Haunted by Nightmares

Asher O'Keefe, a centuries-old incubus, is tormented by nightmares of a woman he loved and lost—his touch always destroying her. He wakes in a fever, haunted by guilt and unable to escape the past. Drawing her face is his nightly ritual, a penance and a comfort. But tonight, the face in his sketchbook is not the woman from his past, but Gray Desario, the witch who has recently saved his life. Their connection is undeniable, but Asher is bound by the fear that his love is deadly. The safe house, meant to be a refuge, becomes a crucible for his unresolved pain and forbidden desire.

Safe House Tensions

Gray Desario, a witch still reeling from trauma and loss, is stuck in the safe house with Asher. Their banter is sharp, masking deeper wounds and attraction. Both are haunted by nightmares—hers of a hunter who killed her best friend, his of the woman he destroyed. Their flirtation is electric but fraught with danger, as Asher's incubus nature means intimacy could be fatal. Gray clings to her book of shadows, a symbol of her lost magical heritage, while Asher's presence stirs feelings she can't ignore. Their forced proximity brings simmering emotions to a boil, but the threat outside is as real as the tension within.

Tarot and Visions

Seeking answers, Gray turns to Sophie's tarot cards, hoping for guidance. The cards reveal a chilling vision: witches imprisoned, forced to use their magic for a mysterious hunter. Gray's scrying through fire brings her into psychic contact with Reva, a young witch begging for help. The vision is overwhelming, nearly consuming Gray in smoke and panic. Asher intervenes, saving her from the trance, and together they piece together the clues—witches are being held somewhere near the sea, in a prison of darkness and fear. The urgency to act grows, but so does the sense of helplessness.

Rituals and Consequences

Gray attempts a ritual to reconnect with her dormant magic and her book of shadows, enlisting Asher's help for protection. Under the full moon, she performs the ceremony, drawing on earth's energy. The ritual is powerful—too powerful. Instead of simply recharging her magic, Gray accidentally raises the dead, animating a horde of decaying animals. The necromantic surge nearly kills her and Asher, forcing her to use an unraveling spell to undo the damage. The experience is a stark warning: her magic is potent but unpredictable, and every use has consequences she cannot foresee.

Necromancy Unleashed

In the aftermath, Asher is gravely wounded by the undead animals. Gray's only hope to save him is to share her energy through a kiss—an act that is both healing and dangerously intimate. The exchange leaves them both changed: Asher is restored, but Gray feels stronger, not weaker, from the connection. Their bond deepens, blurring the lines between friendship, desire, and magical necessity. Liam, the personification of Death, arrives, warning of the dangers of Gray's growing power and the thin line she walks between life and death. The group is reunited, but the threat of the hunter looms ever larger.

Allies and Training

The safe house becomes a hub for Gray's unlikely family: Ronan, her demon protector; Darius, the vampire; Emilio, the shifter; and Asher. Each man is drawn to Gray, and their relationships grow more complex—romantic, protective, and competitive. Liam insists Gray must train her magic, but she also needs to learn to fight physically. The men take turns teaching her self-defense, combat, and survival skills. Gray's capacity for love expands, and she realizes she doesn't have to choose between them. Their unity is their strength, but also a vulnerability the hunter may exploit.

Bonds and Confessions

Gray's relationships with her rebels deepen. She confesses her love to Ronan, shares intimacy with Darius, and finds comfort in Emilio's gentle strength. Asher's walls begin to crumble, and he admits his feelings for Gray, haunted by the fear that loving her will destroy her as it did the woman in his past. The group's polyamorous dynamic is a source of healing and empowerment for Gray, who has always felt alone. Together, they form a chosen family, bound by love, loyalty, and the shared goal of defeating the hunter.

Love Without Limits

Gray, Ronan, and Darius share a night of passion, breaking down barriers and forging new bonds. The experience is transformative, teaching Gray that love is not a finite resource. Each man brings out a different strength in her, and together they are more than the sum of their parts. The group's trust is tested, but their commitment to each other is unwavering. Even Asher, who has kept his distance, is drawn into the circle of trust, though his fears remain. The rebels' love is their greatest weapon—and their greatest risk.

The Witch's Home

News arrives that Gray's home in Blackmoon Bay has been burned to the ground—an act of arson by the hunter. The loss is devastating, erasing the last physical connection to her best friend Sophie and her old life. The group rallies around Gray, but the trauma is compounded by guilt, anger, and the sense that nowhere is safe. Asher, despite his own pain, salvages a few of Sophie's painted stones from the ruins, a small gesture of hope amid the ashes. The fire is a message: the hunter is closing in, and the past can no longer be reclaimed.

Unraveling the Hunter's Game

Emilio's investigation uncovers a trail of murders and kidnappings stretching across the country, all leading to a coastal town—Raven's Cape. The hunter, Jonathan, is revealed to be Gray's former lover, now obsessed with reclaiming magic for the hunters. He is not working alone; a rogue vampire, Fiona, is implicated in the murders. The group sets a trap, hoping to use Fiona as bait to draw out Jonathan. But the hunter is always one step ahead, manipulating events and leaving a trail of bodies and clues designed to lure Gray into his grasp.

The Rogue Vampire

Darius captures Fiona, the rogue vampire, who turns out to be a girl from Gray's past. Fiona confesses her role in the murders, driven by unrequited love for Jonathan and fear for her family. She claims she never intended harm, but her actions have enabled Jonathan's experiments on witches. Gray is torn between rage and pity, recognizing in Fiona a reflection of her own vulnerability. The group debates whether to use Fiona as bait or show mercy, but time is running out. The lines between victim and perpetrator blur, and trust is in short supply.

The Trap is Set

Jonathan strikes, using fae magic and poisoned artifacts to incapacitate the group and kidnap Gray and Asher. They awaken in a coastal cave, imprisoned and separated from their allies. Jonathan reveals his plan: to use Gray's necromantic power to create an army of resurrected witches, blending magic, technology, and vampirism. He demonstrates his cruelty by forcing Gray to witness the suffering of her friends and the undead Bean, a victim of Gray's own accidental necromancy. The psychological torment is as real as the physical danger, and Gray must find a way to resist.

Fire and Loss

The burning of Gray's home is both a literal and symbolic loss, severing her from her past and forcing her to confront the reality that nothing is safe. The group is scattered, wounded, and desperate. Emilio's family history and connections in Raven's Cape become crucial, but even his sister, the local police chief, is wary of outsiders. The rebels are captured and separated, their unity shattered. Gray, isolated and grieving, must draw on every ounce of strength and magic to survive and protect those she loves.

Kidnapped and Imprisoned

In captivity, Jonathan tries to break Gray's will, demanding she teach him necromancy. He uses Asher as leverage, infecting him with nanotech devil's traps that will kill him unless Gray complies. Fiona, also a prisoner, is broken and remorseful, but unable to help. Gray's only hope is to draw on the earth's magic, fusing it with her own to heal Asher and resist Jonathan's control. The psychological battle is intense, as Jonathan manipulates Gray's guilt, love, and fear. But Gray's connection to her rebels, and her acceptance of her own darkness, become her salvation.

Facing the Past

Gray is forced to relive the traumas of her past—her mother's murder, Sophie's death, her own role in Bean's resurrection. Jonathan's psychological warfare is relentless, but Gray finds strength in her memories, her love for her rebels, and the lessons of the Tower card: destruction is also transformation. She realizes that her power is not a curse, but a gift, and that embracing both light and darkness is the key to survival. The final confrontation with Jonathan is as much about reclaiming her identity as it is about defeating her enemy.

Sacrifice and Power

With Asher's life hanging in the balance, Gray makes the ultimate sacrifice. She uses her necromancy to banish Jonathan's soul, drawing on both his blood and his essence to lock him away in the Shadowrealm. The act is both a victory and a loss, as Gray knows she has crossed a line from which there is no return. The cost of power is steep, but she accepts it, knowing that saving her friends and the captive witches is worth any price. The rebels, battered but alive, are reunited, but the scars of battle remain.

The Tower Falls

The dust settles, but nothing is as it was. The safe house is no longer a sanctuary, and the group must reckon with the consequences of their choices. Gray's acceptance of her power, her love for her rebels, and her willingness to sacrifice for others mark her transformation. The Tower has fallen, but from the rubble, a new foundation is laid—one built on love, trust, and the hard-won knowledge that darkness and light are inseparable. The story ends with hope: the witches are free, the hunter is defeated, and Gray's journey is far from over.

Characters

Gray Desario

Gray is a young witch marked by loss, trauma, and a power she never wanted—necromancy. Orphaned by hunters, she's spent her life running from her magic, only to be forced to reclaim it when her best friend is murdered. Gray's journey is one of self-acceptance: she must embrace both the light and darkness within her to survive. Her relationships with her rebels—Ronan, Asher, Darius, Emilio, and even Liam—are complex, blending love, trust, and vulnerability. Gray's greatest fear is that her power will destroy those she loves, but her capacity for love is also her greatest strength. She is the glue that binds the group, the catalyst for their transformation, and the key to defeating the hunter.

Asher O'Keefe

Asher is a centuries-old incubus who hides his pain behind sarcasm and bravado. Haunted by the memory of a woman he loved and destroyed, he fears intimacy, believing his love is fatal. His connection with Gray is electric but fraught with danger—her touch both heals and threatens him. Asher's journey is one of redemption: he must learn to forgive himself and accept that love does not have to end in tragedy. His loyalty to Gray and the rebels is unwavering, and his willingness to sacrifice for them is a testament to his hidden depth and courage.

Ronan Vacarro

Ronan is Gray's first and most devoted protector, bound to her by a crossroads contract. He is both a fierce warrior and a gentle lover, providing stability and comfort amid chaos. Ronan's love for Gray is unconditional, and he is willing to share her with the other rebels, believing that her happiness is paramount. His rivalry with Asher and Darius is playful but rooted in deep respect. Ronan's greatest fear is losing Gray, but his strength lies in his ability to put her needs above his own, even when it means facing his own demons.

Darius Beaumont

Darius is a centuries-old vampire with a strict code of honor and a penchant for control. His relationship with Gray challenges his carefully constructed boundaries, forcing him to confront his own vulnerability. Darius is both a lover and a mentor, teaching Gray about the supernatural world and the dangers within it. His quest to track down the rogue vampire and protect Gray is driven by both duty and love. Darius's struggle is to balance his need for control with the chaos of love and the unpredictability of magic.

Emilio Alvarez

Emilio is a wolf shifter and police detective, the moral compass of the group. His kindness and empathy provide a counterbalance to the darkness surrounding Gray and the rebels. Emilio's past is marked by loss and sacrifice, and he understands the cost of love and loyalty. He is the first to offer comfort, the last to judge, and the one who holds the group together when tensions run high. Emilio's relationship with Gray is tender and supportive, and his skills as a detective are crucial in unraveling the hunter's game.

Liam Colebrook (Death)

Liam is Death incarnate, inhabiting a human vessel to guide Gray through her magical awakening. He is both otherworldly and oddly human, struggling to understand emotions and the value of memory. Liam's connection to Gray is profound—he is bound to all Shadowborn, but she is unique. He pushes her to accept her power, warning of the dangers of necromancy and the thin line between life and death. Liam's role is that of mentor and guardian, but his growing attachment to Gray hints at a deeper, more personal stake in her fate.

Jonathan Reese (The Hunter)

Jonathan is the primary antagonist, a hunter obsessed with reclaiming magic for his kind. Once Gray's lover, he is now her tormentor, blending technology, magic, and cruelty in his quest for power. Jonathan is brilliant but unhinged, always a step ahead, manipulating events to break Gray's will. His psychological warfare is as dangerous as his physical threats, and his willingness to sacrifice anyone for his goals makes him a formidable foe. Jonathan embodies the dangers of obsession, the corruption of love, and the destructive potential of unchecked ambition.

Fiona Brentwood

Fiona is a girl from Gray's past, turned vampire and manipulated by Jonathan. Driven by unrequited love and fear for her family, she becomes an unwilling accomplice in the hunter's experiments. Fiona's confession reveals the blurred lines between victim and perpetrator, and her fate is a cautionary tale about the cost of love and the dangers of losing oneself to another's will. Her presence forces Gray to confront her own capacity for forgiveness and the complexity of moral choices.

Sophie

Sophie's murder is the catalyst for Gray's journey, but her presence lingers as a source of comfort and guidance. Through tarot, memories, and visions, Sophie helps Gray navigate grief, guilt, and the challenges of reclaiming her magic. She represents the enduring power of friendship and the belief that love transcends death. Sophie's lessons—especially about embracing change and the Tower card—become central to Gray's transformation.

Reva Monroe

Reva is the youngest of the captive witches, her psychic plea for help sparking Gray's determination to act. Her vulnerability and courage remind Gray of what is at stake, and her fate becomes a rallying point for the rebels. Reva's presence underscores the theme of protecting the innocent and the responsibility that comes with power.

Plot Devices

Dual Narration and Shifting Perspectives

The story alternates between Gray's first-person perspective and those of her rebels, especially Asher, Ronan, Darius, Emilio, and Liam. This structure allows readers to experience the emotional arc from multiple angles, deepening empathy and understanding. The shifting perspectives also build suspense, as each character brings unique knowledge, fears, and desires to the unfolding crisis.

Tarot and Symbolism

Tarot readings are woven throughout the narrative, serving as both literal divination and metaphorical commentary on the characters' journeys. Cards like the Tower, Death, and the Swords suit foreshadow destruction, transformation, and the psychological battles ahead. The tarot becomes a language for Gray's intuition, guiding her through uncertainty and danger.

Magical Realism and the Shadowrealm

Gray's magical realm is both a sanctuary and a battleground, reflecting her inner state and the evolution of her magic. The Shadowrealm, accessible through her necromancy, is a place of both danger and revelation. These metaphysical spaces allow for exploration of trauma, healing, and the consequences of power, blurring the line between reality and the supernatural.

Polyamory and Chosen Family

The polyamorous dynamic among Gray and her rebels is central, challenging traditional romance tropes and emphasizing the power of chosen family. Their love is both a source of healing and a potential weakness, as the hunter seeks to exploit their bonds. The group's unity is tested by jealousy, fear, and external threats, but ultimately becomes their greatest weapon.

Foreshadowing and Breadcrumbs

Jonathan's strategy is to leave clues, bodies, and magical traps that lure Gray and her allies into his web. Each apparent victory is a setup for a greater challenge, and the group is constantly forced to question their assumptions. The use of fae magic, necromancy, and technology as plot devices keeps the reader guessing and heightens the sense of danger.

Sacrifice and Transformation

The Tower card and the repeated motif of fire and loss symbolize the necessity of destruction for transformation. Gray's journey is marked by sacrifice—of safety, innocence, and even her own soul. The story's climax hinges on her willingness to embrace both light and darkness, to accept the cost of power, and to rebuild from the ashes.

Analysis

Sarah Piper's Darkness Bound is a dark, sensual, and emotionally charged urban fantasy that reimagines the witch's journey as one of radical self-acceptance and the forging of chosen family. At its core, the novel is about embracing the full spectrum of one's identity—light and dark, love and rage, vulnerability and power. Gray's evolution from a haunted, reluctant witch to a self-possessed necromancer is mirrored in her relationships: she learns that love is not a zero-sum game, and that true strength comes from connection, not isolation. The polyamorous dynamic is not just titillating but thematically essential, challenging the notion that love must be exclusive or possessive. The hunter's manipulations, the trauma of loss, and the unpredictable consequences of magic all serve to test the group's unity and Gray's resolve. Ultimately, the novel argues that survival is not about avoiding pain or destruction, but about finding meaning in the aftermath—rebuilding, loving fiercely, and daring to hope even when the Tower falls. The story's blend of romance, horror, and psychological depth makes it a standout in the genre, offering both escapism and a meditation on the cost—and necessity—of transformation.

Last updated: October 23, 2025