Lanterns of the Lost

Nobody ends up at Lanterns of the Lost by accident.

Julian Thorne’s life is quiet, mundane, filled with dusty books and dreams that never came to pass. In San Francisco’s bustling Chinatown, he’s just another elderly academic in a wheelchair, clinging to stories no one believes. He’s spent decades chasing an ancient artifact said to unlock the secrets of a lost civilization.

Now he’s down to his last clue.

What he finds is a strange little shop that doesn’t appear on any map, where nothing is quite as it seems. Inside waits an artifact of impossible power, two ruthless rivals, and a test Julian can’t afford to fail.

Lanterns of the Lost is a standalone urban fantasy short story full of mystery, magic, and quiet adventure. Perfect for fans of hidden doorways, enchanted artifacts, and unlikely heroes who refuse to give up.