On Wicked Ground (Solsti Prophecy Book 4) (43 page)

BOOK: On Wicked Ground (Solsti Prophecy Book 4)
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As for what’s next…as you know, I’ve created many minor characters who’ve played important, or funny, or maybe scary roles in the series. And they want their stories told! So I have decided to begin a new series about my warrior demons, many of whom you’ve already met, starting with the leader of them all: Arawn.

Please feel free to follow me on social media to keep up to date on when his book will be ready, or sign up for my
newsletter

 

 

Love,

 

 

 

G
LOSSARY

 

Black lily
– a plant native to Evena. Liquid can be extracted from its leaves and stems that if ingested, will provide temporary added strength, speed, healing, and sensory perception. Control of the plant was the cause of a war that took place four centuries ago on Evena between the Serus demons and the Kentini demons. The plant survived the toxic breath of the Serus demons, but many other vegetation did not, and neither did the humble brown bee. This bee was the sole pollinator of the lily, and the entire crop became extinct.

 

Cotton Creek
– a village of peaceful pixies skilled in harvesting and weaving cotton

 

Demonish
– The native language of demons, it has many dialects. Some are ancient and some are specific to a particular species

 

Deserati
– A predatory humanoid demon. They have small horns on their heads and a whip-like tail that they can conceal with magic. They are all skilled at scrying. A small percentage can also control lightning. They tend to stick to their own clan business, but will get involved in conflicts if there is something to be gained.

 

Domu
– A predatory demon with gray, ashy skin and yellow eyes. Most are seven feet tall and their hands are clawed. 

 

Elder
– Any old and learned member of a species

 

Evena
– One of the demonic realms. Sparsely populated due to the environmental damage caused by war between the Serus demons and Kentini demons.

 

Fae
– Includes several petite and mostly peaceful races like the wood nymphs, water nymphs, sprites, pixies, fairies, and elves. Dark elves are also part of the fae group, though they are bigger and more hostile.

 

Ghaszul
– A grotesque-looking red skinned demon with claws. They have been recently reported to have an altered physiology that includes wings and the ability to cast spells.

 

Hellhound
– A large canine breed that resembles a Napoleon mastiff. Adults weigh over a hundred pounds. Used as guard animals. They have black fur, red eyes, sharp teeth, and are skilled at tracking.

 

Hota
– Demonish word for grandmother

 

Hoto
– Demonish word for grandfather

 

Ivydale
– A village of peaceful plant pixies. Skilled at coaxing many different plant species to grow, the village has become an important agricultural hub.

 

Karishi
– A deceased clan of warrior demons

 

Kentini
– A species of predatory demons, most of whose members were killed in battle with the Serus demons. The Kentini need only a miniscule amount of oxygen to survive

 

Khali
– Demonish word for granddaughter

 

Lakewood region
– A popular tourist destination, this region is known for its many lakes, including Lake Coriander, Caine’s home

 

Lash
– A race of predatory demons who work to maintain the balance of peace in the realms. Able to summon balls of fire in their hands. Their eyes glow when they experience strong emotions

 

Makara
– an undead race of warriors who were defeated by the Karishi in a battle near Ravenbane. Unable to avenge their loss, they remain trapped in a nebulous state underground, prevented from moving to a peaceful afterlife

 

Mate
– A bond chosen between two individuals which lasts until one of them dies. The bond can occur between members of two different species. Once mated, the two can sense each other’s emotions at all times and can project thoughts and mental images when near. Each will also gain a lock of hair that matches their partner’s hair.  In the instance of a mate’s death, it is rare but possible to mate again.

 

Neshi
– A predatory demon with four arms and orange, scaled skin. Their skin is resistant to fire and will not immediately burn. They are excellent swimmers and can hold their breath for up to one hour.

 

Nihja
– Demonish affectionate term for a girl

 

Nihjo
– Demonish affectionate term for a boy

 

Ravenbane
– An ancient ruin where a battle between the Makara and Karishi took place centuries ago. It rests at the bank of a river in a remote part of Torth, and is easily identified by a tall white tower. 

 

Rivkin
– A colony of wood nymphs who reside in a large, densely wooded part of their forest

 

Scry
– To look into a reflective surface (water, a mirror, or glass) and see events unfolding somewhere else. Most creatures with this ability can see events in real time, while some can see past events. Future events are not discernable. Sometime scrying can be done by an individual who has no special talent for it, but uses a spell or a special surface.

 

Serus
– A predatory demon race who can breathe toxic fog. The level of damage depends on the strength of their opponent and on the amount of toxin they inhale. Serus demons are humanoid in form, with gray skin, black eyes, and wispy white hair.

 

Skell
– A demon species who are unintelligent and clumsy. They are greedy and are happy to do others’ dirty work in exchange for money or protection. They are petite with gray skin and have faces that are human-looking but are more elongated and oval shaped.

 

Solsti
– Four women linked by blood who can control the elements of fire, air, earth, and water. They only exist when the need for their level of power arises. Many creatures consider them to be a myth.

 

Stroehm
– A region of Torth that is largely barren of vegetation. A gladiator compound of the same name is located here, where slaves must fight to the death for the enjoyment of a crowd. The father and sons who lead the compound are known for their cruelty. It is thought to be impossible to escape.

 

Tarsa
– A peninsula in the southern portion of Torth. It has a tropical climate and violent, if bountiful, marine life living in the surrounding waters of the Sangre Sea. A warrior species, called the Tarsa demons, lives here. They have dark skin, razor-sharp teeth and are known to ignore outsiders.

 

Torth
– One of the demonic realms. Time passes in the same way it does on Earth. The magic of ley lines powers every day equipment like appliances and cell phones. Many different terrains and climates exist here, as well as rural and urban areas. This realm has two moons.

 

Portal
– A common method of travel both between realms and within realms, it is a six foot wide circle that is summoned by either a spell or a transportation amulet. Some amulets are pre-spelled to go to a specific destination, while others can only bring travelers to a general area. Once a traveler steps into a portal, they are whisked through darkness. They may see flashes of light or experience nausea, and will usually be “dropped” onto the ground at their arrival point.

 

Porter
– A creature possessing the rare ability to teleport using the power of his or her mind. Only six are known to exist. Due to their rarity, they can charge exorbitant fees for their services. Traveling with them is preferred over using a portal, because there is no feeling of weightlessness of nausea, nor being dropped at the destination. Porters can be any species.

 

Vampire
– A weak species residing on Torth. Their population is low and scattered across the realm, and they are looked down upon by others. Full vampires must drink blood and are usually forced to consume animal blood, as humans don’t live on Torth and other races are generally stronger than vampires. Half-breed vampires can eat other food.

 

Viper
– A demon with green scaled skin, this predator walks in a humanoid form but its head reassembles that of a snake. They have large fangs filled with venom potent enough to kill a weak creature and incapacitate a strong one. Their venom is the one essence that slows the rapid-healing abilities of many of Torth’s predators and can be poured on wounds to cause scarring.

 

 

A
BOUT
S
HARON

 

Sharon Kay writes award-winning fiction and can never get enough reading time. She loves paranormal romance, with romantic suspense following close on its heels.  She loves winter and black coffee, and is endlessly inspired to write kick-ass heroines and the men strong enough to capture their hearts.

Sharon lives in the Chicago area with her husband and son, and didn’t expect to write one book, let alone a series. But W
ICKED
W
IND
and the Solsti series formed in her head one weekend and refused to stay quiet until she put pen to paper.  Her characters tend to keep her up at night, as they banter, fall in love, and slay endless varieties of power-hungry demons.

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Table of Contents

On Wicked Ground

Copyright

Also by Sharon Kay

Acknowledgments

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-Two

Chapter Thirty-Three

Chapter Thirty-Four

Untitled Document

A Note from Sharon

Glossary

About Sharon

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