Aloe

Tales from the Night Garden, Vol. 2

A vampire and a werewolf dare to fight... (No, there's still no punchline.)

Acanthus and Cypress, an age old Vampire and a young new Werewolf, have accidentally started a war. Nekane, the Werewolf in charge, will go to any means necessary to capture Acanthus; meaning even humans are in danger. On the run, our non-binary heroes encounter others caught up in Nekane's hatred of vampires, witches, and any werewolves that fraternize with them! As Acanthus and Cypress regroup with the Night Garden, an underground organization committed to liberating any in Nekane's crosshairs, they're tasked with some of the hardest challenges they've faced yet!

Friend or foe? It's hard to judge just who to trust in a world wrought with danger. In this second book of the Tales From The Night Garden universe, our protagonists continue their adventure in this game of chess with very real consequences. A gaggle of strays begin to expand their found family and a love that blazes bright in the night starts to break out of the darkness.

What can Acanthus and Cypress do to convince Nekane to stand down, or are words not enough? How will these two fugitives handle inviting more refugees into their growing resistance? How will The Night Garden continue to save the disenfranchised Supernaturals when Nekane shows up at their Head Quarters' door!?

No one knows, but both Cypress and Acanthus have decided they can't run anymore. It's time to stand up for what is right and just. Will you stand up with them on their next journey?

Illustrations

Trigger Warning List

We want you to dive into the story, but we also know that it’s a dark fantasy. Please note that the story contains some difficult topics, and we want to make sure that you’re prepared for it while reading. The story has more lighthearted moments than not, but just in case it is an issue, here is a list of common triggers throughout the story:

Violence - Graphic Depictions of Injuries, Death, Blood, Kidnapping, Slurs & Bigotry (Invented, not existing)

Guns

Strong Language - Swearing

Mental Health Struggles - Suicidal ideation, Self Harm, Neglect, Grief & Loss, Isolation, Anxiety, Paranoia

Religious Trauma

Mention of Drug Use and Addiction

Homelessness and Housing Insecurity

Vicious Animals - Description of animal harm (Werewolves) and animals attacks (Werewolves)

Police (depicted in both a positive and negative light)

Unhealthy Relationships - Familial, Mentor/Teacher, Significant Other - Stalking, Obsession

Minor mention of Child Abuse and Neglect

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☼ REVIEWS ☼

I try to sell slightly cheaper directly through me, and I always add a few extra goodies to physical sales! You can buy directly through me on the Website, Ko-Fi, and Gumroad. Other platforms are listed below.

☼ MEET THE CHARACTERS ☼

Acanthus Sylene

They/He

A centuries old vampire who is frankly tired of life, and working to bounce back from a moment of extreme weakness and coming close to giving up. They're anxious, traumatized from their past, and doing their best to meet the current situation with poise and grace, but they're falling apart beneath the pressure. One thing is for certain -- they don't want to keep running, but they're not sure how to stop.

Acanthus is closest with Azalea, Cypress, Corbin (one of their fledglings), and Esmeralda (Austin's wife).

Azalea Barclay

She/Her

Azalea is the owner of The Yellow Rose Bed and Breakfast, the head of the Night Garden's eastern paths, and one of Acanthus' best friends. She lives her life with an emphasis on kindness, but make no mistake — when push comes to shove, she will do her absolute best to take care of those close to her. She knows what it's like to be controlled, and she's vowed to never allow herself into that position again.

Azalea is closest with Acanthus, her coven, Talia, and Cypress.

Nekane Diaz

She/Her

Nekane is the leader of the New York packs, and one of the head of five different territories called The Big Five. The Might of the East, she has made it her mission to take down Acanthus, if it's the last thing that she does. She views vampires as the scourge of the earth, and would rather it burn then let them live...

Nekane is closest with Austin, Junior, and her Pack.

Cypress Borne

He/They

Cypress is in his mid-twenties, and has been thrust into a world that he knew nothing about less than a few months ago. Optimistic, upbeat, and used to being the strong one in the room, Cypress can be insecure and brash at times. They do their best, though. He's curious and cunning, and likes to learn how things work.

Cypress is closest with Azalea and Acanthus, and later, Avery and Lykaia.

Austin Garrison

He/Him

Austin is a detective in N.Y.P.D, working as a double agent for The Night Garden in order to gather information on Nekane and her packs. He's been estranged from his wife Esmeralda for quite a long time, but they're slowly working on things after a tragedy pushed them into talking again. He wants to quit the force and live a quiet life, but he knows there's work that needs to happen before he can do that.

Austin is closest with Acanthus, Esmeralda, and Everett.

François de Toulouse