Dark Fantasy Short Stories

As a child, Henry Cadmus lived on Catalina Island, a scenic vacationland off the Southern California coast. But Henry's experiences were far from idyllic. Today, even though Henry has seen firsthand the horrors of war, the ghastly images that haunt his dreams are ones he associates with his childhood... and the island: a snarling pig-man holding a cleaver; a jackal-headed woman on a high balcony, dripping blood; strange occult rituals... and worse. If it was up to Henry, he would avoid the island entirely.

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.

Here are 23 terrifying tales, dark reflections of the silver screen from both sides of the camera. James Dean gets a second chance at life and death. The Wicked Witch is out of Oz, and she's made some very unlucky friends. When God decides reality needs an editor, what and who gets cut?

Beast Hunt invites you to step into the claws, wings, and scales of the creatures humanity has feared for centuries. From mighty dragons to forgotten forest spirits, from mechanical monstrosities to cursed beings of the deep—these are the stories of the unseen, the unheard, and the misunderstood.

Deep in the quiet town of Garibaldi, Oregon, lies a dark and mysterious secret. Zoey follows her heart from Idaho to the Oregon coast where she is drawn into a world filled with romance, mystery, and danger as she navigates the small coastal village plagued with ghosts, dark magic, murder, and even a dragon. Will Zoey find what she's been searching for, or will the evil lurking in the mists of Garibaldi consume her completely? Join Zoey and the other inhabitants of this tiny fishing village as they move through perilous challenges and uncover hidden truths. If you enjoy thrilling tales of ...

Beyond the Veil: Three Dark Tales of Life, Death, and the Unseen Step into a world where the line between life and death blurs, and the shadows whisper of things unseen... Cappuccino Heaven: Journey into the afterlife with Elizabeth Walker, who discovers that Heaven isn't quite what she imagined. Amidst familiar faces and endless cappuccinos, a darker realm looms, pulling her toward secrets that could unravel everything she once believed. Dead Dreams: For Adam and Summer, living on society's fringe seemed like the perfect escape—until they realize not everyone can see them. Plagued by ...

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....

Night Portals is a metaphysical series that explores the hidden secrets of life around us. Twelve "What If" short stories from the mind of Ernie Howard. Aida is the first story in the series. Love is a many splendid thing. It can make you blind. It can make you feel like you're floating on a cloud. It can make you go crazy. In this fast-paced romantic thriller, we see that love can be the end of all things. A kiss can contain eternal bliss or eternal madness. What would you do for Love? George would do anything.

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

Samantha Moon returns in an all-new story! Whoever heard of a Leprechaun losing his pot of gold? As Sam digs deeper, she’s faced with the question: was the gold lost or was it stolen? Or maybe, just maybe, something else? The search is on for what might just prove to be Sam’s wildest case yet! Click BUY NOW or READ FOR FREE!

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.

Markas hear news about dead people with weird symbols on their bodies. He decides to investigate symbols at the library to see if he can find anything. Shortly after he starts having dreams about the people and the rituals done to them. In one of such dreams Markas seeing visions of his own dad…

The four previous volumes in Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling's anthology series of fairly-tales retold with a distinctively modern edge have been hailded by reviewers as "brilliant", "provocative", and "disturbing". In this triumphant new collection of original fiction, 21 of today's leading writers spin the cherished fables of childhood into glittering gold - offering magical tales for adults, as seductive as they are sophisticated.

Dame Armaelle Níallach, a battle-worn knight sworn to protect her sovereign, races through the moonlit forests, cradling an infant princess in her arms. Pursued by ruthless assassins, she seeks refuge in the ancient cemetery of Caer Mawnog, where stone statues of grieving widows and faceless wraiths stand as silent sentinels of forgotten tragedies. Wounded and desperate, Armaelle pleads with the old gods for help—only to find her prayers answered by something far older and more dangerous than she ever imagined. With its vivid world-building, rich in ancient lore and primal forces, the ...

From the author of Aevalorn Tales comes a dark fantasy story about resisting evil and fighting for what you believe in. Shambling from the depths of the Murkwode Fens comes a tale of courage, faith, and the unyielding nature of the human spirit. Bartram Humblefoot, Paladin of the Ancients, leads a contingent of Mumling regulars to retrieve a holy artifact from a ruined temple. Regrettably, the forces of darkness have other plans. War is coming, and the artifact would lend their evil disciples a great advantage. The dead are awakened, rising from death to secure the temple. Bartram must help...

Pick up the latest issue of Savage Realms Monthly and fill up on stalwart heroes doing battle with the forces of evil in this epic collection of short sword and sorcery fiction. This month brings you an exciting crop of stories; Brad Younie returns with another rousing adventure in the city of Sharkham, Jack Myers delivers a tale of dark vengeance, and Morgan Kane thrills with another tale of everyone's favorite exile. Don't miss the latest issue of Savage Realms!

"He had been created to replace a lost son. His face was made of porcelain and burnt clay formed his spine. The lips were painted on and showed a never-changing smile, while twisted copper wire held his body together. When the artificial boy looked down he could see through the gaps between the coils. There, deep down inside him, was a living thing - a fleeting flutter, visible for only one moment at a time. His creator called him Felix." In three interconnected short stories, Felix searches for the truth about how he came to be alive. He meets a strange butterfly catcher, a terrifying ...

An incurable sickness has infected a fishing village along the coast of Ishalar. The sick do not die - they vanish, leaving behind footprints and ashen shadows. Delanis, the fourth throne of Ishalar, has already lost his wife to The Vanishing, and now his daughter is deep in the throes of the illness. More in his village are succumbing almost every day.

This short story collection by J. Reder White is an ecclectic patchwork of plots and characters and ideas, some worked out while waking and pondering, others slipped into his mind while sleeping. Some come from a dark place, but most sparkle in that darkness. If they amuse you, then they have done something good. If they make you think, then they have started to work their magic. If they touch you, well, then I have little to do with that, do I?

Unravel the Mysteries: Strange Stories from Marseille Embark on an extraordinary journey with "Strange Stories from Marseille," a collection of horror short stories that defy clichés. Immerse yourself in the authentic legends of Marseille, where reality blends with dark mysteries, challenging the boundaries between fiction and reality. The networks are buzzing: "Horror, fantasy, sci-fi, and Marseille! Say no more, it's nearly perfect." – Etherlutisse. Embark on a journey through the hidden corners of Marseille with "Strange Stories from Marseille," a collection of fantastic and ...