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The Barbed Rose
Gail Dayton
Demons are coming. One woman has been chosen to face them….Demon hordes still threaten the Kingdom while open rebellion has broken out within its cities, separating Kallista from her new family. Assassination attempts, magical attacks-she's surrounded by devastation unlike anything she's ever known, and her unique magic power no longer works as it should.Yet her own pain must yield to the needs of her country, for this military mage is charged with searching the four directions of the world for the other “Godmarked”–the only ones who can help her keep demon invaders from shattering her world. But can she find them in time?
Praise for Gail Dayton’s
The Compass Rose
“With unadulterated sensuality that practically ignites the pages and a fantasy quest that is as masterfully intricate as it is entertaining, Dayton’s The Compass Rose will absolutely blow away fans of romance-powered fantasy. In a word: wow!”
–Barnes & Noble’s Explorations newsletter
“Gail Dayton has created a world that is so colorful and vivid readers will feel they made an adventurous visit to this enchanting realm.”
–The Best Reviews
“The Compass Rose captured me from the first page…. Gail Dayton eloquently weaves a saga of unrequited love with the fear of rejection that haunts us all [and] cleverly and sagely reveals the heart and soul that unites a group of strangers into a family.”
–Fallen Angel Reviews
“Top Pick, 4–1/2 stars: Court intrigues and romantic interludes keep the plot moving at a brisk pace.”
–Romantic Times BOOKclub
GAIL DAYTON
The Barbed Rose
To April and Rhys.
You make me proud.
And to Jason, who does, too.
CONTENTS
CAST OF CHARACTERS
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
GLOSSARY
Cast of Characters
Kallista Varyl, Captain in the Adaran army, naitan of the North, lightning thrower, Godstruck of the One
Torchay Omvir, Sergeant, Kallista’s bodyguard and godmarked ilias
Stone Varyl vo’Tsekrish, former Tibran Warrior, godmarked ilias
Fox Varyl vo’Tsekrish, former Tibran Warrior, fighting partner to Stone, godmarked ilias
Aisse Varyl vo’Haav, Tibran woman, godmarked ilias
Obed im–Shakiri, Southron trader, godmarked ilias
Lorynda Varyl, twin infant daughter of Kallista and Torchay
Rozite Varyl, twin infant daughter of Kallista and Stone
Niona Varyl, infant daughter of Aisse and Fox
Merinda Kyndir, Adaran East naitan healer
Serysta Reinine, ruler of Adara, North naitan truthsayer
Keldrey, Serysta’s bodyguard and reinas
Leyja, Serysta’s bodyguard and reinas
Ferenday, Serysta’s bodyguard and reinas
Syr, Serysta’s bodyguard and reinas
Gweric, Tibran male magic hunter
Joh Suteny, former Adaran guard lieutenant, convict
Viyelle Torvyll, Prinsipella of the Adaran prinsipality (province) of Shaluine and government courier
Karyl & Kami Varyl, Kallista’s twin sisters by blood
Sanda Torvyll, Prinsipas of Shaluine, Viyelle’s birth mother
Saminda Torvyll, Prinsep of Shaluine, Viyelle’s aunt by blood and Second Mother
Kendra Torvyll, Prinsipella of Shaluine, Viyelle’s sedil and cousin by blood
Vanis Kevyr, Prinsipas of Shaluine, Viyelle’s birth father
Mowbray Syndir, Prinsipella of Shaluine
Tiray Syndir, Prinsipella of Shaluine
Dessa Torvyll, Prinsipella of Shaluine
Bella Torvyll, Prinsipella of Shaluine
Huyis Uskenda, Adaran general in Ukiny
Huryl Kovallyk, Serysta’s High Steward
Domnia Varyl, founder of the Varyl bloodline, West naitan and prelate
Kallandra, North naitan, military lightning thrower
Miray, Kallandra’s bodyguard
Tylle, Adaran guard lieutenant
Elliane, East naitan healer
Fenetta, North naitain farspeaker at Adaran court
Omunda, Chief prelate of Arikon and Adara
Oskina, Rebel leader
Ashbel, Demon
Ataroth, Demon
Untathel, Demon
Xibyth, Demon
Tchyrizel, Demon
Keqwith, Demon
Khoriseth, Demon
Zughralithiss, Demon
CHAPTER ONE
“Halt. Stand and identify yourself and your business.”
Kallista Varyl, Captain Naitan of the Reinine’s Own, just recalled from extended leave, somehow managed to refrain from swearing. The guard at the Mountain Gate leading into Arikon was only doing his duty. He couldn’t know the urgency riding her.
She saluted, snapped off her name and command. “I’ve been ordered to Arikon by the Reinine herself.” She handed over a copy of her orders.
The guard’s eyes widened when he saw the seals and signatures on the paper, but still he blocked her path.
