Red Winter (The Red Winter Trilogy Book 1) by Annette Marie
Yumei hissed angrily.
“It’s just a cup. You have too much junk. Are you a raven or a magpie?”
The crows swooped down and landed on the table as Shiro ripped the bag open to investigate its contents. Emi tried not to think about the unlucky human who was now mysteriously short his dinner. Yumei started picking up pieces of the tea cup, his expressionless face vaguely gloomy as he collected its remains.
Emi hung back, watching them as an odd, unexpected feeling rose in her chest and squeezed her lungs in a good way. How strange it was to feel content in this moment.
She had to admit that it was an unlikely time to feel any positive emotion. Her own impending doom aside—which she’d gotten an uncomfortably good taste of when Amaterasu possessed her—she had yet to fulfill her promise to Shiro. He was still trapped in the beads’ curse, and it was more imperative now than ever that she free him.
Amaterasu’s urgent command rang through her memory: Find the Kunitsukami and free them …
Emi could barely wrap her mind around the idea of Izanami imprisoning the Kunitsukami, let alone imagine why she would do such a thing. Did Izanami really intend to destroy the world? That she wanted Emi dead and Shiro destroyed permanently was terrifying enough, and despite having driven her away once, Emi knew better than to hope that Izanami would leave her be.
Find the Kunitsukami. Shiro and the Kunitsukami were connected somehow and now, through Amaterasu, Emi too was intertwined with the fates of the ultimate and all-powerful rulers of the yokai.
Her gaze lifted to Shiro and Yumei. They were leaning over the takeout bag and discussing the edibility of human cooking, their heads almost touching, white hair contrasting with black. They would help her. She would help them. Somehow, together, they needed to do this.
Though her days in this world were numbered, that didn’t bother her as much anymore. She’d felt Amaterasu’s spirit within her, felt the Amatsukami’s gentle compassion and fierce devotion. She’d felt Amaterasu’s love and respect for her. Though Amaterasu would soon destroy her, the kami did not take Emi’s sacrifice lightly.
Her journey into the world of yokai had begun so unexpectedly. She’d ventured so far from what she knew to find the truth about her fate, and in turn, she’d discovered a greater and far more terrifying truth about Izanami and the missing Kunitsukami.
The internal battle she’d fought between the demand that she bow to duty and the need to fight for her survival had shaken the very foundation of her soul. Yet, as she’d realized, survival alone wasn’t enough if her life became nothing more than an empty, meaningless shell of existence. Some things were more important than living, more important than any one life could possibly be. How could she regret the loss of her life when the fate of the world hung in the balance?
Shiro turned, his questioning ruby eyes meeting hers. Her heart swelled in her chest and she smiled as she crossed the room to join him. Some things were more important than her life, but that didn’t mean her life didn’t matter at all.
And before she left this world for good, she would help her kami save it.
To Be Continued
in Book 2 of the Red Winter Trilogy:
Dark Tempest
Dark Tempest is now available for pre-order! http://amzn.to/2ehg684
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Pronunciation Guide
Emi – eh-mee
Kannushi – kahn-noo-shee
Sohei – soh-hay
Fujimoto – foo-jee-moh-toh
Minoru – mee-noh-roo
Nanako – nah-nah-koh
Miko – mee-ko
Kami – kah-mee
Katsuo – kah-tsoo-oh
Kamigakari – kah-mee-gah-kah-ree
Amaterasu – ah-mah-teh-rah-soo
Amatsukami – ah-mah-tsoo-kah-mee
Susano – soo-sah-noh
Kunitsukami – koo-nee-tsoo-kah-mee
Yokai – yoh-kigh
Rina – ree-nah
Yui – yoo-ee
Ofuda – oh-foo-dah
Ishida – ee-shee-dah
Miyako – mee-yah-koh
Izanagi – ee-zah-nah-ghee
Izanami – ee-zah-nah-mee
Tsukiyomi – tsoo-kee-yoh-mee
Sarutahiko – sah-roo-tah-hee-koh
Uzume – oo-zoo-may
Inari – ee-nah-ree
Ki – kee
Kitsune – kee-tsoo-nay
Onenju – oh-nen-joo
Shiro – shee-roh
Tengu – ten-goo
Yumei – yoo-may
Koyane – koh-yah-nay
Ameonna – ah-may-ohn-nah
Sunekosuri – soo-nay-koh-soo-ree
Glossary
Akio (ah-kee-oh) – The sohei assigned to guard Emi at her previous shrine.
Amaterasu (ah-mah-teh-rah-soo) – The Amatsukami of the Wind, sister of Tsukiyomi.
Amatsukami (ah-mah-tsoo-kah-mee) – The four most powerful kami who rule Takamahara, the heavenly realm. They consist of Izanagi of the Sky, Izanami of the Earth, Amaterasu of the Wind, and Tsukiyomi of the Water.
Ameonna (ah-may-ohn-nah) – A wind and water yokai, and the self-proclaimed Lady of the Rain.
Ayakashi (ah-yah-kah-shee) – A type of yokai visible to humans as small, glowing lights near water.
Daimyojin (digh-mee-yoh-jeen) – A title belonging to the Kunitsukami Sarutahiko, meaning “the great virtuous god.”
Fujimoto Hideyoshi (foo-jee-moh-toh hee-day-yoh-shee) – The kannushi of the Shirayuri Shrine. Note: In Japanese, the family name precedes the given name.
Guji (goo-jee) – The highest-ranking shrine priest who leads the kannushi of his shrine and all subsidiary shrines of his kami. Link: A kannushi in his traditional uniform.
Hakama (hah-kah-mah) – A traditional Japanese garment resembling loose, pleated trousers. Men’s hakama are tied at the hips, while women’s hakama are tied high around the waist. Link: A miko in her uniform of white kimono and red hakama.
Hana (hah-nah) – A miko in training at the Shion Shrine (deceased).
Haori (how-ree) – A traditional Japanese garment similar to a jacket that resembles a hip- or thigh-length kimono worn open in the front.
Inari (ee-nah-ree) – The Kunitsukami of the Fire.
Inugami (ee-noo-gah-mee) – A dog yokai.
Ishida (ee-shee-dah) – The Guji of the Shion Shrine and leader of all Amaterasu shrines.
Izanagi (ee-zah-nah-ghee) – The Amatsukami of the Sky and ultimate ruler of the kami, brother of Izanami.
Izanami (ee-zah-nah-mee) – The Amatsukami of the Earth, sister of Izanagi.
Kagura (kah-goo-rah) – A type of ceremonial dance, sometimes theatrical, that is traditionally performed by miko.
Kami (kah-mee) – Spiritual beings who originate from Takamahara, the heavenly realm, and visit the earthly realm through the use of kamigakari.
Kamigakari (kah-mee-gah-kah-ree) – Meaning literally “kami possession,” a kamigakari is a human who hosts a kami’s spirit within their body. Depending on the circumstances, a kamigakari can be a volunteer o
Kannushi (kan-noo-shee) – A priest who runs and maintains a shrine, leads worship of the shrine’s kami, and manages and/or performs in festivals, ceremonies, and other shrine events. Link: A kannushi in his traditional uniform.
Kappa (kap-pah) – An imp-like yokai found in and around rivers and ponds that is known for luring humans into the water and drowning them.
Karasu (kah-rah-soo) – A crow yokai.
Katana (kah-tah-nah) – A traditional Japanese sword with a curved, slender, single-edged blade. Link: A katana.
Katsuo (kah-tsoo-oh) – A sohei assigned to protect Emi at the Shirayuri Shrine.
Ki (kee) – Meaning “spiritual energy or life force,” ki is the internal power used by kami and yokai, and, to a lesser extent, humans. Pure ki from a balanced mind and soul is stronger than impure ki.
Kigiku (kee-ghee-koo) – A city located 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Kiroibara and the Shirayuri Shrine
Kimono (kee-moh-noh) – A traditional Japanese garment resembling a robe with long, wide sleeves. Kimono are wrapped around the body and tied with an obi. Link: A formal women’s kimono. Link: A miko in her uniform of white kimono and red hakama.
Kimura Emi (kee-moo-rah eh-mee) – The current kamigakari of Amaterasu. Note: In Japanese, the family name precedes the given name.
Kiroibara (kee-roh-ee-bah-rah) – A small town located 0.5 miles (1 km) south of the Shirayuri Shrine.
Kitsune (kee-tsoo-nay) – A fox yokai. The older and more powerful a kitsune is, the more tails it will have, up to a maximum of nine.
Kitsunebi (kee-tsoo-nay-bee) – Orbs of foxfire used by kitsune.
Koma-inu (koh-mah-ee-noo) – Paired statues in the shape of lion-like creatures that guard a shrine, meant to ward off evil spirits. Link: A koma-inu statue.
Kosode (koh-soh-day) – A traditional Japanese garment similar to a kimono but for more casual wear, with shorter sleeves and varying lengths.
Koyane (koh-yah-nay) – A kami, vassal to Izanami.
Kunitsukami (koo-nee-tsoo-kah-mee) – The four most powerful yokai who rule Tsuchi, the earthly spirit realm: Sarutahiko of the Mountain, Uzume of the Wood, Susano of the Storm, and Inari of the Fire.
Kyubi no kitsune (kee-yoo-bee no kee-tsoo-nay) – A nine-tailed fox yokai, the most powerful form of the kitsune.
Makoto no kokoro (mah-koh-toh noh koh-koh-roh) – Meaning “purity of heart,” it is a state of spiritual balance and purity that humans who worship kami strive to achieve.
Marugata (mah-roo-gah-tah) – An exorcism circle created by drawing specific ritual symbols within a circle; they vary in complexity based on power and purpose.
Miko (mee-koh) – A shrine maiden who assists the kannushi, performs in festivals, ceremonies, and other events, and carries out administrative duties. Link: A miko in her uniform of white kimono and red hakama.
Minoru (mee-noh-roo) – A sohei assigned to protect Emi at the Shirayuri Shrine.
Miso (mee-soh) – A traditional Japanese seasoning often used for sauces, spreads, and soup stock.
Miyako (mee-yah-koh) – A teenage girl who lives in Kiroibara.
Nanako (nah-nah-koh) – A miko at the Shirayuri Shrine.
Obi (oh-bee) – A sash worn to tie kimono and kosode closed, varying in width and length depending on the outfit and gender of the wearer. Link: A woman wearing a formal kimono and obi.
Ofuda (oh-foo-dah) – A talisman made of a rectangular strip of paper inscribed with an invocation.
Omamori (oh-mah-moh-ree) – A talisman of protection similar to an ofuda, worn around the neck in a small, flat silk or brocade bag.
Onenju (oh-nen-joo) – Prayer beads, also called a prayer rosary. Link: A worshipper holding onenju.
Oni (oh-nee) – A type of yokai resembling an ogre.
Onmyo (own-mee-yoh) – A philosophy based on yin and yang and the balance of the elements.
Orochi (oh-roh-chee) – An eight-headed dragon yokai.
Rina (ree-nah) – A miko-in-training at the Shirayuri Shrine.
Sarutahiko (sah-roo-tah-hee-koh) – The Kunitsukami of the Mountain and ultimate ruler of the yokai, husband of Uzume.
Sekisho no seishin (say-kee-shoh noh say-sheen) – An incantation for creating a protective barrier, translating literally to “barrier of the spirit.”
Shimenawa (shee-may-nah-wah) – A type of woven rope used for purification at a shrine.
Shintai (sheen-tigh) – A physical object that can act as a temporary conduit for a kami’s power and spirit.
Shion (shee-ohn) – A city located 30 miles (50 km) northeast of Kiroibara and the Shirayuri Shrine.
Shirayuri Shrine (shee-rah-yoo-ree) – A small shrine dedicated to the worship of Amaterasu that serves the population of Kiroibara.
Shiro (shee-roh) – A kitsune yokai.
Shukusei no tama (shoo-koo-say no tah-mah) – An incantation for purifying ki, translating literally to “purge of the soul.”
Sohei (soh-hay) – A warrior priest trained in martial and spiritual combat who acts as a shrine guardian and yokai exorcist.
Sotei no shinketsu (so-tay no sheen-keh-tsoo) – An incantation for immobilizing a foe, translating literally to “binding of the heart’s blood.”
Sunekosuri (soo-nay-koh-soo-ree) – An inugami yokai who serves the yokai Ameonna. Link: A Kai Ken, the breed of dog that Sunekosuri resembles.
Susano (soo-sah-noh) – The Kunitsukami of the Storm.
Takamahara (tah-kah-mah-hah-rah) – The “high heavenly plain,” a realm inhabited by kami.
Tanuki (tah-noo-kee) – A Japanese racoon dog yokai that is known for its trickster nature and shapeshifting abilities. Link: “Tanuki” refers to both regular racoon dogs and the yokai.
Tatami (tah-tah-mee) – A type of mat, typically made from rice straw, used as a flooring material in traditional Japanese rooms. Link: A room with tatami.
Tengu (ten-goo) – A raven yokai known as the lord of crows, guardian of mountains and forests, and harbinger of war.
Torii (toh-ree) – A traditional gate that denotes the entrance to a shrine and the boundary between the mundane world and sacred land. They are typically made from wood or stone and are often painted red. Link: A small torii.
Tsuchi (tsoo-chee) – The earthly spiritual realm inhabited by yokai, which overlaps and reflects Earth as humans know it.
Tsukiyomi (tsoo-kee-yoh-mee) – The Amatsukami of the Water, brother of Amaterasu.
Uzume (oo-zoo-may) – The Kunitsukami of the Wood, wife of Sarutahiko.
Yokai (yoh-kigh) – Spiritual beings who originate from Tsuchi, the earthly spirit realm, and are closely tied to nature. Yokai are sometimes considered a subset of kami and are often perceived as monsters or demons.
Yui (yoo-ee) – A miko-in-training at the Shirayuri Shrine.
Yumei (yoo-may) – A raven yokai known as the Tengu.
About the Author
Annette Marie is the author of the Amazon best-selling YA urban fantasy series Steel & Stone, which includes the 2015 Goodreads Choice Award nominee Yield the Night. Her first love is fantasy, a limitless realm of creativity where she can break all the boring rules of real life, but fast-paced urban fantasy, bold heroines, and tantalizing forbidden romances are her guilty pleasures. She proudly admits she has a thing for dragons, and her editor has politely inquired as to whether she intends to include them in every book.
Annette lives in the frozen winter wasteland of northern Alberta, Canada (okay, it’s not quite that bad). She shares her life with her remarkably patient, comparatively sensible husband and their furry minion of darkness—sorry, cat—Caesar. When not writing, she can be found elbow-deep in one art project or another while blissfully ignoring all adult responsibilities.
Website: www.authorannettemarie.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorAnnetteMarie
Amazon: amazon.com/author/AnnetteMarie
Twitter: twitter.com/AnnetteMMarie
Goodreads
About the Artist
Brittany Jackson, also known as Bea, is an award-winning freelance illustrator based in Michigan. Taken by a passion for the arts at a young age, Bea embraced her gift of drawing and learned how to bring her vivid imagination to life in a variety of artistic styles she's learned throughout the years. With a strong sense for concepts and design, Bea has become well recognized for her ability to paint a picture from words, communicating ideas—hers and others—through beautiful narrative illustration.
Find out more about Bea at BeaGifted.com.
THE STEEL & STONE SERIES
YA urban fantasy by Annette Marie
Piper knows the first rule for an apprentice Consul is don’t trust daemons. But when she’s framed for the theft of the deadly Sahar Stone, she has no choice but to trust two daemons to help her. With the dark secrets of her allies unravelling around her, her desperate mission to clear her name carries her into the dangerous realm of daemons, where her life is the least of what she might lose.