Wings of Fire (58 page)

duhuro (n.)
(Term from an ancient language.) A word of respect that in the old language combines the spiritual offices of both servant and master. To call someone
duhuro
is to offer a profound compliment suggesting great worth.

dying blood (n.)
Blood extracted from a mortal or an
ascender
at the point of death. This blood is highly addictive in nature. There is no known treatment for anyone who partakes of dying blood. The results of ingesting dying blood include, but are not limited to: increased physical, mental, or preternatural power, a sense of extreme euphoria, a deep sense of well-being, a sense of omnipotence and fearlessness, the taking in of the preternatural powers of the host body,
etc.
If dying blood is not taken on a regular basis, extreme abdominal cramps result without ceasing. Note: Currently there is an antidote not for the addiction to dying blood itself but to the various results of ingesting dying blood. This means that a
death vampire
who drinks dying blood and then partakes of the antidote will not show the usual physical side effects of ingesting dying blood: no whitening or faint bluing of the skin, no beautifying of features, no blackening of the
wings, etc.

effetne (n.)
(Term from an ancient language.) An intense form of supplication to the gods; an abasement of self and of self-will.

folding (v.)
Slang for dematerialization, since some believe that one does not actually dematerialize self or objects but rather one “folds space” to move self or objects from one place to another. There is much scientific debate on this subject since at present neither theory can be proved.

grid (n.)
The technology used by Central that allows for the tracking of
death vampires
primarily at the
Borderlands
on both
Mortal Earth
and Second Earth. Death vampires by nature carry a strong, trackable signal, unlike normal
vampires
. See
Central
.

Guardian of Ascension (pr. n.)
A prestigious title and rank at present given only to those
Warriors of the Blood
who also serve to guard powerful
ascendiates
during their
rite of ascension
. In millennia past Guardians of Ascension were also those powerful ascenders who offered themselves in unique and powerful service to Second Society.

High Administrator (pr. n.)
The designation given to a leader of a Second Earth
Territory
.

identified sword (n.)
A sword made by Second Earth metallurgy that has the preternatural capacity to become identified to a single
ascender.
The identification process involves holding the sword by the grip for several continuous seconds. The identification of a sword to a single ascender means that only that person can touch or hold the sword. If anyone else tries to take possession, that person will die.

Militia Warrior (pr. n.)
One of hundreds of thousands of warriors who serve Second Earth as a policing force for the usual civic crimes and as a battling force, in squads only, to fight against the continual depredations of
death vampires
on both
Mortal Earth
and Second Earth.

mind-engagement (n.)
The ability to penetrate another mind and experience the thoughts and memories of the other person; also, the ability to receive another mind and allow that person to experience one’s own thoughts and memories. These abilities must be present in order to complete the
breh-hedden.

mist (n.)
A preternatural creation designed to confuse the mind and thereby hide things or people. Most mortals and
ascenders
are unable to see mist. The powerful ascender, however, is capable of seeing mist, which usually looks like an intricate mesh, or a cloud, or a web-like covering.

Mortal Earth (pr. n.)
The name for First Earth or the current modern world known simply as earth.

nether-space (n.)
The unknowable, unmappable regions of space. The space between dimensions is considered nether-space as well as the space found in
the darkening.

preternatural voyeurism (n.)
The ability to “open a window” with the power of one’s mind in order to see people and events happening elsewhere in real time. Two of the limits of preternatural voyeurism are that the voyeur must usually know the person or place, and if the voyeur is engaged in darkening work, it is very difficult to make use of preternatural voyeurism at the same time.

pretty-boy (n.)
Slang for
death vampire,
since most death vampires are male.

royle (n.)
(Term from an ancient language.) The literal translation is: “a benevolent wind.” More loosely translated,
royle
refers to the specific quality of having the capacity to create a state of benevolence, of goodwill, within an entire people or culture. See
royle
(adj.) royle (adj.) (Term from an ancient language.) This term is generally used to describe a specific coloration of
wings:
cream with three narrow bands at the outer tips of the wings when in full-span. The bands are always burnished gold, amethyst, and black. Because Luchianne, the first
ascender
and first
vampire,
had this coloration on her wings, anyone whose wings matched Luchianne’s was said to have
royle
wings. Having
royle
wings was considered a tremendous gift, holding great promise for the world.

Seer (pr. n.)
An
ascender
gifted with the preternatural ability to ride the future streams and report on future events.

Seers Fortress (pr. n.) Seers
have traditionally been gathered into compounds designed to provide a highly peaceful environment, thereby enhancing their ability to ride the future streams. The information gathered at a Seers Fortress benefits the local
High Administrator
. Some believe that the term
fortress
emerged as a protest to the prison-like conditions the Seers often have to endure.

spectacle (n.)
The name given to events of gigantic proportion that include but are not limited to: trained squadrons of DNA-altered geese, swans, and ducks, ascenders with the specialized and dangerous skills of flight performance, intricate and often massive light and fireworks displays, as well as various forms of music.

Supreme High Administrator (pr. n.)
The ruler of Second Earth. See
High Administrator
.

Territory (pr. n.)
For the purpose of governance, Second Earth is divided up into groups of countries called Territories. Because the total population of Second Earth is only 1 percent of
Mortal Earth,
Territories were established as a simpler means of administering Second Society law. See
High Administrator
.

Trough (pr. n.)
A slang term for a dimensional pathway. See
Borderlands
.

Twoling (pr. n.)
Anyone born on Second Earth is a Twoling.

vampire (n.)
The natural state of the
ascended
human. Every ascender is a vampire. The qualities of being a vampire include but are not limited to: immortality, the use of fangs to take blood, the use of fangs to release potent chemicals, increased physical power, increased preternatural ability,
etc.
Luchianne created the word
vampire
upon her
ascension
to Second Earth to identify in one word the totality of the changes she experienced upon that ascension. From the first, the taking of blood was viewed as an act of reverence and bonding, not as a means of death. The
Mortal Earth
myths surrounding the word
vampire
for the most part personify the Second Earth death vampire. See
death vampire
.

Warriors of the Blood (pr. n.)
An elite fighting unit of usually seven powerful warriors, each with phenomenal preternatural ability and capable of battling several
death vampires
at any one time.

wings (n.)
All
ascenders
eventually produce wings from wing-locks.
Wing-lock
is the term used to describe the apertures on the ascender’s back from which the feathers and attending mesh-like superstructure emerge. Mounting wings involves a hormonal rush that some liken to sexual release. Flight is one of the finest experiences of ascended life. Wings can be held in a variety of positions including but not limited to: full-mount, close-mount, aggressive-mount,
etc.
Wings emerge over a period of time from one to several hundred years. Wings can, but do not always, begin small in one decade then grow larger in later decades.

St. Martin’s Paperbacks Titles by Caris Roane

ASCENSION

BURNING SKIES

WINGS OF FIRE

Acclaim for Caris Roane’s Guardians of Ascension series

“Roane’s world-building is complex and intriguing, and in addition to her compelling protagonists, she serves up a slew of secondary characters begging to be explored further. The Guardians of Ascension is a series with epic potential!”

—
Romantic Times
(4½ stars)

“A great story with a really different take on vampires. This is one book that is sure to be a hit with readers who love paranormals. Fans of J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series are sure to love this one, too.”

—
Red Roses for Authors Blog

“
Ascension
is like wandering in a field of a creative and colorful dream. There are many interesting, formidable, terrifying, beautiful, and unique images. They surround and envelop you in a story as old as time; and it’s the reason we read romance. We want to read and believe that good will triumph over evil, that although the world is a scary place there is still hope, and that love, after everything is said and done, still conquers all. In
Ascension
you get all that and more.”

—Barnes and Noble’s
Heart to Heart Romance Blog

“A super, urban romantic fantasy … The story line is fast-paced, and readers will appreciate the first thrilling Guardians of Ascension tale in the Roane mythos.”

—
Alternative Worlds Reviews

“Incredibly creative,
Ascension
takes readers to another level as you learn about two earths, vampires, ancient warriors, and a new twist on love. I felt like I was on a roller-coaster ride, climbing until I hit the very top only to come crashing down at lightning speed. Once you pick this book up, clear off your calendar because you won’t be able to put it down. Best book I have read all year.”

—
SingleTitles.com

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

WINGS OF FIRE

Copyright © 2011 by Caris Roane.

All rights reserved.

For information address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.

ISBN: 978-0-312-53373-1

St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition
September 2011p>

St. Martin’s Paperbacks are published by St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.

eISBN 978-1-4299-8696-0

First St. Martin’s Paperbacks eBook Edition: August 2011

Coming soon…

Look for the next novel in the sensational Guardians of Ascension series from

CARIS ROANE

BORN OF ASHES

ISBN: 978-0-312-53374-8

Available in January 2012 from St. Martin’s Paperbacks

*
From an ancient language, meaning “an intense form of supplication to the gods, an abasement of self and self-will.”