I never—not in a million years—thought I would be saying things like this. But in some ways it was wonderful.
“Saint Germain?” Jack asked. His voice was serious.
“Yes. Do you know him?” I could feel Ambrose tense again, and he began to draw power out of the air. Unable to help myself, I began pulling in power too. Saint Germain’s name has that affect on us.
“We know of him,” Jack answered carefully. His eyes had shifted to Ambrose, and I knew he felt the gathering power and wanted to reassure us. “Our paths had never crossed until recently. But we have reason to believe that he may have discovered the body of a hobgoblin and may be trying to clone it. We were obliged to destroy one of his clinics in North Korea. He has also been using our…transportation system to travel places he shouldn’t go.”
A destroyed clinic in North Korea would make Miguel and Ninon very happy.
“Cloning hobgoblins would be very bad?” I guessed, relieved as Ambrose slowed in gathering energy. Calling storms gave me a headache, though I’d practiced every day with him, just in case I ever needed to do it on my own.
“Very bad,” Thomas agreed. “We have come to investigate the…grave site where the hobgoblin’s body was originally interred.”
Ambrose looked around. “That might be difficult at full dark. It’s nearly that now. Would you like to join us at my cabin for the night?” I could feel his power dissipating into the air as he spoke. This reminded me that at this time of year there was barely two hours of sun each day this far north. “It’s about two miles up that ravine.”
I looked where he pointed. Pre-change I would never have considered trying to hike such rough terrain. Now I was looking forward to it. I thought it might even be fun to be a wolf here. There were a lot more dangerous places to go furry, that’s for sure.
“That would be very nice, since it is on the way to the site we must investigate,” Jack said. “May we help you carry supplies?”
“Thank you,” Ambrose answered.
I suddenly realized that the whole conversation had been exquisitely polite and almost Victorian in tone. I wondered how old these fae were. At least as old as Ambrose; of that I was sure.
“Are there more of you?” Jack asked as we all turned toward Ambrose’s plane.
“Yes and no. There are no more lycanthropes, but the Dark Man had other…patients. There are at least six others who survived the purge. Perhaps more. Some of them will be joining us in a day or so.” Ambrose paused as he got out a tarp. The plane would have to be covered both to keep off snow and also to hide it from other planes or helicopters. Maybe even from satellites. “And you?”
“Only a dozen or so,” Jack answered. “But those of us who survived are…strong. I think we can make a go of it. We may also be able to help you with your travels. We have an extensive underground network.”
I was almost certain that he meant this literally.
Ambrose nodded. “That’s good. I have the feeling this world is going to need as many strong people as it can get.”
“Sadly, I fear you are right.”
Hobgoblin, n. A creature that inhabits small minds and also rural Alaska.
—Ambrose Bierce, The New Devil’s Dictionary
Chapter Twenty
Though we had company, Ambrose and I curled up together when we slept. Perhaps the timing wasn’t the best, but I felt the need to say some words that were long overdue, even if we had an audience.
“I know I am messed up and miles from knowing what is normal,” I whispered into the curve of his neck. “But I just wanted you to know that I love you and I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for me.”
Ambrose’s arms tightened briefly around me, and he kissed the top of my head. “I’m no more an expert on what is normal than you, but I love you too. And I am every day grateful that God finally took pity on me and sent you my way.”
“He—or she—works in mysterious ways,” I agreed.
“Now go to sleep. Tomorrow we start building a new life.”
“Okay. There was just one other thing…”
“Yes?”
“I’m pregnant.”
I felt Ambrose stiffen.
“Are you sure?”
I glanced down at my stomach where a tiny aura glowed. The color was a match for Ambrose and I was sure it was a boy.
“Yes.”
I looked up at Ambrose and saw a smile as bright as the sun. Then, just as quickly worry replaced it with a frown and drawn brows.
“Joyous—”
“Don’t worry about the child.” Thomas’s soft voice spoke from across the room, confirming that he could hear our unspoken thoughts. “There is a place we can take you where the full moon will have no effect.”
We looked at each other. We had no reason to believe this stranger, but we did. Ambrose and I settled in once more, his hand over my abdomen, and this time surrendered to sleep.
Author’s Note
Hello again! Thank you for choosing to visit with Ambrose and Joyous—and Ninon and Miguel. And Jack and Thomas and Abrial. We’ve all missed you.
Don’t gasp, but I don’t have any books to recommend for research this time beyond pointing you at Bierce’s own works. He can tell you more about himself than I can, and in a lot more pithy style. Poor, brilliant Ambrose. I don’t think anyone would argue about his being a deeply troubled man, and it has given me great pleasure in being able to imagine for him a happier end. Peace upon him wherever he may be.
As always, it’s great to hear from you. Please write when you have time or inclination. You can find me at either [email protected] or PO Box 574, Sonora, CA 95370-0574.
Health, wealth and happiness to you all,
Melanie
CRITICS RAVE ABOUT MELANIE JACKSON!
A CURIOUS AFFAIR
“For a very different type of murder mystery and some very quirky characters and a twist at the end…pick up A Curious Affair, because in this tale, curiosity does not kill the cat!”
—Romance Reviews Today
“Fans will enjoy this lighthearted frolic in which cats serve as witnesses to the crime and as matchmakers.”
—Midwest Book Review
DIVINE NIGHT
“Not to be read quickly, Jackson’s latest is closely connected to the two previous Divine stories…. This is an excellent addition to this series.”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews
“If you’re looking for a light and fluffy romance, this isn’t the book for you. But, if a literary experience with an entertaining romance on the side intrigues you, pick up Divine Night and enjoy.”
—Romance Reviews Today
WRIT ON WATER
“An intriguing mix of mystery and romance, with shadings of the paranormal, this is a story that pulls you in.”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews
DIVINE MADNESS
“This tale isn’t your everyday, lighthearted romance.…Melanie Jackson takes an interesting approach to this tale, using historical figures with mysterious lives.”
—Romance Reviews Today
DIVINE FIRE
“Jackson pens a sumptuous modern gothic.…Fans of solid love stories like those of Laurell K. Hamilton will enjoy Jackson’s tale…then wait hungrily for the next installment.”
—Booklist
THE SAINT
“This visit to the ‘wild side’ is wonderfully imaginative and action-packed….[A] fascinating tale.”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews
MORE PRAISE FOR MELANIE JACKSON!
THE MASTER
“Readers who have come to expect wonderful things from Jackson will not be disappointed. Her ability to create a complicated world is astounding with this installment, which includes heartwarming moments, suspense and mystery sprinkled with humor. An excellent read.”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews
STILL LIFE
“The latest walk on the ‘Wildside’ is a wonderful
romantic fantasy that adds new elements that brilliantly ft and enhance the existing Jackson mythos…. Action-packed.”
—Midwest Book Review
THE COURIER
“The author’s imagination and untouchable world-building continue to shine….[An] outstanding and involved novel.”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews
OUTSIDERS
“Melanie Jackson is a talent to watch. She deftly combines romance with fantasy and paranormal elements to create a spellbinding adventure.”
—WritersWrite.com
TRAVELER
“Jackson often pushes the boundaries of paranormal romance, and this, the first of her Wildside series, is no exception.”
—Booklist
THE SELKIE
“Part fantasy, part dream and wholly bewitching, The Selkie…[blends] whimsy and folklore into a sensual tale of love and magic.”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews
NIGHT VISITOR
“I recommend this as a very strong romance, with time travel, history and magic.”
—All About Romance
Other books by Melanie Jackson:
A CURIOUS AFFAIR
DIVINE NIGHT
WRIT ON WATER
DIVINE MADNESS
THE SAINT
THE MASTER
DIVINE FIRE
STILL LIFE
THE COURIER
OUTSIDERS
TRAVELER
THE SELKIE
DOMINION
BELLE
AMARANTHA
NIGHT VISITOR
MANON
IONA
Copyright
LOVE SPELL®
February 2009
Published by
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Copyright © 2009 by Melanie Jackson
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