In the magical wold of the Black Jewels series, the clashes between those of the blood are ruthless. They fight for power and immortality in a deadly political game, where the intrigue and betrayal is intense because when the when the weapons are love and hate the prize could be terrible beyond imagine. Australian author.

In a world where magic is power and social status is everything the colour of the jewel you wear determines the course of your life ...Jared is a Red-Jewelled Warlord bound as a pleasure slave by the Ring of Obedience. After suffering nine years of torment he murdered his owner and escaped - only to be caught and sold back into slavery. Recently purchased by a notorious queen Jared fears he will share the mysterious fate of her other slaves - never to be seen again - and so prepares himself for death. But the Gray Lady may not be what she seems and Jared soon faces a difficult decision: his freedom or his honour ...Praise for Anne Bishop 'the author's overall sublime skill [blends] the darkly macabre with spine-tingling emotional intensity lush sensuality and exciting action all set in a thoroughly detailed invented world of cultures in conflict ...It and its predecessors are genuine gems of fantasy much to be prized' SF Site