Celestial Scion (Fated Touch Book 9): Fated Touch, #9

By Mac Flynn

After many adventures Jane and her companions just want a relaxing vacation at one of the long beeches in the east. Unfortunately, fate has other plans in store for them as they meet an unusual boy on their way to the quaint seaside village.

The boy is more than meets the eye, and they're not the only ones interested in him. Their old lumina companion Alex reappears and brings with him some unwelcome and demanding company. An opposing faction crawls out of the shadows and also tries to convince the gifted lad to go with them, leading to confrontations where Jane and her friends are stuck in the middle.

To complicate matters, rumors exist of a witch of black magic who lives in a nearby cave. She is said to have a unique ability not unlike that possessed by Jane. They go in search of the mysterious hag, and Jane hopes that finally, after so long, she might find the answers she's looking for in finding her place in this strange new world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Crescent Moon Studios, Inc.
• Release date: Feb 27, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393874270

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

Ionce saw a cheesy inspirational card that read: life sets you on a path, but you’re the one who walks it. I remember shrugging it off as just another silly old saying, but sometimes life reminds you that age-old wisdom never dies. It just gets a meme. In the case of the Shifting World, it gets us into an adventure.

I took a deep, long breath. A fresh ocean breeze wafted over me. It smelled like freedom.

Caius pulled me closer against his chest and leaned over my head to grin down at me. Trying to breathe in the ocean? he teased.

I smiled. I’m just enjoying our freedom. It’s been a long time since we didn’t need to run from Blue Binds or crazy High Librarians.

Sage took in a deep breath himself. If I were to ever retire, the ocean would be where I would choose to live out my days.

Bee gave his waist a squeeze. Don’t you dare think about retiring just yet, Storm Sage. You promised to take me to Belaria.

He chuckled. "I would not miss that return for any world."

Belaria? I repeated.

The capital of the Feronia Empire, Sage reminded me.

And we’re in the Sylvidia Empire? I asked him.

Quite, he confirmed as we passed one farm after another.

The narrow dirt road we traveled on our unicorns was surrounded on both sides by low stone walls, and within those walls were agnus, a sheep-like creature with soft brown wool and a long, narrow snout. Their front hooves were split like sheep, but they were longer like spades. The animals grazed contently in the fields, but there were a few exceptions. Some of the short beasts dug furiously at the ground with their hooves. After a few furious digs with their hooves they stuck their long snout into the holes. Some of them came away with a round root while others kept digging.

What’s the plant they’re digging for? I wondered.

A relative of the garlic that grows deep underground, Sage informed me. The agnus consider it a delicacy, and the herb gives their meat a rather unique flavor so the local farmers grow fields of them for the beasts to consume.

A heavy scent of garlic invaded my nostrils. I looked to our left and saw a small field with tall green stalks sticking out of neat rows. So I smell.

All I care about is hitting the waves for some nice flying, Caius spoke up as he nodded at the distance.

The road led down into a quaint town., and beyond that the blue line of the ocean stretched across the horizon. The hamlet was filled with gray wood-clapped houses topped with long reeds. The reeds had been harvested from the beach that ran along the whole length of the town. Docks stretched out into the ocean, and dozens of boats tied to the posts bobbed up and down along the gentle waves. The houses were picturesquely placed in uneven rows up and down the gentle slope. Some were hardly more than shacks, and others have full terraces stretching out toward the beach. Many of them, however, had fish traps and nets outside, some in need of mend and others not in need.

A large shadow flew over us. I squinted up at the sunny sky and saw a young boy of ten. He had a pair of white wings that allowed him to glide over the fields and cottages. So do bird shifters live everywhere? I asked my companions.

They are very prominent along the coast where they are expert fishermen, Sage told me.

I felt Caius tense and looked up at him. His brow was furrowed as he studied the flier. Something wrong?

He shook his head. I don’t know. There’s just something not quite right about their wings. They’re- He squinted a little harder. They look like they’re glowing.

That made all of us look again. The boy’s wings did indeed give off an unusual and yet familiar shine.

Is he an angel-I mean lumina? I asked my companions.

Let’s go see, Caius suggested as he spurred our unicorn onward.

We galloped down the road keeping an even pace with the young boy. A crowd came into view along a road to our left. They were attired in various store-bought garbs with fine stitching and cloth. We turned off and dismounted to join them. They all gawked at the fellow, and some jotted down their thoughts in small journals with the use of lily-white pens. The boy soared over the sky doing sharp turns and tumbles, and even a few barrel rolls.

He’s pretty good for his age, Caius mused.

Aren’t you guys born with wings? I asked him.

He nodded. Yeah, but it takes a few years to really get used to them. Some people don’t even start flying until they’re twenty.

The boy sailed high into the sky and spread out his wings. I saw him close his eyes and stretch out his arms on either side. Light burst outward and spread in all directions in long threads. The animals stopped their eating and looked up in awe as we did.

The light faded and the crowd erupted in applause. The boy floated down with a grin on his face, and I got my first good look. He wore a rough brown short-sleeved shirt and tan shorts. His feet were bare, but he sported a small cap atop his head. He gave a flourishing bow to the onlookers. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is my show. He whipped off his cap and held it out. An eld for your amusement?

The amused crowd eagerly dropped a few coins into the hat. They dispersed, leaving us alone with the young man and his well-deserved rewards.

Sage stepped forward. That was an interesting show, my lad.

The boy stopped his counting and looked up at us with suspicion. Who’s asking?

Fellow travelers who have seen much, but your show was quite unusual, Sage mused.

The boy pocketed his wealth and plopped the cap back on his head. Yeah, well, the show’s over, so get lost.

We were wondering how you did that light, Caius told him

I headed off the worsening suspicion on the young boy’s face. We’ve seen it before. At least, we think we have. You’re not a lumina, are you?

The boy wrinkled his nose. Why would I be-

Matthew! a voice shouted. We turned to see a woman of thirty hurry up. She hurried around us and grasped the young boy’s shoulders. Matthew, what have you been doing?

He hung his head and a few muffled words came out. Nothing, Mom. . .

Don’t lie. Mrs. Bundon told me what happened, she scolded him.

Sage cleared his throat. Ma’am, if we might have a word with you?

She whipped her head to us and there was fear in the depths of her wide eyes. The woman gripped her son tighter and looked at each of us. Why? Who are you?

Sage smiled and bowed his head to her. We are travelers, ma’am. I am Storm Sage, and this is my wife, Bee, and our other companions, Jane and Caius.

Matthew’s eyes widened. "The Storm Sage?"

My grandfather chuckled. The original.

Matthew jumped up and down in his mom’s tight grip. I’ve read all the books about you! You’re the greatest adventurer who ever lived!

Sage turned his head to one side and frowned. I must have a talk with this writer some day. . .

I’m sorry, but we really must be going, Matthew’s mom insisted as she tried to skirt around us.

She froze and clutched her chest over her heart. Her legs buckled and she fell to her knees onto the ground.

Mom! Matthew yelled as he grabbed her quaking shoulders. Mom! What’s wrong?

It’s. . .it’s just one of my attacks, she managed to whisper through gritted teeth.

Sage looked to Caius who stooped and scooped her into his arms. She leaned against him and shut her eyes against her pain. Where do you live? Caius asked her.

This way! Matthew shouted as he pointed toward the sea. Hurry! We have to give Mom her medicine!

2

Irode alone atop the unicorn as we sprinted down the road toward the sea. Caius and Matthew flew above us with the young woman pressed tightly against Caius’ chest. The hooves of the unicorns pounded down the road as Matthew directed us to one of the small cottages one street up from the beach-front houses. They landed in a nice rear garden surrounded by a high stone wall and he rushed over to the back door. I saw the pair with Caius’ precious burden slip into the house.

My grandparents and I rode to the front and left our faithful steeds out front as we hurried inside. The cottage was small, but clean. There was a soft air of comfort added by the charm of small knickknacks scattered about the house. A small painting of the sea, a shelf full of shelves, a homemade rug on the floor. A narrow flight of stairs led to the second floor, and it was from that direction that we heard noises. We raced up the steps and found ourselves in a short hall. On either side was a single doorway with both doors open. The noises came from the room on the left, and with a quick step we found ourselves standing on the threshold of a small but cozy bedroom. A small, short bed sat against the wall to our right and upon the soft quilts lay Matthew’s mother.

Matthew himself stood on the other side of the bed in front of a nightstand filled with glass bottles of various shapes and colors. He snatched one and popped the cork with the confidence of much habit and poured out a spoonful. His hands, unfortunately, were shaking so badly that he spilled more than he got on the spoon.

Allow me, Bee pleaded as she hurried to his side.

Tears welled up in his eyes as he shrank away from Bee. She needs this!

And we’ll get it to her, Bee soothed as she stepped up behind him.

She slipped her hands beneath his and steadied his grasp. The medicine poured out just fine and Sage scooted to the other side, pushing Caius out of the way. He opened the woman’s mouth and Bee helped the young boy pour the medicine down his mother’s throat. They paused and we all waited with baited breath.

A little bit of her horrible pallor disappeared and her cheeks became flushed. She let out a violent cough and clutched her chest. Her teeth ground together and her body shuddered from head to foot.

Mother! Matthew shouted as he grabbed her shoulders. Mother, you have to hold still!

As though she heard his words her body stilled. After a moment her eyes fluttered open. There was little recognition until her gaze fell on her young boy. She gave him a weak smile. My dear little boy.

You’re going to be all right, Mother, Matthew insisted as he squeezed one of her hands clasped in his quivering hold. You have to be.

A small cough rattled her delicate frame, but she gathered her strength and squashed it. I. . .I do feel better.

What a wonderful mixture of medicines! Bee spoke up as she studied the many bottles. She popped a cork and sniffed the contents. Even at my distance I could detect a pungent odor. Bee wrinkled her nose. What a terrible mix!

Leave that alone! Matthew shouted as he reached for the bottle.

Bee held it out of his reach and smiled. Don’t worry. I’m going to make it much better, and it’ll taste better, too.

Matthew paused in his jumping and blinked at her. You. . .you can?

One thing you may count on is Bee’s ability to concoct the most wonderful tasting medicines, even if her cooking leaves something to be desired, Sage spoke up.

Bee frowned across the bed at him. And what’s wrong with my cooking, Storm Sage?

He held up his hands in front of him and shook his head. Nothing, dear. Nothing at all.

Matthew looked between them with wide eyes. Storm Sage? He returned his attention to Bee. That means you’re-

Going to help your mother, but a sick room is no place for a young one, she insisted.

Matthew frowned. I’m not leaving.

His mother sat up against the headboard of the bed and smiled at him. I feel much better already thanks to you, Matthew. Her cheeks had some color in them and her eyes sparkled as they looked upon her young son. Why don’t you fetch me something to eat and let me introduce myself to these nice people?

Matthew eyed us with a little bit of his familiar suspicion. Are you sure, Mother?

She laughed. You’re too young to be so suspicious, Matthew, now off with you. Fetch me some of that delicious pie you helped me make this morning. Matthew reluctantly left us, and Sage made a point of softly closing the door behind him. His mother let out a long, shaky sigh. My poor young boy. He does mean well.

You have raised a very strong young lad, Sage complimented her.

She smiled up at him. He is wonderful, isn’t he? A gift from Gad himself.

"How did you get him?" Caius wondered.

Matthew’s mother chuckled. You mean did he fall from the sky on his wonderful golden wings? She shook her head. Not at all. I found him floating in a basket as the tide came in. She looked to her left at the other nightstand. A portrait of a handsome young man smiled back at us. "My husband had been drowned only a fortnight before and I found myself walking the beach alone one starry night. I had half a mind to