Prohibited Magic is the third book in the Grimoire Society of Dark Acts series. Episode 13 is up on my Patreon—it’s pay-what-you-like—and it’ll go up later on Kindle Vella.
Episode 13: Infiltrating the Ruin Rats isn’t as simple as Carmichael thought, and initiation is deadly.
In my Patreon post, you’ll always get exclusive content.
What Prohibited Magic is about:
With Grimoire Society of Dark Acts’s magic book and crystal ball in the hands of the parasitic Ruin Rats, Carmichael’s decision to take the Book of Blessings and infiltrate the magical gang has left Dark Acts magically crippled. Gertrude is trapped in Grimoire Assassins’s magical realm; only the never-before-seen Grimoire of Blood can save her. Dark Acts and its allies split up to stop the worsening imbalance in the Magic Societal Universe, an unprecedented state with unfathomable consequences.
Episode 13: What It Takes
CARMICHAEL
“So,” Carmichael struggled to say through overwhelmingly negative emotions and memories, “what is your next goal and how can I help you accomplish it?”
Fenn still glowered, but Carmichael maintained an aloof attitude, almost as if he hadn’t just temporarily blinded Fenn and then shielded himself from all attacks. Just move on, you stupid oaf, so I can get out of here and get back to my own society. I don’t want to be here anymore. I wish I’d never come.
Fenn’s eyes moved to Snap. “You vouched for him. Fine. You’ll be the one to educate him too.” He looked at Carmichael again. “But I don’t trust you, Carmichael. Not after that stunt.”
Carmichael let out a haughty laugh. “You wouldn’t trust me if I handed you an entire platter of rich food straight from your favorite chef and fed it to you with a gold fork.”
Straightening, Fenn’s chest expanded with a deep breath as he raised his head. “All you’ve proven is that you can be just as powerful an ally as you can a turncoat.” But you seem to be keeping me, so one must outweigh the other. Either that or you can’t get rid of me because you’re too weak. “And don’t think you’re so easily one of us. You’ll be tested soon enough.”
“I await orders,” Carmichael said snidely, bending a little at the waist as if bowing.
Fenn’s attention lingered for a moment more before once again turning to Snap. “Keep him in line. He gets only this one chance, no more.”
Snap nodded and eyed the other members of the Ruin Rats.
Interesting. This one seems to have grown quite attached to me in a short time.
Snap turned to Carmichael as the others began milling about again, some eyeing him, others completely ignoring him.
“What an ugly bunch of fellows,” Carmichael said to Snap. “Except for you, of course, who have won my favor by seeing my side of things. My deepest gratitude.”
“Yeah.” Snap’s eyes wandered to where he and Carmichael had come from. “You have a weapon on you, besides your little magic books?”
“Unfortunately not. I didn’t expect to be kidnapped today.”
Enjoyed this excerpt? Please join my Patreon to continue the story—it’s pay-what-you-like, and Patreon gets all episodes first before any other platform, plus exclusive details no one else will ever know about!
© Christie Stratos 2023