Haunted by Myth

  Synopsis

  Chloe knew her future would be boring. Every job pales in comparison to the family legacy: hunting monsters and banishing ghosts. But that birthright belongs to her mother and sister, leaving Chloe forever outside looking in. Until her sister dies without warning. Chloe gets the family magic, a lack of self-confidence, a grieving mother, a sarcastic spirit guide, and room for nothing else, especially love. And lately, someone seems to be summoning ghosts and protecting monsters, and all clues point to one very famous face: Helen of Troy.

  Helen has spent hundreds of years running a sanctuary and rehab for the last mythical creatures on earth. And she has a huge chip on her shoulder about that whole Trojan War thing. Neither she nor Chloe has time for the other’s philosophy or to see if their growing attraction is more than skin-deep, not when there are some monsters that won’t be sent to the Underworld without a fight.

  What Reviewers Say About Barbara Ann Wright’s Work

  The Mage and the Monster

  “I have truly enjoyed reading the novels in ‘The Sisters of Sarras’ series by Barbara Ann Wright. …I’ve been delighted with all three books. The story of Gisele and Vale is a fitting conclusion to this series. It takes the characters and the narrative of the first two books and pulls us into a story that includes danger, adventure, and war. It’s also a chance for some, including Gisele and Vale, to find love and acceptance. There are quite a few twists and turns in the plot. This tale will definitely keep you wondering as you read.”—Rainbow Reflections

  The Scout and the Scoundrel

  “The second lesbian fantasy romance in Wright’s The Sisters of Sarras trilogy takes to the military for a delightful character-centered story about trust and loyalty. Sarassian Commander Zara del Amanecer is socially awkward and ultra-rational. As punishment for a recent faux pas with a Colonel’s daughter, her scouting squad is the first in an experiment in using prisoners as recruits, putting flirty, smart-mouthed thief Veronique ‘Roni’ Bisset under Zara’s command and setting the stage for their opposites-attract romance. …Series fans will not be disappointed.”—Publishers Weekly

  “What made this novel so special were the characters, especially Roni and Zara. Zara grabbed my heartstrings from the beginning and never let go. She has this loveable, everything-is-black-and-white, no-filter personality that often gets her in trouble. …Roni is a perfect foil for Zara’s character, and the chemistry between them grows steadily as the two are thrown together. …This is a thrilling fantasy/adventure novel with a lovely enemies-to-lovers romance that I thoroughly enjoyed.”—Rainbow Reflections

  The Noble and the Nightingale

  “Wright sets up the Sisters of Sarras lesbian fantasy romance trilogy with solid worldbuilding, a delightfully awkward couple who bridge social realms, and an entertaining adventure that leaves plenty of room to grow. …By the end, Wright has established strong personalities for Adella’s two sisters and taken the suspense plotline to the brink of war between Sarras and the Firellians, setting up strongly for the next volumes. Readers will be pleased.”—Publishers Weekly

  “Only Barbara Ann Wright can weave a satisfying romance from nothing more than looks of longing, stolen kisses, and hand-holding. …The Noble and the Nightingale is an entirely satisfying addition to the shelves of Barbara Ann Wright, who somehow finds fresh ways to blend fantasy and romance with characters worthy of their settings.”—Beauty in Ruins

  Lady of Stone

  “Yet another stellar read from Barbara Ann Wright, Lady of Stone is a wonderful blend of magical fantasy and lesbian romance that had me eager to find out how it all ends, and yet reluctant to have it end.”—Beauty in Ruins

  Not Your Average Love Spell

  “…a solid little fantasy tale with a lot of really cool elements. …Wright plays to all the tropes…in a way that keeps the story fresh while preserving the surprises. …As for the romance, that was surprisingly sweet and amusing, with four women at the heart of the story who are entirely likable…the spark of attraction and the emotional connections are undeniable.”—Fem Led Fantasy

  “…a great story filled with magic, wondrous creatures and adventure but what I really enjoyed about the book was the way that the characters grew. …It is a great thing to read in these trying times and I took hope from it. The story pulls with enough magic to feel like a fully fleshed out fantasy world while keeping our heroes relatable and engaging. …I give it a full hearted thumbs up and you should definitely check it out.”—Paper Phoenix Ink

  “[Not Your Average Love Spell] is an entertaining…romantic fantasy adventure comedy? (I’m not sure how to categorise its Venn diagram of subgenres, either.) Starring an agoraphobic witch; a bright, curious, talkative homunculus; an archivist/scholar with a revolutionary bent; a knight who—at least initially—believes wholeheartedly in her order’s mission to stamp out magic; and an invasion of genocidal warriors, Not Your Average Love Spell takes its characters on an entertaining ride and delivers all of them a happy ending. (Except for the genocidal warriors. Their happy ending would be terrible for everyone else.)”—Tor.com

  The Tattered Lands

  “Wright’s postapocalyptic romance is a fast-paced journey through devastation. …Plenty of action, surprises, and magic will keep readers turning the pages.”—Publishers Weekly

  House of Fate

  “…fast, fun…entertaining. …House of Fate delivers on adventure.”—Tor.com

  Lambda Literary Award Finalist—Coils

  “…Greek myths, gods and monsters and a trip to the Underworld. Sign me up. …This one springs straight into action…a good start, great Greek myth action and a late blooming romance that flowers in the end…”—Dear Author

  “A unique take on the Greek gods and the afterlife make this a memorable book. The story is fun with just the right amount of camp. Medusa is a hot, if unexpected, love interest. …A truly unexpected ending has us hoping for more stories from this world.”—RT Book Reviews

  Paladins of the Storm Lord

  “This was a truly enjoyable read. …I would definitely pick up the next book…the mad dash at the end kept me riveted. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who has a love of sci-fi. …An intricate novel…one that can be appreciated at many levels, adventurous sci fi or one that is politically motivated with a very astute look at present day human behavior. …There are many levels to this extraordinary and well written book…overall a fascinating and intriguing book.”—Inked Rainbow Reads

  Thrall: Beyond Gold and Glory

  “Once more Barbara has outdone herself in her penmanship. I cannot sing enough praises. A little Vikings, a dash of The Witcher, peppered with The Game of Thrones, and a pinch of Lord of The Rings. Mesmerizing. …I was ecstatic to read this book. It did not disappoint. Barbara pours life into her characters with sarcasm, wit and surreal imagery, they leap from the page and stand before you in all their glory. I am left satisfied and starving for more, the clashing of swords, whistling of arrows still ringing in my ears.”—Lunar Rainbow Reviews

  The Pyramid Waltz

  “…a healthy dose of a very creative, yet believable, world into which the reader will step to find enjoyment and heart-thumping action. It’s a fiendishly delightful tale.”—Lambda Literary

  “Chock full of familiar elements that avid fantasy readers will adore…[The Pyramid Waltz] adds in a compelling and slowly evolving romance. …Set against a backdrop of political intrigue with the possibility of monsters and mystery at every turn, the two women slowly learn each other, sharing secrets and longing, until a fragile love blossoms between them…”—USA Today Happily Ever After

  For Want of a Fiend

  “This book will keep you turning the page to find out the answers. …Fans of the fantasy genre will really enjoy this installment of the story. We can’t wait for the next book.”—Curve

  A Kingdom Lost

  “There is only one other time in my life I have uncontrollably shouted out in cheer while reading a book. [A Kingdom Lost] made the second. …Over the course of these three books all the characters have blossomed and developed so eloquently. …I simply just thought this whole novel was brilliant.”—Lesbian Review

  The Fiend Queen

  “After reading this series Barbara Ann Wright has made my favorite author list. Her writing always seems to sweep me away to another world. The pacing, characters, and language were all perfect. …I am so addicted to Fantasy now. I knew fantasy was one of my favorite genres but it was always hard for me to come by a consistent source of fantasy books. After finishing the series A Pyradisté Adventure I knew that I had found a diamond. I can’t wait to read the rest of Barbara Ann Wright’s works. …Read it! I am obsessed and I don’t know how I will ever want to read a non-fantasy Lesfic ever again. I literally felt drunk off the series. Even after I was done with this book I thought about it constantly for at least two days.”—Lesbian Review

  Haunted by Myth

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  eBooks from Bold Strokes Books, Inc.

  http://www.boldstrokesbooks.com

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  By the Author

  The Pyradisté Adventures

  The Pyramid Waltz

  For
Want of a Fiend

  A Kingdom Lost

  The Fiend Queen

  Lady of Stone

  Thrall: Beyond Gold and Glory

  The Godfall Novels

  Paladins of the Storm Lord

  Widows of the Sun-Moon

  Children of the Healer

  Inheritors of Chaos

  Coils

  House of Fate

  The Tattered Lands

  Not Your Average Love Spell

  Haunted by Myth

  The Sisters of Sarras

  The Noble and the Nightingale

  The Scout and the Scoundrel

  The Mage and the Monster

  Haunted by Myth

  © 2023 By Barbara Ann Wright. All Rights Reserved.

  ISBN 13: 978-1-63679-462-4

  This Electronic Original Is Published By

  Bold Strokes Books, Inc.

  P.O. Box 249

  Valley Falls, NY 12185

  First Edition: December 2023

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.

  Credits

  Editor: Cindy Cresap

  Production Design: Susan Ramundo

  Cover Design by Inkspiral Design

  eBook Design by Toni Whitaker

  Acknowledgments

  Thanks again to everyone at BSB: Rad, Sandy, Cindy, Ruth, Stacia, Susan, and everyone else who works tirelessly behind the scenes. You’re seen and loved.

  Thanks to my fabulous writing groups and my awesome writer friends. You make the job worth it.

  And thanks as always to my mom, Linda Dunn. I tried to think of the best way to say how grateful I am for the life you’ve given me, but there just aren’t enough words. I love you.

  Dedication

  For Mom. There aren’t enough words.

  Chapter One

  Chloe’s side burned from running, and the muggy air of a Texas autumn leached the sweat from her every pore. Her job often took her down some strange paths, but she rolled with it, took pride in dependability. It was just a shame that it often included running through small-town parks at one a.m., chasing the ghosts of Confederate officers.

  And this particular bastard was fast.

  Chloe spotted his ghostly shimmer through a gap in the line of trees that separated this tiny park from the courthouse and businesses of Main Street. He’d switched directions yet again, but if Chloe stopped, her feet would refuse to restart. Who knew someone named Chester M. Goodspeed would live up to his name even after the son-of-a-bitch had died?

  When Chloe had arrived at the park, Goodspeed had been hanging out near his statue, ranting about sacrilege and history and shame on everyone. He’d seemed to think people could hear him, a sign that he’d been summoned rather than hanging around for over a hundred years.

  A crane and a flatbed truck had sat nearby, no doubt waiting to take the statue down, but the workmen had been gathered around their equipment, shaking their heads. For two days, the statue removal had been thwarted, plagued by mishaps like cables coming loose, random shocks from equipment, or the controls of the crane acting up, all things a ghost could manage. And there had been so many that local officials suspected sabotage.

  And they were right. They just didn’t know that all the petty problems had been caused by the unquiet dead. Of course, they couldn’t see or hear him, bless their hearts. No, that was her privilege alone.

  She’d loitered, watching the confounded crew as Goodspeed had used charges of ghostly energy to work cables free of their moorings or trip the foreman, all while yelling curses they couldn’t hear. She’d almost admired his tenacity. And she’d watched too long. He’d gone still, staring at her, and she should have looked away, but she’d been seized by a fit of obstinacy and had met his eye.

  When spirits knew she could see them, they knew she could end them, some awareness of the dead. He’d vanished. Lucky for him, the crew had already decided to try again tomorrow. One a.m. had forced him out of hiding, the witching hour calling forth all the unquiet spirits in the world.

  Chloe glanced at her watch where a timer ticked down. She had just over forty minutes to send Goodspeed’s spirit to the other side, or he could vanish, ready to rematerialize tomorrow and mess with the work crew again. She couldn’t banish a ghost in front of an audience without answering a lot of questions people didn’t want answered.

  “Shit, shit,” she said, wheezing but grateful for the cardio she got in when she wasn’t tracking down monsters or chasing ghosts through parks or museums or graveyards. Most spirits weren’t very powerful, thank God. Any power they had only came from how many statues or carvings or figurines they had in the world and how well they were remembered.

  Chester M. Goodspeed was but a drop of history.

  Thankfully, she’d brought a flood.

  “Ready to tap out?” Chloe heard in her mind, the tone teasing but with enough affection that she didn’t want to press further and say that she could handle it.

  “Yeah,” she said, slowing and putting her hands on her knees as her breath came so hard, her throat ached. Her satchel felt like a bag of lead across her right shoulder. “But only…because you…don’t get tired.”

  Ramses the II, third pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty of Egypt, Chosen of Ra, the greatest ruler of the New Kingdom appeared before her and held out a hand lined in the blue fire of the powerful dead. “Pay up, chump.”

  Chloe glared up at him. “After…you catch him.”

  He shrugged before looking around, cracking knuckles he didn’t have to crack. Chloe counted herself lucky he wasn’t pretending to stretch with one leg on a tree. She’d seen up that pleated kilt one too many times.

  “He’s there,” Chloe said, pointing toward the farthest edge of the park. Goodspeed was trying to hide beneath a clump of bushes, but the soft white glow gave him away, especially with no moon and only the orange shine of old streetlights lining the road.

  “Run right and cut him off,” Ramses said. “I’ll steer him toward you.”

  Easy for him to say. Chloe threatened her body into moving again. Goodspeed couldn’t go far from his statue, and he wouldn’t be able to outrun Ramses for long. She could still redeem herself. She dipped into her pocket and grabbed a plastic baggie full of salt and cayenne pepper. That should hold his ass long enough for her to banish him. She popped open the top, grabbed a small handful, and cocked her arm back, planning to nail him when Ramses chased him around the corner.

  There, his glow rounded a tree. She launched her arm forward, the cloud of dust catching the light.

  Someone screamed and coughed, a woman’s voice, and a small dog started barking like a fiend. The light swung crazily, shining over a leash and a rabid-looking chihuahua and a person trying to wipe their face while light came from their phone.

  “Shit,” Chloe yelled. “Sorry…I…” She looked behind the dogwalker but couldn’t see any glow.

  “Are you fucking crazy?” The dogwalker backed into the dark street, towing the squirming dog that looked ready for some hearty disemboweling.

  “Sorry…I’m…security,” Chloe stammered, nerves swallowing the usual excuse she had ready. “Just…go home.” Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the bright blue glow of Ramses on the other side of the park. Goodspeed had switched directions on him, too.

  Ha.

  Chloe turned her back on the dogwalker before she could do something like start filming and darted between two trees and through some shrubbery, hoping to catch Goodspeed on the other end of the park this time. She had to promise her body three full days free from workouts before it would run again. Stupid ghosts and their stupid stamina.