Delana

Delana Bloodstone was born into the loudest, most emotionally constipated family in orc history. The Bloodstone Clan is ruled by War Lord Akun—mountain of muscle, crusher of skulls, professional glarer of sons. He seized power through sheer force of will and even sheerer biceps. Lesser males have been known to burst into tears when he merely adjusts his shoulder armor. And yet, for all his battlefield glory, Akun considers his greatest failures to be his children. Two sons (Danu the Thinker and Crazk the Trader) and three daughters (Shami the Menace, Delana the Diplomat, and Sue… who is Sue). He has tried to eliminate them no fewer than twelve times. Poisoned arrows. Suspiciously explosive birthday cakes. “Accidental” assignments to impossible battles. Bribes to rival clans. And still—they persist. He calls it a curse. Delana calls it cardio. Unlike her siblings, Delana does not rely on brute strength, wild schemes, or weaponized sarcasm. No. She uses paperwork. She is intense about alliances. Terrifyingly intense. While her father sharpens axes and mutters about destiny, Delana hosts tea with the local werewolf pack. She exchanges hunting rights with three neighboring orc clans. She’s on first-name basis with the lion pride to the south. Four human cities send her winter solstice cards. No one knows how she does it. One minute she’s smiling politely; the next, a trade agreement has been signed, sealed, and delivered with complimentary pastries. War Lord Akun believes alliances are for the weak. Delana believes alliances are for people who prefer not dying. Also for people who may someday need witnesses, backup armies, and plausible deniability. Friends are useful in battle. Friends are even more useful when you are quietly, meticulously, and very politely planning to overthrow your father.