Witching Moon

by Yasmine Galenorn

  I settled myself on the fence bordering the park. “You may not have been the best mother, but you’ve been a good role model. Father took care of me well enough for the both of you. He has so much love in his heart that I think he needs somebody with him now. I wish he would find someone new. I know you two are still friends, but he needs a woman he can dote on. Somebody he can nurture. I’ve actually thought of asking him to move out here, though I doubt if he would. He’s coming for a visit later this summer, though, so I’ll get to see him then.”

  “Your father is a homebody. When he and I both realized that it wasn’t going to work out for the two of us, I almost didn’t tell him I was pregnant. I was going to have you and raise you by myself to be another daughter of the Morrígan. But when I talked to my lady, she told me No. That being her servant wasn’t your path. She told me you would grow up a bone witch, and that you had a strong destiny set out before you. And then she told me that I had to let you go. The Morrígan said that I could spend a few years with you, but then I would have to leave you with Curikan and return to my duties. I almost quit that night.” She looked up at me, her eyes luminous in the growing twilight.

  “What made you decide to obey?”

  “I belong to the Morrígan, for one thing. And I had a long talk with someone I hold in high regard. And she told me that sometimes what seems a sorrow will actually turn out to be a joy. She’s a bit of a fortune-teller, and I trust her advice. So I did as the Morrígan bade me. I told Curikan I could stay with him for a few years, and then I would have to leave. And I did my best to be a good mother while I was there, and I did my best to explain why I had to leave. I hope you understood, although I never expected that you would.”

  “I think I did,” I said. “As much as I’ve missed you over the years and wished you were there, I realized that you wouldn’t be happy. And if you weren’t happy, we wouldn’t be happy. Not to be rude, but you can be a handful when you’re upset. I also realized that sometimes one parent can make up for both. And you—you’re my mother. But you’re more of a friend. I respect you and sometimes you scare the hell out of me, but when it comes down to it… I think I’m more like you than I am like Father. And I would never tell him that because I love him too much.”

  Phasmoria laughed then, and wrapped her arm around my shoulders as we headed into the park. For the first time weeks I didn’t feel the park closing in on me and Pandora seemed so far away that I could barely picture her.

  My mother and I talked for another hour, walking through the growing twilight, listening to the birdsong. At home my love waited for me with my beloved Raj. I had friends, and even if we were facing a gloom and doom future, complete with dragons and skeletal walkers and all the darkness that felt like it was pouring in, I realized there were still lights in this world. And my friends and family were some of the brightest.

  I would never be lost in the darkness as long as they were with me.

  If you enjoyed this book and haven’t read the first eleven books of The Wild Hunt Series, check out: The Silver Stag, Oak & Thorns, Iron Bones, A Shadow of Crows, The Hallowed Hunt, The Silver Mist, Witching Hour, Witching Bones, A Sacred Magic, The Eternal Return, and Sun Broken. Book 13—Autumn’s Bane—is available for preorder now. There will be more to come after that.

  Return with me to Whisper Hollow, where spirits walk among the living, and the lake never gives up her dead. I’ve re-released Autumn Thorns and Shadow Silence, as well as a new—the third—Whisper Hollow Book, The Phantom Queen! Come join the darkly seductive world of Kerris Fellwater, a spirit shaman in the small lakeside community of Whisper Hollow.

  I invite you to visit Fury’s world. Bound to Hecate, Fury is a minor goddess, taking care of the Abominations who come off the World Tree. Books 1-5 are available now in the Fury Unbound Series: Fury Rising, Fury’s Magic, Fury Awakened, Fury Calling, and Fury’s Mantle.

  If you prefer a lighter-hearted paranormal romance, meet the wild and magical residents of Bedlam in my Bewitching Bedlam Series. Fun-loving witch Maddy Gallowglass, her smoking-hot vampire lover Aegis, and their crazed cjinn Bubba (part djinn, all cat) rock it out in Bedlam, a magical town on a mystical island. Bewitching Bedlam, Maudlin’s Mayhem, Siren’s Song, Witches Wild, Casting Curses, Demon’s Delight, Bedlam Calling, Blood Music, Blood Vengeance, Tiger Tails, and Bubba’s origin story—The Wish Factor—are available.

  For a dark, gritty, steamy series, try my world of The Indigo Court, where the long winter has come, and the Vampiric Fae are on the rise. The series is complete with Night Myst, Night Veil, Night Seeker, Night Vision, Night’s End, and Night Shivers.

  If you like cozies with teeth, try my Chintz ‘n China paranormal mysteries. The series is complete with: Ghost of a Chance, Legend of the Jade Dragon, Murder Under a Mystic Moon, A Harvest of Bones, One Hex of a Wedding, and a wrap-up novella: Holiday Spirits.

  For all of my work, both published and upcoming releases, see the Biography at the end of this book, or check out my website at Galenorn.com and be sure and sign up for my newsletter to receive news about all my new releases.

  Cast of Characters

  Raven & the Ante-Fae:

  The Ante-Fae are creatures predating the Fae. They are the wellspring from which all Fae descended, unique beings who rule their own realms. All Ante-Fae are dangerous, but some are more deadly than others.

  Apollo: The Golden Boy. Vixen’s boytoy. Weaver of Wings. Dancer.

  Arachana: The Spider Queen. She has almost transformed into one of the Luo’henkah.

  Blackthorn, the King of Thorns: Ruler of the blackthorn trees and all thorn-bearing plants. Cunning and wily, he feeds on pain and desire.

  Curikan, the Black Dog of Hanging Hills: Raven’s father, one of the infamous Black Dogs. The first time someone meets him, they find good fortune. If they should ever see him again, they meet tragedy.

  Phasmoria: Queen of the Bean Sidhe. Raven’s mother.

  Raven, the Daughter of Bones: (also: Raven BoneTalker) A bone witch, Raven is young, as far as the Ante-Fae go, and she works with the dead. She’s also a fortune-teller, and a necromancer.

  Straff: Blackthorn’s son, who suffers from a wasting disease requiring him to feed off others’ life energies and blood.

  Trinity: The Keeper of Keys. The Lord of Persuasion. One of the Ante-Fae, and part incubus. Mysterious and unknown agent of chaos. His mother was Deeantha, the Rainbow Runner, and his soul father was Maximus, a minor lord of the incubi.

  Vixen: The Mistress/Master of Mayhem. Gender-fluid Ante-Fae who owns the Burlesque A Go-Go nightclub.

  The Vulture Sisters: Triplet sisters, predatory.

  Raven’s Friends:

  Elise, Gordon, and Templeton: Raven’s ferret-bound spirit friends she rescued years ago and now protects until she can find out the secret to breaking the curse on them.

  Gunnar: One of Kipa’s SuVahta Elitvartijat—elite guards.

  Jordan Roberts: Tiger shifter. Llewellyn’s husband. Owns A Taste of Latte coffee shop.

  Llewellyn Roberts: One of the magic-born, owns the Sun & Moon Apothecary.

  Moira Ness: Human. One of Raven’s regular clients for readings.

  Neil Johansson: One of the magic-born. A priest of Thor.

  Raj: Gargoyle companion of Raven. Wing-clipped, he’s been with Raven for a number of years.

  Wager Chance: Half-Dark Fae, half-human PI. Owns a PI firm found in the Catacombs. Has connections with the vampires.

  Wendy Fierce-Womyn: An Amazon who works at Ginty’s Waystation Bar & Grill.

  The Wild Hunt & Family:

  Angel Jackson: Ember’s best friend, a human empath, Angel is the newest member of the Wild Hunt. A whiz in both the office and the kitchen, and loyal to the core, Angel is an integral part of Ember’s life, and a vital member of the team.

  Charlie Darren: A vampire who was turned at 19. Math major, baker, and all-around gofer.

  Ember Kearney: Caught between the world of Light and Dark Fae, and ple
dged to Morgana, goddess of the Fae and the Sea, Ember Kearney was born with the mark of the Silver Stag. Rejected by both her bloodlines, she now works for the Wild Hunt as an investigator.

  Herne the Hunter: Herne is the son of the Lord of the Hunt, Cernunnos, and Morgana, goddess of the Fae and the Sea. A demigod—given his mother’s mortal beginnings—he’s a lusty, protective god and one hell of a good boss. Owner of the Wild Hunt Agency, he helps keep the squabbles between the world of Light and Dark Fae from spilling over into the mortal realms.

  Talia: A harpy who long ago lost her powers, Talia is a top-notch researcher for the agency, and a longtime friend of Herne’s.

  Viktor: Viktor is half-ogre, half-human. Rejected by his father’s people (the ogres), he came to work for Herne some decades back.

  Yutani: A coyote shifter who is dogged by the Great Coyote, Yutani was driven out of his village over two hundred years before. He walks in the shadow of the trickster, and is the IT specialist for the company.

  Ember’s Friends, Family, & Enemies:

  Aoife: A priestess of Morgana who guards the Seattle portal to the goddess’s realm.

  Celia: Yutani’s aunt.

  Danielle: Herne’s daughter, born to an Amazon named Myrna.

  DJ Jackson: Angel’s little half-brother, DJ is half Wulfine—wolf shifter. He now lives with a foster family for his own protection.

  Erica: A Dark Fae police officer, friend of Viktor’s.

  Elatha: Fomorian King; enemy of the Fae race.

  George Shipman: Puma shifter. Member of the White Peak Puma Pride.

  Ginty McClintlock: A dwarf. Owner of Ginty’s Waystation Bar & Grill.

  Louhia: Witch of Pohjola.

  Marilee: A priestess of Morgana, Ember’s mentor. Possibly human—unknown.

  Meadow O’Ceallaigh: Member of the magic-born; member of LOCK. Twin sister of Trefoil.

  Myrna: An Amazon who had a fling with Herne many years back, which resulted in their daughter Danielle.

  Rafé Forrester: Brother to Ulstair, Raven’s late fiancé; Angel’s boyfriend. Actor/fast-food worker, now clerks at the Wild Hunt Agency. Dark Fae.

  Sheila: Viktor’s girlfriend. A kitchen witch; one of the magic-born. Geology teacher who volunteers at the Chapel Hill Homeless Shelter.

  Trefoil O’Ceallaigh: Member of the magic-born; member of LOCK. Twin brother of Meadow.

  Unkai: Leader of the Orhanakai clan in the forest of Y’Bain. Dark Fae—Autumn’s Bane.

  The Gods, the Luo’henkah, the Elemental Spirits, & Their Courts:

  Arawn: Lord of the Dead. Lord of the Underworld.

  Brighid: Goddess of Healing, Inspiration, and Smithery. The Lady of the Fiery Arrows, “Exalted One.”

  The Cailleach: One of the Luo’henkah, the heart and spirit of winter.

  Cerridwen: Goddess of the Cauldron of Rebirth. Dark harvest mother goddess.

  Cernunnos: Lord of the Hunt, god of the Forest and King Stag of the Woods. Together with Morgana, Cernunnos originated the Wild Hunt and negotiated the covenant treaty with both the Light and the Dark Fae. Herne’s father.

  Corra: Ancient Scottish serpent goddess. Oracle to the gods.

  Coyote, also: Great Coyote: Native American trickster spirit/god.

  Danu: Mother of the Pantheon. Leader of the Tuatha de Dannan.

  Ferosyn: Chief healer in Cernunnos’s Court.

  Herne: (see The Wild Hunt)

  Isella: One of the Luo’henkah. The Daughter of Ice (daughter of the Cailleach).

  Kuippana (also: Kipa): Lord of the Wolves. Elemental forest spirit; Herne’s distant cousin. Trickster. Leader of the SuVahta, a group of divine elemental wolf shifters.

  Lugh the Long Handed: Celtic Lord of the Sun.

  Mielikki: Lady of Tapiola. Finnish goddess of the Hunt and the Fae. Mother of the Bear, Mother of Bees, Queen of the Forest.

  Morgana: Goddess of the Fae and the Sea, she was originally human but Cernunnos lifted her to deityhood. She agreed to watch over the Fae who did not return across the Great Sea. Torn by her loyalty to her people and her loyalty to Cernunnos, she at times finds herself conflicted about the Wild Hunt. Herne’s mother.

  The Morrígan: Goddess of Death and Phantoms. Goddess of the battlefield.

  Pandora: Daughter of Zeus, Emissary of Typhon, the Father of Dragons.

  Sejun: A counselor in Cernunnos’s employ. Raven’s therapist. Elven.

  Tapio: Lord of Tapiola. Mielikki’s Consort. Lord of the Woodlands. Master of Game.

  The Fae Courts:

  Navane: The court of the Light Fae, both across the Great Sea and on the eastside of Seattle, the latter ruled by Névé.

  TirNaNog: The court of the Dark Fae, both across the Great Sea and on the east side of Seattle, the latter ruled by Saílle.

  The Force Majeure:

  A group of legendary magicians, sorcerers, and witches. They are not human, but magic-born. There are twenty-one at any given time and the only way into the group is to be hand chosen, and the only exit from the group is death.

  Merlin, The: Morgana’s father. Magician of ancient Celtic fame.

  Taliesin: The first Celtic bard. Son of Cerridwen, originally a servant who underwent magical transformation and finally was reborn through Cerridwen as the first bard.

  Ranna: Powerful sorceress. Elatha’s mistress.

  Rasputin: The Russian sorcerer and mystic.

  Väinämöinen: The most famous Finnish bard.

  The Dragonni—the Dragon Shifters:

  The Celestial Wanders (Blue, Silver, and Gold Dragons)

  The Mountain Dreamers (Green and Black Dragons)

  The Luminous Warriors (White, Red, and Shadow Dragons)

  Ashera: A blue dragon

  Aso: White dragon, bound to Pandora, twin of Variance.

  Echidna: The Mother of Dragons (born of the Titans Gaia and Tartarus)

  Typhon: The Father of Dragons (born of the Titans Gaia and Tartarus).

  Variance: White Dragon, bound to Pandora, twin of Aso.

  Timeline of Series

  Year 1:

  May/Beltane: The Silver Stag (Ember)

  June/Litha: Oak & Thorns (Ember)

  August/Lughnasadh: Iron Bones (Ember)

  September/Mabon: A Shadow of Crows (Ember)

  Mid-October: Witching Hour (Raven)

  Late October/Samhain: The Hallowed Hunt (Ember)

  December/Yule: The Silver Mist (Ember)

  Year 2:

  January: Witching Bones (Raven)

  Late January–February/Imbolc: A Sacred Magic (Ember)

  March/Ostara: The Eternal Return (Ember)

  May/Beltane: Sun Broken (Ember)

  June/Litha: Witching Moon (Raven)

  Playlist

  I often write to music, and Witching Moon was no exception. Here’s the playlist I used for this book.

  Air: Moon Fever; Playground Love; Napalm Love

  Airstream: Electra (Religion Cut)

  Alexandros: Milk (Bleach Version); Mosquito Bite

  Alice in Chains: Sunshine; Man in the Box; Bleed the Freak

  Android Lust: Here & Now; Saint Over

  Band of Skulls: I Know What I Am

  The Black Angels: Currency; Hunt Me Down; Death March; Indigo Meadow; Don’t Play With Guns; Always Maybe; Black isn’t Black

  Black Mountain: Queens Will Play

  Blind Melon: No Rain

  Boom! Bap! Pow!: Suit

  Brandon & Derek Fiechter: Night Fairies; Toll Bridge; Will-O’-Wisps; Black Wolf’s Inn; Naiad River; Mushroom Woods

  The Bravery: Believe

  Broken Bells: The Ghost Inside

  Camouflage Nights: (It Could Be) Love

  Colin Foulke: Emergence

  Crazy Town: Butterfly

  Danny Cudd: Double D; Remind; Once Again; Timelessly Free; To The Mirage

  David Bowie: Golden Years; Let’s Dance; Sister Midnight; I’m Afraid of Americans; Jean Jeanie

  Death Cab For Cutie: I Will Possess You
r Heart

  Dizzi: Dizzi Jig; Dance of the Unicorns

  DJ Shah: Mellomaniac

  Don Henley: Dirty Laundry; Sunset Grill; The Garden of Allah; Everybody Knows

  Eastern Sun: Beautiful Being

  Eels: Love of the Loveless; Souljacker Part 1

  Elektrisk Gonnar: Uknowhatiwant

  FC Kahuna: Hayling

  The Feeling: Sewn

  Filter: Hey Man Nice Shot

  Finger Eleven: Paralyzer

  Flora Cash: You’re Somebody Else

  Fluke: Absurd

  Foster The People: Pumped Up Kicks

  Garbage: Queer; Only Happy When It Rains; #1Crush; Push It; I Think I’m Paranoid

  Gary Numan: Hybrid; Cars; Petals; Ghost Nation; My Name Is Ruin; Pray For The Pain You Serve; I Am Dust

  Godsmack: Voodoo

  The Gospel Whisky Runners: Muddy Waters

  The Hang Drum Project: Shaken Oak; St. Chartier

  Hang Massive: Omat Odat; Released Upon Inception; Thingless Things; Boat Ride; Transition to Dreams: End of Sky; Warmth of the Sun’s Rays; Luminous Emptiness

  The Hu: The Gereg; Wolf Totem

  Imagine Dragons: Natural

  In Strict Confidence: Snow White; Tiefer; Silver Bullets; Forbidden Fruit

  J Rokka: Marine Migration

  Jessica Bates: The Hanging Tree

  Korn: Freak on a Leash; Make Me Bad

  Lorde: Yellow Flicker Beat; Royals

  Low: Witches; Nightingale; Plastic Cup; Monkey; Half-Light

  M.I.A.: Bad Girls

  Many Rivers Ensemble: Blood Moon; Oasis; Upwelling; Emergence

  Marconi Union: First Light; Alone Together; Flying (In Crimson Skies); Always Numb; Time Lapse; On Reflection; Broken Colours; We Travel; Weightless

  Marilyn Manson: Arma-Goddamn-Motherfucking-Geddon

  Matt Corby: Breathe

  NIN: Closer; Head Like A Hole; Terrible Lie; Sin (Long); Deep

  Nirvana: Lithium; About A Girl; Come As You Are; Lake of Fire; You Know You’re Right

  Orgy: Social Enemies; Orgy