Religious Fantasy

Now eight months into a global blackout, the residents of Oak Hollow are trying to cope with the deep winter nights and a gnawing hunger from a food shortage. The struggle to survive can bring out the worst in anyone. A teenage friend of the Brannings has been found shot while hunting, and his slain deer is gone. Suspicions immediately fall on Mark Green, the son of a convicted murderer. Before he can prove his innocence, vigilantes force the sheriff to arrest him.

The Charisian Empire, born in war, has always known it must fight for its very survival. What most of its subjects don’t know even now, however, is how much more it’s fighting for. Emperor Cayleb, Empress Sharleyan, Merlin Athrawes, and their innermost circle of most trusted advisers do know. And because they do, they know the penalty if they lose will be far worse than their own deaths and the destruction of all they know and love.

When an assassin shows up in their small town, Sera and Ethan are thrust into a conflict concerning ancient prophecies and legendary powers. They are given a magical sword to keep safe and must pose as the enemy to avoid further conflict. Hostile religious factions are after the weapon, each looking to use it to bring about the Savior of humanity. Ethan is a non-believer, and Sera must guide him through the complex interactions between the different factions while trying to survive attacks on their life. With everyone after the magical elements of humanity and nature, Sera and Ethan must ...