need a new house, in the right school district, to give their children the start in life they never had. Millie and Tom?s is perfect. It?ll take every penny they have, and more, but it?ll be worth it. Won?t it? When one of the sales falls through, how far will someone go to get everything they?ve always wanted?.

It?s been years since Elena and Cathy last saw each other. The summers they spent as children at Elena?s uncle?s home are a distant memory, and their love and affection for each other have been replaced with anger and hatred. Elena is the successful author of a self-help book and has returned to her hometown to sell her uncle?s house. Cathy never left and, intending to write a book, has spent years researching the town legend: the story of Ilsbeth Carter, a woman whom the townspeople drowned in a well after she was accused of being a witch and killing several children. When Elena feels a connection to Ilsbeth and decides to write her own book about her, Cathy?s rekindled ire toward Elena unearths dangerous and frightening mysteries that, eventually, they both wish had stayed buried.

When Kate Priddy's distant cousin, Corbin, invites her to temporaraily swap apartments Kate agrees, hoping a change of scenery will help her overcome the anxiety she has lived with since her ex-boyfriend kidnapped her and nearly ended her life. But soon after her arrival Corbin's next-door neighbor is found murdered and as more information comes to light Kate begins to wonder if her cousin was involved.

Two sisters, strangers since birth yet bound by family secrets, are caught up in a century-old mystery on an isolated island.

Adelaide Henry carries an enormous steamer trunk with her wherever she goes. It's locked at all times. Because when the trunk is opened, people around her start to disappear. The year is 1914, and Adelaide is in trouble. Her secret sin killed her parents, and forced her to flee her hometown of Redondo, California, in a hellfire rush, ready to make her way to Montana as a homesteader. Dragging the trunk with her at every stop, she will be one of the 'lone women' taking advantage of the government's offer of free land for those who can cultivate it; except that Adelaide isn't alone. And the secret she's tried so desperately to lock away might be the only thing keeping her alive.