Shadow Silence by Yasmine Galenorn Page A

off of it. “I’m so cold. It’s icy as hell out there and blowing a good one.”
    â€œSo, did you go with Peggin this morning?”
    I let out a long sigh. “Yes, I did. And I don’t like the place at all. She’s going to buy it, though, and I guess . . . I understand why. I quit fighting her about it, because once she’s gotten an idea into her head, she’s not going to let go. Thebest we can do now is make it as safe as possible, but there are spirits walking that house, Bryan. And I don’t think all of them want to be there. And the lake . . . it’s too close. The Lady’s out there and hungry. She’s riled up this winter, and I’m not certain if it’s because of . . .” I paused.
    â€œMagda?” Bryan’s tone dipped. He held my gaze.
    I hung my head, not wanting to talk about her, but then nodded. “Yeah, Magda.”
    Magda Volkov was Ellia and Penelope’s mother. The woman was well over 115 years old, but she was going strong. Back in Russia, Magda had been a foe of the дух мастер , the spirit masters who worshiped the goddess Morena. Basically, it was the same idea as the spirit shamans and Morrígan. Magda had been a dedicated witch in the service of Baba Volkov—Mother Wolf Witch, a forest crone–goddess powerful in the ways of shadow magic and necromancy.
    Even though they had immigrated to the United States, Magda had wanted her daughters to follow in her ways, but both had repudiated the sinister magic and so Magda had killed Penelope and had cursed Ellia, effectively writing off both daughters. Penelope had become the Gatekeeper, and Ellia—a prodigy from birth—had been called into service by the Morrígan as my grandmother’s lament singer.
    Magda had retreated to the woods of Whisper Hollow, and had integrated herself into Cú Chulainn’s Hounds, the mortal enemies of the Morrígan and her servants. Now, the Hounds and Magda were railing against the town, for control and dominance, and it was up to the Crescent Moon Society and me to stop them from succeeding.
    â€œI don’t know if Magda’s behind the Lady being so hungry, but I wouldn’t put it past her to stir up things. As it is, I need to talk to Veronica. I’ve put it off as long as I could, but I need to curry her favor. There are too many spirits walking, too many of the Unliving going rogue.”
    â€œWhen do you plan on doing this?” He frowned. “Youaren’t going anywhere near her without Ellia and me in tow. We’re a team, remember?”
    I smiled softly. It felt good to have protection, and even though Bryan couldn’t guard against everything that came at me, it helped bolster me up knowing that he was ready and able to follow me into the darkest shadows if need be. Even if we hadn’t been pulled together as lovers, he would have made an incredible friend.
    â€œI remember, and I promise. I’ll talk to Penelope. In fact, maybe I’ll stop by her tomb this afternoon. Even if she doesn’t show herself during the day, she’ll know I’m there and she’ll hear me.” I leaned back, basking in the warmth that blasted through the heating ducts. “You know, it feels like a lifetime ago that I returned to Whisper Hollow, yet it’s only been a couple of months. How does that happen? My life in Seattle seems like a long dream that I just woke up from.”
    â€œYou knew you had to return. Somewhere in your heart, you knew that it was your destiny, and so you were just marking time there.” Bryan leaned across the table to take my hands in his. His skin was warm and protective, and he brought my fingers up to his lips and kissed them gently. “I’m so glad you came home. I didn’t realize how lonely I’ve gotten over the years.” He paused, then added, “My daughter’s coming to