I blinked. I really didn’t want it, but maybe I could give it a proper release, given the skull had belonged to a child he had murdered. “Bring it over when you get the chance. Ellia and I will release it to the earth.” I paused, then asked, “Did you find out his name?”
“Yeah, his name is Linden Darcy. We’re sending a sample of his DNA to the FBI database. Maybe we can solve a number of cold cases and give a lot of parents the closure they need. But…no way can I release full knowledge of what he was to the general public. He’ll just be a crafty serial killer who finally tripped up. Until some true-crime writer decides to write a book about him.”
After I got off the phone and relayed what Sophia had told me, Bryan, Juliana, and I headed into the living room. Juliana was quieter than I thought she’d be, but self-confident, and lovely, mirroring Bryan’s wheat-colored hair. She had his blue eyes, too.
We snuggled up on the sofa, staring at the sparkling world outside the window. The snow was a good fifteen inches deep and Bryan had promised to shovel the walks. But for now, I wanted a chance to get to know the woman who would, for all intents and purposes, be my stepdaughter.
“So…I have something to tell you, Dad. And you might as well know, too, Kerris, because in a way, I’m going to need guidance from both of you.” Juliana’s voice was light. I suspected she was a good singer.
“What’s up?” Bryan asked. When he sat beside her, I could see the resemblance between them. And the pride in his voice when he introduced her had told me just how much they cared about one another.
Juliana took a deep breath. “I had a dream last month. Dad…I’m supposed to be a guardian.” She stared at him, waiting.
I blinked. “I thought all guardians were male, just like all spirit shamans are female?”
She shrugged. “I dunno about that, but the Morrígan came to me and told me that I’m supposed to be a guardian. I don’t know when or how…I suspect it will be some time in the future, but I know it. Gut-deep.” She paused, then before Bryan could say anything, she added, “Which brings me to another piece of news.” She looked so nervous that I wanted to reach out and give her a hug.
Bryan leaned forward, staring at her. “I think I might know what it is. You can tell me anything, Juliana.”
Juliana licked her lips nervously. “All right. I’m gay, Dad. I’m a lesbian, and I think that somehow is going to play into me guarding a spirit shaman.” She blurted out the words, then stared at the floor.
I glanced at Bryan, wondering how he would react. But to me, it made sense. Surely not every spirit shaman was straight.
Bryan let out a deep breath and his pensive look broadened into a smile. “I thought so. I’ve suspected it for a long time. And you’re right, that very well may play into why you’re being called into guardianship. I’ll teach you what you need to know.”
“And I’ll answer whatever questions I can about being a spirit shaman, so you don’t go in unprepared,” I said, reaching out to take her hand. “I hope you’ll be happy with your path in life. Fate doesn’t always give us an option, but sometimes, that’s okay.”
Juliana ducked her head, smiling. “It feels right. You know? Like…like coming home.”
“Like coming home,” I murmured, thinking that was exactly what I had done. “I understand that.”
Just then, Peggin leaned in from around the kitchen archway. “Kerris, I just got a text from Tara Beth—the spirit shaman in Oregon. She said she’d love to talk to you and to give you her phone number.”
“What’s this?” Bryan asked.
“Peggin located that spirit shaman in Oregon. Tara Beth Knightwalker. I thought it might be a good idea to start reaching out to other spirit shamans, to form some sort of network. I don’t think that’s ever been done before, but given this is the age of the internet and instant communication, it seems helpful to know others of my kind. Especially since Grandma Lila couldn’t train me the way I should have been trained.”
“That makes sense.” Bryan stretched, yawning. “Juliana, when you become a guardian, we’ll have to put the businesses into yet new hands. I suggest we start thinking of forming a trust to run them and we can just sit on the board of directors and check in now and then. I hadn’t expected you to follow in my footsteps this way, but I’m proud that my daughter will serve the Morrígan.” He looked happy about it, though.
She laughed. “That sounds good to me. But until then, what say we go out for a walk in the snow?”
I bowed out. “You two go. Take some time together. When you get back, we’ll make chicken soup for lunch and play games or watch a movie.”
Assuring them I really didn’t want to go out in the snow, I waved them off on their walk. They decided to accompany Deev over to Peggin’s to feed the ferrets. As I closed the door behind them, it occurred to me we were all becoming a family.
And speaking of families, I hurried to check on the felines who were occupying my hall bathroom. Mama kitty looked quite comfortable and at home, curled in the nest of towels. The kittens were tumbling around over her, and Frost ran up to me, leaping up to cling to my jeans.
“I’m afraid you’ll have to wait in here until we can plow the driveway to take you to the vet, but you all seem content.” I slid down on the floor and glanced up as Peggin slipped in the door to join me. “Hey.”
“Hey, I cleaned the cat boxes—all of them—this morning and fed everybody.” She picked up one of the kittens that tumbled onto her lap. “Hello, little one. You know, I know who would love one of these babies.”
“Who?”
“Your grandfather, Aidan. He loves your cats. I’ve seen it every time he’s over.”
“Really? I never noticed.” I kissed Frost on the head. “I’ll ask him.”
After we played with the cats for a while, we went back to the living room. Peggin decided to read, so I went up to my altar room and settled down on the bench in front of my altar. I stared at the Morrígan’s statue for a moment, then lowered my head, wondering what I was going to say.
My birthday was coming up in a few days and I would be thirty-two years old. I was engaged to a man I loved, I had good friends and finally—family I loved. And I had a job that dragged me into the shadows to dance with death and then spun me back into the world again. Everything had changed in the past few months and it had changed for the better. But what I wanted to say was more than all that.
Finally, the words began to flow, pouring out from deep in my heart.
“Blessed Morrígan, I want to thank you. Thank you for choosing me to be your emissary. Thank you for making me walk the dread ways of the dead. Thank you for all you’ve brought into my life. In this dark, shadowed world, I now have a family of friends, I have someone to love—and who loves me. And I have a purpose. I ask you to lead me deeper into your world of shadow and spread your raven wings to embrace me. Strengthen my powers, and teach me to use them wisely.”
As I looked up, staring at the altar, I felt someone behind me. I didn’t have to turn. I knew who it was. Grandma Lila sat down beside me on the bench. She gazed at me with tender eyes, and held out her hand. I laid my fingers on hers—unable to touch her, for she was a Guide, not one of the Unliving—but I could still feel her soothing love. It poured out from her spirit, surrounding me with a grace and peace I had never before felt.
“I’m proud of you, Kerris. There are so many challenges ahead, but you’ve done so much. I love you and I’ll do what I can to help you.”
We sat like that, in silence, as outside the snow continued to fall, shrouding the dark, romantic world that was Whisper Hollow. The world that was my home.
Return with me to Whisper Hollow, where spirits walk among the living, and the lake never gives up her dead. Enter the darkly seductive world of Kerris Fellwater, spirit shaman for the small lakeside community of Whisper Hollow. If you liked this book, but haven’t read books 1 and 2, AUTUMN THORNS and SHADOW SILENCE, are available now. There will be more to come.
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br /> Come run with The Wild Hunt. Darker urban fantasy/paranormal romance, the first nine books are 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. , and THE ETERNAL RETURN. Book 11—SUN BROKEN—is available for preorder now. There will be more to come after that.
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, BEDLAM CALLING: A BEWITCHING BEDLAM ANTHOLOGY, BLOOD MUSIC, BLOOD VENGEANCE, TIGER TAILS, and Bubba’s origin story—THE WISH FACTOR—are available. Book six—DEMON’S DELIGHT—is coming in February!
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.
The last Otherworld book—BLOOD BONDS—is available now.
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
Kerris and Her Friends:
Kerris Fellwater: Spirit shaman and daughter of the Morrígan.
Bryan Tierney: Shapeshifter (wolf). Guardian and mate of Kerris Fellwater.
Dr. Divine: Steampunk artist whose inventions and art come to life at times.
Peggin Sanderson: Kerris’s best friend. Medical receptionist. Charmer.
Puck: The town playboy. Half-human, half-incubus.
Members of the Crescent Moon Society:
Clinton Brady: Owner of the Fogwhistle Pub.
Ellia Volkov: A lament singer, whose hands can send a person into madness.
Frank O’Conner: Police officer.
Gareth Zimmer: A “fixer” who solves problems the cops can’t touch.
Ivy Primrose: Kerris’s paternal grandmother. Wolf shapeshifter and witch.
Michael Brannon: Co-owner of the Broom & Thistle Coffee Shop. Excellent swordsman.
Nadia Freemont: Owner of the Mossy Rock Steakhouse
Nathan Pajari: Tonya’s husband. Retired military man. Excellent hunter.
Niles Vandyke: Owner of the garage where the Crescent Moon Society meets.
Oriel Woodbury: The “Heart” of Whisper Hollow. Connected to the Great Mother. Owns a boardinghouse.
Prague Helgath: Owns the Herbs & Essences Apothecary. Herbalist.
Starlight Williams: Socialite. Witch. Runs the Crescent Moon Society.
Tonya Pajari: A carpenter and fortune-teller. Loyal to her friends.
Trevor Riverstone: Owner of the Vintage Bookshop.
Spirits of the Morrígan:
The Crow Man: The Crow Man is an elemental spirit, much like Coyote, who walks before the Morrígan announcing her presence. He’s a messenger of the gods.
Denizens of the Dead:
Penelope: The Gatekeeper, Penelope is Ellia’s sister, and Magda’s daughter. In 1941, Magda killed her in a gruesome way, and Penelope became the Gatekeeper. Her tomb is found near the Pest House Cemetery.
Trecht: The general of Veronica’s army. Also, her lover.
Veronica, Queen of the Unliving: A powerful spirit of the dead who can command lesser dead to her side. She’s both physical and yet can be noncorporeal. She’s fickle, and out for her own agenda.
Spirits of Whisper Hollow:
Diago, the Scuffler Under the Bed: Diago is a spirit/creature who feeds on the energy of those who are hanging between life and death. He lives in the thicket across from the hospital.
The Girl in the Window: One of the Bean Nighe, the Girl in the Window is a portent of doom and change. If you see her, make sure your affairs are in order.
Spirits of the Forest:
The Grey Man: Thought to be alien in nature, the Grey Men are occasionally seen in the forests of Whisper Hollow. They are vicious and sadistic, and thought to eat human flesh.
The Lady (The Lady of the Lake): The Lady of the Lake lures people to their deaths in her inky darkness, and often keeps their bodies with her. Not much is known about her.
The Lake Monster: Nessie’s cousin, found in Crescent Lake. Not associated with the Lady.
The Lightning Boy: Once a young man who lived in Whisper Hollow, he was struck by a bolt of lightning and transformed into a spirit who guards the Katega Campground.
Sasquatch/Bigfoot: Nobody quite knows whether Sasquatch is native to the planet, but he’s volatile and can be dangerous or playful.
The Walker of the Woods: A spirit of mist and vapor whose appearance foretells strange happenings and events.
Playlist
I write to music quite often, and each book will have a playlist that fits the mood of the book. For The Phantom Queen, this is the list of songs I listened to:
A.J. Roach: Devil May Dance
Air: Moon Fever; Surfing on a Rocket
Airstream: Electra
Android Lust: Here and Now
Black Angels, The: Indigo Meadow
Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band: Old Time Rock & Roll
Bobbie Gentry: Ode to Billie Joe
Brandon & Derek Fiechter: Night Fairies; Troll Bridge; Black Wolf’s Inn; Naiad River; Mushroom Woods
Broken Bells: The Ghost Inside
Death Cab For Cutie: I Will Possess Your Heart
Dizzi: Dizzi Jig; Dance of the Unicorns
DJ Shah: Mellomaniac
Eastern Sun: Beautiful Being (Original Edit)
Eels: Souljacker, Part 1
Fats Domino: I Want to Walk You Home
Flight of the Hawk: Bones
Garbage: #1 Crush; I Think I’m Paranoid; Queer; Only Happy When it Rains
Gary Numan: Dead Heaven; Down in the Park; Petals
Godsmack: Sundown
Gordon Lightfoot: Sundown
Gotye: Somebody That I Used To Know
Jay Price: Dark-Hearted Man; The Devil’s Bride; Coming For You Baby
Jeannie C. Riley: Harper Valley P.T.A.
Jessica Bates: The Hanging Tree
Johnny Otis: Willy and the Hand Jive
Lady Gaga: I Like It Rough
Ladytron: Black Cat; Ghosts; I’m Not Scared
Loreena McKennitt: The Mummer’s Dance; All Souls Night
Low with tomandandy: Half Light
Mark Lanegan: Gray Goes Black; Phantasmagoria Blues
Matt Corby: Breathe
Morcheeba: Even Though
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds: Red Right Hand
Nirvana: Lake of Fire
The Pierces: Secret
PJ Harvey: The Words That Maketh Murder; In the Dark Places; Bitter Branches; Good Fortune
Rachel Diggs: Hands of Time
Rue du Soleil: We Can Fly; Le Francaise; Wake Up Brother; Blues Du Soleil
Screaming Trees: Where the Twain Shall Meet; All I Know; Dime Western
Snow Patrol: The Lightning Strike
Sweet Talk Radio: We All Fall Down
Tamaryn: While You’re Sleeping, I’m Dreaming
Tingstad & Rumbel: Chaco
Tom Petty: Mary Jane’s Last Dance
Verve, The: Bitter Sweet Symphony
Voxhaul Broadcast: You Are the Wilderness
Zero 7: In the Waiting Line
Biography
New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestselling author Yasmine Galenorn writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance, and is the author of more than sixty-five books, including the Wild Hunt Series, the Fury Unbound Series, the Bewitching Bedlam Series, the Indigo Court Series, and the Otherworld Series, among others. She’s also written nonfiction metaphysical books. She is the 2011 Career Achievement Award Winner in Urban Fantasy, given by RT Magazine.
Yasmine has been in the Craft since 1980, is a shamanic witch and High Priestess. She describes her life as a blend of teacups and tattoos. She lives in Kirkland, WA, with her husband Samwise and their cats. Yasmine can be reached via her website at Galenorn.com.
* * *
Indie Releases Currently Available:
* * *
The Wild Hunt Series:
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
Sun Broken
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Whisper Hollow Series:
Autumn Thorns
Shadow Silence
The Phantom Queen
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Bewitching Bedlam Series:
Bewitching Bedlam
Maudlin’s Mayhem
Siren’s Song
Witches Wild
Casting Curses
Demon’s Delight
Bedlam Calling: A Bewitching Bedlam Anthology
The Wish Factor (a prequel short story)
Blood Music (a prequel novella)
Blood Vengeance (a Bewitching Bedlam novella)
The Phantom Queen: A Whisper Hollow Novel, Book 3 Page 21