Free Tales From Otherworld: Collection One by Yasmine Galenorn Page B

invisibility up to anybody other than myself. After all, what’s the use of having a closet filled with gorgeous clothes when nobody can see them?

AN OTHERWORLD THANKSGIVING
    This short, from Camille’s point of view, takes place between the books Crimson Veil, moments before Priestess Dreaming starts. In fact, Priestess Dreaming begins on the tail end of this scene…
    “Where are the potatoes? We’re going to need potatoes for tomorrow! Trillian, did you remember to pick them up?” Iris darted around Hanna, carrying a stockpot filled with soup for tonight’s dinner. “And somebody better start the water for the eggs. If we don’t get them boiled tonight, we won’t have deviled eggs for canapés!”
    Hanna lifted the pan of biscuits over her head. “Careful now, or we’ll have no biscuits to go with the soup tonight!” She deftly maneuvered around Roz, who carried a bushel of apples over to the table for Delilah to peel. Apple pie was on the holiday menu, as well as the cherry pies that were about ready to come out of the oven. The smell in the kitchen was enough to set any mouth salivating.
    Trillian grunted. “I got ‘em. They’re still out in the car. I’ll run out and bring them in. Russets okay?”
    “Perfect! While you’re at it, can you dash over to my house and gather some basil, thyme, and parsley from the greenhouse? We need more than a few sprigs, mind you!” Iris flashed him a smile and he softened.
    “You know I can’t say no to you.” And he was out the back door, into the blustery afternoon.
    “Camille, are you done with the cherry pies yet?” Iris glanced my way and I felt like I should salute. We all knew Iris was running this show, with Hanna as her lieutenant commander, even though they did jostle over territory. The rest of us were just soldiers in the army, doing what we were told.
    “I’m pulling them out of the oven right now.” I bent down, carefully removing the cookie sheets from the rack. Two pies per sheet, there were eight in the big double oven. We had already baked eight pumpkin pies, and we’d make eight apple. With sixteen at the table tomorrow, including our new-found cousins, that would barely be enough to tide us through the weekend. We all had guerrilla appetites.
    “Good then. I’ll be back in a minute. I’m going to see if the tablecloths and napkins are dry yet.” Iris bustled out of the kitchen, toward the laundry room.
    “What about the turkey?” Morio was sitting at the table, next to Delilah, knife in hand. As she finished peeling the apples, he quickly sliced them into a bowl. Across from him, Menolly was arranging the slices in the pie plates. I felt for her this time of year. Even with the food-flavored blood, it had to suck not being able to join us in the feast.
    “Smoky’s supposed to bring the turkey. I asked him to go down to the store with Vanzir and pick out a twenty-five pounder. I don’t know what could be keeping them.” I frowned, glancing up at the clock. Surely, Smoky and Vanzir could handle a job as simple as picking up the turkey.
    Just then, the door opened and Vanzir burst through. “Where’s Delilah?”  
    “Right here!” Delilah swung around, then stopped. “What the hell?”
    I turned to see what the matter was. Vanzir looked frantic. His hair was mussed up and there were what looked like puncture wounds on his forehead. He wiped a string of blood off his cheek.  
    “What the hell happened to you?” I couldn’t take my eyes off him.  
    “Don’t ask! You don’t want to know. And Delilah, I advise you to get your ass out of this kitchen before Smoky brings in the turkey.” Vanzir looked like he was caught between exasperation and a smirk.
    I frowned. “Why on earth would she…” And then—I knew. “No. No. Oh for fuck’s sake. Just where did you go to for the turkey?”
    Vanzir shrugged. “I wanted to go to The Natural Pantry—you know, where we buy most of the produce that we don’t grow. But Smoky