Jane Yellowrock goes back to the city where it all began in the newest installment of this thrilling New York Times bestselling series. Jane used to hunt vampires, but now she’s their queen. She’s holed up in the mountains with the Yellowrock Clan, enjoying a little peace, when a surprise attack on her people proves that trouble is brewing. Someone is using very old magic to launch a bid for power, and it’s all tied to the place where Jane was first drawn into the world of Leo Pellissier—the city of New Orleans. Jane is compelled to return to NOLA because someone is trying to destabilize the paranormal world order. And because she now sits near the top of the vampire world, the assault is her problem. She will do what she must to protect what’s hers. Her city. Her people. Her power. Her crown. Praise for the Jane Yellowrock Novels   "A lot of series seek to emulate Hunter's work, but few come close to capturing the essence of urban fantasy: the perfect blend of intriguing heroine, suspense, [and] fantasy with just enough romance."--SF Site   "Jane is a fully realized, complicated woman; her power, humanity, and vulnerability make her a compelling heroine. The fight scenes are exciting and the New Orleans setting is absorbing, but it's the ever-evolving bond between Jane and her Beast personality that keeps this fun series fresh."-- Publishers Weekly   "Jane Yellowrock is smart, sexy, and ruthless."—Kim Harrison, #1  New York Times  bestselling author of  Dead Witch Walking   "Readers eager for the next book in Patricia Briggs's Mercy Thompson series may want to give Faith Hunter a try."-- Library Journal   "Hunter's very professionally executed, tasty blend of dark fantasy, mystery, and romance should please fans of all three genres."-- Booklist   "Hunter is an expert at creating worlds filled with intriguing supernatural elements and exciting scenarios; the latest Yellowrock novel packs a powerful punch."-- RT Book Reviews   "Seriously. Best urban fantasy I've read in years, possibly ever."--C. E. Murphy, author of  Magic and Manners Faith Hunter is the New York Times bestselling author of the Jane Yellowrock series, the Soulwood series, and the Rogue Mage series. Chapter 1 A Dervish in the Dark. Poetry with Bloody Blades. Beast woke in big bed, tangled in Jane clothes. Sniffed soft, not loud, not what Jane called Flehmen sound, but hunter's sound. Silent. Bruiser was not in big bed. Had not slept in big bed. Beast rolled over and sat. Put front paw on Jane sleep clothes. Wriggled out. Did not claw or tear Jane clothes. Did not want Jane to be sad. Beast was not happy to be Beast form. Knew Jane would not be happy to be Beast form. Jane had gone to sleep in human form. Jane body turned into Beast while Jane slept. Was not first time Jane body changed shape in sleep, and not when Jane or Beast wanted change. Had happened many more than five times since Jane was healed in waters of arcenciel rift. Sickness that was killing Jane was gone. But much was wrong with Jane body. Jane could not hold shape for many hours. Beast did not know how to help Jane. Was bad. Angel of Beast-Hayyel-was not helping Jane. Mate of Jane-Bruiser-could not help Jane. Molly, mate of Molly-Evan-and Angie could not help Jane. Jane could not help Jane. Jane was angry. Jane clan was worried. Beast did not worry as stupid humans worried. But Beast feared Beast had missed important thing. Beast studied place in Beast mind where Jane slept. Jane dreams swirled, like leaf on fast water. Jane breathed fast, as if monster chased her. Needed deep calm sleep like dark pool in forest. Beast pressed down on Jane self, deeper into sleep. Jane breathing went smooth. Beast slid to floor. No thump sounded. Silent hunter landing. Beast went to window. Put front paws on narrow ledge, standing high on back paws to see into dark with Beast's night vision, looking into world of silvers and greens and grays. Looked out at hills and many trees with bright leaves, what Jane called mountain forest in autumn. Beast did not want to leave mountains. Was best time to hunt-female deer in heat, male deer stupid with rut and running fast, fat autumn moon making hunt effortless, cool wind so Beast could hunt for long time. But Jane had to leave mountains and go to place of salty water called New Orleans. Was Dark Queen need. Beast understood power in African lion pride or puma family clan or clowder of cats. Understood that Jane had to keep peace, hunt Jane enemies, swat and claw and nurse Jane clan, and do Jane things. Understood. Did not like. Beast tilted head. No light came from place where grapes rotted into pungent stench to make human wine. Was stupid thing to do, but Bruiser said that making wine was like Beast burying carcass in snow to eat later. Bruiser was not in wine-making place. Bruiser was not here. Beast dropped to floor. Sniffed pile of luggage on floor in corner. Was Dark Queen clothes for New Orleans. Jane had packe