The Mother of Ransom: The Drath Series, #17

By Meyari McFarland

Amahle bit xyr lip as xe peered over the edge of the balcony.

Station manager'd brought in bruisers, big ones, to hunt xem out. Not just Amahle but also Dana and the kids that'd survive his slaughter.

They couldn't face down those guns. Or the people carrying them. Claws and Scales out in the lead was death stalking prey. The two women behind him carried guns bigger'n Amahle. And the little one in synth leather behind them? That one was more dangerous still.

Xe signaled everyone to pull back but it was already too late. Amahle ran. If xe could just get away there might be a chance. Except that maybe, just maybe, the bruisers were the chance they'd all been waiting for since this began.

The Mother of Ransom is a SF short story that nonbinary and queer people are sure to love even after the adrenaline fades.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Meyari McFarland
• Release date: Jun 21, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386195931

Meyari McFarland

Meyari McFarland has been telling stories since she was a small child. Her stories range from SF and Fantasy adventures to Romances but they always feature strong characters who do what they think is right no matter what gets in their way. Her series range from Space Opera Romance in the Drath series to Epic Fantasy in the Mages of Tindiere world. Other series include Matriarchies of Muirin, the Clockwork Rift Steampunk mysteries, and the Tales of Unification urban fantasy stories, plus many more. You can find all of her work on MDR Publishing's website at www.MDR-Publishing.com.

Book preview

The Mother of Ransom

The Mother of Ransom

A Drath SF Short Story

Meyari McFarland

MDR Publishing

Cover of Joining of Lines showing an attractive black man staring into the camera against a star-filled background.

Clash of Lines, first novel in the Drath SF Romance Series, is free now on all major sites. SF, queer characters and adventure wrapped up in one delightful package. In addition, you can get a Free copy of the sequel Joining of Lines (as well as other free stories) by signing up for my mailing list: www.MDR-Publishing.com!

Duty defined Jing Althus' life.

Duty to Nthanda, his cousin. To the Ceelen who expected him to lead if Nthanda fell.

Someone had targeted the Ceelen for destruction.

Only one person could help Jing discover them: Iman Hogarth, conman, genius and the most beautiful man Jing had ever met.

If Iman would help.

Jing's only hope was to convince Iman that he was worth risking Iman's life.

Contents

The Mother of Ransom

Also by Meyari McFarland

Author's Note: Cradle of the Day

1. Eager Eyes

2. Quiet Tongues

Afterword

Special Offer

Author Bio

Other Drath Books by Meyari McFarland:

Clash of Lines

Joining of Lines

Consort of the Crystal Palace

Fragments of a Chain

Stranded With You

Reunited Hearts

A Simple Life

Cradle of the Day

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You can find these and many other books at www.MDR-Publishing.com. We are a small independent publisher focusing on LGBT content. Please sign up for our mailing list to get regular updates on the latest preorders and new releases and a free ebook!

Copyright ©2017 by Mary Raichle

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Print ISBN: 978-1-64309-010-8

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Cover image

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ID 34881354 © Mimagephotography | Dreamstime.com

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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

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Requests for permission to make copies of any part of the work should be emailed to [e-mail].

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This book is also available in TPB format from all major retailers.

Created with Vellum Created with Vellum

This story is dedicated to Te, who taught me the term 'nonbinary' and who helped me realize that it wasn't something to be afraid of. Thanks Te!

The Mother of Ransom

Amahle bit xyr lip as xe peered over the edge of the balcony. The station managers had put in new lights just a few days ago but Dana had used her slingshot to put them out again. No way could they survive if the lights were good in here. The hunting would be terrible if their prey could see them coming. Not that most of their prey ever looked up.

Idiot ground-pounders that they were.

Still, this group was different enough that Amahle didn't give the signal as they walked underneath xyr post. Big, really big; the one that stalked in the front was easily twice as tall as Amahle and xe was the biggest out of xyr pack of kids. Xe