Dalanine

In a world very much like our own Victorian England, the country of Dalanine is at war. The implacable, unstoppable Despot has been pushing northward for over a year, conquering everything in his path with military and magical force, leaving nothing but destruction in his wake.For Evon Lorantis, Dalanine's most promising young magician, the war represents the same kind of work he's always done, inventing and developing new spells for his country's defense. But as good as he is, he's still stumped by the mystery the government's department of Home Defense brings him: a rash of spontaneously occurring fires, hotter than any natural force can produce, melting stone and vaporizing flesh wherever they strike. Home Defense believes it's a weapon that will finally defeat the Despot. And they want Evon to harness it.In investigating the problem, Evon discovers these fires are no accident; there's a magician behind them, a woman using the fire to prosecute justice on her own terms. Evon sets off on a journey across Dalanine to track down this rogue magician, hoping to persuade her to turn aside from her vigilante crusade to serve her country, afraid of finding only a madwoman at the end of his quest. But the woman he does find is nothing like he expected, the mystery far greater-and older-than he'd imagined, and the secret of the fire more potent than anyone could have guessed.As Evon attempts to untangle fact from myth, what began as an assignment becomes a challenge that will require every ounce of magical ability he has-and will irrevocably change the course of his life. Melissa McShane is the author of the novels of Tremontane, beginning with SERVANT OF THE CROWN, the Extraordinaries series beginning with BURNING BRIGHT, the Last Oracle series beginning with THE BOOK OF SECRETS, and COMPANY OF STRANGERS, first in the series of the same title. She lives in Utah with her husband, four children, one niece, and three very needy cats. She wrote reviews and critical essays for many years before turning to fiction, which is much more fun than anyone ought to be allowed to have. Magic and adventure in a world very much like our own Victorian England.

Five years after the defeat of the Despot, the southern country of Santerre has finally recovered from his rule and sends an embassy to Dalanine. Piercy Faranter, government agent and man about town, receives an assignment to watch over the princess of Santerre, who is disguised as one of her own ladies in waiting. It's a task perfectly suited to his charm and reputation with attractive young ladies, but proves to be more of a challenge, both personally and professionally, than he ever could have anticipated.The beautiful Ayane Caligwe seems shy, but Piercy finds behind her coy smiles she's more than a match for him in cunning and cleverness. But when a rogue magician opens a portal to the past, dragging Piercy and his reluctant charge with him, they are both forced to put pretenses aside.Trapped in a time two hundred years before his own, Piercy finds himself embroiled in a mystery whose roots are a thousand years deep. With time running out, he and Ayane must work together to stop the magician's madness-even if it costs them their lives. Melissa McShane is the author of the novels of Tremontane, beginning with SERVANT OF THE CROWN, the Extraordinaries series beginning with BURNING BRIGHT, the Last Oracle series beginning with THE BOOK OF SECRETS, and COMPANY OF STRANGERS, first in the series of the same title. She lives in Utah with her husband, four children, one niece, and three very needy cats. She wrote reviews and critical essays for many years before turning to fiction, which is much more fun than anyone ought to be allowed to have. Magic and adventure in a world very much like our own Victorian England.