While Bayan struggles to train his campus hexmates in the forbidden arts of Savantism, Kiwani leaves on the advice of a sint, seeking closure for a painful family secret. But Kah, her hexbird companion, returns to campus without her, and an arbitrary decision sends Head Chanter Doc Theo back to the Temple of Ten Thousand Harmonies in shame.
Though Bayan and his hexmates rescue Kiwani, a second prisoner they free is no friend, and his very existence raises troublesome questions. He promises Bayan secret knowledge that could aid in understanding the deep political currents that threaten to deluge the campus, but when members of a rival hex suffer mysterious attacks, Bayan must decide whether he’s harboring a victim or a killer.
Between the stranger’s secrets and an urgent message from a mysterious, gifted singer at the Temple of Ten Thousand Harmonies, Bayan pieces together a threat against the empire more insidious than even the Aklaa rebellion, but exposing its mastermind will cost Bayan everything he has.
Jasmine Giacomo writes from Washington State, where she lives with her husband, two children, and a Bichon Frisé named Eddie. She graduated last millennium with a B.A. in English Literature from a college built atop a volcano.
Though she's been writing since the age of four, she also enjoys geocaching, history, natural science and games, and holds a black belt in Danzan Ryu Jujitsu. She particularly enjoys reading and writing fight scenes.
Her current writing project is PRODIGAL STEELWIELDER, book three in the SEALS OF THE DUELISTS series.