Tanya Huff - Smoke and Ashes (The Smoke Trilogy, Book 3)

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SMOKE AND ASHES

TANYA HUFF

From Tanya Huff, the author of the acclaimed Blood novels, which followed the adventures of private detective Vicki Nelson and vampire Henry Fitzroy, comes the third novel in her brilliant new contemporary fantasy series, SMOKE AND ASHES.

The first novel in the series, SMOKE AND SHADOWS, reintroduces us to Henry and to Tony Foster, a former street kid and snitch rescued from his dead-end existence by Vicki and Henry and given a chance for a better life.

Relocating to Vancouver with Henry, Tony lands a job as a Production Assistant at CB

Productions, working on the syndicated TV series, Darkest Night, a show about a vampire detective.

This should be Tonys perfect job, the first step on the path to becoming a director. And it would be, except that strange and dangerous things keep happening both on and off the set.

First its an encounter with shadowy forces of dark magic, and though most of the crew live through it, survival is not without its price. Tony discovers a surprising truth about himself and

is offered a chance to become far more than a mere Production Assistant. But he isnt certain he wants to take that next step. And so, though he occasionally practices the skills CB

Productions former special effects wizard has gifted him with, Tony continues to fill the job of Production Assistant.

Then a shoot in a haunted house goes awry, and Tony is forced to learn the fine art of wizardry on the fly.

Now, in SMOKE AND ASHES, Tonys been promoted to a Trainee Assistant Director on the show, and hes hoping that the only supernatural events hell be caught up in are those in the script. But, of course, that just isnt meant to be, for unbeknownst to the young wizard, a Demonic Convergence is about to begin. This will create weak spots around the world through which lesser demons may find a means to enter our world.

To complicate matters, Leah, the incredibly sensual and seductive stuntwoman who free-lances for the show, is in reality an immortal Demongateor, as she puts it the oldest piece of magic in the world. Around 3,500 years ago, the Demonlord adored by her village went on a killing rampage. Leah is the only survivor, and her Lord has worked a powerful runic spell for which she is the vessel. Should Leah die, the Demongate will open and her master will once again be able to have his way with the unsuspecting human race. In the meantime, since her Lord and Master is a sex demon, Leahs means of communing with him are pleasurable for all whom she encounters.

Can Tonywith the help of Leah, Henry, a tabloid reporter, a Mountie, and the cast and staff of Darkest Nighthalt a demonic invasion, keep Leah alive, and stave off the end of the world?

The Finest in Fantasy and Science Fiction

by TANYA HUFF

available from DAW Books:

SMOKE AND SHADOWS (#1)

SMOKE AND MIRRORS (#2)

SMOKE AND ASHES (#3)

BLOOD PRICE (#1)

BLOOD TRAIL (#2)

BLOOD LINES (#3)

BLOOD PACT (#4)

BLOOD DEBT (#5)

The Confederation Novels:

VALORS CHOICE (#1)

THE BETTER PART OF VALOR (#2)

The Keepers Chronicles:

SUMMON THE KEEPER (#1)

THE SECOND SUMMONING (#2)

LONG HOT SUMMONING (#3)

SING THE FOUR QUARTERS (#1)

FIFTH QUARTER (#2)

NO QUARTER (#3)

THE QUARTERED SEA (#4)

WIZARD OF THE GROVE

OF DARKNESS, LIGHT, AND FIRE

DAW BOOKS, INC.

DONALD A. WOLLHEIM, FOUNDER

375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014

ELIZABETH R. WOLLHEIM

SHEILA E. GILBERT

PUBLISHERS

http://www.dawbooks.com

Copyright 2006 by Tanya Huff.

All Rights Reserved.

Jacket art by John Jude Palencar.

DAW Books Collectors No. 1365.

DAW Books are distributed by Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

Book designed by Elizabeth M. Glover.

All characters and events in this book are fictitious.

Any resemblance to persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

The scanning, uploading and distribution of this book via the internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal, and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the authors rights is appreciated.

Nearly all the designs and trade names in this book are registered trademarks. All that are still in commercial use are protected by United States and international trademark law.

First Printing, June 2006

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DAW TRADEMARK REGISTERED

US. PAT. OFF. AND FOREIGN COUNTRIES

MARCA REGISTRADA

HECHO EN U. S. A.

PRINTED IN THE U. S. A.

For Violette and Paul,

who rebuild our house, look after our cats,

and are even attempting to teach me how to

dress. Definitely above and beyond!

Chapter One

ALTHOUGH BOTH MOON AND stars were hidden behind cloud, the night was not as dark as it could have been. The light from streetlamps bounced off pale concrete, providing illumination enough to make the two men walking along the empty sidewalk clearly visible.

The dark-haired man shoved his hands deeper into the pockets of his brown suede jacket. I know we didnt have much of a choice, but I dont like how that ended.

It ended the way it had to end, the blond replied with a weary smile. And if his teeth were just a little too white and preternaturally long, there was no one there to note it. They might have been the only two men alive in the entire city. Their footsteps should have echoed thats how alone they seemed.

I dont like circumstances making my choices for me.

Who does?

You dont seem to be having any trouble.

Ive just had a lot more practice at hiding His voice trailed off and, frowning, he looked up.

Thats it. Good. Lee, follow his gaze. A woman screams and

A plaid flannel body pillow, clearly weighted, dropped down onto the sidewalk about three feet in front of the actors.

and the unfortunate lady lands. Cut! Peter Hudson moved out from behind the monitors, pulling off his headset and tossing it back in the general direction of his black canvas chair. Tina, his script supervisor, reached out and snagged the set just before it hit the pavement, her left hand marking the place shed stopped lining her copy of the script, her eyes never leaving the page. Mason, I liked the same old/same old thing you had going during the dialogue, he continued as he reached the pillow. It was a nice counterpoint to Lees whole mortal indignation thing.