Maria Snyder - Shadow 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 for New York Times bestselling author

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 Maria V. Snyder

from MIRA INK™

The Chronicles of Ixia

POISON STUDY

MAGIC STUDY

FIRE STUDY

STORM GLASS

SEA GLASS

SPY GLASS

The Insider Series

INSIDE OUT

OUTSIDE IN

from MIRA BOOKS

Avry of Kazan series

TOUCH OF POWER

SCENT OF MAGIC

TASTE OF DARKNESS

www.mirabooks.co.uk/mariavsnyder

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

Back Cover Text

Praise

Booklist

Title Page

Dedication

Map

1 YELENA

2 VALEK

3 YELENA

4 VALEK

5 YELENA

6 VALEK

7 JANCO

8 YELENA

9 VALEK

10 JANCO

11 YELENA

12 VALEK

13 JANCO

14 YELENA

15 VALEK

16 JANCO

17 YELENA

18 VALEK

19 JANCO

20 YELENA

21 VALEK

22 JANCO

23 YELENA

24 VALEK

25 JANCO

26 YELENA

27 VALEK

28 JANCO

29 YELENA

30 VALEK

31 JANCO

32 YELENA

33 VALEK

34 YELENA

Acknowledgments

Endpages

Copyright

1

YELENA

U gh, 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.

Kiki, smells? I asked. She stood over me, protecting me.

Pine. Wet. Mud.

See magician?

No.

Not good. The person had to be protected by a magical null shield. It was the only way to hide from me. Null shields blocked magic. At least it also prevented the magician from attacking me with his or her magic since it blocked magic from both sides of the shield. But it wouldn’t stop another arrow. And perhaps the next one wouldn’t miss.

I glanced at the shaft. The arrow had struck two inches above and one inch to the left of my heart, lodging just below my clavicle. Fear banished the pain for a moment. I needed to move. Now.

Rolling on my side, I paused as an icy sensation spread across my chest. The tip had been poisoned! I plopped back in the mud. Closing my eyes, I concentrated on expelling the cold liquid. It flowed from the wound, mixing with the blood already soaked into my shirt.