The Bloodmaiden

For thousands of years, the powers and identity of the Bloodmaiden appeared in chosen women of the empire’s royal family, allowing them to fight supernatural threats. But a few generations back, the Bloodmaiden absorbed the essence of a monster she faced, killing all of her family members before being destroyed. Terrified, the Bloodlords’ Council brought in a distant branch of the royal family to run the empire and created a new Bloodmaiden construct, this one designed to be impossible to corrupt.All went well until the coming-of-age of the twin princesses Amanda and Amelia. As expected, Amanda, the heir, inherited the powers and abilities of the new Bloodmaiden. Defying all expectations, the old one reappeared in Amelia. To quell the empire’s panic, her family sent Amelia through a portal to a strange, warped version of their Earth and told her they’d bring her back when it was safe. After six years of hearing nothing, wondering whether her family was alive or dead, she’s decided not to wait for permission. She’s coming back, not knowing if she’s here to confront her family or avenge them—or if she can trust the voices of the past Bloodmaidens in her head. The story updates on Monday and Thursday.