I am not an expert on Native American religions. I hope that I have not offended any Native Americans with my depiction of Jennie Talldeer and her grandfather. This book was intended as entertainment; I have an extensive library and many trustworthy sources to ensure that it is as accurate as may be, but it is not to be taken seriously, not to be taken as reality. I am not portraying reality, or attempting to.

I have tried to be as accurate and honest as I can, within the realm of storytelling. My chief source for this story was The Osages: Children of the Middle Waters, by John Joseph Mathews, himself an Osage and a graduate of both the Universities of Oklahoma and Oxford, England. This book and many more in the “Civilization of the American Indian” series are available from the University of Oklahoma Press. I highly recommend them.

I am not a guru, shaman, Grand High Pooh-Bah, Guardian, Mistress of the Martian Arts, Avatar, Cosmic Earth Mother, or any incarnation of the same. I have no lock on Immortal Wisdom, and in my experience, anyone who claims to, has his eye on your money (granted, I do too, but only insofar as entertaining you enough to buy my next book). To confuse me with what I write is as fallacious as confusing a truck driver with his Peterbilt.

Tor Books by Mercedes Lackey

TOR BOOKS BY MERCEDES LACKEY

The Elvenbane (with Andre Norton)

Sacred Ground

Diana Tregard Investigations

Burning Water

Children of the Night

Jinx High

Praise

“Jennifer Talldeer, shaman and private investigator, [is] tough and mystical, strong and sexy, hardboiled and sharp-tounged—an all-around terrific heroine.

“This is page turning, spine-tingling stuff, with loads of great magical scenes alternating with thriller-style action and leading right down to a shamanistic car chase. Great pacing, great characters, and a ripping good plot.”

—Booklist

“Sacred Ground should appeal to mainstream readers, as well as to those who have an interest in Native American culture.”

—Piers Anthony

“This book, to me, shows a new dimension entirely [to Lackey’s work]. To be able to successfully combine fantasy elements with a very modern background is an extremely difficult task.

“I found Sacred Ground absorbing—one of those books one reads eagerly from page to page, caught up not only by the action but by the interplay of character.”

—Andre Norton

“Mercedes Lackey knocks our socks off with Sacred Ground, an explosively exciting combination of mystery, magic and suspense. Ms. Lackey rises to new heights of excellence in this taut, nail-biting novel of contemporary fantasy that melds elements of many genres into a unique and spellbinding adventure in reading.”

—Romantic Times

“Hard-working and impressively researched, [with a] right-on good vs. evil clash.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“A skilled, free-standing mystical thriller. The Osage Indian lore looks well-researched and politically evenhanded.”

—Dragon magazine

ABOUT THE AUTHOR