The Covenant of Three Keys

Book One: Gaze of the Burning Eye

Fans of dark historical fantasy will delight in this blending of magic, mayhem, and the 'stranger than fiction' medieval era.'

Journey from the rugged Kievan Rus to the decadent splendor of the Imperial Palace of Elys. ‘These Cruel Watchers’ follows Lyudmyla, whose acclaim as a falconer and attempts to sabotage her brother's strategic marriage go terribly awry. Her world explodes as she is swept away in a betrayal that forces her to live as a prisoner and a pawn to her enemies.

Traveling in a caravan of captives, criminals, and conscripts, she discovers a world of dark powers hiding in the shadows from the cryptic eye that opened on the sun three years ago. Even darker hearts abide in the cult of courtesans surrounding the embattled ruler of the Elys and the endless intrigues that plague his reign.

Fate delivers her a reprieve when a mistaken identity allows her to avoid the harem and plan her escape. But someone knows her secret and what she demands as payment for her silence will re-ignite the fire that could turn the tides of war.

Adversaries surround her, a mysterious outlaw appeals for her heart, and an enchanted artifact reveals there’s more to the ‘Eye’ than meets the eye. Perhaps she should avoid it now that she’s seen how it consumes those who seek it. Perhaps she shouldn’t have touched it.

Come, venture beyond the veil but tell no one what you've seen. The Watcher never sleeps.