I shrugged. “I poisoned him, but the shadow drained him dry. Six of one, half dozen of the other.”
“Are you all right?” Llew slowly approached.
“Well, I was next on his list to sacrifice, but thanks to the entity here, I’m alive. It was touch and go, though, and I have a nasty lump on the back of my head.” I turned to the shadow that was hovering nearby, waiting. “We have a promise to keep.”
“Can you separate them?” Wendy asked.
I nodded. “I have to walk into the shadow first. From there I can help the spirits go free. I should have brought Laralea, but we’ll have to make do.”
I pulled out my phone and brought up my MP3s. I had recorded a couple of my songs, which wouldn’t fully open the magical paths, but they would make it easier. I was running so much adrenaline at this point that I should be able to make do. I looked around. The only place to lie down was on the altar table or in the tub, both of which gave me the creeps. I turned to the shadow. “Come, follow me, please. I’ll help you from upstairs.”
“Stay with Tag’s body,” I told Wendy. “We don’t want anything reviving him or any such nonsense. If you have to, cut him into shreds.”
As I followed Llew up the stairs, heading into the living room, I realized just how shaky I was—probably due to the knock on my head. But I made it to the sofa and lay down, turning on the music.
“Watch over me, Llew. I don’t know how this is going to work out, but I have to try.”
“I will.” Llew took his place near me.
I motioned to the shadow. “Come closer.”
It moved toward me, the hostility replaced by sorrow. I closed my eyes as the sounds of Laralea brought me into trance. I could see the path though it wasn’t as clear as usual, and I narrowed my focus, heading toward the faint lines of the portal that would take me into the Aether. And just like that, I was through and standing beside my body. I turned to the shadow. Now, instead of a dark mass, I could see faces in the shadow, and arms and legs, all wound together in one knotted mass.
I moved toward it, hearing whispers from the various women who were bound together. Word was spreading that I was on the way. That freedom was near.
I examined the ties between them, looking for just how Tag had managed to stick them together. Praying this would work, I began unwinding the cords, one by one. Each cord that I unknotted vanished, taking a little bit of the shadow with it. From beneath the smoky surface, the colors of the women’s spirits were beginning to shine—blues and greens, gold and silver, and all colors in between. I played reverse cat’s cradle—detangling spirit after spirit, and with each one, I heard a hushed “Thank you” before the soul soared off, free to leave the slaughterhouse.
One after another, I freed them, smiling as each one brushed me gently as they passed. One stopped, kissing my hair, before she flew off, traveling to whatever afterlife was waiting for her. Another hovered in front of me, floating like a beautiful mermaid, and then she stroked my face and flew off, as though swimming in the ethereal streams, laughing with her freedom. And then, I found Alicia. She held my hands between hers, whispering, “Thank you” before she, too, floated away.
One by one, I unraveled the skein of Tag’s victims, and one by one, the shadow retreated, until the last—his first victim—was the only one who remained. She was young, probably about thirteen, and she turned a melancholy smile to me, before she too left on her journey.
There was nothing left, nothing except a sticky residue of the harm that he’d caused. Nothing to tell the tale except the decomposing bodies in the basement. I watched as the last girl vanished out of sight, then turned back to see Tag standing there. But he wasn’t alone. He was consumed in flames, consumed in a dark shroud that was closing around him like a blanket. I knew that it was a hell of his own making. He was being shackled by the hatred and greed that he’d given birth to in life, and it would shadow him during death until he was ready to accept responsibility for his actions. Then, perhaps, he would be free.
He didn’t see me, so focused was he on the flames that licked at his body. A flow of sickly green energy raced through his spirit. Venom’s bite would haunt him for as long as he clung to the belief that he had done nothing wrong.
Satisfied that he was reaping the harvest of his actions, I turned and walked back toward my body. Tag would haunt this house most likely, and I’d do my best to see that it was razed to the ground. But whatever happened, we had stopped him, and that was all we could ask for.
As I slid back into my body, I saw Llew sitting there. I struggled to sit up, aching like an SOB. I’d had harder cases before, but this one had hit me in the gut. Perhaps it was living among humans as closely as I did. Perhaps it was that the fragility and shortness of human life had altered the way I viewed the world. Whatever the case, I sat on the sofa, weeping for the victims.
When Llew asked me why I was crying, I looked up at him.
“Because someone should mourn their senseless deaths. Someone should cry for them.”
And so I did.
Chapter Sixteen
First thing after I managed to compose myself, I called Wager. I quickly explained the situation and he said that he’d be over with a group of vamps after dark, to take care of matters. They had an in with the police, and would keep us out of it.
“I’d love to meet your contact,” I said, impressed.
“No, trust me, you wouldn’t. You really don’t want to get wrapped up in the world I run in, Raven, though I’m glad to be of help. I know how frightening your world can be, but it’s filled with magic and beauty, as well as the dark shadows of your magic. This world, the world I now live in, is one of blood and bets and deals and the unforgiving judgment of the damned.”
I paused. He was right. My world was frightening but it had a glamour of its own, with the sparkling web of the Ante-Fae and the grim passion of death. Vampires were just cold and frightening, for the most part.
“Right,” I said. “But…I owe you a big favor, dude.”
“I’ll collect on it, trust me. For now, do what you need to do and get out of there in an hour. You don’t want to be there when we move in. And we’ll be on the way in minutes. I have a favor to call in and the response will be immediate. And I’ll do what I can to have the house destroyed when the cops are done investigating.” Wager laughed softly. “I hope you feel this was worth your trouble.”
I thought of the spirits flying free from the shadow, and of Lana, who would be able to walk free without worry. “It was worth it.”
As I hung up, Wendy came back into the living room. “I was poking around down in the slaughterhouse. Dude had something you may want to take with you,” she said, handing me a duffel bag.
Curious, I glanced at it. “What’s in it?”
“Look.”
I glanced inside. The bag was filled with stacks of hundred-dollar bills—about thirty thousand dollars, by my guess. “What the hell? I wonder where he got this?”
“They’re not new bills. My guess is he managed to siphon off money from his victims’ banks and so forth. Debit cards, credit cards, who knows.” She glanced at me. “What will you do with it?”
I shook my head. “I’m not keeping it, but neither will I let the vamps find it. Lana can use it. This will get her situated on her feet again. Which reminds me, can you run upstairs and grab her some clothes to wear from her closet, and anything that looks important? She won’t be able to return for her things, not once the police are involved.”
And so, after we’d gathered several suitcases and boxes for Lana, including what personal effects we could find, we locked the door and left. I asked Llew if he wanted any of Tag’s spell components, but he shook his head and said something about them being tainted.
By the time we pulled away from the curb, three dark sedans and a black van were driving down the street. They stopped at Tag’s house as we watched, and a cold chill ran down my back. Wager stepped out from one of the sedans a
nd he glanced our way. I slowly drove past, and he blew a kiss toward the car as I sped up and we cleared the block, leaving the blood-scorched house of horrors behind.
Three days later…
* * *
“Are you sure you want to leave?” I was curled on my new sofa that I’d bought to replace the ectoplasm-damaged one. I’d hired a friend to paint the living room, dining room, and kitchen, and all the windows and doors were open, letting the chill damp air in. But it was better than sitting amidst drying paint fumes.
Lana shrugged. “I need to make a fresh start. I can’t stay here. I just… The police have talked to me about Tag, but they cleared me to leave. I don’t know what strings you pulled, but I have to thank you. I figure I can start fresh in Portland. I’ll change my last name and nobody will know who I am. I should be able to find a job, even if it’s as a barista.”
I nodded. “I can see how staying here would be hard. But I have something for you that may make it easier to get situated.” I jumped up, motioning for her to stay put. I fetched my purse. I had taken the found money to one of the branches of the VN Financial Institutions, one of the vampire-owned banks. Wager had made the arrangements for me to change it out for a cashier’s check made out to Lana.
As I placed the check in her hands, her eyes grew wide. “What’s this? Thirty-five thousand dollars?”
“Don’t ask. It’s…there’s no one else to give it to except for you. Use it to get established. Use it in good health. Use it to make a difference in the world.” I smiled at her, handing her the envelope along with it.
“I have a feeling I know where this came from, but…do I want to know?” She held it like she was holding a ticking bomb.
“It didn’t belong to Tag, that much I’ll tell you. Not rightfully, anyway. Consider it payment from a lot of women who wouldn’t be free if you hadn’t come to me.” I sat down beside her, folding my hands over hers. “Trust me. It’s right you should have it.”
She nodded, silently replacing the check back into the envelope. “All right.” After a moment, she gazed into my eyes. “How do I move on from this? How do I start new, with all of this hanging over my shoulder? How do I ever sleep again? Trust anyone again?”
I paused. I wasn’t a counselor, but I thought over her questions. “I suppose…one day at a time. One person at a time. You find a cause that you can pour your heart into. Maybe helping women who are domestically abused? Maybe you go to school to become a victims’ aid counselor? I don’t know. But you find something that helps you make sense of why you went through what you did, and you embrace it.”
“Tag almost killed you.” She slid the check into her purse.
“But he didn’t manage it. He lost. In the end, we have to hold onto that. Sometimes, the bad guys do lose. Sometimes, we can strip them of their power, and free their slaves. I don’t understand a lot about humanity, but I do know that there are villains in all worlds, and there are heroines and heroes in all worlds, too. And then, there are those of us who just muddle through, trying to do what we feel is right. Trying to make a difference.”
Lana glanced at her watch. “I’d better go. I want to be out of town before the news breaks. Your friend Wager let me know they’re breaking the story tonight about Tag and his victims. I’ll be on the road by then. But…thank you. Raven, I know we weren’t close friends when I came to you for help, but I feel like I’m leaving someone who’s…” She teared up.
I ducked my head. “I understand. But you know where I am. I’m a phone call away if you need to talk. And whenever you have nightmares about Tag—and it probably will happen—feel free to text or call. I’ll listen.” I didn’t want to tell her that I’d been having nightmares about him looming over me with that bloody cleaver for the past two nights.
As I saw her out the door, I turned back to Raj, who was sitting by the kitchen door.
“Raj hungry?”
He rubbed against me as I headed into the kitchen. “Is Raven sad?”
I petted his head as I pulled out a can of stew for him. “Oh, Raj…Raven is…don’t worry. Raven is fine. Raven always springs back.” And as I said the words, I knew they were true. I always sprang back, no matter how many times I walked into the shadows. No matter how heavy Arawn’s yoke was, I always came through, and I came through stronger than before. I’d dip myself in Cerridwen’s cauldron and emerge refreshed and renewed.
With a sigh, I set free the memory of almost being Tag’s final victim, letting it fly away. As the weight lifted from my shoulders, I laughed. I was Raven BoneTalker, the Daughter of Bones. And Death? Death was my constant—and dearest—companion.
If you enjoyed this book and haven’t read the first six of The Wild Hunt Series, check out: THE SILVER STAG, OAK & THORNS, IRON BONES, A SHADOW OF CROWS, THE HALLOWED HUNT, and THE SILVER MIST. Preorder Book 8 now—WITCHING BONES (An Ante-Fae Adventure) for a glimpse of Raven’s world. There will be more to come after that.
I also invite you to visit Fury’s world. In a gritty, post-apocalyptic Seattle, Fury is a minor goddess, in charge of eliminating the Abominations who come off the World Tree. Book 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 but still steamy 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. BLOOD MUSIC, BEWITCHING BEDLAM, MAUDLIN’S MAYHEM, SIREN’S SONG, WITCHES WILD, CASTING CURSES, BLOOD VENGEANCE, TIGER TAILS, and Bubba’s origin story THE WISH FACTOR are all 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.
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
Raven & the Ante-Fae:
The Ante-Fae are the predecessors to the Fae race. 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.
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: One 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.
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, & Templeton: Raven’s ferret-bound spirit friends she rescued years ago and now keeps until she can find out the secret to breaking the curse on them.
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.
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 worlds of Light and Dark Fae, and pledged 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 worlds 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.
Witching Hour: A Wild Hunt Novel, Book 7 Page 21
