The Yellow Stone:
The Wasaru Stones Book 3
In a world where violence is forbidden, robots have produced a machine that tries to capture souls at the moment of death—and Someisa may be next.
Assigned to the yellow stone, Someisa expects her studies to focus on knowledge, discernment, and choice. Instead, her path leads her through sealed libraries, ancient ruins, and across worlds, as the metal men move ever closer to perfecting their soul-capturing machine.
As mental men seize friends and mentors, the threat grows beyond anything her people have faced in three thousand years, Someisa must rely on intellect, compassion, and courage, and no violence, to confront a danger that has already claimed countless lives.
Allies gather from unexpected places. Old truths surface. A fragile romance begins to take root just as the stakes become unbearable.
Darker and more intense than the earlier books, yet grounded in warmth and quiet humor, The Yellow Stone is a story of triumph sought, consequences faced, and the courage to live with the choices that cannot be undone.
Prologue
Bromo stood in the center of a grove of barren trees with his back to a shimmering mist. The fog people came to say goodbye and then faded into the trees to watch the coming event. He nodded to them as they left and turned his attention to the folks in front of him.
Friends and past loved ones of all shapes and sizes formed a semicircle around him. Some called forth happy greetings, as it had been many lifetimes since they renewed their acquaintance. Others reminded Bromo he was never alone and what he was about to experience would be shared by all. A Great One approached him to perform a spiritual hug. He felt the warmth of great love envelop him. At that moment, all worries, stress, tiredness, and bodily aches and pains disappeared. It was as though he were in the arms of a mother cradling her newborn infant with all the love and affection she could give. He relaxed in the sensation and enjoyed it for some time. There was no hurry. His friends joined in the spiritual hug. Love flowed through all of them. A feeling of all is right with life and spirit invaded each of them, and they relished the moment.
It was time. Bromo gave a nod of his head, and everyone released their hold on him. He turned and stepped into the shimmering mist. A moment later, he found himself in a lush land filled with the smell of dampness and growing things. He could sense all the plant and animal life that surrounded him. Fog people were there to greet him. He loved it all.
Looking forward, he saw a robot standing in front of him. Bromo raised his hand in greeting. The robot raised its arm as if to greet him back and pointed an appendage at the man. A flash of light flew from the appendage and entered Bromo’s forehead.
Surprised to find a robot performing the deed, the man twisted from the blast and fell on his back. The odor of damp foliage filled his nose as he took his last breath.
And the party began.
