by Jami Gray
They shuffled across the floor, careful to step around Ansa’s body to the stairs. He nudged Iliana ahead of him. “I need to find some clothes.”
She got to the top of the stairs, her hand on the door, and turned back, letting her gaze drift over him. “You furry was beautiful, but this, yeah, I could get used to this look.”
The unexpected compliment actually made him blush, but he couldn’t stop his grin as he followed her out into the light.
Yep, paying this debt back was going to be fun.
Thank you for reading Shadow’s Moon.
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Shadow’s Curse
Kyn Kronicles Book 4
Beauty is a treacherous bitch, and her name is Natasha—but can she allow Darius to uncover truth from lies before betrayal claims her life?
Present Day, Deep in the Taurus Mountains in Turkey
Darkness spread its opaque cloak over the cobbled paths winding between the stone buildings while silence crouched and waited. In this small corner, goats walked streets too narrow for cars, and the human inhabitants were tucked inside their humble homes. Inside the inky confines of a rustic alley, a figure slipped from the shadows and through the unlocked wooden door of one of the homes.
“You’re late, Darius.” The sharp greeting came from the man lounging with casual elegance among the jewel-festooned pillows on one of the low-slung couches.
“And you’re in a pisser of a mood, Zayn.” Unfazed by the rude welcome, Darius snagged an olive from the table. Popping it into his mouth, he grabbed an empty cup and poured a drink.
Taking a handful of olives and his cup, he walked across the lush, overlapping rugs and sprawled on the other sofa. He studied Zayn as he chewed, taking in the overly long white shirt paired with sand-colored linen pants. Despite his sun-streaked blond hair and the small abode’s rich haven of comfort, Zayn still managed to convey a Middle Eastern flare.
“Until we find out who is behind Mulcahy’s death, I don’t see that changing.” Zayn lifted his own cup, his sleeve fluttering with the movement. “What did you find out?”
Darius chased the olives’ lingering salty tartness away with a quick sip and wiped his fingers against the dark denim covering his thigh before answering. “We were right to question the account received from the Northwest Kyn. There is more to the story than they are sharing.” And he intended to uncover just what that “more” entailed.
Zayn’s lips twisted into a grimace. “No surprise there. No way would Natasha cough up the whole story.”
No, the little demon queen was too intelligent to show her hand to the Council. It didn’t stop the whispers, though. “There are rumors she could be behind his death.” And if the rumors were true, Darius would ensure she’d be facing someone much more dangerous than the Kyn’s Council.
“I thought they shared a history.”
Darius gave his companion a dark frown and shrugged his shoulders. “Shared history doesn’t mean shit when power is on the line. Mulcahy’s death created some damn explosive opportunities. She’s grabbing as many as she can. What does that tell you?”
“She’s an intelligent woman?”
Zayn’s quip drew a snort from Darius. “Of that, I have no doubt. She didn’t get to her current position on looks alone.”
“No, she’s not one to let emotional attachments get in the way of her plans.” His tone as dry as the winds of summer, Zayn advised, “Be careful that she doesn’t return you and your ego in nice, bloody pieces.”
Leaning back, Darius stretched his arms across the back of the couch, confident in his appeal to the fairer sex. He’d been described as a study of shadows. From his olive-toned skin to his dark, shoulder-length hair and closely trimmed goatee, the description was warranted. The only unsettling bit of color was his eyes—ice-cold blue, ringed in fiery red. A deep chuckle escaped. “Would you miss me?”
“You?” Zayn shrugged. “Not so much. But there might be few others with a different opinion.” Humor bled away, a startling seriousness taking its place. “This change. It’s been hundreds of years in the making. Unfortunately, Mulcahy’s death has accelerated things. If they aren’t handled correctly, the outcome could be extremely detrimental to our goals.”
“I haven’t forgotten.” Hard to forget when the line they walked was razor thin.
A small nod. “We won’t be welcome.”
Darius’s smile was anything but friendly. “Their welcome is not my worry. Nor should it be yours.”
“Don’t underestimate them. Ryan Mulcahy was not the only reason the Northwest Kyn have become who they are.”
“Yet, he’s the one who held them together.” A fact that someone out there knew all too well, or Mulcahy wouldn’t be dead. Darius’s hand tightened into a fist, his knuckles showing white through his skin as he fought back the grim wave of fury and grief.
“Perhaps. But he hasn’t done it alone.” Zayn paused. “Do they know about you?”
They could apply to so many—the Council, the Northwest Kyn, the one’s behind Mulcahy’s death—but in this instance Darius knew which they was implied. They were the Northwest’s Wraiths, a shadowy group of warriors, standing between the American public and the nightmares haunting the dark. “No. They know only what they need to.” And until he discovered who was playing for whom, it would remain that way.
Zayn rubbed a hand over his clean-shaven chin. “The potential for a shitstorm is tremendous.”
“There’s no ‘potential’ about it.” Too much was at stake to walk delicately now. “Mulcahy’s death changed the game. Without him, there is no one left to bridge the emerging division of the Council. Sides will be picked. We need to stack the odds in our favor.” Odds that had shifted with one violent act.
Zayn raised his cup in silent agreement. For a few minutes, quiet reigned. He broke it with, “Did DiMarcco give you your orders?” When Darius remained mute, Zayn gave a small smile of acknowledgement. “Our esteemed leader won’t admit to worry. Instead, he and the rest of the Council will couch it in false concern and empty platitudes. Yet they are watching and waiting. Will Mulcahy’s Kyn will rise or fall?” He slowly rolled the cup cradled in his hands. “Of course, it would not surprise me if some are trying to assist their desired outcome.”
Council maneuverings were a given, especially as current events threatened to tear the last threads from the fragile veil hiding the Kyn from mortal view. Some on the Council weren’t opposed to the impending revelation, so long as their agenda succeeded. “Dissension is an insidious ploy. It can turn on a whim. Many are unprepared for what they wrought.” A lesson Darius had watched more than one learn the hard way. “I don’t think the outcome will be what anyone expects.”
“Still, tread carefully. The path isn’t as clear as it once was, and I would not put it past the high-and-mighty Council to offer you up should a scapegoat be needed.”
“Or you,” Darius drawled.
Zayn sighed then raised his cup in a silent toast. “I’m going to miss the bastard. He was bloody brilliant. His people should prove interesting.”
“If nothing else, they will make our visit all the more entertaining.” A predatory grin broke across Darius’s face, while anticipation hummed under his words.
Want to witness Darius take on Natasha?
Click here for book four, SHADOW’S CURSE
Glossary
Amanusas:
One of four Kyn races, delight in chaos, h
alf-demon and half-human or Kyn. Six bloodlines—War, Earth, Secrets, Enticement, Death and Inequity—referred to as ‘Blood of’. For example: Natasha is Blood of Secrets.
Between:
The second realm between the mortal and magical worlds, accessible by the Kyn.
Bitten:
Humans transformed to shifters through vicious attack. Magic needs human to be on brink of death to complete conversion. They are lower in the pack’s structure as the control of wolf is tenuous at best. Tend not to live long.
Biovita:
A biotech lab in Hillsboro, OR where Brant Sutler, a human geneticist worked creating drug to turn Kyn wolves feral.
Blood ward:
A magical construct based on a castor’s blood to defend or protect a place or person.
Bonded:
Rare metaphysical tie between Kyn, generally shifters, that connects two individuals at soul level. A step above mated. Partners generally don’t survive the passing of the other.
Born:
Kyn Shifters who are born, some are Pure Bloods—rare few bloodlines.
Bound:
An Amanusa, caught in a casted circle by a summoner who uses all their names, to enslave—body and soul—to do the summoner’s bidding. If a name is missed, they become half-Bound.
Chindis:
Vengeful spirits of the dead, raised by witches, however can be done by anyone with the ability, controlled by their summoner. Torment victims and rip them apart psychically. Generally are spirits of those who died violently or before their time. Once vengeance is taken, they’ll rest.
Cinar International:
European based corporation.
The Council:
The ruling eleven members of the Kyn, chosen from around the world and headquartered in Turkey.
Division:
Preternatural Crimes Division, a group of talented and/or psychic humans who work for US Government and assist the Kyn on supernatural crimes.
Feral:
Wolves whose animal nature has taken control. Tend to attack humans and those closest to them. Nothing of the thinking man is left behind.
Fey:
One of four Kyn races, Sidhe descendants.
Kyn:
The entire preternatural community, composed of all four houses: Fey, Lycos, Amanusa, and Magi.
Lycos/Shifters:
One of four Kyn races, shape shifters, generally predator animals.
Magi:
One of four Kyn races, made of witches and wizards.
Mated:
Emotional bond created when two shifters commit.
Mavericks:
Lone wolves who have chosen to leave packs and roam on own. Can be Born or Bitten.
Mirroring:
Ability to send part of yourself into another by merging two magics, can add strength, but only as passenger. Empathic magic, deep level merger gives access to individual’s mind/heart. Witches can mirror.
Sarielian Order:
The ultimate group of Wraiths, made of nine of the most dangerous Kyn of the world.
Shadowed Paths:
The walkways in Between, used when Shadow Walking.
Shadow Walking:
Ability to travel in the realm that exists between the waking world and the magical one.
Side:
A realm accessible to the Amanusa, not easily borne by other Kyn, completely unbearable by humans. A third plane of existence.
Sisna:
Sanskrit demon slur, lewd version of tailed demon or phallus-worshipper.
Soul Stealer:
Nomâhtsé’ héõo’ Adanta Eater of Souls, a psychic being created by black magic from the remains of a soul, tied to summoner. Gains strength eating the souls of others.
Taliesin Security:
The public security company housing the Northwest Kyn.
Tachair:
Gaelic word for “light”, Raine uses it for light spell.
Three-fold Law:
Witches follow concept: What you do, will come back to you three-fold.
Tracker:
Shifters who are outside Pack hierarchy, their duty is to hunt/execute rogue shifters and threats (internal/external) to Pack.
Witches:
Practitioners of natural magic/white magic who follow the Three Fold law.
Wizards:
Practitioners of spells, potions, tend toward dark magic, use science and rituals.
Wraiths:
Twelve member highly skilled collection of North American Kyn who serve as the ultimate police for the Kyn and human monsters. They are not publicly acknowledged, basis of Boogieman stories for Kyn, even human not sure if they exist.
88 Ivories:
Music/dance club in downtown Portland
Cast of Kyn
Northwest Kyn
Ryan Mulcahy
Head of Fey House,
Captain of the Wraiths,
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Taliesin
Natasha Bertoi
Head of Amanusa House,
Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Taliesin
Warrick Vidis
Head of Lycan House,
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Taliesin
Cheveyo
Head of Magi House,
Chief Information Officer (CIO) of Taliesin
Carys Iver
Chief Legal Council for Taliesin
Northwest Wraiths
Raine McCord
Gavin Durand
Xander Cade
Jamie Ryder
Axel Kayser
Niall
Gideon
Dorian
Chayton
Fahd
Kevin Sullivan
Killian
Southwest Kyn
Rio Castle
Head of Amanusa House
Tala Whiteriver
Head of Magi House
Tomás Chavez
Head of Lycan House
Kyn Council so far…
Leopold DiMarcco
Zayn Aimeric
Malachi
Antonia
Sarielian Order so far…
Darius Abazi
Also by Jami Gray
THE KYN KRONICLES
Shadow’s Edge
Shadow’s Soul
Shadow’s Moon
Shadow’s Curse
Shadow’s Dream
PSY-IV Teams
Hunted by the Past
Touched by Fate
Marked by Obsession
Fate’s Vultures
Lying in Ruins
Beg for Mercy
Caught in the Aftermath (coming Feb. 2019)
What Readers Say…
About the Kyn Kronicles:
“…a fantastic paranormal action novel is quite possibly the best book I’ve read this year. I could not put it down, and had to exercise serious self-control to keep from staying up all night to finish it.” —The Romance Reviews
About PSY-IV Team:
“This story is an emotional roller coaster, from betrayal, anger, fear, love…” —InD’tale Magazine
About Fate’s Vultures:
“…if you like your characters with a bit more bite, with secrets, with hidden agendas, and all those sorts of things, and your worlds are a far more deadlier place, then this is for you.” —Archaeolibrarian
About the Author
Jami Gray is the coffee addicted, music junkie, Queen Nerd of her personal Geek Squad, Alpha Mom of the Fur Minxes, and award winning author of the Urban Fantasy series, The Kyn Kronicles, the Paranormal Romantic Suspense series, PSY-IV Teams, and her latest Romantic Suspense series, Fate’s Vultures. She writes to soothe the voices in her head.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, or events, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
Copyright © 2014 by Jami Gray
All rights reserved.
Shadow’s Moon - Kyn Kronicles - Book 3
Revised Publication: November 2018
Celtic Moon Press
ISBN: 978-1-948884-20-4 (ebook)
ISBN-13: 978-1-948884-21-1 (paperback)
