ONC 2024 Shortlister _____________________ Just one week before his marriage with a chief bloodshaman of the Kurat's army, young surgeon Genul sees his wife, Kenit, die under his care after a terrorist attack launched by the neighboring nation. As old wounds resurface and feed into his grief, Genul unburies his past training as a bloodshaman with an irrevocable aim: find his way to his wife again. Blood is the price to pay to bring back the dead to life and those across the border are charged with it. Genul's main target is the Regent of Lomurat, Jyr Omar VI. But once infiltrated as a servant inside the palace of the enemy nation, Genul finds himself fighting against his certainties. Because the regent, known for taking male servants as lovers, has a real interest in Genul. Genul fights back, but the alluring noble may hide secrets more valuable than his blood.