Robin D. Owens - Echoes in the Dark

Praise for thenovels of

ROBIND. OWENS

Strongcharacterization combined with deadly danger make this story vibrate withemotional resonance. Stay tuned as events accelerate toward the final battle.

RomanticTimes BOOKreviews on Keepers of the Flame

(Book Four ofThe Summoning)

Fansof Anne McCaffrey and Mercedes Lackey will appreciate the novels honorableprotagonists and their lively animal companions.

PublishersWeekly on Protector of the Flight

(Book Three ofThe Summoning)

[A]multi-faceted, fast-paced gem of a book.

TheBest Reviews on Guardian of Honor

(Book One of TheSummoning)

Thestory line is action-packed but also contains terrific charactersRobin D.Owens enchants her readers.

Affairede Coeur on Guardian of Honor

Owenstakeselements that make Marion Zimmer Bradleys Darkover storiespopularand turns out a romance that draws you in.

Locusmagazine

Owensexcels at evocative, sensual writing.

RomanticTimes BOOKreviews

Other books in

TheSummoning series

availablefrom

ROBIND. OWENS

andLUNA Books

Guardianof Honor

Sorceressof Faith

Protectorof the Flight

Keepersof the Flame

ECHOES IN THEDARK

ROBIN D. OWENS

To the Song thatmoves within us all.

Poets are the hierophants of anunapprehended inspiration; the mirrors of the gigantic shadows which futuritycasts upon the present.

PercyBysshe Shelley

Contents

GhostHill Theater, Denver, Colorado

LateAugust, Night

J ikata was takingher last bow on stage and soaking in applause when her great-grandmother died.The odd thing was that Jikata actually felt Ishi Yamuri pass away in one ofthose increasing moments of hyperawareness. As if the old woman touched Jikatawith her stubborn disapproval even as others yelled and clapped.

Thebond with her great-grandmother vanished. Ishi hadnt waited to see Jikatatomorrow, the date Ishi herself had insisted upon.

Jikatahad added her old hometown of Denver to her touring schedule because shedsensed her great-grandmothers time was near, though she hadnt heard from thewoman in years.

Suddenlythe applause, the only thing that had satisfied Jikata for a long time, ranghollow and empty. Like the rest of her life.

Jikatalowered her head, closed her eyes against the lights made brighter by tears.Then she stepped back on the polished wooden stage and let the heavy maroonvelvet curtains descend.

Thecrowd whistled and clapped louder, but she had no more to give. This finaleventthe reopening of a newly renovated small Victorian theaterwas the lastin her tour. Fitting.

Hercareer was skyrocketing. She neared the pinnacle of success for a pop singer, afemale half-Japanese no less, and found herself alone and panting after theclimb.

Herlife was tanking. Fans adored her. No one loved her. No man, no good friend femaleor male, no child. As her great-grandmother would have said, her soul waswithering from lack of nourishment.

Applausecame from stage right and the philanthropist behind the renovation strodeforward, beaming, accompanied by his wife. Jikata pasted a smile on her face,hoping that it might turn into the real thing since she usually enjoyed thecompany of Trenton Philbert III. He stopped clapping and held out a hand andshe put hers in it. Great job. Definitely the next star. Im looking forwardto that last zoom to the top. He squeezed her hand and let it go.

Thepraise warmed her a little. Thank you.

Youdid the inaugural event of the Ghost Hill Theater proud. Thanks again foragreeing to perform. We sold out. He glanced around, the backstage was stillshiny with cleanliness and held the faint scent of wood stain. This placeshould be good for another hundred years.

Itsa lovely theater, Jikata said. Now. She could remember when it had been aruin.

Heradiated satisfaction. Turning to his wife behind him, he said, We have a giftfor you. Darling?

JulietPhilbert stepped forward with a large fancy birdcage fashioned like the TajMahal. Jikata gritted her teethno, please, not a bird. Her great-grandmotherhad kept finches when Jikata had been younger. Im sorry, she said, but I

Thenthe bird opened its beak and pure liquid notes warbled out, like nothing Jikatahad ever heard. As if it were more than song, a communication. The bird didntlook like any shed seen before, either. All scarlet red, but with a fancycockatoo comb of red, yellow and white. About the size of a cockatoo, also. Itfixed a yellow eye on her and let loose another stream of notes. This timesounding a lot like the underlying melody of the last ballad shed sung. Jikatablinked.

Hername is Chasonette, Juliet said. Shes a Lladranan cockatoo and has the mostbeautiful birdsong in the world. Shes quite rare, but I knew such a lady wouldbe perfect for you. And Trent indulged me. She thrust the cage at Jikata, so shetook it. It was lighter than shed thought.

Juliettucked her hand into Trentons elbow and he covered her fingers with his own,shaking his head as he looked down at his wife. I always indulge you. The baneof my existence. He kissed her temple. People say Im going soft.

Fastfootsteps came from backstage and Juliets assistant, Linda, who appeareddistressed, hurried to them. Jikata remembered, and the small moment ofnormality shattered.

Imsorry. Linda stopped, inhaled a breath that raised her thin chest. Looked atthe Philberts, hesitated and said, Im sorry. I have bad news. Weshouldahlets go to your dressing room. Linda pulled Jikata backstage, pastthe greenroom and into the stars dressing room. The Philberts followed.

Thesmall room was elegant in cream and white, but four people made it crowded.Jikata placed the birdcage on the dressing room table. Chasonette steppednervously back and forth on her perch, then apparently caught sight of herselfin the mirror and preened.

Lindaled Jikata to the cream brocade Victorian fainting couch that took up most ofone end wall. She figured she had to sit. The moment she did, Linda releasedher handa blessing since both their palms were sweaty.

Lindagrabbed a box of tissues from the dressing table and dropped it in her lap. Igot a call. Your great-grandmother has died, Jikata.

Iwas supposed to visit her tomorrow, Jikata said, still shocked.

Sorry,repeated Linda. She was a young intern with the University of SouthernCalifornia whod traveled with Jikata during the two-month tour. Though theydmanaged well enough, neither of them expected the job to transform intoanything more.

Shewas an old woman and had a good life. Isnt that what Jikata was supposed tosay? I want to be alone, she choked out.

Ofcourse. Well take care of your crew and fans. Juliet, patting Jikata on theshoulder, trilled her tongue. Chasonette perked up and warbled a low, soothingmelody. Im sure you dont want to attend the opening gala.

No,I dont. It had completely gone from her mind.

Wellmake sure your room in the hotel next door is booked for you through the nextweek. Its been a grueling tour for you, I know. You need rest.

Yes,Id planned a long break. Rote answers seemed to work. Jikata didnt know whatshe felt exceptempty. Nothing new about that.

Youjust go next door when youre ready, Juliet insisted.

Fine.

Thebird continued to croon, soft background scales that tugged at Jikata,reminding her of the chants and chimes that had haunted her. She rubbed hertemples.