Kare promised he'd hold the Empire for ten years and no longer. A decade later, he's no nearer to freeing himself. Haunted by past events, in a role he hates, the temptation to walk away bites deep. When the lost heritage of his father is revealed a new future opens to him, one threatened when old enemies rise against those he loves. To safeguard them, Kare will have to fight for the Empire he hates and face the deadly secret hidden deep in Abendau's deserts. ............................................................................... "A bright and fresh new voice in the genre, brimming with imagination, subtle world-building and engaging characters."-Francis Knight, author of Fade to Black "Zebedee possesses the rare skills to charm you with pleasantness before choking you on tragedy." - Tim C Taylor, author of the Human Legion series.