Brewing Storms (Fated Touch Book 13): Fated Touch, #13

By Mac Flynn

Jane and the others have left behind the Island of Shadows, but they can't leave behind the lingering consequences. She now holds the magick of darkness within her, and slumbering as he is there is still danger in traveling with such a powerful companion.

 

That danger arrives on the heels of torrential rain and whipping winds. A storm for the ages traps them in a remote town where the locals cast suspicious glances at them. They soon learn that other outsiders have come with demands for the ancient automata harbored within their metalus mines.

 

One of the villagers, a young historian, takes a liking to them and offers them shelter in his tiny abode. There he regales them with tales of a mighty hero who protected the village many millennia ago. The other villagers ridicule his love of the past when their future is so perilous, but the historian assures them he has a plan. That plan involves Jane, and as the storm worsens and new foes arrive she finds herself caught in a web of lies and greed, a web in which she must break free, or die trying.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Crescent Moon Studios, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 9, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215523582

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

Lightning flashed. Rain fell in torrential sheets of damp, cold wetness. The road was a mudslide waiting for one unwary foot to slip into its deep muck.

And from the darkness there were eyes that watched.

I couldn’t notice those eyes, though, not when I was in the middle of that terrible storm and trying not to become a victim of the slip-n-slide the world had become. Around us was a world of trees, but they, like us, were trapped in a narrow valley that was surrounded by steep, craggy mountains.

I huddled beneath Caius’ wings as the wagon bounced to and fro, and sometimes the wheels slipped, and the sorry nag would give a neigh of fright.

Easy there, Maurizia! the driver shouted as he pulled his nag away from the muddy ditch. Do you want us to be going into that mess? Eh, you foolish horse?

My grandparents sat opposite us in the long back of the wagon. Bee was cuddled up against Sage and tucked under her chin was the frazzled Midge. They were bundled under a tarp so full of holes it looked like a city street after a couple of decades of neglect.

Caius eyed Sage with a look of bemusement mixed with annoyance. The south lands are sunny this time of year? Isn’t that what you said? he called out, and his words were followed by a peal of thunder.

Sage shuddered as a slop of rain ran down the back of his neck. He huddled deeper under the tarp and glared at Caius. "The south lands are generally nice this time of year, but I am no weather forecaster, nor can anyone predict a storm that strikes once every millennium or two."

Our driver was a burly fellow with a broad-brimmed hat and a heavy poncho. His features were hardened by the hot sun, but there was a twinkling in his eyes that showed that a long life of labor hadn’t affected his humor.

He looked over his shoulder and nodded. Aye! I haven’t seen the like of such a storm in all my years, and I’m sure my father has not, nor his father! Bless his soul. He crossed himself and bowed his head.

How much farther to the port, Signor Abano? Sage asked him.

At that moment the cart decided the road was too boring and tried to slip into the ditch. The sides of the road dropped off some two feet and into thick brush. The nag gave a shrill whinny as its hooves slid backwards with the cart.

Whoa! Dig those wonderful hooves into that mud, you lazy animal! he shouted as he lashed a thick rope around the sliding side of the cart.

Abano leapt over the opposite side and landed in the middle of the road as we edged toward the drop. He gave a great pull and his nag whinnied, and together the pair pulled us out of danger. Abano walked up to the horse and stroked her shivering neck.

You did good, Maurizia, he soothed as he patted her neck. Very good. Wonderful, even, my little one. The horse snorted and nuzzled his coat. Yes, yes, you deserve it, he agreed as he removed a piece of carrot and gave the treat to his steed.

Not bad, even for a tusk shifter, Caius complimented him.

Abano looked up at us and gave us a smile between his protruding white tusks. His skin was slightly grayer than a few moments ago and his eyes shone with a faint yellow hue. Thank you, kind sir!

Even elephant shifters… I murmured to myself.

Bee smiled and nodded. A shifter for all animals, and all animals for a shifter.

Sage sat up in the back of the wagon and looked around. We must find shelter, or we will have to swim to the city. A brilliant flash of lightning lit up the dark sky and was followed quickly by a thunderclap.

There is a village not far from here, Abano spoke up.

Were you going to wait until we were under water before you mentioned that? Caius asked him.

Some of Abano’s humor fled him as he shook his head. No, but we will not find a warm welcome there. Visitors are not so welcome as they used to be.

Why is that? Sage inquired.

Abano patted Maurizia a couple more times and climbed back onto the box. Men have come from far away to lay claim to their metalus mine and the automata within them. The villagers have nothing left but that mine, and so with each threat by these strangers they have grown more distrusting of anyone who comes into the village.

Another peel of lightning lit up the sky, followed by a thunderclap that shook me to my bones. I think we’ll risk it.

Abano nodded. Very well. Come, Maurizia! Away we go! He cracked the reins and the steed continued on her unhurried way through the thick mud.

Caius drew me closer against him and I looked up to find his eyes on me. What? I asked him.

How are you feeling? he wondered.

I shifted in his soft, warm grasp and shrugged. Not too bad. The rain hasn’t settled into my soul yet.

He shook his head. Not that. He settled his hand over my chest. "That."

Oh... I lay my hand over his and bowed my head. "I don’t really feel anything…"

Not a single stir from our acquaintance? Sage mused.

I shook my head. No. I don’t even feel the coldness like when he gave me his powers on the island.

Good, Caius chimed in as he wrapped his arms around me.

You don’t think he’s, well, dead, do you? I asked my companions.

Sage smiled and shook his head. I am sure he is merely resting.

I sighed. Good. I hope he rests for a long time.

We bounced our way along the muddy road for another few miles before we spotted a cluster of lights peeking out of the sleet like stars. Maurizia pulled us down the main road of the small village of stone walls and metal roofs.

My eyes widened as I beheld those metal-topped houses. They have metal roofs in this world?

Where metalus is plentiful, yes, Sage confirmed as Abano turned our carriage toward a two-story building well-illuminated against the darkness.

Which isn’t many places, Caius added as he glanced at the houses we passed. A few curtains shifted. These people are curious, but not curious enough to show their faces.

I am afraid I am not as knowledgeable of the metalus mines as I once was, Sage admitted as he shifted against Bee. How many are left?

Caius shrugged. About half a dozen, and some of those are mining poor quality. The good stuff’s too deep to reach by hand, and nobody can get the machines going.

Here we are! Abano shouted as he pulled us up to the large building. He hopped down and turned to us with a smile. The Auto Inn is good for food and rest, and tomorrow we can take the road again.

We could use both, I agreed as Caius helped me down.

The door opened and light spilled onto our little group. The figure of an older gentleman was silhouetted in the doorway. He stepped out onto the porch and squinted at us with all the hospitality of a bulldog intent on guarding its bone.

Go away! he snapped.

Sage stepped forward and smiled at the man. We have come for rooms-

There are none to spare, so go away! the man insisted.

I looked past the man at the empty lobby. There have to be some to let.

Not to strangers, the man informed us as he stabbed a finger down the road. Now leave!

But you know me, Signor Gallo, Abano reminded him. Will you not let them stay?

Gallo shook his head. No, nor even you, Signor Abano. There is too much at stake to- He stopped and glared at us. Enough! Leave now!

Abano looked to us and shrugged, so we piled back into the wet wagon and continued our journey, but with even less enthusiasm than before. Even Maurizia had changed her pace from crawling to tiptoeing.

Sage sighed. We must continue onward to the port.

How far is that? I asked him.

Caius frowned. Another twenty miles. I shivered.

Just then Maurizia skidded to a stop and let loose a frightened whinny. There, standing in the middle of the road, was a huge monstrosity with glowing red eyes.

2

A moment! a voice shouted from the shadows, and shortly thereafter a figure shot out of the trees and stopped between us and the monster. They raised their arms and revealed themselves to be a man covered in a cloak.

Abano squinted into the darkness. What are you doing there with that automata?

I squinted into the dark, and the figure with the red eyes emerged from the gloom. The creature’s body was shaped like an avocado with the wide part appropriately placed on the hips. Thin arms stuck out the sides and ending in four-fingered hands. The legs were thick, and its feet were flat pancakes. Its head was an egg with two red dots for eyes. Neither a mouth nor ears were seen. The machine’s metal-plated body shone like silver, even in the weak light of the dreary night.

I lifted an eyebrow. That’s an automata?

Sage stroked his chin as he examined the behemoth of nuts and bolts. Yes. One of those ancient machines of the people of Keris, that wonderful city of clouds from our adventure so long ago. They built many more throughout the world, and this creature that stands before us is one of the few I have seen so far away from the floating city, and never have I seen one in such excellent condition.

The man strode over to the side of the machine and turned to face us. The stranger threw off his hood and revealed himself to be a young man of about twenty with gray eyes and a curiously tense smile. He kept those keen eyes on us as he patted the side of its belly. The sound wasn’t the hollow echo I expected, but a hard clunk. What do you think? I call him Custado.

Abano frowned at the young man. Paco! Why do you block the road for my customers?

Paco looked past him and at the four of us. I heard what happened at the inn, and I feel I must apologize on behalf of the whole of Fossa.

Abano waved a hand at us. Apologies will not get dry them out!

Paco inclined his head. I know that Signor Abano, and that is why I offer you my abode as a place to stay.

Abano lifted an eyebrow. That is very nice of you, Paco, but you will not make friends among your people by giving strangers help.

Paco folded his arms over the front of his damp cloak and laughed. You and I both know that I don’t have any friends among my people, so I don’t believe I’ll care.

Abano pursed his lips but looked over his shoulder at us. I will leave the choice to you, kind people. Do you wish to go with my friend here? He waved his hand at Paco. His home is good but small- My stomach interrupted his eloquent speech.

Paco laughed. And food in the cupboards.

Bee dropped her eyes to her shivering little bird and her face fell. Midge needs a warm place to dry her feathers.

Sage lifted his gaze to our driver and nodded. We would be very grateful for any home that would take us in.

Paco’s face lit up and he pointed down a side road that led toward the foothills of the steep cliffs. My home is this way. He cast a quick look up at the automata. Come on, Custado. Our new companion strode down the road, but his machine buddy didn’t flinch. Instead, those red eyes appeared to fix on me. Paco stopped and half-turned to the robot with a frown on his face. Custado! Come on!

The eyes of the robot flickered like an old television set, and the creature turned toward Paco. It set off in a clunky gait and Paco continued onward with the thing at his side.

Our driver looked less pleased than our new guide. He leaned toward us, and when he spoke, he had lowered his voice to a whisper. I must warn you, good people, that Paco is what the people around here call ‘testa.’ Your people would call it ‘touched.’

Sage lifted an eyebrow. Why do they say that?

Abano pursed his lips as he looked ahead of us. Paco is a good boy, but he has a… he likes the old stuff. Perhaps too much, many say. He dabbles with them, touching things that should not be touched.

Sage bowed his head. I am sure it is nothing more than curiosity, but we thank you for the warning.

Are you coming? Paco called from several yards down the road.

Abano grasped the reins tightly in his hands and frowned. We are coming!

Our driver cracked the reins and the wet nag sauntered off after the man and his machine. The road twisted about like a snake, as did most in the small town, but eventually the incline grew steeper, and the houses grew older. The stone walls were replaced with packed dried mud, and the glass windows grew foggy with age and dirt. Even the rain couldn’t dampen the musty scent in the air, and the trees that dotted the landscape grew taller and towered over many of the homes.

Paco’s abode turned out to be a stately manner with one peculiar feature. The whole place had been carved from the steep walls of the cliff. Balconies towered above us as he led us through a low archway and into a small courtyard. Smoothed windows stared down at us through moth-speckled curtains, and leaves had gathered in all the corners of the yard. There wasn’t a single light in any of the windows, and there was no sound of birds except for Midge as the cart rolled under a tall archway and into a small courtyard. I couldn’t help but notice a design of a crow on either side of the arch wall. Abano stopped the vehicle in front of a pair of fine wooden doors that led inside the cliff face.

Wow, I breathed as Caius climbed down and offered me his arms. I accepted his offer, and he helped me out of the rear. This is really cool.

Paco stood near the door with his machine friend and smiled at me. I’m glad you like it. My great-great grandfather carved much of the original structure with his own hands, and other members of my family added to it.

Caius swept his eyes over the dark courtyard and pursed his lips. Do you live here alone?

Paco’s good humor faltered a little as he gave a curt nod. Yes. Unfortunately, I am the last of my line, except for a few cousins farther down the street. He caught our driver’s eye and waved his hand in the direction of another archway that led into a low, metal-roofed building. Signor Abano, you may put up your steed and cart in the stables. There isn’t much hay, but it’s still dry and warm.

Abano hopped down and bowed his head. Maurizia and I will be glad for whatever you have, signor. With that he led his nag through the doorway and out of sight.

Paco caught our attention and smiled. If the rest of you will follow me.

He opened the doors and revealed a small hall which stretched leftward where a tiny dining table and kitchen showed themselves. Stone steps led up to a single narrow hall that stretched lengthwise across the house. There were no doors along the wall opposite the stairs, but the hall disappeared out of sight on both the left and right, and no doubt led to rooms where one could access the balconies I’d seen outside.

Paco turned to us and stretched out his arms on either