Silk That Binds

The Silk That Binds
by Philip Stengel

"Every thread has its purpose. Some bind. Some devour."

When disgraced samurai Taro is exiled to the mist-shrouded village of Yamakawa, he expects monotony and shame. Instead, he finds whispers of missing men, threads stronger than steel, and a haunting melody that calls him into the forest.

There, in a clearing untouched by time, he meets Aiko-a reclusive widow whose soft voice and sorrowful shamisen seem to soothe the cracks in his broken spirit. But as silk-wrapped corpses surface and legends of the Jorōgumo-the spider bride-reemerge, Taro must decide if Aiko is a sanctuary... or a snare.

Rooted in Japanese folklore and steeped in psychological horror, The Silk That Binds is a tale of shame, seduction, and the deceptive warmth of a monster's embrace.

Perfect for readers of folk horror, historical fantasy, and mythic thrillers.