Issa’s shadow powers are a curse, and they are going to kill her. While the potent magic helps her and her sister Kyrae get by on the muddy streets of Ess’Sylantziis, the cost will drive them both to the brink. Will the Temple of Jaezotl that rules over the jungles of the Empire of Jii’Kalaga from its great stone ziggurats actually help them? Or will the pair of sisters—one a lamia, and one an elf—be driven from the shadows of insignificance into the light of the Empire’s power games? And just what kind of entity is Issa linked to that is neither god nor mortal? Scales & Shadows is a fantasy novel with a character-driven plot, elements of drama and political intrigue, and a dash of late romance set in a misty-jungled land of elves and snake people. New Chapters on Tuesdays (sometimes) and Fridays. Cover art is by the amazing and wonderful Cutetanuki-chan. Links to her tumblr and twitter are after the Prologue.