The Dark Mage

Unearthly darkness swirled at the bases of the trees. Bending to herindrawn breath shadows crept up the surrounding trees black tendrilsgrazing rough bark. They whispered an unknown language calling hertowards the Void the realm of the dead. Misty shadow-wisps touched herbare feet like fingers of ice encouraging her retreat into her woolen cloak.The grip of death gentled a caress across her cheekbones from blackenedcorpse-fingers of darkness. The shadows brushed her cheeks and darkblonde hair slipping silently over hershoulders to embrace her.Ren'wyn has long heard the whispers of the dead. Trapped in an arrangedmarriage to a cruel lord-and secretly bound to forbidden magic-she walksa dangerous line between obedience and defiance. The ancient magics of herworld still flicker beneath imperial rule and her gift is feared most of all. Her onlyfleeting escape from increasing isolation is in the realm of the dead where the shadescall her by name.When a chance at freedom comes she flees into a fractured land on the brinkof rebellion. Magic is stirring calling to those with power over strength earthforesight-and death. As Ren'wyn encounters other gifted outcasts and a battlescarredsoldier with secrets of his own she must decide who she dares to trust. Hermagic could destroy her-or become the key to restoring a world that has forgottenwhat it means to be free.