Bone Baron (Fated Touch Book 7): Fated Touch, #7

By Mac Flynn

Jane and her friends are both heroes and outlaws. Their notoriety forces them to hide in the wilds of the north in the land where Caius grew up. The serenity of the wide steppes somehow compliments the brash nature of Jane's dragon shifter.

Unfortunately, the quiet peace they seek is dashed soon after their arrival with the news that not only does Caius have a younger brother, but he's in trouble. One of the local leaders, Baron Volkov, has taken to his manor at the outer lands of the principality. They endeavor to rescue him, but find themselves surprised by a most unexpectedly warm greeting from the baron.

However, all is not as it seems, as Jane's powers elude. Not all of the doors of the manor are open to them, and behind some of those locked portals lay terrible secrets. Ones that concern Caius, his curse, and his future. Now Jane must save her beloved dragon shifter from the clutches of a dark evil intent on using him, even if it costs him his life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Crescent Moon Studios, Inc.
• Release date: Dec 6, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393483519

Mac Flynn

A seductress of sensual words and a lover of paranormal plots, Flynn enjoys writing thrilling paranormal stories filled with naughty fun and hilarious hijinks. She is the author of numerous paranormal series that weave suspense, adventure and a good joke into a one-of-a-kind experience that readers are guaranteed to enjoy. From long adventure novels to tasty little short-story treats, there's a size and adventure for everyone.Want to know when her next series comes out? Join The Flynn newsletter and be the first to know! macflynn.com/newsletter/Also check out her website at macflynn.com for listings and excerpts of all of her books!

Book preview

1

The land where Caius was raised was a beautiful mix of rugged, snow-capped mountains, wind-swept grasslands, and enough mystery to keep a treasure seeker looking for decades. We were about to find ourselves numbered among those treasure seekers, but first we had to find our way.

Are you quite sure you know where you are headed? Sage asked for the third time in as many minutes.

I know this place as well as the animals in it, Caius argued.

I glanced to my left at a squat boulder. On its top a squirrel-like animal chased its own tail. Why am I not comforted?

We’re almost there, he insisted as he looked around.

All four of us were atop the two unicorns, and had been that way for nearly a week. Behind us were many miles of slinking past or completely shirking civilization. Such was the price of infamy when we had the entire Library system to contend with, not to mention the possibility that their best friend the Church of Gad might uphold their pact and bring our heads to them on silver platers.

These, then, were the Steppes of Taloole where Caius had been raised. The name wasn’t unfounded, for all around us were open meadows of tall sweet grass that bent against the tiniest of breezes. Towering over the yellow grass were sparse plantings of tall oak and pine trees. The yellowed ends of the oak leaves told us that frost had nipped at them recently, and judging by the chill in the air there would be another frosting soon.

I glanced to my right where Bee and Caius rode along beside us. Caius sat behind my grandmother looking as comfortable as a fresh fish atop a skewer. He shifted and I saw the bulky bandages move beneath his coat. Those and the injury they covered were why we weren’t in the skies. Even with his prodigious dragon healing the wound the god Pallius had given him still hadn’t mended. I was starting to think it would never heal.

I tilted my head back and looked up. The skies were clear with not a cloud on the horizons. A sigh escaped my lips.

Something wrong, pumpkin? Sage asked me from his position at the head of the saddle.

I shrugged. I’m just feeling a little down, that’s all.

Sage’s eyes twinkled. That wouldn’t be because you wish to ride the air currents rather than behind your grandfather, is it?

I studied the back of his plain cloak and snorted. Maybe I think the view’s better.

Sage’s eyes flickered to Caius. Perhaps the view would change if we would arrive at this mythical village.

Trava is just ahead, Caius insisted.

I squinted into the distance at a strange shadow lying against one of the few trees. What’s that?

Everyone looked to where I pointed. Caius pursed his lips. It looks like someone.

Bee gasped. They could be in trouble! She spurred the unicorn onward so quickly that Caius almost fell off the back.

Nearly a good laugh. . . I heard Sage mutter before we gave chase.

We approached the shadow and I saw it was a man. He looked to be about seventy with his silver hair combed back over his wrinkled brow. His gray eyebrows were perched above a pair of shut eyes. He wore the dark robes of a priest, though over his heart was a small pin in the shape of an anvil. His back was slumped against the trunk of the great oak and he gritted his teeth as his fingers dug deep into the steppe dirt on either side of him. At our coming his eyes flew open and he whipped his head to look in our direction. The man tried to stand, but his left leg gave out and he crumpled to the ground.

By Gad! I heard Caius whisper as we approached. He flung himself off the unicorn as Bee came to a stop nearby and rushed over to the man’s side. Father Ferrero!

The man opened his eyes and they widened with recognition. Gad be blessed! the man shouted as he clung to the front of Caius’ coat. Is that truly you, Caius?

Caius smiled. In the flesh, father, but what brought you so far away from the village?

Father Ferrero nodded at the pair of wood buckets at his side. I had thought to get some sap from the trees during this warm weather, but my foot- He pointed at a hole a few feet away. I’m afraid I wasn’t looking where I was going and injured my ankle.

Caius frowned at the containers before he returned his attention to the father. Why isn’t Marcus carrying your buckets?

The good father’s face paled. Caius, I. . .you must forgive me.

Caius’ eyes widened and he grabbed the front of the father’s frock. Father, where is Marcus?

Father Ferrero closed his eyes and bowed his head. I’m sorry, Caius. Your brother has been kidnapped.

2

Iwhipped my head to Caius. " You have a brother? "

Caius’ face paled and his hands that held the good father shook. Who kidnapped him? When? Where?

Perhaps kidnapping is too strong a word, Father Ferrero corrected himself.

I set my hands atop Caius’ shaking ones and caught his gaze. Too strong like your grip on him.

Caius pursed his lips, but released the good father and leaned back. Tell me everything that happened.

The father sat up and cleared his throat. It was only a week ago which is why you haven’t been told. Marcus was out hunting for the treasure again and ventured onto the property of the baron. He was caught by the gentleman’s gardener and, according to the message brought to me by his servant, amused the elderly man and was allowed to remain on the property to search further. There he remains.

I looked up at Caius. Treasure?

His expression was tense as he nodded. Yeah. There’s supposed to be some treasure around here left by some old people.

The Miamorans, or at least a branch of that ancient folk, Father Ferrero added.

Sage arched an eyebrow. I had no idea the ancestors of the Sylvidian Empire had ventured this far north.

The old legends say that they were exiles, opponents of the worshipers of Gad who left of their own accord and settled in the area, the father explained.

A bunch of stories doesn’t explain why the baron kidnapped Marcus, Caius interjected.

Father Ferrero pursed his lips. I went to the manor and explained to the baron that I was his guardian and he needed to return to my custody, but My Lord refused to acquiesce to my request. He mentioned to me that Marcus himself refused to return until he had found the treasure, or at least searched the entirety of the property.

But the baron owns half the area! Caius reminded him.

The father nodded. I know, but the baron was not to be convinced and I left without Marcus. He perked up as he clapped a hand on Caius’ shoulder. With you here, however, I’m sure My Lord will return him, and Marcus will be so glad to see you that I’m sure he will willingly return with us.

Caius’ face turned pale again. Does your null work that far?

Father Ferrero smiled and nodded. Yes, though it may become frayed at the far reaches of the principality.

Null what? I spoke up.

Sage studied the good father with interest. I see. That is why you are Marcus’ guardian.

I don’t see, I insisted.

Sage nodded at our new acquaintance. There are a few people in this world who are capable of nullifying shifting abilities so that the people are left as merely humans.

My power goes beyond that, the father told us. I can mask the shifter so that none would recognize them as being anything but a human. He paused and hung his head. I’m sorry, Caius, this is my fault. I spoke too often of the deprivations of the poor before the baron’s emissaries to the village and he sought to alleviate our burden by finding that treasure.

Does the baron know what Marcus is? Caius questioned him.

The father lifted his eyes and shook his head. No, though I doubt the baron would have much interest in the wealth promised by the body of your people. He was always more interested in the hunt than commerce.

Marcus would be a rather interesting prize for a hunter, Sage warned them as he rubbed his chin. However, a null has never failed to impede the ability of a shifter, so we may take comfort in that.

So how important is this baron? I asked the group.

Caius climbed to his feet and folded his arms over his chest. He’s the ruler of this area.

If I recall my readings, the Mechta family has been in charge of the Principality of Mechta for some ten centuries? Sage spoke up.

Caius nodded. About that long, ever since they bought most of the land. He leaned down and offered his hand to Father Ferrero. You need help getting back to the village?

First I must get up, the good father chuckled as he took Caius’ hand. Caius pulled him to his feet and Ferrero brushed off his frock before he paused and frowned. "Though I wonder if you will be allowed onto the estate."

Caius arched an eyebrow. We’ve always been allowed on the grounds.

Father Ferrero nodded. That was true until three months ago when the baron shut off the grounds to visitors. Now the only way into the estate is through some rather small holes that only someone Marcus’ size could fit or through the main gates, and I have heard from many of my people that requesting entrance to see the exquisite gardens before winter takes their beauty is no longer allowed.

Sage furrowed his brow in thought. I wonder what would have the baron be at a summer palace when the winter is so near.

He’s said to be in poor health and seldom travels, Father Ferrero revealed. Perhaps he means to leave only when he must.

Whoever he’s allowing into the grounds, he’s going to allow us, Caius insisted.

Father Ferrero clapped his hand on Caius’ shoulder and smiled at him. I am glad to see that the hard world hasn’t changed you. If you wish then I won’t keep you.

He stooped to pick up the buckets and tried to apply pressure to his injured leg, but the elderly man lost his balance. Caius caught him before he fell face-first into the dust. The good father sheepishly looked up at him. It appears I have a slight problem.

Caius grinned. "I’m glad time hasn’t changed you, now let’s get you home and we’ll go get Marcus."

Father Ferrero was placed atop one of the fine steeds while the rest of us walked. The good father studied the fair beast and stroked her mane. I have never seen a finer unicorn in all my years, and those are many now.

Have you ridden them before? I asked him.

He nodded. Yes, when I was a young lad and full of adventure. He paused and looked around at the crowd. But you haven’t introduced your friends to me, Caius. His gaze settled on my left hand and his eyebrows shot up. And this young woman appears to have a ring that matches the one on your own finger.

Caius showed off a crooked grin and had to suppress an evil chuckle. Father Ferrero, this is my wife, Jane, and her grandparents, Storm Sage and Beastly Bee.

Father Ferrero’s eyes grew so big I worried they were going to burst. W-wife? S-Storm Sage? B-B- He shook himself of his stupor and stutter and frowned at Caius. I thought I had taught you well enough not to lie, Caius Ornello.

It was my turn for my eyebrows to shoot up. Ornello?

My last name, and I suppose yours now, Caius teased.

It’s a very good name that you shouldn’t hide, the father scolded him.

I hide it to keep it good, Caius quipped as he stared ahead with pursed lips. And to keep Marcus safe.

So does it mean something? I wondered.

It means ‘flowering ash tree’ from the wondrous forest that surrounds Wyvern, Ferrero explained.

I furrowed my brow. That’s where that old city was, wasn’t it? Where Bee was taken to?

Sage nodded. The very place.

The great city of the ancient grayscales, the good father mused He smiled down at me and bowed his head. But enough of the past. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Jane, and I hope only the best life for both of you.

I snorted. It’s certainly been an interesting one.

Ferrero looked to my grandparents. I never thought I would be honored to be in the presence of such esteemed persons.

Sage shook his head. The honor is ours. I have very rarely met a null, much less with your unique skills. And- His eyes flickered to Caius. "-I am honored to meet someone with such patience as to willingly deal with the Ornello clan."

Ferrero chuckled. Caius was a handful when he was younger.

A sly grin appeared on my lips as I glanced at Caius, but addressed our new friend. You wouldn’t happen to have some embarrassing stories, would you?

Ferrero tilted his head back and furrowed his brow. I do recall one time where he mistook himself for a pyro dragon and tried to burn the church down by breathing on it.

His breath didn’t at least melt the stone? I teased.

The good father winked at me. I thought it might since he had just eaten most of the church’s onion patch in the belief that it would frighten away monstrum.

I think that’s enough, Caius warned him.

I sidled up to Ferrero and lowered my voice to a hushed whisper. Later. You and me. He bowed his head.

I believe I see our destination, Sage spoke up.

I looked ahead and saw a quaint village a mile up the field. The hamlet was populated by stone houses with thatched roofs. The streets were hard-packed earth and the yards were more chicken coops than lawn, but the walls were clean, the stoops freshly swept, and the straw roofs shimmered with that year’s hay. Children scampered about free from their chores for the moment while mothers looked on with smiles. The men strode to and fro, some with more thatch and others to the fields to bring in the last of the harvest for the day.

The people paused at our coming. Well, except for the children. They squealed and raced toward us, their eyes wide with curiosity for the beautiful unicorns. The group of some two dozen children stopped in front of us and gaped at the beasts.

Is that really a unicorn? a young boy asked us.

Yep, I confirmed.

Can I pet it? a girl wondered.

Of course, Bee offered as she drew the steed near.

The unicorn