Category: Action/Thriller Publisher: Orchard House Press
Pages: 398
Copyright: March 2005
In the water's reflection, where does the truth lie?
In the cold mountains of the north the Kotaishi has been found. Yet the struggle is only just beginning, for strife and hatred, envy and arrogance, still blanket the land. The Kotaishi, crossing the length and breadth of Tonogato, eluding enemies while trying to keep a small band of supporters together, wrestles with both the realities of power and the frailties of human feelings while combating the seeping influence of the Darkness.
Even as the Kotaishi attempts to undo what the Darkness has wrought, an even more insidious conflict erupts within the palace of the Zaitan in Tejinashi. A new Kotanjin, leader of the magicians, must be chosen, and the maneuvering factions hurtle toward self-destruction as they each seek dominance over the other.
The fate of both Kotaishi and Kotanjin are inextricably linked, their joint destiny buried far below the sands of the Sabakushi desert in a city long since lost and forgotten. There lies the key that could lock away the Darkness forever…
Excerpt
The surface of the dark pool, normally glassy-smooth, began to ripple in an agitated frenzy. Something slowly rose out of the circle of blackness like a thick snake, a murky tendril of darkness straight out of a moonless night.
Tor’yan eyed it with fascination, and not a little fear; he had never seen anything come up out of the pool before. It extended upwards until it was twice the length of a man’s arm; then, before he could react, the tendril leapt out toward him and wrapped itself around his head and neck. He staggered backwards from his kneeling position, trying to grab at the dark writhing form, but found there was nothing solid to lay his hands upon. He could not see, and he began choking on the cloud-like darkness. Just before consciousness left him, he could feel his body falling sideways onto the carpets of the tent.
Wilderness Bound -- Fire-fighter and paramedic, Matthew Standing Deer returns to the past, to the Lakota, only to find himself hurtled into danger, uncontrollable greed, and searching for a serial killer. Danger looms over everyone's head. How will h
