The Last of His Kind

Azovi is the abandoned son of a crumbling empire. Born of rape and cast into exile when his mother is found dead, Azovi struggles to define himself in a world collapsing into chaos. For untold centuries, the Athrui Empire reigned supreme: their great thinkers, artists, and engineers were unparalleled. Their priests mastered the power of Light, using it to perform arcane acts…Including shape-shifting. But the years of opulent corruption took their toll: the slaves have organized into open rebellion. And now a mysterious new psychic power has appeared in the hands of the rebels. In truth, Azovi has as much reason to hate the Athrui who have rejected and abandoned him as the unknown rapist who sired him. As Azovi discovers his own unparalleled gifts, his choices and his dubious heritage will form a crucible no less perilous than the civil war raging around him: will he succumb to the darkest temptations of power, or become the salvation of the empire’s soul?

Melissa Hudson is a professional artist, currently residing in the greater Seattle area with her husband and newborn baby girl.

It's taken about a year to get around to it, but I finally managed to re-draft my partial. I'm very grateful for the helpful critiques--both from Book Country reviewers and from friends and family.