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One power divided among the many.
Two visions of the future. A struggle to launch humanity to its greatest heights or tumbling into its darkest days. As a Vessel of the Third Order, Calen serves The New Colonies as a ritual worker, blessing the soil to bring forth bountiful harvests. Yet there is more to her abilities, if only she can escape the cruel hands of her bonded partner, Brother Stokely. When she learns of Stokely’s plans to take her power for himself, Calen abandons her duty and begins a desperate journey to safety. Soon joined by a warrior scholar who vows to protect her, she must set aside her suspicions and form a tenuous alliance. She knows Stokely hunts her, and the skills of such a warrior may be needed in the days to come. Only Calen discovers that Stokely has found another to take her place. A young woman with gifts like her that he will exploit for unimaginable power. She can choose her own freedom, fleeing with this stranger while averting her eyes from her partner’s horrific plot. Or she can confront the demon who has haunted her for far too long by finally harnessing her true abilities. Yet if she fails, Stokely will become unstoppable, and Calen will be but another one of his victims. |
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Don't miss out on the follow up to the award-winning, alt-Appalachian fantasy series featuring original magical lore, emotionally compelling characters, and beautiful prose, all in a hauntingly gorgeous setting! Revered Calen of the Third Order has finally broken free from the tumult of her past, or so she believes. Joined by a group of fellow Vessels, Calen journeys to Black Rock, home to the scholar warriors of the First Order. There, she hopes to understand how to harness her mana, which has become danger to those around her. Yet not everyone at Black Rock wishes to see her succeed. Worse, a dark figure beyond the walls of this sanctuary seeks to topple the New Colonies, and they are growing in strength with each passing day. To protect herself and those counting on her, Calen must overcome the suffocating weight of her trauma in order to control her unstable power. If she cannot become the Vessel she was meant to be, not only will she leave the New Colonies vulnerable to this looming danger, but she will also fail to save those she holds dear. |