Rise of the Firebird (60 page)

Look through the primordial forest and see a girl with fair hair and green eyes, metallic gold and red feathers scattered across her skin. She holds tightly to the hand of a tall Skazki Prince.

As the sun goes down the gates to Skazki flare to life. Fire ignites along their arms, magic flowing between them and into the land under their feet. They kiss softly, wreathed in flame, and as the blue aurora light passes over them, they disappear, leaving only the night and the stars behind them.

Anya- a Shamanitsa, magic user, Guardian of a Gate on Russian/Karelian border.

Yvan- a Skazki Prince, shares his body with a firebird, best friend of Anya.

Trajan- a Thanatos (a death spirit from Greek Mythology), lover of Anya and best friend of Cerise.

Aramis- an Álfr, Rogue and magic user.

Izrayl- a Volk Krovi (a shapeshifter wolf tribe from Skazki).

Katya- a gypsy hunter born in Skazki.

Isabelle- a British hunter, suffers from stigmata of a demon bite.

Hamish- an Australian shapeshifter and hunter.

Silvian – a Lilu (a Sumarian incubus), Rogue, hacker and friend of Aramis.

Aleksandra- seer, magic user, Katya’s sister.

Mychal- a demon hunter from Budapest.

Chayton- a Native American shaman and one of the Thunder Twins.

Honaw- a Native American shaman and one of the Thunder Twins.

Cerise- a keres (a female death spirit from Greek Mythology), best friend to Trajan.

Harley- Owner of Legba’s Ladies, hunter and friend of Isabelle.

Fox- hacker, hunter, employee and best friend of Harley.

Blue Jay – friend and employee of Harley.

The Darkness

Yanka – powerful magic user, matriarch of Anya’s family.

Vasilli – dark magic user, Yvan’s brother.

Ragana – the leader of Budapest for the Darkness, a boszorkány (a Hungarian night hag).

Ladislav – Dark magic user and current leader of The Darkness.

The Illumination

Vasya Melenko – A powerful witch and secret leader of The Illumination.

Other Players

Álfr (Al-vir) – a highly secretive, magical people, migrants from Álfheimr

Søren (Sore- en) - an Álfr, Aramis’ twin brother and the Death Judge for the Álfr (
Dauthr Dómr
)

Ruthann (Roo-tharn) – leader of the Álfr in the United States.

Groenn Skaer (Gro-en Skay-er) – The Green Stag, a forest elemental and guardian.

Tuoni (Twor-nee) - The Finnish God of the Underworld, Death.

Baba Yaga – A Russian Power, an ancient witch, sworn enemy of Yanka

Kullervo (Koo-ler- vo) - A Finnish Hero

Louhi (Loo-hee) – The Mistress of Northland

Tapio (Ta-pee-o) - A Finnish Forest God

Eldon Blaise- A Welsh Bard

It’s often said that it takes many people to make a book. I’m not sure if it’s true in all cases but it certainly is in mine. Special thanks to my team, Frankie Sutton, Jason and Marina from Polgarus and Fiona Jayde for my incredible cover (and not making too much fun when I said the sword needed to be bigger).

Foxy, you are the greatest. There. It’s official. Thank you for holding my hand every step of the way and for knowing when to give me vodka and when to take it away.

Anna, God knows this book wasn’t going anyway until you came along to deliver a swift kick up my ass. I needed it. Thanks for helping me nut out all of the details over bowls of coffee and waffles.

Special thanks to Anya and Yvan, for speaking to me in my darkest moments and letting me tell your story.

Eldon and Mychal…we’ll talk soon.