A Shadow of Crows

by Yasmine Galenorn

  “That jibes with everything I know about her,” Herne said. “All right, we’ll table this until tomorrow. Charlie should be here soon. Make him feel as comfortable as you can. Most of what I have him doing is some of the backup paperwork. This should lighten the load on everybody. In fact, when he’s here, we’ll discuss what you should fax over to him. We do not send the actual files off site, though. There’s a lot of data entry he can do, as well. Okay, why don’t we get back to work?”

  Talia and I headed back to our offices, but Angel stopped me on the way.

  “I just got a call from Rafé. He asked me out tomorrow night. We’re going to dinner and a movie.” She tried to make it sound casual but excitement danced in her eyes.

  “You really like him, don’t you?” I smiled, grateful for a bright spot in an otherwise gloomy day.

  Angel gave me a little shrug. “Well, yeah. There was just something that seemed to click between us. I’ve never dated one of the Fae before. I’ve actually never dated anybody who wasn’t human before. Is there anything that I should know about? Any customs that I make sure I don’t break?”

  I sat on the edge of her desk, thinking. “I’m not exactly the best source of information for this, but… The Fae are sexual. Make it clear up front that you might want to wait before you sleep with him, if you do. Sleeping together isn’t a big deal in TirNaNog and Navane, so he may come on to you pretty quickly. Don’t take it as an insult, but be clear about your boundaries. If he’s a good guy, he’ll respect them, regardless of his race.”

  WHEN CHARLIE ARRIVED, I almost didn’t recognize him. He had been the roommate of one of our suspects on an earlier case. He was definitely a vamp, though he didn’t fit the stereotype.

  Charlie looked like a surfer dude, or even a computer geek. He was gangly, tall, and thin, and had hair that brushed the top of his shoulders. But he had definitely spruced up since we last met. The polo shirt and jeans were gone, and in their place, he was wearing a pair of cargo pants, and a V-neck blue sweater. The lens-less glasses were also gone. For a while after he had been turned, Charlie had continued to wear his glasses, sans lenses, almost like a shield against the world. All in all, he was a pleasant fellow. He had been a math major until he had been turned by a rogue vampire. He hadn’t collected enough money to be independently wealthy yet, and so he had welcomed the job with Wild Hunt.

  Viktor shook his hand and clapped him on the back. He had become friends with Charlie first, before Herne hired him on.

  “Where’s Yutani?” Charlie asked, glancing around.

  “Long story. He’ll be back tomorrow. How’s it going?”

  I wasn’t terribly comfortable around vampires, but Charlie made it easy. He only drank bottled blood, was squeamish about attacking anyone, and refused the bloodwhores who offered their services.

  “Okay, I guess. My parents still refuse to talk to me. I have to give up the hope that they’ll ever accept me back into the family.” He looked dejected. Charlie had been disowned by his family once he was turned, and it weighed heavy on his heart.

  “You know, we’re a family here,” Talia said, patting his hand.

  He stared at her fingers on his, and then shot her a pale smile. “I appreciate that. And I appreciate you throwing this get-together for me. I don’t get out much. Truth is, I find it hard to make friends in the vampire community. Maybe I just haven’t met the right people yet.”

  “Did you get the night job that you were going for?” Viktor asked.

  Charlie had been itching to land a job on the side with the Vampire National Bank. He had hoped to work his way up in the vampire community that way.

  He shook his head. “No. Unfortunately, given my sire was a rogue who’s now dust, and I have no one to vouch for me, they said I need to find a sponsor before they’ll even consider taking me on. Which means I need to make friends in the community. I’ve joined a couple of clubs, but developing relationships takes time and I don’t want to jump into anything that I might regret later. I have to accept what I am, but I want to accept it on my terms.”

  We filled him in on Raven’s case, and spent the next couple hours eating and chatting. Finally, Angel and I said our good nights, and headed home. It’d been a long day, and I was looking forward to going to bed.

  I WAS STANDING on the field, under the moon. As I looked up at the sky, the stars wheeled overhead in a panoramic expanse, dancing to the music of the universe. I held my arms out to the side, breathing deeply. The air was chill, and I could smell winter around the corner. There was something on the wind, coming my way…transformation.

  As I stood there, two figures approached me, one from either side. I held out my hands, beckoning to them. I knew who they were—these ghostly figures clouded in mist. They were both whispering to me, trying to convince me that I needed them.

  And I knew I did need them. I needed them as much as I needed the blood in my veins, as much as I needed the breath in my lungs.

  They approached me, neither one taking on full form. Yet, I knew exactly who they were. Both were blood of my blood, flesh of my flesh. On one side, the Leannan Sidhe whirled in a dance, sinuous and seductive. And on the other side, the Huntress prowled through the treetops, crouching, watching for her prey. Both Leannan Sidhe and Autumn Stalker tried to seduce me to their side. But I couldn’t choose—I would not choose.

  I raised my arms overhead, a flurry of energy surrounding me as a pale mist rose from my body. I opened my mouth to let out a long echoing cry. It was a call to action, a call to arms.

  “You will coexist,” I said, my voice reverberating through the night. “You will both coexist because I exist.”

  The figures stopped, still enveloped in the fog that embraced the autumn night. They waited, hesitating, and I could sense they were almost ready to come to me, almost ready to balance within me. But it wasn’t time yet. There were still rituals to be done before they could merge.

  Part of me wanted to urge them on now, to finish this and see it done. But a voice inside insisted that I wait. That I not force the matter.

  All things in their own time.

  And so I dropped my hands, and the figures halted, still out of reach but oh, so close. I turned and walked away, knowing that I would return to this spot. Knowing that it was only a matter of time before I finally felt whole and complete.

  Chapter 17

  I WOKE UP feeling somewhat disoriented, then remembered my dream from the night before. Obviously, the Cruharach was coming closer, and my subconscious was trying to get ready for it. But the dream had given me a valuable warning. It wasn’t yet time, and I shouldn’t force the issue.

  While Angel made breakfast, I took a walk out back, into the gardens. As I sat on the bench, the mist rolled around me. I could see my breath in front of my face, and even under my warm jacket, I shivered. It had rained during the night, and the sky was still overcast and dark. The dampness chilled to the bone in a way that dry, cold weather couldn’t match.

  The mist rolled over the ground, as fog lurked in the trees. It felt like I was breathing in vapor, and I stuck my hands in my pockets. But it felt good to be outside, though the calling of the crows unsettled me.

  I turned around, staring at the house. Ever since Kipa had cleansed it for us, the ghosts seemed to have vanished. They had moved on, and now it seemed warm and inviting even though it had been a murder house. The light inside beckoned, and with a glance over my shoulder at the raw earth of the garden, I stood and hustled back inside. As I took off my coat and hung it near the door, Angel called to me from the kitchen.

  “Breakfast!”

  I headed toward the kitchen, Mr. Rumblebutt running up to join me. He wove in and around my legs, almost tripping me up until I leaned down and scooped him into my arms, snuggling my face into his long fur.

  “Are you hungry, you little twerp?” I asked.

  He answered with another purr, and what sounded almost like a burp. I p
ut him down next to his food dish, and as Angel plated our breakfasts, I filled Mr. Rumblebutt’s food dish. I made sure he had clean water, and then followed Angel to the table, helping her carry the food.

  “How do you think it’s gonna work out between Yutani and Herne?” she asked as we settled in at the table.

  I loved the kitchen. The dining space was large enough to hold a large table and a wide bay window overlooked the front yard.

  “I don’t know, to tell you the truth. Yutani was really pissed. But I know he values his friendship with Herne, and he was freaked out. There will probably be a rocky time ahead, but I think they can get through it. I hope they can.” I scooped a forkful of eggs, closing my eyes as the robust flavor hit my tongue.

  “So you get to meet the Morrígan today? I don’t envy you.” Angel shook her head. “If anybody had told me six months ago that we would be hanging out with the gods and investigating murder cases, I would have laughed them out of the room. So much as happened since then. Oh,” she added. “I got a text from DJ today. He wants to know if he can spend Thanksgiving with us. Or if I can go down to spend Thanksgiving with him and his new family. Quite frankly, while I’d love to have him here, I think maybe I should go down to Cooper’s. It would help DJ to adapt by spending Thanksgiving with his foster family. But I wanted to ask what you thought first, given we always spend T-Day together.”

  The thought of spending Thanksgiving without Angel made me sad, but she was right. He’d do best to have both his sister and his foster family around him on the holiday.

  “Why don’t you go down there? I can host Thanksgiving here for the others in the agency, if they don’t have anywhere to go.”

  “Are you sure you don’t mind?”

  “Of course not. You need to be with DJ, and I agree that it’s best if he’s with his new family. Why don’t you text him back right now and tell him you’ll be there? Maybe he can come up here for the winter solstice.”

  With a smile on her lips, she pulled out her phone and texted her brother.

  WE DROVE INTO work separately, given we had no idea how the day was going to play out. By the time we arrived, Yutani was with Herne in Herne’s office, talking things over.

  “I wouldn’t interrupt them,” Talia said. “Yutani’s in a dark mood, and so is Herne.”

  I was about to head back to my office when the pair appeared. They both looked resigned, but neither looked angry. Yutani glanced over at us.

  “I’m sorry I ran off like that. I realize that it wasn’t the best way to handle things. Herne and I’ve talked things over. I was just so surprised and shocked, especially that I was the last one to know. To be honest, I suspected for some time that this might be the case. But I had no clue of what to do about it, or whether to even follow up on my suspicions. I still have no clue what to do. The next time Coyote talks to me, I suppose I’m going to have to ask. Anyway, I’m going to call my aunt and apologize and ask her to come back up when she’s able.”

  He was wearing his usual somber expression, but his words sounded genuine, and I suddenly felt sorry for him. Herne had always known he was a god. He was brought up to be one. But Yutani was the son of a god and the son of a shifter, and he was totally unprepared for what had happened.

  Talia clapped him on the back. “You’ll find your way. Coyote should have talked to you years ago. And for what it’s worth, we didn’t know for sure. We only suspected, just like you.”

  “I suppose we had better get to work,” Herne said. “While we were talking, I filled Yutani in on what we’ve discovered so far. Ember, we need to leave to meet the Morrígan in about an hour. As I said, she’ll be coming to my house. I want to get there before she does, because I don’t want Danielle to be alone when she arrives. Trust me, the Morrígan is frightening enough for an adult. Hell, she even frightens the other gods.”

  I had dressed carefully, in a pair of black jeans, with an embroidered indigo tank top and a black jean jacket. I was wearing a silver belt, and my necklace marking me as Morgana’s. I brushed my hair into a tidy ponytail, and made sure my makeup was spot on.

  “Do I look okay to meet her? Should I wear a dress or something?” I was never sure how to appear in front of the gods. They all had such varying personalities and formalities.

  Herne gave me the once-over. “You look wonderful.” He held out his arms and as I slipped into his embrace, he gave me a quick but firm kiss. “Nervous?”

  “Shouldn’t I be?” I glanced up at him.

  “Honestly? Yes. Don’t joke around, be respectful and polite, and don’t interrupt her when she’s speaking.” He glanced around the office. Everybody had moved off to their desks. His arm still around my shoulders, he walked me back into his office and closed the door behind us. Once we were alone, he pulled me in for a longer kiss, trailing his lips up the side of my neck. I let out a soft moan, wanting to do more than just kiss.

  “It’s been too long,” I whispered.

  “Soon,” he said. “I promise you. And I want you too. More than you know.”

  I broke away from his embrace and dropped into the chair next to his desk.

  “How did it go with Yutani? You guys okay again?”

  He shrugged. “I apologized. He apologized. We did our best to talk things over and I think things will be fine. It’s just going to be a little uncomfortable for a while. But it’s not like we haven’t gone through arguments before. At some point, though, he’s going to have to confront Coyote. This isn’t something that he can let sit, not now that he knows about it.” He glanced at the clock. “We should get going. I really meant it when I said I don’t want Danielle to be alone when the Morrígan arrives.”

  As we headed out, my nerves went into overdrive. I didn’t know much about the Morrígan, but what I did know was enough to terrify me. I only hoped that she wouldn’t live up to her hype.

  DANIELLE SEEMED HAPPIER to see me then she had before. She took my coat, hanging it on the coat rack. “Did my father tell you? I get to go live with the Amazons! I’m going to train with them and learn to use a sword and martial arts.” She seemed truly excited, and her eyes sparkled with the fire I hadn’t seen there before.

  “I heard, yes. And I’m excited for you. You seem really happy.”

  She danced around, and even though she looked like a grown woman, I could see the gleeful child inside. “I’ve always wanted to go to the island of the Amazons. My mother would never let me. I don’t know how my father got her to agree, but however he did, I’m grateful. I leave on Sunday.” She hesitated, then added,” I’m sorry that I acted so snotty last time. I’ve just been…” She seemed to run out of words, and blushing, she stared at the floor.

  “Don’t worry about it. You’ve had a lot of upheaval lately, so it’s not surprising you’ve been out of sorts. I’m just glad that you’re finally getting to do something that will make you happy.”

  “Danielle?” Herne said, joining us. “I want you to go to your room and stay there. Trust me, you do not want to meet the Morrígan. At least not yet.” His tone left no room for argument, and she mumbled her good-bye, and dashed off her room.

  “Boy, when you go authoritarian, you go authoritarian.”

  “You’ll understand why in a few minutes. Would you like a drink?” He moved toward the bar. “Other than caffeine, that is?”

  I shook my head. “As I told you the other day, I don’t drink much alcohol, and after the other night, I’m not all that keen on it. Apparently, I pay for my indulgences.” The doorbell rang, startling me. I gave Herne an inquisitive look. “She uses the doorbell?”

  “Not all of the gods are bereft of manners, love.” He went to answer it.

  When he returned he was followed by a woman who stood at least six-five. Dressed in black leather, she was wearing a black pea coat over a pair of black leather pants. Her hair was flame red, coppery as the autumn leaves, and she had caught it in a high, tight braid. Her face was angular, h
er dark eyes flashing as she set her gaze on me. The energy around her was so fierce that it almost knocked me over. I took a step back, bumping into the coffee table. I was grateful that I hadn’t fallen over it.

  “Ember, allow me to present the Morrígan. Morrígan, this is my consort and coworker, Ember Kearney.” Herne swung around to stand beside me. Just having him next to me made me feel better.

  The Morrígan stared at me for a moment, then a feral smile swept across her face.

  “Well met, Ember.” She held out her hand and Herne poked me in the side.

  Hesitating, I accepted her clasp. Her skin was surprisingly warm, but the energy racing through her fingers almost launched me backward. I really didn’t want to find out what it would be like to be on the receiving end if she was deliberately directing her power.

  “Well met,” I managed to squeak out. I wasn’t sure what else to say so I decided to keep my mouth shut.

  “Won’t you have a seat,” Herne said, sweeping his arm toward the sofa.

  Without a word, the Morrígan crossed over and sat down. She sprawled against the back of the sofa, stretching her legs out. Her boots were platform, studded with wicked spikes, and they looked like they could stomp a person to mush.

  Once again I shivered, wondering how the gods managed to live within their own skins.

  “So, Cernunnos told me this is urgent? I don’t have much time to spare, so get down to business.” She pointed to the chairs opposite the sofa.

  Herne and I quickly took our seats.

  “Actually yes it’s an emergency. We need to know where to find one of your priests.” Herne explained what had happened, and the Morrígan listened attentively. “So, we’re wondering if you can tell us who this priest might be? We need to stop him, providing, of course these mur—deaths aren’t being carried out under your directive.”