Novels by Helen B.

System claps her hands, pulling everyone’s attention back to the game. “Alright, alright, enough stalling. Back to the game! And remember, the more teasing, the better. Let’s see if David can handle it.”With a sigh, the widow goes back to play. Once Sasha gets her hands on the ball and serves, the action speeds up once more, but this time there is an extra layer of danger to each stroke. The four of them — Bree, Naomi, Stella, and Sasha — are totally on board with it, and they seize every chance to touch, stare, and show affectionate flirt with each other — to tease me. Bree might run her fingers over Naomi’s back as they pass each other, or Sasha might ‘accidentally’ brush her chest against Bree’s when they go for the same shot.System, meanwhile, watches it all with an amused smile, calling out the points and occasionally adding her own suggestions. “Naomi, why don’t you give Sasha a little encouragement? You know, a kiss for good luck?”Naomi doesn’t hesitate, leaning over to pla

The girls’ eyes widen in surprise, and for a moment, no one says a word. Then, slowly, a grin spreads across Bree’s face.“Naked tennis?” she echoes, her voice laced with amusement. “You’re really trying to shake things up, huh?”System shrugs casually, her tone nonchalant. “I figured we could use a bit of spiced-up fun. And I know our dear David here would thoroughly enjoy the view.”I can’t help but chuckle, raising an eyebrow at System’s bold suggestion. “You do know me well, System. But are you sure you want to join in? I mean, you just got that body—”“Exactly,” System interrupts, her eyes sparkling with a playful challenge. “What better way to get used to it than by embracing it fully? Literally.”Bree laughs. “Alright, I’m in. I’ve never been one to back down from a challenge. And it’s not like we haven’t seen each other naked before.”Sasha nods in agreement, her competitive spirit flaring up. “Same here. Besides, it’ll make the game more interesting. Just don’t get distracted

Despite Sasha’s sad pout, we all had agreed to sell some of her gemstones to pay for a luxurious house on the beach. It has a large pool, a tennis court, and a garden that overlooks the sea.She has agreed with the plan; her only plea was to be able to keep the gems she wants. Fortunately, though, her sadness over parting with the jewels to pay for the house seems to have faded as she is now learning tennis with the other girls. Wealth has its perks.As I sit on a chaise lounge with my fancy cocktail in hand, I watch the girls play. What can I say? The view beats the scenery of the sea. As the girls play tennis or sprint around, their skirts flutter wildly. The sun is shining brightly on their deep cleavages. Their tits and flat stomachs are on full display in those skintight, low-cut tank tops.“How does this swimsuit make me look?” System says, as she walks into my field of view and does a quick spin. Embracing every curve of her newly acquired body, System's swimsuit is a shimme

I nod in agreement. “Yes, this Luminara model does look perfect. Let’s get this one.” I turn to the receptionist. “Can we overwrite its AI in order to insert our own?”The receptionist smiles, her eyes lighting up with professional enthusiasm. “Absolutely, sir. Our models are designed with customizable AI integration. You can easily overwrite the existing AI to insert your own programming, or we can help you with that free of charge.”“Great,” I reply. “Now, let’s talk payment methods. We, uh, might not have traditional credits on us.”She doesn’t miss a beat, her smile widening. “That’s quite alright. We accept a variety of payment methods. Beyond standard credits, we have several unconventional options to suit our diverse clientele.”Bree raises an eyebrow. “Unconventional options?”The receptionist nods. “Yes. We accept rare artifacts and unique items of significant value or even one-of-a-kind abilities. Additionally, we have a bartering system in place for those who possess skills

We step through the portal together, the golden light enveloping us. The warm sun kisses our skin, and the sound of waves fills the air when we emerge on the other side. It’s perfect.“Welcome home, everyone,” I say, feeling a sense of contentment settle over me. The girls cheer, their excitement infectious. We’ve faced countless challenges and overcome insurmountable odds, but now we have the chance to create something truly special.“Alright, first things first,” I say, looking down at the jar in my hands. “Let’s go to the city we’ve seen through the portal and find a body for the System.”“I understand that Goddess didn’t care about taking over bodies and exchanging their souls,” Naomi starts. “But are we sure we want to do something similar? What will happen to the actual soul residing in that body when System takes over?”I shrug, trying to avoid the moral implications. These people weren’t just some random NPCs made by the Goddess. These were real people spread on different wor

My girls and I stand at a safe distance away, watching as the mob of angry challengers surrounds the now-powerless Goddess. It’s like watching a pack of wolves descend on a lone deer, and for a moment, I almost feel sorry for her. Almost.“David, are you sure this is the best way?” Stella asks, her voice laced with concern as she clings to my arm, her breasts wapped around my biceps through her thin blouse’s fabric.“Trust me, Stella; she deserves every bit of this,” I reply, my eyes never leaving the scene before us. “She’s tormented and manipulated us for long enough.”Naomi nods in agreement. “She needs to understand what it feels like to be powerless and at someone else’s mercy.”“To be truthful,” Bree starts, licking her upper lip. “In my opinion, this is more like a reward than a punishment.”The others look at her, eyes wide.“What?” She shrugs. “Just look over there.”She points to the Goddess right when the bulky barbarian slides his furry tabard to one side to reveal his eno

The door closes after the last man leaves the pub. Tejeda resumes his previous position and finishes his drink. By now, we are both soaking wet, but neither of us seems to care. My reason is the seven beers. I wonder what his is."Apparently, you're not leaving, and we've run out of time," he says as he turns to face me. His purple eyes sparkle. A chill goes down my spine. "These guys aren't going down without a fight. I might have to die to quench their hunger for vengeance. But the crystal I took is far more significant. It must be safeguarded."Tejeda leans forward, his hand reaching over the bar for the knife the bartender uses for the lemons. He sits again in his chair, gripping the handle with both of his hands, the pointy tip toward his stomach. I have seen this stance before in movies when someone performs seppuku.Filling his lungs with air, his chest expands, and he thrusts the knife right into his belly. I cover my mouth with a hand but not my eyes. I need to see what happe

A/N: A Halloween special side story, Meat Suit shows the events through the eyes of a normal, human nerd. Enjoy!***Halloween, the greatest night of the year. The time when I can go out with friends and be awkward as usual without getting a stare.I look in the mirror and see the dashing vampire I transform into every time I put on this ancient outfit. With extreme care, I place a black handkerchief in my pocket, covering the hole that reveals the lining. This year, I intended to get a new costume, but the latest game in the R****** E*** franchise and H***** 3 prevented me from doing so. They were released this year, and I had to get them, and then some.Sorry for not disclosing their names, but even in my diary, I avoid needless advertising. And don't make fun of me for keeping a diary in my thirties. Many people keep diaries, but they call them journals to appear more sophisticated and mature.The black costume’s collar is up to my ears, letting everyone see the red embroidered int

Rayna followed him through dark alleys, avoiding the city's main thoroughfares and heading for the city's outskirts. There weren't many other people around since it was late and freezing. The two veiled shadows of the night were easy to miss. Illuminated figures appeared randomly through the windows of dimly lit houses.He stopped in front of a derelict house. The sculpted archway stood crooked above the entrance, but he went beneath it without a second thought.Rayna stared at the white structure enveloped in moss to make sure it wouldn’t fall on her head. When the Bralxoid disappeared inside, she swallowed hard and followed him.Doctor Iadfoc invited her into a small, dark room with a single goose-neck lamp illuminating the top of a large table filled with glass vials. He gestured toward a threadbare sofa against the wall. He grabbed a simple wooden chair and sat facing her. For once, someone wasn't looking at her with meaningless pity, for which she was grateful.Iadfoc had a scann

A/N: Monster Within is a side story taking place about a thousand years or more before the action in the novel. Enjoy!***Rayna sat in front of the mirror, removing her makeup. Who would she discover underneath? Foundation applied in triple layers, contact lenses, even a wig to make certain no one would see her change.Skin patches of different complexions stretched across her face like puzzle pieces jammed together into a chaotic pattern. Some parts of the jigsaw had wrinkles, while others were as smooth as a baby’s skin.Her knuckles turned white as she gripped the edge of the mirror. Her heterochromatic eyes were both different colors than before she wore contact lenses. And her hair... Well, the hair looked more like a wig than the one she threw on the floor. Honey-blonde hair tumbled in waves over her right shoulder. Ruby-red hair, spikey like a hedgehog’s, pointed toward the ceiling from the top of her head. Black, curly strands went down to her chin from her left.She was a mo

Time passes differently on Yacleemb. I can’t say it’s the 56 hours days, the peacefulness of the Spreahs, or Lyam’s company. What I do know is that I’ve lost track of time. Every day, he builds things for the village; he’s happy, full of smiles, and I’m drunk with his genuine blissfulness.Unfortunately, I still have memories and can’t help but feel guilty for not contacting our friends. Wanting to know how things are working out for our crew, I stroll through the forest to the shuttle. After it powers up, a small blinking red light appears on the console. A message from E00.“Shayla, I hope you’ve found Tejeda by now. More than two months have passed, and no news from you. In the time you've been gone, things got worse around here.“Since the day you left, Jackeye has been trapped inside his virtual reality. I can’t say if it’s a voluntary decision or not. He cut me off completely.“Cato took a shuttle and left the Space Spoon about a month ago. The Interplanetary Police files show t

Shayla Bale's POVOnly Tejeda Hajar is capable of disappearing and leaving me with an ambassador’s corpse. Once again, I had to assume the role of acting captain and evade the Interplanetary Police. We are all renegades once more, as we were before Tejeda found us.The crew needs me to steer the ship in the right direction, but my thoughts are far away, following the faceless Nubilae who left us. I lean against the wall and stare at his empty chair, wishing he will appear there, smiling without giving me any explanation as he always does.“Thinking about him won’t bring him back,” E00’s voice echoes from the ceiling speakers. “If you want him here again, you must go after him.”“Don’t get me wrong, E00, I want to. But it was his choice. He left us. Even if I go after him, he may not come back.”“If there’s anyone who can shake him out of the state he’s in, you’re the one.”“Why must you torment me?” I slump in Tejeda’s chair, rubbing my eyes to forestall crying. The gesture is pointle

Mira had been quiet for a day and a half.I'd said good morning to my ceiling twice and gotten nothing back, which was new and which I hated more than I wanted to admit."Mira?" I tried again in the hospital elevator. "Still doing the silent treatment? Because I said one nice thing and you vanished like a startled hologram, which, frankly, is a you problem—"Nothing. Just the elevator hum and the smell of industrial citrus that hospitals use to pretend they don't smell like hospitals.I let it go. I had a person to see who actually answered when you talked to him.***Danny looked better than last time. Not better better. Better the way a guy looks when the worst round of treatment is behind him, and the next one hasn't started yet, meaning color in his face, eyes bright under the baseball cap, but thinner than a guy who played college ball should ever be, the IV line still taped to the back of his hand like a tether."There he is," he rasped, grinning. "Delivery Boy Hero. In the fles

The text said: Your presence is required. 2 PM. Your apartment.It was from Clara. It had a calendar invite attached. The calendar invite had an agenda. The agenda had bullet points.I have walked into job interviews with less structure than this. I have walked into a police station with less structure than this."You look like a man reading his own sentencing," Mira observed from somewhere near the ceiling."They scheduled a meeting with an agenda. In my own apartment.""Eleven days to a citywide tournament against unknown enemies, and this is what frightens you?""You don't understand. There are bullet points, Mira."***They arrived together, which was its own bad sign.Clara came in first, laptop already open, walking like she had a quarterly review to deliver. Jade followed with two grocery bags, set them on my counter, and started laying out snacks like provisioning a bunker."Why so many snacks?" I asked."Because this is going to take a while," Jade said, "and I refuse to nego

Telling Jade had felt like jumping off a cliff. Telling Clara had felt like an oral exam I hadn't studied for.Telling Leona felt like walking into a chess game already in progress, where I was somehow both a player and a piece, and I'd forgotten the rules on purpose.The elevator played the same smooth-brained Coltrane-adjacent jazz. The city dropped away below the glass. Twelve days until the Challenge. A second echo blinking on Clara's screen somewhere across town.And me, going to Leona's office two days early and unannounced, because Jade had looked me in the eye that morning and said no more secrets."You're tense," Mira said in my ear. "Tenser than usual."The doors opened. The receptionist was gone for the day. The corridor of magazine covers of TIME, Forbes, Vanity Fair, and all the people Leona had built and quietly unbuilt ran ahead of me in low amber light.The last door was open."You're early," Leona said, without turning around. She was at the window, the city behind he

She laughed and pulled my shirt off over my head. We sank down onto the same cruel mat, now somehow the best object in the world, and her hands ran over the bruises she'd just put there like she was apologizing to each one personally."You're going to be purple tomorrow," she murmured."Worth it.""You don't even know what I'm about to do to you yet.""Still confident in my answer."She kissed me again, slower this time, the anger bleeding out of it, and when she pulled back, her eyes were scared in a way she'd rather die than say out loud.So I said it for her. "I'm not going anywhere.""You don't know that.""No," I admitted. "But I'm going to keep showing up until you have to throw me off the roof to get rid of me.""Don't tempt me," she said.Then she kissed me again. Her hands flattened against my chest and pushed me down onto my back, and she followed me down, straddling my hips, her weight settling over me."Tell me to stop," she said against my jaw, "if you want to stop.""Tha

The text came at 6:14 a.m.Jade: Gym. Now. Wear something you don't mind bleeding in.I looked at it for a while.Me: good morning to you tooJade: 6:40. Door's open.No Cross. No teasing. Just instructions.Clara was probably already three coffees deep, hunched over the second echo, blinking on a timeline in a part of the city neither of us had touched. There was nothing to do with it yet. You can't punch a network signature. You can't lock your door against a hiccup in the traffic.Jade, though, had found something she could punch.***The gym was empty and gray in the early light, that hour before the heavy bags and the loud men, when it smells like rubber and effort. Jade was already on the mats, barefoot, wrapping her hands. She didn't look up."Shoes off. Tape up.""So we're doing this. Cool. Love it."I sat to untie my shoes. My hands weren't completely steady, and the worst part was I couldn't tell if it was nerves or the Intuition passive, that low hum the system gave me afte

The coffee mug lay on its side by the leg of the couch, a slow brown tongue of Jade's terrible coffee crawling toward the rug.Nobody moved to clean it up. We were all still standing inside the word Leona."Okay," Clara said.Her voice had gone flat and far away.She opened a new spreadsheet."Clara," Jade said. "He just told us Leona Hart is in his head. The woman who cornered him at the gala. The one you said gives you a bad feeling.""I know.""So we're going to talk about that.""We are." Clara's fingers didn't stop typing. "Just not now. If I start with Leona right now, I'm going to say something I can't take back, and then the system will probably dock him for my feelings, knowing his luck." She finally looked up. "Let me do the part I can do. Then we do the part I can't."Jade held her stare for a second. Then she dropped onto the couch arm, jaw tight, and let her have it."Title," she said, typing. "Nexus Testing Sheet, version one.""You're versioning it," I said."There will

Anne paced the living room, her blonde waves disheveled, her icy blue eyes wild with fury. The news of her father’s conviction had shattered whatever fragile stability she had left.“Simon!” she screamed, her voice echoing off the high ceilings.Simon entered the room slowly, his deep blue eyes calm, unreadable. He had been expecting this. He leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms as Anne rounded on him.“You think you’ve won, don’t you?” Anne hissed, her voice trembling with rage. “You came into my life, into my family, and you ruined everything!”Simon’s smirk was faint, almost pitying. “You ruined it yourself, Anne. Or have you forgotten who forced who into this marriage?”Simon’s words struck a nerve, and Anne’s face twisted with fury. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides, trembling as she glared at him.“You don’t get to throw that in my face!” she shouted, her voice sharp enough to cut glass. “You wouldn’t understand me in a million years.”Simon crossed his arms,

The high-end hotel suite exuded quiet luxury. The low lights highlighted the rich textures of the room—mahogany furniture, cream linens, and gold accents that spoke to a wealth that didn’t need to scream for attention.Cassandra opened the door, stepping inside with a confident sway that made John follow like a man under a spell. She shrugged off her coat, draping it over a chair before turning back to him, her dark eyes glinting with promise.“You always this impulsive?” she teased, walking toward the minibar.John loosened his tie, letting it hang around his neck as he leaned against the wall. “Only when it’s worth it.”Cassandra laughed softly, pulling out two glasses. “I like that.”She handed him a glass, her fingers brushing his just enough to spark a moment of contact.“To worth it,” she said, raising her glass.John clinked his glass against hers, his gaze never leaving her. “To worth it.”Unseen, Simon sat in his small apartment, the glow from his laptop screen illuminating h

The Parker family estate was a fortress of wealth and power. Inside, John Parker sat in his expansive study, the glow of his antique desk lamp illuminating his cheekbones. His icy demeanor reflected in the highball glass he swirled absently, the amber liquid sloshing like a storm in a bottle.Across from him stood his trusted confidant, Victor Black, a man as ruthless as he was loyal. Victor’s tailored suit was as sharp as his tone as he laid a file on the polished mahogany desk.“You’re not going to like this, Mr. Parker,” Victor said, his voice low.John’s piercing blue eyes flicked to the file, then back to Victor. “What is it?” he asked, his tone calm, but there was an edge to it, the calm before the storm.Victor hesitated for half a second before continuing. “It’s Simon. Your daughter’s husband.” He leaned forward, tapping the folder. “He’s been... involved with Rose.”The name hit John like a slap. His jaw tightened, and the glass in his hand came down with a sharp thud. “Ros

The sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the hall. Steven Jones stepped into the foyer, his tall frame casting long shadows across the pristine marble floor. His amber eyes glinted with predatory amusement as they swept across the room, lingering for a fraction too long on the figure standing near the staircase.Elize froze the moment she saw him. Her red hair was pulled back into a sleek ponytail, and her usually sharp hazel eyes darted nervously toward the doorway. Her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her maid’s outfit, betraying the tension in her otherwise poised appearance.“Steven,” she said softly, her voice trembling despite her effort to remain composed. “Why are you here?”Steven’s smirk widened. “Elize,” he drawled, his voice filled with false warmth. “I came to check on you. And on my son.”Anne entered the room with her wavy blonde hair cascading over her shoulders. Her icy blue eyes hardened immediately.“What do you want, Steven?” Anne said coldly, stepping between h

Simon dragged Marcus outside, the rain soaking both of them. Michael’s men stood watch, their eyes scanning for any signs of retaliation.“The Broker,” Simon said, his voice dripping with disdain. “Who does he work for?”Marcus shook his head frantically. “I don’t know! I swear! He’s just a middleman! The money—”“Where did the money come from?” Simon interrupted.Marcus hesitated, fear flashing in his eyes. “Parker Holdings. I don’t know from whom exactly, but the funds came through that company. That’s all I know, I swear!”Simon released Marcus, letting him collapse onto the wet pavement.The streetlights above cast harsh shadows over Simon’s face, making him look every bit the predator he was in that moment.“You’re lying,” he said, his voice low but razor-sharp. “You’ve got more than that. Talk.”Marcus shook his head, his breath coming in ragged gasps. “I swear, man, I swear—”Simon crouched, grabbing Marcus by the front of his shirt and yanking him close, their faces inches apa

Simon sat in the dimly lit diner, his foot tapping nervously beneath the table. The rain outside drummed against the windows, a steady, relentless rhythm. His fingers grazed the ceramic coffee cup in front of him. He didn’t need caffeine—his nerves were already shot.The door creaked open, and Adrien Pierce walked in, his trench coat dripping water onto the tiled floor. He scanned the room with a practiced eye before locking onto Simon and making his way over. The PI looked as if he hadn’t slept in days; his tie hung loose around his neck, and a thin layer of stubble darkened his jaw.“Pierce,” Simon greeted, his deep blue eyes narrowing. “You’ve got something?”Adrien nodded curtly, sliding into the booth across from Simon. “Yeah. It wasn’t easy, but I found a trail. You’re not going to like it.”Simon leaned forward. “Just tell me.”Adrien sighed, rubbing a hand down his face. “Robert’s killer was hired by someone close to the family. Very close.” He paused, letting the weight of hi