by Stark, Jenn
When I spoke next, my voice was barely audible over the sweeping pop standard that seemed to push the bubbling streams of water out of their placid pool and send them sparkling across the night sky. “I got to thinking, though…maybe the night witch could be someone else. Maybe she already was someone else. Someone I could work with. Someone who could help me do the things I’m going to have to do.”
At that, Sariah looked over to me, her face so much like my face, her smile so much like mine. Only in her eyes, the twisting flames of Hell leapt high, clawing, scrabbling upward, a thousand roaring demons, desperate to break free. This was my sister, my other half. The twin who’d run back into the fires when I’d first confronted my dragons, while I’d raced forward into the wide, wild world that awaited me.
I’d missed her, all these years. Far more than I’d ever realized. And as I noticed the long, wicked strips of steel that now hung from the loops of Sariah’s jeans, the jagged, lethal blades she’d carved for herself from the cuffs of Justice, I was fiercely proud to have her by my side once more.
She smiled and tipped her beer toward me in salute.
“I know,” she said.
* * *
Thank you so much for reading The Night Witch! I sincerely hope you enjoyed the book. If so, I welcome any and all reviews on the book retail site of your choice!
To keep up with the latest on Sara Wilde’s next adventure, sign up for my mailing list here. If you're feeling social, you can find me online at my website, or follow me on Twitter, Facebook and/or Instagram (though, to be fair, I’m terrible at Instagram. Don’t go there.) I look forward to seeing you online!
Author’s Note
In The Night Witch, I reference a song that teases at Sara, but don’t name it specifically. For the curious, that song is Go Insane, by Lindsey Buckingham. If you haven’t read the lyrics in awhile, they contain a bit of a spoiler for the story, so I am putting this note at the end of the book. The haunting nature of the song echoes the sense of uncertainty in Sara’s constant quest, and helped make writing this book a unique and unexpectedly poignant experience for me…which after sixteen books in Sara’s world, is saying something!
Speaking of, if you’re reading this book, chances are good that you’ve been on this journey with Sara from the very beginning. Thank you for allowing me to share her story with you…and for being part of that story as well. Without you, there would be no artifacts to find, cards to decipher, or adventures to undertake. I love you all.
Another Note from Jenn
The Sun is a big bouncing ball of happy, even though in this book, the Sun took a long stroll down some dark paths. For a more traditional interpretation of the card, read on for a full description!
ALSO: Interested in learning more about the Tarot, upcoming book releases, and other bits of arcana and mayhem? Get Connected (heh) and sign up for my mailing list here (www.jennstark.com/newsletter).
The Sun
The Sun is Trump 19, taking us almost to the end of the Major Arcana cycle, with only Judgment and the World after. It is a card of tremendous bounty, eternally positive and radiating with vitality. It’s the card of joy, abundance, good health and good luck. Get the idea? When you draw the Sun, throw open those curtains and expect to spend some time in the great outdoors, or in the limelight—all eyes will be on you, and you will truly shine! This is an intensely creative card, and bodes well for any artistic pursuits as well. Be lighthearted, open-minded, and filled with good cheer—the Sun is telling you that it’s time to celebrate!
Books By Jenn Stark
Wilde Justice Series
The Red King
The Lost Queen
The Hallowed Knight
The Shadow Court
The Wayward Star
The Night Witch
Immortal Vegas Series
(series complete!)
One Wilde Night (prequel novella)
Getting Wilde
Wilde Card
Born To Be Wilde
Wicked And Wilde
Aces Wilde
Forever Wilde
Wilde Child
Call of the Wilde
Running Wilde
Wilde Fire
The Demon Enforcer Series
Demon Unbound
Demon Forsaken
Demon Bewitched
Demon Ensnared
Acknowledgments
THE NIGHT WITCH turned out to be a fascinating book to create, as it took me down new paths for Sara I didn’t originally plan. She never fails to surprise me! Thank you to all my readers for continuing to read my books, which allows me to write these stories for you. I remain ever grateful to Elizabeth Bemis for her beautiful work on my books and my site—especially my fantastic series covers. My editorial team of Linda Ingmanson and Toni Lee are absolute troopers, and I couldn’t do this without their amazing work. Judi Soderberg also went above and beyond copyediting this book. Any mistakes in the manuscript are completely my own! Thank you to Edeena Cross and Sabra Harp for their insightful, careful beta reads, and to Kristine Krantz, whose guidance remains extraordinary, sixteen books in. And, of course, thank you to Geoffrey, who makes every story better than it was before. It’s been a Wilde ride.
About Jenn Stark
Jenn Stark is an award-winning author of paranormal romance and urban fantasy. She lives and writes in Ohio. . . and she definitely loves to write. In addition to her Immortal Vegas and Wilde Justice urban fantasy series and Demon Enforcers paranormal romance series, she is also author Jennifer McGowan, whose Maids of Honor series of Young Adult Elizabethan spy romances are published by Simon & Schuster; author Jennifer Chance, whose Rule Breakers series of New Adult contemporary romances are published by Random House/LoveSwept and whose modern royals series, Gowns & Crowns, is now available; and author D.D. Chance, whose paranormal romantic fantasy series, Twyst Academy, is now available.
Visit her online at www.jennstark.com and sign up for her newsletter to keep up with all the latest information about upcoming releases and special events!
Copyright © 2020 by Jenn Stark
All rights reserved.
ISBN-13: 978-1-943768-72-1
Cover design by Elizabeth Bemis
This book is a work of fiction. References to real people, events, establishments, organizations, or locations are intended only to provide a sense of authenticity, and are used fictitiously. All other characters, and all incidents and dialogue, are drawn from the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real.
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in encouraging piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase/Download only authorized editions.