Touch of Power

Touch of Power
Maria V. Snyder

THEY DESTROYED HER WORLD. BUT SHE'S THEIR ONLY HOPE…Avry’s power to heal the sick should earn her respect in the plague-torn land of Kazan. Instead she is feared. Her kind are blamed for the horrifying disease that has taken hold of the nation. When Avry uses her forbidden magic to save a dying child, she faces the guillotine. Until a dark, mysterious man rescues her from her prison cell.His people need Avry’s magic to save their dying prince. The very prince who first unleashed the plague on Kazan. Saving the prince is certain to kill Avry – yet she already faces a violent death. Now she must choose – use her healing touch to show the ultimate mercy or die a martyr to a lost cause?

Praise forNew York Timesbestselling author

MARIA V.

SNYDER

‘Inside Out surprised and touched me on so many levels. It’s a wonderful, thoughtful book full of vivid characters … Maria V. Snyder is one of my favourite authors, and she’s done it again!’ —Rachel Caine

‘A compelling new fantasy series.’

—SFXmagazine onSea Glass

‘An intense, excellent read.’

—LocusonMagic Study

‘There is a lovely light touch to this series reminiscent

of early Anne McCaffrey, so it’s gratifying to see that

Snyder has managed to deliver the old one-two

fantasy-literature punch.’

—Rhianna Pratchett,SFXon theStudyseries

‘Storm Glass is accessible, unusual and most of all fun. If you’re looking for a quick, entertaining summer read, you couldn’t do much better.’ —Deathray

Also by New York Times bestselling authorMaria V. Snyder

Study Series

POISON STUDY

MAGIC STUDY

FIRE STUDY

Glass Series

STORM GLASS

SEA GLASS

SPY GLASS

Inside Series

INSIDE OUT

OUTSIDE IN

www.mirabooks.co.uk/mariavsnyder www.miraink.co.uk

Touch of Power

Maria V. Snyder

www.mirabooks.co.uk (http://www.mirabooks.co.uk)

For Jenna.

I hope you enjoy your story!

Acknowledgments

Novel number nine has a nice ring to it. Don’t you think? For the longest time, this book was either called the healer story, by my publisher/editor, or novel number nine by me. And yes, that’s why the mountain chain is called the Nine Mountains. I can also think of nine people who I need to thank for helping turn this idea I had into a story.

My daughter, Jenna, for asking every night, “What’s next?”

My agent, Bob Mecoy, for his help in sharpening the idea and selling it to MIRA.

My editor, Mary-Theresa Hussey, for her feedback and for the title of this and the next two books.

Assistant editor, Elizabeth Mazer, for all she does in getting the manuscript ready.

To my critique partner, Kim J. Howe, for all the comments and suggestions to improve this story.

My assistant, Becky Greenly, for helping with organizing the increasing number of reader emails and for getting the mail out so I have more time to write.

My niece and researcher, Amy Snyder, for finding cool little-known facts about the Black Death.

My husband, Rodney, for holding down the fort while I’m out and about promoting books and for finding those misplaced commas and gaps in logic.

My son, Luke, for learning how to juggle and inspiring the character Flea.

Thanks so much!

I also need to thank the following nine groups of people who also work hard on my books and who have supported me and my books.

The art department for, once again, creating the perfect cover.

The public relations, marketing and sales departments for continuing to get the word out about my books.

Those who worked on the copy edits and line edits.