Animalians Hall (Books 1-3)

By Thomas K. Carpenter

A psychic fox companion. A curse that haunts her family. Nothing will stop this feisty heroine from saving those she loves the most!

THIS BOX SET INCLUDES THREE BEST SELLING BOOKS WITH NEARLY A 1000 PAGES OF THRILLING ACTION—AND 500 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS/RATINGS!

For Pax Nygard, the very creatures she strives to protect will lead her into escalating danger—but it's the two-legged kind that pose that most danger of all.

The Hundred Halls is a multi-series universe with over twenty books and over 6,000 pages of magical academy adventure. If you enjoy reading a well-written contemporary fantasy saga or are a Harry Potter, or Magicians fan, these books are written for you! Pick it up and—escape to the Hundred Halls!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thomas Carpenter
• Release date: Feb 24, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005038533

Thomas K. Carpenter

Thomas K. Carpenter resides in Colorado with his wife Rachel. When he’s not busy writing his next book, he's out hiking or skiing or getting beat by his wife at cards. Visit him online at www.thomaskcarpenter.com, or sign up for his newsletter at https://www.subscribepage.com/trialsofmagic.

Book preview

Animalians Hall Bundle (Books 1-3)

By

Thomas K. Carpenter

Copyright Information

Animalians Hall Bundle (Books 1-3)

Wild Magic

Bane of the Hunter

Mark of the Phoenix

A Hundred Halls Universe Series

Copyright © 2022 by Thomas K. Carpenter

Published by Black Moon Books

www.blackmoonbooks.com

Cover Design 2022 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. Inquiries may be addressed via email to [e-mail]

CONTENTS

Wild Magic

Bane of the Hunter

Mark of the Phoenix

Arcane Mutations Sample

About the Author

Hundred Halls Appendix

Hundred Halls Books

Other Works

Copyright

Start Reading Now

Wild Magic

Chapter One

Pax smelled blood on the way past the fyrehound dome at the Portland Supernatural Zoo. She stuttered to a stop, her shoes scuffing gravel on the path.

She hesitated to test the air again—not that she wasn't used to blood, she'd dealt with buckets of the thick red stuff when she was in charge of feeding the manticore, but her nose hadn't been enchanted for hyper sensing then like it was in that moment. She'd forgotten to have Esmerelda remove the spell before she left the herpetarium.

The brief tang she'd caught had been like gargling coppery fire—it choked her. The unexpected wave of late summer heat turned the scent rancid. Even without actively sniffing, her nose burned as if she'd snorted chili powder.

But her reluctance evaporated the moment she heard the shrieks of a wounded animal. The noise had come from her right, off the path, in a thicket of trees. Leafy branches whipped her bare skin as she burst through the undergrowth, cursing for the first time at the zoo's policy of natural landscaping. Pax fought through a bramble patch, where a thorny limb snagged her backpack.

The rational part of her brain reminded her quite dispassionately of the sheer stupidity of rushing towards the cries of a wounded animal, especially in the confines of the Portland Zoo, which was considered the most dangerous zoo in the world due to the prevalence of supernatural creatures. If a creature was being injured, it was likely something larger was doing the injuring, which meant she could be rushing into a more dangerous situation than she could anticipate.

When she broke through the underbrush into a small clearing, she had to accept that the rational part of her brain had been correct.

Stupid brain, she chastised it.

It was a dangerous animal. The most dangerous of all. And worse yet, there were three of them.

Where'd it go? asked a tall boy in a striped T-shirt, wielding a long stick he'd clearly broken from a nearby tree.

In that hole, said a second boy, who had a zoo flag resting on his shoulder in the pose of someone who was always taken seriously. Derek, you go over there and shove your stick into the hole. Me and Blaine will wait over here for when it comes rushing out.

The boys hadn't seen Pax yet, but she'd certainly seen them, and with growing distress, she realized they weren't just boys, but well on their way to adulthood. Probably around her age, had been lead to believe they were their parents' gift to the world, and had a severe lack of a working conscience.

She'd rather be facing down a long-tailed dragon with bad breath, but there was no way she was going to let them bother even a fruit fly if she could help it. It'd be a lot easier if Kali was with her, but since she wasn't allowed at the zoo anymore the little thoratic fox was at home in the shed.

Nor did she think returning to the main pathways would help since it was unlikely she'd find one of the guards—the zoo was radically underfunded—and the creature could be dead by then.

Pax checked that she was still wearing her Portland Magical Zoo shirt, took a deep breath, and yelled, Put even one inch of that stick in the hole and I'll have my deathhawk bite your faces off. My darling Anthrax loves eating faces, said Pax with her arms crossed, glancing at the sky expectantly.

Three heads turned her direction. The man-child Derek had the end of his stick hovering over the hole, while his jaw hit his chest.

Who the hell is that? asked Blaine.

Shit, it looks like she works here, said Derek, who was as pale as chalk. This place freaks me out enough already.

Pax craned her neck towards the trees. Come down here, Anthrax. Lovely, lovely faces to eat. Yum, yum!

As she turned her back on the three boys, she pursed her lips and made the call of an African lightning bird. Despite the name, the creature was relatively tame—she'd gotten to handle one last year in the avian section—but their calls were shiver inducing. The first time she'd heard one scream, she thought a ghost had climbed through her.

Logan, the boy in front who'd been giving them directions, screwed his face up. She might be working at the zoo, but there ain't no such thing as deathhawks, and she wouldn't have one with her outside of the domes, anyway.

Derek didn't seem to be buying his argument. He threw down his stick and backed away, breaking into a jog as he left the clearing. Blaine looked like he was going to stay until Pax spread her arms wide and screeched like the lightning bird again.

This chick is messing with us, said Logan as he strolled towards her.

Deathhawk or no, I don't want to get in trouble. She's got a zoo shirt on, said Blaine over his shoulder as he trotted away.

After the other two left, she was face-to-face with Logan. He had brown, wavy hair, icy blue eyes, and a smattering of freckles across his nose. He should have been attractive, except she could see right into his rotten soul.

I don't like when people mess with me, said Logan, slapping the flagpole in his other hand.

Pax's guts were doing backflips. Logan was calling her bluff. While she knew a few spells that she wasn't supposed to cast because of the dangers of faez madness, using magic as a non-Hall mage would get her into major trouble.

Pax crouched low and rocked on her heels as she decided if she should run, but she could still smell the injured animal in the hole and she didn't want him to finish the job.

He poked her in the shoulder with the flag.

I wouldn't let my two idiot friends talk to me like that, so I certainly ain't going to let—

Before he could finish, Pax knocked the flag away and lunged with her fist, driving it into his nose. The crack filled the clearing.

Owww, fuck, you broke my nose, he said, holding his hands over his face as fresh blood streamed down his lips and chin.

It looks like we've got a bleeder, she said.

Rage built in his eyes until they bulged. As he took a step forward, Pax saw her opening. She kicked him between the legs hard enough that the toe of her shoe caught him in the ass.

His eyes rolled into the back of his head as he tipped over backwards, landing unceremoniously in a sticker bush. He lay there groaning with his hands between his legs and his mouth covered in blood.

Seeing her opening, Pax rushed to the hole in the ground, hoping the critter inside would let her tend it.

Hello, little one. She spoke into the hole, sending out good vibes in hopes that it could sense them. I'm here to help. If you come out, I'll take you home and fix you.

With her enhanced nose, she could smell the injury. The creature had been badly hurt, which meant that it might lash out at her if she reached in, and since she didn't know what it was, that could prove deadly. Due to the climate, the Portland area had an overpopulation of supernatural creatures, which was one reason why the zoo was so successful.

Esmerelda would kill me if she saw me now, said Pax, leaning onto her elbow so she could shove her arm into the hole.

Behind her, Logan seemed to be recovering. He was alternating between moans and cursing her.

Come on, little one. I just want to help, she said.

Worming her arm into the hole, Pax jumped when something sharp sunk into her fingers. She cried out, but didn't move her hand. An initial bite might only be reflexive.

See, said Pax, I'm not going to hurt you. Just let me rescue you, whatever you are.

When the creature didn't bite a second time, Pax reached further, grabbing onto downy fur and tugging the creature out. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw that Logan had regained his feet and was stumbling towards her, one hand on his crotch, spitting blood and profanity.

Without checking to see what kind of critter she'd rescued, Pax cradled it against her chest and crashed through the undergrowth until she burst upon the main path. She headed towards the Lovelace Research Building, where she knew she'd find Esmerelda and a first aid kit.

It was about a quarter mile to the front of the park, which Pax speed walked, not wanting to run and upset the injured critter, glancing over her shoulder to make sure Logan wasn't pursuing her, but once she knew she was away from him, she slowed her escape, pressing her chin against her chest long enough to realize that she'd rescued an owlthing. The critter looked like an owl, but it couldn't fly and burrowed in the ground. They were native to Scandinavia, but had been brought to the Northwest as pets to be abandoned when the owners realized that owlthings could chew through stone and hypnotized small prey to walk into their open beaks.

Oh, you poor thing, she said.

They had wide, expressive eyes that made her feel gooey inside. Underneath the owlthing's arm, a gash had been opened. Already, the sleeve of her shirt was warm with coppery blood.

Pax cut through the southern aviary dome, which housed a number of flight-capable supernaturals like the camazotz, the pseudo-griffon, and the rainbow crow. As she hurried past an enclosure covered in signs that said, Do Not Tap the Glass and Camazotz: The Death Bat, a dark shape shot past the glass, landing in a tree. The camazotz was as big as a human, with black-brown leathery wings and sharp teeth that ripped through flesh easily. The critter in her arms seemed to sense the presence of the predator, because she heard it squeaking.

Shh, little one, almost there, she told it.

Shouldering through the north exit door led her to a short path. When she burst into the Lovelace Research Building, Esmerelda was standing with a handsome, somewhat familiar, older man in a brown suit, looking over a tray of selkie eggs that had been gifted to the zoo a week ago. Esmerelda wore the standard uniform of tan slacks and a green polo shirt, had her gorgeous black hair tamed by a jade clip, which showed off the silvery bangles on her ears, and had her right hand resting on the gentleman's arm.

Pax, said Esmerelda, immediately rushing over to her. Zoo people always knew when a critter was injured. I thought you went home?

Hey Esy, I heard this owlthing injured in the clearing past the fyrehound dome, said Pax as she set the feathery critter on the table while Esmerelda pulled out the first aid kit. If it weren't for the presence of the exceedingly familiar gentleman, Pax would have told Esmerelda about the kids, but decided not to air zoo business in front of a stranger.

Using one hand to hold the owlthing on the table, Pax popped open a tube of veterinary grade antibacterial and squeezed it into the crescent-shaped wound while Esy prepared a bandage. The owlthing squeaked softly at the cool medicine, but otherwise let her work.

While they administered care, the gentleman in the suit wandered over to watch. As Esmerelda pulled the bandage tape from the roll, she nodded to him and said, Pax, this is Mr. Alfred Lovelace, one of the zoo's major contributors.

Oh, said Pax, widening her eyes as she finally understood why she recognized him. His picture was on the main entrance to the building he was named for. It's nice to meet you.

Mr. Lovelace had an easy grin. It would be hard for me not to give money to this zoo. You do such important work here.

Pax covertly shot Esmerelda an eyeroll. She'd clearly been flirting with him.

You look quite busy, so I should go, said Mr. Lovelace. Thank you again, Ms. Esmerelda, for giving me a tour.

Of course, said Esmerelda. Anytime. We're just so grateful for your support.

After he left, as they finished with the owlthing, leaving it swaddled on the table in a fresh blanket, Pax turned on Esmerelda with a big grin on her face.

Esmerelda flipped her ponytail with the shake of her head. Whatever it takes. She winked. Anyway, he's a very nice man. Generous too. Believes in the zoo, which we need, badly. What happened with the owlthing?

Pax sighed. A couple of guys were tormenting it.

Esmerelda raised an eyebrow. What did you do, Pax?

I scared two of them off, then, sort of, kind of, broke the last kid's nose. I got out of there before he could catch me, said Pax.

Pax! That was a customer. You could get yourself fired, again, or sued, or both. Esmerelda put a hand on one hip and pointed her finger at Pax, but despite the lecturing posture, her eyes were rounded with concern. Or what if he'd caught you? You could get hurt again.

I know, Esy, I know, said Pax with a sigh as she traced her finger along the edge of the table. But the owlthing was injured, and those assholes were making it worse.

Esmerelda crossed her arms. Pax, you know I love you, would do anything for you, but eventually rushing into danger is going to get you killed.

Yes, zoo mom, said Pax.

Esmerelda sighed, tapping on the table next to the swaddled critter. You know we don't have the facilities to hold an owlthing.

It's okay, I'll take it back to my shed, said Pax. The wound wasn't as bad as I thought. It just needs a few days rest and then I can release it back into the woods before I leave.

Esmerelda grabbed Pax's hands as her eyes brightened like suns. The two fingers that the owlthing had clamped on smarted, but no real damage had been done, and she didn't want Esmerelda to know about her reckless grab into the hole, or she'd get a lecture about protecting her hands.

Oh, that's right. That's this weekend! I'm so excited for you, Pax. You finally get to try out for the Hundred Halls.

A lump rose into Pax's throat. She looked away. Do you really think I can pass the trials?

Esmerelda cupped her face. Oh, sweetie, I know you will. And then you'll join Animalians like I did. I can't wait for you to meet Patron Adele, the other professors. It was truly the most wonderful place. I loved every moment of it.

Pax wished she was as confident about the entrance trials as Esmerelda was. While she'd been training for years, her grasp of magic wasn't to the level she thought it needed to be to pass.

Pax. I see that look in your eyes. Magical ability is only one part of it. So what if your Merlin scores were low. Animalians isn't a high-faez kind of hall. Esmerelda tapped on her chest. You have what matters most, a willingness to try, and you have a heart as big as an ocean.

Salty and moody? asked Pax, cocking a grin.

Esmerelda let the corners of her plush lips rise slightly. You've been doing your finger and enunciation exercises, right? A mage is only as good as their digit dexterity and diction. All the faez in the world is useless if you can't make the gestures.

Pax nodded, but covertly tested the spot where the owlthing had clamped its beak onto her hand. Her fingers were sore but not injured.

Eleven benevolent elephants in red rolling wagons watching six sticky skeletons, said Pax, hoping she wouldn't ask for a demonstration of finger exercises.

Esmerelda leaned her head back and laughed, then patted Pax on the shoulder. You need to get home. The last thing you need is more problems with your parents.

Pax collected the owlthing, which had fallen asleep in the blanket, flexing her fingers beneath the covering.

Thanks, zoo mom.

Before Pax could leave, Esmerelda held up her hand. And remember, everyone gets through the trials in their own way. There's no one right answer. Use what you know best.

Rush headlong into danger? responded Pax with a smirk.

Esmerelda tilted her head and pursed her lips. You know what I mean. Be yourself, your best version of yourself.

As Pax pushed through the exit with the bundle of owlthing in her arms, she yelled out over her shoulder, But what if I don't know what that means?

Chapter Two

Pax missed the MAX light rail by twenty seconds, which pushed her even later than normal. So when she finally made it to her stop, holding the owlthing against her chest, Pax ran eight blocks to the two-story Victorian with stained glass windows that she unfortunately had to call home. Her legs were screaming by the time she got to the little corner lot. She ducked under the vine-covered trellis, heading straight for the shed.

She used her elbow to slide the door open, then followed up that maneuver by grabbing the string connected to the light with her teeth. The light clicked on, revealing a fifteen by twenty shed filled with cages and boxes. Dozens of pairs of eyes appeared upon her arrival.

She made the owlthing a nest in a box with strips of cloth. The little critter nestled into the bedding until she couldn't see it. Before she left, Pax took out a black marker and wrote Owlthing on the cardboard so she didn't forget what was in the box. One time she almost freed a basilisk when she thought it was a pseudo-pixie instead.

Halfway out the door, she glanced one last time into the shed before clicking off the light. She'd expected to find Kali in the shed. That she wasn't there meant that she was out hunting since she usually liked to sleep in the daytime.

As she shut the door, a ruckus went up in the house. Even from across the yard, the throwing of pots into the kitchen sink and subsequent screaming was unmistakable. It was tempting to return to the relative quiet of her makeshift veterinary infirmary, but it was nearing dinnertime, and if she was any later, it would be much, much worse.

Pax blew out a cleansing breath before crossing through the garden. The olfactory enchantment was wearing off, but Baba's coneflowers, abelias, and geraniums filled her nose with floral resolve before she had to face her parents' nightly rage.

Pax headed down the carpeted hallway, glancing at her childhood pictures gracing the wall. The pale streak in her hair hadn't always been there. It'd showed up after the Bad Thing. She touched her hair at the same time she remembered that she had blood all over her sleeve.

Before her parents saw her, Pax ducked into the bathroom and turned the water on hot, waiting until it was steaming before shoving her sleeve in. The hot water turned her skin bright red as she scrubbed away the blood.

When the sleeve was a dark blotch, she switched the water to a cooler temperature and threw some on her face, wiping away the mascara that had smeared beneath her eyes. Esmerelda had deemed it necessary to practice her smoky eye treatment on her while they were waiting for the baby ghost vipers to wake for their ectoplasm feeding.

While she worked at cleaning up, a new round of her mother's cursing erupted. Every slam of the cabinet made Pax flinch. With her sleeves pulled up to hide the wetness, she entered the kitchen, which smelled like beef stew with cabbage.

Where the hell have you been? asked her father, glowering from the table. Papers from his brokerage business were scattered over the table in neat piles. Pax was careful as she moved through the kitchen to start collecting plates so as not to cause a breeze and upset the papers.

At work, she said as neutrally as possible.

You look blotchy, like you've been running. What kind of shit have you been stirring up? I know you, Pax, I can see that goddamn plotting in your eyes, he said.

Her mother, who was stirring a steaming pot, spoke over her shoulder. Black heart means black deeds.

Pax ignored the glares and continued into the dining room to set the plates. Her grandmother was sitting in the living room carving a piece of bone with a sharp knife. Her eyes rounded with sympathy.

Pax threw up one shoulder in response, as if to say that she was used to it.

Whatcha makin', Baba? she asked her grandmother.

Baba held up the hunk of curved bone, eyes sparkling at it. This ol' thing? It ain't completely decided if it's a mermaid or a narwhal, but I'll keep working until it tells me.

I bet it's a narwhal, said Pax.

Hush you, said Baba with a wink. I like to be surprised. The best ones always work that way.

If it weren't for her grandmother, Pax might have run away a long time ago. The only thing that had been keeping her in the house was that Baba had said she'd sponsor her for a trip to the Hundred Halls, the only magical university in the world, to take the trials of magic to see if she qualified for entry. Pax had turned seventeen a couple of months ago, which meant she could finally take the tests. It would require a trip to the city of Invictus on the east coast. There was no way her parents would pay for it, but Baba had been selling her scrimshaw pieces at the Portland Art Show for years to collect the funds.

With the table set, Pax hurried into the kitchen to help. She tried to stir the stew, but her mother slapped her hand away.

I didn't tell you to fuss with it. You'd probably just screw it up.

Yes, Mother, said Pax, keeping her gaze lowered.

Before she could move away, her mother grabbed her sleeve. What did you do? Your sleeve is wet. Is there blood on this? Who did you hurt?

Her mother's gray hair fell into her face as she leered at Pax.

I didn't hurt anybody, she said, even though she knew it was a lie. Her whole middle tightened as if she'd been clamped into a vise.

Sandy, leave her alone, said Baba, who had come into the kitchen. She stepped between them, giving Pax a chance to slip away.

Fine, if you don't want me to find out why your granddaughter has blood on her sleeve, said her mother as she ladled beef stew into a bowl, slopping broth onto the counter. See? Look what you made me do.

Pax touched the scar on her chin, the one from the Bad Thing. She couldn't really remember what had happened, because it had happened when she was young—or so she thought. She had a strong suspicion that it had to do with why her parents thought she was always causing trouble, but no one, not even Baba, would explain.

Everyone took their spots at the table. Pax kept her head down, taking care not to scrape the spoon against the bowl, so as not to set off her parents. She was halfway finished eating her stew when Baba cleared her throat.

I trust you both remember that Pax will be flying to Invictus this weekend for the Merlin Trials? asked Baba.

Her mother's face flashed with anger before resolving into spite. Lot of good it will do her. Never heard of a child more prone to destruction than that one. She'll probably bring the whole damn university down on her.

Sandy, said Baba, pounding her fist on the table. Enough. I know you can't control yourself. She took a big, cleansing breath as her eyes rounded with a mixture of sadness and resolve. But stop picking on your daughter.

Pax kept as still as possible. She felt like a mouse in a field waiting for the hawk to pass over. Because her grandmother never failed to defend her, Pax couldn't understand why she argued for her to stay in the house. Family was only a word.

Her father, Edwin, leaned on his elbow, spoon sticking out of his fist.

If you want to waste your money on the child, Ellie, you go ahead. We could do with a break without her, and maybe we'll be lucky enough that she passes, though I seriously doubt it.

Pax placed her hands flat on the table beside the plate and bowl. Her soup was only half eaten.

May I be excused from the table? she asked.

Her parents shared a glance before her mother tilted her head with a little shake, rolling her eyes slightly. Oh, how will we miss your sparkling conversation.

Head ducked, Pax carried her plate, bowl, and silverware into the kitchen. The murmuring continued without her, but being outside of the room allowed her to breathe again.

She was headed to the shed to check on the owlthing when Baba appeared at the back door.

I'm sorry, Pax, that you have to deal with that, said Baba.

Pax sniffed, wiping at her eyes. I don't know why we couldn't have just left, me and you. It's almost like they don't even know I'm their kid.

Baba's eyes rounded. She put her hand on Pax's arm and gave it a squeeze.

Darling Pax, I assure you that you are their child, but the events in this house have never been typical, said Baba. I swear to you they can't help it.

Pax looked at her shoes. Yeah, yeah, the Bad Thing that you won't tell me about.

Pax, you didn't do a Bad Thing. I wish you would get that out of your head, said Baba.

Then why won't you tell me? asked Pax.

Baba reached out and cupped her chin upward until she was forced to look into her grandmother's soft brown eyes.

I'll tell you next April on your birthday. I swear it. Then you'll understand. All this pain and suffering that you've endured will make sense. Pax. You are a strong, strong girl. That you have thrived under these circumstances, that you have given back—between your little veterinary clinic and the volunteer work at the zoo—I couldn't be more proud, she said.

"I just wish they were proud of me," said Pax, tilting her head towards the kitchen.

They will be, someday, but not right now. I'm sorry this is such a hard road for you. It breaks my heart that you have to travel this path, but you've done it with your head held high. You could have made things worse, much much worse, but you've done as I asked and done your best not to upset them. I know it's been hard for you, because you’re a girl that fixes things when you see something wrong.

Hearing Baba speak about her like that took a weight off her shoulders. A kernel of pride at her earlier defense of the owlthing in the woods warmed her middle.

Thanks, Baba, I needed to hear that.

Pax threw her arms around her grandmother. Though she was rail thin, she had a strength and solidity to her, like she'd been built with steel.

When she pulled away, Baba kissed her on the forehead and touched her nose with her forefinger.

Three days, Pax Nygard, said Baba, letting her Scandinavian accent color her words. In three days, you'll fly in a steel bird to the city of sorcery and take your rightful place in the halls of magic.

Chapter Three

After Baba went back to the kitchen to finish her dinner, Pax left the house, crossing through the garden in the twilight with thoughts of the Hundred Halls racing through her mind.

For a long time she'd thought that the day would never come, or that something would happen that would keep her from going. But she had her one-way flight booked. She couldn't afford a hotel, so she'd arrive the morning of the Merlin Trials. Once she was at the university for the testing, she wouldn't have to worry about lodging. If she didn't pass, she didn't know what she would do.

But until then, she had to get her friends ready for the time when she wouldn't be there to care for them. Most of them were healthy enough to leave on their own, but a few of them, like the owlthing, she'd take to Esmerelda on Friday.

Mind busy with plans for the future, Pax didn't register that the light in the shed was on until she'd stepped inside.

Logan stood over the owlthing's box with a bowie knife in his fist. He'd cleaned the blood off his face, but his shirt still had stains around the collar. The rage pulsing across his forehead turned his eyes dark.

Close the door, said Logan. And if you so much as even squeak, I'll put my blade through your little friend.

Pax turned around completely to close the door so she could check for anything nearby that would help her with Logan, but she kept a neat clinic, so any potential weapons like scissors or knives were put away in their drawers.

That's better, he said, twitching and glancing around as if he expected an attack from every angle.

What do you want? she asked.

You made a fool of me, said Logan.

Pax lifted one shoulder. No one saw.

Logan glanced down.

"I know," he said with venom.

She almost felt sorry for him. She could see the misplaced rage in his bones, the emotions bottled up with nowhere to put them. He probably had a father who lectured him about the importance of being a man, emphasized with a fist. Or maybe he had no father at all.

Beneath the hate and the violence, he was probably scared. It was why he'd come here, because he didn't know how to rectify the person he thought he was with the one that deep down inside, he wanted to be.

She almost felt sorry for him. Almost.

He'd threatened her friends. Any pity she felt drained away.

I don't know what happened to you, but I'm not going to participate in your delusions of power. You made a big mistake when you stepped into my shed. You might be thinking, but why, this girl doesn't have a weapon in her hand. But you're standing in a room full of weapons. Some of my animals friends are cute and cuddly, but others, not so much.

Logan's head snapped to the right as the mated balayangs clacked their tongues, probably expecting that it was feeding time. The bat-like creatures were benignly supernatural with the ability to turn their bodies as black as the night, but Logan wouldn't know that.

What was that? he asked, shifting the point of his knife in the balayangs' direction.

The fearsome balayang, the vampire bat of the Australian outback. They're impervious to metal and can only be hurt by bone weapons and can suck out a liter of blood a minute, she said.

Bullshit, I'm not an idiot, he said, though his face was screwed up. You're making that up.

Maybe I am, but how are you going to know? she said. But I can tell you that you'd better be ready to kill every last one of us, because if you put even one scratch on one of my friends, you're not walking out of here alive.

Shut up! Why do you keep talking? said Logan, shaking his knife at her.

I promise you, if you want this to end, I'll open the door and step aside, and you can leave. No harm, no foul. Your choice, said Pax.

Logan's face contorted with anger.

Screw you, screw this, said Logan, holding his knife back over the owlthing's box. You hurt me, now I'm going to hurt you.

Pax's heart nearly stopped when she realized that he'd called her bluff—again.

The soft clicks of claws on metal sounded from high above, bringing a measure of relief. She hadn't just been bluffing. She'd also been delaying, hoping that Kali would sense her distress and return from her hunt.

A bit of shadow moved behind the cages and boxes. Pax kept her gaze on Logan.

As Kali neared, Pax prepared to strike. She didn't know exactly what the little thoratic fox would do, since their psychic connection only worked with intention and emotion, but she knew Kali would give a signal right before.

Kali's bushy black tail rose above the adarna cage briefly, then a pair of golden eyes peered out of the shadows. The tang of sharp lemon filled Pax, a warning that it had begun.

Pax saw the results when Logan's eyes became unfocused. He shook his head as if that would remove the visions that Kali was projecting into his mind.

Hey! What have you done? I can't see!

While Logan slashed his knife around in frantic defense, Pax dropped down and reached underneath the workbench where she knew a two-by-four resided. It had a notch in the end so she could carry the cages of dangerous animals at a distance.

Pax stepped to the side and lifted the two-by-four to hit Logan's arm so he would drop the knife, but he must have heard her, because he snapped his head in her direction and rushed her before she could bring it down. She got out of the way of the knife, which slammed into a bench, levering the weapon from his hand, but his shoulder charge knocked the wind out of her.

Before she could scramble away, he wrapped his arms around her midsection, lifting her up in a bear hug, then slammed her down, using his body weight to drive her into the ground. The impact knocked stars into her eyes, and she tried to scramble away.

Pax kicked and squirmed, giving it everything she had to escape, but Logan was bigger and stronger, so she dug her fingers into his eye sockets. When he shifted to protect his face, she spun her hips enough to knee him between the legs.

After a low groan, she managed to scramble away, but he was up on his feet at the same time, and somehow he had the two-by-four in his hands.

Get out of my mind, you crazy bitch! What's going on? screamed Logan as he swung the board around indiscriminately, still in a low crouch from her knee blow.

Kali was probably projecting awful images into his head, making it appear he was being flayed by demons, or more horrific scenes, but it wasn't slowing him down, only making him more frantic.

Logan knocked the balayang enclosure off its hook to crash onto the table. The bats squeaked and flew around the mesh cage, turning matte black in reflexive defense.

Stop hurting my friends, said Pax as she shifted on the balls of her feet, watching him for his next move.

He growled, his face rippling with fear, and raised the board above his head. She saw the trajectory of his swing. He would smash the owlthing, so Pax leapt in the way, trying to catch the board before it hit her in the face.

There was a loud crack, as the board hit her fingers with considerable force. Pain shot through her arm as her mind flashed red.

A moment later, Logan screamed again, but this time it was because Kali had leapt upon his neck, raking his back with her claws. She must have released the vision, because he ran straight for the door, slipping through it as Kali leapt away, leaving Pax in the shed, cradling her injured hand.

Kali bounded over to her and placed her front paws on Pax's leg as she sat in the dirt of the shed. The thoratic fox looked like a miniature silver fox with black-gray fur. Kali's normally black eyes had turned reddish. She licked Pax's chin, adding a little whine in the back of her throat.

Pax looked down at her left hand, which had taken the brunt of the hit. Her pinky and ring fingers were already swelling up. Squeezing them only brought pain. She didn't want to know if they were broken, not with the trials only a few days away.

It was going to be hard enough to pass the trials already, but now with an injured hand, it felt impossible. Pax squeezed her eyes shut, leaning her head against the shelf. Above her, the balayangs had quieted down, but she could hear soft squeaking from the owlthing.

When Kali bumped her head against her shoulder, Pax opened her eyes.

I hope your hunt went well, said Pax, trying not to think about her hand.

Pictures of mice appeared in Pax's mind along with the flavor of coppery blood in the back her throat.

That's great, said Pax, mustering a broken smile.

The thoratic fox tilted her head, whined, and nudged Pax's injured hand.

It might be broken, said Pax. If the tickets and everything hadn't already been paid for, I'd wait until next year, but I have to go, even if it means I'm probably going to fail. I don't regret protecting the owlthing, but why did it have to be my fingers? I should have let him hit me in the head.

A sense of warmth and sweetness emanated from Kali. The mental signature was like biting into a cherry pie fresh out of the oven.

Thanks, Kali, I appreciate the feeling, Pax said as she climbed to her feet, careful not to use her injured hand. She closed and locked the door, not that she thought Logan would come back, but it gave her peace of mind, and she needed to focus on something positive after what had happened. Let's start getting everything ready for this weekend. We have to put together the records for the ones headed to the zoo. The others we can release.

After Pax bandaged her fingers together, she and Kali went through each cage and box. If the animal inside had recovered, they freed it. If not, they prepared the container for travel. Pax did the heavy work: lifting, sorting, and gathering the foods. Kali used her psychic ability to calm the creatures before they were released back into the wild.

This was particularly important for the adarna bird, which could, under the right circumstance, turn parts of her flesh to stone. It wasn't as bad as a medusa, but Pax had no desire to go through life with the tip of her nose as hard as a rock.

Kali kept the adarna bird oblivious to her surroundings until the cage was opened outside the shed. The bird, which had long colorful plumage, climbed to the top of the cage before spreading its wings and leaping into the night sky.

Late in the night, after they were finished, Kali hopped on Pax's shoulder as she crept into the sleeping house. She made it to her room without further incident. The day had been crazy enough.

Settled under her covers, Pax tried to fall asleep but her fingers ached and the worry that she wouldn't be able to pass the Merlin Trials left her wide awake. Kali, on the other hand, curled up in the crook of Pax's arm and snored softly, furry body rising and falling slowly, as if it'd been an uneventful day.

Staring at the ceiling, caressing her injured fingers, Pax spoke aloud. One good thing...I saved the owlthing. A thing I would do better? Next time, take the board to the head. She chuckled. And what do I hope for tomorrow? She bit her lower lip. I hope my freaking fingers get better. Pax sighed. I'm going to the Hundred Halls and I'm going to pass my Merlin Trials, and when I get into Animalians, things will be different. Things will be better. Baba said so, and I believe her.

Kali stirred, one eye opening slightly, followed by a snort.

Okay, little one. I'll sleep now. In a few days I go to the Hundred Halls. I get to start my new life, I hope.

Pax inhaled until her chest was bursting with air. After a long slow release she spoke one last time before letting sleep claim her.

Tomorrow things will be better.

Chapter Four

When Pax woke on Saturday morning—the day she would leave for the Halls—she felt refreshed and ready, even if two of her fingers could only bend halfway down. To her immense surprise, neither of her parents made a single rude comment while she was eating breakfast. She didn't even have the normal tension that came with being in their presence, always anticipating a putdown.

When it came time to leave, Baba had to remind them to say goodbye.

Try not to kill anyone, said her mother without looking up from her cellphone.

Her father frowned. You don't really look like a potential mage.

Bye, I'll see you next summer, I hope, said Pax, but by then, they'd returned their attention to their cellphone and newspaper respectively, leaving her and Baba to walk out of the house in relative peace.

The bus was a minute late, which had Pax bouncing and pacing, but when it arrived, Baba gave her a sweet smile. Pax put her head on her grandmother's shoulder the whole way, fiddling with the silver bracelet on her wrist, while Kali sat in her lap watching the city pass with an inquisitive expression.

When they arrived at the airport, Pax felt dizzy. Her whole body ached.

I can't believe I'm not going to see you for a whole year, said Pax, hugging Baba to her chest.

Nine months to be exact, said Baba, pulling away and smiling wistfully.

And when I get back—

Before Pax could get the words out, Baba put her finger to her lips.

Today's not the day for that kind of talk. You have a plane to catch. Be quick about it, I only had enough money for one flight, said Baba.

With Kali on her shoulder, Pax backed away. Thank you, Baba. Thank you for everything.

Baba shook her wrinkled hand at her. Don't forget the paperwork for Kali. It's in your backpack, the front pocket, the letter with the seal.

The next part of the journey was so new and unfamiliar, it simultaneously took forever and flew by. But eventually she found herself on the plane and in the air (Kali loved taking off). The five hours to travel across the country were the longest five hours of her life. When the pilot announced that they neared their destination and that they should look out the windows at the city of Invictus, she had to thumb away a tear at the corner of her eye.

Invictus, the city of sorcery, was named after its head patron—a man presumed dead due to his long absence. It was the jewel of the modern, magical world, a city west of New York and north of Philadelphia. The sprawling metropolis was made of thirteen wards, which circled the Spire, the tallest structure in the world.

With her face plastered against the window, engines rumbling, and Kali asleep in her lap, it didn't even seem real it was so large. If she squinted, she could see tiny flashes of light in the air around the tower—the famed glass gondolas that rode on invisible gossamer lines.

In a section of the city near the Spire, right to the east, giant colorful shapes moved through the streets.

That must be the second ward, Pax told Kali. All the world's best entertainers work there.

Her furry companion poked her head up and tilted it at Pax before returning to her nap.

Seeing the city from the sky made her face all tingly. She'd been sure that something would happen to keep her from attending, but now that she was about to arrive, her heart was so full she could hardly breathe.

Baba had sent her with a packed lunch, but she'd been too excited the whole ride to eat it.

Arrival in the airport was made easier by the papers Baba had printed out for her, telling her how to get to the train station that would take her to the Spire. Kali rode on her shoulder, tail wrapped around her neck like a soft scarf.

Pax was taller than most girls her age, so most people didn't notice Kali since their heads were down as they hurried to the next location. Plus, Kali could make herself unseen in large crowds. It didn't make her invisible, but it kept people from actively noticing her.

When they sat in the train car, a little girl in a sparkly pink T-shirt with a Halls logo on the front stared at Kali the whole way.

Are you a mage? asked the little girl.

Layla, dear, that's a rude question, said her mother, who'd been thumbing through her phone the moment before. I'm very sorry.

No worries. I don't mind, Pax told the little girl's mother.

Pax winked when the mother returned her focus to the cellphone screen.

Not yet, but hopefully soon. I'm headed to the Spire for the Merlin Trials, she said.

The girl's eyes went wide with wonder. Awesome. Is that a fairy?

No, this is Kali. She's a silver fox, nothing special, said Pax, receiving a sharp claw in the tender part of her neck.

Pax chuckled under her breath. Kali hated when she told people she was only a silver fox, but since thoratic foxes were restricted animals, she had to lie.

Oh, said the little girl as she returned to playing with the hem of her pink skirt.

As the train rumbled through the city towards the Spire, Pax studied the people as much as the little girl had studied her. Invictus had a higher concentration of supernatural creatures than anywhere else in the world, and while Pax was used to dealing with some of them due to her volunteer work in the Portland Magical Zoo, their existences were carefully controlled. Here, many roamed free or had been put to work in service of the city like the famed ghost taxis.

Leaving the train station, the sights and sounds of the city hit her in full. The smells from a falafel vendor mixed with the diesel exhaust of a double-decker tourist bus wafted past. A man wearing a hat that put off a fountain of sparks carried an armful of glowing necklaces while shouting, Sparkman's good luck charms! Best charms in the third ward! Get 'em for a cool twenty bucks!

Whatdya think, Kali? asked Pax with a grin plastered on her face. Even the ache in her fingers couldn't dampen her good mood as she strolled through the city, absorbing the sights and sounds and smells.

The best was yet to come as she boarded the gondola for a ride across the city on invisible wires. The gondolas were reserved for staff and upperclassmen, except for the day of the Merlin Trials, when prospective mages were given a taste of what was to come.

Looking down from the gondola, Pax was surprised at how much of the city was residential. She'd always had an image that it was like a giant magical bazaar with trinket stores on every corner. It must be weird to live in such a place, she thought.

Arriving in the Spire, prospective mages were led down a long wide hall. Pax filled out a series of documents, which were mostly about giving up any rights of legal action should she be injured or killed. The papers were mostly redundant, as U.S. law gave the Hundred Halls immunity from legal action, but the guy working that station told her it was a reminder of what she was signing up for before she entered.

At the last station before she was allowed to enter the testing facility, Pax signed the Tome of Record using a quill and inkpot.

Make sure you put a minimum of three halls on your list. After the trials, you can't be chosen by that hall unless you wrote it down in this tome, and if your final score isn't high, all the spots might be taken up by the time they come to you, said the woman at the station.

Pax ignored the advice and wrote The Society for the Understanding of Animals next to her name. She didn't care about being a mage unless she could be in Animalians, and since Esmerelda was an alumni, she'd said she'd put in a good word with the selection team from the hall.

The only thing Pax had left to do was to pass the Merlin Trials. No easy feat considering it took most prospective students two tries if they passed at all, but Esmerelda had been helping her prepare for years.

As she stepped up to the double doors leading to the testing chamber, the mage at the door motioned to Kali on her shoulders.

No pets during the Merlin Trials.

Kali's just a silver fox, said Pax.

The man shifted his mouth to the side as if he knew better. Silver fox or no, your Kali isn't allowed. But no worries, he said, breaking into a smile. We have a waiting area for furry and not-so-furry friends. Kali will be taken care of while you're testing.

A young woman with frosty pink hair appeared from the side. She wore an Animalians pin, which was two hands—one human and one primate—holding each other.

I can take Kali, said the girl, holding out her arm.

Go ahead.

Kali bounded from Pax's shoulder onto the girl's arm.

Bye, little one. See you in a few days, said Pax, receiving a feeling of warmth and sunshine from the thoratic fox.

Good luck, said the girl with pink hair as she walked away with Kali on her shoulder.

The mage at the double doors motioned towards the big room beyond.

You may enter the Trials of Magic.

Chapter Five

The nervous energy in the welcome hall was enough to run a small city. Pax wandered around the area, which was three or four times larger than her high school gym, examining her competition for entrance into the Hundred Halls.

She received a lot of anxious smiles as she passed the others. Everything was riding on the next few days, but she knew that some of them wouldn't even make it past the first hour.

A platform sat at the center of the circular chamber. At locations around the outside wall, interspaced between the huge windows, large blank tapestries hung. Pax pushed her face against the glass, examining the city outside the Spire.

I've heard you can jump out a window and the building won't let you fall, said a melodic voice nearby.

Pax wasn't the only one standing by the window, but everyone had been doing so separately, so the comment caught her by surprise.

Care to try? she quipped, cringing internally when she turned, finding that the speaker was an exceedingly handsome guy. He had tousled brown hair, sun-kissed skin that spoke of a life outdoors, and a playful twinkle in his green eyes.

I'm Liam, he said, offering a hand.

There was no lack of confidence in his stance. He was the type that knew he was good looking, but didn't go out of his way to show off. He wore faded jeans and a tan khaki shirt, rolled up at the sleeves. Though he looked scrubbed clean, she could almost smell the trail dust in his soul.

And I'm here for the trials, said Pax, keeping her arms crossed, but the corner of her lips raised.

He laughed, a warm sound that made her regret her standoffishness. Liam placed his hands into the back pockets of his jeans.

Just trying to make friends, said Liam. You know, there are parts of the trials that require teamwork.

Pax raised an eyebrow. We have to get through the first part before the team events, and even then, we don't even know how the game will be structured.

He pulled a hand out of his back pocket and caressed the glass, a gesture that annoyed her only because it was way more effective than she would have liked.

But if we get placed on the same team, we'll already have some good chemistry. He let out a short laugh, raising one shoulder in a half-shrug. But what am I saying? You'll have guys, and gals, falling all over themselves to be on your team.

Warmth rose to her cheeks, so she rolled her eyes. Pax was saved from further embarrassment by a professor on center stage asking everyone to gather.

Good luck.

She hesitated before she turned away, instantly aware that she would regret it if she didn't say something. If we make it to the third round, I'll look out for you.

Pax stood in the throng, shoulder to shoulder with the other potential initiates. The woman on the stage looked like a dressed-down version of Marilyn Monroe with stark white hair tamed with a small red ribbon and only a hint of ruby coloring to her lips.

Good morning. I am Instructor Pennywhistle from the Academy of the Subtle Arts, said the instructor, adding a girlish curtsey that brought laughter and a few whistles. "Today you will be attempting to pass the first test of the Merlin Trials. There will be three total—an individual trial, a partnered contest, and a group free-for-all. While there are thousands of you here today, only a small fraction will pass. Some of you will fail outright, others will give up in the face of danger—yes, I see your faces, you all think you won't, but at least a third will drop out—and an unfortunate few will lose their lives in the trials.

While this may seem cruel and capricious, know that your life as a mage will be far more dangerous than these trials. A clean death is the safest failure mode for a mage. Some consequences will haunt unprepared mages for many lifetimes.

A murmur traveled through the potential initiates. Everyone knew the stories about mages that had gone mad, turned themselves inside out with a wrong word, or trapped themselves in a demi-plane for all time.

I would bore you further with warnings about the chances of you making it through the trials, but let's be honest, this will not dissuade you because you've made the important step of coming to the city of Invictus and writing your name in the Tome of Records. The rest will depend on how prepared, and lucky, you are.

Pax held her two injured fingers, tentatively flexing them, but they could only bend halfway. Not that lucky.

Before you can begin your trials, you must temporarily link yourselves to one of our patrons. This will protect you from the faez, the dangerous energy that powers our magics, during your trials. Today, you will bind yourselves to the patron of the Royal Society of Illustrious Artificers, or what everyone likes to call Tinkers. May I introduce Gracie Longfellow, said Instructor Pennywhistle as she extended her hand in a flourishing bow.

Appearing from the crowd was a woman with sculpted auburn hair wearing an aviator military uniform as if she were performing for the USO during WWII.

Pax heard a guy mutter from behind her, Pretty hot for being over a hundred.

Patron Longfellow held up her hand, silencing the crowd. She looked over the crowd with an air of arrogant concern.

"Welcome, potential students. I see so many smiling, excited faces here today. That will change soon enough. By this time tomorrow, if you are still here, there will be a different mood present. Dare I say, quite sullen, so enjoy this while you can. These might be your last moments.

If I have unnerved you, or if at a later time, you feel you cannot continue, you may leave at any time by going to the runed doors, placing both hands on them, and saying 'I am defeated' three times. You will not be missed.

Patron Longfellow waited to see if anyone made a move towards the door. The pause brought a wave of unexpected anxiety to Pax as she cradled her injured hand. Am I an idiot for attempting this? She looked back to the door, halfway wishing at least one person would leave, and simultaneously wishing the opposite too. She looked around to see a lot of inwardly contemplating expressions, which gave her a bit of resolve that she wasn't the only one having doubts, but she mostly just wished that Kali was on her shoulder providing a comforting presence.

Okay then. It seems I will be your patron for the trials. So open yourself to your magic, let it collect into your fist, and hold it up high. When you feel the tingling in your arm, pull the faez back inside of you like sucking in a breath of icy cold air. Do not let go. It will feel uncomfortable for a little while. Once the link is there, and you will know when it is, you may put your hand down. Please start.

As if it were the encore of a concert, thousands of fists hit the air. Pax put her right fist up, letting the faez trickle into her mind, which took coaxing because she was used to holding it back for fear of corrupting her mind.

Pax waited for the connection to form. It started with a tingle in her fingers, which she wanted to shake out, as if she'd let her hand fall asleep, but she kept them closed and pulled the magic into her, and when she felt the icy warmth in the base of her skull, she held it.

The wait lasted forever. It was like squeezing an ice cube in her fist. But then the cold dissipated and warmth bubbled up from her midsection, followed by a wave of pleasure that brought a gasp to her lips.

The unexpected end resulted in a round of laughter, and Pax joined in. As she looked across the crowd, she happened to catch Liam's gaze, and he stared back, adding a wink for good measure.

Afterwards, about fifteen fists remained in the air, to which Patron Goodfellow added, Those of you who failed to follow directions, please come forward.

Once they had gathered, she made a few elaborate finger