The Barbed Rose

The Barbed Rose
Gail Dayton

Demons are coming. One woman has been chosen to face them….Demon hordes still threaten the Kingdom while open rebellion has broken out within its cities, separating Kallista from her new family. Assassination attempts, magical attacks-she's surrounded by devastation unlike anything she's ever known, and her unique magic power no longer works as it should.Yet her own pain must yield to the needs of her country, for this military mage is charged with searching the four directions of the world for the other “Godmarked”–the only ones who can help her keep demon invaders from shattering her world. But can she find them in time?

Praise for Gail Dayton’s

The Compass Rose

“With unadulterated sensuality that practically ignites the pages and a fantasy quest that is as masterfully intricate as it is entertaining, Dayton’s The Compass Rose will absolutely blow away fans of romance-powered fantasy. In a word: wow!”

–Barnes & Noble’s Explorations newsletter

“Gail Dayton has created a world that is so colorful and vivid readers will feel they made an adventurous visit to this enchanting realm.”

–The Best Reviews

“The Compass Rose captured me from the first page…. Gail Dayton eloquently weaves a saga of unrequited love with the fear of rejection that haunts us all [and] cleverly and sagely reveals the heart and soul that unites a group of strangers into a family.”

–Fallen Angel Reviews

“Top Pick, 4–1/2 stars: Court intrigues and romantic interludes keep the plot moving at a brisk pace.”

–Romantic Times BOOKclub

GAIL DAYTON

The Barbed Rose

To April and Rhys.

You make me proud.

And to Jason, who does, too.

CONTENTS

CAST OF CHARACTERS

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

PRONUNCIATION GUIDE

GLOSSARY

Cast of Characters