by erasing the memory of an encounter.
MITAKUYE OYASIN
A closing for a blessing. It literally means “All my relations included” or “We are all related” and reminds us that humans are connected to everything of the earth.
NAGI
This shadow creature is the ghostly guardian of the CIRCLE OF GHOSTS and is a SPIRIT.
NAGINOKA*
Mortal beings born of the union between the SPIRIT NAGI, Ruler of Ghosts, and a human or children descended from these beings. They are the third HALFLING race and take three forms, an ethereal smoke capable of flight, a hideous but highly effective fighting form and their most human form noted for its otherworldly beauty. Also called GHOST CHILDREN and the derogatory TOE TAGGERS and Deathlings. Their purpose is to find evil GHOSTS who remain in the LIVING WORLD and send them to the SPIRIT ROAD for judgment. They have a life span of three hundred to four hundred years.
NIYAN
A SPIRIT BEING that teaches man to understand the cycle of life and death and the return of the body to MAKA (the earth) as the spirit returns to the SPIRIT WORLD. NIYAN is a SPIRIT.
NIYANOKA*
Mortal beings born of a union between NIYAN and a human. They are called SPIRIT CHILDREN and are charged with protecting humans from the interference of SUPERNATURALS and SKINWALKERS. In addition they consider themselves shepherds of Mankind, working for their benefit, helping them walk the RED ROAD and preparing them for the SPIRIT WORLD. They have a life span of three hundred to four hundred years.
PEACEMAKER*
A NIYANOKA with the power to influence the moods and emotions of those nearby. They are highly persuasive and sought after for their ability to assist in all forms of negotiation. Since their suggestions are difficult to defy and their proposals hold such influence, their ethics must be above reproach.
RED ROAD
The RED ROAD is a metaphor for the correct way to live. One who walks the RED ROAD exists in balance with all things of the earth, behaving in a manner that is both proper and blessed. Walking the RED ROAD allows for entrance into the SPIRIT WORLD, while ignoring the proper way might lead to being cast from the WAY OF SOULS and into the CIRCLE OF GHOSTS.
SEER OF SOULS*
A NIYANKOKA member of the Ghost Clan, thought to be extinct. Such a HALFLING has the ability to see not only SPIRITS, but earthbound souls in the form of disembodied GHOSTS. They have the power to speak to GHOSTS and to send them to the SPIRIT ROAD for judgment. (See: HIHANKARA)
SKY ROAD
(See SPIRIT ROAD)
SOUL WHISPERER*
A NIYANOKA of the Spirit Clan with the power to bear witness to a death by touching the corpse. The WHISPERER sees exactly what the departed saw in the moments prior to his death and also experiences his thoughts. This makes WHISPERERS essential for solving crimes such as murder, but also makes them unclean in the minds of their kind, making them outcasts. None will touch them for they are believed to be unclean.
SKINWALKERS
Another word for INANOKA, the HALFLING children of TOB TOB the SPIRIT BEAR. Legend says these are animals who remove their skin to masquerade as humans, but their ineptitude often reveals them.
SPIRITS
All of these creatures are immortal.
SPIRIT CHILD
Another name for NIYANOKA, a HALFLING child of NIYAN and a human parent.
SPIRIT ROAD
(SKY ROAD, SPIRIT ROAD, WAY OF SOULS, GHOST ROAD) The milky way that is the path leading to the SPIRIT WORLD. Those without the proper tattoos are pushed off the trail and wander endlessly in the CIRCLE OF GHOSTS. Souls without the proper markings have led an evil life on earth and do not merit entrance to the SPIRIT WORLD.
SPIRIT WORLD
The home of all souls that have successfully crossed the SPIRIT ROAD because they walked the RED ROAD while in the LIVING WORLD. Also the home of Superior Spirits, such as TOB TOB and NIYAN.
SUPERNATURALS
There are eight SUPERNATURALS, including KANKA. They are immortal but less powerful than SPIRITS. They live on earth.
THE BALANCE*
This refers to the balance of nature, the fragile connection that the IANOKA protect from careless or malevolent damage by supernatural creatures, NIYANOKA and humans, who all tend to feel a certain entitlement to the earth.
TIME TURNER*
NIYANOKA with the power to move forward and backward in time. But while traveling they use time twice as quickly and so cannot be seen by others.
TOE TAGGERS*
Derogatory term for GHOST CHILDREN, who are the HALFLING children of the SPIRIT NAGI and a human female. They are also called NAGINOKA.
TOB TOB
Translates as “Four by Four,” meaning a creature that goes on four legs. This great SPIRIT BEAR has wisdom and healing powers. TOB TOB is a SPIRIT.
TRUTH SEEKER*
A NIYANOKA who can divine the truth to any spoken question, merely by touching the one he questions. TRUTH SEEKERS are hard to deceive and make excellent judges in the NIYANOKA community.
WANAGI
The soul of a dead person, a GHOST.
WAKAN TANKA
THE GREAT SPIRIT, THE GREAT MYSTERY, Creator of all. A holy immortal entity who is more than SPIRIT.
WAKINYAN
THUNDERBEINGS (THUNDERBIRD, THUNDERHORSE). The power of electric energy on earth. Thunder comes from the opening of the THUNDERBIRD’s eye and from the drumming of the THUNDERHORSE’s hooves. WAKINYA are SPIRITS. They also cause clouds, hurricanes, tornadoes and storms. They are known to strike dead any human foolish enough to lie while holding a sacred pipe.
WAY OF SOULS
(See SPIRIT ROAD)
WI
The Sun. WI represents power and sustains life. He is a great teacher and a SPIRIT.
WONIYA
The soul of a living person.
*These terms/beings are fictional and do not exist in Lakota legend.
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ISBN: 9781460310380
Copyright © 2013 by Jeannette H. Monaco
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
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Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Terminology