Shay reached out to pat her hand.
James shrugged. “Magic’s complicated. I wouldn’t worry about it too much.” He didn’t want to suggest that it might be better if Alison didn’t have to worry much about magic. After all, magic not only represented power, it also represented her link to her dead mother.
“The headmistress said she expects it’ll change as I get older.”
“There you go, then.”
A meek-looking girl in glasses passed them, and Alison waved at her. The girl waved back but hurried along.
“That’s one of my friends, Julia,” Alison explained. “She’s got an affinity for air magic. She’s still figuring what she can do, but she’s got great hearing because of it.”
Julia was already deep into the crowd at that point, but she turned and waved to the table with a grin.
“See?”
James chuckled. “It sounds like you’ve settled in here, then.”
The teen looked down for a moment before nodding. “I guess I have. I’m still kind of getting used to it, but I’ve been making friends, and I like a lot of the teachers. Not all of them.”
“There’s always one,” James said. “For me it was Sister Emily.” He grunted.
Shay poked him with her elbow. “Don’t put your baggage on her. And give Alison her present already.”
James pulled out the jewelry box and opened it, revealing a jeweled pendant on a silver chain.
“Oh, that’s so pretty,” Alison exclaimed.
“And functional.”
“Huh?”
“It’s called an ‘Aegis Pendant.’ It’s a kind of shield. You activate it by wanting to be protected and saying ‘Aegis aeon.’ Once you do that, it’ll form a magic shell right around your body. It can take a decent punishment, magical or physical, but I wouldn’t stare down an angry dragon.” James tapped his head. “It’s important to have both the words and the intent when you use it. It won’t work without both.”
Alison furrowed her brow. “I don’t understand.”
“You have to really want to be protected.” James glanced over his shoulder. That air girl was probably hearing everything he said. Fucking magic. “It’ll last for one hour once activated, unless it starts pulling energy from you. It has to be recharged.”
“How exactly?”
“It’ll automatically do it over a day, but the point is, don’t play with it unless you need it. It draws on background magical energy or some sh— Stuff.”
Shay chuckled. “Talk about overprotective.”
“I love it,” Alison replied. She hopped up and rushed over to pull him into a hug, and tears ran down her cheeks.
James blinked. “Why are you crying if you like it?”
Shay rolled her eyes. “Don’t be such a doof, Brownstone. She’s crying because she’s happy.”
Alison nodded quickly. “I’m going to go show my friend.”
“Okay, you do that, kid.”
Shay waited for Alison to disappear into the crowd. “What’s the deal, Brownstone?”
James frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“You showed me that the other day and it was just a silver necklace, not some fancy expensive pendant. That cost a lot of money.”
He shrugged. “I had that added, so others will see that necklace and know someone cares about that young woman. There’s no money I can spend that will help her as much as others telling her how pretty she is.”
Shay shook her head. “You’re a damn enigma, Brownstone.”
“Huh?”
“Clueless one second, wise the next.”
Epilogue
A week later, James moved toward a park several streets down from his house. High chain-link fences surrounded the entire perimeter of the park, and the only access was through a single gate.
Trey and several of his boys sat at the front, next to a series of keyed lockers. Their colors were on display, but they had no obvious weapons. The only people in the park with weapons were Sergeant Mack and a few other police officers. Even though they were all in casual clothes, they had their guns and badges.
The cops stood near two large wheeled barbeque pits, smoking up a storm and cooking up a fucking feast. A band on a small wooden stage played some rock song that sounded vaguely familiar.
Children rushed around, laughing and playing. Bounce houses and bounce obstacle courses littered the park.
A family stepped into the park. Three gang members came right after, their colors showing they weren’t Trey’s boys.
The gang leader held up a hand. “Hold up, homies.”
The other gang members squared their shoulders. “This park ain’t your turf, bitch. You don’t tell us what to do.”
“No, but this is a community event, which means y’all can come in, because you members of the community. But this is about chillin’, not killin’.” Trey gestured to the locker. “So guns go in there.”
The other gangbanger narrowed his eyes. “How do I know that shit is safe?”
“Because, bitch, this shit is protected ground. Like some fucking sanctuary where some hunchback can go and shit.”
The other man looked toward the cops.
“Nah, not the cops,” Trey said. “Cops ain’t shit. This place is protected by real power.”
“By you?”
“Nah.” The gang leader lifted his shirt to make it clear he wasn’t armed. “See, I ain’t carrying either. This is a Granite Ghost party. Motherfucking James Brownstone. No one goes in packing but him or the 5-0.”
“What’s to stop me from poppin’ your ass right now?” The gang member smirked. “Not trying to be mean, bitch, just curious.”
Trey looked past them, grinning as he caught sight of James. “It’d be motherfucking righteous. People would be talking about Trey forever. It’d be like, ‘Yo, bitches, you heard about how Brownstone killed all the Harriken because they iced his dog. And then, you bitches, you heard about how Brownstone killed all the gangbangers who thought they could cause trouble at his party?”
James stepped forward. “Trey’s right,” he rumbled. “I take it personally when people mess with my family. Ask the Harriken and King Pyro.”
All the gang members turned around, visibly swallowing.
“Trey’s your family?” the first gang member asked, shock on his face.
“When you are inside these fences with no weapons, you’re my family. At least for today.”
The gang members all pulled their guns out and hurried over to the lockers to deposit them.
“Today we family,” Trey agreed. “Tomorrow shit is real again, motherfuckers.”
They pulled out their keys and headed through the gate.
“How the hell did you do that?” Trey asked once the others were out of earshot.
“Do what?”
“Show up right as I was talking.”
“I’m blessed, Trey.” James shrugged and grinned. “Any trouble so far?”
“Nah, Mr. Brownstone. That was about the most heat we got all day.” The gang leader grinned. “Except for all them kids pushing on the bounce houses. They the real thugs here.”
James surveyed the park with a small smile. “I’m glad you were willing to accept this as payback for your favor.”
Trey looked at all the family and friends in the park playing and enjoying themselves. “It ain’t nothing, Mr. Brownstone. It ain’t often that pigs will come to cook the pork for us.” He grinned. “For one fucking day, we all know life will be safe.”
James looked around. “That it will, Trey. That it will.”
Coming May 4, 2018
The Harriken have decided James Brownstone needs to die.
So, they put out a hit on him valued at $500,000.
Fans pricing WILL be available on release day, but you can still pre-order for only $2.99 by clicking this link.
Author Notes - Michael Anderle
Written April 19, 2018
First, THANK YOU for su
pporting this new series about Mr. James Brownstone, a man who just wants a simple life of bounties and barbeque. At least, that is how I think of James Brownstone. One reviewer described him as a ‘Catholic Bounty Hunter’ and I thought that was unique.
Not that I had intended to write about a Catholic bounty hunter. My intent was to point out that the orphanage helped his life when no one wanted ‘that little boy with the messed-up face’ except those who were willing to see beyond his disfigurement and take care of him.
Now he is all grown up, and like so many of us he is a product of what we watch, feel, and learn as we grow up from the adults who help (or hurt) us as we attain adulthood.
Brownstone isn’t any more or less religious than many in life. He is not sure if capturing bounties is a get-out-of-jail card—or maybe a pass on the greased slide right down to the fire.
Either way, he won’t be changing his life’s work.
He will find out the results at the end, so to speak.
Then we have Shay, who we learn more about in this book and the next Brownstone, but more importantly in her own series being worked on called I Fear No Evil which is being worked on as I type.
When Martha (Carr) and I were discussing what to name the series, we came up with it and figured it could be taken both ways:
“I fear no evil, for the Lord is with me…”
Or
“I fear no evil, for I am the baddest bitch walking.”
In the beginning of the series it is obvious that the second option is more appropriate. However, as it goes on we see that she is at least trying to find the person she might have become if she hadn’t started down the path to becoming a hitwoman for hire.
And then there is Alison, who is in her mid-teens. She has lost her mother and father (may he rot) and is seeking an anchor in her life. We learn a little more about what is going on at the School of Necessary Magic here, and in the next Brownstone book.
Alison’s series School of Necessary Magic will begin in about eight weeks, and four books are currently planned (more YA than Brownstone and Shay’s series).
All these series are focused around how three people, each an orphan in their own way, come together as a family unit to protect and care for each other.
Each one of them stands separate and capable, but if they ever decide to work together?
I think the ground would tremble.
What about the future?
Right now, we have twelve books planned for Brownstone, twelve books planned for Shay, and four books planned for Allison in the Oriceran Universe. That’s twenty-eight (28) wonderful books and “if” everything goes right, they will be published this year (2018).
Further, if you check out the new series (Leira 2.0 series called Rewriting Justice) you will see she is using the same logo we revealed with James Brownstone.
Why? Because the story of Rewriting Justice will explain how we get the bounty system that James is part of twenty years later.
It’s about what an Austin Police Detective goes through to realize that the world isn’t set up to handle special criminals. It will be coming to you in a couple of months (we hope) as well.
Looks like it will be an Oriceran Summer ;-)
Thank you SO MUCH for your crazy reviews, wonderful support, and encouragement each time we get one of these books out. Looking forward to more, and more barbeque soon!
Ad Aeternitatem,
Michael Anderle
Other Revelation of Oriceran Universe Books
The Leira Chronicles
* Martha Carr and Michael Anderle *
Waking Magic (1) Release of Magic (2) Protection of Magic (3) Rule of Magic (4) Dealing in Magic (5) Theft of Magic (6) Enemies of Magic (7) Guardians of Magic (8)
The Unbelievable Mr. Brownstone
* Michael Anderle *
Feared by Hell (01) Rejected by Heaven (02)
The Soul Stone Mage Series
* Sarah Noffke and Martha Carr *
House of Enchanted (1) The Dark Forest (2) Mountain of Truth (3) Land of Terran (4) New Egypt (5) Lancothy (6) Virgo (7)
The Kacy Chronicles
* A.L. Knorr and Martha Carr *
Descendant (1) Ascendant (2) Combatant (3) Transcendent (4)
The Midwest Magic Chronicles
* Flint Maxwell and Martha Carr*
The Midwest Witch (1) The Midwest Wanderer (2) The Midwest Whisperer (3) The Midwest War (4)
The Fairhaven Chronicles
* with S.M. Boyce *
Glow (1) Shimmer (2) Ember (3) Nightfall (4)
Other Books by Michael Anderle
For a complete list of Michael’s Kurtherian Gambit Universe books please click this link.
Kurtherian Gambit Series Titles Include:
FIRST ARC
Death Becomes Her (01) - Queen Bitch (02) - Love Lost (03) - Bite This (04) - Never Forsaken (05) - Under My Heel (06) - Kneel Or Die (07)
SECOND ARC
We Will Build (08) - It’s Hell To Choose (09) - Release The Dogs of War (10) - Sued For Peace (11) - We Have Contact (12) - My Ride is a Bitch (13) - Don’t Cross This Line (14)
THIRD ARC
Never Submit (15) - Never Surrender (16) - Forever Defend (17) - Might Makes Right (18) - Ahead Full (19) - Capture Death (20) - Life Goes On (21)
THE SECOND DARK AGES
*with Ell Leigh Clarke*
The Dark Messiah (01) - The Darkest Night (02) - Darkest Before The Dawn (03) - Dawn Arrives (04)
THE BORIS CHRONICLES
*with Paul C. Middleton*
Evacuation (01) - Retaliation (02) - Revelations (03) - Redemption (04)
RECLAIMING HONOR
*with Justin Sloan*
Justice Is Calling (01) - Claimed By Honor (02) - Judgement Has Fallen (03) - Angel of Reckoning (04) - Born Into Flames (05) - Defending The Lost (06) - Saved By Valor (07) - Return of Victory (08)
THE ETHERIC ACADEMY
*with TS Paul*
ALPHA CLASS (01) - ALPHA CLASS: Engineering (02)
*with N.D. Roberts*
Discovery (03)
TERRY HENRY “TH” WALTON CHRONICLES
*with Craig Martelle*
Nomad Found (01) - Nomad Redeemed (02) - Nomad Unleashed (03) - Nomad Supreme (04) - Nomad’s Fury (05) - Nomad’s Justice (06) - Nomad Avenged (07) - Nomad Mortis (08) - Nomad’s Force (09) - Nomad’s Galaxy (10)
TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS
*with Natalie Grey*
Risk Be Damned (01) - Damned to Hell (02)
~THE AGE OF MAGIC~
THE RISE OF MAGIC
*with CM Raymond and LE Barbant*
Restriction (01) - Reawakening (02) - Rebellion (03) - Revolution (04) - Unlawful Passage (05) - Darkness Rises (06) - The Gods Beneath (07) - Reborn (08)
THE HIDDEN MAGIC CHRONICLES
*with Justin Sloan*
Shades of Light (01) - Shades of Dark (02) - Shades of Glory (03) - Shades of Justice (04)
STORMS OF MAGIC
*with PT Hylton*
Storm Raiders (01) - Storm Callers (02) - Storm Breakers (03) - Storm Warrior (04)
TALES OF THE FEISTY DRUID
*with Candy Crum*
The Arcadian Druid (01) - The Undying Illusionist (02) - The Frozen Wasteland (03) - The Deceiver (04) - The Lost (05) - The Damned (06)
PATH OF HEROES
*with Brandon Barr*
Rogue Mage (01)
A NEW DAWN
*with Amy Hopkins*
Dawn of Destiny (01) - Dawn of Darkness (02) - Dawn of Deliverance (03) - Dawn of Days (04) - Broken Skies (05)
TALES OF THE WELLSPRING KNIGHT
*with P.J. Cherubino*
Knight’s Creed (01) - Knight’s Struggle (02)
~THE AGE OF MADNESS~
LIVE FREE OR DIE
*with Haley Lawson*
Unleashing Madness (01)
~THE AGE OF EXPANSION~
THE ASCENSION MYTH
*with Ell Leigh Clarke *
> Awakened (01) - Activated (02) - Called (03) - Sanctioned (04) - Rebirth (05) - Retribution (06) - Cloaked (07) - Bourne (08) - Committed (09)
CONFESSIONS OF A SPACE ANTHROPOLOGIST
*with Ell Leigh Clarke*
Giles Kurns: Rogue Operator (01) - Giles Kurns: Rogue Instigator (02)
THE UPRISE SAGA
*with Amy Duboff *
Covert Talents (01) - Endless Advance (02) - Veiled Designs (03) - Dark Rivals (04)
BAD COMPANY
*with Craig Martelle*
The Bad Company (01) - Blockade (02) - Price of Freedom (03)
THE GHOST SQUADRON
*with Sarah Noffke and J.N. Chaney*
Formation (01) - Exploration (02) - Evolution (03) - Degeneration (04) - Impersonation (05) - Recollection (06)
VALERIE’S ELITES
*with Justin Sloan and PT Hylton*
Valerie’s Elites (01) - Death Defied (02) - Prime Enforcer (03)
SHADOW VANGUARD
*with Tom Dublin*
Gravity Storm (01)
ETHERIC ADVENTURES: ANNE AND JINX
*with S.R. Russell*
Etheric Recruit (01) - Etheric Researcher (02)
Other Books
*with Craig Martelle & Justin Sloan*
Gateway to the Universe
SHORT STORIES
You Don’t Touch John’s Cousin: Frank Kurns Stories of the UnknownWorld 01 (7.5)
Rejected By Heaven_An Urban Fantasy Action Adventure Page 22