Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Acknowledgements
Epigraph
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CAST OF MAJOR CHARACTERS
GLOSSARY
PLAYLIST FOR HARVEST HUNTING
Teaser chapter
The Otherworld series is “PURE DELIGHT.”
—MaryJanice Davidson, New York Times bestselling author
PRAISE FOR
BONE MAGIC
“Erotic and darkly bewitching, Bone Magic turns up the heat on the D’Artigo sisters. Galenorn writes another winner in the Otherworld Series, a mix of magic and passion sure to captivate readers.”
—Jeaniene Frost, New York Times bestselling author
“Bone Magic was, quite simply, A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!”
—Sidhe Vicious Reviews
“Galenorn showcases the many powerful forms of love.”
—Romantic Times
DEMON MISTRESS
“This book pulls no punches; it’s a boot to the head one moment and a full-mouthed kiss on the lips the next that leaves you begging for more.”
—Bitten by Books
“Ms. Galenorn weaves a tale where the strong flow of magic and danger entices the reader deeper into the story . . . fast-moving, engrossing, and filled with chemistry and passion.”
—Darque Reviews
“As always, [Galenorn] delivers intriguing characters, intricate plot layers, and kick-butt action.”
“The tense fights, frights, and demon-bashing take front and center in this book, and I love that.”
—Errant Dreams
NIGHT HUNTRESS
“Yasmine Galenorn is a hot new star in the world of urban fantasy. The Otherworld series is wonderfully entertaining.”
—Jayne Ann Krentz
“Yasmine Galenorn is a powerhouse author; a master of the craft who is taking the industry by storm, and for good reason!”
—Maggie Shayne, New York Times bestselling author
“Yasmine Galenorn hits the stars with Night Huntress. Urban Fantasy at its best!”
—Stella Cameron, New York Times bestselling author
“A thrilling ride from start to finish.”
—The Romance Readers Connection
“Fascinating and eminently enjoyable from the first page to the last . . . Night Huntress rocks! Don’t miss it!”
—Romance Reviews Today
“Love and betrayal play large roles in Night Huntress, and as the story unfolds, the action will sweep fans along for this fast-moving ride.”
—Darque Reviews
DRAGON WYTCH
“Action and sexy sensuality make this book hot to the touch.”
—Romantic Times (four stars)
“Ms. Galenorn has a great gift for spinning a compelling story. The supernatural action is a great blend of both fresh and familiar, the characters are each charming in their own way, the heroine’s love life is scorching, and the worlds they all live in are well-defined.”
—Darque Reviews
“This is the kind of series that even those who do not care for the supernatural will find a very good read.”
—Affaire de Coeur
“If you’re looking for an out-of-this-world enchanting tale of magic and passion, Dragon Wytch is the story for you. I will be recommending this wickedly bewitching tale to everyone I know!”
—Dark Angel Reviews
DARKLING
“The most fulfilling journey of self-discovery to date in the Otherworld series . . . An eclectic blend that works well.”
—Booklist
“Galenorn does a remarkable job of delving into the psyches and fears of her characters. As this series matures, so do her heroines. The sex sizzles and the danger fascinates.”
—Romantic Times
“The story is nonstop action and has deep, dark plots that kept me up reading long past my bedtime. Here be Dark Fantasy with a unique twist. YES!”
—Huntress Book Reviews
CHANGELING
“The second in Galenorn’s D’Artigo Sisters series ratchets up the danger and romantic entanglements. Along with the quirky humor and characters readers have come to expect is a moving tale of a woman more comfortable in her cat skin than in her human form, looking to find her place in the world.”
—Booklist
“Galenorn’s thrilling supernatural series is gritty and dangerous, but it’s the tumultuous relationships between all the various characters that give it depth and heart. Vivid, sexy, and mesmerizing, Galenorn’s novel hits the paranormal sweet spot.”
—Romantic Times
“I absolutely loved it!”
—Fresh Fiction
“Yasmine Galenorn has created another winner . . . Changeling is a can’t-miss read destined to hold a special place on your keeper shelf.”
—Romance Reviews Today
WITCHLING
“Reminiscent of Laurell K. Hamilton with a lighter touch . . . a delightful new series that simmers with fun and magic.”
—Mary Jo Putney, New York Times bestselling author of A Distant Magic
“The first in an engrossing new series . . . a whimsical reminder of fantasy’s importance in everyday life.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Witchling is pure delight . . . a great heroine, designer gear, dead guys, and Seattle precipitation!”
—MaryJanice Davidson
“Witchling is one sexy, fantastic paranormal-mystery-romantic read.”
—Terese Ramin, author of Shotgun Honeymoon
“Galenorn’s kick-butt Fae ramp up the action in a wyrd world gone awry . . . I loved it!”
—Patricia Rice, author of Mystic Warrior
“A fun read, filled with surprise and enchantment.”
—Linda Winstead Jones, author of Last of the Ravens
Titles by Yasmine Galenorn
The Otherworld Series
WITCHLING
CHANGELING
DARKLING
DRAGON WYTCH
NIGHT HUNTRESS
DEMON MISTRESS
BONE MAGIC
HARVEST HUNTING
The Indigo Court Series
NIGHT MYST
Anthologies
INKED
NEVER AFTER
Berkley Prime Crime titles by Yasmine Galenorn
GHOST OF A CHANCE
LEGEND OF THE JADE DRAGON
MURDER UNDER A MYSTIC MOON
A HARVEST OF BONES
ONE HEX OF A WEDDING
Yasmine Galenorn writing as India Ink
SCENT TO HER GRAVE
A BLUSH WITH DEATH
GLOSSED AND FOUND
THE BERKLEY PUBLISHING GROUP
Published by the Penguin Group
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Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not have any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.
HARVEST HUNTING
A Jove Book / published by arrangement with the author
PRINTING HISTORY
Jove mass-market edition / November 2010
Copyright © 2010 by Yasmine Galenorn.
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without
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375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.
eISBN : 978-1-101-44456-6
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Dedicated to
the spirit of the autumn,
the Autumn Lord,
and all of those who walk the path of the Harvest.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Thank you to my agent, Meredith Bernstein, and to my editor, Kate Seaver: the best team I could have. To Tony Mauro, the most talented cover artist ever. To my husband, Samwise, and my friends Maura Anderson and Jo Yantz, all of whom help me hold on to the edge of sanity! To my assistant, J. L. Anderson, without whom I’d be frantic. To my little “Galenorn Gurlz”—Meerclar, the senior, and our newest babies: Calypso, Brighid, and Morgana. To the fur babies we lost to old age and illness: Pakhit, Tara, and Luna. Most reverent devotion to Ukko, Rauni, Mielikki, and Tapio, my spiritual guardians.
Thank you to my readers—both old and new. Your support helps keep us writers in ink and fuels our love of storytelling, and believe me, I appreciate each and every wonderful note you send, whether it be via Twitter, MySpace, e-mail, or snail mail. You can find me on the Net at Galenorn En/Visions: www.galenorn.com. I’m on Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace—the links are on my site. If you write to me through snail mail (see website for address or write via publisher), please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope with your letter if you would like a reply. Promo goodies are available—see my site for info.
Bright Blessings,
The Painted Panther
Yasmine Galenorn
You cannot run with the hare and hunt with the hounds.
–FIFTEENTH-CENTURY PROVERB
All things on earth point home in old October; sailors to sea, travellers to walls and fences, hunters to field and hollow and the long voice of the hounds, the lover to the love he has forsaken.
–THOMAS WOLFE
CHAPTER 1
My nose quivered. Something smelled wonderful. I followed the scent through the crowded hall until I found myself standing next to the buffet table.
My sister Menolly and I had just stood beside our sister Camille as she married her third husband. Three—count ’em—three husbands. Simultaneously. Trillian had been decked out as the best goth groom ever, wearing black leather pants that matched the obsidian gleam of his skin, a black mesh tank, and a velvet cloak the color of blood.
Morio and Smoky were dressed in what they had worn to their wedding with Camille: Smoky was in his long white trench with a blue and gold vest, a pale blue button-down shirt, tight white jeans, and his ankle-length silver hair coiling around him like dancing serpents. Morio wore a red and gold kimono with a dress sword hanging from his side, and his hair rippled down his back.
And of course my sister looked good enough to eat, her raven hair glistening against her gossamer priestess robes, so sheer I could see her bra and panties through them. Now that she was an official priestess of the Moon Mother, she was expected to don ceremonial garb for most important occasions.
The four of them had gathered before Iris, who again presided, and together they underwent a variant of the Soul Symbiont ritual designed to bring Trillian into their fold. Menolly and I were wearing gowns—hers of black with shimmering crystals, mine of gold—and stood as witnesses again.
Now we were into the celebration part of the affair.
I glanced at the calendar on the wall. October 22, and we were well on our way to Samhain, the festival of the dead. It had been a month, almost to the day, since we’d unsuccessfully raided Stacia Bonecrusher’s safe house.
Thinking about Stacia forced me to face another thought, one I’d been trying to avoid. I glanced across the room at Chase Johnson. The detective was sitting at a table by himself, watching the celebration with a quizzical look on his face. Unable to help myself, I headed in his direction. He watched me approach, his expression carefully sliding into neutral. I took the chair opposite him.
“It’s a beautiful wedding.” I nervously played with the napkin resting on the table next to me. “Don’t you think?”
“Yes, lovely.” He blinked, long and slow, and I wondered what he was really thinking. “Camille seemed a little stressed, though. What’s up with that?” Even though his tone was normal, I knew there was nothing normal about Chase. Not anymore.
“Our father refused to attend the wedding. Not only does he disapprove of her marrying Trillian, but his official stance is that she’s turned her back on her duties for the Otherworld Intelligence Agency by becoming a priestess and agreeing to enter Aeval’s court. He refuses to condone her behavior by showing up, and the day she actually pledges under Aeval’s rule . . . I’m afraid of what’s going to happen.”
“Turned her back on her duties? That doesn’t seem fair, considering all she’s done for the OIA. I know Sephreh’s your father, but damn, that’s cold.” He sipped his champagne, sounding more himself than he had the entire past month.
I glanced at the fading scars on his hands. His body had healed remarkably fast from the deep knife wounds that had laced his skin and punctured several of his organs. But it would take a long, long time for him to heal from the potion that had saved his life. The Nectar of Life had torn his entire world apart and put it back together in a crazy new patchwork. Our relationship was on rocky ground, at best.
“When she promised to train under Morgaine, and especially when she agreed to dedicate herself to Aeval’s Dark Court, Father took it as a personal insult. But Camille doesn’t have a choice; she’s under direct order from the Moon Mother herself.”
“Yeah, I got that,” he said, fiddling with his glass.
“She did everything for us when our mother died, and without her, the family would have been ripped to shreds. Father was extremely cruel to her the last time they spoke, and I’m pissed off that he didn’t show today. Our cousin Shamas has been trying to fill the void, but it’s just not the
same.”
“What did he say?” Chase played with his goblet. “By the way, will alcohol hurt me . . . now? I haven’t had a drink since before the accident.”
“No, you’ll be fine. You can still eat and drink anything you want. It’s not like you were turned into a vampire.” I stared at my hands. As loyal as I was to our father, I couldn’t blind myself to the truth. “At his last visit, things went from bad to worse. By the time he left, Camille was on the sofa, curled up in a ball, sobbing. Smoky came in at the point when Sephreh threatened to disinherit her. In turn, Smoky threatened to shift into his dragon self and crisp our father.”