Sun Broken Read online

  But for now, we had a chance to heal and breathe. I squeezed my eyes shut tight and leaned into Herne’s embrace. He began to sing, softly under his breath, and his voice chased away the shadows and pain, and staved off my fear that we’d lose our war against the coming onslaught.

  If you enjoyed this book and haven’t read the first ten books of The Wild Hunt, 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, and THE ETERNAL RETURN. Book 12—WITCHING MOON—and Book 13—AUTUMN’S BANE—are available for preorder now. There will be more to come after that.

  Return with me to Whisper Hollow, where spirits walk among the living, and the lake never gives up her dead. I’ve re-released AUTUMN THORNS and SHADOW SILENCE, as well as a new—the third—Whisper Hollow Book, THE PHANTOM QUEEN! Come join the darkly seductive world of Kerris Fellwater, a spirit shaman in the small lakeside community of Whisper Hollow.

  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 1-5 are available now in the Fury Unbound Series : FURY RISING, FURY’S MAGIC, FURY AWAKENED, FURY CALLING, and FURY’S MANTLE.

  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: A BEWITCHING BEDLAM ANTHOLOGY, BLOOD MUSIC, BLOOD VENGEANCE, TIGER TAILS, and Bubba’s origin story—THE WISH FACTOR—are available.

  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. The series is complete with NIGHT MYST, NIGHT VEIL, NIGHT SEEKER, NIGHT VISION, NIGHT’S END, and NIGHT SHIVERS.

  If you like cozies with teeth, try my Chintz ‘n China paranormal mysteries. The series is complete with: GHOST OF A CHANCE, LEGEND OF THE JADE DRAGON, MURDER UNDER A MYSTIC MOON, A HARVEST OF BONES, ONE HEX OF A WEDDING, and a wrap-up novella: HOLIDAY SPIRITS.

  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.

  Cast of Characters

  The Wild Hunt & Family:

  Angel Jackson: Ember’s best friend, a human empath, Angel is the newest member of the Wild Hunt. A whiz in both the office and the kitchen, and loyal to the core, Angel is an integral part of Ember’s life, and a vital member of the team.

  Charlie Darren: A vampire who was turned at 19. Math major, baker, and all-around gofer.

  Ember Kearney: Caught between the world of Light and Dark Fae, and pledged to Morgana, goddess of the Fae and the Sea, Ember Kearney was born with the mark of the Silver Stag. Rejected by both her bloodlines, she now works for the Wild Hunt as an investigator.

  Herne the Hunter: Herne is the son of the Lord of the Hunt, Cernunnos, and Morgana, goddess of the Fae and the Sea. A demigod—given his mother’s mortal beginnings—he’s a lusty, protective god and one hell of a good boss. Owner of the Wild Hunt Agency, he helps keep the squabbles between the world of Light and Dark Fae from spilling over into the mortal realms.

  Talia: A harpy who long ago lost her powers, Talia is a top-notch researcher for the agency, and a longtime friend of Herne’s.

  Viktor: Viktor is half-ogre, half-human. Rejected by his father’s people (the ogres), he came to work for Herne some decades back.

  Yutani: A coyote shifter who is dogged by the Great Coyote, Yutani was driven out of his village over two hundred years before. He walks in the shadow of the trickster, and is the IT specialist for the company.

  Ember’s Friends, Family, & Enemies:

  Aoife: A priestess of Morgana who guards the Seattle portal to the goddess’s realm.

  Celia: Yutani’s aunt.

  Danielle: Herne’s daughter, born to an Amazon named Myrna.

  DJ Jackson: Angel’s little half-brother, DJ is half Wulfine—wolf shifter. He now lives with a foster family for his own protection.

  Erica: A Dark Fae police officer, friend of Viktor’s.

  Elatha: Fomorian King; enemy of the Fae race.

  George Shipman: Puma shifter. Member of the White Peak Puma Pride.

  Ginty McClintlock: A dwarf. Owner of Ginty’s Waystation Bar & Grill.

  Louhia: Witch of Pohjola.

  Marilee: A priestess of Morgana, Ember’s mentor. Possibly human—unknown.

  Meadow O’Ceallaigh: Member of the magic-born; member of LOCK. Twin sister of Trefoil.

  Myrna: An Amazon who had a fling with Herne many years back, which resulted in their daughter Danielle.

  Rafé Forrester: Brother to Ulstair, Raven’s late fiancé; Angel’s boyfriend. Actor/fast-food worker. Dark Fae.

  Sheila: Viktor’s girlfriend. A kitchen witch; one of the magic-born. Geology teacher who volunteers at the Chapel Hill Homeless Shelter.

  Trefoil O’Ceallaigh: Member of the magic-born; member of LOCK. Twin brother of Meadow.

  Unkai: Leader of the Orhanakai clan in the forest of Y’Bain. Dark Fae—Autumn’s Bane.

  Raven & the Ante-Fae:

  The Ante-Fae are creatures predating the Fae. They are the wellspring from which all Fae descended, unique beings who rule their own realms. All Ante-Fae are dangerous, but some are more deadly than others.

  Apollo: The Golden Boy. Vixen’s boy toy. Weaver of Wings. Dancer.

  Arachana: The Spider Queen. She has almost transformed into one of the Luo’henkah.

  Blackthorn, the King of Thorns: Ruler of the blackthorn trees and all thorn-bearing plants. Cunning and wily, he feeds on pain and desire.

  Curikan, the Black Dog of Hanging Hills: Raven’s father, one of the infamous black dogs. The first time someone meets him, they find good fortune. If they should ever see him again, they meet with tragedy.

  Phasmoria: Queen of the Bean Sidhe. Raven’s mother.

  Raven, the Daughter of Bones: (also: Raven BoneTalker) A bone witch, Raven is young, as far as the Ante-Fae go, and she works with the dead. She’s also a fortune teller, and a necromancer.

  Straff: Blackthorn’s son, who suffers from a wasting disease requiring him to feed off others’ life energies and blood.

  Trinity: The Keeper of Keys. One of the Ante-Fae. Mysterious and unknown agent of chaos.

  Vixen: The Mistress/Master of Mayhem. Gender-fluid Ante-Fae who owns the Burlesque A Go-Go nightclub.

  The Vulture Sisters: Triplet sisters, predatory.

  Raven’s Friends:

  Elise, Gordon, and Templeton: Raven’s ferret-bound spirit friends she rescued years ago and now protects until she can find out the secret to breaking the curse on them.

  Gunnar: One of Kipa’s SuVahta Elitvartijat—elite guards.

  Jordan Roberts: Tiger shifter. Llewellyn’s husband. Owns A Taste of Latte coffee shop.

  Llewellyn Roberts: one of the magic-born, owns the Sun & Moon Apothecary.

  Moira Ness: Human. One of Raven’s regular clients for readings.

  Neil Johansson: One of the magic-born. A priest of Thor.

  Raj: Gargoyle companion of Raven. Wing-clipped, he’s been with Raven for a number of years.

  Wager Chance: Half–Dark Fae, half-human PI. Owns a PI firm found in the Catacombs. Has connections with the vampires.

  Wendy Fierce-Womyn: An Amazon who works at Ginty’s Waystation Bar & Grill.

  The Gods, the Luo’henkah, the Elemental Spirits, & Their Courts:

  Arawn: Lord of the Dead. Lord of the Underworld.

  Brighid: Goddess of Healing, Inspiration, and Smithery. The Lady of the Fiery Arrows, “Exalted One.”

  The Cailleach: One of the Luo’henkah, the heart and sp
irit of winter.

  Cerridwen: Goddess of the Cauldron of Rebirth. Dark harvest mother goddess.

  Cernunnos: Lord of the Hunt, god of the Forest and King Stag of the Woods. Together with Morgana, Cernunnos originated the Wild Hunt and negotiated the covenant treaty with both the Light and the Dark Fae. Herne’s father.

  Corra: Ancient Scottish serpent goddess. Oracle to the gods.

  Coyote, also: Great Coyote: Native American trickster spirit/god.

  Danu: Mother of the Pantheon. Leader of the Tuatha de Dannan.

  Ferosyn: Chief healer in Cernunnos’s Court.

  Herne: (see The Wild Hunt)

  Isella: One of the Luo’henkah. The Daughter of Ice (daughter of the Cailleach).

  Kuippana (also: Kipa): Lord of the Wolves. Elemental forest spirit; Herne’s distant cousin. Trickster. Leader of the SuVahta, a group of divine elemental wolf shifters.

  Lugh the Long Handed: Celtic Lord of the Sun.

  Mielikki: Lady of Tapiola. Finnish Goddess of the Hunt and the Fae. Mother of the Bear, Mother of Bees, Queen of the Forest.

  Morgana: Goddess of the Fae and the Sea, she was originally human but Cernunnos lifted her to deityhood. She agreed to watch over the Fae who did not return across the Great Sea. Torn by her loyalty to her people and her loyalty to Cernunnos, she at times finds herself conflicted about the Wild Hunt. Herne’s mother.

  The Morrígan: Goddess of Death and Phantoms. Goddess of the battlefield.

  Pandora: Daughter of Zeus, Emissary of Typhon, the Father of Dragons.

  Tapio: Lord of Tapiola. Mielikki’s Consort. Lord of the Woodlands. Master of Game.

  The Fae Courts:

  Navane: The court of the Light Fae, both across the Great Sea and on the eastside of Seattle, the latter ruled by Névé.

  TirNaNog: The court of the Dark Fae, both across the Great Sea and on the eastside of Seattle, the latter ruled by Saílle.

  The Force Majeure:

  A group of legendary magicians, sorcerers, and witches. They are not human, but magic-born. There are twenty-one at any given time and the only way into the group is to be hand chosen, and the only exit from the group is death.

  Merlin, The: Morgana’s father. Magician of ancient Celtic fame.

  Taliesin: The first Celtic bard. Son of Cerridwen, originally a servant who underwent magical transformation and finally was reborn through Cerridwen as the first bard.

  Ranna: Powerful sorceress. Elatha’s mistress.

  Rasputin: The Russian sorcerer and mystic.

  Väinämöinen: The most famous Finnish bard.

  The Dragonni:

  Typhon: The Father of Dragons (born of the Titans Gaia and Tartarus)

  Echidna: The Mother of Dragons (born of the Titans Gaia and Tartarus)

  The Celestial Wanders (Blue, Silver, and Gold Dragons):

  Ashera: A blue dragon.

  The Mountain Dreamers (Green and Black Dragons):

  The Luminous Warriors (White, Red, and Shadow Dragons):

  Aso: White Dragon, bound to Pandora, twin of Variance.

  Variance: White Dragon, bound to Pandora, twin of Aso.

  Timeline of Series

  Year 1:

  May/Beltane: The Silver Stag (Ember)

  June/Litha: Oak & Thorns (Ember)

  August/Lughnasadh: Iron Bones (Ember)

  September/Mabon: A Shadow of Crows (Ember)

  Mid-October: Witching Hour (Raven)

  Late October/Samhain: The Hallowed Hunt (Ember)

  December/Yule: The Silver Mist (Ember)

  Year 2:

  January: Witching Bones (Raven)

  Late January–February/Imbolc: A Sacred Magic (Ember)

  March/Ostara: The Eternal Return (Ember)

  May/Beltane: Sun Broken (Ember)

  Playlist

  I often write to music, and SUN BROKEN was no exception. Here’s the playlist I used for this book. You’ll notice I’ve taken a definite turn in my listening for writing.

  Air: Moon Fever; Playground Love; Napalm Love

  Airstream: Electra (Religion Cut)

  Band of Skulls: I Know What I Am

  Ben Howard: Esmerelda; Oats in the Water; To Be Alone; Burgh Island

  The Black Angels: Currency; Hunt Me Down; Death March; Indigo Meadow; Don’t Play With Guns; Always Maybe; Black isn’t Black

  Black Mountain: Queens Will Play; Buried by the Blues

  Brandon & Derek Fiechter: Night Fairies; Toll Bridge; Will-O’-Wisps; Black Wolf’s Inn; Naiad River; Mushroom Woods

  The Bravery: Believe

  Broken Bells: The Ghost Inside

  Camouflage Nights: (It Could Be) Love

  Colin Foulke: emergency

  Crazy Town: Butterfly

  Danny Cudd: Double D; Remind; Once Again; Timelessly Free; To The Mirage

  David Bowie: Golden Years; I’m Afraid of Americas; Let’s Dance; Sister Midnight

  Death Cab For Cutie: I Will Possess Your Heart

  Dizzi: Dizzi Jig; Dance of the Unicorns; Galloping Horse

  DJ Shah: Mellomaniac

  Don Henley: Dirty Laundry; Sunset Grill; The Garden of Allah; Everybody Knows

  Eastern Sun: Beautiful Being

  Eels: Love of the Loveless; Souljacker Part 1

  Eminem: I’m Back

  Faun: Hymn to Pan; Punagra; Sieben

  FC Kahuna: Hayling

  The Feeling: Sewn

  Flora Cash: You’re Somebody Else

  Fluke: Absurd

  Foo Fighters: The Pretender; Come Alive; All My Life

  Foster The People: Pumped Up Kicks

  Garbage: Queer; Only Happy When It Rains; #1Crush; Push It; I Think I’m Paranoid

  Gary Numan: Dominion Day; Prophecy; Dead Heaven; Hybrid; Cars; Soul Protection; Confession; My World Storm; Dream Killer; Petals; Ghost Nation; My Name Is Ruin; Pray For The Pain You Serve; I Am Dust

  Godsmack: Voodoo

  The Gospel Whisky Runners: Muddy Waters

  The Hang Drum Project: Shaken Oak; St. Chartier

  Hang Massive: Omat Odat; Released Upon Inception; Thingless Things; Boat Ride; Transition to Dreams: End of Sky; Warmth of the Sun’s Rays; Luminous Emptiness

  Hedningarna: Ukkonen

  The Hu: The Gereg; Wolf Totem

  Imagine Dragons: Natural

  In Strict Confidence: Snow White; Tiefer

  J Rokka: Marine Migration

  Jessica Bates: The Hanging Tree

  Lorde: Yellow Flicker Beat; Royals

  Low: Witches; Nightingale; After Hours; Plastic Cup; Half-Light

  Many Rivers Ensemble: Blood Moon; Oasis; Upwelling; Emergence

  Marconi Union: First Light; Alone Together; Flying (In Crimson Skies); Always Numb; Time Lapse; On Reflection; Broken Colours; We Travel; Weightless; Weightless Pt. 2; Weightless Pt. 3; Weightless Pt. 4; Weightless Pt. 5; Weightless Pt. 6

  Matt Corby: Breathe

  Nirvana: Lithium; About A Girl; Come As You Are; Lake of Fire; You Know You’re Right

  Orgy: Social Enemies; Orgy

  Pati Yang: All That is Thirst

  Red Venom: Let’s Get It On

  Rue du Soleil: We Can Fly; Le Francaise; Wake Up Brother; Blues Du Soleil

  Screaming Trees: Where The Twain Shall Meet; All I know

  Shriekback: The Shining Path; Underwater Boys; Over the Wire; This Big Hush; Agony Box; Bollo Rex; Putting All The Lights Out; The Fire Has Brought Us Together; Shovelheads; And the Rain; Wiggle & Drone; Now These Days Are Gone; The King in the Tree

  Spiderbait: Shazam!

  Tamaryn: While You’re Sleeping, I’m Dreaming; Violet’s In A Pool

  Thomas Newman: Dead Already

  Tom Petty: Mary Jane’s Last Dance

  Trills: Speak Loud

  Tuatha Dea: Tuatha De Danaan

  The Verve: Bitter Sweet Symphony

  Vive la Void: Devil

  Wendy Rule: Let the Wind Blow

  Yoshi Flower: Brown Paper Bag

  Biography

 
New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestselling author Yasmine Galenorn writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance, and is the author of more than sixty-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.

  * * *

  Indie Releases Currently Available:

  * * *

  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

  * * *

  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)

  * * *