Grave Decisions

1. Southern Roots, Supernatural Storm

Medley Bell is a delivery driver in Sweetgreen, Georgia, scraping by with a tough job, a sharp tongue, and a loving but eccentric family. Her life is a patchwork of Southern grit, family loyalty, and a persistent sense of not quite fitting in. She's haunted by mysterious blackouts—her "tribulations"—and a feeling that something is missing. Her parents, who adopted her after she was left on their porch as a baby, are her anchor, teaching her resilience and humor. But beneath the surface of her ordinary life, something strange is stirring, and Medley's world is about to be upended by forces she never imagined.

2. The Package That Changed Everything

On a sweltering Georgia day, Medley's last delivery takes her to the Hairy Dog Tavern, a bar she's never heard of, deep in the swamp. After a disastrous encounter with a monstrous dog and a run-in with her spiteful boss, she's late for the drop-off. Inside the bar, a series of bizarre events unfold: she's injured by a mysterious stick, meets the enigmatic Alder, and is fired for her tardiness. Seeking solace, she orders a drink, only to find herself seeing impossible things—tree-bartenders, faceless patrons, and more. The stick she tripped over seems to have a will of its own, and Medley's reality begins to unravel, setting her on a collision course with the supernatural.

3. Bar Brawls and Bewilderment

Medley's drink triggers a vision: the bar's patrons morph into supernatural beings, and her stick becomes a weapon. Accused of being drugged, she panics, but the truth is stranger—she's seeing through magical wards. Alder and Flint, the bar's owners, recognize something in her. As Medley's fear spirals, her tribulation takes over, and she blacks out, unleashing chaos. When she wakes, she's home, unsure what happened, but the stick—her scythe—remains by her side. The boundaries between her mundane life and the supernatural have been shattered, and Medley is left with more questions than answers.

4. Blackouts and Family Ties

Medley's parents provide comfort and unconditional love, helping her process her latest blackout. Their quirky warmth grounds her, but Medley can't shake the feeling that her tribulations are getting worse. Fired from her job, she faces her failures and insecurities, but her parents' unwavering support reminds her of her worth. As she prepares to confront her boss and collect her things, Medley is determined to face whatever comes next, even as the supernatural world edges closer to her reality.

5. Fired, Flustered, and Found

Medley's confrontation with her boss is both cathartic and humiliating, but she stands her ground. Unexpectedly, Alder and Flint appear at her family's trailer, seeking her out. Their presence is both alluring and unsettling, and Medley's attraction to them is undeniable. They reveal that she's not human, but a demon—like them—and that she's been called to something greater. Medley's world tilts on its axis as she's offered a job at the bar and a chance to discover her true nature.

6. Unexpected Visitors, Unveiled Truths

Alder and Flint's visit to Medley's home is both awkward and revelatory. Her mother's Southern hospitality disarms them, but Medley is wary. The demons explain that she's like another woman, Delta, who discovered her own demon heritage. Medley's ability to see through magical wards and wield the scythe marks her as special. Though skeptical, Medley is drawn to the truth of their words and the sense of belonging they offer. Her family's acceptance gives her the courage to consider a new path.

7. Demons at the Doorstep

Medley grapples with the revelation of her demonhood and the offer to work at the bar. Alder and Flint explain the dangers she faces from other demons and the importance of the Hellgate they guard. Medley's skepticism gives way to curiosity, and her family's nonchalance about her origins helps her accept her new reality. When she's attacked at a club by a demon named Morax, and then rescued by Alder and Flint, Medley realizes the stakes are higher than she imagined. She chooses to trust her new allies, setting her on a path toward her true destiny.

8. Revelations and Reluctant Acceptance

Medley moves in with Alder and Flint for safety, and begins working at the bar. She's drawn to the Hellgate, feeling its call deep in her bones. Training with her scythe and learning about her powers, Medley's attraction to her demon guardians intensifies. The trio's chemistry simmers, but Medley is cautious, unsure if she can trust her feelings or her new identity. As she grows stronger, she realizes that her tribulations are not a curse, but a manifestation of her true self.

9. Night Out, New Dangers

A night out with friends turns deadly when Medley is targeted by Morax, who uses his powers to try to abduct her. Rescued by Alder and Flint, Medley learns that she's not the only one of her kind. Delta, another woman with similar powers, is her twin sister. Together, they are part of a rare bloodline with the power to reset the balance between Heaven and Hell. The revelation of a third sister, Sable, lost and possibly in danger, raises the stakes even higher.

10. Angels, Demons, and Decisions

Medley and Delta meet their birth parents—an angel and a demon—who reveal the truth of their origins. The sisters are Annuli, beings capable of resetting the Hellgate and restoring balance. The supernatural community is divided over how to handle the threat of Morax and the missing Sable. Medley and Delta must train, learn to wield their powers, and navigate the complex web of alliances and rivalries among angels, demons, and Guardians. The sisters' bond deepens as they prepare for the coming conflict.

11. The Offer and the Aftermath

Medley's relationship with Alder and Flint blossoms into a passionate, unbreakable bond. As mates, they share not only desire but purpose. Training intensifies, and Medley's confidence grows. The trio's love is a source of strength, helping Medley embrace her identity and her role as a Guardian. The search for Sable continues, and the threat of Morax looms ever larger. Medley's family—both blood and chosen—rallies around her, ready to face whatever comes next.

12. Sisterhood and Scythes

Medley and Delta's training pushes them to their limits, but their determination and sisterly bond carry them through. Together, they learn to wield their scythes and harness their Annulus powers. The sisters' unique abilities are the key to stabilizing the Hellgate and thwarting Morax's plans. As they grow stronger, so does the connection between them and their mates. The family they've built—across bloodlines, realms, and species—becomes their greatest weapon.

13. Training, Temptation, and Tribulations

Medley's relationship with Alder and Flint deepens, blending passion with partnership. The trio navigates jealousy, vulnerability, and the challenges of being mates. Training with Delta and her Guardians reveals the importance of trust and communication. Medley's tribulations become a source of power, not shame, as she learns to control and channel them. The sisters' unity is tested, but their love and loyalty prevail.

14. The Hellgate's Call

Medley and Delta descend into Hell to reset the Hellgate, using their blood and Annulus abilities to restore balance. The experience is harrowing and transformative, revealing the true extent of their power and the sacrifices of those who came before them. The sisters' actions stabilize the portal, but the threat of Morax remains. As they return to the surface, they are stronger, wiser, and more determined than ever.

15. Bloodlines and Broken Wards

The search for Sable leads to devastating revelations: she was abandoned, institutionalized, and ultimately captured by Morax. The sisters' anguish is palpable, but their resolve hardens. Morax's power is growing, and his plans threaten the balance of all realms. Medley, Delta, and their allies must unite, drawing on their love, strength, and the legacy of their bloodline to confront the darkness.

16. Sable's Shadow

Medley is captured by Morax, imprisoned alongside Sable, who has been broken by years of torment. The sisters' reunion is bittersweet, marked by grief and determination. Medley's mates and family rally to rescue her, but the cost of victory is high. The battle for Sable's soul—and the fate of the Hellgate—hangs in the balance. Medley's courage and compassion become her greatest weapons.

17. The Battle for Balance

In a final confrontation, Medley, Delta, and their allies face Morax and his minions. The sisters' combined power, forged through love, loss, and relentless training, is the key to restoring balance. The cost is great, but the victory is hard-won. As the dust settles, Medley embraces her identity as an Annulus, a Guardian, a sister, and a mate. The family she's built—across blood, love, and destiny—stands ready to face whatever the future holds.