Jennifer Lyon - Blood Magic

Thank you to my agent, Karen Solem. I wouldn't be here without your support, guidance, honesty, and hard work. Much appreciated, Karen!

And to my editor, Liz Scheier, thank you for working tirelessly to develop this book to its fullest potential. You rock, Liz!

This book went through many transformations, but one thing held true: I could not have done it without my friends. They believed in my idea, they spent hours working with me on world building, developing characters, pondering the paradoxes of magic, and reading pages. Their generosity, support, laughter, and occasional butt-kicking helped bring this book to life. So Marianne Donley, Michele Cwiertny, Maureen Child, and Laura Wrightthank you! See you all at the next lunchyou know, where they make us sit outside because we laugh too often and too loud. How dare we have that much fun!

T he whispers were nothing new.

Darcy MacAlister followed behind her mother's graceful white casket with the elegant raised scrolls as they left the MacAlister Funeral Home for the cemetery next door. Being the funeral director eased the knot of grief and sorrow in her throat. She was honored to oversee every detail of the service that celebrated Eileen MacAlister's life, and show the community how well-loved her mother had been. She would not let the whispers affect her.

They used to call her Dark Mac in high school.

Some say her father was afraid of her.

Drove him to drink.

Hush! Darcy took care of your grandfather when he passed. She's been nothing but kind to us.

She found my cat for me when he got lost. Just knew where he was.

There's something strange about that one

Darcy stiffened her back, her black sheath dress sliding around her legs. She focused on the coffin and inhaled the briny, damp ocean air.

Joe's arm slid around her shoulder, pulling her close to his side.

She looked up at her cousin. Joe hovered around six feet and weighed in at one eighty, and he knew how to kill, thanks to his years in the Special Forces. And right now, his jaw was so tight, she knew he wanted to hit someone. Ignore them, she said softly.

He barely nodded.

Not a promise, but the best she'd get from him. It had been almost nine years since Joe had left the seaside town of Glassbreakers, California, full of excitement about changing the world. When he returned a few months ago, he was a different man, grim and disconnected, like he didn't care if he lived or died. Yet once he found out that her mom, his aunt, was terminally ill with a complication from lupus, he would show up at the house to do chores, barbeque, or take care of anything else that needed to be done. Any thanks just irritated him.

They stopped at the grave. The base of the casket was surrounded by flower arrangements; fresh greenery and baby's breath was woven around the poles of the canopy under which the guests sat or stood.

Darcy cleared her throat, feeling the weight of her mother's last gift; a silver Celtic knot pendant of loops and swirls that spread out like wings at her throat. Thank you all for coming today. My mother asked me to tell you that she cherished each of you. That you all brought joy and happiness to her life. And now, she's asked that you don't grieve for her, but instead celebrate each of your days, and embrace your families and loved ones. She looked out over all the mourners, warmed to see so many that truly cared about Eileen MacAlister. Once we do the final prayers, we will have a reception back inside. We would be pleased if you would join us.

She took her seat, grateful that she didn't have to worry about the reception. Her best friend, Carla Fisk, and her newest employee, Morgan Reed, were inside the mortuary right now setting up the sandwiches, salads, and cookies. Instead, she concentrated on the prayers and closing words that would send her mom to her final rest. For the last time, people streamed by the casket, cried, and hugged her. The day was nearly over.

You've done your mom proud, darling, Reverend Jack Masters said, leaning down and kissing her cheek.

Darcy rose and walked with the minister to stand by her mom's casket. Thank you, Jack. We planned this ceremony together. I just followed her wishes. Those last months had been a blessing and a nightmare. Eileen had struggled with lupus since her early twenties, but in the last year her lungs had given out.

Words from two stragglers floated to them. Strange that she doesn't even cry for her mother.

Jack's face tightened, then he shook his head in disgust. Eileen knew you loved her, Darcy. And I have worked with you on dozens of funerals. You're a professional through and through. This is your final gift to your mother.

She almost cried then, but hugged him instead. Thanks, Jack. That really helps.

Can I walk you in?

She shook her head. I want to stay here for a few more minutes.

He nodded and headed inside.

Darcy was finally alone. She inhaled the sea breeze mixed with the scent of recently cut grass and freshly turned dirt. Jack was right, she had done her mom proud. That felt good; it felt right. Her mom had adopted Darcy when she was only a few weeks old, and no matter how odd a child Darcy had turned out to be, Eileen's love had remained rock steady. Always.

Turning slightly, she swept her hand across the glossy surface of the casket. I'm going to give the house to Joe, Mom. I've thought about this a lot. He needs something, an anchor. I can't live there, I just can't. But Joe

The warmth she felt vanished, replaced by a deep chill. She snapped her head up and caught sight of a young couple walking along one of the sidewalk pathways directly in front of her. Sweeping her eyes left, she saw three people: two men and a woman standing by a headstone.

They all looked like normal visitors to the cemetery.

Dropping her gaze, she said, Guess I'm tired. Anyway, about Joe and

She felt it again. This time chills raced down her back and the hair stood up on her arms. Her heart rate increased quickly. Dropping her hand, she whirled to look toward the canopy.

A man was suddenly there, standing by the chair she'd sat in earlier.