Foreword

"Or What Came Before"

 

Some readers asked me to add a "The story so far" section to the beginning of my books much as they do for TV shows to remind you what you may have forgotten. I thought it was a great idea, so I'll be doing that going forward!

 

In the first book, Shadows in Amber, we meet Kuma Santos, son of Niran Santos, the head of Razor clan which is considered the largest and best run clan in the Undercity. He is anxious about his upcoming entrance to the Academy where he will have a chance to attune to a faez crystal. After a rough start, he manages to attune to an amber stone, which enhances his senses and starts his journey to becoming a great waku.

 

We also meet Pandora, a spy sent to the Undercity to infiltrate the clans. She manages to secure an invite to the Drops, the rival to Razor clan, and earns a sapphire stone which is considered one of the most powerful faez crystals available.

 

During the course of the year, Kuma and Pandora meet, finding themselves drawn to each other despite the forbidden nature of their relationship. The two clans aren't at war, but it's assumed that the peace could end at any moment. Making things more complicated is the rise of the Alliance, which is a grouping of smaller clans who've come together creating a three-way standoff in the Undercity. During a festival in the Terreno, Kuma and Pandora are forced into a duel which Kuma wins, sparing her life, despite the impact to his honor and his clan.