Annukka is the daughter of Comalco’s warrior king, Halach, and possesses the empathic powers of the Chosen. But, she was also a Way-eb child, born under the sign of Venus during the most unlucky and calamitous time of the sacred Mayan calendar. Thus, her people believe that allowing her to develop those powers under the tutelage of the priestesses could prove disastrous for Comalco. Annukka silently fears their predictions may come true, that she could end up being the reason for the downfall of her father’s kingdom but she fights to prove both to herself and Comalco that they are wrong. She comes to realize that rescuing her people from predicted ruin will be possible only through wielding ancient and dangerous powers alongside the very man who has vowed to destroy her city.
Balakan is the powerful first apprentice to the High Priest of the Jaguar Brotherhood in the City of Mutal whose prowess and manipulations have gained the confidence and favor of the King. He is set on furthering the King’s agenda along with his own political gains by extending Mutal’s outer reach of power and will stop at nothing to consume Comalco’s riches and silence his own dark past. His path seems clear until a slave girl forces him to realize that his thirst for ever increasing power is, at best, a fire that is not easily quenched. He becomes consumed with longing for refuge in this slave girl’s arms, a strict taboo for men of the Jaguar Priests. Balakan becomes entangled in his own psychological war – a war where he must choose between lust for position and the power of love.
As Comalco is thrust into treacherous times, Annukka and those she befriends will journey through a world of mysticism, sacrifice, ritual and war. It is also a journey into Annukka’s soul as she, alone, must face a jungle of deep loss, brutal betrayals and fear to find her own courage, power, and place in destiny. She will discover love that survives the demons of the underworld while confronting the darkness of tortured souls. She alone has the power to either free her people – or destroy them.