The Stealthmaster's Shadow is finally here!
It’s been ten confounded years since the war ended.
Verus, a retired soldier, determines to enforce the peace the victory ought to have brought. His wanderings bring him to the city of Nerva, a sprawling riverside chaos no other Stealthmaster will touch.
Commandeering the task of a former comrade, Verus presents himself to the governor and promises to search out hidden Subverters. The true reason for his actions he keeps to himself. After all, the tyrannical governor will hardly approve of lending aid to those pitted against him, but the Subverters need information. Maybe even weapons.
The wishes of the Subverters themselves are immaterial. They weren’t there during the war. They didn’t see the horrors Tauscher spread.
Verus has.
So has the new ambassador from Zahavia who strides through the great doors of the feasting hall, bringing Verus face to face with nightmares from his past.
As the simple mission dissolves into confusion, Verus struggles to help those he’s plunged into danger, from a serving lad to the infuriating woman he’s taken to calling “Princess.” Fleeing will only make the enemy stronger. But staying…
Staying could doom them all.
Verus clasped his hands behind his back, his gaze silently daring the guard at the palace gate to mention his weapons. The man fidgeted but let them pass without a word. This Osvaldus surrounded himself with decent men indeed. He even sent another four soldiers, under an officer, to join his guards in escorting Verus to an immediate audience. How considerate.
The darkened corridors curved like underground rivers. Orange lamplight spilled beneath two great doors framed in murals of twisting branches at the end of the corridor.
Verus’s hands clenched beneath his cloak.
The doors swung soundlessly open and a deep red light spilled across the threshold like an accusing finger.
“Thank you for the company, gentlemen.” Verus quickened his pace and slipped between the two foremost guards. “I’ll introduce myself to the governor, if it’s not too much trouble.”
Hope Ann uses chocolate to bribe a wide ring of spies, from the realm leapers of Aslaria to the double agents of Elkbend, for their stories. Based in Indiana, she is the self-published author of the Legends of Light series, personal writing coach, and the Communications Coordinator for Story Embers. You can find out more about her at authorhopeann.com
