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Back Rituals
Chapters (65)
  1. Cover
  2. Other Titles
  3. Title Page
  4. Copyright
  5. Dedication
  6. CHAPTER ONE
  7. CHAPTER TWO
  8. CHAPTER THREE
  9. CHAPTER FOUR
  10. CHAPTER FIVE
  11. CHAPTER SIX
  12. CAPRICIOUS
  13. CHAPTER SEVEN
  14. CHAPTER EIGHT
  15. CHAPTER NINE
  16. CHAPTER TEN
  17. CHAPTER ELEVEN
  18. CHAPTER TWELVE
  19. IN THE CARDS
  20. CHAPTER THIRTEEN
  21. CHAPTER FOURTEEN
  22. CHAPTER FIFTEEN
  23. CHAPTER SIXTEEN
  24. CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
  25. CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
  26. CHAPTER NINETEEN
  27. CHAPTER TWENTY
  28. LOVE
  29. CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
  30. CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
  31. CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
  32. CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
  33. CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
  34. CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
  35. CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
  36. CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
  37. CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
  38. PHONE ISSUES
  39. CHAPTER THIRTY
  40. BONDING
  41. CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
  42. CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
  43. CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
  44. CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
  45. CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
  46. CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
  47. CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
  48. CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
  49. SACRILEGE
  50. CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
  51. CHAPTER FORTY
  52. CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
  53. CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
  54. CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
  55. CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
  56. CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
  57. DEATH BY HELL-BIRD
  58. THE DARKNESS
  59. CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
  60. FINALLY
  61. THE PACT
  62. CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
  63. CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
  64. CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
  65. About the Author

Ricky: It’s Lloe. Ioan says she isn’t eating.

Lloe was short for Lloergan, Ricky’s hound. A fae hound. “Cŵn Annwn” literally translates to “Hounds of the Otherworld.” Lloergan was a badly damaged cŵn Ricky had rescued. She lived with his grandfather, Ioan, who was the leader of the local Cŵn Annwn. Yes, Ricky was descended from the Wild Hunt. He wasn’t just any human descendant, either. He was the living embodiment of Arawn, legendary lord of the Otherworld. Which meant Lloergan was absolutely devoted to him. But, being a biker and part-time MBA student, there was no place in his life for a dog right now, so she stayed with Ioan, and Ricky took her when he could.

It had been three days since Ricky left for Miami, and we’d hoped Lloergan would be fine. Obviously not.

Ricky texted: Can u stop by? Take her 4 a run? That might help. Or if u could dog-sit…

Of course, I had no problem looking after Lloe. Given the circumstances with this Seanna impostor, though…

Gabriel took my phone. He typed: That’s fine. Then he erased and rephrased it in Olivia-speak: Sure, no problem.

“Otherwise, you’ll worry about her,” Gabriel said as he sent the message. “And with this woman coming around, I’m not averse to the idea of you having a supernatural guard dog right now.”

Thx! Ricky texted back. I owe u.

I signed off with Ricky, and I was putting away my phone when TC slunk past, heading for his spot in the front window.

“Hey, cat,” I said. “We’re bringing home a friend for you. A doggie big enough to devour you in a single gulp. Is that okay?”

He turned a baleful stare on me, as if he understood. I’m convinced TC isn’t just a cat, no more than Lloergan is just a dog. Maybe someday, when I’m moments from perishing at the hands of an intruder, TC will save me in a sudden and awe-inspiring display of supernatural power. Or maybe he’ll decide I haven’t given him enough tuna that week and leave me to my fate. He’s a cat, so I figure my chances are about fifty-fifty.

When footsteps sounded on the porch, TC hissed. I glanced out the window, saw Ida, and groaned. TC hissed again.

“Excellent instincts,” I said to the cat. “Now can you make her disappear?”

He tore off up the stairs.

“That’s not what I meant!” I called after him.

Like the other Cainsville elders, Ida is fae. As for why she was on my doorstep…Well, it begins with Welsh lore. The story of Mallt-y-Nos. Matilda of the Night. Matilda of the Hunt.