About the Book
New intrigues, adventure, and stunning revelations fill the penultimate installment of #1 New York Times best-selling author Kresley Cole’s electrifying Arcana Chronicles.
In a world teetering on the edge...
When Evie receives life-changing — and possibly game-changing — news, she has trouble believing it. Why doesn’t she feel any different? Is it possible someone she trusts might be lying?
With enemies at every turn...
Tensions seethe inside the castle of lost time as Evie begins to doubt her own sanity. Answers might be found outside their stronghold, but will Death help her find them — or prevent her from learning the truth about her future and Jack’s possible survival?
Darkness beckons.
A mysterious, sinister power begins to affect all the Arcana in its path. Forced out into the wasteland alone, Evie must depend on unexpected allies for survival. But as a battle with Richter looms, can her new alliance defeat the dark calling before hell reigns on earth?
THE FIELD OF BATTLE
During the Flash, a cataclysmic flare, the surface of the earth was scorched to ash, and bodies of water evaporated. Virtually all plant life was killed, most animals as well. The majority of humans perished, with women hardest hit. After months of total drought, rain began at last — then fell constantly, until the first flurries of snow. The sun has ceased to rise, leaving the world in endless night. Plague spreads. Famine is sweeping the land.
OBSTACLES
Militias unify, consolidating power. Slavers and cannibals hunt for new victims. All are bent on capturing females. The Bagmen (Baggers) — contagious zombies created by the Flash — roam the Ash (the wastelands), wailing for blood.
FOES
The Arcana. In every dark age, twenty-two players with supernatural powers are destined to fight in a life-or-death game. The winner will live as an immortal until the next game, the fallen reincarnating. Our stories are depicted on the Major Arcana cards of a Tarot deck. I’m the Empress; we play again now. Death, my enemy through the ages, is now my husband and staunchest ally. In our sights: Richter, the Emperor Card, who massacred an army, murdering my ally Selena and possibly Jack, my first love.
ARSENAL
Knowledge of the game will help me survive it. My grandmother was a Tarasova, a wisewoman of the Tarot. Before she died, she helped me to better understand my Empress powers: regenerative healing, the ability to control anything that roots or blooms, thorn tornadoes, and poison.
Though Death trains me to use these abilities, my powers have been muted by some unknown force, right when I’ll need them most. Can I, along with my alliance of killers — rogues, witches, knights, and warriors — defend against Richter’s fiery wrath...?
