Book excerpt: Tynisa is on the run, but she can't escape her inner torment -- or atone for the crimes that haunt her. Even as the provinces of the Dragonfly Commonweal crumble around her, the past is catching up with her at last. Her father's ghost is hunting her down. As Tynisa flees, the Wasp Empire's army has a new goal. It has been deployed to conquer the city of Khanaphes, former jewel of the ancient world. Empress Seda's soldiers seek prestige and glory in battle, but she has greater aspirations, seeing herself as heir to all the old powers of history. With her troops behind her, the Empress is aiming for the ultimate prize.