Binding Oath (Fated Touch Book 10)

By Mac Flynn

Jane’s adventures have gained her many loyal allies and unique abilities, and both will be put to the test as she finds herself at the center of an eight hundred year old mystery.

The adventure starts with an urgent message from one of their old friends, the exorsage Gina von Corvinus, that brings them back to the edges of Perdico. Their friend informs them of troubles in the paradise of the Spiritus Academy, the training ground for the exorsages. A spirit has them stumped, and Gina wishes to try Jane’s unique abilities against the fiend.

Jane reluctantly accepts, and they leave behind Caius and Sage for the women-only campus of the spirit defenders. There they find their elusive ghost, but matters aren’t as easy as sending them on their way. They’re bound to an oath made in life and won’t leave until the job is finished. To make their job harder, there’s something amiss in the administrative halls of the academy. Something that hides a dark secret that threatens to destroy anyone to get what it wants. Jane must fight to free the spirit, otherwise she may just lose her own.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mac Flynn
• Release date: Apr 28, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463453674

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

This was the winter of my discontent. I was damn cold, and not happy about it.

Brr, I mumbled for the twentieth time that day. Could somebody turn up the heat?

My companions and I were traveling down a lonely, snow-covered road, and had been since early morning. I still hadn’t gotten the hang of not having a watch, and the sun was but a dim memory hidden behind the gray clouds that hung over us.

Finn sat behind me in the saddle of our shared unicorn. He wrapped his arms tightly around me and pressed me closer to his warm chest. I could use a nice drink, myself.

We are almost there, I assure you, Sage called out from their own celestial steed that trotted close beside us.

I burrowed myself deeper into my soft cotton coat and looked around. Around us were white rolling hills of snow dotted by thick patches of brush and birch-like trees. They hid small pools at which the local herds flocked for a drink and to cover themselves from the falling snow.

I looked up at the gray skies and a snowflake kissed me on my nose. A sigh escaped my parted lips. At least the view is nice.

It just got better, Caius told me as he nodded at the horizon. Look.

I squinted into the distance and my heart leapt for joy at the sight of a few dim lights in the distance. That was our destination, the small village of Rondaburg.

I looked over at my grandfather. You think she’s there already?

He smiled. If she is as we saw her last, she is no doubt waiting impatiently for our arrival.

I thought back to the last time we had met that raven-haired troublemaker and shuddered. Let’s just hope there are no gods involved this time.

The snowy road led us into the quaint village that stood some ten miles from Perdico. The largest building besides the livery was the inn, and it was there that we turned our feet after dropping off our wonderful steeds. We entered through a thick, heavy wood door and into the warm, lively atmosphere that was so common among the inns of that world. The front of the building housed the tables where the guests were treated to food and beer. A narrow set of stairs against the right-hand wall led to the second floor and the rooms. I longed to stretch myself out on one of those beds, even if they were the hardest in the land, but my thoughts, and my group, were directed elsewhere.

A short figure rose from one of the tables and waved at us. Her dark hair glistened in the candlelight, and a relieved smile spread across her lips. Jane! Over here!

I smiled as we walked over to her. Hey, Gina. You’re looking good.

It was indeed the young exorsage from our past adventure with the revived god. Gina wore a thick white traveling cloak and her hands were covered in the same color of gloves. She nodded as she resumed her seat and we joined her. I’m quite well, thank you. I was very glad to hear of your being pardoned by the church and Library.

They didn’t like doing it, Caius spoke up.

Gina chuckled. I had heard something of that sort.

Even in the halls of the church? I wondered.

She nodded. Yes. The Edict of Gad had far too many witnesses to your heroics for even the church to attempt some concealment like they had with the High Librarian Gaius and his treachery.

Caius arched an eyebrow. I didn’t expect you to talk that way about the church.

She cast a mischievous smile at him. Let’s just say I have been around my teacher of late, and she encourages an open mind.

Is she why you sent us the urgent message that stated you required our assistance, Miss Corvinus? Sage spoke up.

She sheepishly smiled. To be honest, I would like all of your help, but only Jane and Bee can come with me.

Caius frowned. Why just them?

Because the problem is at my old school, the half where it’s only women allowed, she explained. We have had a small problem with a resident spirit.

Sage arched an eyebrow. Is Helen’s Light not capable of giving peace to the soul?

She bowed her head and fidgeted in her seat. "To be honest, I’m not sure if there is a ghost."

You mean you haven’t seen it? I guessed.

She nodded. That’s right. Some of my classmates have, however, and a few monitors. She raised her head and looked at me. So when suggestions were asked for what we could do, I offered to fetch you to help.

I blinked at her. Me?

You infused your powers with that of my tag. I could think of no one more in tune with the soul than someone capable of merging with another soul.

You did not inform your peers and the monitors of Jane’s unique ability, did you? Sage questioned her.

Gina shook her head. No. I merely told them that she was very sensitive to spirits and would at least be able to prove whether or not there was one in the building. She turned to me and clasped her hands in front of herself. Will you come? Please?

I winced. Well, I guess I could try. . .

You could see if that new power of yours works on both daiad and the dead, Caius pointed out.

Gina looked between us. New power?

It’s a long story, I told her.

If you yourself have not seen this spirit, then how do you know Helen’s Light will not vanquish it? Sage wondered.

Gina shook her head. Helen’s Light does not vanquish spirits, but releases them. As for how I know, several of the teachers attempted to use their own ability, but the spirit merely passed by them without even acknowledging their presence, much less reacting to the Light.

Sage cupped his chin in one hand and furrowed his brow. How mysterious. Perhaps Caius and I should venture to go with you, rules about men notwithstanding.

That I cannot allow. The matron would have you thrown out, Gina insisted.

And then we’d be back on their most-wanted list, I added. Or at least on their most-hated list.

Caius nodded. I don’t think we got off that one, but you’re right. We wouldn’t really be welcomed there.

Sage dropped his hand and frowned at his grandson-in-law. That is very ignoble of you to admit defeat so quickly.

Caius shrugged. We don’t really have a choice. Besides, the girls can handle some rumors.

Bee smiled and gave a nod. Of course we can! And it’ll be such great fun to have a sleepover at Gina’s house!

Gina perked up and looked to me. So you’ll come?

I sighed, but nodded. We’ll come. When do we leave?

Gina stood. Right now. I wish to hear this long story you have to tell.

2

Iwinced. Right-right now? What about right now, but tomorrow?

My monitor expects me back before nightfall, Gina explained.

You can have my coat and blankets, Caius offered as the others rose.

I sighed and stood. All right. Let’s go find ourselves a spook.

We trudged outside and fetched our steeds from the livery stable. I mounted my unicorn, and as promised Caius slipped off his coat and draped it over my shoulders. Don’t let a ghost put down your spirits, he teased. I stuck out my tongue at him and his grin widened. That’s the spirit I want to see. I rolled my eyes, but his good humor lifted mine.

Sage stood beside my grandmother’s unicorn and clasped their hand together. Be careful, Bee. You know how much trouble a ghost can be.

She patted his hand and smiled. With so many wonderful people around me I’m sure I’ll be fine.

Bee, my grandfather scolded her.

She sighed. I promise to try to keep out of trouble.

Sage grinned. That’s what I want to hear. Now get along with you.

We waved farewell to Sage and Caius, and set off on our cold journey. I sidled up to my grandmother. So what was Sage talking about with you and ghosts? I asked her..

Well, some years ago during our travels we took refuge in an old house where a spirit took a fancy to me, she explained. I’m afraid we hardly made it out of there without joining him. She sighed and shook her head. The poor fellow. He must have been so lonely to try to kill us so many times.

No doubt the exorsages have taken care of that spirit long ago, Gina assured her.

Bee smiled at her. I hope so. He looked like he needed a rest.

Speaking of spirits, what sort of ghost are we up against? I asked our guide.

She shook her head. The accounts are so different as to leave many of us perplexed. Some have witnessed a ball of malevolent black light, and others claim to have seen a full-body spirit of a gentleman.

And has this guy done anything that hurt anybody? I wondered.

Not exactly. The floating orb has lunged at people, but otherwise the ghost is indifferent to everyone around him, Gina told us. But you shall see for yourself soon enough, provided this ghost is real, of course. She glanced over her shoulder and met my gaze. However, before that happens I wish to know more of this new skill you’ve acquired. I related the basic outline of my ‘blind eyes’ ability, as I had come to call it. By the time I had finished both of Gina’s eyebrows had risen. What a strange assortment of skills you have. Perhaps you should stay at the Academy and allow us time to study you.

I laughed and shook my head. Thanks for the invitation, but I’d rather wander around with my friends.

We trotted along and it was mid afternoon by the time we came in sight of the grand city of Perdico. However, five miles short of the gates Gina turned us off the road to the left and down a fine gravel lane. A row of tall bushes hid from public eyes the white yard of immaculately pruned trees both great and small. The driveway was ramrod straight, but there were several intersections.

Imperial marble buildings stood at those meeting points. Tall and proud, they stood among the white snow like pillars or grand sentinels. Many had two floors with full attics beneath their high-peaked roofs. Porches with tall pillars signified the entrances, and statues of important church figures and beasts were carved into the stone as a monument and reminder of the faith that had built those buildings. Their tall, wide paned windows looked down at us with disdain as we trotted down the gravel drive.

There were other lanes behind the main thoroughfare, and the buildings were much less elegant than those advertised where we walked. They were still stone, but without the ornate porticoes and statues. The windows of those buildings were well-lit, and the curvaceous figures of many women were silhouetted against the light. Laughter and chatter floating from those buildings while the others were as silent as the grave.

At the end of the drive was the largest of the stone structures. It was a masterpiece of Georgian architecture mixed with the Greek-Roman style so favored by the Library. The building stretched for five hundred feet and was a hundred feet wide. Row upon row of windows looked out on the immaculate lawn with stoic approval. Six tall columns supported the roof that covered the porch over the two pairs of doors.

A few bundled souls braved the cold air as they hurried along the gravel paths that ran between the buildings. Their heads were bowed and they clutched bundles of books against their chests. Even with the heavy covering and gazes cast downward, I could tell by their walk that they were all women.

Gina swept an arm over the grounds. Welcome to the Spiritus Academy, the learning place of the famous exorsages.

This looks like the Library buildings, I mused.

Gina nodded as she rode atop her own black horse. That’s because they are. Fifteen hundred years ago the Library decided they needed trained exorsages to free the spirits within many of their most ancient tomes and the church sought to free the bound spirits, so they built this campus . The church now runs the school completely on its own, though the Library is welcomed to request assistance from the exorsages.

So where are the guys at? I wondered.

They have a campus on the other side of Perdico to avoid temptation, Gina told me as she led us to the first intersection and took a left. A long row of less elegant stone buildings sat perpendicular to the road and stretched away for two hundred feet. This are the campus housing we’ll be staying.

At the end of the road was a plain clap-board livery where we were met by an older gentleman with white hair and a killer handlebar mustache. He had a bright smile on his face as we dismounted and led our steeds through the open half of the front doors. The building was awash in bright lamplight and the soothing sounds of animals munching on their dinner.

I’m sore glad to see you back, Miss Gina, he greeted us as he took the reins of Gina’s horse.

She frowned. Why? Has something happened?

High Monitor Amsel has been stalking the grounds looking for you, and she wasn’t too happy to hear that you’d gone off riding, he revealed.

Gina blinked at him. The High Monitor? But why?

Seems she wanted to be stopping you from making your trip, he told her as he nodded at the doors. But you’d best get to her to see what she wants herself. He looked at us and wrinkles appeared at the corners of his eyes as he smiled. I’ll be glad to take care of your fine steeds, ladies, and might I say it’s an honor to meet you again, Miss Bee.

Bee leaned over her saddle horn and squinted at the man for a moment before her eyes widened. Why, if it isn’t Tony! My goodness, but what are you doing here? The last we saw of you you were farther east.

He nodded. And one step ahead of a posse of angry farmers who didn’t like me pinching their feed. I got myself respectable some years back and got a job here managing all these wonderful animals. Tony arched his back and the bones cracked like fireworks. He winced and wrinkled his nose. Besides, at my age outrunning a posse isn’t as easy as it used to be.

I hope to see much more of you! Bee welcomed as we followed Gina toward the doors.

He waved at us. And you, too, Miss Bee!

We stepped out of the warm livery and into the biting cold. Night had fallen during our sojourn with Tony and everything was cast in a soft shadow by the light of the pale moon over our heads.

Gina sighed, but nodded back where we came. This way.

I’m guessing we’re going to go see this High Monitor, I mused as we trudged down the gravel road.

She nodded without looking back. Yes. The High Monitor oversees all of the academy. She furrowed her brow. "But still, I cannot see why she would wish to