Witches' Blood — Ginn Hale

Volume Four. After using a key intended for his roommate, John Toffler
and his two closest friends -- Laurie and Bill -- are thrown into the
harsh world of Basawar. John and his friends survive the winter
wilderness with the aid of a rebellious young priest, Ravishan, and
eventually join Basawar society in the city of Amura'taye.
While Laurie and Bill find shelter in the household of the exiled
Lady Bousim, John ascends the Thousand Steps to the monastery
of Rathal'pesha where he reunites with Ravishan. He hopes that
among the mysterious teachings of the Pashmura priesthood
he can find a way to return home. After a year of service in the
monastery, he has made many discoveries and a few friends, chief
among them the aged priest, Samsango, and the healer, Hann'yu.
But the way home still eludes John.
Soon John begins to fear that Laurie's newly developed powers
could be those of the destroyer god, the Rifter. If she were to be
discovered, it would mean the end for all of them. Complicating
matters further is the fact that Laurie continues to practice the
forbidden arts of witchcraft under the tutelage of Lady Bousim.
In the midst of John's turmoil, Ravishan confesses his attraction
to John. But Basawar is a world where such desire is punished
with death. And after a frustratingly brief kiss in Candle Alley, John
orders Ravishan away from him -- for both their sakes.