Huntress Moon (Moon, #6.5)

This novellette follows the variable fortunes of Zarah, a nobleman’s daughter who has fallen on hard times. Her father has been executed for apparently embezzling money and her mother is dying of cancer; Zarah is told by Scanlon, head of the city White Flint, that if she agrees to spy on Griffin, head of Sun Acres, her mother will get healing treatment. Zarah’s role, in spying on Griffin, will be that of his mistress. She eventually agrees, knowing that her own honor is less important than her mother’s life. Zarah’s journey to Sun Acres is dangerous but she is helped by Quinn, another of the slaves. When Zarah is chosen by Griffin and taken to his house she begins to question whether she should be spying on him because he seems to be a far more good and honorable man than Scanlon. However when he finds out that she is a spy things look bad for her. Quinn’s role in the story becomes more important, and Zarah’s magical skills prove to be a great help to Griffin. Not really a part of the Moon series, it does take place in the parallel universe that has appeared twice before…