Obsidian Flame (62 page)

mind-engagement n.
The ability to penetrate another mind and experience the thoughts and memories of the other person. The ability to receive another mind and allow that person to experience one’s 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 appears 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 the mind in order to see people and events happening elsewhere in real time. Two of the limits of preternatural voyeurism are: 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.

rite of ascension n.
A three-day period during which time an
ascendiate
contemplates
ascending
to the next highest dimension.

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 the Seer’s 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 against 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 that found on
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.

What-Bee pr. n.
Slang for
Warrior of the Blood,
as in WOTB.

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 year to several hundred years. Wings can, but do not always, begin small in one decade then grow larger in later decades.

Y pro nai-y-stae
n.
(Term from an ancient language.) The loose translation is, “You may stay for an eternity.”

Also by Caris Roane

ASCENSION

BURNING SKIES

WINGS OF FIRE

BORN OF ASHES

P
RAISE FOR THE
G
UARDIANS OF
A
SCENSION SERIES BY
C
ARIS
R
OANE
…

“Caris Roane powers into the paranormal romance genre with a sexy, cool, edgy romantic fantasy that gleams like the dark wings and lethal allure of her Guardians of Ascension vampires. Prepare to be enthralled!”

—
New York Times
bestselling author Lara Adrian

“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 super urban romantic fantasy in which the audience will believe in the vampires and the Ascension … fast-paced … thrilling.”

—
Alternative Worlds

“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

“
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.”

—Barnes and Noble’s
Heart to Heart Romance

“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

“Tightly plotted and smoking hot … a fantastic read.”

—
Fresh Fiction

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Caris Roane
has authored over fifty published Regency romance novels and novellas under the pseudonym Valerie King. In 2005, the
Romantic Times
honored her with a Career Achievement award for her Regency work.

Caris lives in Phoenix with her two cats, one of which is named Sebastian, after a favorite vampire. When she gets a third, he’ll be called
Jean-Claude
. Visit Caris at
www.carisroane.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.

OBSIDIAN FLAME

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

www.stmartins.com

eISBN: 9781466812291

St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition / May 2012

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