Malfeasance: Academy of Ancients, #5

By Avery Cross

Mysterious necromancers. Wicked summoners. Fierce witches. Occasional familiars. Military experiments. Secret councils. Forbidden alliances. The Academy of Ancients will suck you in.

THE FINAL BOOK IN THE ACADEMY OF ANCIENTS SERIES!

Spoiler Alert! If you haven't read Infraction, stop now!

Briar's free. Or is she? With the necromancers and the undead still loose, and the masters that control these heinous creatures might as well be.

Warning: This series will hook you! Violence can be found in this series of action-packed fantasy, with necromancers, summoners, and badass witches. And occasional cliffhangers!

• Language: English
• Publisher: ACross
• Release date: May 12, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393330707

Book preview

Chapter One

Zach

You should’ve at least told her we were leaving, Luke grumbled as we pulled up to the main gate at HQ.

What for? Nick’s there, he’ll explain it.

Yeah, and you really think she wants to hear it from him?

Can we not talk about Briar right now? I asked roughly. Let’s just get inside and see what they want this time. I’d hoped when Theon called this morning it was to say we were a go for the military operation and for Marc’s arrest. Instead, we were being summoned to meet with Bastille and Phillips to give them more ammo for when they presented the full plan to the councilmembers.

With any luck, we’ll finally get the damned go-ahead to hit the tunnels after we give them what they need, burn the blasted things down, force the necromancers to come out, Luke said, rolling down his window as a guard approached. Pierce brothers.

The soldier, one of the Talons luckily, nodded and leaned in closer. Something’s going on.

Bad?

Not sure yet, but the masters seem in an uproar over something, and Generals Bastille and Phillips have been having quite the loud discussion with General Stone and a few others for the last six hours.

Thanks for the news, Luke said, and the soldier waved us through. Sounds like a shit show.

You sure you want me going in there? I asked, thinking of the last time we were here.

Clarence was locked up in his cell, and if there was any pushback from Marc, Theon had kept it to himself.

You looked like you needed a break from the safe house. Anyway, it’ll help convince everyone that you’re not off hiding with a wanted criminal who for the moment is dead, he said with a wink. Right now, keeping up appearances and ensuring our plans stay unknown to certain players is all that matters.

I rolled my eyes since that was exactly what I was doing. I turned my mind away from Briar, not wanting to give anything away, and partly because every time I pictured her, I wound up going back to find her on the floor of the bedroom bleeding out. All night long I held her, waking up every so often to check she was safe in my arms. That saving her hadn’t simply been a dream.

Where do they all think I’ve been? I finally asked as he parked.

Investigating leads on where General Adam Pierce might be, he replied, opening his door and getting out. That’s what the official order for you is right now, also places you off base the night the undead managed to escape. And if anyone asks, you tell them we have no new information on Adam.

I followed suit and slipped out of the vehicle. That’s it?

Something tells me they’re not going to be too particular about you coming back.

I hoped not and followed Luke inside. HQ was as crazy as it had been when I left the night we unleashed the undead. Soldiers rushed from one post to another, messages were being carried, phones ringing.

You think this has to do with the generals finally believing us? I asked Luke quietly.

God, I hope so. Do you know where General Bastille is? Luke asked a guard running by us in a hurry.

Conference room, sir. You sure you want to go in there? she asked with an undertone.

We were summoned, he explained.

The guard wished us luck, and we continued on our way through HQ. Outside the conference room, two more guards stood at attention, flinching every time someone inside yelled. There was a crash, sounding like a chair or a table being thrown against the wall, followed by more shouting. I exchanged a look with Luke, but we couldn’t turn back without getting updated on what the plan was as far as, well, everything. The guards opened the doors for us, and the moment we stepped inside, all yelling came to an abrupt halt. General Bastille, I believe you called for us.

A quick glance around the room revealed Generals Bastille, Phillips, Stone, Harrison, and Gibbons, as well as Theon and Keira. And to my surprise and annoyance, Jasper and Jolie, two of our councilmembers. I considered leaving Luke on his own for a split second, but he shot me a glare out of the corner of his eye, and I froze.

Luke, good of you to join us. Zach, too. Any leads on your brother yet? Bastille asked as he hurried toward us, shaking both our hands.

Nothing yet, sir, but if we come across any new leads, we’ll let you know.

You can’t honestly believe that’s where he’s been this whole time? General Stone snapped furiously. He’s up to something, all of them are, and I want to know what it is! And why is there no one worried about Clarence’s disappearance? He’s one of the masters top guards, and yet he vanishes, and no one seems to care.

It’s being seen to, as I’ve stated plenty of times before, Theon said, sounding exhausted. Can we move onto other matters now?

Right, of course, like this large-scale military operation you are working on that involves more undead and necromancers. None of which exist!

You saw the undead yourself, Phillips argued. You were here that night.

A trick, nothing more, Stone said, as she glared at me and Luke. A distraction to pull our attention away from what’s really happening here.

Barely two minutes in the room with these idiots and I wanted to yell at them for not paying attention when they had the chance. Was there a possibility one of these generals was in on the cover-ups? It had to be someone high up. I suspected a councilmember, but there was always a chance it was someone from the military. Made sense, too, I thought.

You’ve read the reports yourself, Theon commented. You can’t tell me you think random criminals are committing these atrocities all at the same time?

Coincidence.

Theon looked ready to strangle Stone, but it was Keira who stepped forward. The signs left behind point to an organized crime of some sort, and they match the reports General Morris had filed before his untimely death. Plus, reports filed by General Addie, also just prior to his demise. Keira took a moment to glance at each attendee before continuing. As much as you may hate the Pierce brothers, I for one believe they are onto something.

Luke and I exchanged a confused look before he asked, Sorry, what reports?

Bastille grunted and walked to the table in the center of the room. These came in first thing this morning, which was the second reason I called for you. Ten dead, nine missing, and countless others wounded, he explained as we joined him at the table. Attacks, all across the country.

The missing, I asked as I sifted through the files, were they spirit summoners?

What does that have to do with anything? Stone muttered.

I glowered at her, but Luke placed a warning hand on my shoulder. It means, he answered for me, they were attacked and taken by necromancers. They only use spirit summoners for their rituals. If you had bothered to read the reports of my late father and General Addie, you might have put the pieces together yourself. He slammed the files on the table. Time for ignoring this issue is over, General Stone. How many more have to die before you admit the truth? How many more undead or ghouls will be made? You going to wait until the army shows up and takes over a magical community?

She scoffed. The necromancers were wiped out. They do not exist anymore.

The hell they don’t, I snapped, losing what little patience I had left. If you want to sit here and continue living your days with your head up your ass, that’s fine by me. Your daughter fought against the undead. We’ve lost Talons to the necromancers, so don’t stand there and tell me it’s all a lie.

Her jaw dropped, and she turned three shades of red, poised to attack me.

Bastille held up his hand. Pierce, both of you, a word in private. I am one who believes something has been going on under our noses and would like to stop this before it escalates. Phillips? If you would kindly join us.

Theon and Keira followed him out, leaving Jasper, Jolie, Stone, and the other two generals in the conference room. Bastille led the way through HQ to his office on the upper floor. Once we were all inside, he closed his door.

Now then, I want answers. The truth if you please. Bastille walked behind his desk then turned to face us, arms crossed, expression forbidding.

The truth is complicated, I offered, wondering if this was the time to announce the entire truth. From the way Luke stared at me and Theon nodded, it seemed we were out of options. If the necromancers were openly attacking magical communities, our hands were tied.

Praying Briar was ready for what was about to happen, I hung my head and whispered, To start with, sir, Briar Morris is alive.

Bastille’s lips twitched, but as he glanced around the room, he squared his shoulders. Beg pardon?

She’s alive. Masters Marc, Odette, and Balthazar faked her death to cover up the fact that she escaped with the help of an abomination sent by her sister.

Bethany Morris, he stated. You’re saying she’s alive, too?

If you have a bottle of whiskey, sir, Luke said as he pulled out a chair and plopped down, now would be the time to get it out. Trust me, you’re going to need it.

Bastille set his snifter down as we sat in silence. For the last five minutes, that was all that there’d been. Silence. I didn’t know him well enough to decide if it was a good or bad thing. Phillips shrugged at Luke. Theon and Keira seemed to be having a silent conversation with their facial expressions.

Briar is alive and her sister, who is now a necromancer, managed to get inside her mind and control her, Bastille said quietly.

Yes, sir, I confirmed.

And just a few days ago, Bethany Morris attempted to kill you and the rest of those in the house with you, by controlling Briar, he continued.

She did, I said, knowing the tic in my jaw was probably going full force.

You mentioned she attempted suicide to stop herself from carrying out the acts, and has now lost the connection to Bethany completely? And her powers are stable once more?

As far as she can tell, yes. On both counts.

Bastille leaned back in his chair, the squeak of the springs echoing loudly. I want to believe everything you’ve just told me, but I still have three masters who were attacked, one nearly killed, and one dead Talon, who was murdered by Briar Morris.

She was being manipulated, I argued. You told Luke earlier that you believed her to be innocent.

That was before you admitted to me that she did, in fact, kill Samantha Stone, he said calmly. My hands are tied, Zach. No one will believe what you just told me. I wouldn’t, if those words came out of anyone else’s mouth.

There had to be a way to convince him of the truth, a way to prove all of this was real, and then I remembered the very strong spirit summoner residing in the cells a few floors beneath our feet. I can prove it to you, all of it.

How? Bastille asked the same time Luke shot me a knowing look and a nod.

Clarence, I said slowly. We may have had something to do with his disappearance and why no one can find him.

Bastille frowned. Fellas, you’re starting to find yourselves in a heap of trouble.

Clarence spent weeks torturing Briar so Marc could get inside her head, I reminded him, voice strained. You’re lucky he’s still alive.

What can he prove? Phillips asked before Bastille could say anything else.

I think he might be ready to confess what Marc put him up to, but he may also be able to get inside Ivan’s or Dresden’s heads, make them admit what Bethany’s plans are for Briar. If they confirm what we just told you, will you drop the charges against Briar?

If Ivan and Dresden confess to their dealings with necromancers and undead, then I guess I will have no choice but to do so. And if he is willing to stand as a witness against Marc, then the warrant for Marc’s arrest that Phillips signed behind my back will go into effect. Bastille finished off his drink. I will say I’m tired of these shenanigans happening right under my nose. The whole system’s been off-kilter since the death of your father and I would very much like to put it right again. If there’s a damned cover-up going on here, it’s high time we expose those responsible. Now then, where is Clarence?

You know the old cells we said we destroyed? Luke told him.

Bastille’s eyes darkened. I do.

Yeah, he’s down there, been there for a few days.

Bastille glanced heavenward as if asking for patience then motioned us onward. Lead the way. Let’s get this shit show started.

Down in the cells, Luke opened the door as Clarence sat on his cot, appearing more haggard than when I’d left him. His face had healed for the most part, and I barely opened my mouth before he held up his hand.

Whatever you want, just ask. If it’ll get me out of this stinking cell.

That was easy, I said. What changed your mind?

Clarence ground his teeth before he spat to the side. Marc. Found me two days ago.

What? I snapped as Luke did the same. Why didn’t he get you out?

Damned good question, something about wanting to leave me here to set a trap for you and Briar, but I’m tired of his bullshit. If I help you lot, I want protection.

And how do we know this isn’t the trap? Luke asked.

Master Theon? Care to read my mind?

He bowed his head, and I escorted Clarence out of the cell so Theon’s power would work on our prisoner. He laid his hand on Clarence’s forehead and shut his eyes. It only took a minute then he pulled his hand back, nodding. It appears Master Marc has indeed overplayed his hand and lost the loyalty of Clarence. He is telling the truth.

Well then, let’s get this over with. Bastille stepped forward. You will write out a full confession of everything you did to help Marc when it comes to Briar Morris. And I mean everything, including after she was declared dead.

Clarence bobbed his head. Yeah, sure, then I get protection?

Not quite yet. We need you to do one more thing, I informed him. Get inside the heads of two of our prisoners, find out what Bethany Morris’s plans are, what she did to Briar, anything you can give us.

He puffed out his cheeks and shrugged. Sure, sounds like a party.

Great, then let’s get going. No time like the present. I kept a firm grip on his arm and followed as we made our way back through HQ to the official holding cells for Ivan and Dresden. Bastille didn’t appear worried that we’d be spotted with Clarence, taking the main corridor through the building that led to the holding cells where Briar had been before her trial. A few guards whispered at the sight of our group. Someone would take word to Stone and the other generals, as well as Marc. But, if Marc had been laying a trap, this was probably a good thing. He’d think we’d fallen for it and wouldn’t see the arrest warrant coming.

Stand here, I told Clarence as we reached one of the larger interrogation rooms.

Luke unlocked the door, and I guided Clarence inside, remaining with him as my brother went to get the other two prisoners. I waited for Clarence to change his mind, start giving me shit again, but he sat in his chair, calm and collected, not saying a thing. When Dresden and Ivan were brought in, Luke sat them down across from Clarence and stayed close by. I assumed the generals and our other guests were watching behind the two-way mirror.

Deal is you get everything you can from them, and then you get your protection. Got it? Luke told Clarence.

He nodded once, then shut his eyes and rested his hands palms up on his thighs. Ivan and Dresden stiffened instantly, and when their eyes rolled back, an image flashed in my mind of seeing Briar like this, having that bastard poke around inside her head. And I hadn’t been able to do a thing to stop it.

Did Bethany Morris take control of Briar Morris? Clarence asked in a monotone voice.

Dresden gagged like he was choking on his tongue, but then he hissed, Yes.

For what purpose? Clarence continued.

To kill… the girl… Dresden gagged harshly.

I waited for him to be sick. My skin crawled, and I shut my eyes, hoping cutting off the sight of the two men struggling would keep me from seeing Briar there instead. All that did was make it worse.

Which girl?

Samantha Stone… set her up for murder… make her weak…

Shut up, Ivan snapped, his eyes focusing for a second, then they rolled back again.

He’s inside my head, Dresden whispered. I can’t stop. He yelled in agony, reaching up to hold his head.

I backed away from them, facing the far wall instead.

What are the necromancers’ plans? When neither answered, I sensed Clarence summon more spirit; Ivan and Dresden gasped in obvious torment. Answer, or it gets worse. Still, they said nothing.

The amount of spirit being called on made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.

Dresden grunted and doubled over.

One look to Luke and whatever he saw on my face had him pointing toward the door. I hurried away as Dresden started talking again. Whatever he said, I’d have to hear about it later. Out in the hall, I paced from one end to the other, running my hand through my hair as I worked to drown out the sounds of pain that were sounding like Briar instead of those two men. Clarence had done the exact same to her day in and day out for weeks. He’d poked and prodded around her mind, made her answer questions, made her see things that weren’t real. How much hurt had he caused her before she made her escape?

It should’ve been me who broke into that room and rescued her. Not one of the necromancers’ abominations. Me. And I let her down. Just like I told myself it was nothing when she acted all weird and stuff. I wanted to keep being mad at her for thinking she had to go it alone, but in all honesty, what had I done these past few weeks to show her I was there for her? I’d gone after her, yeah, but she’d gotten us out of that mess, not me.

My hatred for Marc and Bethany grew until I couldn’t see straight and all I wanted to do was strangle them both, make them bleed and go insane. I wanted them to pay for everything they’d done to Briar, all those innocents hurt by their plotting. They might not have been working together, but they were the same person. Villains. And villains deserved only one fate.

The minutes turned into an hour and the hour into three, until finally the door to the interrogation room opened, and Luke escorted Clarence out, saying he was going to deposit him in a regular holding cell. Now he had to write up his confession and name Marc in it before we could arrest the master of water.

Bastille exited the viewing room and came to me, his face drawn in anger. I owe you an apology, son, he said, extending his hand. And Briar Morris, she is, by all accounts, innocent.

Thank you, sir, I sighed, grateful to hear the news.

However, to ensure the Stones do not try to go after her again, I will need you to hunt down and find Bethany Morris. Find her and bring her in, and any others like her you can get your hands on.

Sir? I asked with a frown. What exactly are you saying?

I’m saying if those dark-hearted evil bastards think they can create an army and start a war without us coming after them, they’ve lost their minds. Phillips? I want you to prepare our men, all units, call them in. We are going to hunt down every last set of tunnels and purge them of these necromancers, undead, and ghouls. I will not sit idly by while they kidnap our people and kill innocents, Bastille proclaimed. Zach, you have your orders. See to it you find her and bring her in for her crimes. And when you see Briar again, you tell her Marc is taken care of as well. No master will ever bother her again.

He strode off down the hall, Phillips shaking hands with me quickly as he followed.

And now we have just one more order of business to take care of, Theon told me as he came over with Keira. Zach, would you care to be there and do the honors?

For what?

Theon smiled darkly as he said, Arresting Marc, of course.

I breathed in deeply, as part of my revenge was finally going