“Trying!” I yelled back as I grabbed up some of the thinner boards that were splintered.

  I began to stuff long splinters of the wood in the channels that led from the elemental candles to the center, and then into the channel that ringed the entire circle.

  My hands were shaking and I prayed that Jimbo could keep the creature at bay until I was done. I had just managed to stuff the last piece of kindling into the circle when the creature let loose with a loud shriek.

  Both Jimbo and I fell to our knees, holding our ears as it dashed past him, toward me.

  My ears ringing, I could barely function. But I crawled forward and taking out my lighter, I tried to ignite smaller pieces of the kindling. But the flame wouldn’t take.

  The creature was across the circle from me now, and it paused, eyeing the candles warily. I stripped off my shirt, which was cotton knit. I held it out, struggling with the lighter. Finally, I flicked the switch and the flame jumped from the lighter to the shirt.

  The material caught on fire and I placed it directly over the kindling. A moment later the wood sparked to life and it raced around, igniting the circle as it created a ring of flame. Then from the sides, the fire blazed through the channels into the center. The fire died down quickly, because I hadn’t used much kindling, but it did what I needed it to—which was to activate the magick.

  I knew better than to step inside the ring. My own circles protected me, but ceremonial magical circles were to protect the summoner from whatever it summoned inside the ring.

  The creature began to shriek and fight and I realized it was being drawn into the circle. I stood up, not certain what to say, but I followed my instincts:

  Get thee out—back to your realm go.

  Back to the realm of fire, I send thee.

  Begone, creature of fire, return to your home

  Return to the primal fire,

  be free, but be banished from this realm.

  The creature fought against the pull, breaking free to jump over the circle and land in front of me. I scooted back, still too dizzy from the noise that I couldn’t stand. It reached down and grabbed my wrist. As it took hold of me, I could feel the energy from the circle trying to suck the imp in, dragging me with it.

  “Jimbo! Help!” I struggled, but both the strength of the creature and the force from the circle were too strong.

  Jimbo stumbled to his feet, staggering around the circle to where I was struggling to stay on the outside of the circle. The creature was now mostly inside the ring. Only its left foot and left arm—still holding my wrist—remained outside.

  The pull was magnetic, so strong that I was starting to panic. I tried to dig my free hand into the floor but couldn’t find any purchase. The creature dragged my wrist through the fire and I screamed. Most of the flames had gone out but the coals were still hot and a row of blisters formed on my flesh.

  At that moment, Jimbo managed to reach my side. He brought his blade down against the creature’s wrist and it screamed, once again its shriek sending us reeling. But he had managed to cut deep enough that the creature let go of me. Jimbo grabbed me and rolled me over out of the circle.

  I rolled onto my stomach and looked up, just in time to see a brilliant light flashing in the center of the circle. It was red and orange, pink and white-hot blue, and it formed a vortex over the center candle. The imp flailed, but the next moment, the vortex sucked it in, and the next moment, the creature had vanished.

  “Extinguish the candles!” I couldn’t move, but I could speak. Jimbo crawled on hands and knees to the nearest candle, and he slammed his hand down on top of it, extinguishing the flame even as he let out a yelp.

  The moment the flame went dark, it broke the circle, and the vortex vanished. I rolled over, onto my back, staring at the ceiling. Had we really managed to get rid of the creature?

  Jimbo sat back, then rested his head on his knees. “We got rid of this one, but what if there are more?”

  I stared at the circle, still unable to move. “I guess we’ll find out as we go along.”

  Chapter Ten

  When we could stand again, I removed the candle stubs from the circle, and—making sure they were fully extinguished—pocketed them. Then we began to search the room. We found a small hole against one wall that led to a cozy chamber filled with bits of branches and leaves, hay, and anything else that could be used to form a nest.

  “I guess this is where the creature slept,” I said.

  “I think you’re right,” Jimbo said. “How are you doing?”

  “A few burns on my wrists, but I should be fine. I ache, and I’m still scared out of my wits, but I’m okay.”

  We hunted through the nest, finding a number of bones, some of which looked to be human.

  “We should call Murray. It looks like this thing has been here for quite a long time.”

  “Yeah,” Jimbo said. “But I’m only seeing space enough for one. Maybe it was the only one.”

  I was starting to feel like my reserves were gone. “I need to get up above ground, and I need to sit down. The energy of the imp was alien to my own magic. It left me feeling jarred and unsettled.”

  We took the stairs to the basement, then found a rickety staircase up to the foundation. It was scary but better than trying to climb the rope ladder again. Jimbo helped me up to the truck. While I waited there, he headed back to find something to cover the well with.

  I glanced out the window and saw Sarah Beth’s ghost. She turned to me, a broad smile on her face, and then held up a hand as though she was waving. I waved back, and with a peaceful look on her face, she vanished as Jimbo returned. As we headed back to the house, I glanced back toward the old well. It occurred to me that Chiqetaw was looking pretty good at this point.

  By the time we got back to the house, James and Harlow were home. We stumbled in and Joe let out a cry when he saw me.

  “Are you all right? Sweetie, are you hurt?”

  I nodded. “A little. Jimbo too. We sent the creature back to its own realm. It was an imp.”

  “I hate to ask a rather obvious question, but why aren’t you wearing a shirt? Why are you just wearing a bra?” Harlow asked.

  I gave her a tired smile. “Because I needed to use my shirt to torch some wood.”

  She laughed, then shook her head. “Let’s get you both washed up and then you can tell us what happened,” she said, wrapping her arm around my waist. “Come on, I’ll help you. Jimbo, there’s a full bath near Eileen’s room. Why don’t you use that?”

  As we neared the guestroom, I found myself shaking so hard that I burst into tears as Harlow opened the door. “I don’t know if I’ve ever been that scared,” I said.

  “Oh, I think you probably have. But it’s been a while. Do you want a shower?”

  I shook my head. “Later. I just want to wash up and change clothes, and rest.” I paused, then added, “I’m glad we caught it.” I stopped, not wanting to even bring up the thought of that creature catching hold of her daughter.

  But apparently Harlow had been thinking the same thing. “I know. If it had gotten hold of Eileen, it would have been the end of me.” She paused, then added, “Thank you. You’ve helped me so many times, but I mean it. You’re a good friend. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

  “The feeling is mutual. We’re all headed into a new era in our lives. I don’t know what lies ahead, but…it’s kind of exciting to think about.”

  She picked up a brush off the dressing table and began to brush my hair. It was soothing, and I closed my eyes as she talked.

  “We’re all facing new paths. When James and I moved out here, I believed it was the beginning of a quiet chapter in my life. But my books are growing more popular, and I’m not sure whether I’m ready to face fame again.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “When I was a supermodel, I thrived on it, but I watched it destroy people. I watched it destroy friends. But I guess this kind of fame is different—it’s quieter, but in some ways it’s more intense. I’m not making a living off my looks, but off my thoughts, and that’s a whole new ball game. And then there’s the epilepsy. I have no idea where that’s going to take me. I’m scared, Em.”

  “I’m scared too,” I said. “Joe and I had gotten used to our quiet rhythm, but now things are different and they’ll never be the same. Kip is moving away. Miranda’s getting married. It’s just going to be Joe and me, and not in the same way that we envisioned it six months ago. And then…I thought all my adventures with the paranormal had died down to a quiet status quo. But something tells me that they’re just opening up in another way.”

  “You enjoyed this, didn’t you? Admit it,” Harlow said.

  I hung my head, trying to hide the shaky smile that spread across my face. “Yeah, I did enjoy it. I think the Chintz ‘n China is getting too small for me. I have to do something new. Maybe I’ll open a tarot shop in town, or maybe I’ll become a ghost buster! I don’t know, and that’s both scary and exciting.”

  “Whatever you choose to do, I’ll be there. And so will James, and Jimbo and Murray. And you know Kip and Miranda will always be your babies, even now that they’re grown up.”

  I nodded. “We have the cats, and we’re going to have wonderful neighbors once our new house is built. Yes, it’s a whole new world. I just hope that we’ll stay safe and sane.”

  I accepted the T-shirt she handed me from my suitcase and slipped it on. She braided my hair back into a French braid and we talked about anything and everything and nothing until James knocked on the door.

  “Is everything all right in there?” he asked.

  Harlow laughed. “Men. They can’t live without us. Isn’t that a wonderful thing, though?”

  “Yes, especially with the men we love.”

  I thought back to the reading I had done earlier. It all made sense now. The little girl, the danger and death, and now, with the changes I was contemplating, the High Priestess. Everything had unfolded as it needed to, even though I had misinterpreted the meanings.

  As I stood, the room spun for a moment. I saw Nanna standing in the corner, smiling and shaking her head. She looked pleased, and I realized that she’d always have my back. I had support from both this world and the spirit world, and that made me feel like I could do just about anything.

  I wrapped my arm around Harlow’s waist and we headed to the door, Taylor in tow. It was time to shake off the fear and face the future with a smile and a brave heart. Whatever came our way, I knew that the six of us—Jimbo and Murray, Harlow and James, and Joe and me—would face it together, in joy and in sorrow, in tears and in laughter, but always in friendship.

  If you liked this book, the rest of the Chintz ‘n China Paranormal Women’s Fiction Series is available: Ghost of a Chance, Legend of the Jade Dragon, Murder Under a Mystic Moon, A Harvest of Bones, One Hex of a Wedding, and Holiday Spirits. You can also purchase the first six books in two collected boxed sets: Chintz ‘n China Books, 1 – 3 and Chintz ‘n China Books, 4-6.

  If you love heroines that are a bit older and not model-thin, and you love ooo-spooky books, try my Moonshadow Bay Series. The first three books are available: Starlight Web, Midnight Web and Conjure Web. You can preorder the next book in the series: Harvest Web. There will be more to come of January’s adventures after that.

  If you love urban fantasy and mythology, then you might want to read the Wild Hunt Series. Check out The Silver Stag, Oak & Thorns, Iron Bones, A Shadow of Crows, The Hallowed Hunt, The Silver Mist, Witching Hour, Witching Bones, A Sacred Magic, The Eternal Return, Sun Broken, Witching Moon, Autumn’s Bane, Witching Time, and Hunter’s Moon. You can preorder the next books in the series—Witching Fire and Veil of Stars—now.

  Come join the darkly seductive world of Kerris Fellwater, spirit shaman for the small lakeside community of Whisper Hollow, where spirits walk among the living and the lake never gives up her dead. Read my Whisper Hollow Series, a darker paranormal women’s fiction series: Autumn Thorns, Shadow Silence, and The Phantom Queen are available.

  If you prefer a lighter-hearted 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. Bewitching Bedlam, Maudlin’s Mayhem, Siren’s Song, Witches Wild, Casting Curses, Demon’s Delight, Bedlam Calling, Blood Music, Blood Vengeance, Tiger Tails, and Bubba’s origin story—The Wish Factor—are available.

  I invite you to visit Fury’s world. Bound to Hecate, Fury is a minor goddess, taking care of the Abominations who come off the World Tree. Books one through five are available now in the Fury Unbound Series: Fury Rising, Fury’s Magic, Fury Awakened, Fury Calling, and Fury’s Mantle.

  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. Night Myst, Night Veil, Night Seeker, Night Vision, Night’s End, and Night Shivers are all 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. And if you want to support me in other ways, I have a Patreon Page and I also have a YouTube Channel.

  QUALITY CONTROL: This work has been professionally edited and proofread. If you encounter any typos or formatting issues ONLY, please contact me through my Website so they may be corrected. Otherwise, know that this book is in my style and voice and editorial suggestions will not be entertained. Thank you.

  Biography

  New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestselling author Yasmine Galenorn writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance, and is the author of over seventy-five books, including the Wild Hunt Series, the Fury Unbound Series, the Bewitching Bedlam Series, the Indigo Court Series, and the Otherworld Series, among others. She’s also written nonfiction metaphysical books. She is the 2011 Career Achievement Award Winner in Urban Fantasy, given by RT Magazine. Yasmine has been in the Craft since 1980, is a shamanic witch and High Priestess. She describes her life as a blend of teacups and tattoos. She lives in Kirkland, WA, with her husband Samwise and their cats. Yasmine can be reached via her website at Galenorn.com. You can find all her links at her LinkTree.

  * * *

  Indie Releases Currently Available:

  * * *

  Moonshadow Bay Series:

  Starlight Web

  Midnight Web

  Conjure Web

  Harvest Web

  * * *

  The Wild Hunt Series:

  The Silver Stag

  Oak & Thorns

  Iron Bones

  A Shadow of Crows

  The Hallowed Hunt

  The Silver Mist

  Witching Hour

  Witching Bones

  A Sacred Magic

  The Eternal Return

  Sun Broken

  Witching Moon

  Autumn’s Bane

  Witching Time

  Hunter’s Moon

  Witching Fire

  Veil of Stars

  * * *

  Chintz ‘n China Series:

  Ghost of a Chance

  Legend of the Jade Dragon

  Murder Under a Mystic Moon

  A Harvest of Bones

  One Hex of a Wedding

  Holiday Spirits

  Well of Secrets

  Chintz ‘n China Books, 1 – 3: Ghost of a Chance, Legend of the Jade Dragon, Murder Under A Mystic Moon

  Chintz ‘n China Books, 4-6: A Harvest of Bones, One Hex of a Wedding, Holiday Spirits

  * * *

  Whisper Hollow Series:

  Autumn Thorns

  Shadow Silence

  The Phantom Queen

  * * *

  Bewitching Bedlam Series:

  Bewitching Bedlam

  Maudlin’s Mayhem

  Siren’s Song

  Witches Wild

  Casting Curses

  Demon’s Delight

  Bedlam Calling: A Bewitching Bedlam Anthology

  The Wish Factor (a prequel short story)

  Blood Music (a prequel novella)

  Blood Vengeance (a Bewitching Bedlam novella)

  Tiger Tails (a Bewitching Bedlam novella)

  * * *

  Fury Unbound Series:

  Fury Rising

  Fury’s Magic

  Fury Awakened

  Fury Calling

  Fury’s Mantle

  * * *

  Indigo Court Series:

  Night Myst

  Night Veil

  Night Seeker

  Night Vision

  Night’s End

  Night Shivers

  Indigo Court Books, 1-3: Night Myst, Night Veil, Night Seeker (Boxed Set)

  Indigo Court Books, 4-6: Night Vision, Night’s End, Night Shivers (Boxed Set)

  * * *

  Otherworld Series:

  Moon Shimmers

  Harvest Song

  Blood Bonds

  Otherworld Tales: Volume 1

  Otherworld Tales: Volume 2

  For the rest of the Otherworld Series, see website at Galenorn.com.

  * * *

  Bath and Body Series (originally under the name India Ink):

  Scent to Her Grave

  A Blush With Death

  Glossed and Found

  * * *

  Misc. Short Stories/Anthologies:

  Once Upon a Kiss (short story: Princess Charming)

  Once Upon a Curse (short story: Bones)

  Once Upon a Ghost (short story: Rapunzel Dreaming)

  * * *

  Magickal Nonfiction: