Jayne Castle - Obsidian Prey Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Acknowledgements

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Teaser chapter

  Praise for DARK LIGHT

  “Flawless writing and skilled storytelling . . . a whirlwind romantic suspense. Absolutely enchanting!”

  —Romance Reader at Heart

  “With her classic sharp sense of wit and unrivaled skill for creating captivating characters (including a dust bunny that threatens to steal the whole show), bestselling Krentz switches to her Castle pseudonym to cook up another de lectably entertaining paranormal-flavored tale of romantic suspense.”—Booklist

  “Another terrific, ghost-hunting page-turner from the fascinating world of Harmony.”—romancenovel.tv

  “It is always great to visit Harmony where Jayne Castle escorts readers through great romance and compelling mystery in an alien combo sci-fi fantasy world . . . exciting and fast-paced . . . [a] strong paranormal romantic whodunit.”

  —Midwest Book Review

  “Plenty of action, creative plotting, sizzling sexual tension, and independent, intelligent protagonists—hallmarks of Castle’s works—are here in full measure. In addition, an Elvis-wannabe dust bunny adds a whimsical touch. This latest Harmony is great fun, perfect for fans who like their futuristics with a paranormal touch and a lot of sass.”

  —Library Journal

  “Contains many of the elements familiar to fans of Ms. Castle: an enigmatic alpha-male hero, a plucky, intelligent heroine, and dust bunnies, which have become a favorite element among fans of the Harmony world . . . fun to read with a good mystery to solve.”—Romance Reviews Today

  “[Krentz] keeps the world evolving and gives her protagonists fresh challenges to overcome. This is another seamless blend of paranormal romance, humor, action and suspense!”

  —Romantic Times

  SILVER MASTER

  “Expertly blends adventure, fantasy, and romance into an enthralling story that will keep readers riveted until the final satisfying conclusion.”—MyShelf

  “A complete thrill ride.”—ParaNormal Romance

  “Will fulfill all your longings for a romance with a paranormal setting that will pique all your senses.”

  —Romance Reviews Today

  “Silver Master is my new favorite in the Harmony series, and absolutely a keeper. Fans of the series will enjoy this addition very, very much. It’s earned four and a half of Cupid’s five arrows.”—BellaOnline

  “Fast-paced . . . a fun, lighthearted investigative romantic romp.”—Midwest Book Review

  GHOST HUNTER

  “Bewitching . . . Castle’s new futuristic romance brilliantly blends exceptionally entertaining characters, witty prose, and a thrilling paranormal-tinged plot in a sublime novel of romantic suspense.”—Booklist

  “Cooper stole my heart. Elly was properly feisty. Their chemistry sparkles. Highly recommended . . . It’s J.A.K. at the top of her game.”—The Best Reviews

  “Jayne Castle has long been one of my favorite authors. With each story that she writes, her special touch enhances each page. Paranormal fans will rejoice at what she has put together in Ghost Hunter. This book is one that offers a wealth of intrigue, mystery, and all-out sexual chemistry. Those are trademark elements of a great author. Very highly recommended.”—MyShelf

  “We welcome back Jayne Castle (Jayne Ann Krentz) to the genre of paranormal romance in which she is one of the leading writers. If you love paranormal romances, Ghost Hunter is just the ticket for you.”—Romance Reviews Today

  “Sexual fireworks laced with humor equals fizz. Fizz is a trademark of author Jayne Castle aka Jayne Ann Krentz, and Ghost Hunter is volatile. Go for it!”

  —Reviewer’s Choice Reviews

  “As usual in a Castle/Krentz romance, you get plenty of steam, gripping emotion, and characters who come alive as you’re reading . . . This one’s earned four of Cupid’s five arrows.”—BellaOnline

  Praise for the novels of

  New York Times bestselling author

  Jayne Ann Krentz

  “Good fun.”—Cosmopolitan

  “Entertaining.”—People

  “Fast-moving . . . entertaining . . . highly successful.”

  —The Seattle Times

  “Fast-paced . . . interesting characters . . . A good time is had by the reader.”—Chicago Tribune

  “Quick and witty and the romance sizzles . . . Reads fast and will make you smile, wince, and sigh. What else could you want?”—The Columbia (SC) State

  “Along with Nora Roberts, Krentz is one of the most reliably satisfying romance writers publishing.”

  —Sunday Times (CA)

  “An absolutely, positively fun read . . . Krentz’s characters are always people you’d like to meet for yourself and know more about.”—The Southern Pines (NC) Pilot

  “Jayne Ann Krentz is one of the hottest writers around.”

  —Albuquerque Journal

  “Pure pleasure.”—San Jose Mercury News

  Titles by Jayne Ann Krentz writing as Jayne Castle

  OBSIDIAN PREY

  DARK LIGHT

  SILVER MASTER

  GHOST HUNTER

  AFTER GLOW

  HARMONY

  AFTER DARK

  AMARYLLIS

  ZINNIA

  ORCHID

  Titles by Jayne Ann Krentz writing as Amanda Quick

  THE PERFECT POISON

  THE THIRD CIRCLE

  THE RIVER KNOWS

  SECOND SIGHT

  LIE BY MOONLIGHT

  THE PAID COMPANION

  WAIT UNTIL MIDNIGHT

  LATE FOR THE WEDDING

  DON’T LOOK BACK

  SLIGHTLY SHADY

  WICKED WIDOW

  I THEE WED

  WITH THIS RING

  AFFAIR

  MISCHIEF

  MYSTIQUE

  MISTRESS

  DECEPTION

  DESIRE

  DANGEROUS

  RECKLESS

  RAVISHED

  RENDEZVOUS

  SCANDAL

  SURRENDER

  SEDUCTION

  Other titles by Jayne Ann Krentz

  RUNNING HOT

  SIZZLE AND BURN

  WHITE LIES

  ALL NIGHT LONG

  FALLING AWAKE

  TRUTH OR DARE

  LIGHT IN SHADOW

  SUMMER IN ECLIPSE BAY

  TOGETHER IN ECLIPSE BAY

  SMOKE IN MIRRORS

  LOST & FOUND

  DAWN IN ECLIPSE BAY

  SOFT FOCUS

  ECLIPSE BAY

  EYE OF THE BEHOLDER

  FLASH
/>   SHARP EDGES

  DEEP WATERS

  ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY

  TRUST ME

  GRAND PASSION

  HIDDEN TALENTS

  WILDEST HEARTS

  FAMILY MAN

  PERFECT PARTNERS

  SWEET FORTUNE

  SILVER LININGS

  THE GOLDEN CHANCE

  Anthologies

  CHARMED

  (with Julie Beard, Lori Foster, and Eileen Wilks)

  Titles written by Jayne Ann Krentz and Jayne Castle

  NO GOING BACK

  THE BERKLEY PUBLISHING GROUP

  Published by the Penguin Group

  Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

  375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA

  Penguin Group (Canada), 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario M4P 2Y3, Canada

  (a division of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc.)

  Penguin Books Ltd., 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

  Penguin Group Ireland, 25 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland (a division of Penguin Books Ltd.)

  Penguin Group (Australia), 250 Camberwell Road, Camberwell, Victoria 3124, Australia

  (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty. Ltd.)

  Penguin Books India Pvt. Ltd., 11 Community Centre, Panchsheel Park, New Delhi—110 017, India

  Penguin Group (NZ), 67 Apollo Drive, Rosedale, North Shore 0632, New Zealand

  (a division of Pearson New Zealand Ltd.)

  Penguin Books (South Africa) (Pty.) Ltd., 24 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196,

  South Africa

  Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

  OBSIDIAN PREY

  A Jove Book / published by arrangement with the author

  PRINTING HISTORY

  Jove mass-market edition / September 2009

  Copyright © 2009 by Jayne Ann Krentz.

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

  For information, address: The Berkley Publishing Group,

  a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,

  375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

  eISBN : 978-1-101-12930-2

  JOVE®

  Jove Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group,

  a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,

  375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

  JOVE® is a registered trademark of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

  The “J” design is a trademark of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

  http://us.penguingroup.com

  Acknowledgments

  I want to thank Nancy Halifax, proprietor of the Halifax Gallery (17 Quartz Lane, Old Quarter, Frequency City), for her professional insight and advice. Her bold efforts to expand the accepted critical boundaries of modern art have redefined the meaning and definition of the artistic vision.

  And to Chimera, the daring artist who started it all.

  Boy, howdy, I couldn’t have written this book without you two. Any mistakes are, of course, entirely attributable to Miss Halifax and Chimera.

  A Note from Jayne

  Welcome to my other world, Harmony.

  Late in the twenty-first century, a vast energy Curtain opened in the vicinity of Earth, making interstellar travel practical for the first time. In typical human fashion, thousands of eager colonists packed up their stuff and lost no time heading out to create new homes and new societies on the unexplored worlds. Harmony was one of those worlds.

  The colonists brought with them all the comforts of home: sophisticated technology, centuries of art and literature, and the latest fashions. Trade through the Curtain flourished and made it possible to stay in touch with families back on Earth. It also allowed the colonists to keep their computers and high-tech gadgets working. Things went swell for a while.

  And then one day, without warning, the Curtain closed, disappearing as mysteriously as it had opened. Cut off from Earth, no longer able to obtain the equipment and supplies needed to keep their high-tech lifestyle going, the colonists were abruptly thrown back to a far more primitive existence. Forget the latest Earth fashions; just staying alive suddenly became a major problem.

  But on Harmony, folks did one of the things humans do best: they survived. It wasn’t easy, but two hundred years after the closing of the Curtain, the descendants of the First Generation colonists have managed to fight their way back from the brink to a level of civilization roughly equivalent to that of the early twenty-first century on Earth.

  Here on Harmony, however, things are a little different, especially after dark. There are the creepy ruins of a long-vanished alien civilization, a mysterious underground rain forest, and a most unusual kind of animal companion. What’s more, an increasingly wide variety of psychic powers are showing up in the population. Seems that something in the environment on Harmony is bringing out the latent psychic talents in people.

  Of course, there are some folks who don’t need any help from the environment. They already possess paranormal abilities. Turns out that several members of the Arcane Society were among the First Generation colonists . . .

  If, like me, you sometimes relish your romantic suspense with a paranormal twist, Harmony is the place for you.

  Love,

  Jayne

  Chapter 1

  SOME MEN WALKED STRAIGHT OUT OF A WOMAN’S dreams. Some qualified as full-on nightmares. As far as Lyra Dore was concerned, Cruz Sweetwater had a booted foot planted solidly in both realms. When the jolt of awareness shot through her, she almost dropped her glass.

  “I can’t believe it,” she said, sputtering a little on a sip of champagne. “The bastard is here.”

  But the truth was, she was not all that shocked or surprised. Deep down, she had known that sooner or later he would come back into her life. There had been a relentless, disturbing sense of inevitability about the whole thing. Like watching a slow-motion train wreck, she thought.

  A part of her had even dared to hope that when he did come back, it would be on his knees. But with her luck—the infamously unreliable Dore luck—that was highly unlikely to happen.

  That was the way with dreams. The good ones had the decency to vanish forever with the dawn. Nightmares, on the other hand, had a nasty tendency to return to haunt you again and again.

  “You’re kidding.” Nancy Halifax looked around the crowded gallery, her attractive face alight with excitement. She did not have to ask who “the bastard” was. “Are you sure?”

  “Positive,” Lyra muttered into her glass. Another whisper of intense awareness shivered across her senses. She knew Cruz was nearby in the same way she would have known if any other species of top-of-the-food-chain predator was in the vicinity.

  “This is just a small gallery affair,” Nancy said. “It isn’t the sort of high-end auction or museum exhibition a Sweetwater would attend. There’s only one reason why your guy would come here tonight. He knows you’re here. He wants to talk to you.”

  “He’s definitely not my guy, and if you think he’s here to see me, I’ve got a lovely amber mine I can sell you,” Lyra said. But deep inside, hope spiraled through her.

  “I’ll bet he wants to beg you to forgive him and take him back. I don’t see him, though. Are you sure he’s here?”

  Nancy was a striking woman who stood close to six feet tall in her bare feet. Tonight she
was wearing three-inch heels to accent her sleek-fitting black sheath. Her view of the room was no doubt excellent.

  “Positive,” Lyra said. “If you don’t see him, it’s because he doesn’t want you to see him. Not yet, at any rate. He’s hunting.”

  “Oh, come on, Lyra. You make him sound like a specter-cat stalking its prey.”

  “Wrong analogy.”

  “I should hope so.”

  “Think professional hit man,” Lyra said. “A really, really well-dressed hit man.”

  “Isn’t that just a little over-the-top?”

  “Hmmm. No, I don’t think so.”

  Lyra did not bother to search the crowd. There was no point. She was several inches shorter than Nancy, and even in her stiletto heels she would not be able to see over the heads of those around her. Besides, there was no need to look for Cruz. She already knew he was here. She could feel his presence with every fiber of her being.

  She tried to fix her attention on the green quartz artifact in a nearby glass display case. The Swan Gallery’s collection of alien antiquities was certainly respectable, but Nancy was right, the Swan wasn’t a top-tier establishment like the Fairstead Gallery, which catered to the wealthiest and most exclusive collectors.

  If the Swan had been such a high-end gallery, Lyra thought, she and Nancy would never have received invitations to the auction that was scheduled to begin in an hour. Neither of them moved in the higher circles of the art world. Neither of them was in a position to bid on any of the relics that would go on the block tonight. They were here only because they were friends of Harriet Swan, the proprietor. Harriet had been desperate to turn out a crowd.

  “I still don’t see him,” Nancy said.

  “That would be because he doesn’t want anyone to notice him yet.” Lyra downed another hasty swallow of champagne in a desperate effort to soothe her frazzled senses. “That’s what all self-respecting predators do. They lie low, staying out of sight until they’re ready to make their move. By the time you spot them, it’s too late. Their teeth are clamped around your throat.”