Trials of Valor: Azorin Academy: Isabel Reeves

By Circle Press

A mysterious lycan cult, a plan to take over the world , and a sabotaged mages' tournament. Just another day on the job for Azorin Academy's best detective, Isabel Reeves.

Isabel's most recent task of investigating a mysterious cult operating in the shadows of the human world seems to have come to a conclusion by the time she enters the most prestigious mages' competition. But will her exposure of the inner workings of the cult put her in danger as she duels against the best mages in the world?

If you like easy-reading detective cases in a continuing series featuring trusted sidekicks and a woman full of snark and confidence whose world does not rotate around the men in her life, join the adventures of Azorin Academy's Isabel Reeves.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Circle Press
• Release date: Aug 24, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223060604

Book preview

Prologue

A sharp howl like a knife pierced the tranquil night sky. This was not a normal, peaceful, howl of the forest. This was a howl of a creature that was out for blood.

Winston and his friends didn’t even notice the howl. The group was out camping in the forest, which is something they did often. Whenever they wanted a little change of routine from the dull everyday life, since they were young, unemployed mages and tended to get bored often, they would go camp in the woods. They headed out into the woods, for a fun night, full of drinking. Plenty of drinking.

Winston tossed some of the twigs he found onto the flickering fire. He had hoped it would be a bigger, more impressive, but the wood in the forest had been scarce and the winds were strong. His friends sat around the fire, trying to get warm from its measly flames.

Cold? asked Winston, heading over to his large camping backpack. You know, there are things you can take to combat that.

There are side effects, aren’t they? asked Annie, who had an idea what Winston was referring to.

Yes, said Brian, and they include being drunk out of your mind. Give us the beers, Winston.

Say please, instructed Winston, already walking over to them with the cans in his hands, where were you raised?

Brian snorted. With you, bud, he said, the prestigious and all-important House Raven. ‘Where the magic is feared—’

But not as much as the bathrooms, finished Annie, to laughs from the other two. "Now, Winston, can we please have the beers."

Oh, all right, said Winston, sitting down next to his friends.

They passed around the cans and popped them open. Brian was the first to take a sip. Well, it was slightly more than a sip, seeing as he finished the can in fifteen seconds.

Another, he said, crushing the can and throwing it into the fire.

Hey! said Annie. Don’t throw that in there! You don’t know what kind of pollution that’s going to cause.

It’s just aluminum, defended Brian, now you’re going to say blacksmiths are polluting the air and stuff? I don’t think so.

Who cares? said Winston, not liking the direction the conversation was going. We came here to get away from all that stuff, pollution, politics, you know. We deserve a break, and that’s why we’re here.

Yeah, because having no job and no responsibilities is so exhausting, Brian remarked sarcastically.

The world is exhausting! declared Winston, crushing the empty can in his hand for dramatic effect.

Before anyone could agree, disagree, or otherwise mock Winston, another howl sounded throughout the forest. Brian jumped, and Annie began to laugh.

It’s just wolves, she said, they won’t come near us. They’re scared of the fire!

Oh, sure, said Brian, why would a bunch of giant dogs with crazy sharp teeth be scared of this little match we lit?

Hey, protested Winston, there are at least three matches in here.

Animals aren’t very smart, Annie said. Why do you think fishing works? The fish go for the bait, even though the hook isn’t exactly concealed... It’s nature.

They were silent for a little while, just listening to the sounds of the forest. Without the howling, it was quite peaceful. They thought the wolves were gone, but then, another howl, cut through the tranquility and this time it sounded more like a roar. It was louder than the previous ones. It was almost as if this time, the wolves were closer to the campers.

Winston shivered.

Still cold? Annie teased, or does the big, bad, wolf give you a fright?

Winston shook his head. I’ve heard wolves before, he said, how sure are you that this is one?

Have another drink, Brian said, take the edge off, buddy.

No, Winston replied, standing up and brushing himself off. I’m going to check this out.

Be careful not to get lost on the way to grandmother’s house, laughed Annie.

Ignoring this, Winston walked out into the woods, among the tall trees, the dirt, and the rocks. He summoned a flame into his hand with a simple spell and held it out in front of him to light his way through the thick darkness of the forest.

Then he heard it again. The piercing howl of a creature, not wolf, but something much worse. Desperate, but too afraid of his friend’s ire to turn around, Winston called out into the night, Shoo! Get out of here!

As his voice was shaking, he continued to shout at seemingly nothing as he continued deeper into the woods. After a few minutes, content he had scared off whatever it had been, he turned to go back to his campsite.

But stopping him in his tracks, came another howl. This time it was cutting the silence from directly behind him. Shaking from fear, Winston turned slowly, holding out his flame as a defense in front of him.

Go away! he said, scared.

No, came a crawling voice from the depths of the forest, followed by countless pairs of cold, red eyes.

Winston ran for his life, heading back to the campsite without looking back for a moment. He ran faster than he ever had in his life, screaming at the top of his lungs. He heard the voices of his friends calling his name, too far away. He glanced back for a fraction of a second and saw the red eyes, flashing — chasing him. Not looking where he was going in the darkness, Winston tripped on a root and he fell to the ground. His head was shaking from the blow it received. He looked ahead, the black spots dancing in front of his eyes, and saw a light — the campfire. He had made it back to the clearing where his friends were. They could help him.

Indeed, they ran over to him, concerned, and lifted him on to his feet. What’s wrong, asked Brian, did you find the wolves?

Winston shook his head, words all but failing him. Not wolves, he said.

No, came the same chilling, non-human voice from within the woods, not wolves. We like to think about ourselves as... something more.

As the red eyes came closer and closer, the last thing the campers saw was the flashing of yellow teeth and the stars glowing mercifully over the forest.

Chapter One

Isabel Reeves took a punch to the gut, which was something she did not appreciate. To communicate this to her sparring partner, Dex, she faked him out with an identical punch and then tripped him with her leg. He hit the mat, and she laughed, looking like a puppy who just ripped the couch to pieces.

Cheap move, said Dex, pulling himself off the ground.

Yeah, Isabel replied, still smiling, you’re one to talk. Punching me when you knew I was distracted? That’s not cool. You’re lucky that’s the worst I did to you.

Dex brushed himself off. Luck is overrated.

He threw another punch at Isabel, who caught his arm in her elbow and twisted, flipping him over. He hit the floor again. He laughed, and with a swift kick, tripped Isabel as well, and she landed on the mat next to him.

You weren’t distracted that time, Dex said to his friend.

I let you have that one, Isabel joked. I know how fragile your ego can be.

If that helps you sleep at night.

Both of them were now lying on the floor, too tired to get up after hours of training. Isabel was without a doubt the best at close combat, and Dex was the only one who even came close to her skills, therefore he was the only one she could train with, the only one who could challenge her and be able to improve her skills without worrying she would send him to the emergency room.

Isabel rolled her eyes. Yeah.

Ready for another round? Dex jumped to his feet and reached out his hand to help Isabel get up.

Always. She took his hand.

Have you decided about participating in the tournament? Dex asked as the two of them were taking a short breath to hydrate.

I have, she said, almost chocking on her water because she spoke too fast before swallowing it. I applied yesterday morning. It’s going to be so exciting to fight in a tournament that’s taking place at the campus.

Oh, that’s great news, he cheered. You’ll kick some serious butt out there.

I just hope I’ll get enough time to prepare, Isabel replied with a serious look.

Come on. Dex dropped his bottle of water and headed back to the training space in the center of the room. We’ll make sure you’re at your best. Just... A smile appeared on his face