Death Incarnate: The Aegis of Merlin, #7

By James E. Wisher

The End is Here.

For centuries the governments of the world have kept the half-elf Morgana locked in a prison where she couldn't use her magic. Now her fanatical followers are on the verge of setting her free.

Meanwhile, the best hope of defeating her is trapped in an inter-dimensional library unaware of the chaos engulfing the Alliance.

Can Conryu escape the enchanted library in time to save the world and the people he cares about?

Win or lose, nothing will be the same.

Get Death Incarnate now.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sand Hill Publishing
• Release date: Jul 30, 2018
• ISBN: 9781945763205

James E. Wisher

James E. Wisher is a writer of science fiction and fantasy novels. He’s been writing since high school and reading everything he could get his hands on for as long as he can remember.

Book preview

1

Exchange Students

Conryu opened the door to his dorm room and sighed. When the train pulled into the platform at school fifteen minutes ago, an overwhelming sense of relief had washed over him. That came as a shock. Not long ago, the last thing in the world he would’ve wanted was to return here. Now, the Academy was the only place where anything made sense. What did that say about the state of the world ?

He stepped inside and closed the door behind him. Back again, hey pal?

Everything looked exactly as he left it, crisp bed made with smooth black sheets, empty dresser, and bare desk. Plain, but at least he had them all to himself. He tossed his suitcase on the bed, popped the latch, and lifted the lid. Conryu had gotten good at packing and even his mother pronounced his job a neat one. High praise indeed from someone as detail oriented as her.

Your mind is ill at ease, Master, Prime said. Is something wrong?

That was the problem with a scholomantic that could read your mind and harbored no compunctions about telling you his opinion. I can’t escape the nagging feeling that something’s going to happen. I don’t know why, maybe it’s just my imagination, but there is this constant, niggling question in the back of my head: what do they want that artifact for? Do you have any idea what it does?

No, Master. As I’ve told you seven times already, I haven’t a clue. Though I’m sure we’ll find out soon enough, Prime said. In the meantime, it would be best if you tried to think about something else. You haven’t been sleeping well either. In my experience, humans don’t perform at their best if they don’t get enough rest.

Now you sound like my mom. Conryu set about putting his things away. He’d packed and unpacked so many times over the last two years he hardly even thought about it anymore.

Your mother is a very reasonable human, Prime said. Even if she jumps every time she sees me.

Conryu grinned, but didn’t comment. In the six weeks since he’d gotten back from London, things had been quiet. Too quiet if anything. He figured once the Society got their hands on the second half of the artifact they’d make their move sooner rather than later. Not that he was complaining about the peace and quiet, but he was sure it was the calm before the storm.

At least Malice hadn’t given them any more trouble. True to her word, Heather went straight to the authorities when they landed in Central. Of course nothing happened, just like Malice said. Still, the crazy old hag hadn’t made another attempt on Maria’s life, so he figured that counted as a win. Hopefully she’d taken the hint and would move on to some other evil plan, she had to have more than one.

Whatever, as long as she didn’t bother Maria, Malice wasn’t his problem. Conryu didn’t know whose problem she was, but he pitied them. He folded the last pair of socks and slipped them into the dresser. There, all set for another four months.

He plopped onto the bed and closed his eyes. A couple hours remained before dinner and a nap seemed like the perfect way to fill the time.

Attention all students. Dean Blane’s voice seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere in particular at the same time. Please gather in the dorm lounge for an important announcement. Thank you.

He sat up and rubbed the bridge of his nose. So much for his nap.

Kelsie waited for him out in the hall, her pale features drawn and worried. She hadn’t even changed into her school robe. What’s going on?

Conryu shrugged. He knew as much as she did. I’m sure it’s nothing serious. I haven’t heard any explosions.

She offered a weak smile. It says something about our lives that explosions have become the arbiter of something being serious.

Yeah, no kidding. I remember when my biggest worry was whether I’d turn in my homework on time. Now I’m never sure if it’s going to be demons, dragons, or some masked lunatic trying to kill me.

Come on, you two. Mrs. Lenore shooed a pair of sophomores up the hall ahead of her. We don’t want to keep the dean waiting.

Do you know what this big announcement is? Conryu asked.

Mrs. Lenore shook her head. No one tells me much.

Conryu empathized with that.

It was a tight squeeze for all the students to fit into the lounge at one time. Kelsie and Conryu were among the last to arrive. At the top of the steps to the dark magic floor, a wall of girls awaited them. How were they supposed to move through that ?

He scanned the crowd and soon spotted Anya and Maria standing together off to one side. They’d gotten at least a little friendly which came as a relief to Conryu. He allowed himself a moment to hope he wouldn’t add anyone to his close circle of friends this year. Four of them, plus Kai and the demons, felt just about right.

Around half the girls had changed into their school robes and the rest were still in street clothes. That set his mind at ease about wearing his jeans and t-shirt. He eyed the sea of girls again and sighed. If he wanted to join Maria, there was only one way to go about it.

Excuse me. Conryu nudged his way into the crowd, working his way gently through the gathering, Kelsie following in his wake.

As they eased their way over, he wondered what could be so important that Dean Blane didn’t even want to wait for the freshmen to arrive. He didn’t have a clue and his stomach twisted a bit as he considered the possibilities. He nodded to one of the girls he recognized from self-defense class. Finally, they came to a stop beside Anya and Maria.

As soon as he reached her side Maria asked, What’s going on?

Conryu shook his head. Beats me. I was hoping you might know. Didn’t your dad mention anything?

No, sorry.

He glanced at Anya, but of course she just shook her head. It wasn’t like she had any special connections that would warn her about something like this. Looked like they’d find out with everyone else. When the last of the stragglers arrived, the door opened and Dean Blane strolled through. All eyes focused on the dean.

She smiled and waved. I’m sure you’re all curious about why I called you here. I have some exciting news! For the first time ever we’re doing a student exchange with the Kingdom’s school of magic. The Academy will be sending ten students over there, five juniors and five seniors. They’ll be sending the same number to study with us. If it works out well, it’ll be an annual thing.

Conryu glanced at Maria and raised an eyebrow. She shrugged in response. Anya looked slightly terrified and he knew why. If the dean chose Conryu, and he suspected she would, he wouldn’t be able to take Anya for Sunday visits to her mother. She needn’t worry. With portals, it didn’t take much longer to go from London to Central and back to the vampire’s country than it did to go directly from Central.

The prospect of heading back to the Kingdom so soon didn’t thrill him in the least. All around, girls murmured in excitement. By the sounds of it at least some of the students relished a chance to travel. The fact that none of them had been there for the insanity this summer no doubt played a part in their reaction.

We’ll be sending our top five students in each grade, Dean Blane said. She named all five seniors and each of the girls gave a little cheer when their name was called. The first three juniors were girls he didn’t hang out with. She concluded by saying, And last but not least, Conryu Koda and Maria Kane.

He looked at Maria and she shook her head. Conryu thought she’d be excited, but maybe she was no more anxious to return to the site of her near murder than he was. He nodded toward the dean and Maria followed him across the room.

As they made their way through, they received numerous pats on the back and words of congratulations. He smiled and nodded through it all, trying his best to ignore everyone. After wading through the gathered students they reached the edge of the lounge where Dean Blane chatted with one of the seniors she’d selected.

When they finished their conversation, Conryu said, If it’s all the same, Dean Blane, we’d just as soon give our spots to someone else.

We do appreciate the honor, Maria said, but after everything that happened last summer, neither of us is all that eager to return to London.

Dean Blane glanced around and said, There’s more to it than just a student exchange program. Meet me in my office in an hour and I’ll explain everything.

She hurried out, leaving Conryu and Maria looking at each other. Neither of them said anything, but he figured they were thinking the same thing. What were they getting into now?

The gathering broke up quickly after Dean Blane left. In about five minutes only Conryu and his friends remained in the lounge. Kelsie paced and Anya sat in a chair staring at her hands, both of them looking like they were in the hospital waiting for bad news .

Conryu sighed and moved towards Kelsie. What’s got you so worried?

If you leave, it will be my first time in school without you to help me. How will I manage when things go wrong?

Don’t worry, you’ll manage just fine, he said. You don’t need my help, but you do need more confidence in yourself. You’re turning into a fine wizard, you just need to believe it.

Really?

Really. Besides, if I’m not here any problems you run into are likely to be minor ones. I seem to attract the bigger ones.

She smiled. You do, don’t you? Thanks.

He gave her a pat on the shoulder and sat beside Anya. Relax, it’s no problem for me to come and get you from London. When we travel by portal, distances make little difference.

You don’t mind?

She gave him a smile of such relief that he wouldn’t have said anything even if he did mind. Not a bit. A promise is a promise.

Anya hugged him and whispered another thanks. Seeming reassured, Kelsie and Anya left them alone in the lounge.

You’re very good with them, Maria said. She didn’t even sound jealous.

I’ve had a lot of practice. What do you suppose they really want us to do over there?

Not us, you. It’s always you they want to use.

Conryu grinned. Careful, you’ll end up as cynical as I am.

She smiled back. I think I still have a ways to go before I’m as cynical as you. What do you say we take a walk?

Good call. Why speculate when we can just get the answers straight from the source?

They left the dorm and made the short walk over to the administrative building. It was a beautiful late August afternoon, the sun cast shadows across the yard, and a few clouds drifted across the bright blue sky. Conryu would’ve much rather gone for a hike than go find out whatever it was the Kingdom’s Ministry of Magic wanted from them. As usual, what he wanted had no bearing on what was actually going to happen.

They entered the offices and made their way down the long row of secretaries, none of whom so much as glanced up at them. They’d either gotten so used to Conryu making constant visits he no longer rated a thought or they were really engrossed in their work.

He and Maria had arrived a little early, but knocked on the dean’s door anyway. It opened a moment later and she ushered them in. Dean Blane gestured at the two empty chairs in front of her desk and settled in behind it.

So what’s the deal? Conryu asked.

The dean’s youthful face looked as serious as he had ever seen it. During the cleanup, Ministry employees found something. They’re not at all sure what, but it’s magical and powerful. Jemma describes it as resembling a door, but she hasn’t actually seen it herself.

Why not? Maria asked.

No wizard can get within a quarter mile of it. If they try they’re overwhelmed with a blinding headache and forced to fall back. It doesn’t seem to affect non-wizards at all.

Conryu scratched his head. If wizards can’t get close to it what do they want me to do?

Their theory is that with your strength in dark magic, you’ll be able to resist the effects or better yet dispel them. She shook her head. This is all speculation of course. No one has any idea if you’ll be more successful than the others who’ve tried, but if you can’t, no one can. Either way, they want you to try and everyone agreed that it’s a good idea. The Kingdom can’t have a quarter-mile section of the city that no wizards can approach.

Everyone agreed it would be a good idea, huh? I don’t remember agreeing that it would be a good idea, I don’t even remember anyone asking. Six weeks ago they were promising me favors and now they’re asking for another one.

So you won’t go? Dean Blane asked.

Conryu glanced at Maria. What do you want to do?

It is a fascinating mystery. He restrained a groan. It might be interesting to try to figure out what’s going on.

I figured you’d say that. I guess we’ll go.

Dean Blane beamed at them. I’ll tell Jemma. She’ll be so relieved.

Conryu was glad someone was relieved, but all he felt was worried.

The chosen ten hung out at the Academy long enough to greet the incoming class of freshmen. Conryu wasn’t overly interested in the ceremony, his thoughts were occupied by the door that no one could open or even approach for that matter. It didn’t help that he didn’t know anyone arriving this year. The only person of passing interest to him was Kelsie’s cousin, a cute blond girl who looked nothing like her and ended up being light aligned. The two of them couldn’t have been more different .

A day after the ceremony they’d boarded the train and rushed to Central. A small jet waited at the airport to transport them across the ocean. That was ten hours ago. Now they were circling the familiar runway and preparing to land. Even from this high up the damage from the attack was visible. At least all the fires appeared to be out.

On the seat beside him Maria practically vibrated with excitement. They’d received strict instructions not to mention their true mission to anyone, but her behavior might as easily be attributed to their pending arrival at a new school. Conryu was nowhere near as into mysteries as Maria, but he couldn’t deny a certain amount of curiosity about what they’d find.

They buckled their seatbelts and the plane came in for a smooth landing. Once it reached a complete stop, the flight attendant opened the door and lowered the stairs. Conryu and Maria climbed down last. Waiting for them with a black van was Jemma herself. It struck him as slightly suspicious that the head of the Ministry would go out of her way to pick them up. He would have bet his bike Malice Kincade had no intentions of picking up the Kingdom students.

Welcome, everyone, Jemma said. I’m sure you’re all excited to see your new home. If you just get on board we’ll be on our way.

They piled into the van and Jemma started up. The van left the airport and pulled onto the highway turning north. The Kingdom school was located twenty miles outside of the city proper. Despite the short distance, with the city traffic it took them most of an hour to make the trip. They turned off the highway and down a simple two-lane road lined with trees.

Conryu had seen nothing resembling civilization for fifteen minutes when they came to a stone wall set with an iron gate. Jemma made a specific gesture and murmured something almost inaudible. The gates opened on their own and she drove through. The moment they were clear the barriers clanged shut. The sound held a note of finality that sent a shiver up his spine.

He muttered a magic detection spell and glanced back over his shoulder. The gate and wall both sparkled with a variety of magical protections. He still lacked enough skill to pick out what each of them did, but with the multiple layers it looked effective. He wouldn’t want to have to break in here.

They drove nearly a mile down a dirt track. They crested a little hill and before them appeared a huge stone