Emissary

WithoutLazar'sguidinghandandpresence,theStonePalaceofPercheronhasbecomeadifferentplace.YoungZarBoaz,mistrustingofhismother,Herezah,buttooinexperiencedtostandonhisown,seekscounselfromthesuddenlychangedandsecretiveVizier,whohasasinisteragendaofhisown.AsHerezahprivatelygrievesforLazar,shehatchesanaudaciousplottodestroytheodalisqueAna,whofloutstherulesoftheharembuthasfoundameasureofprotectioninhavingcaughttheeyeofZarBoaz.AndAnashouldersatremendousburdenofguiltasshematuresfromabeautifulgirlintoastunningyoungwoman...andfearswhatherfutureintheharemmighthold.YetLazar,unbeknownsttonearlyeveryoneinthepalace,isslowlyrecoveringonasecretisland.Ashestrugglestoreturntohealth,warfromadistantrealmthreatensPercheron,and,asthecyclicalbattleofthegodscontinuestobuild,thefirstoftheGoddess'sdisciplesfallsintothegripofthedemonMaliz.Successorfailure—forbothPercheronandLyana—hingesonLazar,whoseillnesshaslefthimwithanewgifthefearsisacurse,andifhecannottakeactionsoon,allmaywellbelost.