The Border Guards serve the fae council by covertly policing fae activity on the quarantined Earth. After absolutely not illegally visiting Earth and seeing one murdered, Aelik Swiftthorne is framed for a crime he might have committed, and recruited as a replacement Border Guard.

While the indifferent story of science that governs Earth is preferable to the meddling one of Faerie, he’s still at the mercy of narrative winds. And in the sights of the human military.

Freedom becomes even more elusive when an invasive story sees Earth, and him, as its playthings. The best he can hope for might be to avoid becoming either a disposable supporting character, or a puppet-like hero.

Winner of the SelfPubCon22 First Line Competition.