An Empire at War — Laurie Bowler

Rhya Sinclair is caught in a dangerous web of power, secrets, and rebellion. As a young orphan with an extraordinary, forbidden gift in the mystical land of Valenko, Rhya must tread carefully amidst the anarchy and chaos spreading throughout the empire. Trusting only her loyal friends, Olga and Adil, she conceals her powers from outsiders while they flee the confines of their orphanage.But fate turns sinister when Rhya stumbles upon a brutal magical assault. Acting selflessly, she aids a wounded man, Robert, unaware of the darkness that lurks within him. As death and destruction surround them, Rhya and her friends become determined to fight back against the oppressive rulers who have plunged Valenko into turmoil.United in their revolt, Rhya and her allies embark on a treacherous journey, their hopes set on liberating Valenko from its tyrannical overlords and saving as many people as they can. Will they succeed in overthrowing the empire and rescuing their land from the clutches of darkness? Or will they succumb to the abyss of an empire at war?