“Right.” I stood, feeling restless. “Come on, let’s go out back.”
We suited up again for the cold and headed out to my backyard. Next door, Killian’s lights were off and I silently sent him a kiss, hoping he was sleeping well.
The snow spread out over the field of grass that made up the massive lot my house sat on. Over half an acre, my yard was spacious and I had no feelings of being cramped in, like I had in Seattle. As Ari and I stood there, at the bottom of the porch steps, the clouds parted, letting the stars shine through. The moon was dark, invisible to the eye, but she was there, peeking out from her dark mood.
The Mystic Wood was glowing, the aura of magic shining bright through the night. It was ablaze in a wash of green and gold, and for the first time since I had moved home, I felt pulled to walk beneath the branches of the wood and see just how much had changed since my teenage years. It was a wood where demons dwelled, but also unicorns and doors into Faerie and changelings and shifters who prowled the night in their wolf and bear and big cat forms.
“It’s beautiful,” Ari whispered. “Remember when we were younger, when we’d hide out in there, hoping to meet a prince—or for me, a princess?”
I nodded. “I remember.” Impulsively, I hugged her and we slowly strolled toward the edge of the woodland. “I’m so glad to be home. I just wish my parents were here with me.”
“I know,” she said. “But now you have a grandmother you never knew existed. And your aunt loves you. And you have Killian.”
Killian…my wolf prince in leather armor. I didn’t want to jinx the relationship by telling anybody that I was starting to fall for him hard. I found myself playing around the edges of the L-word, but it was way too soon for that. But when he talked about me being his mate, something tingled inside that whispered “Fate.”
“Druantia spoke to me,” I told Ari. “She answered me when I called on her. She’s connected with this woodland. She has roots in the trees and ravines of the world.”
“One door closes, another opens,” Ari said as we paused by the edge of the wood. “Shall we go wandering?”
I looked up at the massive trees. They were brooding, deep in their thoughts, but it wasn’t quite time to speak to them. It wasn’t time yet to take that step. I shook my head.
“Not tonight. But soon. Soon, we’ll go walking under these trees like we did years ago.”
At that moment, there was a howl from next door. I turned back to the house just in time to see Killian leaping over the fence in his wolf form. He raced toward us and I started to laugh.
“He must have sensed us out here,” I said, grabbing Ari’s hand. “Let’s get back to the house, woman. We’ve had a long night, and the snow is deep and the moon, still hiding her face.”
Killian fell in by my side and I reached down to pet him, hugging him around the neck. He was gorgeous, he was, my beautiful wolf, and as we headed back to the house, I realized that my life was so blessed now. For too long I’d hid myself in the shadows of the world, hiding my talents, hiding who I was, but now I was facing the second half of my life feeling happier than I ever had felt before. And here, in Moonshadow Bay, was the perfect place to stretch my wings and learn to fly.
If you enjoyed Midnight Web, be sure to read Starlight Web, the first book in the Moonshadow Bay Series. You can preorder the next book in the series: Conjure 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.
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.
If you like paranormal women’s fiction, try my Chintz ‘n China Paranormal Mystery Series: 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 holiday novella: Holiday Spirits. You can preorder the next book: Well of Secrets.
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.
Playlist
I often write to music, and MIDNIGHT WEB was no exception. Here’s the playlist I used for this book.
Adele: Rumour Has It
Android Lust: Here And Now; Saint Over
The Animals: The House Of The Rising Sun; Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood; Bury My Body
Arch Leaves: Nowhere To Go
Asteroids Galaxy Tour: The Sun Ain’t Shining No More; Sunshine Coolin’; Major; Heart Attack
Band of Skulls: I Know What I Am
Beastie Boys: She’s Crafty
Beck: Qué Onda Guero; Farewell Ride; Emergency Exit; Think I’m In Love; Cellphone’s Dead; Nausea; Broken Train; Where It’s At
The Black Angels: Don’t Play With Guns; Love Me Forever; You’re Mine
Black Pumas: Sweet Conversations
Blind Melon: No Rain
Bret Michaels: Love Sucks
Broken Bells: The Ghost Inside
Cake: The Distance; Never There
Camouflage Nights: (It Could Be) Love
The Cars: Candy-O; Good Times Roll; Moving In Stereo; All Mixed Up
Chris Isaak: Wicked Games
The Clash: Should I Stay Or Should I Go?
Crazy Town: Butterfly
David Bowie: Fame; Golden Years; China Girl; Let’s Dance