Charged with guarding a priceless relic, Neeka must escape a nightmare creature so horrifying the gods tremble before it. Her only hope of survival is the powerful mage who trained her. But Gehan's help will come at a price.

When Gehan sees Neeka stumbling toward him from the dark woods surrounding his isolated home, he assumes she's a dream, a fantasy born of his obsession with her—until she collapses in his arms and begs for his help. To end his loneliness and keep her with him, he's willing to sacrifice anything, even his soul.

Winner of the 2004 Zircon Speculative Romance Award, The Last Guardian brings readers of fantasy romance a dark tale of magic and wonder.

Author's Note: This story was originally published in Sum3: The 2006 Zircon Anthology of Speculative Romance, edited by Jody Wallace