Blood Reunion

Lissa looked up in surprise at Roff's words. His wings rustled after he spoke—he normally didn't involve himself in the politics of Le-Ath Veronis. Not to this extent, anyway. "I know, honey. And now two other children are likely to die as a result. Yes, I know they did this, but I'm not convinced we have all the ones involved in the crime." Toff's life is in danger - someone from the Green Fae village wants him dead. In fact, the entire Fae community has begun to grumble as Kifirin's judgment looms. With only a few exceptions, the Fae focus their anger (and the blame) on Toff, who fails to understand why everyone now seems to be against him.

Southerners may have abandoned their dream of a political nation after Appomattox, but they preserved their cultural identity by blending Christian rhetoric and symbols with the rhetoric and imagery of Confederate tradition. Out of defeat emerged a civil religion that embodied the Lost Cause. As Charles Reagan Wilson writes in his new preface, "The Lost Cause version of the regional civil religion was a powerful expression, and recent scholarship affirms its continuing power in the minds of many white southerners."

"René, what will you do if I kick his ass?" I jerked my head toward Tony. "Nothing, as long as you do not inflict permanent harm," René smiled slightly. I got up to go after Tony, but Wlodek hauled me back. "We will not allow a brawl between our two youngest," he declared and settled me back in my seat. "Now, Tony, where may we find your father and does he have other children?" Nothing less than total destruction is his ultimate objective, beginning with the Vampire Council. After all, much of his elite fighting force was destroyed by Wlodek and his allies on a single night. Now, Xenides must regroup and looks to command the dregs of vampire rogues and human criminals to accomplish his goals.

Crown Prince Thorn: I felt defeated. Helpless. If Sherra were alive, why didn't she mindspeak to tell me so? Every day, I floundered against that notion—that if she were alive, she'd have contacted me by now. "Don't give up, Thorn," Hunter said softly. "We don't know everything there is to know." "Hunter, every day reminds me of how little we actually do know." * * * Sherra has not returned to the King. Seven months have passed and Kaakos, Ny-nes' leader, is rebuilding his army. His plan is to unleash an onslaught against Az-ca—in retaliation for the destruction of his troops and weapons. In Az-ca, the King's health is failing, the enemy is on the march and Merrin and his rogues have forged an alliance with enemy infiltrators. Will the Crown Prince be forced to deal with attacks from both sides, without Sherra's help? Will Az-ca survive if Sherra is dead, as so many believe?

We are Or'myr; a secretive, dwindling race of wyrm dragons. For many years, we were without a queen and directionless, until my sister was born. She was loved. Protected. Until the one known as the Prophet stole her away. Our only hope to save our queen—and our race—lies in the hands of a blind man named Randl Gage. A man who is also one of the most wanted criminals in both Alliances...

If you desire the lightning, you must also prepare for the storm. — Colonel Armon * * * Az-ca's Kings have never invaded the land of their enemy. Will a Queen be so bold? Sherra devises new ways to strike at the Supreme Leader of Ny-nes, only to discover that he is stronger and more devious than she and Kerok could ever imagine. When they inevitably clash, will there be a victor?

Kyri "You thought you could walk right into Az-ca, take over where you left off centuries ago, and everybody would just fall in with your plans. Is that it?" "I didn't count on her—never saw her in all my divinations." He meant Sherra. An unseeable. He'd divined Thorn II, just not his Queen and partner. "So. You wanted to take over after practically destroying their current King—who was a very good King, and before that, an excellent Commander of the army. That's a hell of a way to get Az-ca's population to adore you, isn't it?" "I can offer them peace," he began. "Except you can't. Kaakos is still alive, remember, and he'll be coming for you—of that I have no doubt. You know it, too, and you can't take him on without Az-ca's army at your back." "I thought we could work together—Thorn II and I. That he'd see the reason in it after a while." "And, as he's currently powerless, what choice would he have?" I sniped. * * * The present King of Az-ca has been rendered powerless through an unsuspected coup, and is overcome with despair. Kaakos has escaped death, but is forced to leave Ny-nes. Now, his sole focus is revenge. Az-ca's citizens have fallen victim to the enemy's lies, and civil war threatens to split the country. Sherra is forced to divide her attention between searching for the enemy, dealing with traitors and struggling with the King's misery and desolation. When the blood spell that rendered Kerok powerless takes a turn even its maker didn't expect, only her dreamwalker, with help from another, can hope to turn the tide...