Christmas Day flew by in a blur of joy, laughter, happy tears.

Claire spoiled all of them, especially Zach, surprising him with a Vespa. He may have been driving age-physically. But she wanted to ease into that, since time wise he wore the months of a newborn.

Watching Annie and Eric together warmed her, and left her more lonely. She thought she hid it well. Until Annie brought her a cup of hot cider as she stood on the small patio, escaping Zach's whooping triumph as he devastated Eric in some medieval sword and sorcery game.

"Hey, honey." Handing her the ceramic mug, Annie slung an arm around her shoulders. "How are you holding up?"

"That obvious?"

"Only to me." She rubbed Claire's arm. "You can't let that rat b.a.s.t.a.r.d get to you."

Claire choked on her cider. "Annie-"

"Just being honest here. His ma.s.sive ego aside, if he can't accept the fact that Zach is the most important thing in your life, he doesn't deserve you."

With a sigh, Claire leaned against her friend's shoulder. "I don't know what I would do without you."

"Won't ever have to find out. Hey-we set a date."

Claire looked up at her. "For the wedding?"

"No, for my dentist appointment." Her laugh eased the knot around Claire's heart. "We're going for a spring wedding. April. June is so cliche, and I don't want the June gloom to throw its damper on my day. You up for it?"

"You don't even need to ask. Oh, Annie," she gave her a one-armed hug. "I'm thrilled for you, sweetheart."

"I'm thrilled for me, too. I'm getting married!" Her voice echoed into the dark. Zach poked his head out, sweaty, disheveled, and grinning like a fiend. "Hey, handsome." Annie danced over to him, and embarra.s.sed him by kissing him square on the mouth. "I'm getting married."

"Yeah." He pushed hair off his face. "I know. So does China."

"A man after my own heart. Go on, destroy my future husband with your sword, so I can lay his weary head in my lap and-"

"No-" He covered his ears and ran inside, slamming the door behind him.

"I am going to love teasing him. If that's okay with his mom," she said, looking at Claire with wide, pleading eyes. Claire laughed, helpless to resist her friend's goofy mood.

"His mom thinks it will be good for him, since he won't get it from other kids." She sobered. "Am I doing the right thing, Annie? I want him to be normal, but I know he never will be. What he was," she lowered her voice, "it's going to manifest somehow, as he gets older. I'm just praying it's a benign gift."

"You'll take it in stride, like you do everything else." Annie looked up at the sky, "It's a beautiful night, it's Christmas, and I'm getting married. Let's go inside and celebrate some more." Taking the mug out of Claire's hand, she set it on the small wrought iron table and gathered Claire into her arms. "Merry Christmas, honey."

Blinking back tears, Claire held on to her, grateful for her love, her friendship, her generous heart. Annie let go, took her hand and together they walked inside. Zach glanced up, gave Claire a flashing grin that left her breathless.

Here was her life now, her love. Her future.

She couldn't wait to see what happened.

Reader's Guide to the Claire Wiche Mythology.

As a fiction writer, I do take liberties, but I always start from a point of truth, or mythology, depending on the subject. Because I pulled from so many different sources, I decided to add a reference guide. Now you can see where I started, and where the mythology for the book took off. Happy reading!

Azazel a there are several stories about Azazel, depending on the religion. In the Hebrew Bible, in the rite of the scapegoat, a goat was sent "to Azazel" in the desert, with the sins of Israel on its back. This rite was performed every year on The Day of Atonement. Azazel was the desert demon, the spirit of desolation and ruin, and the source of all impurity. In the Book of Enoch, Azazel is listed as one of the leaders of the Watchers, the angels who bred with women and created the Nephilim. They taught men the art of warfare in the time before the flood, and taught women to beautify and adorn themselves. For these sins, he was bound hand and foot by the archangel Raphael, and cast into darkness. He is also referenced as one of the three leaders of the fallen angels.

For my purposes, Azazel is a fallen angel, and sits at the right hand of Lucifer in h.e.l.l. Claire was his first, his Lieutenant, his most trusted. Until she began to care about the humans she was supposed to torture. For this, she was banished to earth, to wander among those humans, alone. Azazel not only protects her when she returns to the gates of h.e.l.l, he gives her what he considers a gift a a wall to block the power of the demon, to allow her and her new soul to live as much like a human as possible.

binding spells a what it sounds like a a spell used to bind someone or something. It can be an incredibly invasive spell, and there are so many forms and so many versions available, it's a c.r.a.pshoot finding one that will actually do what the wielder intends.

The binding spell Claire and Annie use is real a I left out some ingredients, purposely. For me, this goes so far out of my comfort zone I had to do quite a bit of research to even find what I needed.

crystals a crystal healing has been popular for centuries, and has been doc.u.mented as far back as 1550 BC, in an Egyptian medical doc.u.ment known as the Ebers Papyrus. References to them are found across religions and in everyday society. For every health issue, physical or mental, there is a crystal that can help. Lapis for boosting the immune system, helping with depression, and a host of other ailments. Hemat.i.te for mental clarity and confidence, along with blood cleansing properties. Rose quartz for self-acceptance, self-love, and personal worth.

Claire has been partial to amethysts for decades a partly for the calming, healing aspect, and partly because it ties her to her true self. The angel she was, before pride had her exiled with Lucifer. She uses it now, along with her essence, to give Zach a chance at life, knowing it will cost her everything to do so.

demons a ah, demons. Here is the universal definition of a demon: something not human, and that is almost universally malevolent. Hebrew mythology calls them "workers of harm," beings that entered the body and caused all sorts of ailments, depending on the demon or spirit. The only cure was to draw them out by using incantations and talismans. Christianity has had demons in their mythology for centuries. The modern Roman Catholic Church has sanctioned exorcists, who perform exorcisms on the possessed, using prayer a a modern form of incantation. Throughout literature, fallen angels are considered demons.

Claire is one of the fallen, banished from Heaven for siding with Lucifer in his rebellion against G.o.d. She has come full circle a touching the power of the angel again, only to give it away, in order to give another of her kind a chance to live.

demonic possession a literally, to be possessed by a demon. As above, possession was thought to cause certain diseases. Blindness was from a demon of blindness, who sat on the water, and struck those who drank the water with blindness. There was also the spirit of headache, the demon of epilepsy. The Sumerians believed that all disease was caused by demons, what they called "sickness demons." Modern demonic possession is similar to what is portrayed in film and television: loss of control by the possessed over their body, supernatural strength, access to hidden knowledge, drastic changes in voice and/or appearance, and expulsion by exorcism.

I take the high road with demonic possession a the demon has total control over the body they possess, and they also have complete access to the memories and emotions. The human's personality is dormant, but they can hear, see and feel everything that is happening. Once possessed, supernatural strength keeps the body from dying, even when it is mortally wounded. The demon also gives the body they possess, or ride, exceptional healing abilities, up to a point. Iron, salt, and holy water can hurt them, to the point where they may decide to vacate. And of course, a rousing exorcism will send them back to h.e.l.l a if they don't escape first.

fallen angels a here is an interesting fact: the term "fallen angel" does not appear anywhere in the Hebrew Bible or the New Testament. It was adopted because of the interpretations of the Book of Revelation, Chapter 12. The Jewish faith took their interpretation from the Book of Enoch (see Azazel). The most prevalent belief is that these angels "fell," or were cast down, because of their rebellion in Heaven, either against Michael or G.o.d.

I have taken on the belief of a war in Heaven, and the angels siding with Lucifer were cast down into what became h.e.l.l, and eventually turned into demons. Claire is cast out of h.e.l.l because she remembers what she was, and starts to have compa.s.sion for the condemned souls. Now that connection to Heaven is the one thing she can give to save Zach from an eternity of anguish.

guardian angels a there are as many beliefs about guardian angels as there are religions a and they are found as far back as the ancient Greeks, who believed that G.o.d sent a spirit to watch every individual. There are angels a.s.signed to protect an individual, messengers to guide men to the kingdom of Heaven, to protect children. They are found around the world, across many religions.

My guardian angels are a bit different. They are the souls of mortals, not quite ready for Heaven, not quite bad enough for h.e.l.l. They are sent to help, to guide, to nurture and care for people in need, in order to help wipe away the stains on their own souls. Zachariah is trapped with these lost souls, without the chance for their redemption.

iron a found in hemat.i.te, magnet.i.te, goethite, limonite and siderite, it is one of the raw materials used to make pig iron, which is then used to make steel. Cast iron is made by melting down sc.r.a.ps of pig iron, sc.r.a.p iron, sc.r.a.p steel, lime stone and carbon. Melt out contaminants, adjust the recipe, and you get a lovely cast iron skillet. In folklore, iron is believed to be the best protection against witches, sorcerers, demons and other evil spirits. It can also repel ghosts.

I use iron as a tool and a weapon: this time against the threat of ghosts. Claire is no longer affected by iron, or salt, but can't quite bring herself to keeping it nearby. What she and Annie face this time can't be vanquished with iron.

Jinn/Djinn/genie a there are many versions of the Jinn mythology, depending on what source you read. In Islam, the Jinn were created by Allah from smokeless flame, and, like man, given free will. In Muslim cultures, Jinn have been given different qualities. As an example a in Morocco it is believed that the Jinn can grant three magical wishes. Stories of the Jinn litter the One Thousand and One Nights, where the tale of Aladdin and the lamp can be found.

This is where I veer away from mythology and folklore the most. Marcus came from the idea of the Jinn, but he is a completely different ent.i.ty within the confines of my fictional world. As I wrote him, Marcus simply evolved, and I liked what he became so much I decided to go with it. So he is Jinn, but not any Jinn you will find in religious or folklore text. In this book, we find out more about his past, and where he came from, meeting another, more powerful Jinn-who changes Claire's life with a touch.

Lucifer a in Latin, lucifer means bringer of light, morning star, light bearing a depending on which source you use to translate. In the Bible, he is called son of the morning by G.o.d, before he is cast out of Heaven. The relevant pa.s.sage is in Isaiah: "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of G.o.d: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to h.e.l.l, to the sides of the pit." (King James Version). There are more arguments and discussions about Lucifer a one, also in the Book of Isaiah, ascribes the name to a Babylonian king who was destined to fall.

I am going with the straight up: Lucifer placed himself above G.o.d, and was cast down to h.e.l.l with the angels who followed him. He became the Lord of h.e.l.l, Satan, Beelzebub a whatever name you want to label him. Claire fell with him, served at his right hand, until she remembered what she had once been, and lost the venom and the hate needed to torture condemned souls. Lucifer is always in the background, a reminder of who and what she was, what she became because she believed in him.

Marid a the most powerful of the Jinn, they are also the most sought after to grant wishes. They are also the most dangerous, and dealing with them is the height of folly for any human.

Like Marcus, I take the Jinn mythology and twist it. Jamal is not only Marcus' superior, he is also a friend. And he brings Claire and Marcus together, at a crucial moment, saving Marcus while changing her life.

pentagram/pentacle a a five point star, typically drawn in five straight strokes. Used by the Ancient Greeks and the Babylonians, it is best known for its magical ties, and is worn by many who practice and believe in pagan faiths. If the pentagram is inside a circle, it is known as a pentacle. In Christianity the pentagram was believed to represent the five wounds of Christ, and was protection against demons. If the top point of the star is reversed a pointing down a it is a symbol of Satan, literally reversing its meaning.

Claire's tattoo is broken, useless. But with the wall Azazel created, she no longer needs its protection. I use them as they are listed in the Wicca faith a pentagram is the star, and pentacle is the star inside a circle. Most jewelry is in the form of the pentacle.

tarot a tarot was originally a card game, played in Italy from the mid-fifteenth century, its popularity spreading to France, Switzerland and Germany. Like a modern day deck, it has four suits, plus an augmented fifth suit of permanent trumps, creating a 78 card deck. It was only later that tarot became a source for divination and readings. The occult tarot deck is different, consisting of the major arcana a 22 cards with no suits, and the minor arcana a 56 cards broken into four suits.

I dig into Taro a bit more this time, using Mildred's obsession with love as a catalyst. A disastrous reading, which reveals only the truth, shows off the power Tarot has over some people, and how it can give them exactly what they are asking for a whether they want to hear it or not.

triquetra a Latin for three cornered, a triquetra is also known as the trinity knot. As a religious symbol it has been used to represent things and people that are threefold. An example is the Christian blessed trinity of Father, Son, Holy Spirit. In the Pagan religions it is a symbol with several meanings a the three stages of the Triple G.o.ddess, the three realms of earth, sky and sea, and the connection of mind, body and soul are some examples. It is also considered a symbol of protection.

Claire's triquetra tattoo is as useless as her pentacle, and she covers it with a wide leather band, to keep it from reminding her about what she lost, and what hides behind the wall inside her.

Wicca a a spanking new religion, it appeared at the first part of the 20th century, and was officially named Wicca by the 1960s. Many practice ritual magic, and they follow what is known as the Wiccan Rede: "an it harm none, do what ye will." It can be practiced in solitary, or as part of a coven, and is as involved, and often as convoluted, as any religion.

Claire used Wicca as a cover a now she has Annie as the resident witch, and the shop is her haven, her way of reconnecting to the human part of herself, while still able to make a living.

witchcraft a by simple definition, it is the practice of magic. The full definition would take another book. Short and sweet: before the Church stepped in, those who practiced witchcraft for the good of all were respected, and often revered for their talent. They were sought out for their skills with healing. In modern society, witchcraft has regained a sense of the respect and awe it once had, and people openly practice without fear of persecution.

Annie practices witchcraft a and has gotten more proficient, especially with Marcus as a teacher. She uses her power and skill in ways she doesn't want to. There is so much to be mined in the area of witchcraft, I don't need to embellish.

CARRY ON WAYWARD SON.

THE CLAIRE WICHE CHRONICLES BOOK 3.

Cate Dean.

Copyright, 2012.

All Rights Reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without written permission of the author, except for use in any review. This is a work of fiction. The names, characters, locales, and events are either pure invention or used fict.i.tiously. No character is based on or inspired by any known or unknown persons, and all incidents come from the author's imagination alone.

Cover art by Nadica Boskovska.

Cover design by Christine Pope.

http://indieauthorservices.com.

Other books by Cate Dean.

Rest For The Wicked a The Claire Wiche Chronicles Book 1.

She's running from her past. And running out of time.

Claire Wiche is an ordinary woman, running her Wicca shop, The Wiche's Broom, in an ordinary California beach town. But Claire wasn't always ordinary, and she isn't quite human. She hides a secret, and a past she thought she had put behind her.

A past that is about to explode into her present.

When it does, and everyone she loves is in danger, Claire must face up to her past a and become what she left behind in order to save them.

A Gathering of Angels a The Claire Wiche Chronicles Book 2 Claire Wiche sacrificed everything to keep her friends safe, revealing her true self. She expected the final battle to be the end for her. But she is back, breathing - and threatened by an enemy she doesn't have the means to fight.

An enemy bent on vengeance and possession, whatever the cost.

Trapped, alone, Claire has to find the strength to stand against what she knows she can't defeat. And the courage to face the people she thought she left behind.

*Includes a short preview of Carry On Wayward Son, Book 3 of The Claire Wiche Chronicles, coming in Fall 2012.

Last Chance Jack a A Fantasy Short Story Jack is a guardian angel. A guardian angel who has failed every single a.s.signment. For the past hundred years.

Now he has been given his final a.s.signment, and he has one last chance. One chance to prove himself, one chance to change his fate.

But there is a catch: the a.s.signment can't see him, unless he can find a way to break through, a way to touch her. Only then can he even begin to help her.

He has three days.

Author's Note.

A book is never the product of the writer alone. Standing behind them are the people who help make them look good, who help complete the process, and do so with grace and incredible talent. These are my people, and without them, I would still be mucking along, reaching for a dream instead of living it. Thank you, Janet, of Dragonfly Editing, for the last set of eyes on my work; it made all the difference, and to Christine, for another beautiful cover design. A special thank you to Nadica, for the stunning art that graces my cover. It is such a joy and a pleasure to work with you. To my readers, Theresa McClinton and Tamara Ward a my most sincere thanks for all of your help and support. I never could have done it as well without all of you.

About the Author.

Cate Dean has been writing since she could hold a pen in her hand and put more than two words together on paper. She grew up losing herself in the wilds of fantasy worlds, and has had some of her own adventures while tromping through the UK, and a few other parts of the world. A lover of all things supernatural, she infuses that love into her stories, giving them a unique edge. When she's not writing, she loves cooking, scaring herself silly in the local cemeteries, and reading pretty much anything she can get her hands on.

You can find her hanging out at her website: http://catedeanwrites.com.

And at her Facebook page: http://facebook.com/catedeanwrites.com.

Come and exchange tweets at: https://www.twitter.com/catedeanwrites.

Or find her at Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5694181.Cate_Dean.

Check out all her books at Amazon Author Central: http://amazon.com/author/catedean.