First published 1991
Tiger and Del race across the brutal Punja desert with death at their heels. The Southron tribes want Tiger's blood for killing their supposed messiah, though the man actually murdered Del's family. Sword-dancer assassins and religious fanatics hunt them through the wasteland. Yet external enemies pale beside the threat growing within Tiger's own weapon. His sword Samiel now houses the spirit of Chosa Dei, an ancient sorcerer whose power could destroy everything. The evil wizard works to transform Tiger into his perfect instrument of annihilation. Only one hope remains: locating Shaka Obre, Chosa Dei's equally mighty rival. But this wizard vanished centuries ago, and even Tiger and Del's combined magical skills may prove insufficient to find him. Time runs short as Chosa Dei's influence spreads and the desert closes in around them.
Genres: adventure, fantasy, action, fantasy-romance
Vibes: dark, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Punja Desert
Period: Ancient
460 pages · Mass Market Paperback · DAW
Content warnings: violence