The Far Shores

The Far Shores is the third book in The Central Series by Zachary Rawlins.

Sypnosis
Built on the fringes of Central, where the sand meets the endless sea of Ether and the fog never breaks, the Far Shores is an institution dedicated to the pursuit of scientific discovery, remote from Central and a neutral party in the simmering conflicts between cartels. Shrouded in a sinister reputation, rumors of forbidden sciences, and layers of official secrecy, it is one of the most mysterious and isolated locations in Central – and, thanks to radical changes in the political and military organization of Central, it’s also the new home for both the Auditors and the students enrolled in the Program. Thrown into the unfamiliar environment of the Far Shores, Alexander Warner does his best to juggle an evolving protocol, a violent introduction to the realities of fieldwork, and the complexities of attempting to date a Changeling. Katya Zharova, on the other hand, is responsible for keeping Alex alive – an unusual job for an assassin with a penchant for making lethal use of sewing needles.

In the wake of the Anathema raid on Central, alliances crumble and allegiances shift. Open conflict looms between the Director and the Committee-at-Large, as Gaul becomes the target of an Inquiry led by his brand-new Chief Auditor, Alice Gallow. The weakened Black Sun Cartel is consumed with internal conflict, while the ascendant Hegemony starts to coalesce around new leaders. Cartels of all denominations eye each other nervously, uncertain how far the Anathema contagion has spread, and defection and sabotage are rife. In an effort to bolster the depleted ranks of the Auditors, dire and irreversible steps are taken. Old wounds are opened, and old rivalries are renewed, against the background of the expanding power of the Outer Dark. The Mistress of the Black Sun, Anastasia Martynova faces her most difficult trial in the form of an old and forgotten enemy – the Thule Cartel – whose return will upset the balance of power in Central at the very highest levels.

As the war between Central and the Anathema continues to smolder, the Auditors battle an unlikely alliance of eastern Vampires, enslaved Witches , and renegade Operators, working toward an unknown goal and equipped with arcane technology years beyond anything in Central. Emerging from the Outer Dark, Alistair leads a powerful team of Anathema, monstrously transformed and bent on evening the score with Central, the Auditors, and Alex. And, in the shadows, the Church of Sleep stirs, playing both sides for reasons of their own.