Dragon Gold

By Kathryn Celeste

A year ago David met his mate. It should have been the happiest day of his life. Instead, it was the worst. Emma ran from him. Only his ability to touch her mind keeps him sane but how long will that be enough?

Hunted and alone Emma hasn’t stopped running since she left Haven. David’s presence in her mind brings her comf

• Language: English
• Publisher: Haven Press
• Release date: Aug 22, 2017
• ISBN: 9780648053637

Kathryn Celeste

Kathryn Celeste has been a programmer, a security specialist, a bookseller, a reviewer and a secretary. Through it all she has written. Pushed hard by a relentless muse to give life to a world unseen by others. She lives in Queensland Australia with her husband, three sons, dog, cat, ducks and chickens where she continues to write about the paranormal folks that poke around in her head. Kathryn loves to hear from readers and can be reached at @kathryn_celeste (twitter) and KathrynCelesteAuthor (facebook) as well as the links on her website. www. kathrynceleste. com A Glimpse into another world.

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Unicorn Gold

The Golden Series

Kathryn Celeste

Haven Press

Unicorn Gold

Copyright © 2017 by Megan Bamford

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the writer’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locals is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the Author, at the address below.

Haven Press

PO Box 352

Browns Plains QLD 4118

www.kathrynceleste.com

Editing: C. Jeannine Meador

Cover Art: P and N Graphics

ISBN - 978-0-6480536-1 -3

First Edition 2017

This is for you honey. For all the nights I didn't make it to bed. For all the dinners I didn't create. For all the times you didn't roll your eyes when I told you my word count. I couldn't do it without you.

"Be yourself.

Unless you can be a unicorn,

In that case, you should always be a unicorn."

-Elle Lothlorien, Alice in Wonderland

Glossary of Terms

ALICORN Equine with wings and a horn. Can appear as either horse or human.

ALTER EARTH Copy of Earth shifted slightly out of phase.

BLUE Australian word for an argument or fight.

CENTAUR Human torso attached to the body of an equine. Can appear as either horse or human.

DRAGON Large serpentine creature with empathic abilities. Can appear human.

DWARVES Humanoids of short stature who can work metal with their bare hands.

DRYAD Humanoid tree spirit.

FAE Tall Humanoids with pointed ears and slanted eyes.

FAIRY Tiny flying humanoids with butterfly wings.

GARGOYLES Humanoids capable of turning into stone monsters.

GOLDEN Earths Tnoran guardian

GOLEM Humanoids formed of clay.

GRYPHON Body of a lion with the head and forelegs of an eagle. Can appear human.

GUARDIAN Protects a planet from Alien incursion before the planets have reached a point in their evolution where they are considered ‘old’ enough to deal with it on their own.

HARPY Humanoid with retractable wings.

HAVEN Compound designed by paranormals to ease the transition from Earth to Alter Earth.

HUNTERS Humans that spend their lives hunting down paranormals.

K’LAX A race of energy based lifeforms from another world.

MADISON Town that houses Haven.

MERMAID Human torso with fish tail.

NYMPH Humanoid water spirit.

PARANORMALS All sentient humanoid species that are not human.

PHOENIX Fire spirit capable of taking human form.

PIXIE Tiny flying humanoid with dragonfly wings.

PROTECTOR Those marked by a guardian to protect their physical body while they are protecting the planet.

SAYTER Legs of a goat and torso of a human.

SHAPESHIFTER Can change into a single animal form and a single human form as part of their birthright. Creatures that can shift due only to gifts from Golden are not included.

TNORAN Immortal humanoids from another world.

TOMBS An alien species that appears as a source of information.

UNICORN Equine with a horn. Can appear as either horse or human.

VAMPIRE Humanoids that require blood to survive but have abilities as a result.

Prelude

Wrapped in a golden shimmer of power the lone woman stood still among the rush of creatures eager to escape the hunters. As each neared her position a flare of raw power reached out to caress them until they vanished. A handsome black unicorn, horn gleaming onyx in the sunlight, sides flecked with sweat, pulled up hard before her.

Rourke. She said reaching a hand out to him. Speaking directly into her mind Rourke said;

They come.

Nodding she reached out with her power and with a gentle caress, sent him through the portal to safety on a new world.

The humans approach, hurry!

Flexing her powers she reached out to envelop the approaching beings, transporting them to her side, then beyond the shift in reality to Alter Earth.

Return now!! She yelled through the common mental link. They are nearly on us.

Shattering the peace of the grove humans burst into the clearing firing arrows into those who fled before them. Only to watch each arrow drop to the ground without finding its mark. One by one the paranormal creatures disappeared before the human hunters’ eyes. As they watched, the golden power expanded outward, away from the proud, lone woman until only a faint haze remained in the air.

One young hunter notched an arrow and sent it flying towards her heart. As it found its mark she screamed, an eerie banshee-like sound that had the hunters covering their ears in distress. A mental cry traveled weakly along the communal connection as she fell backwards towards a deep, still pool.

I will return for you. Believe. Survive.

Her powers snapped back in a tsunami of wind and debris, toppling the hunters. The collapsing portal cushioned her fall on the fragrant green grass of Alter Earth.

The magical beings surrounded the youthful looking Guardian who had saved them all, their fear for her apparent. If this woman died their magical haven would become unstable destroying them. A drop of golden blood seeped past the arrow. It became a trickle, flowers blooming where it dropped beside her.

The sight of that flow of golden power galvanized Rourke to act. Lowering his onyx horn to her he called on the healing powers of his race to send his spirit into her to work on her wound. Raising his head in shock he looked at the still bleeding wound. Never before had his healing gift failed him.

It did not work. he muttered in disbelief, shifting to human form.

I tried to heal her. It did not work.

Is she dying? a fairy asked, a pucker of worry forming between her perfect brows.

Rourke checked, No. Her life force is stable, the tiny amount of bleeding is not a problem. The arrow has come to rest next to her heart. I do not think she can heal with or without help while it is there.

Well you cannot take it out, snapped the fairy. If she dies, so do we. I say if she's not in danger of death we build her a shelter, make her as comfortable as possible and leave her here.

An alicorn moved gracefully through the crowd, his wings tucked tightly to his side the only visible difference separating him from the unicorns. Lowering himself carefully beside the guardian, Ahearn gently extending a silver wing to warm her.

How much do you expect this stranger to our world to give? Already the price to her is far too high. One day her people will seek her out, what think you they will do if they find her like this? Ahearn blasted along the communal mental path.

A young pixie, no more than ninety years old, hovered near the wound.

You can see the arrow quiver as her heart beats, he whispered in horror. How will we get it out without killing her?

Does it hurt her? asked an autumn colored dryad.

A large dragon moved forward lowering his head to the prone woman. His breath knocking the small pixie back a foot as a crystal tear ran down his cheek solidifying before it hit the ground.

Aye, David choked out. It pains her greatly. I have taken as much of her pain as I can.

In the shade of the nearby trees a vampire watched. The blood called to Bram. Its power obvious from even this distance, more than that though, Golden called to him. The care that she had taken to know his species. To discover they were not evil as humans had long assumed, they meant no one harm. It had touched him in a way that was not exactly comfortable. He had to help. Leaving the shade would weaken the only powers he possessed that might be of use though.

I can control her bleeding if I can get some shade, Bram called, resigned to facing the mistrust of the other magical creatures to aid the Guardian. Without a word, the autumn dryad dipped an acorn in the blood of the Guardian, thrusting it into the earth nearby.

No, Alona! yelled Rourke She told us not to make our homes too close to the edge of the shift. Golden said it would disrupt our magic.

Too late. Alona said, smiling as her color changed from autumn to spring. A proud oak growing from her acorn into maturity bathing the area in a cool, solid shade.

Shade guaranteed with my life vampire, she called, Now come. Prove her faith in your people.

David extended his massive wing to provide a shaded path to the tree's shelter for the vampire. Bram arrived at a run, heart pounding, he hoped he could help Golden. Extending his hands he laid them one above one below the arrow. Everyone watched as the trickle stopped.

Someone will need to remove that. he said, nodding at the arrow.

Rourke took a deep breath reaching for the shaft.

Wait, Bram said, flicking his head to toss his dark hair back. Can you heal like this? Because I can tell you from experience that arrow's going to leave a hole the size of your fist when you pull it out. We could push it through but if it's resting against her heart you should know, while I can control the small bleeds, if you rip a hole in her heart she will die.

Rourke paled, No. I can't even see what I'm doing in this form. He cringed at the thought of what his carelessness might have done.

A wolf shifter stepped forward, his hair showing the mottled color of his pelt, his eyes dark amber. I have the strength needed unicorn. Take your natural form, let your wisdom guide my hand as you heal her, he growled wrapping a large but gentle hand over the arrows quivering shaft.

Rourke shimmered briefly before lowering his dark horn to the wound once more as he sent his consciousness pulsing forward to study the wound. A moment passed, then another before in the deep silence of the communal pathway Rourke whispered,

It's a barbed arrow. If we pull it the size of the scratch in her heart will enlarge to a definite hole. It will take some time to repair such damage, it's possible she will bleed out before I'm done even with the vampire slowing the flow. If we try to push it through it's going to take out half her heart though. I know I can't heal that in time.

Out it is then, said Niall. With one decisive tug he pulled the arrow free.

Blood sprayed out spurting as high as the dragon's wing. The young pixie dived headfirst into the wound, retreating a moment later. Stepping lightly across her breast the pixie coughed and spluttered, clearly missing one segment of his prismatic dragonfly wings.

What's gotten into you lad? growled the wolf, smiling as the blood slowed then stopped.

They grow back. She was bleeding so much, I did not think he could help, he said, gesturing at the vampire who grimaced. Plus the ’corn already said it would take him time to heal it. Me mum could have done it more neatly, but she's taken me brothers and sisters off to find a nice spot for the family.

That was not you? Niall asked of the vampire. No I was trying to keep her heart steadied so the shock would not kill her. I figured the ’corn would have her healed before she could bleed out, mumbled Bram his face graying from strain.

What did you do little one? Niall asked the pixie.

He used his wing and much of his power to make a patch for the hole in her heart. The wing is waterproof, so blood couldn’t seep out. Thanks to him and the vampire I should have her all fixed up in a minute. Rourke muttered.

Concentrating hard, Rourke focused all his energy on healing the gaping hole in the guardian's heart. Rourke thanked his lucky stars the pixie boy had the wits to know they would need a stopgap measure. Trying not to doubt his abilities Rourke gently wove the strands of muscle and tissue together until the heart was once again complete. Pumping blood through her body at a slow steady rate on its own, fully healed. Turning his attention to the other injuries he slowly worked his way out of the healed body. Rourke ignored an itch at the back of his mind until, with a snort he lifted his spinning head from the freshly healed skin before collapsing to the ground beside his patient.

Rourke woke to a gentle hand stroking his withers. A thousand voices shouting in his head. Lifting his head he turned to see Golden sitting beside him

Head hurt? she asked not meeting his eyes. Aye, very much. What happened to me? he asked.

Looking up her eyes mirroring his pain she explained. When one of my people guards a planet, we choose protectors to look after our bodies. We spend so much time outside our bodies searching the skies for threats it is the only way to stay safe. It is not the case with this world. This world’s greatest threat is the humans. Those without magic that attack out of jealousy or fear. So I did not search for or need protectors for my body. If I had chosen protectors, with their permission, I would have marked them with my blood, a single drop will do it. The blood seeps below the skin forming a bond. This happened unwittingly when you healed me.

Your life force attached to mine, your powers have increased accordingly. You’re equipped, in all ways, to protect me from the worst the universe has to offer. You have access to all my thoughts, it's what's giving you the headache. I can help you contain that. Golden gave a wry smile, I did not mean for this to happen Rourke. It cannot be undone. Given a choice, I could not have chosen a more valiant companion, a braver protector than you. I only wish the choice had been yours.

Rourke nudged Golden gently nickering quietly, Had you asked I would have accepted gladly, with pride. Feel no guilt for, truth be told, you had less choice than me. I am quite sure you did not plan an injury to trick me into being your protector.

Leaning her head down to his, Golden moved gently into his mind creating new paths, helping him form controllable shields. Ensuring the knowledge he needed to use his new gifts was in place.

Feel better? I hope the others take this as well as you, she said gesturing around.

Rourke became aware that most of those who'd gathered around Golden when he’d healed her lay on the earth around him. Carefully constructed shelters covered them, shielding them from the weather without preventing the light from touching those who needed it to survive. An itch on his flank caught his attention, looking over he saw the pixie boy covered in a light golden shimmer he was sure had not been there before.

Am I marked like that too? he questioned mournfully. Jet-black was the most handsome color of his species. Few had the onyx horn he'd developed soon after his birth. Golden laughed the sound musical and pleasing to his ears.

Are you so vain then? she asked with a smile. Yes, you’re marked. It's only visible to your people if you wish it to be. I think it enhances your looks. Waving her hand near his nose she created a mirror in which he saw that his marking was not as extreme as the pixie's. His onyx horn now had a vein of gold running from the tip down the spiral to a small sun shape surrounding its base. It would take some getting used to but now his coloring was unique, perhaps not such a bad thing in a bachelor herd. Looking around he saw everyone was marked in a similar fashion.

Your blood did this? It's somewhat attractive, he snorted nodding his head.

It's a form of protection. Should I be killed my family would come. Any near me would be considered responsible. This identifies you as a protector quickly. It allows my family to keep you safe in the event of my death. She smiled before turning to the others to begin the process of waking them.

Standing before her newfound protectors Golden lifted her head to address them. "I have a request, a journey I must ask you to undertake in my place. The untimely interference of hunters caused us to leave behind some who should reside with us. Eight hundred years have passed in the world beyond the shift. The descendants of those we left behind have no idea of what they are, or what they are capable of. Many live in human form, although I sense some in their base animal forms. The gifts that are their birthright alienates them. You must find them, explain what they are. This will not be easy. All of you are creatures of myth and legend. The truth believed by only the most stubborn of hunters, the most quixotic believers. The hunters still stalk your kind, without your natural defenses those that remain are helpless, targets slaughtered at the hunters’ convenience.

You must not be seen in your natural forms or committing any public act of magic. I know what I ask of you is hard, nigh impossible in fact. I will not think less of any that choose not to go. Dropping her head, her lashes fluttered down. I ask now, who will embark on this journey?"

Chapter One

A high-pitched scream of defiance, rage and fear sent a quiver down Rourke's spine. He leaned back to counterbalance Ahearn as the large cream and silver stallion he was riding came to a dead halt, dust streaming past him as his hooves dug deep into the dry earth. They stopped so fast in fact Thanos, their centaur companion in full horse form, nearly shot past them. His deep red coat visibly twitched with agitation as the pain of the tortured creature washed over the empathic centaur. We are close to the source of power. She could be the one we seek. Even if it isn't we need to save her if we can.

Aye. murmured Rourke. No creature should be subjected to such pain merely for wanting freedom. Can you take the fences with me on your back Ahearn?

Douche, snorted Ahearn. If I thought you were asking that seriously I'd send you over the fence on your own.

Thanos sailed over the fence racing towards the increasingly frantic calls, sweat breaking out on his flanks as he obeyed a call to help and protect an innocent.

You two planning on arguing all-day or are you going to join me?

Ahearn took the fence from a stand still. Racing to catch the centaur he expended a slight boost of power, allowing him to catch Thanos even with the burden of Rourke on his back.

Idiot, you can't arrive unsaddled, unbridled and alone. Especially not looking like that. They might decide you're mad and shoot you. Or worse decide you're wild and try to tame you. Think you fighting them in this form would be as simple as snapping their necks in your natural form?

Flying over another fence together, the stunning pair of stallions pulled up in front of a corral, sending dust flying over several cowhands. A light cream mare, covered in sweat and dust, stood between the cowhands trying bravely to prevent them from dropping a lasso around her slender arched neck. She sidestepped nervously, jerking her head to avoid the whips they flailed in her face trying to corner her, already several welts marred the perfect cream of her coat. It would not be long before they scared her permanently. Eyes rolling wildly in her head, it was obvious their methods were doing nothing but driving her towards madness. No stallion in his right mind would allow such treatment of a mare, under his care or not.

Pretty little mare, not enough power to be the source. Ahearn heaved out a deep sigh. Still, we cannot leave her here, she will not submit. In the end they will kill her. While she isn’t magic kin, I sense something about her that is different from the horses we once knew, or those we have encountered since our arrival. I suspect she'll do well at the ranch if we can gain her cooperation. I sense in her a gentleness that isn't visible at the moment, understandably so.

Rourke slid from Ahearn's back, nostrils flaring. His rage barely contained. Instincts screamed at him to kick, bite, kill those who would torment a mare. He knew Ahearn and Thanos were fighting a similar battle, however he was the only one who could defend her at the moment, her only chance at freedom without getting physical. Although if push came to shove; they wouldn't hesitate to punish those who tormented the mare and take her. Rourke had discovered there was little money couldn’t buy. With their powers the supply of cash was almost unlimited.

What are you idiots doing to this poor mare? I heard her cries from the road. Rourke barked at the men in the corral, his anger thickening the slight Irish lilt in his voice.

His appearance although far from stealthy, was startling as the ranch hands attention was so focused on the perverse pleasure they were gaining from their torture of the brave little mare. They hadn't noticed Rourke, Ahearn and Thanos arrive.

Breakin' her in, she's wild just off the range. A total bitch she is too, one of the cowboys claimed laying the whip harshly across the mares withers. Buck here found her with the local mustangs. I reckon he did well snatching her away from that vicious black beast. He brought her in quick like, didn't want that stallion noticing she was gone. Asshole might show up to reclaim her. Although it's starting to look like she's going to be useless for anything but the rodeo. Too stupid to know who’s boss is what I reckon. One of the cowhands said. Give us a few more hours though. We'll either break her or make her an excellent rodeo ride. Either way she'll sell for a bundle.

I see no need to break this mare. Can't you see she's a gentle animal, perhaps it is your methods at fault, Rourke said gently reaching out with his mind to calm the mare, feeling Ahearn and Thanos soothing her with their own gifts.

Gathering his power he sent warm waves of healing to the mare, removing the pain that fogged her mind, creating a slight breeze to carry their scents to her. Working to heal from within Rourke kept his power tightly focused. No slips, too much healing would give away his gifts. Stopping when only shallow cuts remained on the surface of the mare's skin, Rourke withdrew all but the slightest touch of his mind on hers. Projecting fields of tasty grass and beds of soft hay all for her if only she would trust them to protect her.

The mare, her entire body quivering, pranced nervously past the men who had treated her so cruelly. Walking towards Rourke, Ahearn and Thanos she relaxed. Recognizing the true nature of the man and stallions from their scents and the aid they had rendered.

Reaching out his hand Rourke gently stroked her nose offering physical comfort as was natural for his kind. Ahearn extended his neck until he could wuffle gentle soothing sounds against her withers marking her with his scent and protection.

Seeing the mare's suddenly tranquil nature as the defeat they had been working towards for hours, a ranch hand walked up behind her. Rope spinning in the air quietly he prepared to drop it over her head.

The cream mare dissuaded him with one bone jarring kick to his shin, not for a moment visibly removing her attention from the man and horses striving to comfort her. Thanos bared his teeth in a horsey snarl, the sun shining on his dark red coat making it gleam with fire, warning the men to stay back. A quick glance at the unrestrained stallion convinced the men discretion was the better part of valor.

Hiding a smile in Ahearn's shoulder, Rourke opened his mouth, intending to offer a more than fair amount to buy the mare. A sum they wouldn't refuse even to satisfy their sadistic natures when a bright red pickup truck roared into the yard behind them, coming to a screeching halt.

A young woman jumped out of the still running truck, a shotgun slung over one arm. She stalked angrily over to the corral, her long slim legs covering the distance quickly. Her face made perfect by the obvious fact that she was unaware of the stunning effect she had on the males around her. As she confronted them an aura of power snapped around her reaching out to the mare, covering her with a mantle of protection, something Rourke was certain she was unaware of. Power draped softly around the slender curves of her small frame. Spillage pooled around her feet.

Rourke's breath left his body as her power flowed over him like a caress, warm and sensuous, calling to something deep within him that had lain dormant his entire life. The urge to claim her as his was nearly uncontrollable. Arousal slammed into Rourke causing his body to harden painfully. He took an unconscious step towards her, wanting nothing more than to bury his face in her hair and inhale her scent. To nip and play until she turned warm lavender eyes on him, accepting him as her mate.

Buck, I swear one of these days you're going to kill some poor animal. You better believe I'll have the law on you before the body is cold. Pushing Rourke aside without sparing him a