Court of Discontent

The Cinderella Matrix, #0.5

Omala Grover may have saved the world, and in doing so, doomed herself.

The Global Alliance for Intelligent Arbitration (aka GAIA) was meant to steer mankind away from real-world warfare, giving nations a VR platform where both diplomacy and combat could be conducted without further harm to the planet or themselves. What it's also done, however, is give Omala's ex, Rex , a robust system he can copy, dress up, and monetize. If she wants to preserve her legacy for their daughter, Omala will have to step up to the battle prepared. All that stands between her and victory is Rex's new wife, devious Johanna Tieg.

The Court of Discontent is a prequel short story to the upcoming fairytale-inspired urban fantasy series, the Cinderella Matrix.