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Trick & Trial: A Nightshade Conservatory Short Story
Shadows whisper, mirrors lie, and Rumpelstiltskin's trials demand more than courage. Will Cassia’s choices lead to triumph or ruin?
Cassia Silverstream has always felt the weight of expectation. As the daughter of a prestigious family and a natural leader, she’s determined to prove she belongs at Nightshade Conservatory, the university for magic’s elite. But when she and her team are thrust into a high-stakes competition, the price of failure becomes all too real.
To claim the Heart of Erebus, an ancient artefact of unimaginable power, Cassia must guide her group through deadly trials orchestrated by the cunning trickster, Rumpelstiltskin, designed to test their courage, loyalty, and resolve.
As doubts about her leadership simmer and the artefact’s seductive power tempts her with promises of strength and certainty, Cassia faces her greatest challenge confronting the person she fears she could become.
Can Cassia hold her team together, resist the allure of ultimate power, and prove to herself she’s the leader they need? Or will the trials expose her deepest flaws—and cost them everything?
Perfect for fans of found family, morally complex characters, and spellbinding fantasy worlds.
The Breakfast Club meets The Magicians, Trick & Trial is a spellbinding tale of power, friendship, and the choices that define us.
Cassia Silverstream has always felt the weight of expectation. As the daughter of a prestigious family and a natural leader, she’s determined to prove she belongs at Nightshade Conservatory, the university for magic’s elite. But when she and her team are thrust into a high-stakes competition, the price of failure becomes all too real.
To claim the Heart of Erebus, an ancient artefact of unimaginable power, Cassia must guide her group through deadly trials orchestrated by the cunning trickster, Rumpelstiltskin, designed to test their courage, loyalty, and resolve.
As doubts about her leadership simmer and the artefact’s seductive power tempts her with promises of strength and certainty, Cassia faces her greatest challenge confronting the person she fears she could become.
Can Cassia hold her team together, resist the allure of ultimate power, and prove to herself she’s the leader they need? Or will the trials expose her deepest flaws—and cost them everything?
Perfect for fans of found family, morally complex characters, and spellbinding fantasy worlds.
The Breakfast Club meets The Magicians, Trick & Trial is a spellbinding tale of power, friendship, and the choices that define us.
85 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 30, 2025
2 people want to read
About the author
H.B. Lyne
19 books56 followersHolly Lyne is an fantasy author, podcaster and bullet journal enthusiast with a knack for organisation and getting stuff done.
She lives in Yorkshire with her husbeast, two children and assorted fur babies. When not juggling family commitments, she writes dark fantasy novels, purging her imagination of its demons.
She lives in Yorkshire with her husbeast, two children and assorted fur babies. When not juggling family commitments, she writes dark fantasy novels, purging her imagination of its demons.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
February 3, 2025
Thisis a different story than this author’s usual fare, but very good nonetheless. I liked it a lot, I have to say. I hope that there’s going to be a series from this one, cos it deserves it. Highly recommended.
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