Sonata of Shadow and Thorn

By Thomas K. Carpenter

Every family has its secrets.

Six years previous, the death of the eldest daughter, Solstice, was a tragedy that tore apart the Charmer family. Now, uncomfortable truths are surfacing that brings her death into a new light. As Moriganne chases down paranoid gang members, vengeful maetrie, and shifting family secrets—she finds that sometimes the truth is better left buried.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thomas Carpenter
• Release date: Jun 28, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005826802

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

Sonata of Shadow and Thorn

Book Four in Stone Singers Hall

By

Thomas K. Carpenter

Copyright Information

Sonata of Shadow and Thorn

Book Four in the Stone Singers Hall

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 novel is a 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

Sonata of Shadow and Thorn

Well of Demon and Bone Sample

About the Author

Special Thanks

Hundred Halls Appendix

Hundred Halls Books

Other Works

Copyright

Start Reading Now

Chapter One

The rain drummed against the glass pyramid above their heads in the Musée de Louvre, matching the endless chatter of the guests at the wedding reception. Moriganne sipped her champagne and tried to keep her heart rate from soaring while Andromeda went on about the Delacroix painting in the Denon Wing.

Are you even listening?

Huh? Yeah, I mean no, sorry, said Moriganne, hugging her arm to her chest. The bridge had been aching all day.

Andromeda stood by her side in a matching lavender bridesmaid dress, not a tattoo or modification in sight, hair dyed black and twisted into bouncy curls. Her sister looked out over the crowd of tuxedos and expensive dresses.

What gives? It's not like it's your first party.

Moriganne rubbed her elbow. Lost in thought, I guess.

Montanhas?

I can't seem to escape it, said Moriganne.

It's only been five months, said Andromeda. You shouldn't be so hard on yourself. Besides, you're doing better than Ivan.

As if on cue, they heard his too-loud laughter near the bar. Tuxedo shirt half untucked and eyes smudged, he was swaying dangerously near the fountain. The other guests avoided him as if he were contagious.

I don't know if he'll ever be okay, said Moriganne softly.

I wish I’d been there with you, said Andromeda.

No you don't, Moriganne said harshly, then hearing the tone of her voice, she said, "I'm sorry. I wish I hadn't been there."

Kitty appeared suddenly at her side. The lavender dress hung loosely on her thin frame, and her short-cropped hair had been artfully spiked. There was something different, more dangerous, about her since the events in Montanhas. Moriganne couldn't place it, but she felt unexpectedly nervous around her younger sister and not because she thought she was spying on her.

I can't believe Monique married that douche bonnet, Magnus Dreadmarsh. If there's a more disgusting old money family, I don't know what it is, said Kitty, holding a glass of champagne that hadn't been touched. If Ivan were here he'd say that their old granddad buttfucked a demon or something.

I have heard that, said Andromeda, smirking.

The newly married couple was touring the reception, arm in arm. Their mother looked resplendent in a pearl white gown with a train that would have made a peacock jealous. Magnus had peppered gray hair that looked like it had been styled by the gods. He was handsome and fit.

Who are they talking to? asked Moriganne.

Kitty tilted her head. That's the princess of Sweden. You met her a few years ago. I think I recall you saying you'd like to punch her in the balls.

Yeah, said Moriganne, trying to ignore the ache in her elbow. The tattoo at least wasn't visible beneath the concealing enchantment, but she felt like it didn't like being hidden and was punishing her for it.

Has anyone figured out when they even met? asked Andromeda.

Who cares? said Kitty. It's old money marrying old money. At least Vic seems to be taking it well.

The old man was telling a story to an engaged group that hung on his every word. His circle included Ares, who was never far from their father's side these days.

He'd never let you see if he wasn't, said Moriganne, hating the bitterness in her own voice.

Well, if it isn't Monique's three beautiful daughters, said an older man with a strong resemblance to their new stepfather.

Leonidas, said Kitty, offering a handshake, which brought a raised eyebrow as it looked like he was about to lean in for a hug.

Please, call me Leo, he said, smiling magnanimously at them.

When it was Moriganne's turn to shake his hand, a sharp stab hit her elbow. His eyes creased briefly but his smile never faltered.

It's nice to meet you.

What do you think, ladies? Don't they make a handsome couple? asked Leo, facing the bride and groom on the level below them. I'm pleased my younger brother finally found love after all these years. Your mother's a great woman.

Moriganne had only been in these circles for a few years but she knew that was code for she's an old name just like ours.

She is, said Andromeda, raising a glass.

Leo matched her gesture. You know, I was rather disappointed that you weren't wearing wings or something else interesting for the ceremony. I've heard a lot about the youngest Charmer.

Andromeda squinted suspiciously. Monique asked me not to.

What a shame, said Leo with a playful sigh. These events get rather boring. Same old dance, same old people.

Moriganne didn’t know what to make of his comment, other than he was trying to ingratiate himself.

How's your father doing? asked Leo. He's got more lives than a cat, but this Lifestone thing has been rough, I'm sure.

A lot of people have bet against him in the past, and he's won that bet every time, said Kitty firmly.

Heat churned in Moriganne's belly, burning away the numbness that had been her shroud. "It was more than a Lifestone thing. A lot of people died."

Her sisters glanced to her, worried, while Leo touched his forehead in what she could only interpret as penance. My apologies for being so flippant about those events. It was...is...a tragedy. It's quite a testament to the family that you were all able to survive those horrid events. His eyes creased. "Of course, no one has really said what happened, other than environmental catastrophe, but you know, in the absence of facts, rumors will grow. No one had a response. Leo let his lips curl upward. Have a nice reception, ladies. I'm sure I'll see you again soon."

I don't like him, said Andromeda, the words coming out in a growl. He oozes smugness.

Easy to be smug when you're that rich and that powerful, said Kitty. I've heard that he and his wife are among the most powerful mages in the Halls, their daughter too, and that it didn't come by honest means. Deals with other realms, possibly demonic.

He was right about one thing, said Andromeda. Vic's in a pickle. Anyone know what he's planning to do with the company?

Ares won't say, said Kitty. But I think the financial markets are betting on Celesse to buy it.

The shattering of glass on the marble floor brought a sea of heads around. Ivan was holding up his arms, eyes hazy and lids drooping.

My bad, he said loudly, fingers more slick than a lubed-up dong.

Kitty grumbled under her breath. I'll take care of him.

Within moments, she'd swept through, leading her twin out of the reception as he tried to scramble back to the bar. Moriganne squeezed her lips tight as she watched them leave.

I worry for him. I've seen that train before. It goes top speed, right over the edge of the cliff, said Moriganne.

Andromeda shook her head. What was she like?

Strong, intelligent, said Moriganne. Didn't take his shit.

But she was, like, twice his age?

Yeah, said Moriganne, but they spent a lot of time together. He seemed happy. Like his real self.

The ache in her elbow wasn't going away. She stretched it out and rubbed the muscles around the joints.

What's going on there? asked Andromeda.

Wish I knew. Hurts. She set her glass on a passing waiter's tray. "Ever since the summer before last, it's been happening more. I swear it was the encounter with the mija that did it. The tattoo is beginning to look freshly drawn."

Will the ginger man come back?

She shook her head. No. That much I'm sure about. But I don't know why, or how I know, except maybe through the bridge. It left him for some reason, or part of it did, like it didn't find him worthy.

I'm ready to get back to classes, said Andromeda. I hate these events.

Me too. Be nice to focus on school for once. Have a normal year.

Her younger sister gave her a look, and she knew exactly what it meant. At one time, she'd been hell-bent on figuring out what had happened between Victor and her old self: why the brilliant Moriganne had been knocked out of the Merlin Trials twice. But after Montanhas, mustering the will to continue down that path only brought pain and self-doubt. Maybe she wasn't meant for this world, for opposing the rich and powerful from inside her new body.

Lost in thought, Moriganne didn't realize there was someone standing next to her until he'd cleared his throat. A white-gloved attendant handed her a folded card.

What's this? she asked as Andromeda looked over her shoulder.

A gentleman in the Denon wanted you to have this. I believe he's waiting there for you near the Bannir.

The attendant disappeared.

What's it say?

Moriganne opened the card to find a neat handwritten script. She checked around her before reading it out loud to her sister.

The rat has been caught. –Leif.

Chapter Two

The tiny paper weighed heavily in Moriganne's hands. She stared at it as Andromeda peered over her shoulder to read.

The rat has been caught? What does that mean?

I wish I knew.

Oh shit, said Andromeda, grabbing her arm and squeezing. I wonder if this is the investigation from before. You know, the conflict between you and Vic.

Moriganne looked out over the well-dressed crowd. I don't think so. That was four years ago.

What else could it be?

Good point, said Moriganne, slipping the paper into her pearl-inlaid clutch purse. Come on, let's go find out.

Andromeda clapped her hands rapidly and squealed. Oh, this should be interesting.

The Denon wing of the Louvre contained its most famous paintings including the La Gioconda and The Bannir. They left the reception area, passing through the velvet rope to return to the museum proper, which was filled with tourists and art lovers on the rainy day.

They received sideways glances at their lavender bridesmaid dresses, but Moriganne was used to ignoring those public acknowledgements. It was hard to march through the Louvre and not stop and examine the wealth of paintings and sculptures. She could lose herself for days in the museum, and had, but the questions that surfaced from the note had her mind churning with possibilities.

The La Gioconda, or the Mona Lisa, was mobbed with tourists trying to get a picture of the painting. Moriganne had been surprised many years ago when she first laid eyes upon it at how small it was, compared to its reputation.

The Bannir, or The Banishing, was in a room beyond. It was also known as Invictus' Triumph. A semicircle crowd viewed the wall-sized painting, which showed the head patron of the Hundred Halls banishing a demon with two tentacles for arms and back-bending knees. Invictus towered over the demon, who was leaning back as if it'd been pushed away by his powerful presence.

Seeing the demon, even on a painting, made her want to check over her shoulder as if she were back in the Lifestone plant. She leaned into her sister's ear. See anyone that could be named Leif?

Andromeda clutched her arm. No.

A voice from behind said, Mori!

She turned to find a short dirty-blond man in his early thirties. He sported a bushy beard that matched his hair and wore a gray suit with white tennis shoes. His brown eyes glittered with greeting and his cheeks had a rosy glow as he extended his hand.

It's been too long, said Leif. You look fabulous as always, but that's like telling the sun that it's hot.

Leif, said Moriganne, trying to imbue familiarity into the greeting. You look...great.

The pause in her comment that had been mere calculation brought laughter from him. Leif patted his belly.

Pudgy would be more like it, he said. I spend far too much time reading and enjoying Parisian delights. My exercise regimen since I left the Halls has been terrible. His gaze flitted to Andromeda.

Do you know my sister?

He offered a hand. No, but it's my pleasure. Weird Circus, right?

"We prefer those freaks, but that will do," said Andromeda with her arms crossed.

Leif let out a gut-rumbling laugh that brought frowns from the tourists in the hall.

I love that Charmer wit. He cleared his throat and leaned forward. I assume since she's here with you that I can speak freely. I'm sorry it took me so long to find you an answer. In retrospect, it seems simple. Leif gestured towards the painting. Like the Bannir. You know it was painted long before the world knew who Invictus was. Back in the Renaissance. But there's no mistaking him now. That vague Mediterranean background, the beard, the piercing eyes, and of course, you can see the power in him.

Andromeda made a noise in the back of her throat.

Oh yes, said Leif, lifting both shoulders, sorry, I get carried away by art. He stepped away from the crowd and lowered his voice. I found the rat. It took me so long because I was looking in the normal channels. Truth is a fickle concept. I had to recreate the Verum Locus in my old flat, which is what—

We know what it is, said Andromeda. It’s your Arcanium memory device.

His eyes lit up like bright stars. Yes, yes. Verum Locus. And then getting the others there to plumb their memories, peer behind the curtains, and see what's what. The bribes, the payments, it took some time, but given the generous bank account you set up, it was made possible. Then once I found the name, locating him after, what, five years? He was a tough rat to uncover. He'd burrowed into the nooks and crannies of the city. Leif seemed to catch that he'd been rambling, his eyes darting to them, and he gathered himself. I actually found the name in the spring, but then I heard about Lifestone, and well, I get distracted easily, as you can see, but what a surprise, this morning I read that you were here in Paris for a wedding! What luck. I came right away, well, after a nice croissant and coffee at my favorite café on the...right—to the point.

Leif dug into a small backpack and handed over a second card with a name on the front in the same neat handwriting.

Ollie Rand.

He bounced on his heels as if he was expecting congratulations, but Moriganne was too busy trying to figure out the significance.

He frequents the Goblin's Romp in the eighth ward.

I know that place, said Andromeda. Seedy bar. Has an Undercity entrance and is known for having ties to a lot of the criminal underground.

Something in the way her sister said it suggested that she'd been there. Probably with her other Oestomancy hall members.

This is the rat? asked Moriganne, hoping the loquacious Leif would expand.

Yep.

Anything else?

Nope. That's it. I'm sure you know what to do from here. His eyes darted between them. Anyway. I should go. You have a reception to get back to. Congratulations on your new stepfather. Quite a catch, I hear. Not that I know anything about the circles you travel in. But good luck!

Leif gave a little wave and cheerily disappeared into the crowds shifting through the rooms.

The rat? asked Andromeda.

Moriganne stared at the card. Could be anything.

What are you going to do? I assume it has to do with whatever came between you and Vic.

Yeah. Diving back into this will be dangerous, but maybe since it's been years he won't know.

What do you think it is?

I would ask you that, said Moriganne.

Andromeda lifted a shoulder. Shady business stuff? Solstice always thought he pushed the edges too much. Told him to his face a few times, which didn't go well, as you can imagine.

He wouldn't like that, said Moriganne, nodding.

Are you going to see this rat? If this guy operates out of the Goblin's Romp, it could be anything.

Moriganne looked up to the painting of Invictus. She'd never felt drawn to him as a figure of importance when she'd been a singer, but now as a part of the Halls and after the events in Montanhas, she felt the significance of his act, even if it were only an artist's fanciful idea of the man.

It might not be anything, she said, taking the card and ripping it into pieces then shoving it into a waste receptacle as they left the room. Could be an old grudge. I was known for always getting even.

True, said Andromeda, but it doesn't feel like that.

No, it doesn't.

School starts in a couple of weeks.

Moriganne bunched up her lips. I was excited about spending time in Paris, but now I just want to go back.

Which will only be suspicious.

Right. Moriganne hooked her arm around Andromeda's and squeezed her tight. Then I guess we're gonna have to kill our time here in Paris.

Andromeda rolled her eyes. "Sounds awful. The price we pay for having a new stepfather."

Truly. We'll have to punish ourselves with fine dining and private tours viewing the arts, said Moriganne.

I was hoping to visit the nude park here in Paris. I have some new modifications I wanted to show off.

In her previous life, the idea of visiting a nude beach would have been terrifying, even in as good of shape as she was, if only because of the potential public backlash. Now, the idea of seeing the other visitors react to Andromeda's modification seemed like a good distraction to keep her from thinking about Montanhas.

Count me in.

Good, said Andromeda. We'll have a few weeks of fun before we return to school.

Chapter Three

The restaurant looked out over the Seine and further beyond, the Eiffel Tower, lit up against the night sky. The potential investors had left the table minutes ago. Ares stayed quiet as his father stared out the window, occasionally coughing into a handkerchief.

Those fucking leeches, said Victor idly, cradling the handkerchief in his lap. Ares could see the specks of blood. They wanted a blow job before we'd been on our first date. Next thing we know, we'll be tied to the bedposts with a gag in our mouth.

There are other investors, offered Ares hopefully.

Bullshit. There are other vultures. None of them want the business. They want to tear it apart, sell it off for parts, and kick me to the curb. They don't see it for what it is. They don't understand why I cultivate these relationships. Without me this company is a dead pigeon. Victor regarded Ares with red-rimmed eyes, his thin lips twitching. Or without you, my boy, soon enough. I can't give it away. Not before you've had a chance to take over.

I understand.

Victor pounded his fist on the table, rattling the plates and glasses.

What about Celesse?

Victor grunted. If we get in bed with her we'd better be wearing a steel codpiece or she's going to chew our balls right off. He gave an approving nod. We might have to talk to her eventually, but I'm not ready yet. Not until I've squeezed the last juice from the VC oranges.

I could start putting together an offer package, said Ares. Celesse at least understands the value of what we do.

Victor shifted in his seat. A waiter brought a pitcher of water but the old man glared him off.

No. Don't worry about that, said Victor. I have a different task for you. More important than Celesse.

Ares didn't buy that since the health of the company was paramount, but his father wasn't above a little hyperbole.

Whatever needs to be done.

Victor speared him in a knowing gaze, the intensity making Ares' insides curdle. Good. We're going to need that. More than ever, I'm seeing I've made the right choice in naming you my successor. Your sisters are enjoying the city's distractions while you're here at my side.

He gave his father a nod. He would have liked to have joined them. On the other hand, too much free time had his mind wandering back to what happened in Montanhas. The sleeping elixirs he'd gotten from Ivan weren't working as well as he'd hoped. At least once a week, he woke covered in sweat, convinced that the shadows in the sky had swallowed him whole.

There's a book I need you to find. Something you'll find quite interesting given your background.

Ares startled back to awareness.

A book.

A tome. Victor stared through him as if he were trying to read his soul. "The Whispered Ones."

Hearing the name was a stab to the chest. The tome he'd left in Montanhas had been a diary, written by those with demonic heritage. His interest in it had been scholarship, to better understand the realm that bordered and threatened theirs in case of spillover. The name of the tome his father had spoken of—which was also known by The Susurrabant or the Hamas Minha depending on which language you preferred to translate from—had no simple erudite benefits. The words and deeds outlined in the book had only one purpose: summonings.

No one knows where that book is, said Ares, nor do I understand how it would help us with our current troubles.

You trust me, boy?

Ares nodded.

I wouldn't ask unless it was important, said Victor, settling into his seat and steepling his fingers. Call it a backup plan.

Summonings are forbidden, said Ares, leaning forward and placing his hands flat on the white tablecloth, and inherently dangerous.

Victor's wrinkled lips curled downward as he waved away his concerns. I'm not interested in using the book. Call it a poker chip, a very unique poker chip, that gets us in a private game.

While acquiring a tome of forbidden magic wasn’t illegal in itself, just the idea gave Ares indigestion.

I wouldn't have the first idea where to find it, said Ares.

Victor's rheumatoid eyes creased at the corners.