Mated to the Shadow Dragon: Shadow Dragon Book 2 (Dragon Shifter Romance)

By Mac Flynn

Trapped in a strange, fantastical new world with the only familiar her lover who doesn't even remember her, Elly is thrust into more trouble than she could ever imagine.

That trouble includes finding out more about the Heaven Stones, the source of most of her troubles in the new world. Unfortunately, following on their heels are mysterious men with even more mysterious motives. Shade's past, too, stalks them into more problems when he's unwillingly called on to solve a mystery that involves life and death, and the space in between.

Their adventures lead them up and down the city of Senexitas, where they meet foe and friend alike in their search for answers. As they delve deeper into the seedy underbelly of the infamous city, Elly and Shade begin to realize that maybe they aren't chasing as many threads as they first believed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Crescent Moon Studios, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 3, 2021
• ISBN: 9791220877312

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

Iknew I was dreaming, but what could I do? Dreams have a way of trapping you inside them, forcing-feeding you your own insanity as you struggle to make sense of the insensible.

This dream, however, was different.

I stood at the top of the stairs in Rodney’s home. The lights were dimmed and the shadows crept out of their corners, grasping at me with their cold tendrils.

As I stood there, a sound came to my ears. The noise came from the front parlor. I clutched the banister in one shaking hand and eased myself down the stairs. A feeling of dread fell over me so thick and horrible that I felt as though I was slowly suffocating.

I reached the bottom and inched toward the open doors. The sound grew louder, and I recognized the voice as that of a child. I grasped the door frame and dared peek inside.

There were no lights on in the room, but a small fire burned in the hearth. Its flickering light cast a soft glow over the parlor and revealed two figures at the couch. One of them lay over the cushions and a blanket covered their unusually still form. The other was a young girl, perhaps ten, who knelt beside the couch. She wore a plain white dress and her short hair bunched up about her neck. The girl grasped a delicate hand that hung out from beneath the blanket. There was a cold pallor in that hand that made my breath catch in my throat.

Whoever lay on the couch, they were dead.

The sobbing came from the young girl. The firelight cast her features in darkness, but her body trembled and the sobs rattled her small form. The noise wrenched at my heart.

A final figure stood with their back to me and facing the fire. Their stiff, full form told me they were a man a little above average height. One of his hands clutched the mantel and his head was bowed.

I hesitated, unsure whether to interrupt such a mournful scene. As I stood there a sense of urgency crept into the back of mind. The flickering shadows seemed to loom closer, crawling across the walls and floor toward me. Time was running out.

I cleared my throat, but no one turned their eyes to me. Hello? I whispered. The reply wasn’t quite what I expected.

Wake up!

My eyes shot open and I started up, startling what had stood on my chest. Blackbeak fluttered backward and landed with a ruffle of feathers at the foot of the bed.

It took me a moment to realize I was back in my room in Rodney’s house, wrapped tightly in my blankets with a new nightshirt over me. The adventure from a week ago came roaring to life in my mind and left me a little swooning.

Stupid human! he snapped as he folded his wings against his body. This is the last time I wake you up!

I rubbed the sleep from one of my eyeballs and arched an eyebrow above the other one. Why are you waking me up, anyway?

Those two fools want to speak to you downstairs, Blackbeak explained as he turned around to face the open door to my bedroom.

Both eyebrows shot up and I crawled across the bed to grasp a foot post near him. About what?

He shrugged. How should I know? Just get those stupid things on, your clothes, and get down there. He opened his wings and flew out the door.

I climbed out of bed and shut the door behind him before I leaned my back against the wood. The men wanted to see me. That sounded ominous. I hadn’t seen them together since that night Pawn had invited me on the long walk. Without my permission, of course.

I slipped into my clothes and hurried downstairs. The light from the early sun shone through the windows and dressed the floor and walls with its soft glow. I found the men in the front parlor before the dead hearth. Seeing that brought back memories of my strange dream, but those thoughts were soon pushed aside for more pressing, and real, matters.

Shade sat in his customary chair and Rodney stood before the fireplace with one hand on the mantel. They turned their faces to me at my coming, and Rodney smiled and gestured to the couch. Good morning, Miss Elly. I hope you slept well.

Not too bad, I replied as I took a seat on the edge of the couch. So what’s up?

You related to us your adventure at the home of Mr. Ward and mentioned that he had several crystals in his possession, Rodney mused.

I nodded. Yes. He pulled them out of his coat.

Did you happen to see how many he might have held inside his jacket?

I shook my head. No. The room was too dark and I wasn’t really paying attention. I just kept hoping he wasn’t going to pull a gun on me, or worse. I paused and looked between the men. Why do you ask?

Crystals are generally considered useless, Rodney explained as he paced the floor in front of the dead fire. Thus they have little value other than for trinkets and toy things for children. However, of late their prices have begun to climb. We suspect Mr. Ward’s interest in them may be inspiring this increase.

My eyes flickered over the pair. But you’re not sure?

Rodney sighed. There are some doubts-

We don’t have any idea, Shade spoke up as he stood. That bright yellow eye stared down at me with an emotion I wanted to describe as longing, but maybe it was just curiosity. We need to investigate the matter.

Which means what? I asked him.

Which means, Miss Elly- Rodney spoke up as he smiled at me. That perhaps you might wish to go on a short excursion with Shade here and keep him out of trouble.

My eyes widened. Me? I pointed at the window. Out there?

You are rather stuck here for a while, so learning the city would be of use to you, he pointed out.

A shadow flew through the open doors and Blackbeak landed on the back of the couch. Are you insane? Ward will be at her in a moment!

Rodney chuckled. These winding roads are not as barbarous as the trails of the dark forests, and Shade will be accompanying her.

Blackbeak fluffed out his feathers. Then I’m coming, too.

I don’t need you, Shade insisted.

Blackbeak hopped onto my shoulder. Do I have to remind you who was the first one to find out she was missing?

And I need those sharp eyes for another task, Rodney spoke up.

Blackbeak tilted his head to one side and narrowed his eyes. What for?

Another assignment, but one which will assist us in protecting Miss Elly, he assured our avian friend.

Blackbeak ruffled his feathers, but nodded. Alright, I’ll stay, but this better not lose me any feathers.

I couldn’t help but smile before I returned my attention to Shade. His eye hadn’t left me. Are you sure I won’t be in the way? Or get us both killed?

I would have you at my side more than any other place, he returned.

I felt my cheeks redden and dropped my eyes to the floor. Then I’ll go.

Excellent! Rodney affirmed as he clapped his hands. Now off to the Market with the two of you and don’t come home until you’ve brought me some information!

2

Ahalf hour later found Shade and I walking the streets of Senexitas. The people of the metropolis bustled about in their daily grind to make or spend a coin. Carriages rolled past, but every now and again a motorized vehicle flew by with nary a look from the driver or the well-dressed passengers.

So what kind of technology do you guys have in this world? I asked my quiet companion.

A great deal less than the world used to pride itself on, he mused as he took us down a side alley.

Like the crystals? I guessed.

Exactly.

I furrowed my brow. So what was this forgotten civilization about? And what happened to them?

No one’s sure about the answers to either of those questions, and most people only ask enough to learn what they can use, Shade told me.

I wrinkled my nose. So enough to know about the technology. That sounds like playing with fire.

Often it is, Shade agreed as we took another turn.

I looked around us at the larger buildings with ground-floor windows that showed off wares. So where are we going again?

To the Market.

I know that, but what’s the Market exactly?

We reached the end of the road and the street opened to a vast rectangular plaza. A dozen roughly uniform rows of colorful booths were crammed together, leaving a narrow walkway between them through which shoppers sidled by one another. Sellers advertised their wares with loud voices and expressive arm waving. Cloth, fish, jewelery, and any number of goods stood side by side, tempting buyers with their shimmering luxuries and lack of a price tag.

I looked up at Shade and smiled. The Market?

The Market.

So if we’re looking for the crystals, I’m guessing we need to go to a jeweler.

A sly smile slipped onto his lips. Not quite.

He took my hand and guided me through the maze of booths and people. Children ducked and scurried through the wide hoops of women’s dresses as they chatted away like clustered hens. Men strode past carrying barrels and heavy bolts of cloth on their shoulders. The smells that wafted from the stalls were a horrific delight of sweet candies and smelling fish.

We entered what I presumed was the food part of the market, judging by the amount of vegetables put on display. An eager seller leapt out and shoved a spiky fruit under my nose.

A cadaver fruit for you, beautiful lady? he cooed as I inhaled the scent of the prickly fruit. It’ll keep that red blush on your face for years!

I didn’t need to ask to know why it was called that as a scent of death invaded my nostrils. Shade drew me back behind him and grasped the fruit in one hand. He crushed the spiky food with a tiny flex and the yellow innards splattered over the seller.

Y-you ass! the seller stuttered as he dropped the broken remains of his product onto the ground. He wiped the muck from his eyes and glared at Shade. You need to pay for that!

Not today, Shade told the man before he led us away.

Do people actually eat that? I asked him.

Myths say that smelling like death will fool Death into leaving you alone for longer than your time allows, he explained.

At the mention of the Dark One, I couldn’t help but look up at Shade. His bandages still hid most of his face from me, and everyone else, but I wondered if the mind behind that mummified look remembered that he had met Death, at least briefly. Were those memories locked tight in that wonderful mind, or had they rotted with his old body?

Here we are, Shade announced as he stopped us in front of a large stall.

The wares, an assortment of potatoes in various colors, were set back under the awning and the seated seller himself was partially hidden behind a wooden table. He wore a pair of loose tan trousers and a dirty vest over his pale skin. His crossed legs rested on the top and his head leaned back in perfect slumbering bliss. Shade walked up to the man and raised a hand to whack one of the feet.

Don’t you dare, the slumbering man spoke up.

Shade grinned and dropped his hand. I thought perhaps you had become slower over the years.

The man opened his eyes and smiled. Not a chance. He paused as his gaze fell on me. The man scrambled to his feet and slapped a grin on his face. But if you’ll excuse me, I seem to have a customer-

She’s with me, Shade informed him.

The man’s face dropped faster than an anvil over a cliff, and he cast Shade a jealous, sullen look. You could have told me that first.

And ruin the surprise? Shade teased.

The man dropped back into his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. What do you want?

Shade plucked a purple potato from a basket and turned it over in his hand. The usual, Bleat.

Bleat scoffed. That’s vague, even for you, and her- He nodded at me. What’s she got to do with the usual? You don’t usually have anybody with you, not even that employer of yours.

She’s interested in what I want to know, Shade revealed as he tossed the potato in the air. He paused and looked down at the seller with his bright eye. And that’s about the crystals.

Bleat arched an eyebrow. What crystals?

Shade closed his eye and smiled. You’re a worse liar than usual, Bleat. Getting out of practice?

Bleat leaned forward and eyed Shade with his keen gaze. What are you wanting with stiffers? Or are you looking for the real stuff?

Stiffers? I repeated.

Bleat’s attention fell on me. They’re called stiffers because if you’re buying one then you’re stupider than a stiff. He lay back and shrugged. You can’t even get a good cut on them because they’re too hard, and they’re not much of a paperweight on account of them being lighter than they look.

We’re looking into the stiffer market, if your ear is still against that ground, Shade told him.

Bleat grinned. I wouldn’t have a business if it wasn’t for spuds and spying. Now what will you pay me for my info?

That depends on the information, Shade returned as he drew out a small satchel. He shook the bag and coins jingled together.

Bleat’s greedy eyes darted to the bag before he looked back up to Shade. That’s a lot of coins for a little info.

What do you know? Shade questioned him.

Only that someone’s been buying up a whole bunch of the stuff, especially the stiffers, Bleat revealed as he tilted his head to one side to study Shade. Someone who doesn’t want anyone knowing who they are.

But you know, Shade guessed.

Bleat shrugged. I don’t, but I might be able to find out.

Shade tossed the bag onto the table. Find out.

Bleat snatched the bag in one hand and tucked it into his coat. I’ll get right on it, but that someone isn’t the only person, either. A bunch of my regular customers have been asking about the stuff lately, too. Seems they’ve been hearing about others who heard rumbles about something special coming. His attention fell on me. Something to do with a woman with a strange look in her eye. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?

Shade stepped to one side and partially hid me from Bleat’s prying eyes. Not a thing. We’ll leave you to do your job, and I expect results soon.

Bleat stood and gave us a flamboyant bow at the waist. Not a problem.

Shade led me away, but I risked a look over