Shadows of Prophecy

by Rachel Lee

  Tom rose to speak. “The Enemy is filled with wrath and seeks a way to destroy you. The Crown of Bozandar marches even now upon us. The Enemy will settle for nothing less than your blood, Lord Archer.”

  Archer nodded slowly. He had known this reckoning would come. He felt Tess beside him before she spoke.

  “How can brother hate brother so?”

  “None can hate as a brother,” Archer said. “When the love of brothers is broken, that gulf must be filled with something. For my brother, there was nothing left.”

  “I am sorry,” Tess said quietly.

  “There is no reason for you to apologize,” he replied. “You played no part in it.”

  “Perhaps,” Tess said. “Or perhaps I did. The ways of the gods confound us all now, and the more I learn of their ways, the more confounded I find myself.”

  “That may be for the best,” Archer said. “To know the ways of the gods is to know our destiny. And that must lie before us, unknown and unknowable, lest we think ourselves their equals.”

  “As you and the First Ones did,” Tess said.

  “Exactly,” Archer said. “All that we have fought for thus far is but a step on the journey to repair what I and my kindred did in the First Age. And that journey is not yet complete.”

  “No, it is not,” she said. “But we can but take each step as it is presented to us.”

  “Perhaps someday there will be a step that is not wet with blood and fire,” Archer said.

  But in his heart he knew that no such steps were near.

  Later, alone, Archer went to the stockade and walked inside, unguarded, to the topmark’s tent. Sullen eyes watched him, but none dared touch him. Too many Anari guards were about.

  The flaps of Tuzza’s tent were open, and from within came lamplight. Archer stepped inside and waited while the man scrawled something at the bottom of a piece of parchment.

  When Tuzza looked up and saw who was standing there, his expression tightened. Then he rose to his feet. “I’m writing letters to the families of my slain.”

  Archer nodded. “I, too, grieve for all who fell on the field.” He paused, then said wearily, “I am Annuvil.”

  For just an instant, Tuzza’s face seemed blank; then recognition appeared. He hesitated, then dropped his quill and fell to one knee. “My lord.”

  Archer reached out and drew him to his feet. “Tuzza, we need to talk. For dark things stalk the land, and there will be more fighting ahead. We will need you, and your men, beside us.”

  “I will not fight Bozandar,” Tuzza said.

  Archer shook his head. “It is not Bozandar that we fear, my friend. There is another Enemy.”

  Tuzza’s eyes widened. “No.”

  “Yes,” Archer said. “And he stalks us all.”

  COMING NEXT MONTH

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  Bestsellers

  Enthralling stories by the brightest stars in women’s fiction—from MIRA Books. Big romances that sweep you away—from HQN Books

  DEADLY KISSES by Brenda Joyce, MIRA (romantic suspense)

  Passionate Reads

  Powerful, provocative tales full of heat and passion—from Harlequin Blaze, Silhouette Desire and Harlequin Presents

  HIDDEN GEMS by Carrie Alexander, Harlequin Blaze, White Star miniseries

  FOREVER MINE, VALENTINE by Vicki Lewis Thompson, Harlequin Special Release

  SKIN DEEP by Tori Carrington, Harlequin Special Release

  SEDUCING SULLIVAN by Julie Elizabeth Leto, Harlequin Special Release

  A COWBOY & A GENTLEMAN by Ann Major, Harlequin Special Release

  Romantic Suspense

  Danger…romance…adventure…suspense! Stories that will take your breath away—from Harlequin Intrigue and Silhouette Intimate Moments

  HIGH-STAKES BRIDE by Fiona Brand, Silhouette Intimate Moments

  Inspirational

  Stories of faith, hope and love that warm the heart and nourish the soul—from Steeple Hill Love Inspired. Compelling suspense—from Love Inspired Suspense. Faith-inspired chick lit from Steeple Hill Café

  A HANDFUL OF HEAVEN by Jillian Hart, Love Inspired

  Women’s Fiction

  Books that celebrate the “next” stage of women’s lives…because every life has a second chapter! From Harlequin Next

  WHO MAKES UP THESE RULES ANYWAY by Stevi Mittman, Harlequin Next

  Women’s Action Adventure

  Strong, sexy, savvy heroines who save the day…and always get their man. From Silhouette Bombshell

  BULLETPROOF PRINCESS by Vicki Hinze, Silhouette Bombshell, The It Girls miniseries

  Chick Lit

  Women’s fiction with attitude, these humorous, edgy, hip stories celebrate life’s little curves…From Red Dress Ink

  HATING VALENTINE’S DAY by Allison Rushby, Red Dress Ink

  Fantasy/Science Fiction

  Powerful, magical tales, vivid characters and richly imagined worlds from the first imprint solely dedicated to female focused fantasy—Luna Books

  THE HAMMER OF THE EARTH by Susan Krinard, LUNA

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  KILLER TAKES ALL by Erica Spindler, MIRA (psychological thriller)

  BEFORE SUNRISE by Diana Palmer, HQN (contemporary romance)

  DARK SKY by Carla Neggers, MIRA (romantic suspense)

  50 HARBOR STREET by Debbie Macomber, MIRA (women’s fiction)

  GHOST WALK by Heather Graham, MIRA (paranormal mystery)

  MASQUERADE by Brenda Joyce, HQN (historical romance)

  CODE NAME: BABY by Christina Skye, HQN Books (romantic suspense)

  NIGHT FEVER by Diana Palmer (contemporary romance)

  ANYONE BUT YOU by Jennifer Crusie, HQN (contemporary romance)

  A PERFECT EVIL by Alex Kava, MIRA (psychological thriller)

  Passionate Reads

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  THE ITALIAN’S STOLEN BRIDE by Emma Darcy, Harlequin Presents

  UNCONTROLLABLE by Susan Kearney, Harlequin Blaze

  WHATEVER RILEY WANTS by Maureen Child, Silhouette Desire

  SEXY ALL OVER by Jamie Sobrato, Harlequin Blaze

  HOT TO THE TOUCH by Jennifer Greene, Silhouette Desire

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  THE TYCOON’S TROPHY WIFE by Miranda Lee, Harlequin Presents

  BOSS MAN by Diana Palmer, Silhouette Desire

  DON’T OPEN TILL CHRISTMAS by Leslie Kelly, Harlequin Blaze

  ANGELS AND OUTLAWS by Barbara Dunlop, Harlequin Blaze, White Star miniseries

  AT THE PLAYBOY’S PLEASURE by Kim Lawrence, Harlequin Special Releases

  THE MAN MEANS BUSINESS by Annette Broadrick, Silhouette Desire

  Romantic Suspense

  Danger…romance…adventure…suspense! Stories that will take your breath away—from Harlequin Intrigue and Silhouette Intimate Moments

  MAN OF HER DREAMS by Debra Webb, Harlequin Intrigue

  LOVING THE LONE WOLF by Ingrid Weaver, Silhouette Intimate Moments

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  SUSPICIOUS by Heather Graham, Silhouette Intimate Moments

  RIDER ON FIRE by Sharon Sala, Silhouette Intimate Moments

  SECURITY MEASURES by Joanna Wayne, Harlequin Intrigue

  EPIPHANY by Rita Heron, Mallery Kane, Debra Webb, Harlequin Intrigue

  FEELS LIKE HOME by
Maggie Shayne, Silhouette Intimate Moments

  RICOCHET by Jessica Andersen, Harlequin Intrigue

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  Stories of faith, hope and love that warm the heart and nourish the soul—from Steeple Hill Love Inspired. Compelling suspense—from Love Inspired Suspense. Faith-inspired chick lit from Steeple Hill Café

  LOVING FEELINGS by Gail Gaymer Martin, Steeple Hill Love Inspired

  BLESSED BOUQUETS by Lyn Cote, Lenora Worth and Penny Richards, Steeple Hill Love Inspired

  FOR THE TWINS’ SAKE by Jillian Hart, Steeple Hill Love Inspired

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  UNDER COVER OF DARKNESS by Elizabeth White, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense

  BLACK HILLS BRIDE by Deb Kastner, Steeple Hill Love Inspired

  WINDINGO TWILIGHT by Colleen Rhoads, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense

  MILLION DOLLAR DILEMMA by Judy Baer, Steeple Hill Café

  STORM CLOUDS by Cheryl Wolverton, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense

  DIE BEFORE NIGHTFALL by Shirlee McCoy, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense

  DECK THE HALLS by Arlene James, Steeple Hill Love Inspired

  HER BROTHER’S KEEPER by Valerie Hansen, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense

  WEDDING AT WILDWOOD by Lenora Worth, Steeple Hill Love Inspired

  EVEN IN THE DARKNESS by Shirlee McCoy, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense

  PAST SECRETS, PRESENT LOVE by Lois Richer, Steeple Hill Love Inspired

  HOME TO YOU by Cheryl Wolverton, Steeple Hill Love Inspired

  Women’s Fiction

  Books that celebrate the “next” stage of women’s lives…because every life has a second chapter! From Harlequin Next

  THERE’S ALWAYS PLAN B by Susan Mallery, Harlequin Next

  RIGGS PARK by Ellyn Bache, Harlequin Next

  CUTTING THROUGH by Joan Hohl, Harlequin Next

  THE ME I USED TO BE by Jennifer Archer, Harlequin Next

  PELICAN BAY by Charlotte Douglas, Harlequin Next

  STARTING FROM SCRATCH by Marie Ferrarella, Harlequin Next

  GRIN AND BEAR IT by Leslie LaFoy, Harlequin Next

  THE PAYBACK CLUB by Rexanne Becnel, Harlequin Next

  Women’s Action Adventure

  Strong, sexy, savvy heroines who save the day…and always get their man. From Silhouette Bombshell

  ONCE A THIEF by Michele Hauf, Silhouette Bombshell

  HOT PURSUIT by Kathryn Jensen, Silhouette Bombshell

  DEVIL’S BARGAIN by Rachel Caine, Silhouette Bombshell

  THE GOLDEN GIRL by Erica Orloff, Silhouette Bombshell The It Girls miniseries

  FLAWLESS by Michele Hauf, Silhouette Bombshell The It Girls miniseries

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  MS. LONGSHOT by Sylvie Kurtz, Silhouette Bombshell The It Girls miniseries

  A MODEL SPY by Natalie Dunbar, Silhouette Bombshell The It Girls miniseries

  Chick Lit

  Women’s fiction with attitude, these humorous, edgy, hip stories celebrate life’s little curves…From Red Dress Ink

  WITH OR WITHOUT YOU by Carole Matthews, Red Dress Ink

  KILLER SUMMER by Lynda Curnyn, Red Dress Ink

  DO THEY WEAR HIGH HEELS IN HEAVEN? By Erica Orloff, Red Dress Ink

  THE NIGHT I GOT LUCKY by Laura Caldwell, Red Dress Ink

  SCENES FROM A HOLIDAY by Laurie Graff, Caren Lissner, Melanie Murray, Red Dress Ink

  THE JINX by Jennifer Sturman, Red Dress Ink

  THE BREAKUP CLUB by Melissa Senate, Red Dress Ink

  Fantasy/Science Fiction

  Powerful, magical tales, vivid characters and richly imagined worlds from the first imprint solely dedicated to female focused fantasy—Luna Books

  THE DESTINED QUEEN by Deborah Hale, LUNA

  URBAN SHAMAN by C.E. Murphy, LUNA

  POISON STUDY by Maria V. Snyder, LUNA

  IN STONE’S CLASP by Christie Golden, LUNA

  WINTER MOON by Mercedes Lackey, Tanith Lee, C.E. Murphy, LUNA

  BRIGHID’S QUEST by P.C. Cast, LUNA

  SHADOWS OF PROPHECY by Rachel Lee, LUNA