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Shadow Study
Maria V. Snyder
Once, only her own life hung in the balance…When Yelena was a poison taster, her life was simpler. She survived to become a vital part of the balance of power between rival countries Ixia and Sitia.Now she uses her magic to keep the peace in both lands—and protect her relationship with Valek.Suddenly, though, dissent is rising. And Valek’s job—and his life—are in danger.As Yelena tries to uncover her enemies, she faces a new challenge: her magic is blocked.And now she must find a way to keep not only herself but all that she holds dear alive.A CHRONICLES OF IXIA NOVEL'A compelling new fantasy series’ – Rhianna Pratchett, SFX on Poison Study The Chronicles of IxiaPoison StudyMagic StudyFire StudyStorm GlassSea GlassSpy GlassShadow Study
New York Times bestselling author Maria V. Snyder wowed readers with Poison Study, the unforgettable story of poison taster Yelena. Now she’s back with a new tale of intrigue.
Once, only her own life hung in the balance…
Oddly enough, when Yelena was a poison taster, her life was simpler. But she’d survived to become a vital part of the balance of power between rival countries Ixia and Sitia. Now she uses her magic to keep the peace in both lands—and protect her relationship with Valek.
Suddenly, though, they are beset on all sides by those vying for power through politics and intrigue. Valek’s job and his life are in danger. As Yelena tries to uncover the scope of these plots, she faces a new challenge: her magic is blocked. She must keep that a secret—or her enemies will discover just how vulnerable she really is—while searching for who or what is responsible for neutralizing her powers.
Yes, the days of tasting poisons were much simpler. And certainly not as dangerous…
“Doing full justice to the plot of this original and entertaining epic fantasy is impossible. Suffice it to say that the action is nonstop. The many characters leap to life, particularly Yelena, whose first-person narrative is riveting.” —RT Book Reviews on Fire Study
Now available as ebooks!
Praise forNew York Timesbestselling author (#ulink_dd96973f-2a54-548a-aeee-0839f1bd133e)
MARIA V.
SNYDER
‘Maria V. Snyder tantalises readers with another complex, masterful story set in a magical world so convincing that she’ll have you believing that it’s actually real.’
—YAReads.com on Storm Glass
‘A compelling new fantasy series’
—SFX magazine on Sea Glass
‘Wonderfully complex … Opal finally comes into her own in Spy Glass.’ —Fantasy Book Review
‘This is one of those rare books that will keep readers dreaming long after they’ve read it.’
—Publishers Weekly starred review on Poison Study
‘Filled with Snyder’s trademark sarcastic humour, fast-paced action and creepy villainy, Touch of Power is a spellbinding romantic adventure that will leave readers salivating for the next book in the series.’ —USA TODAY on Touch of Power
‘Maria V. Snyder is one of my favourite authors, and she’s done it again!’
—New York Times bestselling author Rachel Caine on Inside Out
Also by New York Times bestselling author (#ulink_32d14565-4738-56f6-99ce-438e166ba951)Maria V. Snyder
fromMIRA INK™
The Chronicles of Ixia
POISON STUDY
MAGIC STUDY
FIRE STUDY
STORM GLASS
SEA GLASS
SPY GLASS
The Insider Series
INSIDE OUT
OUTSIDE IN
fromMIRA BOOKS
Avry of Kazan series
TOUCH OF POWER
SCENT OF MAGIC
TASTE OF DARKNESS
www.mirabooks.co.uk/mariavsnyder
www.miraink.co.uk (http://www.miraink.co.uk)
This book is dedicated to all my loyal readers who asked for more books about Yelena and Valek. This one is for you. Enjoy!
THE TERRITORY OF IXIA
Contents
Cover (#u463a504b-4b4c-59a3-be04-f05c821be038)
Back Cover Text (#u30d93460-fb15-51ad-a4a5-aa31834759e1)
Praise (#ulink_9d927afa-ec91-5cd2-8c76-cd2bef1fb67e)
Booklist (#ulink_40c8a361-d066-5da2-b81a-0cdde972dc22)
Title Page (#u3b34a5dd-f79c-5461-ae36-75917bc3ea13)
Dedication (#uc49c1bb2-38b9-557f-97b2-50d17e5e0bc1)
Map (#ucc60b3f0-91cd-5d65-a5d8-c0ab46bfa79c)
1 YELENA (#ulink_28e0a7db-13b8-5a1e-bb8f-909cd7af5ebf)
2 VALEK (#ulink_2cbf8046-9115-573a-be3e-e3660acfcd26)
3 YELENA (#ulink_f19696ec-ba07-54f7-b3b1-28fffc380796)
4 VALEK (#ulink_7c9e7859-fead-5f72-95db-197f31995230)
5 YELENA (#ulink_6d447ffd-c8fe-5dc5-8d11-d61ff1fa5395)
6 VALEK (#ulink_f9503875-4823-5607-a8ed-2a10c7d89a1f)
7 JANCO (#ulink_7598d7b4-1013-57b4-9117-7d7fc86232f4)
8 YELENA (#ulink_dc2301c3-e6b6-5186-aa06-4fc5d06f5714)
9 VALEK (#litres_trial_promo)
10 JANCO (#litres_trial_promo)
11 YELENA (#litres_trial_promo)
12 VALEK (#litres_trial_promo)
13 JANCO (#litres_trial_promo)
14 YELENA (#litres_trial_promo)
15 VALEK (#litres_trial_promo)
16 JANCO (#litres_trial_promo)
17 YELENA (#litres_trial_promo)
18 VALEK (#litres_trial_promo)
19 JANCO (#litres_trial_promo)
20 YELENA (#litres_trial_promo)
21 VALEK (#litres_trial_promo)
22 JANCO (#litres_trial_promo)
23 YELENA (#litres_trial_promo)
24 VALEK (#litres_trial_promo)
25 JANCO (#litres_trial_promo)
26 YELENA (#litres_trial_promo)
27 VALEK (#litres_trial_promo)
28 JANCO (#litres_trial_promo)
29 YELENA (#litres_trial_promo)
30 VALEK (#litres_trial_promo)
31 JANCO (#litres_trial_promo)
32 YELENA (#litres_trial_promo)
33 VALEK (#litres_trial_promo)
34 YELENA (#litres_trial_promo)
Acknowledgments (#litres_trial_promo)
Endpages (#litres_trial_promo)
Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)
1 (#ulink_9e733e6d-5b45-50b5-b5b8-8a3d89dd5191)
YELENA (#ulink_9e733e6d-5b45-50b5-b5b8-8a3d89dd5191)
Ugh, mud, Kiki said as she splashed through another puddle. The wet muck clung to her copper coat and dripped from her long tail. It packed into her hooves and coated the hair of her fetlocks with each step.
Through our mental connection I sensed her tired discomfort. Stop? I asked. Rest?
No. Images of fresh hay, a clean stall and being groomed formed in Kiki’s mind. Home, soon.
Surprised, I glanced around the forest. Melting piles of snow mixed with black clumps of dead leaves—signs that the cold season was losing its grip. Rain tapped steadily on the bare branches. The light faded, turning the already gray woods leaden. For the past few hours, I’d been huddling under my sopping-wet cloak, trying to keep warm. With my thoughts fixed on my rendezvous with Valek, I’d failed to keep track of our location.
I scanned the area with my magic, projecting my awareness out to seek life. A few brave rabbits foraged in the soggy underbrush and a couple of deer stood frozen, listening to the squishy plodding of Kiki’s passage. No souls haunted these woods. No humans within miles.
That wasn’t a surprise. This remote area in the northeastern Featherstone lands had been chosen for that very reason. After Owen Moon ambushed us about four years ago, Valek and I had decided to move to a less well-known location near the Ixian border.
I leaned forward in the saddle. We were getting close and my wet cloak no longer pressed so hard on my shoulders. At this pace, we’d reach our cozy cottage within the hour. Valek’s involvement with our friend Opal’s rescue from the Bloodrose Clan and the aftermath had kept him busy for months. Finally we would have a few precious days all to ourselves before he reported back to the Commander. He should already be there waiting for me. Visions of sharing a hot bath, snuggling by a roaring fire and relaxing on the couch once again distracted me.
Kiki snorted in amusement and broke into a gallop. Behind the clouds the sun set, robbing the forest of all color. I trusted Kiki to find the path in the semidarkness as I kept a light magical connection to the wildlife nearby.
In midstride, Kiki jigged to the right. Movement flashed to the left along with the unmistakable twang of a bow. Kiki twisted under me. I grabbed for her mane, but a force slammed into my chest and knocked me from the saddle.
Hitting the ground hard, I felt all the air in my lungs whoosh out as pain erupted. Fire burned with each of my desperate gasps. Without thought, I projected again, searching for the...person who had attacked me. Despite the agony, I pushed as far as I could. No one.
