The Tribute

My story is cliché, told many times over several eons, cradling different names, characters, cultures, and lessons to be learned.

It is ancient and as old as the tradition of badl still practiced in the land of my ancestors.

Nagar…

Our homeland.

A cluster of independent states spanning fertile plains and mountains and mighty rivers, harsh deserts, and coastlines that flirt with the Indian Ocean. A ripe land ruled by powerful lords and chieftains. Their word is the law, and their will is the doctrine their people live by.

It is a region seemingly in sync with the outside world but within its borders, dark truths lie in thick roots and pulse like death in the veins of its earth.

It is a place where debts are paid off in blood and women are traded to settle disputes so that the next shower of bullets won’t claim their clan.

My family owed such a debt to the lords of the Red Fortress on the hill. And the lords say it is time to pay.

I am my father’s bargaining chip that could save us all and one particular lord wants to cash it in no matter how much death he has to dish out to get what he wants.

But I’m not game.

I want to spare no one.

I want to rain hell on the Agas of Lal Hissar!

FAMILIES/CHARACTERS OF INTEREST IN NAGAR:

Aga Family - Lords of Lal Hissar (Red Fortress) and its forests and plains spreading to River Koh Nar.

• Kublai Aga: head of the Aga Family (title: Sarkar Aga); wife: Shibra (title: Bano); 2 sons: Nimar and Samir
• Barlas Aga
• Samael Aga (MMC)
• Sara Aga

Demir Family - inhabitants of one of the villages of Lal Hissar territory.

• Roshan Demir: father
• Lela Demir: mother
• Elias Demir: eldest son; wife: Naz
• Kayan Demir: second son; wife: Marci
• Minha Demir (FMC)

Mirsad Family - chieftains of the territory on the other side of River Koh Nar.

• Mason Mirsad
• Varuna Mirsad

Other Important Characters:

• Zyan Temur
• Ramona Rana

***This is my first attempt at a mafia-esque romance. Let’s see how this story treats me and its readers. I hope to see you on this journey the same way we’ve been together for my other books.

Let’s read together and feedback together and I hope you enjoy this as well. Don’t forget to leave your comments for me to savor.

All places and characters are fictional. There are themes of violence and assault, there’s death, forced marriage and proximity, and deliciously served revenge.

Please stay tuned for updates. I’ll start this as soon as I can. For now, I’ll just leave you with this bite.***