Havok Publishing

Tag - curses

Greater than Gold

By Morgan J. Manns

[ratingsdiv][ratings][/ratingsdiv] [authorinfo][authorpic pic="https://gohavok.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Manns-Headshot-e1687745518240.jpg" link="https://gohavok.com/havokauthor/morgan-j-manns/"][startauthortext]Morgan J. Manns is a speculative fiction writer who firmly believes that the world needs more stories filled with magic and wonder. Captivated by the realm of intricate world-building since composing her first fantasy tale at the age of ten, she now ventures beneath the endless Canadian prairie sky with her supportive husband and two hobbit children, all while eagerly contemplating her next literary creation. While her current occupation is that of an elementary school teacher, her dream job will always be dragon rider, soaring through the skies of her imaginings.

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March 28, 2025

Eyes on the Prize

By Jordan Foster

I plummeted to the shadow-covered ground, quickly tucking into a roll. Then I leapt to my feet and dusted off my brick-red cloak. Gross, this better not be another prison cell.
Before I could explore any further, a huge hand grasped my hood and lifted

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March 26, 2025

In a Pickle

By Rosemarie DiCristo

Transfiguration Church’s Pasta Night was the same every year: an all-you-can-eat Italian buffet, two hundred parishioners cramming the American Legion Hall, old folks doing “YMCA,” and the 50-50 raffle.
My sister Cecily and I always spent every minute in the bar.
Not for the booze.

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March 24, 2025

Last Light

By Caroline N. Chandler

So many promises. So little time.
I raced over the mossy ground.
We’re counting on you, Spark.
My sister, Quietus’s words rang through my mind like bells in the village square. She was right. No one else could do this. I just had to

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March 7, 2025

Broomtrick

By Pamela Love

Leaning against a tree trunk, I nibbled on a roll—all I could afford at the market square—and mulled over how to move on from this village. Cursed to keep journeying lest some disaster befall me—be it a broken bone or housefire

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March 6, 2025

The Time Curse

By Deborah Bainbridge

“If anyone objects to this man and woman being joined in marriage, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.” The pastor’s gaze landed on the groom, whose yellow ruffled tuxedo shirt peeked from beneath his emerald jacket. His hand shot in the air.
Spark Spaulding lowered his arm and caressed his fiancé’s

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March 3, 2025

Tale of a Mirror Dragon

By Bonita Jewel

Joseph trailed behind his companion, keeping a distance wide enough that if they found the dragon, it would be satisfied with one roasted knight.
“Sir Joseph, do you catch that foul scent? Methinks we draw near.”
Joseph gagged. “Dusk approaches. Perhaps we should return to our stallions and make camp. I shall continue

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January 17, 2025

Whispering Birds

By Jordan Foster

My stomach churned when I saw the cabbie that’d driven me to last night’s ball. The paunchy man hadn’t noticed me yet as he took off his cap, revealing the horrid bald spot that his dark, shoulder-length hair surrounded. I took a deep breath.
A bird landed on a mailbox nearby and squawked rather

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January 6, 2025

Castle of Beast and King

By Jered Gering

Yuletide never ceases to remind me of the day I ruined everything.
The wind chills me, and I shiver in spite of thick fur. I stare from my tower balcony to the snowscape below.
I hold the lute in my clawed hands. Living and enchanted, he had once been my father’s minstrel.

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December 27, 2024

Gilded Grief

By Maia Rebekah

Last cookie of the night—store-bought, but still tasty. Washed it down with a sip of milk. After so many stops, one cookie was really all I could bear to eat without it all coming back up. But the night was over. Wearily, I climbed back into the sleigh and didn’t even need to

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December 21, 2024

Forest of the Forgotten

By Elizabeth D. Marie

The snowstorm hit without warning, and out of its white curtain, the stag king appeared. From the sides of his head, antlers towered above elongated ears. His impressively broad shoulders bore the mantle of a white deer hide, and he stood a good two feet taller than my average frame. The rest

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December 20, 2024

The Hair of the Dog

By Joseph Sidari

You may have heard that many of the legendary cures for lycanthropy aren’t worth the yellowed parchment they’re scrawled on. Well, friend, buy me some ale, and I’ll spin a yarn about that very same supernatural libation. It may seem fantastic, but I swear ’tis true. And I’ve got a feeling that once I finish…

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October 21, 2024