Passion — Tony Shillitoe

The Dragonkin need the Genesis Stone to immortalise their power, but their bargain with the Dragon Priests is thrown into jeopardy as the borders of the Ashuak Empire, home to the Dragon Priests, crumble. Fearing the wrath of Ashan'e and her brood, the Ashuak Dragon Priests make a political play for control of the southern province and move to train the Jaru, Alwyn, to fulfil the Dragonkin prophecy. Sukaal Vekesh struggles to hold Ashuak control of the southern province, Sekesu, under threat from increasing rebel Jaru activity, and assassination attempts from Ashuak rivals who stand to lose wealth and status if the Jaru slave market and mines are closed down. Determined to be moderate in his dealings, Vekesh learns his enemies neither trust him nor are willing to compromise. When the Emperor announces he will hold the annual Empire Games in the Sekesu capital, Vechwer, Vekesh's responsibilities only become more complicated than he imagined. Her brother brutally murdered in the arena, herself abused and imprisoned to labour in the marble mines, Shana survives her ordeal and escapes, intent on taking revenge against the Ashuak for the injustices and cruelty inflicted on the Jaru. Alwyn, the Jaru raised as an Ashuak, travels to Sekesu, where he witnesses the oppression inflicted on his people, and the experience leaves him conflicted as to his loyalties and future. He also learns that he has inherited and is being offered greater power than any human in history, power drawn from the Dragonkin culture.