The Webs That Bind: A Hundred Halls Novel (The Reluctant Assassin Book 5)
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright
CONTENTS
Part I – The Wish
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Part II – The Web
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Special Thanks
The Hundred Halls Universe
Also by Thomas K. Carpenter
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
The Webs That Bind
Book Five in The Reluctant Assassin Series
By
Thomas K. Carpenter
Copyright Information
The Webs That Bind
Book Five in The Reluctant Assassin Series
A Hundred Halls Universe Series
Copyright © 2019 by Thomas K. Carpenter
Published by Black Moon Books
www.blackmoonbooks.com
Cover Design Copyright © 2019 by Ravven.com
Discover other titles by this author on:
www.thomaskcarpenter.com
This is a novel work of fiction. All characters, places, and incidents described in this publication are used fictitiously, or are entirely fictional.
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form, or by any means, except by an authorized retailer, or with written permission of the publisher. Inquires may be addressed via email to thomaskcarpenter@gmail.com
CONTENTS
The Webs That Bind
About the Author
Special Thanks
Hundred Halls Books
Other Works
Copyright
Start Reading Now
Part I – The Wish
Chapter One
On the train from Atlanta to Invictus, August 2017
Prophecy comes in strange places
"Sometimes even the best plans fail."
The words hung in the dim air of the Magtrak elite privacy train car as the North Carolina countryside flew past in a dark green blur.
Zayn, who'd been leaning his head against the cool glass trying not to think about the fact that it was their last year at the Academy, glanced over to his cousin on the opposite seat.
Keelan sat straight and tall as if his inner thoughts had made him rigid. When they'd met up at the station in Atlanta, he'd worn the dark sunglasses of a Watcher, but those were stuffed into his jacket pocket, revealing his brown eyes.
"Sometimes even the best plans fail," repeated Keelan.
The words had a chilling effect on Zayn. Had Keelan somehow listened in on his thoughts?
Zayn pulled himself away from the comfortable armrest, stiffening to match his cousin's posture. He checked the runes along the walls for signs of an active spell, but they were dull gray, signaling that the car was completely devoid of active magic.
"What are you talking about?" asked Zayn.
For a moment, they locked gazes and Zayn's hackles went up, which simultaneously twisted his guts because it felt so unnatural to look at his best friend that way. The intensity of their matched gazes broke when Keelan looked outside at the hazy morning sky above the fields.
"Remember the day of my daddy's funeral?" asked Keelan, his Alabama accent coloring the edges of his words. "When I wanted to do nothing but get away from Varna?"
The memory came back easy for Zayn as if it'd been waiting there for him, but so did other memories from those times. Memories with more at stake to them.
"You were throwing rocks at some old junk," said Zayn, feeling the heat from that day as if he were back in that vine-choked forest. "Called me an ice zombie, or something like that."
Keelan's forehead bunched at the center as if he were working on a mental knot. His mouth twitched before he spoke. "I'm sorry about getting your ass kicked."
"It's okay," said Zayn. "I understood why it happened, plus it got me that job with the Goon. Eventually, anyway."
Zayn glanced at the dull runes and the train car, and thought about the other memories from that time—namely that he'd made a promise to himself in front of Keelan that he would end the Lady of Varna.
Sometimes even the best plans fail.
Was that a coded warning to stay away? Zayn wanted to ask his cousin, but those Watcher glasses were sitting right there in plain view, a reminder of his new responsibilities. Sometime during the summer, Keelan had started wearing them. Zayn had caught a glimpse of him without the glasses when they were BBQing on his deck. A wasp had flown around his head, and he’d knocked them off trying to swat it away without spilling his beer. It was only a glimpse, but his brown eyes had glints of purple to them.
But they weren't purple now. Last year when Watcher Sabrina had come to see him in Invictus, she'd kept her glasses off. Was that the purpose of the runed train car, so they could have a conversation in private? Or was it a warning for him not to make an attempt on the Lady's life?
A strained silence made the next few hours uncomfortable. Zayn watched Keelan fidget in his seat, looking like he was going to say something else, but he never worked himself up to it.
Zayn went back to watching the countryside fly past, but his thoughts never left his cousin. He'd spent his whole life with Keelan, getting into trouble together, joining the Halls. But now that their paths were diverging, he didn't know what to say.
It wasn't just Varna. Zayn suspected if they'd grown up in a normal town, that this awkwardness would be the same. As much as he loved his cousin, they had different interests in life after school.
"What's O'Keefe going to have you work on for your final project?" asked Zayn, trying to dispel the mood
Keelan looked up from picking at his fingernail. He blinked a couple of times. Quirked his mouth to one side. "Nothing exciting. What about you?"
"I haven't the faintest idea what Priyanka will get me into this year. I'm just glad that she's still my mentor," said Zayn, regretting it as soon as he'd said it.
Because Keelan was a Watcher, Zayn hadn't told his cousin about everything that had happened last year, including why he'd had the headaches. The only events he’d explained were the same ones that he'd told the Speaker about, which kept strictly to the final battle with the dragon Akhekh.
Keelan frowned, as if he knew Zayn was withholding information. Zayn looked out the window, catching a glint in the sky.
"Hey, I can see the Spire. We're almost to the city," said Zayn, relieved that the trip would soon be over.
Since the Spire was over twice the height of any other building, it could be seen from far distances, especially since the morning cloud cover had cleared away.
"Last year, cuz," Keelan said wistfully as he pressed his face to the window.
"Last year," repeated Zayn. "How'd it go so fast?"
"A lot of things happened," said Keelan, who suddenly looked gravely serious. "Remember when we nearly got killed by that cave full of magic-eating spiders?"
"That was a close one," said Zayn, remembering the claustrophobic feel when they were surrounded in the pool.
"It's weird that you found another colony in the Undercity," said Keelan.
"Not that weird. Plenty of faez for them to snack on," said Zayn.
"They actually don't like faez," said Keelan. "While it makes them grow, they die not long after. It's more like a defensive mechanism, like a bee sting that kills the bee. Otherwise the world would be overrun with giant spiders."
"You're just like your dad when it comes to animals," said Zayn, instantly regretting it when Keelan flinched. He put his hand to his forehead. "Sorry, man. I put my foot in my mouth. You're nothing like Uncle Jesse."
It'd seemed like whatever Keelan had to say was lost to the reference of his father, which was a burden his cousin could never get rid of. It was hard to acknowledge the good parts of a shitty human being, especially one related to them.
When they pulled into the station, Keelan grabbed his arm before he left the runed car. He had a look of quiet desperation in his eyes as if there were many things still unsaid.
"Zayn," said Keelan, his face bunching with emotion. "Whatever happens this year and afterwards, remember that I've always got your back. Always."
"You too," said Zayn.
They hugged briefly before continuing out of the train. When Zayn stepped outside, he could smell the hotdog vendors outside the station, hear them hawking
their wares and the impatient honking of taxi cabs maneuvering for customers.
Keelan stepped out next to him, backpack slung over his shoulder, a contented grin lingering beneath his eager gaze. The tension from the car had been dispelled by the onion-scented air and the bustle of the station.
When they stepped out of the glass station building, Priyanka was waiting for them. She wore a white shirt with a black leather jacket over top and dark jeans. Her hair was in a ponytail, and despite being one of the five original patrons, no one noticed her.
"I didn't realize we warranted special greetings," said Keelan.
Priyanka raised an eyebrow. "Sorry, Keelan. You're going to have to go on to the Honeycomb alone. I need to speak with your cousin."
As he headed the other way, Keelan, said, "No problem. I much prefer blowing stuff up with Instructor O'Keefe than putting my life in danger on a regular basis."
The smile on Priyanka's face didn't match the heaviness in her eyes. She led Zayn to a black SUV. He thought she was going to climb into the driver's seat, but she motioned for him to get into the front.
Zayn was expecting an instructor at the wheel, or maybe a fellow fifth year. He wasn't expecting the second most famous man in the world, the patron of the Dramatics Hall, Frank Orpheum.
Chapter Two
Sixth Ward, August 2017
A different side of celebrity
Zayn had never been much for celebrity, but as soon as he realized who was next to him, he found that his mouth didn't work. After Invictus, Frank Orpheum was the most well-known individual from the university, and one of the most liked in the world due to his extensive charity work, and of course, his beaming star power.
He'd sung for every pope and president, done improv with the Dalai Lama in a Tibetan temple, performed a magic trick that made the moon disappear for everyone in the northern hemisphere, slept with every actress or actor who ever made the Most Sexy lists, once hypnotized a stadium full of people into believing they were statues and not one of them blinked for over two hours, created the iconic Magelings series about a fictional Hundred Halls, and done a billion other things. Before he'd stopped performing, people jokingly called Hollywood Frankie-wood due to his utter domination of every aspect of entertainment.
"It's nice to meet you, Zayn Carter," said Frank, clasping his hand in a hearty handshake. "Pri has told me a lot about you. You're an impressive young man."
He glanced into the backseat to see Priyanka watching him closely. Was this a test?
"Not as impressive as you are," said Zayn, feeling stupid as soon as the words came out. He was probably sick of fawning sycophant fans.
"I have a knack for showmanship," he said with a wink, "but it's nothing compared to the work you do in the Academy. I only get to do my job because you're really good at yours."
A train station security guy in a blue blazer waved his light baton at them. Frank gave a friendly wave and pulled the SUV into the station traffic.
"I assume I'm not here for fashion tips," said Zayn.
Frank tilted his head to one side as he turned the wheel. "Black jeans and a black shirt. It's a good look. Sometimes simple is best."
Zayn had expected Priyanka to say something, but she was abnormally quiet. She wasn't a verbose person, but she usually commanded a room. Maybe Frank's star power was outshining her, or she knew that he needed to be the center of attention.
"Pri, dear, you can explain what's going on, and why we need his help," said Frank.
"Hmm...yes," said Priyanka. "I'm afraid I have no other way of saying this. We've discovered a terrible magic in the city that could upset the fragile balance of power."
"Balance of power? Are we talking Hall politics?" asked Zayn.
"Very astute," said Frank with a wink.
"There's a way that someone could take Invictus' position as head patron," said Priyanka as if she were giving a lecture in front of a class.
"I thought that required agreement of the original five," said Zayn.
"Theoretically yes, though it's never been tested. But that's not what I'm talking about. This is about a wish spell," said Priyanka.
Zayn glanced between the two patrons, then he flipped down the visor, looking for a camera. "This is a joke, right? For a prank show or something? Wish spells are impossible. There are just too many variables."
But neither of them cracked a smile.
"That's what we thought too," said Priyanka. "Besides being a powerful mage, Invictus was a tireless researcher, always trying to divine new magics. We believe that he was successful in this endeavor."
"He created a wish spell," said Zayn, incredulous.
"It's hard to believe, but it's true," said Frank.
"What do you need me for? And excuse me for asking this, but why is he involved?" Zayn asked Priyanka.
"A fair question," said Frank as they came to a stop at a light. They were somewhere near the center of town.
"There are complications that only Frank can solve," said Priyanka. "And the other patrons want the spell for themselves."
"They know about it?" asked Zayn.
"A few," said Priyanka, glancing to Frank.
"I'd rather Pri get it than anyone else," he said, smiling at her with his eyes.
Their unspoken communication left Zayn a little bewildered. He'd never seen Priyanka so deferential.
"Then what do you need me for?" he asked.
"We need you to keep an eye on someone for us and tell us if you notice anything unusual," said Priyanka.
"Of course, I'm happy to help. Who will I be spying on?" he asked.
"Invictus' son," said Priyanka.
"What? I didn't know he had a kid," said Zayn.
As Frank turned the SUV down an alleyway, he said, "He didn't. Technically the kid's not his son, but his ward."
"And this kid knows about the wish spell?" asked Zayn.
Frank refocused on his driving, so Zayn glanced into the backseat. Priyanka looked like she was deciding how to explain.
"It's doubtful that he consciously knows anything about the spell, yet he's the key to its discovery," she said.
Zayn knew obfuscation when he heard it. She was hiding something from him, but he was in no position to ask.
"Right. Follow the kid. See if he reveals anything. Should I look out for anything in particular?" he asked.
"You'll know it if you see it," said Priyanka. "Especially if anyone else starts watching him. They don't know about him, and if they start, then it means they've figured out that their current guess is wrong."
"Where do they think it is?" he asked.
"A prize of the Second Year Contest. This year is the one-hundred-year anniversary of the games. The patrons have been speculating for years that there would be a special prize given to the winning team, and some went so far as to break in to view the recording gem that Invictus made years ago for the event," said Priyanka.
Zayn's forehead wrinkled with thought. "Invictus made the recording years ago before he died? Does that mean he knew what was going to happen to him?"
"No one knows," said Priyanka, though she said it in a way that suggested she had more than educated guesses. "But regardless of what they think, we know better. Which is why you need to be watching Ernie."
"That's his son, or ward, whatever he is," said Zayn.
"Correct," said Frank.
Priyanka's mouth pinched together. "His name might be Ernie, but he goes by Echo. He's autistic, and can be surprisingly observant under the right circumstances, so do not underestimate him."
"Anything else I need to know?" he asked.
Priyanka gave him the address of the group home he was staying at. Then she added, "I want you to report back about any friends he might have, acquaintances. We need to understand his social circle."
Zayn nodded. "I'll report back as soon as I have something."
At that moment, the SUV lurched to a stop. Zayn looked up to see they were near an Academy portal location.
"I take it this is my stop?" he asked.
Frank nodded.
"I'm getting out here too," said Priyanka, and then much to Zayn's surprise, she leaned into the front seat and gave Frank an intimate kiss that made Zayn feel a little awkward being so close.
As the SUV left them, Zayn found himself not meeting Priyanka's gaze.