Thomas K. Carpenter is a full-time urban fantasy / magical academy author. His bestselling, multi-series universe, The Hundred Halls, has over 40 books and counting. His books focus on fantastic families, magical academies, and epic adventures. All the books can be found at major retailers and directly from the author at https://thomaskcarpenter.com/. He lives in Buena Vista, Colorado.

Stone Singers 5 - Well of Demon and Bone by Thomas K. Carpenter

Moriganne Charmer returns in this final tale of betrayal and dark magic set amongst the Hundred Halls elite.

Without the protection once afforded by her last name, Moriganne and her siblings must contend against their father whose fury was unleashed by their betrayal. As the truth of his motives become clear, they realize that their struggle has implications far beyond the bonds of family. If they cannot stop him, then the future of the Hundred Halls—and possibly the world—is at stake.

CURATOR'S NOTE

Thomas Carpenter writes in a lot of series, but his Hundred Halls series has 40 novels and counting. There are subseries on subseries here, and Stone Singer Hall is one of them. You'll get almost 1500 pages of great fiction in this bundle alone. And then you'll have 35 other books of Tom's to read just to finish this series. Have fun. – Kristine Kathryn Rusch

 
 

BOOK PREVIEW

Excerpt

Chapter One

The sound of applause confused Moriganne, sending her heart into her throat and bringing back the last time she was on stage. Back when she was Minerva. She was puzzled because she was standing in Ivan's kitchen. She turned, almost expecting to find Darian and the other Moves waiting for her to begin bowing and throwing kisses to the packed crowd.

The clapping had come from Andromeda's laptop. They'd been watching the remote feed of the investor meeting for Charmer Inc. Victor had given a speech announcing the partnership with Magnus Dreadmarsh. The standing ovation lasted for two minutes.

"Not sure why they're getting all excited about the crypt keeper's announcement," said Ivan, leaning on the back of the leather couch. "That bag of bones is gonna die soon, and the only thing Magnus is good for is shitting gold bricks. The company will fall apart as soon as Vic dies."

Her siblings and their team of lawyers and Vindicators were crowded around the laptop. It felt like they were never alone at the house in the Enochian district, which had become their headquarters. The astronomical per hour costs of the legal team made Moriganne cringe whenever they weren't doing actual work, but the others shook off her concerns, citing their presence as the price of doing business. Or as Ivan liked to say whenever she brought up sending a few of them back to their offices, "Vic's trying to drown us in lawsuits. If we don't muscle up, we're going to wake up with three hundred Vindicator cocks in our mouths."

"This is when he's going to explain the reorganization," said Kitty, chin cupped in her hand as she studied the proceedings. The stage and lights in the auditorium told Moriganne everything she needed to know about the difference in their budgets.

Moriganne didn't know why they were watching. Everything had been well choregraphed ahead of time. She'd never realized how much pomp and circumstance there was to an investor financial meeting, but when guiding multibillion-dollar companies, she supposed that it took a lot of coordinating to get everyone rowing the same direction.

She moved to the kitchen counter, took a wheat cracker, and scooped up some black caviar. Moriganne had tried to tell them they needed to be frugal, save money for the lawyers and battle with Victor, but they'd spent their whole lives vacationing on yachts in the Mediterranean and having private tutors for every little perceived flaw. It was hard for them to shift their thinking. They'd never been poor, never had to worry about where their next meal might come from. Moriganne could still picture the nearly empty refrigerator in her old apartment with a lone container of half-eaten Chinese food.

"I thought Ares would be giving this part," said Andromeda, squinting at the screen. The metal studs around her forehead glinted in the sunlight. "Isn't that what the agenda said earlier this week?"

As they searched their phones for the updated schedule, the doorbell made a series of circus noises followed by suggestive hog squeals.

"Holy sphincter," said Ivan, standing suddenly and looking to the door. "That's why he's not giving the speech." When everyone looked to him, he added, "I programmed the security camera to use those sounds when our dear brother visited."

"I shudder to think where you got them," said Andromeda.

Ivan opened the front door, revealing Ares in an Armani business suit. His normally black hair had been lightened, the tips frosted and artfully spiked. He pushed past Ivan before a word could be said.

"Wow," said Ares, adjusting his sleeve and looking around the room with mock interest, "how did you acquire this real estate? Who'd you have to beat out at the bankruptcy hearing for this choice piece of property? I love the view of the homeless guy across the street playing with his wang in his dirty brown pants, and did I hear chickens in back?"

"What's with the frosting? Did Vic accidentally pull out and blow one in your hair?" asked Ivan.

Moriganne didn't know how to read this surprise arrival, except that her siblings were not pleased.

"Why are you here, Ares?" asked Kitty, arms crossed.

"Vic sent me to make an offer." He made a face towards the team of lawyers and Vindicators crowded around the dining room table.

Ivan whistled using his fingers in his teeth. "Yo! Legal beagles. Need you to feed the chickens for me. Make sure you give extra to Lucy, she's my best egg producer."