by Fletcher, MJ
“Whatever,” I said not letting him see that his stinging barbs hurt and angered me all the more. “Just tell me what he said and we’ll be done,”
“He tried to convince me that he had found an artifact of the First Kind and was willing to give it to the council. I, of course, knew he was lying, trying to find a way to be reinstated in the Society.”
“He wasn’t lying.” Did I really sound that calm? I thought by now that my anger had blazed my face red and that I had ground my teeth to nubs from attempting to control my rage.
“Ridiculous,” —he rolled his eyes and laughed— “your father was worried about the disappearance of various group members and thought himself in danger. He babbled on about secret groups and men following him. But it was nothing more than a ruse and lies to cover his ineptness.
“Only it wasn’t a lie was it? He disappeared like the others, men are following him, and now they’re after me. And we’re both in danger because you refused to help my dad, you pompous idiot. Your pride would not let you believe that he had been successful in finding what others, and no doubt yourself included, had failed to find. Or was it that if he found the artifact it would threaten your position?”
Jordan leaned closer to the screen and sneered, “He didn’t find anything!”
I moved closer to the screen wishing I could get my hands on him. “Yes, he did. He found an artifact of the First Kind!”
His face contorted in snarls and sneers and his eyes grew much too wide for his face and looked about ready to pop. “You lie just like him. Your father found nothing. Nothing.”
“By nothing do you mean an artifact of the Mapmakers?” I gambled hoping that the book Dad had looked at had something to do with the artifact.
“How could you know that unless... you have it, where is it?” Jordan demanded.
He had just given me leverage, bargaining power, the fool. I shrugged. “What if I do?”
“What do you want, entrance into the Doorknob Society, done. I’ll also make sure you don’t get expelled from the Paladin Academy.”
“My father?”
“I’ve no idea where he is.”
His eyes suddenly darted in a way to make me think that he wasn’t alone that there was someone else there with him off screen.
“Do you have the artifact?” he demanded once again.
He really thought I trusted him? “I’ll only bring it to the council.”
He leaned forward his face loomed large in the oblong screen much like the image one would see in the distortion mirrors in a fun house.
“No, you must bring it directly to the Doorknob Society.”
“Why?”
“That’s the deal Ms. Masters. You bring it directly to me and not the council, and I make sure you get what you want.”
A voice sounded from off screen and Jordan slammed his fist into his desk scattering papers and knocking his mug off the edge.
I plastered my face close to the screen and smiled, no doubt it looked as comical as his. “Trace didn’t work did it?”
“Do we have a deal?” he snapped.
“I’ll be in touch.” I nodded to Slade and he cut off the connection and I let out a very long sigh of relief.
“I can’t believe he’d do that. The artifact should be turned over to the council and then be presented to the Mapmakers. Why would DS even want it?” Slade shook his head in disgust.
“You made the right call, Masters.” Nightshade said with his usual grin. “The artifact is your only real bargaining chip.”
Nightshade and I thought way too much alike. “I know that.”
“And it’s probably the only thing that will keep you and your dad alive. As long as they don’t have it and think that you do, you have leverage,” Nightshade said.
“So we find it and give it to Jordan.” Slade chimed in,
Nightshade was still looking at me and damned if again we weren’t thinking the same thing. “No, he’ll double cross us the minute he has it,” I said and Nightshade’s smile grew.
“He will?” Slade said and shook his head in question.
“It’s his only smart play,” Nightshade said. “If it turns out that he didn’t help Chloe’s dad and the word gets out he’ll be done with the council. He not only needs the artifact; he needs us gone... we’re a liability.”
Slade looked from me to Nightshade and back again realizing that our thoughts and conclusions mirrored each other. And I could tell by the way his eyes narrowed that it didn’t please him.
“So we beat them to it,” Jess said walking over to stand beside James. “We use it to find Uncle Eli and then we bring it to the council before Jordan can get his hands on it.”
“We have two big problems though,” I said sitting down my legs suddenly feeling as if they wouldn’t hold me up any longer. “We don’t know where the artifact is and we don’t know where my dad is or who took him. Of course once we get past all that I’m sure we’ll be just fine.”
“I’ve got an idea,” Nightshade said, “but you’re not going to like it.”
Chapter 29
Status: And now the real fun begins.
“You’re completely insane!” Slade said shooting Nightshade a lethal look.
The two were at it again, not playing well together. I could see James’ point, though his idea was rather drastic not to mention dangerous. However it had one thing in its favor... we didn’t have any other options.
“Maybe I am, but we’re working blind here and this could solve at least one of those problems.” Nightshade used a parental tone as if explaining to a five-year-old why you look both ways when crossing the street, which certainly didn’t help.
“It’s not worth the risk!” Slade yelled and slammed his fist at the wall to emphasis his point.
“Well, I don’t know about the rest of you but that little tantrum convinced me.” Nightshade shook his head and walked out of the room, followed quickly by Jess.
“Michael,” I said softly and placed my hand on his shoulder. “Nightshade has a point.”
He looked ready to argue, then closed his eyes for a moment before nodding his head. “I know but I still don’t like it. You’ll be in danger.”
“I’m already in danger. At least this way we’ll know who’s after me.”
“He,” —Slade threw a wave at the door—”wants to use you as bait, doesn’t that concern you?”
“If it’s the only way to help my dad, then it doesn’t. We have no choice, no other options left unless we magically figure out where my dad hid the artifact. This was our last clue and it’s pretty much a dead end.”
“Maybe there’s another clue in the papers your dad left behind.”
He was grasping at straws and he knew it. And I knew that he was concerned more for my safety than anything else. He didn’t want to place me in anymore danger then I was already in.
“We’ve looked them over again and again, Slade. This was the last place he was seen before he disappeared. There’s nothing else in his papers. The only clue he left was for my Uncle and we have no idea where he even is at this point. We need to do something drastic and this is it.”
He pulled me close, and with no one around to see us I went easily into his arms. He hugged me tightly and I responded, my arms going around his waist and my head resting against his chest. He not only offered comfort, he offered protection.
“I’ll be close by the whole time,” he whispered.
I hugged him back content to know he’d be watching over me.
We joined Jessica and Nightshade a few minutes later and headed for the exit, our job at the library done. Nightshade’s plan was simple. He, Jess and I would head to the Diesel Factories, a way-station for travelers. James would put the word out that we had found an artifact of the Mapmakers Union and were willing to deal it for my dad’s safe return. Then we would wait for them to make their move. Slade was going to hang back in case we were caught or things went really bad.
Night
shade opened a portal to the Factories and stepped through with Jessica. He gave a quick glance over his shoulder and caught my eye as I grabbed Slade and kissed him quickly. I then rushed through the portal not wanting to look back at him afraid I would lose my nerve. The rush of power washed over me and I felt the portal slam closed behind me as I stepped out of it. If all went according to plan Slade was stepping through another portal that wasn’t very far from where we stood.
I’d heard of the Diesel Factories but had never been here. I looked up to see massive smoke stacks with what resembled an explosion of steel pipes running from it in every direction. Metal walkways stretched out with doors of every make and age spaced out evenly among them. They randomly opened and closed; people stepping in and out from different dimensions and places all over the world. Snow drifted out from one while a few doors down a man stepped out in a safari outfit.
Gears twisted and churned clunking and clinking until finally a set of spiral stairs appeared directly in front of us and leading to a door that hovered in mid-air. Stretches of road at various overhead levels ran back and forth with cars speeding along them and disappearing through large portal doors on either side. Most of the vehicles looked older like the one Nightshade had in his garage. The people busily hurrying about were dressed in various styles from different periods in history. Some wore old fashioned suits and monocles like the ones I saw in Cape May, while groups of younger kids were dressed like punks from the eighties, Mohawks and chains.
“Enough gawking we need to go,” Nightshade said and headed off.
I followed behind him matching his pace. If I didn’t, I’d be lost in about two seconds in this massive, chaotic place.
Jessica reached back and grabbed my hand. “It can overwhelm.”
I nodded relieved she was hanging on to me.
James moved quickly making his way easily through crowds of people, weaving in and out like a person familiar with the area.
With our fast pace talk was impossible, thinking wasn’t. And of course I did just that, freaking myself out recalling all that had gone on and making no sense of it.
Here I was on the run and who with? Two members of the Skeleton Key Guild, the very group that a few days ago I was sure I hated with every ounce of my being. Either I was a hypocrite or I had read the whole situation wrong. The Doorknob Society was not looking like the wonderful organization I had thought it to be. And some SKG members were actually willing to help me, not to mention that my mother had been a member. I was utterly confused about everything and I doubted I’d find any easy answers anytime soon.
Nightshade turned into a doorway that sat diagonal to the street, the sign hanging above read Mike’s Tavern. He pushed the door open and Jess and I followed him in. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust and when they did I grew even more nervous.
A bar ran along the entire right-side wall and people, two and three deep, huddled around it drinking and laughing. To the left stood round bar tables mostly occupied by patrons that Nightshade would fit right in with, the lot of them wearing leather jackets and jeans. Pool tables sat at the back of the room where men had stopped playing and were now staring in our direction.
“James, Jessica!” A girl called out and hurried forward, I recognized her from the day I’d fought with Jess in the library she had been there egging us on to fight. Her hair was pulled back in a long braid and a black t-shirt with a skeleton key emblazoned on it hung loosely on her. She hugged Nightshade and smiled at Jessica and then turned to me and her lip curled. “What’s this trash doing here?”
“She’s with me, Darla,” Jess said before I could whip out one of my trademark comments that probably would have ended in some type of fight.
The girl looked ready for a brawl when she said to Jessica, “Why are you hanging out with DS slime?”
“This slime is a Grimm!” Jessica stepped forward towering over the girl. “You have a problem with her, then you have one with me, understood?”
“I didn’t know I’m sorry,” she apologized and stepped back raising her hands as if in surrender. Her gaze lingered on me for a moment longer.
I remembered how nervous Jess had made me when we first fought in the library and I did not envy Darla.
“Where’s Mongo?” Nightshade cut in and the girl smiled with relief and jerked her thumb over her shoulder towards the pool tables in the back and then quickly made her exit.
“You two get a table I’ll be back,” Nightshade said.
“Wait a second I’m coming with you.” I grabbed James’ hand stopping him before he walked away. He glanced down at my hand holding his and then brought those damn intriguing colored eyes of his up to stare in mine. I turned hot all over and quickly let go of his hand... and he smirked.
“Mongo doesn’t do well with strangers. I’ll be back.”
He walked to the back of the tavern and Jess and I grabbed a secluded table off to the side in a corner.
I leaned in close to Jess, the noisy chaos of the bar making it difficult to hear. “Who’s Mongo?”
“Information peddler, if you’re looking for something Mongo is the guy you go too. If anyone’s been searching for us then Mongo will know about it and you can bet he’ll be selling the info a minute later.”
“I feel like a fly caught in a spider web.” I looked around the room and wondered what the hell I had gotten myself into this time.
“Don’t worry as long as we’re together we’ll be okay.”
Jess smiled and I knew it was an attempt to reassure me. She didn’t fool me, she was just as nervous about this plan as I was, and she just had more faith in Nightshade than I did.
“Thanks for sticking up for me.” I said with a quick smile.
“You may be a Masters but you’re also a Grimm, which means I’m the only one allowed to pick fights with you.”
She laughed and so did I for the first time in days. I couldn’t believe that this was the same cousin Jess I used to play with at the beach every summer when we were young. My mom would take us for ice cream and we would sit on benches on the boardwalk and watch all the sun worshippers coming and going. We had been inseparable until of course my mother had left. I had been thinking about my mom a lot lately, especially with all that had been going on. I wanted desperately to see her and talk with her.
“Jess, why do you think my mom left?” The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them.
“I never understood it,” —she shook her head as if still puzzled over it— “Aunt Talia was always the cool one. Your dad wasn’t bad either; I liked him, though he wasn’t as cool as your mom. When I heard about her disappearance I didn’t believe it and then when you and Uncle Eli stopped coming around, I got mad. It was as if I not only lost my aunt, but you as well. I don’t know why she left but I do know that she loved you. I always envied that even when we were little. The way she would hug and squeeze you and fuss over you. Yup, there was no denying that your mom loved you.” She grabbed my hand and gave it a reissuing squeeze.
“I so wish I could talk with her. To ask her what happened that made her leave and to know that if what’s happening now is part of it all. Though what I’d want to understand the most was how she could just up and walk out on us without a backward glance.”
“You two need a moment?” Nightshade stood in front of the table.
I didn’t need his attitude right now and I didn’t feel like giving attitude “Well?”
I spoke with Mongo and it seems you’re a popular little lady. Everyone you can think of is looking for you, even a couple of unsavory characters that Mongo doesn’t like dealing with.” Nightshade slid onto the stool beside me and waved down a waitress. He ordered us all a round of drinks and leaned back smiling.
“So now what?” I asked.
“Mongo is putting the word out that you and I are looking to trade.”
“Wait, what?” I shook my head. “The plan was for me to be used as bait, not you and me.”
“T
he waitress approached and we all turned silent. Nightshade threw a few bills on the table when she dropped off our drinks. After she snatched up the money and walked off, the conversation resumed, though Nightshade took control of it.
“Did you really think that I’d let you face this alone, especially with all the crazies that are after you? I’m not letting you go anywhere to meet with anyone unless you’re with me. Trust me on this, Masters, and don’t bother to argue. It won’t do any good.”
The independent part of me wanted to ring his neck and another part of me wanted to do something else entirely. What was that all about?
Jess interrupted my crazy thought. “How long do you think it’ll take before you’re contacted?”
“I would imagine not too long. Mongo said that everyone and anyone are looking for Chloe. Not to mention that the HVO now has an interest in us after that little stunt at my place.” He glanced from Jess to me. “You both realize that we’re all going to have to appear before the council before this is all over. Our only chance of not getting expelled from the Academy is if we find that damn artifact and bring it before the full council.”
Jess leaned over to Nightshade whispering something to him. I caught only a few words, something about SKG and what it meant for them. I didn’t want to intrude on an obviously private conversation and besides I was too wrapped up in my worries about our current situation to even think or care about what happens when this was finally finished.
All I really wanted, all I wished for was to be at home eating take-out and watching TV with my dad. Instead I was in some tavern in the Diesel Factories surrounded by members of the Skeleton Key Guild. At least Jessica was related to me and we seemed to have found some common ground and had begun to rekindle the close friendship we once shared. It made me feel at least a little safer.
Nightshade was another story all together. He drove me nuts whenever we were around one another. Always questioning everything I did, not to mention that I barely knew anything about him or why he seemed so intent on helping, though he struck me as the type who would enjoy being part of a renegade group... no, he’d probably have to lead the renegade group.