Magnus Chase Book 1 Novels & Stories

I unzip my school bag and place the book inside. ‘W-what are you doing, Magnus? You can’t take the book. It would be -s-stealing.’ ‘I’m just borrowing it for now. I’ll return it once we break the curse, okay?’ ‘I guess.’ ‘Time to get out of here.’ I say. We blow the candles out and open the door ajar. Once the coast is clear, I walk out and distract the librarian again with more flirting while Pipsqueak locks up the room and returns the keys.

I repeat for clarity. "Absolutely, Isabella. I promised." I'm not a fan of the sly look Avery flashes me afterward, but I decide to let it slide for now instead of probing further. "Get ready to eat your words, Carter," I tell her as I snatch her tablet away. "Don't count your chickens yet, Vega. You've got a long way to go. Did I mention that After is part of a five-book series? Oops." Now I understand what was making me uneasy before.

My blood immediately ran cold as I heard the voice that made the hairs at the back of my neck stand erect. It was Magnus. Was he– was he speaking from the amulet? "You evil man, I pray you rot in hell!" I spat, my gaze darting around, searching for any sign of his presence. Magnus's laughter slithered out, dripping with mockery and scorn. "Hell? Oh, my dear, that is far from where I am headed. I shall ascend to rule your kingdom, and my life shall be heaven on earth. I assure you." "Magnus, don't you dare—" My words were shut off by the chilling feeling of hands tightening around my neck.

Vivienne stood in the dark for fifteen seconds, counting her heartbeats, assessing whether that had been specific knowledge or a general performance for the building's benefit, Isla's version of shouting into the dark to see what was called back. She couldn't be certain. Which meant she needed to assume the worst, and accelerate everything, and get to Magnus before dawn. She moved through the junction fast and silent and didn't stop moving until the chapel's stone walls were around her and the documents were in Magnus's hands and the night outside was beginning, almost imperceptibly, to lighten at its edges. Magnus read the documents in silence.

If Magnus found this book in his possession, it wouldn't just be a matter of silver chains anymore; it would be viewed as an act of absolute, unpardonable treason against the crown. Good, Jake thought, a wicked, lethal smile cutting through his features in the dark. He didn't wait for the next patrol. He slipped back out through the service conduit, returning to his private quarters before the dawn could break over the valley. The next afternoon, the black transport vehicle pulled back up to the grand steps of the pavilion. King Magnus stood on the balcony above, watching with a cold, self-satisfied smirk as his son threw his duffel bag into the trunk, completely convinced the prince was ret

Magnus leaned in closer, his breath foul against my face, his dark eyes gleaming with malevolence. "You still don't know who you are?" he whispered, his voice a velvet snarl. His words slithered into my mind like poison, seeding confusion, fear... and a horrifying sense of inevitability. I kicked and struggled harder, but his grip only tightened, and darkness crept in at the edges of my vision. Across the clearing, Kael lay motionless, a broken figure against the stones. And I, trapped in Magnus’ cruel grasp, dangled helplessly, caught between life and the terrible secrets I hadn’t yet uncovered.

“I hope I’m not intruding. I’ll be leaving in a few minutes.” “Silly.” The old man got to her passenger seat before she even realized he was already sitting beside her. He must have unlocked the door from the opened window. “Glad you came. I told you we would see each other again. I hope this is just the beginning, Charleigh.” “I’m not staying, Mr. Chase. As soon as the ceremony is over, I’m driving back to the city.” “Cut the crap, Charleigh. You’re not going anywhere until I’m done introducing you to the folks. They need to know who’s behind the Cleighry. And don’t call me Mr. Chase. That was my son. Call me grandpa.”

She quickly left her seat to follow Leif and the stranger stealthily up the stairs. *** Magnus slouched casually on one elbow in a large, wooden chair that could easily be called a throne, listening intently to one of his advisors whispering in his ear. He held up a hand to stop the man's words when Brand was brought in front of him. "Good morning, Brandur the Destroyer," Magnus greeted with that smile that was not exactly a smile. "Have a seat." Brand paused, assessing the room, before he accepted the chair offered. At least six guards were stationed around the Chieftain. He nodded in response to the older man's greeting, leaning back in the chair as he sat.

Chapter 29: Friction and Tension ELINA POV The house was dark except for the faint light from the street lamp outside. I lay in bed, wide awake, staring at the ceiling. Sleep wouldn’t come, no matter how many times I turned on my side or pulled the blanket up to my chin. My mind wouldn’t stop replaying the moment Noah grabbed my wrist in the driveway, the way his voice cracked when he said he hadn’t forgiven me. It hurt—more than I wanted to admit.