by all the powers unseen and seen,

  I bind the Circle, So Mote It Be.

  As the energy built, I could see the magic weaving around us as Penn created the sacred space. She set down the dagger and picked up a bottle of sage spray, spraying the area around the room. Then, she sprayed herself and we formed a line, and she sprayed each of us with the cleansing water. After that, she bade us form a circle, hand-to-hand around the altar. She took my hand in her right hand, and the energy pouring from her like a sparkling waterfall.

  With a deep breath, she said in a loud voice, “Let us form a portal in the center of the Circle, a gate to the other side. A gate to the spirit world, providing safe transition to those spirits who are ready to cross over.”

  I focused on a river of light flowing into the center. To my surprise, I could see the actual river of energy. It flowed out from each of us, joining in the center, flying up into a vortex that formed overhead. It was beautiful, and it took everything I had to keep from jumping in myself.

  In a voice so strong that it almost rocked the foundation of the house, Penn sang out, her voice clear and radiating power.

  All spirits who wander, all spirits who are lost, hear my voice and follow it to the light.

  It is time to leave this plane, It is time to leave behind the pain and fear.

  Go to your rest, transition into your next life.

  Follow my voice to the river of light and follow it into the spirit world.

  Let go of fear. You no longer have to hold onto the pain any longer.

  No more are you lost.

  No more are you forgotten.

  Follow my voice and follow the light!

  There was a silence for a second, and then a rush of forms flew around us—misty forms of the women who had lost their lives in this house, who had been sacrificed on the altar of Longworld’s sadistic passion.

  They fell into line, surrounding our circle. Then, one by one, they flowed into the light, swimming in it to the vortex where they vanished. They disappeared, leaving the in-between space in which they had existed for so long. They entered the new life that waited on the other side of the Veil. As the last one vanished, a softly whispered thank you echoed through the room. The portal closed, the light vanished, and the house was clear.

  “We’re done,” Penn said, swaying.

  Dante and I led her to the sofa and helped her sit down. She leaned back, shivering as she struggled to break free from the energy. I handed her a bottle of water as Dante pulled out a bag of cheese and crackers that Penn had prepared in advance. As she drank and ate, a peace settled on the house, and it felt welcoming and free of shadows.

  I thought about Longworld and the pain he caused, and the cost it had exacted on so many people. I turned to Penn. “Thank you, for my uncle, and for all the women involved. What a wonderful thing it is to have the power to free the lost spirits of the world.”

  “You’re right,” Penn said. “It is a wonderful gift. Your uncle should be safe now. I’ll come over later and ward the house. But everything should be all right.”

  As we gathered up her things and headed out, locking the door behind us, I texted my uncle to let him know that his house was clear and he could return home whenever he wanted. I hesitated, wanting to tell him about my upcoming meeting this afternoon, but again decided that wasn’t a good idea. I tell him later, and hopefully we’d have a good laugh about it.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  At precisely 4:45 we gathered in Seward Park, in the picnic shelter. I wanted to get there ahead of time so I could collect myself and have a moment to breathe. I had the feeling that Vaurice and Ezerian weren’t the types to show up in advance, even if it was to meet a long-lost daughter and half-sister.

  Seton had come with us, although he sat at the back of the picnic shelter with the others. I didn’t want them crowding me, just in case something bad went down. Dante stood with me, but I wouldn’t let Penn. She was too pretty and too appealing and they were demons.

  “Are you sure? Are you absolutely sure? We can still leave and get out of here. You don’t have to do this if you’re having second thoughts.”

  I knew that Dante was worried. I could see it in his eyes and stance. But this was something I had to do. All afternoon I had been both dreading and anticipating this meeting. All my life I wondered who my father was and now… Now we were going to meet. Now, perhaps, I would see what my mother saw in him—what led her into his arms. And, maybe, I could forgive him for never checking back on us.

  “I know you’re worried,” I said. “But I have to do this. I hope you can understand.”

  “I think I do,” Dante said. “I had my family for a good share of my life until they kicked me out. But even afterward, I’ve had my aunt Tilly. I know how I’d feel if I lost her. You need to know where you came from. You’re finding out some of that through Konstantine, but will help close the loop. I just hope that Ezerian doesn’t make you wish you had never found out.”

  “I can’t go back now,” I said. “I have to know, regardless of what happens —” I paused as two figures made their way across the grass. I recognized Vaurice. Both he and his companion were wearing solid black, looking like crosses between Mad Max and Jon Travolta’s character from Pulp Fiction. It was an odd mix of styles.

  I studied the man walking next to Vaurice. He was tall, at least 6’2”, with long hair that caught in the wind, blowing wildly. His hair matched mine, silver and black, and hematite gray. His eyes reminded me of my eyes. In fact, I could be looking at a male version of myself. I had my mother’s nose, and her curves. But I looked like my father.

  I waited until they drew near, then motioned for Dante to join the others. He hesitated, but then returned to the back of the picnic table. I stood, walking forward a few steps, and waited.

  I had changed clothes. I was wearing my black leather pants, a silver belt, and a leather crop top. I had chosen my black leather knee boots with crystal heels that were four inches high. Leather cuffs adorned my wrists, decorated with rhinestones and silver chains.

  I wanted to feel my strongest, look my strongest, and whatever I could do to boost my self-confidence, I had done. Mirrored wraparound sunglasses completed the look, and a dagger strapped to my thigh.

  Vaurice and Ezerian stopped a few steps away from me. We stood there, almost in détente.

  Vaurice stepped forward and gave me a short bow. “Kyann, let me introduce you to your father. Ezerian, your daughter Kyann, and my half-sister.”

  It all felt very formal. As the breeze caught up my hair and tossed it around my shoulders, I took a deep breath and decided to be the gracious one. “How do you do?”

  It was the only thing I could think of to say. But immediately, I knew there would be no embrace, no warm reunion.

  “So, you’re Erin’s daughter. We finally meet. I’m sorry about your mother. I never knew that she had been killed. Not until recently.” My father’s voice was gravelly, almost sultry. I understood what my mother had seen him, at least looks-wise. Ezerian was a handsome man. But for the life of me, I couldn’t see what had drawn her into his world. He was polite, but felt cool and aloof.

  “I never knew that you knew she was pregnant,” I said. “How did you find out?”

  He hesitated for a moment, then said, “Word got back to me that there was a woman who resembled me, who was part demon, running around the streets of Seattle. When I thought back to my time spent in this city, I remembered Erin. It made sense. I decided to find you.”

  I’d already decided that this was not going to be the family reunion that every child longed for. I had that with my uncle. There was something off-putting about Ezerian, and given the accounts I had already heard, I wasn’t interested in kindling any family connections. I needed to meet him, though, in order to know what I was giving up.

  Now, I knew.

  “Why did you want to meet me? What do you want here?” I kept my voice steady, trying to act as aloof as he felt.

  “What do I want? I’m establishing a stronghold in your city. We have much to do in your world, our people. You might say I’m carving out a place here for our kin. As to why I wanted to meet you, I feel you’d make a good liaison between my world and this world. You stand between them, with a foot in each. I’m offering you the chance to join me, to work with me.”

  I caught my breath, so startled by the offer that I almost lost my poise. But I pulled it together, not wanting to show any weakness. I glanced over at Vaurice, who was staring at me in a way that made me highly uncomfortable.

  I had no intention of joining my father and half-brother on their mission. Seton had warned me that something like this might happen, and had asked me to remain deliberately vague. There was a chance I could be useful in finding out just how far the demons intended to push, and to find out whether they were in league with Brim Fire. I straightened my shoulders and looked my father square in the face.

  “I’m not giving you an answer. Not right now. I need to think about it for a while. And I won’t be pushed on the matter.”

  “Good,” Ezerian said. “I like that you’re not hasty. I like that you’re not eager. It shows me you have more of my blood in you then I thought possible.”

  “But you will consider it?” Vaurice asked.

  “I told you I’ll think about it. I’ll get back to you in a few days, when I’m ready. Meanwhile, you won’t contact me, nor will you contact or threaten my friends.” I nodded to the others, over my shoulder. “I have your phone number,” I said.

  And then, I turned, choosing to be the first to walk away. I kept my eyes forward, anxiety building as I wondered if they were going to shoot me down from behind. But the next moment, I heard Ezerian say something to Vaurice, and I sensed them back away.

  I sat down on the picnic table, my feet on the bench, and glanced back at the departing figures. Hecate was right. I had chosen a new direction. The crossroads had closed, and now I’d have to wait and see if I’d made a huge mistake.

  We waited until they were gone and then returned to the parking lot. Ezerian and Vaurice were gone. I couldn’t sense them anywhere near at all.

  “How did I do?” I asked Seton.

  “You did fine, better than I expected you’d be able to. I know that must have been daunting, but at least now we’ve bought some time. And if we can figure out how to use you as a spy, so much the better.”

  “But who is we? We can’t trust the Crystal Court. I’m not sure if we can trust the Worldwide Shifter Council or the Vampire Federation. Do we go to the government? What can they do?” I wasn’t sure what the hell to think. It wasn’t like we had an FBI office for supernatural affairs. Or at least, I didn’t think we did.

  “Well, for now it’s Saturn and me. Don’t worry though, we’re going to call in a few well-placed peers. That’s why we need time. Meanwhile, we have to let your father believe he’s in control in the Underground. We cannot allow them to kill all the vampires down there. Saturn is quietly encouraging some of the older vamps to vacate, to hide for now. In fact that brings me to Lazenti. We need to find him a new place.”

  “What about one of the vampire apartment towers?” Penn asked.

  “That’s too dangerous. The demons would start there on a purge. One of the reasons they’re targeting the vampires is because vamps have their fingers on the finances of the world. And they’re powerful, probably some of the only creatures capable of taking on the demons.

  “At least that we know of,” Penn said.

  Seton nodded. “True. I have a friend who has an underground bunker. It’s in his backyard, and it was first built when the Cold War started to ramp up. My friend has modernized it since then, and it’s the perfect place for vampires to hide. Saturn doesn’t dare vanish, or the demons will go all out on the rest of the vamps. But it’s perfect for Lazenti and a few of the others whose counsel we need. We’ll be sneaking them out tonight.”

  “Do you need help? After all Lazenti works for me.” I wanted to make sure that Lazenti was safe.

  Seton shook his head. “No, it’s too dangerous for you to be seen in the Underground right now, unless you’re going to talk to your father.”

  “I don’t like calling him my father,” I said. “I don’t like him, he’s dangerous, and even though he gave me part of my blood, I refuse to claim him as family. My uncle? Yes. He’s family. But my father? No.”

  “That’s another thing. Your uncle Konstantine. I can easily see Ezerian kidnapping him and holding him hostage. We need to hide him as well. I don’t think Ezerian will do anything to the rest of you, because Kyann made it clear that’s a condition of her working with the demons. So, we find your uncle a safe house.”

  “Safe house?” I asked.

  “Yes, safe house. We have a network of them throughout the land. Once we move your uncle there, there will only be several ways for you to contact him. You’ll have to go through me. I’m sorry, but his life could depend on it.” Seton stood, letting out a long sigh.

  He shrugged. “We knew this might happen. Not necessarily with your father, but with some aspect of the Demonkin. We just thought Brim Fire would be the ones responsible.

  Orik cleared his throat. “I think they may be a target now. The Arosiens aren’t going to want other demons moving in on their operation. And Brim Fire isn’t choosy about who it contacts on the demonic realm.”

  “I think you’re right,” Seton said. “Anyway, that’s enough for tonight. Go home, and get some rest. We’re all going to need our strength during the coming days.”

  As he drove off into the approaching dusk, I turned back to the others. “I can’t believe we’re here. I never expected something like this to happen. What are we going to do?”

  “For tonight, nothing. We’re going home, we’re going to have dinner and sleep. And then, we’re going to take this one step at a time. We’ve entered a new era. Seattle’s in danger, the vampires are in danger, and if we’re not careful—the world will be in danger. This is going to be a long game,” Dante added.

  A long game, I thought. He was right. We would need to move carefully and precisely. Sometimes fate set the wheel in motion and right now, that wheel was rolling directly toward us. We didn’t want it, we didn’t deserve it, but the fact was, it was coming our way like a runaway Ferris wheel. If we didn’t jump aboard and try to control it, it would roll over us, crushing us and everything else in its wake.

  “Okay, I guess we have no choice. We’re in this now, and we have to make the best of it. Go home. I’ll talk to you on Monday.” I stood and dusted off the seat of my pants.

  “What about tomorrow?” Sophia asked.

  “Nothing’s going to happen tomorrow,” I said. “Remember, Seton said this is the long game. We’re going to have to be patient, as hard as it sounds. We’re a family though, and that’s what matters. And family, takes care of its own.”

  We filed into the van. As we headed back to the office, I knew that Ezerian might be my father, but he’d never have a place in my heart like my friends.

  If you enjoyed Shadow Running, then you can preorder the fifth book in the Shadow Blade Series: Shadow Stealing. Begin this series with Shadow Seeking. There will be more to come of Kyann’s adventures after that. And if you love this series, you’ll love Yasmine’s Wild Hunt Series. For the first chapter of The Silver Stag, read on.

  If you love her Starlight Hollow Series, Elphyra and Fancypants are coming back! You can preorder Starlight Summons now! Start the series with Starlight Hollow.

  For all of Yasmine’s work, both published and upcoming releases, see the Bibliography at the end of this book, or check out her website at Galenorn.com and be sure and sign up for her newsletter to receive news about all her upcoming releases.

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

  THE SILVER STAG (BOOK 1 OF THE WILD HUNT)

  Chapter 1

  I crept through the backyard, keeping a close watch on the thick copse of trees to the side of the property. The coyotes were thick around here, and plenty of cougars and bears frequented the area as well. I skirted my way around the hen house. I could hear chickens rattling around inside, uneasy when they should have been asleep.

  The urban farmers were my clients, and they had complained about some creature raiding their henhouse and asked me to look into it. They were shifters of some sort—I hadn’t asked what kind, because that would be rude. But they seemed more reticent than most of the shifters I was used to dealing with, and I suspected they were too afraid to take on the intruder themselves. I had been keeping watch most of the night, and was about to call it done when a figure slipped into the yard, creeping toward the hen house.

  I stayed close to the side of the shed, skirting around to where I could peek more clearly. A large man-sized creature was skulking near the door. I froze, resting my hand on the dagger that was strapped to my thigh. Easing back so the intruder wouldn’t see me, I leaned my head against the wall. Well, it wasn’t a coyote or fox, that was for sure.

  A gust of cool wind blew past me and I shivered, even through my leather jacket. Early April in the Seattle area was cool and wet. At five a.m., we still had nearly an hour to go before sunrise, and the clouds were so thick I doubted they would burn off before noon, if then.

  The creature fumbled with the lock. Whatever it was, it showed no signs that it sensed my presence. I could move softly when I wanted and now I crept to the right of the shed, then paused. The ladder was leaning against the side of the building. It would be simple to climb up onto the roof and peek over the edge. I could gain an advantage from up above, I thought, maybe get the drop on him. Keeping my step light, I shimmied up the rungs, grateful that I had worn gloves as the aluminum of the ladder chilled me right through the material.