Outlaws and Bandits

By Madaline

Katerina Gables is an unmarried woman who should be wed. She prefers freedom to being wed to someone she may never love. She craves romance, adventure, and magic. She finds her adventure in Lawless Island accompanied by Outlaws such as Lillian Cramer and Mateo Wheeler. Mystery, the undead, pirates, and more folktales will open up her mind as she

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ukiyoto Publishing
• Release date: Mar 23, 2023
• ISBN: 9789360492984

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Outlaws and Bandits

Madaline

Ukiyoto Publishing

All global publishing rights are held by

Ukiyoto Publishing

Published in 2023

Content Copyright © Madaline

ISBN

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in a retrieval system, in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.

The moral rights of the author have been asserted.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated, without the publisher’s prior consent, in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published.

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Dedication

THIS book is dedicated to everyone who reads it for sheer entertainment and enjoyment. Books are fiction as is most art. It's not meant to be taken seriously. So, this, particular book is DEDICATED to the people who read just to escape reality. The world is already a dark enough place without all the overdramazitation. Thank you and enjoy!

Contents

Crystal

Vortex

Lawless

Antics

Pedro

Starlight

Left Hand

Tasteless

Wind Fever

Treetop Hollow

Echoes

Arctic Chill

Igloo Forest

Boundaries

Ghosts

Outlaws

Hold Up

Negotiations

Cruelty

Heartstrings

Evernote

Split

Soft Spoken

Demons

Self Worth

Melody

Symphony

Ash

Bloodstained

Lawless

Hardwick Valley

Kiss It Goodbye

Clover Mist

Day Visions

Ivy Blossoms

About the Author

Crystal

H

is bright green eyes are ablaze with anger. He's pale with short wisps of dirty blonde curls. His cheeks hold in a breath of air as he eyes me. He's got fair features, stands at about five foot nine, maintaining a chubby figure. His face is turning red, making me question what his conflict is.

          Kenji, why do you look like you're about to implode? I ask my thirty one year old brother. He's less mature than me and I'm only twenty six years of age. I raise a dark, chestnut brown eyebrow at him.

          Kenji's nostrils flare. He had burst through the apartment door of Applewood Apartments. His breath held the stench of alcohol as he broke the door down, Why do you think, Katerina?

          I've got olive, sun-kissed skin compared to his fair features. My skin isn't red, seeming oily in the right light. My eyes are a shade of dark green whereas I'm petite, tiny, standing at five foot two. I'm weaker in strength compared to my older brother, I'm not sure. That's why I'm asking you.

          Kenji growls, lunging for me. He takes a handful of my shoulder length, thick, dark chestnut brown curls causing me to release a yelp. He causes me to fall to my knees with tears, piercing the back of my eyelids, "Listen up, little bitch, dad has not made the sacrifices he did for you to throw your life away!"

          I'm highly confused. I sigh, Let go of me!

          Why? So, you can run to your lover boy? The one who you can never marry for the sake of saving Swift Haven? Kenji growls in my face, allowing spit to slap me.

          I furrowed my eyebrows. I don't want to marry to save Swift Haven. I don't want to get married at all, I'm not getting married!

          Want a bet? The voice of Desmond Gables booms. The man who raised us appears behind Kenji, slamming the front door. He was accompanied by my best friend. His eyes were a candy apple green with short, buzzed cut dirty blonde hair.

          Our father was the same height as Kenji with broad shoulders, and a slimmer build to him. He was dressed in navy green with a black tee shirt underneath the jacket and blue jeans with brown boots. Our father had more taste than Kenji did.

        My eyes jumped to my best friend whose skin was a deeper olive shade. I raise an eyebrow when my eyes meet the dark, beady eyes of Oliver Kidman. Him and I had been best friends since childhood. I just don't get how Kenji thinks we are lovers unless my bestie implied something different…

          Oliver keeps his eyes averted from mine. He's got a head of short, dark jet black curls. He's tall, lean, and lanky. He's a charmer which is no surprise to anyone who gets involved with him. He's also mischievous, trying to talk people into things.

      I clear my throat as my eyes tear from Oliver to my father's, Want a bet, what?

      Your boyfriend wants to marry you. I have approved since it'd be the quickest way for you to keep Swift Haven flickering with life, Katerina. My father says, grinning from ear to ear like the devil.

        Oliver kept his eyes from locking with mine. His dark eyes were on the floor. He was a few months younger than me, almost a year. He was in a long sleeve, knit and mint green sweater. His top matched the black, torn jeans he wore with boots.

            I know why he wouldn't look at me. I wouldn't approve of a marriage to anyone let alone Oliver. Sure, we have history, but I wouldn't spend my life with him. I've known him since we were kids, He's not my boyfriend, dad!

          He's close enough. He loves you. That's good enough for me. My father says as he gestures to Kenji, Now, help your brother get to his room.

            I roll my dark green eyes, opting not to disobey my father. I attempt to drag Kenji in the direction of his bedroom. I understand why Nicole left– she didn't want to put up with sick fucks like our father and brother. I grunt as Kenji slings an arm around my shoulder, making me even more uncomfortable than necessary. I managed to shoot Oliver a glare of a scowl before heading down the hall, hauling Kenji like it's my job.

          Don't worry, sis. You'll be a married woman before you know it. Kenji grins, slapping me hard on the shoulder.

          I nearly lost balance thanks to his ludicrous action. I don't think anyone yearned to be stuck on Planet Swift Haven, but as far as anyone knew– it was the only planet in the entire galaxy to exist. I don't know why, but when you hit twenty; you were officially considered an adult even though your brain stops developing at the tender age of twenty five. I'm convinced mine stopped developing as a kid, And, what about you, Kenj? Will you be a married woman before you know it?

          Kenji furrows his eyebrows together as he tries to make sense of my words, "Are you trying to start an argument?"

          A trickle of sadness causes my heart to swell. I gently shake my head, No. I'm not.

            Good. Kenji says, letting his breath sting my nostrils. He manages to burp which turns into a string of hiccups. He's stumbling as we make it to his bedroom door.

          I let go of Kenji once he took hold of the doorknob to his bedroom. I'm about to take off, but my brother can't help, but make shit worse. I frown as I keep my cool, Yes, bro?

          "You are one ugly duckling nor does that dress make you any less ugly." Kenji smirks as he snickers at what he considers a joke.

          I eye the powder blue, strapless, heart shaped dress which stops short above the thighs. I'm wearing dark brown cowgirl boots to match. I didn't see the problem with the snug fitting dress which made my chest pop. I'm not overly girly or feminine, but I had my moments; mostly when no one was looking. I shake my head at Kenji, You are just jealous that you couldn't pull this off.

          I could pull it off you then dress up in it. The dress would look so much better on me, sis. Kenji growls, becoming asinine. He extends his hands towards me, roughly gripping the edge of the dress where it's heart-shaped via my breasts. His hands are on the dress, grunting as he attempts to rip it from my body.

            KENJI, WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING? I vehemently roar as I dig my fingernails into his hands. I manage to cause the older male to yelp from the pain as he tries to bite me in a vengeful mood. I kick him in the groin, fully causing him to lose focus on moi.

            What's with the yelling? Our father comes down the hall, looking as displeased as ever. His eyes jump from me to Kenji, Katerina Gables, what did you do to your brother?

            What? I ask in a weak gasp as tears shine bright in my dark green eyes. I vigorously shake my head at the man who raised me, I gave him what he deserved. He was trying to rip my dress from my body.

        Katerina Gables, no more lies! You always do things and blame them on your brother. You're gonna be married as soon as possible before you cause anymore problems in this family! The man shouts, lifting up his hand to me.

          Yo! What's going on? The gentle, deep voice of Oliver asks as he comes into view. His appearance was enough to halt Desmond Gables in his spot. His dark eyes jump from my father to me as he scowls at the man who raised me, Sir, are you about to hit your daughter?

            Desmond gets a hold of himself as he lets his hand fall down by his side. He shakes his head, "You have no idea the trouble that she causes!"

            Sure. Oliver scoffs, folding his arms to his chest as he moves to block me from my father. He had morals unlike most guys our age. He was one of the good ones raised right even if he's a smidge obsessive and possessive.

            Katerina Gables, go to your bedroom. I don't want to see your face until you've been married off. Are we clear? Father speaks, hating the fact that Oliver was shielding me from him.

            Crystal clear, sir. I weakly reply, hurrying to scramble to my bedroom. I don't utter a word to Oliver considering I felt humiliated. I didn't want anyone sticking up for me, especially where family was concerned. I could stick up to family…myself or be abused doing so, but that gave no one the right to intervene.

            I can't see past the blurry vision due to my tears as I enter my bedroom. I'm half tempted to go to sleep, but I grow scared of what my father may do to me when I'm out– cold. I don't trust my father or brother. My father and brother had given me enough reason not to trust them as I grew up in the same household as them.

Vortex

T

he tears were streaming down my olive features. I was sitting on my queen sized bed which is covered in powder blue. My entire bedroom had been made up of powder blue colors. I hated every inch of it. I didn't hate the color blue, but my favorite color was orange.

            A blinding bright blue light opens in the middle of my bedroom. A voice that's familiar, but one I had never heard before frightens me from my heartache.

          A lean, lanky man of about six foot with dark, graying hair is standing beside the portal. He's got bright blue eyes, hidden behind a pair of black glasses. He seems to be the type to be well groomed and educated. His left middle finger held a gold band, stirring relief in my heart. He's got tanned skin, dressed in a dark blue tuxedo with a red tie.

        He clears his throat, I am Dorian Winters. I am your birth father, Katerina Gables.

          Confusion swept into my heart. I'm quick to dry my eyes. My brief glance at the vortex of blue turns towards the man who seemed to have conjured it. I scoff, raising an eyebrow, Excuse me, are you insane, sir? My father is–

          No, no, no. Desmond Gables is your adopted father. Your mother and I agreed to let you go to retrieve you when the time was right. Dorian softly muses, further stumping me.

        Am I imagining things? I rub at my eyes as I shake my head. I highly doubt a man who claims to be my father would be standing before a vortex of a portal, I can't believe you.

        I have proof. Dorian softly whispers, hoping to hook me.

        In a way, the man piqued my interest. Should I let live or make sure the man is telling the truth? I huff as I nod, Show me the proof then I'll pretend to believe you.

      You are equally as stubborn as your mother– if not, worse. Dorian says, snapping his fingers over the palm of one of his hands. He causes an image of her to appear: a woman that looks an awful lot like me.

        I had never met my mother. Not once in my life. I had been told by Desmond I would never get to meet her since she was crazy, whacked, and banned from Swift Haven.

          Swift Haven is built on those with the ability to conjure, create, and manipulate fire. Anyone without the touch of flame was considered a bad omen or a curse. Sometimes, both. The people of Swift Haven likened themselves to the title of Firefolk as a frown twists my lips.

        "Mildred Gables was banned for not having the ability of fire." I gently coo as I remove myself from the spot on my bed. I walk over, eyeing the image of my mother Dorian was able to produce.

          Mildred Gables had navy green eyes with chocolate brown waves that fell to the middle of her back. She held tanned skin with a golden glow. She looks exactly like me as my eyebrows hit my hairline.

        Your mother is what they deem Fireproof on Swift Haven. They don't like the twisted idea. Dorian voices, frowning as soon as he let the insinuation slip.

          Who's they? I ask as I slowly place my hands on my hips. I watch the man claiming to be my father squirm, shifting uneasily on the spot where he stood.

        Dorian begins to sweat as he tugs at the collar of his tuxedo, I cannot tell you, but you'll learn in your own time who they are. This vortex of a portal leads to a realm– the realm between Swift Haven and its sistering planet. The realm is called Lawless Island.

          Are you trying to send me into danger with no help? I inquire as Dorian scoffs.

        Dorian begins to massage the temples of his forehead. He quickly shakes his head, I am not, Katerina. I want to spare you a life of misery with Desmond and Kenji Gables. You think they're bad, now?

          I could sense more was coming to what and who Dorian Winters was, Yes.

        "Well, they're not. Desmond and Kenji are greedy. They'll stop at nothing in order to get what they want. Destroying their home planet is something on their to-do list in the process." Dorian breathlessly reveals causing my worry to rise.

        Bile rose up in my throat as my mind wandered to my best friend, "If I'm going anywhere then I can't leave Oliver behind."

          Dorian sports a lopsided, goofy grin at the mention of my best friend, Your twin flame?

        What? I ask, on the brink of biting off my tongue. I shake my head at his choice of wording, I don't believe in that garbage.

        How can you not, Katerina? Do you know how many innocent folk on Swift Haven have died, because of their twin flames? Dorian gingerly asks me.

        I heard the stories which I cited as rumors. I didn't know of anyone with a twin flame who died without their other half like the man was suggesting. I snorted at the notion, "Look, man, twin flames are a tale folk of all kinds pass on to scare the newer generations. I definitely don't have one."

        Dorian's bright eyes dimmed as he juts out his bottom lip.