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Dead Eastern
Three months after the winter solstice crisis, Elida faces new challenges in Pittsburgh. The Alabaster Council's meddling complicates her work, and Penemue's influence lingers in her magic, whispering dark temptations. Her relationship with Aurora Miller deepens but remains fraught with tension. When bodies vanish from cemeteries and murdered victims rise as undead, Aurora seeks Elida’s help. They uncover a disturbing necromantic magic that is raising thralls to build an army. Their investigation leads them to the Jade Court, a clandestine group dealing in forbidden rituals. Matthias Crane, their enigmatic necromancer, orchestrates the creation of this army for a purpose that threatens much more than just the city.
While researching the Jade Court's history at the Alabaster Council's restricted archives, Elida discovers an ornate mirror in Father Dolan's collection and meets Zephyr, an ancient elemental spirit imprisoned inside. Zephyr claims extensive knowledge of the Jade Court and offers guidance in exchange for freedom. Their cryptic advice reveals hidden agendas and becomes crucial at pivotal moments. As Elida delves deeper, Joseph and his knights suggest demonic interest in the Jade Court’s activities. Zackry Wallace uncovers a connection between his father and Matthias Crane through their military service in Iraq, further complicating their investigation. Father Dolan's evasiveness hints at past secrets involving the Jade Court that threaten to resurface.
The Red Court sees opportunity in the chaos and seeks to control or eliminate the Jade Court before the Alabaster Council intervenes, dragging Elida into complex court politics. As she races to stop Crane's ritual, which aims to raise something older and far more dangerous than thralls, she must navigate conflicting loyalties, decide how much to trust Zephyr’s guidance, and confront uncomfortable truths about those she cares for. By the end, Elida learns that Crane's ritual is not merely destructive; it's part of a larger scheme involving fallen angels, leaving Book 2's conflicts unresolved.
Zephyr is an ancient spirit who once allowed a catastrophic breach between realms and was imprisoned by the Alabaster Council as punishment. From their mirror prison, Zephyr has observed Pittsburgh's supernatural activity for centuries and knows that the Jade Court was a failed vampire experiment attempting a "third way" between the Red Court's hedonism and the Alabaster Council's rigid control. This faction turned to necromancy in hopes of creating undead that could operate independently in daylight.
Zephyr offers Elida knowledge for liberation, but has complex motives that unfold throughout their interactions. They seek redemption for past mistakes by stopping Crane’s ritual but also hope that it might shatter their mirror prison, risking either their freedom or destruction. This creates moral ambiguity about whether Zephyr is truly aiding Elida or using her as a tool for their own ends.
Elida consults Zephyr frequently, feeling drained after each interaction as they manifest within the glass. She experiences phantom sensations—cold winds when danger looms, warmth when reassured—suggesting Zephyr’s influence may extend beyond the mirror or subtly alter her perception. Father Dolan reveals he kept Zephyr isolated not just as punishment but as protection against dependency on their counsel. By the book's end, Elida must choose whether to free Zephyr or find another solution requiring sacrifices from all parties involved.
Matthias Crane attempts something far more ambitious than merely raising an army; he seeks to reverse a binding made centuries ago by the Jade Court with a powerful entity representing entropy and dissolution.
While researching the Jade Court's history at the Alabaster Council's restricted archives, Elida discovers an ornate mirror in Father Dolan's collection and meets Zephyr, an ancient elemental spirit imprisoned inside. Zephyr claims extensive knowledge of the Jade Court and offers guidance in exchange for freedom. Their cryptic advice reveals hidden agendas and becomes crucial at pivotal moments. As Elida delves deeper, Joseph and his knights suggest demonic interest in the Jade Court’s activities. Zackry Wallace uncovers a connection between his father and Matthias Crane through their military service in Iraq, further complicating their investigation. Father Dolan's evasiveness hints at past secrets involving the Jade Court that threaten to resurface.
The Red Court sees opportunity in the chaos and seeks to control or eliminate the Jade Court before the Alabaster Council intervenes, dragging Elida into complex court politics. As she races to stop Crane's ritual, which aims to raise something older and far more dangerous than thralls, she must navigate conflicting loyalties, decide how much to trust Zephyr’s guidance, and confront uncomfortable truths about those she cares for. By the end, Elida learns that Crane's ritual is not merely destructive; it's part of a larger scheme involving fallen angels, leaving Book 2's conflicts unresolved.
Zephyr is an ancient spirit who once allowed a catastrophic breach between realms and was imprisoned by the Alabaster Council as punishment. From their mirror prison, Zephyr has observed Pittsburgh's supernatural activity for centuries and knows that the Jade Court was a failed vampire experiment attempting a "third way" between the Red Court's hedonism and the Alabaster Council's rigid control. This faction turned to necromancy in hopes of creating undead that could operate independently in daylight.
Zephyr offers Elida knowledge for liberation, but has complex motives that unfold throughout their interactions. They seek redemption for past mistakes by stopping Crane’s ritual but also hope that it might shatter their mirror prison, risking either their freedom or destruction. This creates moral ambiguity about whether Zephyr is truly aiding Elida or using her as a tool for their own ends.
Elida consults Zephyr frequently, feeling drained after each interaction as they manifest within the glass. She experiences phantom sensations—cold winds when danger looms, warmth when reassured—suggesting Zephyr’s influence may extend beyond the mirror or subtly alter her perception. Father Dolan reveals he kept Zephyr isolated not just as punishment but as protection against dependency on their counsel. By the book's end, Elida must choose whether to free Zephyr or find another solution requiring sacrifices from all parties involved.
Matthias Crane attempts something far more ambitious than merely raising an army; he seeks to reverse a binding made centuries ago by the Jade Court with a powerful entity representing entropy and dissolution.
585 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 6, 2026
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