A story in the Heartlands Universe
Marked by stigmata and born a bastard, Alunya has ever been under suspicion. Born into a village isolated by a divine barrier for centuries, Alunya quickly finds the valleys supposed safety feels closer to a prison. Yet soon, he and his much-beloved elder brother Antares shall find that prison is not merely a threat to their dreams, but to their innocence, their lives, and ultimately, their very souls.
When a young deaf-mute maid is struck by a carriage, her only hope for survival lies in the hands of Doctor Rochdale — a man whose compassion is buried beneath arrogance and greed. What begins as an act of medical duty turns into a chilling display of power, exploitation, and moral decay, as the doctor and his photographer friend transform the helpless girl’s suffering into their private spectacle.