Meet the Verelustres
Malina Verelustre
Lethally lovely
Malina Verelustre is a mystery to all but those closest to her. With movie star looks and a sweetly serene personality, you’d never expect that Malina isn’t just dangerous—she’s deadly.
Behind her exquisite exterior, Malina is calculating, clever, and decisive—natural talents that stood out to her military superiors. Rising swiftly up the ranks, Malina earned a reputation of being relentless and ruthless in the heat of battle. Yet at her core, Malina lacked the thirst for power that led so many of her comrades to jockey for the promotions she earned without asking.
For Malina, the decision to lead is rooted solely in her desire to protect and serve all those around her, both rank and file soldier and her commanding officers. While her comrades reluctantly admit that Malina earned her rank with her battlefield heroics, those who promoted her credit her meteoric rise to her honesty, integrity, loyalty, and trustworthiness.
And that’s why none of those Jettani loyalists suspect that their favorite military hero is a leader of the resistance working to overthrow their revered Seren.
Asher Verelustre
Clandestine Bureaucrat
Dashing, dapper, and… devious. Asher Verelustre despises the fact that he’s had to engage in subterfuge to protect his family—but he’s most definitely become a master of deception. The skill serves him well as he treads the perilously narrow line between being an accomplished, respected member of Anacapia’s government while secretly plotting to overthrow the regime that ordered the execution of his daughter.
No one would’ve ever expected charismatic, unserious Asher to attain the rank of concilium member, one of the highest political offices in Anacapia. As a young man, he seemed destined and determined to become a carefree celebrity of some entertainment variety or another. When he was tapped by Seren Jettani Invidia herself to skip over menial public offices and right into the political limelight, Asher jumped at the chance to fill what was intended to be primarily a figurehead position.
But then Jettani labeled his baby daughter, Experience, as a dangerous destroyer destined to end Anacapia… From that moment, Asher dedicated himself to thwarting Jettani’s every move in an effort to overthrow her regime and secure Exe’s safe return to Anacapia.
Viva Verelustre
Rejected starlet
Pretty, popular, charming, effervescent, life of the party, adored by all – that’s the girl Vivacity “Viva” Verelustre was supposed to be. She’s absolutely convinced of that.
And that’s exactly who she would be if not for the annoying existence of her notorious twin, Exe. Now, instead of being everyone’s friend and the center of attention, Viva is an outcast. At every turn she’s ridiculed, bullied, vilified—and it’s all Exe’s fault.
And by the way, that is Viva’s photo on that wanted dead poster, but in reality Viva has alluring aquamarine eyes, not revolting violet like Exe’s.
It’s so infuriating being ostracized because of Exe, then forced to dress up as her every year to take that wretched photo that Viva has sworn she’ll slap Exe if she ever lays eyes on her. But she hopes that day never comes. As far as Viva is concerned, Exe can stay dead forever.
