The Dragon's Claim: She swore she'd never surrender. He vowed he'd never love. The empire is burning.
About this ebook
Mei Lian and Corvus survived their first battle together, but the cost was devastating. The shadow demons are growing stronger, the Jade Court is fracturing, and the celestial bond that ties them together is becoming unbearable. Every touch ignites fire. Every separation feels like death. And the empire's enemies are watching, waiting for them to break.
When the Dragon Council summons them to the ancient mountain citadel, they discover a truth that could shatter everything: they aren't the first warriors to share this cursed bond—and all the others died screaming.
Thrust into the deadly politics of the dragon riders, Mei must prove her worth to warriors who see her phoenix fire as a threat. Corvus faces an impossible choice: embrace the darkness that makes him powerful, or surrender to the light that could destroy him. Their love is forbidden. Their bond is unnatural. And someone in the Dragon Court wants them dead.
But when an ancient evil awakens beneath the mountains—something that even the dragons fear—Mei and Corvus must decide: will they fight their bond, or finally surrender to it?
Because the empire needs them united. And their enemies are counting on them to fall.
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About the author
David G. Stone is a scholar of comparative religion, Afro-Caribbean spiritual traditions, and death studies whose work bridges academic rigor with deep respect for living spiritual practices. With over two decades of research into Vodou, Santería, and other African diaspora religions, Stone has dedicated his career to presenting these traditions with authenticity and cultural sensitivity.
His journey into the study of Baron Samedi began during fieldwork in Haiti in the early 2000s, where he was granted rare access to sacred ceremonies and formed lasting relationships with Vodou practitioners and houngans. This experiential approach, combined with his background in anthropology and religious studies, informs his nuanced understanding of how death, transformation, and the sacred intersect in Vodou cosmology.
Stone has contributed to numerous academic journals and presented at international conferences on African diaspora religions, decolonizing spiritual scholarship, and the ethics of writing about marginalized traditions. He has also served as a consultant for cultural organizations seeking to present Vodou and related traditions accurately and respectfully.
Beyond his academic work, Stone is an advocate for religious literacy and cultural preservation. He works closely with diaspora communities to ensure that knowledge about these traditions is shared in ways that honor their practitioners and resist exploitation. His writing seeks to make complex spiritual concepts accessible to general readers while never compromising the integrity of the traditions he documents.
David G. Stone holds a Masters. in Religious Studies and currently teaches courses on world religions, mysticism, and death across cultures. When not writing or teaching, he maintains his connection to the communities that have welcomed him into their sacred spaces and continues to learn from those who live these traditions daily.
Death's Gentleman: The Baron Samedi Chronicles represents the culmination of his life's work—a respectful, thorough, and transformative exploration of one of Vodou's most misunderstood and powerful loa.
