“That would be wonderful,” I said, perking up. It will give Faron a chance to lead the younger generation. And if he served the general shifter community, there should be plenty of children out there to make it worthwhile.

  “I agree,” Grams said. “That seems like a wonderful way to both give back to the community, and to ensure that these children grow up prepared for a number of the dangers that actually exist. Starlight Hollow is a nexus point, where all sorts of entities can slip in through. I can train you on some of those things—at least in the demonic realm. Because there are more demons similar to the comstods, and some of them latch on to other types of shifters. They don’t just target wolves.”

  We wrapped up the day by ordering take-out, and Grams stayed for a while. She and I holed up in the kitchen for a while, talking about what it happened.

  “I want to do this,” I said. “I want to become a demon slayer. I could feel how right it is for me while we were out there. And I’d love to work with you. I didn’t realize that you were still active in the realm.”

  “Then it’s a deal. We start next week. You have a lot to learn, and there are going to be some frightening parts, though. Are you sure you want to relive some of the terror that you’ve already been through? Because some of those demons make the serial killer that attacked you look like a nanny. I mean it.”

  I thought about what she said. “I don’t want to be afraid for the rest of my life. Maybe I can’t undo all the damage that he did, but I can be prepared in case he comes back. Because that’s likely to happen. It’s his MO. Train me. I put myself in your hands.”

  We toasted with our mugs of hot cocoa. And all the while, I realized how much I was looking forward to the future. To doing something that really mattered in this world.

  After Grams left, Faron, Bran, and I sat in the living room together. Fancypants was playing with the cats, and all felt right with the world. We were on the floor, curled around the fireplace, enjoying the twinkle of the tree and the lights encircling the room with the glitter garland.

  I leaned back, resting my head on the arm of the sofa. “At least we found out what happened to Lucretia,” I said. “I’m glad we could at least give you that closure.”

  Faron nodded, still staring at the floor. The tension in the air was thick. It felt like we were breathing water. Bran was sitting next to me, his arm draped over my shoulder. He suddenly sat straight, and moved his arm to wrap around my waist.

  “We need to talk about this,” Bran said.

  “About what?” I asked.

  “About us. About you. About Faron. You know this was meant to be,” he said.

  “What are you saying?” Faron asked, looking up.

  “Elphyra and I were meant to be. But so were you and Elphyra. I know you want to kiss her,” he said. “I know she loves me, and I know that you two are still pulled toward each other.”

  I caught my breath, barely able to speak. “What are you saying? Are you…” I trailed off, unable to finish my sentence. My body crackled. I felt on fire from Bran’s touch, and from Faron’s gaze. I wanted them both, and I wanted them now. But I was afraid to disturb the delicate balance we had managed to weave throughout the past year.

  “I’ll admit it,” Faron said, his voice husky. “I want you, Elphyra. But I won’t intrude. Not unless I’m welcome.”

  “You’re not an intruder,” Bran said. “You’ve become my brother. And if I’m going to willingly share my wife with anyone, it would be you.”

  Bran leaned down and kissed my neck. I gasped, and at that moment Faron leaned forward, his lips gently pressing against mine.

  I slid my legs open, as Bran placed one hand on my thigh, under my dress.

  Faron settled between my legs, sitting on the floor sideways so that he could kiss me.

  And it was right. It was all so right. As they began to touch me, I moaned, and that was all it took. For the first time in my life, I had everything I needed right at my fingertips.

  As they slowly undressed me, gently removing each piece of my clothing, I knew that I could never be content with just one man. It took two to make my perfect man, and I would try to be the perfect woman for both of them.

  Between the magic that Bran held in his fingers, and the passion that Faron embodied, we made the perfect thruple, and we had everything we needed right there.

  If you loved Yasmine’s Starlight Hollow series, Elphyra and Fancypants will be back! You can preorder book six: Starlight Spells, now! Start the series with Starlight Hollow.

  If you enjoy urban fantasy, why not try Yasmine’s Shadow Blade Series? You can preorder the sixth book right now: Shadow Reigning. Begin this series with Shadow Seeking. There will be more to come of Kyann’s adventures after that.

  You’ll also love Yasmine’s Wild Hunt Series. For the first chapter of the Silver Stag, read on below. You can start the series with The Silver Stag.

  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. You might also check out her Patreon, where she writes LitRPG.

  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 SERIES)

  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.

  The roof of the shed was slanted with an incline toward the front. I squinted at the shingles, wondering whether they would hold me. There was no way to find out except to start climbing. Praying that I wouldn’t fall through, I slowly eased myself up the shingles toward the front of the rise. At the top, I cautiously leaned over the edge.

  Great. Just dandy.

  I found myself staring down at the head of a goblin. He reeked even from up here, and it was a wonder that I hadn’t smelled him before. I must be coming down with a cold, I thought.

  Goblins were nasty, dangerous creatures. Wiry and tough, they stank to high heaven when you were close enough, and they were ravenous. They ate people. Dogs. Cats. Cows. Anything they could fit in their mouths was fair game. They preferred human flesh, though they’d settle for whatever they could catch. As long as it was raw and live on the hoof, they were happy. Seattle, along with the surrounding suburb communities, had laws in place prohibiting them from entering city limits, but that didn’t stop them, even though hunting season was wide open on them. Truth was, the cops wouldn’t respond to calls about them, and chances were good the creatures would luck out and get away with whatever scheme they had going. So most of them thought it was worth the risk. This one’s luck, however, had just run out.

  Luckily, he hadn’t heard me yet. At least, I didn’t think it had.

  I eased my way to the very edge, staring down at him. He was intent on breaking the padlock. I quietly unfastened the snap holding my dagger peace-bound, to give myself easy access. I had learned the hard way not to jump off a building holding my blade. I still had the scar from that mistake right above my left knee.

  I perched on the edge, waiting for the right moment. Then, taking a deep breath, I launched myself off of the roof, landing square atop the goblin, taking him down beneath me.

  The creature let out a nasty hiss and a string of obscenities, although I couldn’t understand him. But it was obvious he was cursing.

  “Would you speak to your mother like that?” I had knocked him down, and now I straddled him, trying to pin him between my knees. He might be tough and wiry, but I worked out six days a week, and I was Fae—which meant I had some extra strength going for me. I managed to hold him down and, in the dim light of the approaching dawn, I got a good look at him. Tufts of fur covered his head, patchy and rough like steel wool, and his face was a mass of wrinkles—common with goblins. His eyes were small but wide-set on his face, and he had yellow, sharp teeth.

  “You’re an ugly sucker, aren’t you? Even for a goblin.”

  He struggled, managing to free one hand. As he lashed out, his claws dangerously nearing my face, I ducked back to dodge the attack.

  Enough. I drew my dagger. I couldn’t keep him down much longer and I was getting tired.

  As I raised my blade, he thrashed again, and this time he succeeded in slashing my arm. Luckily, my leather jacket took the brunt, and he ripped a hole in the material but not in my skin.

  “That’s going to cost me good money, you freak.”

  I raised my blade and his gaze met mine. For a moment he looked afraid, but then he snarled and I brought the blade down, throwing my weight behind it. The tip of the dagger pierced his windpipe, sliding through to stick inside the ground below him. The goblin let out one last hiss, thrashed, and then lay still.

  “I didn’t charge enough for this gig,” I muttered to myself. Truth was, I hadn’t expected a goblin, so I had given the couple a low bid. I had thought I’d be facing a wild dog or a fox. So much for assumptions.

  Making certain he was dead, I took a picture before he started to bubble, then rolled over to spread out on the grass next to him, resting. The chill morning dew seeped through my jeans as I caught my breath, staring up into the sky. The faint hints of dawn were spreading across the eastern horizon, thin ribbons of red piercing the clouds, but they only heralded an incoming storm.

  At that moment, my cell phone rang. I pulled it out of my pocket as I rolled to a sitting position. Next to me, the goblin was beginning to bubble. I reached over to yank my dagger out of the creature’s neck before my blade got any messier than it already was, and wiped it quickly on the grass to remove most of the gunk. I scooted further away as nature began to take its course on the goblin as I answered my phone.

  “Hello? Do you realize what time it is?”

  I hadn’t glanced at the Caller ID, so I wasn’t sure who it was, but I didn’t care. If this were any normal morning, I’d still be in bed, asleep. Most of my work was done at night and I usually slept till noon. I just happened to have a job that kept me up till dawn.

  “Yes, I do realize what time it is. Did I wake you?”

  Damn it. Ray Fontaine.

  Ray owned a bakery called A Touch of Honey, and he made the best bread in Seattle. He also happened to be my ex-boyfriend. Or rather, we had dated a few times. I had liked him enough that I broke it off before anything happened between us. Given my track record, he was a lucky man.

  “No, I’m finishing up a job. What do you need?”

  I shivered, suddenly cold. I slipped my finger through the ring attached to the back of my phone so I wouldn’t drop it, and scrambled to my feet. The goblin was dissolving, melting into a pile of bubbling sludge. Within half an hour he would soak into the ground as if he had never existed. At least I wouldn’t have to clean up the mess. I started for the kitchen door to ask the O’Malleys for payment, then paused. Their lights were off, which meant they weren’t awake yet.

  Ray cleared his throat. “My shop was broken into. I thought maybe you could come take a look?”

  I blinked. “Why haven’t you called the cops?”

  “I did, but they took one look and said it wasn’t a human matter. They said it looked like some sort of Crypto attack. Ember, you’re the closest thing I know to a SubCult PI.”

  The “SubCult” was a blanket term referring to the combined Fae courts, Shifter Alliance, and Vampire Nation. Most humans referred to all of us as Cryptos if they didn’t know what our heritage was, but it was better than the slang used among the holdouts who still wanted an all-human world.

  I let out a sigh. I had just finished one job, and I really didn’t feel like working another, but I felt like I owed Ray. I really didn’t want to see him, but it was the least I could do, given how hard he had taken it when I dumped him.

  “Lovely. All right, I’ll be down there in a while. I need to get my pay, then stop off for coffee and a bite to eat first.”

  “Don’t bother about breakfast. I’ve got fresh croissants, gouda, and coffee here.”

  Finally, something to cadge a laugh out of me. “You always did know how to win me over.” And with that, I pocketed my cell phone, and knocked on the kitchen door.

  Ten minutes later, I had pounded long and hard enough that Mrs. O’Malley answered the door, squinting. She was in her bathrobe and seemed surprised to see me.

  “Oh, are you still here?”

  I blinked. “Of course I’m still here. I caught your chicken thief. Goblin.” I held up my cell phone to show her the picture I had snapped. “No doubt about it. One dead goblin.”

  She stared at the picture, then started to shut the door on me. “Thanks. We appreciate it.”

  I stuck my foot in the door, wedging it open before she shut it all the way.

  “Hold on! You owe me for the rest of the job.” They had paid me half up front, with the promise of the rest of payment upon proof of job completion.

  A sly smile stole over her face. “You can’t prove that you caught him on our land. That could be a picture of any goblin, anywhere. We won’t pay.”

  “What the fuck?” I stared at her, trying to comprehend what she was saying. “You’re actually trying to stiff me? Lady, take a good look. That’s your shed in the corner of the picture, and one fucking dead goblin. I came all the way over from Seattle to help you. I saved your scrawny-assed chickens. I undercharged you. I sat in your backyard all night guarding your stupid birds. You are going to pay me for my work.” I glowered, leaning in.

  She wrinkled her nose, trying to stare me down. “We never promised.”

  “Like hell you didn’t.” I paused, irritated. I worked on a verbal contract for most small jobs and I stuck to my promises. Most of my customers stuck to theirs. This was an unwelcome surprise. “All right,” I said, turning back to the yard. “You want to do this the hard way? I notice you have a sprinkler system out there.”

  I focused, searching through the moisture in the air until I touched on the lines running below the ground. Forcing as much energy as I could into my thoughts, I coaxed the water to pour through the system, faster and harder until there was a sudden pop. A geyser of water broke through the soil, gushing into the yard.

  “What did you do?” Mrs. O’Malley jumped, pushing past me into the yard. She flailed, glaring at me. “Make it stop.”

  “I guess your sprinkler pipe burst. Gee, I wonder what would happen if I found a water elemental to check out the pipes under your house? What if they all froze and then broke?” I probably wouldn’t go that far, but she didn’t have to know that.

  The bluff worked.

  “All right, all right! I’ll pay you.” She started back inside. “I have to get my purse.”

  I pushed inside, close behind her, not about to give her the chance to slam the door on me. “Fine. Cash only, please.”

  Woodinville was part of the Greater Seattle metropolitan area. Northeast of Kirkland and south of Navane—the city of the Light Fae—for a long time it had flourished as a techie wonderland, but as the tech companies migrated to north Seattle proper, the Eastside eventually became a forested haven, a metropolis of suburbs. Oh, there was still plenty of crime—for one thing, it was easier to hide given the growth of the forests around and in the cities—but for the lower-income areas, it felt spacious and beautiful.

  A Touch of Honey was located on the Redmond-Woodinville Road NE, on the border between Redmond and Woodinville. As I eased into an empty parking spot a few spots down from the bakery, I leaned back in my seat. I was so tired that I could barely keep my eyes open, but I had promised Ray, and I kept my promises.

  I slipped out of the driver’s seat of my eight-year-old Subaru Outback and headed into the bakery, where Ray was busy behind the counter. He looked up as I entered and waved.

 

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