On a quiet archipelago, a courier has gone missing...
Along with the powerful artifact he was transporting on behalf of a mysterious buyer.
Kidnapping or murder?
Ransom or theft?
With the stakes so high, who can be trusted?
“An unforgettable immersion into smart science fiction at its very best”
Kathy L. Brown, Independent Book Review
Investigators
The Mayane Archipelago
The Rej-Jir homeworld of Naxetektonaktl is known for its impressive metropolises, but there are still quiet corners of the planet where the pace of life slows to a crawl. One such corner is the Mayane Archipelago, an idyllic group of islands far from any mainland. The citizens enjoy serene lives, unburdened by the pressure most Rej-Jir experience in the crowded cities. There is virtually no crime. But there is something unusual about the Mayane Archipelago – an open secret rarely spoken of. A facility, forbidden to all but a few, buried within the island of Yayauhqui…
Yayauhqui
The only uninhabited island on the archipelago, which is unusual given it is by far the largest. The official story is that the island is a nature reserve, off limits to all but select members of the cabal in charge of the archipelago. Unofficially, it is the location for an underground military facility.
Yayauhqui has a dark history and its black earth has been soaked in blood across the ages. As a result, it is said to emanate unpleasant frequencies that the psychic Rej-Jir can easily detect. Given the risk of ‘mental contagion’ from such locations, Rej-Jir avoid the area without the need for much, if any, intervention.
Rayucan
As cosmopolitan as it gets in the archipelago, Rayucan boasts an assortment of towers dedicated to administration, entertainment and business. The island is home to the archipelago’s supreme leader, Omiqar Ithiziropa. A dedicated soldier, he maintains an apartment on the island and is well-known to the locals as a result.
Solin
A smaller island which sees little traffic, Solin is mostly home to fisheries and farmers. Its pristine beaches and lagoons are a local secret. An ancient archipelago legend states that the waters on this island are so pure that immersion within them may bestow extraordinary strength and vitality.
Cualli
This tiny atoll has only a small area allocated to residences and a few smaller businesses. Most of it has been reserved for use by the military, who maintain their base of operations here in a dedicated ziggurat. Aside from the cabal, the island is also notable for being the home of a famous antiquarian, who has imported and exported various relics for several centuries.
Yamithot
Similar to its sibling, Rayucan, Yamithot boasts a variety of entertainment and business venues. The vast majority of the archipelago’s populace dwell either on Rayucan or Yamithot. As Yamithot is home to the archipelago’s academy and other educational facilities, families and students form the bulk of its population.
Commander Qwatajawa
Second-in-Command of the Mayane Archipelago cabal. Formerly assigned to a special operations division, where her natural sangfroid was of particular benefit, Qwatajawa somewhat reluctantly accepted the promotion two years ago. Although pleased to return to her home world, Qwatajawa felt she didn’t possess the right personality for the job.
Unfortunately, her gut instinct has proven correct in this matter: the other high-ranking members of the cabal are ambivalent towards Qwatajawa, and her command decisions haven’t always proven popular. Her routine, if strained, life within the Mayane cabal is upended when a bizarre mystery unfolds under her watch.
Xa-Kol, the Illusionist
Qwatajawa’s friend since childhood, Xa-Kol walks the path of the Illusionist. Among her people, the Zurxok, this mysterious sect have been mystics, warriors, and keepers of esoteric tradition for thousands of years. In the modern day, they work as spies and enforcers for high-ranking politicians.
Over the years, Xa-Kol has been exposed to a variety of unusual situations which have served to make her less sceptical than her friend, Qwatajawa. The pair have a rock-solid bond, but Xa-Kol may be hiding more than she is letting on.
“A memorable reading experience with a gripping plot, rounded characters, and a brilliantly imagined universe”
Annalise Reads