The Ultimate Fan Guide Read online

  BONUS: Which influential witch is not a descendent of Hellewise through her mother’s line?

  ANSWER: Aradia, Maiden of the Witches

  Who was Angel?

  A. David Blackburn

  B. A demon

  C. Iliana Harman

  D. The Welcomer to the Other Side

  E. Gary Fargeon

  ANSWER: E

  Angel is the ghost of Gary Fargeon, who is both a descendent of the witch Emmeth Harman and Gillian’s cousin. Gary is a lost witch until members of Circle Daybreak find him and share news of his ancestry. Eager to become powerful, Gary practices his spells in the woods. But Gary commits a terrible crime while working a fire elemental spell. And not long after, he dies in a car crash. Gary’s unfinished business on Earth lands him in the Middle Place.

  Jeremy isn’t the person Mary-Lynnette thinks he is.

  How does Mary-Lynnette protect herself, and Ash, against Jeremy’s attack?

  A. With a silver bullet

  B. Using self-defense skills she learned at the YWCA

  C. With fire

  D. With a silver fruit knife

  E. By biting him when he is distracted

  ANSWER: D

  Jeremy Lovett is a werewolf—and a very territorial outlaw werewolf at that. He kills Mrs. B and one of her goats to send a message that the vampires should leave his hunting grounds. Jeremy is also determined to keep Mary-Lynnette from being seduced by Ash. When Jeremy turns against her, Mary-Lynnette runs to her car to retrieve the knife she borrowed from Mrs. B when her station wagon’s gas cap was rusted shut. With the ornate silver fruit knife as a weapon, Mary-Lynnette confronts Jeremy.

  When Poppy arrives in Las Vegas, she is hungry.

  Really hungry. Who does she feed on?

  A. Ash Redfern

  B. James Rasmussen

  C. Thea Harman

  D. Phillip North

  E. Blaise Harman

  ANSWER: C

  Poppy feeds right after James and Phillip unearth her from her grave, but by the time she arrives in Vegas, it has been almost a full day since she has eaten. Human food doesn’t provide the sustenance that she needs, and Poppy is worried she will go into bloodlust, attacking whomever or whatever is nearby. Luckily, Ash takes Poppy to meet his cousins Thea and Blaise. When Thea notices how weak and pale Poppy looks, she offers to be a donor.

  “If we do that, then we are the enemy.”

  When Keller suggests kidnapping Iliana to protect her from the dragon and Night People, Grandma Harman quietly responds with this line. Grandma Harman doesn’t need to be loud to be assertive. This old Crone’s authority derives from years of leading the witches with wisdom and courage. As she explains, the leaders of Circle Daybreak decided early on that “if we can’t convince a Wild Power by reasoning, we will not resort to force. So your orders are to take your team and stay with this child and protect her as long as you can.” Those who fight for the daylight won’t submit to the tactics of the darkness.

  Old Souls

  An Old Soul is a human who lives and dies, then comes back as a new person in another time and place. No one in the Night World quite understands how one becomes an Old Soul, but it is believed that vampires cannot be Old Souls, as they don’t technically have spirits.

  Old Souls tend to follow a similar cycle in each of their lives. But while a pattern of familiar experiences may elicit déjà vu, Old Souls rarely remember their previous incarnation—what they did, who they met. These souls may have been persecuted in one of their lives, never theless they do not return to settle old debts or right wrongs. Old Souls are usually very tolerant, as they have experienced lives as people of other races, other creeds, and the opposite sex. The underlying expectation is that even if an Old Soul “perfects” a life, they still reincar nate. The damage an Old Soul has endured during its last lifetime determines when the soul will next awaken. Sometimes it requires only a short period of rest; other times it takes an era.

  When an Old Soul returns to Earth, he or she may have characteristics of the person she was in her original life. The new body may have a similar name or hairstyle or hobbies, which helps make it recognizable to those members of the Night World who have lived for centuries. The essence of an Old Soul is always the same: the spirit does not change.

  It’s not unusual for Old Souls to have Old Soul friends who reincarnate with them. Many times the relationship between these spirits is preserved, though karmic shifts can cause a mother and daughter to reincarnate as father and son or teacher and pupil. Although it is assumed that Old Souls comprise a small portion of the human population, it is impossible to know how many Old Souls exist.

  NOTABLE OLD SOULS

  Hannah Snow: Hannah Snow is probably the most famous Old Soul in the Night World series. She first meets Thierry, her soulmate, in the first lifetime she remembers, when she is Hana of Three Rivers during the Stone Age. The story of her awakening to her memories is recounted in Soulmate.

  Hugh Davis: Jez’s friend in Huntress, Hugh has fair hair and a slight limp from a ’wolf attack. Hugh is unusual, as he is a fully wakened Old Soul. Not only can he remember his past lives, but he comes back smarter and more in touch with his consciousness each time he reincarnates.

  Iona Skelton: In Huntress, eight-year-old Iona is saved from a burning house by a flash of Blue Fire. Mistaken for a Wild Power, Iona has mature-beyond-her-years composure and serenity that reveal she is an Old Soul.

  YOU MIGHT BE AN OLD SOUL IF …

  * you’re writing your memoir—and you’re already on volume fifty-two.

  * you have a keen sense of déjà vu.

  * you don’t get upset when someone says, “Not in this lifetime!” because you know there will be another.

  * you are wise beyond your years.

  * you truly believe that practice makes perfect.

  * you feel sorry that cats have only nine lives.

  When Keller finds her soulmate, why does she reject him?

  ANSWER: Keller, whose parent abandons her as a child, is reluctant to trust anyone with her heart. She is always guarded, both physically and emotionally. “Love is weakness,” she tells her soulmate with bitterness, hoping it will convince him to keep his distance. But her soulmate is persistent. And tender. He wants nothing more than to comfort and protect Keller. But she doesn’t want anyone to care for her, as she is sure she will eventually be disappointed. She reasons that any love the two of them could share would be forbidden love, because Keller feels an electric connection with Galen of the First House of Shapeshifters. Not only is he considered the royalty of the ’shifters, he is also betrothed to the Witch Child. His union with Iliana is predicted to join the shapeshifters and the witches. And Keller knows that getting in the way would be like helping the night rule the day.

  Hana of Three Rivers is an Old Soul. Which of the following is not a life she lived?

  A. Annette of Quebec

  B. Ha-nahkt from the Kingdom of Two Lands

  C. Anne of St. James Place

  D. Hannah Snow of Montana

  E. Anora of Honor

  ANSWER: C

  Meaning “favored grace,” Hana and the related Ha-nahkt and Hannah are all lives in which Thierry and Hana are destined to be together—and fated to be apart. Hana also lives as Annette of Quebec, and she remembers living as a slave, a warrior, and even a princess. Her other past names include Hanje, Anora, Xiana, Nan Naiane, Honni, and Ian.

  What saves Jez’s life after she is staked in Huntress?

  A. The silver cord that connects her to Morgead

  B. Claire’s Blue Fire

  C. An incantation uttered by a Circle Daybreak nurse

  D. A balm of dried black iris and Morgead’s tears

  E. Hugh’s powers as an Old Soul

  ANSWER: A

  Jez is staked by the werewolf Azarius, but she doesn’t use her Blue Fire power to save herself. The Blue Flame bursts forth when Pierce is preparing to stake Morgead. Jez loves
Morgead and wants to protect him. Lily Redfern, Pierce Holt, and Azarius are vaporized in the fire, and Jez is left on the cusp of death. The cord that connects her heart to Morgead’s allows Jez to pull herself back to life.

  Rashel first feels compassion for Quinn when

  A. Quinn advocates for his vampire friends to be spared at his expense.

  B. Quinn recognizes and praises Rashel’s honor.

  C. Rashel sees Quinn’s handsome chiseled face and is overwhelmed by his good looks.

  D. the sound of Quinn’s voice captivates her and brings her into a hypnotic state.

  E. Rashel detects that she and Quinn share a mutual love of Japanese weaponry.

  ANSWER: B

  Rashel’s heart cannot be bought with chocolates or roses. Rashel is a fierce fighter who admires the strength, cunning, and determination that skilled warriors exhibit. She also feels bound by a code of honor. Quinn understands this, and it makes Rashel respect Quinn. While they are enemies, they approach each other as equals—which brings out Rashel’s compassionate side.

  “When will they learn that witches never wore pointy hats?”

  Blaise is the cousin inclined toward emotional spontaneous combustion, but Thea is the one who gets angry when she learns the human students at her new high school are planning a witch-themed Halloween party. Given the witch mannequins dressed in ridiculous clothing and displayed in torture devices, is it any wonder that Thea thinks humans aren’t very smart or understanding?

  KNOW YOUR LINGO

  “The night has a thousand eyes.” You answer with which of the following statements:

  A. “But love is blind.”

  B. “And the day only one.”

  C. “Tread carefully, for you are being watched.”

  D. “Heed the call of darkness.”

  E. “Watch carefully for falling stars.”

  ANSWER: B

  If you want to attend a meeting of the Lancers, you need to know the secret code. Rashel knows what to say into the intercom to be buzzed up to the hideout. The response that comes from Eliot is “And the day only one.” In this context, the line speaks to the number of conniving vampires who are stalking humans and the individual vampire hunters (who work alone to avoid detection) protecting the Outsider society.

  BONUS: What is this line from?

  ANSWER: A poem by Francis William Bourdillon. Hugh references the poem in regard to the Wild Power prophecy in Huntress.

  What Is Your Clan?

  Are you part of the Night World? Would you hang out with the Harmans or vacation with a pack of werewolves? Find out with this quiz! Circle your responses to the following questions, then match your answers with the key on page 178 to find your clan.

  1. It’s Valentine’s Day and your soulmate bought you flowers! What kind of blooms are in the arrangement?

  A. Black iris, maybe even some black roses

  B. Black foxglove

  C. Black dahlia

  D. Black dragon’s blood sedum

  E. Yuck. Why send black flowers? You expect your bouquet to be pink and red and white.

  2. What kind of car do you drive?

  A. It isn’t the finest car in the parking lot, but your old station wagon is reliable … until the engine catches fire. But you know people with cars (like Fords) and even some with really cool cars (like BMW convertibles), and they can give you a ride.

  B. A black Acura Integra

  C. You usually carpool with friends, so it depends on who is driving.

  D. You don’t have a car and, though it takes a little longer to get places, you like to walk. If there is somewhere you need to be in a hurry, you’re a strong runner.

  E. A Geo or a Lincoln Continental

  3. You are working on a mixed-media project for shop class. Which material won’t you be using?

  A. Iron

  B. It doesn’t really matter. You’ll make do with whatever is available.

  C. Silver

  D. Wood

  E. You like to keep your aesthetic decisions to yourself. Sorry.

  4. You are smitten. What first attracted you to your crush?

  A. It’s a yin-and-yang connection: you complement each other.

  B. A vast knowledge of deities—and the respect shown for his/her mother

  C. That delicate place on the neck, just below the ear …

  D. A sense of humor

  E. A good heart

  5. What’s your favorite holiday/occasion?

  A. Lunar eclipses

  B. It changes from year to year.

  C. Aren’t birthdays great?

  D. The solstices—both winter and spring

  E. Spring equinox or any day when you can honor your family and your heritage

  6. What are puppies?

  A. Werewolves

  B. Your cousins

  C. Mammals whose saliva has many practical applications

  D. Potentially your alter ego

  E. Doggie! I want one! Go fetch, boy!

  7. When you die, what arrangements would you like made?

  A. Coffin or cremation. It’s not like I’ll be around to know.

  B. Umm … I’m not going anywhere. Deal.

  C. It depends on how I go….

  D. No taxidermy—I mean, embalming. Burial is fine.

  E. I don’t like fire, so skip the Viking funeral, please.

  8. When it comes to family

  A. you can trace your lineage back to the Stone Age.

  B. your parents can be really annoying, but you love them.

  C. you are close but never have meals together.

  D. there is nothing else. When you’re in, you’re in.

  E. it’s complicated. Your friends are your family.

  Mostly As? You’re a lamia. Once a vampire, always a vampire. Dedicated to family and your rich heritage, you have a lot of pride for your clan. You always think you know best and are stubborn to a fault— which probably has something to do with the fact that you’re immortal. You’re nearly perfect, and you sometimes try to change others so they are more like you.

  Mostly Bs? You’re a werewolf. You are a ’wolf through and through, but you live a portion of your life in human form. Other sects of the Night World look down on your kind, so you might even say, “It’s a dog eat dog world.” You may stick close to a pack, but chances are you’re a loner and very territorial. The good news? You will always have a thick head of hair.

  Mostly Cs? You’re a witch. You know the recipe for success and follow it to the letter! You can trace your lineage back to ancient times and celebrate the matriarchs in your family. Sometimes the weight of tradition can be overwhelming, but you are always buoyed by your circle of friends.

  Mostly Ds? You’re a shapeshifter. Elusive, unpredictable, flexible: your kind tends toward the extreme. Whether you identify as cool and collected or feisty and bold, you are very protective of your friends and family. Call it animal instinct, but you assess the variables of each situation and maneuver with lithe precision.

  Mostly Es? You’re a human. Night World, what? Oh, come on. You have an overactive imagination. Creatures of the darkness are the things of horror movies and novels…. Now let’s go to the deli for lunch!

  Tie between two choices? Your parents came from different clans and the blood of both races courses through you. You like how this makes you unique, and the other Circle Daybreakers embrace you for who you are.

  The Soulmate Principle

  The soulmate principle is an accepted truth in the Night World: every person has a perfect match. Not just someone with whom you are compatible, but someone with whom you have an undeniable connection. Although you may not love each other—or even like each other!—initially, it is tangible from the first moment that skin touches skin.

  Soulmates share a special telepathic bond that goes beyond the link that some vampires and witches have. This bond is literally mind-bending, allowing each soulmate to see into the other’s psyche, heart, and soul. Most so
ulmates also see a silver cord connecting their two beings. This cord can be stretched, but it is impossible to break. The soulmate connection is stronger than any friendship or family relationship. As James tells his soulmate, Poppy, “You don’t love somebody because of their looks or their clothes or their car. You love them because they sing a song that nobody but you can understand.” Hannah Snow believes her soulmate, Thierry, is more than her perfect match. He is “one who was sacred to her, who was the other half of the mysteries of life for her. The one who would always be there for her, helping her, watching her back, picking her up when she fell down, listening to her stories—no matter how many times she told them.”

  Distance may keep two soulmates apart, but most will eventually find one another. Fate will draw them together. And when that happens, it’s electric.

  But love, even soulmate love, isn’t always easy. Especially if soul-mates are of different worlds. In the Night World, falling in love with a human is punishable by death. But as Thea reasoned, “Maybe there was magic stronger than spells. Maybe the soulmate principle was responsible, and if two people were meant to be together, nothing could keep them apart.”

  What Is Your Soulmate Relationship?

  Looking for your soulmate? Find out what kind of Night World relationship you are destined for by circling your responses to the questions on the following pages. Then match your answers with the key on page 193 to find your soulmate!

  1. You arrive at a party, and

  A. though you and your date arrive together, you circulate separately before meeting up to relax on the couch with friends.