“Understood. We are agreed?”
Madigan nodded.
Ashlar held out his hand, gesturing for Magidan to do the same. The dark-haired man gave his hand over, almost reluctantly, and then winced as Ashlar pressed their palms together.
As he watched, the sigil flared on Madigan’s palm. Brighter and brighter it burned, and it pleased Ashlar to see that Madigan was gritting his teeth. That’s what he got for showing up here in human form.
Abruptly, the sigil went dark. It was no longer visible, but it was there, ready to be called forth when the bargain was complete.
“Go,” he said to Madigan.
Rubbing his palm, Madigan left without a word.
Ashlar turned away, considering all the ways he could achieve his goals. Then he laughed.
In the tunnel, Madigan winced as the harsh sound echoed off the walls of Hell.
Translations
Latin Phrases:
Peregrinatione ad angustos - Keep within this block/ward
Daemon ignis – Demon fire
Praefundo – Wet before the fire
Victa - Conquered
Praesidio - Protection
Supra et infra spiritibus
nostrae vocationis audiat
Ad eos qui nos ad pallii
Salvos nos fac Domime O spirituum,
Nos atque piae.
Deferrent nostrae
Sine ulla peccatum.
Spirits above and below
Hear our call
Bring to us those who
Have moved to the pall.
Keep us safe, oh spirits,
Us and our kin.
Bring them to our light
Without any sin.
Quadrato autem dicamus, Ashlar.
Precipimus tibi quod ostendam tibi, et stare ante nos -
Ashlar, we call you. We command you to come before us.
Demon Phrases:
Kaabe’t’aek shu’eshak - Souls come to me
Thehruksh Sho’jin - Come forth Lord Sojin
In Hellborn, you met the Deanas, the descendants of Deana, one of the Deadwood Sisters. The youngest, Deana Holliday (not to be confused with DeAnna, her Gran, or Dee, her mom), has lived in Venice, California all her life in an old house on one of the canals. She returns from Deadwood ready to start her life in a new direction, which means leaving all she’s ever known. Things don’t always go the way she plans.You can find the first book, Dark Pact,
by clicking HERE or on Amazon.
Acknowledgments
I don’t always do these. The people close to me know who they are, and what they mean to me.
But it’s a little different with this book.
First, my thank you to the voluminous work by dedicated authors and historians out there on John Henry “Doc” Holliday. While the Doc in my book is based on history’s records of him, I’ve taken liberties with the man I chose to create. I first found him when my husband and I went to Tombstone, and I read everything I could get my hands on after that visit. The allure of that time in our history has never waned for me.
Along with that, I wanted to share that there really is a house on Pearl Street. It really started out life on Main Street, and was moved in the last twenty years. I’ve seen the pictures, and it’s a gorgeous place. I wanted my Deadwood sisters to have a house like them—one with history, longevity, and the ability to grow, move and change (but only within the city limits of Deadwood!). It’s all they’ve ever known, which means “home” can be both a blessing and a curse.
Second, thank you to Kim Cunningham from Atlantis Book Design. Her covers are always a temptation, and when I saw this one, I knew this was Desdemona. She’s gifted, and you’ll see her art in the rest of the series.
Third, thank you to my writing partner, Corinne O’Flynn. I’m a better writer because I’m fortunate enough to have her as a colleague.
Fourth, to my crew of fellow inkslingers: Lori, Alex, Nathan, Stephanie, Andre, Bernadette. When you find your tribe of people, you know it.
Fifth, to my amazing husband and even more amazing children. You all are my rock, and I love you beyond belief.
A special nod to my son, Cooper. He wrote the demon language for me, and made sure that my Latin was what he calls ‘vulgar’. I didn’t want it to be formal, and he said I did a good job managing that. (Yay, me!) In addition to the demon language, which is far more intricate than the small phrases seen in this work, he created Ashlar’s sigil, and I LOVE it.
Seventh, to my amazing editor, Zoe at Peppermint Editing. She asks the right questions, and points out the things that need to be addressed. She makes my words better. Of course, I’m the last person who puts their mitts on said words, so any mistakes still there are mine.
Finally, to my readers. You all have been with me since the beginning, since Thea and Casimir. Or Iris and Brennan. Or Tibby. Or Eamonn and Marigold. And I am so, so thankful! With Desdemona, and my Deadwood Sisters, I’m finding the joy of a new series and a new book family that writing has always given me. I’m so excited to share this world with you!
Lisa Manifold
April, 2019
About the Author
Lisa Manifold is a USA Today Bestselling Author of fantasy, paranormal, and romance stories. She moved to Colorado as an adult and has no plans of living anywhere else. She is a consummate reader, often running late because "Just one more page!" She is a fan of all things Con, and has an entire room devoted to the costumes created for Cons.
Lisa is the author of many flavors of paranormal series, including The Realm, Djinn Everlasting, Dragon Thief, The Aumahnee Prophecy, Tales from the Veil, Sisters of the Curse, the books written with The Midnight Coven collective, the Deadwood Sisters and The Mostly Open Paranormal Investigative Agency.
She lives as close to the mountains as possible with her husband, children, and four red rescue dogs.
Stay in touch:
Sign up for Lisa’s Newsletter and never miss a thing!
Website: www.lisamanifold.com
Or one of the links below.
Also by Lisa Manifold
The Mostly Open Paranormal
Investigative Agency
Dark Pact (July 2019)
Deadwood Sisters
Hellborn: The Unlucky Book 1
Hellfire: The Unlucky Book 2 (September 2019)
Vampire Brides
(with The Midnight Coven)
Forever Blood
Vampire Mates
(with The Midnight Coven)
Immortal Darkness ( August 2019)
Dragon Thief
Dragon Lost
Dragon Found
The Realm Series
Heart of the Goblin King
To Wed the Goblin King
Realms of the Goblin King
Rise of the Dragon King
The Companion Tales, Volume I
The Companion Tales, Volume II
The Aumahnee Prophecy
with Corinne O’Flynn
Eamonn’s Tale
Marigold’s Tale
Watchers of the Veil
Defenders of the Realm
Tales From The Veil
with Corinne O’Flynn
The Portal Keepers
The Gimcrackers
Djinn Everlasting
Three Wishes
Forgotten Wishes
Hidden Wishes
Sisters of the Curse
Thea’s Tale
One Night at the Ball
Casimir’s Journey
Do you like being in the loop? Sign up for Lisa’s newsletter! Shenanigans, book recs, and the latest news abound!
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