I always love returning to Lexi Ander’s world of the ‘Sumeria’s Sons’ series, and this short story offered me exactly such an opportunity. Since the next full novel (‘Dragon’s Eye’) will release in a few days, this felt like a nice way to “warm up” for the main event. Like all the shorts in this series, it focuses on some of the magi who are secondary characters throughout. I do have to warn you: as the blurb states, this cannot be read as a stand-alone; it won’t make any sense without you having read the other books first.

Stan has not had an easy time of it. He has been rejected by his old childhood friend Magi Grigori when Grigori ended up with Juan in ’Starting Fires’), and Stan did not take it well. Now he sees only one way to redeem himself, and that is to become an Ophidian. He passes the trials but still feels as if he is adrift when he returns to Ushna’s home with the task of making sure Justus deals with the loss of his Twin Flame to a different realm. Stan would rather face raging monsters than one small shifter child…

If you like this series, if the magi interest you as much as Ushna and Tristan, and if you’re looking for a quick read to tide you over until the next novel, then you might enjoy this short tale. ( )