Lord of Misrule

When a blind psychic warns of a dark fate awaiting seven homeless teens, PI Cam Sharp and her flamboyant partner, Juju, infiltrate a high-society fundraiser called the "Night of Misrule." They soon discover the party is a cover for a sinister magical ritual. To save the kids and stop the chaos, they must snatch a powerful enchanted artifact from a newly crowned king before everyone becomes a permanent pawn in a terrifying game.
I wrote this short story to flesh out Rye's partners in the detective agency, Gannon Investigations, and to bring them into their larger role as Rye's found family. It is through Cam's eyes that this short story is told. Her backstory is a powerful narrative of overcoming trauma and poverty to forge her own identity and who will become a powerful ally for Rye. This is also Juju Baker's first real introduction to the supernatural world that Rye inhabits.
The themes of this story are appearance vs. reality; vulnerability and exploitation; and reclaiming power and identity. I hope you enjoy this further exploration of the personalities in Rye Gannon's life and work.