A collection of horror, science fiction, and fantasy short stories by Colette Black. The Art of Blood and Bourbon: an art show, a critique, and an assassin. Who will win in the end? Kairo's Opportunity: Trapped in a sewer since birth, Kairo makes an unexpected friend, one living in a different kind of cage. Only if they help each other, will either find freedom. Beneath the Skin: an innocent trip to India with an unexpected stowaway. In the Red: technology is a common escape, especially for teens, but not usually like this. Eden's Hell: The petunia isn't just another pretty face. Obsessions:...

Mwalgi pirates, parasitic aliens who consume human spinal fluid, are boarding the Noble Ark. When Larkin Trovgar, a half-human member of the attacking alien ship, turns on his own people, saving Aline Taylor's life, she feels duty-bound to watch over the impossible monstrosity. Despite his easy-going charms and virile physique, she's determined to see him as she would any Mwalgi-nothing better than an animal. As Larkin's presence brings out the best and worst in the human crew, and the Noble Ark is harassed by more Mwalgi ships, will Aline look past Larkin's alien heritage to find love, or...

Unicorns, with their single ivory horn, are elusive and magical creatures of myth. Yet even more elusive are the purple unicorns. First sighted at the Superstars Writing Seminar, their legend has grown year after year until it could only be contained in this anthology. Nineteen storytellers, including Peter S. Beagle, Todd McCaffrey, and Jody Lynn Nye, as well as new and rising authors, invite us into worlds both near and far, across a desert oasis, a pet shop, a Comic-Con exhibition floor, and more, and show us the many variations of purple unicorns, from the imaginary to the actual-and one...