They dwelt in the world's edge, where colors swirled not on the barren while plains, but throughout the ever-dark skies. They came from the warmer South, pushed forth by the desire to push the boundary and carve out an existence in the most unforgiving of places. With them, they brought their knowledge, their pioneer spirit, and their cattle. Their cattle, meanwhile, carried only the clothes they wore.


    

 A familiar groan reverberating through the house wrenched Mary from her sleep. The bunny refused to open her eyes at first, choosing instead to turn her face into the blanket and press her nose into the mattress. She knew the old house was just settling, as loud and annoying as it was, it was harmless. Her hand pawed at the empty space beside her and gently searched for someone she knew wasn't there. Mary sighed into the sheets. She grabbed a handful of the thin linens and tried to lay ver

 Grass parted beneath a frantic set of hooves as a young boy raced to escape his assailant. Clumps of ferns and patches of brambles flew beneath him, but he was careful not to snag his feet in the tangled mess. Ahead of him rested a large tree. Instinct urged him to hide. He screeched to a halt just past the massive trunk and turned around, slamming into the bark and spinning to rest his back against the scratchy surface. His breath came in quick bursts as he tried to calm his racing t

 Rarely does a friendship survive two children as they grow. Best friends will promise and pinky swear, share secrets to keep until the grave, but life wears at the bond between them until it eventually breaks. It becomes even harder between two children that are different from each other. One that society deems weak, meant only to serve the elite, and one belonging to that elite group meant to be served. A predator and their prey. As children, there's no such thing; there are only games an

The mansion’s foyer had been set up to look like a winter wonderland. Glittering snowflake ornaments had been hung from the ceiling at various heights. Light filtered through the spinning glass, painting the tile floor in a swirl of moving radiance that illuminated the dancers as they waltzed. Each wore the costume of the season: A tunic in varying shades of white, grey, and gold, belted with a cord of either purple or maroon. Fur had been groomed, teeth were fashionably sharpened, and ear

House Rules
Do Not Speak Unless Spoken To
Address Predators As ‘Master’ Or ‘Mistress’
Do Not Stare / Bow Your Head
Stand When A Predator Enters The Room
Show Your Brand When Requested
Mistress Cane tapped the placard above the door, her slitted eyes narrowing at the crowd of prey. Their small heads were bowed in supplication and yet there was an excitement that raced through their young hearts that was impossible to suppress. Noses twitched. Ears shook.
“Mind your

“Young man! Do sit still, or my hand might slip and stain the suit.”
Terrence’s nostrils flared. The voice, though calm and without feeling, spoke through him like a wave of pure reason, laying his restlessness low, if for but a moment. He flicked his ears in that way of his, though he had never as much as seen a fly in his life, and offered his keeper’s face in the mirror a broad smile.
“Isn’t that enough polish, Lady Dahlia? Too much will dampen their natu

Ankita ran her fingers over the tracks. As fresh as they were plentiful, they were nevertheless shallow. The young lamia knew that meant young prey – easy, if unfulfilling, quarry.
“Tell me again what you will do.”
She glanced over her shoulder. Half-concealed by the trees, a placid expression on her face, stood her Ila, her mother. She was everything her daughter wasn’t. Her long serpentiform body writhed around trees as she passed, flattening the smaller saplings unde