Harvest Hunting (41 page)

With a shrug, Camille said, “I don’t know. We keep watch. We infiltrate the magic shops, spread the word we’re on the lookout. And we hope they move on as soon as possible. My guess is that Stacia’s training camp will either break up or Trytian will take over. We’ll want to keep our ears out for whatever happens in that direction, too.”

Iris brought a bowl of Cheetos to me, along with a glass of milk. “I take pity on you because of your ribs.”

“You never did tell me your story,” I said.

She shrugged. “You’ll have plenty of time to listen over the next few weeks. And on the full moon, with those broken ribs, you’re going to be confined to a room where you can’t jump up on anything or hurt yourself. So get used to being an indoor-only for the next six weeks or so.”

There was a knock at the door, and Menolly answered. She led Luke, Amber, and Chase into the kitchen. Chase looked weary.

“Call me, let me know what happens,” he said. “Meanwhile, I’m needed back at HQ.” I caught his gaze and smiled, and Chase smiled back then, and in that moment, everything was okay. What he would say once he knew about Shade was anybody’s guess, but that was for another day.

After he left, Amber and Luke sat down next to me. Luke bit his lip when he saw the tight bandages around my ribs. “I’m sorry about that. But thank you—thank you all for saving my sister. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t helped out.”

“That reminds me, what are we going to do about the coyote shifters?” I popped a Cheeto in my mouth and savored the crispy cheese crunch, then licked my fingers.

“I think we should bring the Koyanni up on charges at the next Supe Community Council.” Menolly patted Luke on the back—about as close as she ever got to a hug. “After all, they’re breaking treaty by attacking the werewolves, and it doesn’t matter whether or not they belong to the council. The wolf Packs do.” She pressed her lips together, and I could tell she was pissed.

“I agree, Camille said. “Hand over everything to the council, and let them take care of it.”

“Good idea. I just . . . I wish we could have caught all of them.” I didn’t like leaving matters as they were, but we had no choice. I was out of commission, and Sharah had made it clear to me that she’d strap me into a hospital bed if I tried to do anything more strenuous than channel surf.

Luke shrugged. “I’m just glad to have my sister back.”

Camille glanced at me, her eyes pensive. “About that . . . Luke . . . Amber can’t stay here if she’s wearing the necklace.”

“What necklace?” He glanced at her, then frowned. “Why not? What’s wrong with it? Not fashionable enough?”

I let out a low sigh. “We have to tell you something. We’ve already told your sister, so she knows. You can never tell anyone else, but you need to know what’s going on.”

Over the next hour, we filled the two werewolves in on our mission, explaining from the beginning about Bad Ass Luke and Shadow Wing and the spirit seals and ending up with the Keraastar Knights. We did
not
tell them about our doubts or concerns over giving the seals to Queen Asteria now that we knew what she was planning to do with the spirit seals—a disaster in the making, in our opinions.

They sat, mouths open, shaking their heads. It was easy to see they were brother and sister, they looked so much alike.

“So that’s what’s going on with my necklace.” Amber breathed a soft sigh. “And how will that affect my baby?” She curled an arm around her belly.

“I don’t know, honestly. Queen Asteria’s medics can probably help you with that—you can’t tell anyone here about the problem, except Sharah.” I hung my head. “Amber, you’re going to have to either give us the necklace or volunteer to go to Otherworld and turn yourself over to Queen Asteria. I think you may have the genetic makeup she was talking about—to become a Keraastar Knight.”

“This is sudden . . . I don’t know what to do. I can’t take off the necklace.” She blinked, tears welling up. “I’ve never lived anywhere else . . . even coming here was so new for me.”

“I’ll go with you.” Luke stood up.

She glanced up at him, eyes wide.

“I’m your big brother. I couldn’t keep you from harm with Rice, but I can take care of you now. I’ll go with you to Otherworld and make certain you’re okay. I’ve nothing to tie me here except for my job, and Menolly can find someone to replace me. But you . . . you need family there. You need
me
.”

“Thank you—but are you certain?” Amber looked overjoyed, but a flicker of fear still ran through her face.

“Yes. If Menolly and her sisters will volunteer to pack my apartment and put my things in storage except what we’ll need over there.” He glanced over at Menolly, who nodded softly.

“We’ll take care of everything, Luke. You’re a brave man—and loyal. Just like family should be.” She smiled then. “We’ll talk to Queen Asteria, make sure you have everything you need. And we’ll visit when we can.”

“Luke, you’re a good example,” I said, motioning to Menolly. “And we need to follow your example. Tomorrow, we’ll figure out just what we’re going to say to Father about what he did to Camille. We’re the Three Musketeers here . . . we stand united.”

Camille said nothing, but her lower lip trembled as she smiled at me.

Menolly gave me a solemn nod, then called Morio and Smoky in. “Camille can travel to Elqaneve, though she can’t set foot in Y’Elestrial. We’re too near dawn for me to go. Why don’t the three of you escort Luke and his sister and the sixth spirit seal to Queen Asteria. We’ll send your things over later this week, Luke.”

“Thank you,” Luke said as they prepared to go. “We’ll make you proud. We’ll do our part in this war . . . because you’re working to save our world.”

Breaking the mood, Camille turned to me. “Hey, what about the hair? You going to let it grow out again?”

I frowned. Having most of my hair chopped off had been traumatic, but like everything that had happened lately, I’d found my peace with it. In fact, I liked it. The short, tousled, edgy look made me feel empowered.

“Actually, I’m going to keep it like this. The original color will grow back in, and that’s fine with me—I could do without the blotchy orange effect, but I’m going to keep the style. It’s . . . who I am now. And I’m really starting to like who I’m becoming.”

Shade rubbed my shoulders. “My love,” he whispered. “You are beautiful. Inside and out.”

Iris glanced up at him. “Remember what Sharah said—no sex for a couple weeks. Delilah’s ribs are cracked in several places and need to heal. For now, you sleep out in the studio with the Demon Twins and Shamas.”

“No fair—” I started to say, but Shade put his hand on my shoulder.

“We have plenty of time, and I plan on being around for quite awhile.” He leaned down and gently kissed my lips, and once again I lost myself in the glowing heat of his body. The mark on my forehead hummed, and I suddenly found myself standing in front of Hi’ran.

“Are you happy?” He reached out and cupped my chin, tipping my face up.

I gazed at him, my heart swelling. “He’s part of you, isn’t he?”

Hi’ran smiled then, softly, as the boreal wind raged around us. “He’s
of
my season, but he is his own man in his own right. I told you, I am not a jealous master, as long as you remember that
I am your master
. When you touch him, I will know it . . . when he touches you, I will also be there. And when it’s time, he will be the go-between for me to father your child.”

I sucked in a deep breath—on the astral it didn’t hurt—and slid into Hi’ran’s arms. But this time, he simply held me, and I was content with that. I had a new passion in my life, and I wanted nothing more than to explore the burgeoning relationship with Shade. I knew him. He was part of me already, and for the first time in my life I believed in soul mates. At least, for me.

Chase and Zachary had been wonderful men, but I was a huntress, prowling the treetops, and I belonged to the Autumn Lord in spirit. And my heart . . . my heart belonged to the autumn, too.

I’d never expected to find my true self in the reflection of death and destruction, of fire and flame-colored leaves, but I’d grown up so much. This was who I was—this was who I would always be, and finally, I could accept my predator side and be happy with it.

“I love you, my Master,” I whispered to him.

Hi’ran smiled. “I love you, too, Delilah.”

I nodded. And then, with a blink, I was back in my body, home, safe for the moment, with my love standing by my side.

Sephreh ob Tanu: The D’Artigo sisters’ father. Full-Fae.

Maria D’Artigo: The D’Artigo sisters’ mother. Human.

Camille Sepharial te Maria, aka Camille D’Artigo: The oldest sister; a Moon Witch. Half-Fae, half-human.

Delilah Maria te Maria, aka Delilah D’Artigo: The middle sister; a werecat.

Arial Lianan te Maria: Delilah’s twin who died at birth. Half-Fae, half-human.

Menolly Rosabelle te Maria, aka Menolly D’Artigo: The youngest sister; a vampire and extraordinary acrobat. Half-Fae, half-human.

Shamas ob Olanda: The D’Artigo girls’ cousin. Full-Fae.

 

Bruce O’Shea: Iris’s boyfriend. Leprechaun.

Carter: Leader of the Demonica Vacana Society, a group that watches and records the interactions of Demonkin and humans through the ages. Carter is half-demon and half-Titan; his father was Hyperion, one of the Greek Titans.

Chase Garden Johnson: Detective, director of the Faerie-Human Crime Scene Investigation Team (FH-CSI). Human.

Chrysandra: Waitress at the Wayfarer Bar & Grill. Human.

Erin Mathews: Former president of the Faerie Watchers Club and owner of the Scarlet Harlot Boutique. Turned into a vampire by Menolly, her sire, moments before her death. Human.

Greta: Leader of the Death Maidens; Delilah’s tutor.

Iris Kuusi: Friend and companion of the girls. Priestess of Undutar. Talon-haltija (Finnish house sprite).

Lindsey Katharine Cartridge: Director of the Green Goddess Women’s Shelter. Pagan and witch. Human.

Luke: Bartender at the Wayfarer Bar & Grill. Werewolf. Lone wolf—Packless.

Marion: Coyote shifter; owner of the Supe-Urban Café

Morio Kuroyama: One of Camille’s lovers and husbands. Essentially the grandson of Grandmother Coyote. Youkai-kitsune (roughly translated: Japanese fox demon).

Nerissa Shale: Menolly’s lover. Works for Department of Social and Health Services and is running for city council. Werepuma and member of the Rainier Puma Pride.

Rozurial, aka Roz: Mercenary. Menolly’s secondary lover. Incubus who used to be Fae before Zeus and Hera destroyed his marriage.

Sassy Branson: Socialite. Philanthropist. Vampire (human).

Shade: New ally. Delilah’s lover. Part-Stradolan, part-black (shadow) dragon.

Siobhan Morgan: One of the girls’ friends. Selkie (wereseal), member of the Puget Sound Harbor Seal Pod.

Smoky: One of Camille’s lovers and husbands. Half-white, half-silver dragon.

Tavah: Guardian of the portal at the Wayfarer Bar & Grill. Vampire (full-Fae).

Tim Winthrop, aka Cleo Blanco: Computer student/genius, female impersonator. Human.

Trillian: Mercenary. Camille’s alpha lover and husband. Svartan (one of the Charming Fae).

Vanzir: Indentured slave to the sisters by his own choice. Dream chaser demon.

Venus the Moon Child: The shaman of the Rainier Puma Pride. Werepuma. One of the Keraastar Knights.

Wade Stevens: President of Vampires Anonymous. Vampire (human).

Zachary Lyonnesse: Junior member of the Rainier Puma Pride Council of Elders. Werepuma.

Black Unicorn/Black Beast:
Father of the Dahns Unicorns, a magical unicorn who is reborn like the phoenix and lives in Darkynwyrd and Thistlewyd Deep. Raven Mother is his consort, and he is more a force of nature than a unicorn.

 

Calouk:
The rough, common dialect used by a number of Otherworld inhabitants.

 

Court and Crown:
The
Crown
refers to the queen of Y’Elestrial. The
Court
refers to the nobility and military personnel that surround the Queen. Court and Crown together refer to the entire government of Y’Elestrial.

 

Court of the Three Queens:
The newly risen Court of the three Earthside Fae Queens: Titania, the Fae Queen of Light and Morning; Morgaine, the half-Fae Queen of Dusk; and Aeval, the Fae Queen of Shadow and Night.

 

Crypto:
One of the Cryptozoid races. Cryptos include creatures out of legend that are not technically of the Fae races: gargoyles, unicorns, gryphons, chimeras, etc. Most primarily inhabit Otherworld, but some have Earthside cousins.

 

Demon Gate:
A gate through which demons may be summoned by a powerful sorcerer or necromancer.

 

Earthside:
Everything that exists on the Earth side of the portals.

 

Elemental Lords:
The elemental beings—both male and female—who, along with the Hags of Fate and the Harvestmen, are the only true Immortals. They are avatars of various elements and energies, and they inhabit all realms. They do as they will and seldom concern themselves with humankind or Fae unless summoned. If asked for help, they often exact steep prices in return. The Elemental Lords are not concerned with balance like the Hags of Fate.

 

Elqaneve:
The Elfin lands in Otherworld.

 

FBH:
Full-blooded human (usually refers to Earthside humans).

 

FH-CSI:
The Faerie-Human Crime Scene Investigations team. The brainchild of Detective Chase Johnson, it was first formed as a collaboration between the Otherworld Intelligence Agency and the Seattle Police Department. Other FH-CSI units have been created around the country, based on the Seattle prototype. The FH-CSI takes care of both medical and criminal emergencies involving visitors from Otherworld.