Rayne dreads the coming of the Crystal Ship and the legendary monster it bears. An Envoy destroyed a world once before, an almost forgotten event. One man, whose life the creature ruined, remembers. The mysterious Shrike has built the Slave Empire on blood and tears, and Rayne must have his help if she is to defeat the Envoy. The battle to protect her will bring three empires to the brink of war.

T. C. Southwell was born in Sri Lanka and moved to the Seychelles when she was a baby. She spent her formative years exploring the islands ? mostly alone. Naturally, her imagination flourished and she developed a keen love of other worlds. The family travelled through Europe and Africa and, after the death of her father, settled in South Africa.

T. C. Southwell has written over thirty fantasy and science fiction novels, as well as five screenplays. Her hobbies include motorcycling, horse riding and art, and she is now a full-time writer.