by Fletcher, MJ
“We’ve no other choice, if we want the artifact this is our only chance.”
“And what of Masters and his daughter?”
“I’ll deal with them myself if I must and permanently.”
I bolted upright off the bench catapulting out of my dream. I was relieved to find myself still in the backyard, Slade and Jess digging and Nightshade still sleeping.
We weren’t out of danger yet. This wasn’t over... actually it seemed as if it had just begun.
Chapter 33
Status: The Legend is a legend, trust me it makes sense.
“I got something.” Slade’s shovel clanked as it hit something.
Nightshade stretched himself off the picnic table and followed me over to Slade and Jess.
“What is it?” I asked.
“Not sure,” Slade said and tossed the shovel aside. He reached into the hole brushing dirt off the object. His hands slid around the edges examining the rectangular shape, then he dug down along the sides. Finding handles, he yanked it out and placed it on the ground.
It resembled one of my grandfather’s old trunks in the attic, now my bedroom. Slade kneeled down beside it taking a close look at the latches and smiled.
“This is why DS never found it,” Slade said enthusiastically. “This is a secret stash trunk from the Impossible Engineers. It warps the space inside itself so when you put something in it, it’s actually in a pocket dimension. Even if you touch the trunk it doesn’t give off a dimensional signature.” Slade examined the craftsmanship of the trunk obviously impressed by its design.
“Thanks for the lesson on crap we don’t care about. Now can we open it?” Nightshade said annoyed.
I shot him a nasty warning look, not that it did much good. Slade simply shook his head, unhooked the latches on the trunk and swung the top open. We all leaned forward peering inside eager to see what we had risked our lives for... the trunk was empty.
“Yup, that is one impressive artifact.” Nightshade laughed.
Slade ran his hands along the inside. “It should have opened a portal, I don’t understand.” He anxiously continued to search the trunk, frantic to prove himself right.
“Slade.” I placed my hand on his shoulder and he looked up at me. I leaned down beside him and rested my hand on the trunk and as I did a spark shot through me. I pulled my hand away shaking it.
“What happened?” Slade grabbed my hand to check it.
“It shocked me.”
“Of course,” Slade smiled as if he’d just discovered a secret. “It’s attuned only to members of your family.”
He slammed the lid closed and stepped way. He gestured with his hand for me to reopen it and I turned to it reluctantly. I wasn’t too happy about feeling like I stuck my finger in an electrical socket again.
I reached out energy around the worn, old trunk nipping at me. I grasped the lid and flipped it open. Light shone from the inside casting a glow all around us. We all leaned over again and looked down into the now shimmering trunk.
The bottom of the trunk resembled the surface of a lake and resting comfortably inside of it was a plastic cylinder, the kind you would use to protect a map or poster. I slid my hand inside hesitating over the shimmering portal and then pushed through. My hand broke the surface of what felt like liquid but left no trace on me. My fingers wrapped around the slim cylinder and I could feel the power dripping off of the artifact. I pulled it out of the portal, the light disappeared and the portal snapped shut.
“I can feel its energy pulsating.” Jess reached out, stopped a moment and then hesitantly touched the plastic container. She yanked her hand back and bit her lip.
“The power is incredible,” Nightshade said eyeing the cylinder.
Slade stepped closer to me as if erecting a protective barrier between me and Nightshade. Nightshade grinned, rolled his eyes and stepped away.
I unscrewed the top of the cylinder and turned it upside down letting the artifact slide forward into my hand. It was a small piece of paper. I put the cylinder down and examined the artifact.
The paper was old and fragile and I was nervous it might crumble in my hands. I used the tips of my finger and carefully unfurled it. The writing on it was dark, the words shifting back and forth. Symbols from a multitude of languages mixed and mingled so quickly that comprehension was impossible. The paper appeared alive, the ink on it swirling and turning as if constantly searching for the right combination.
“What is it?” Jessica asked staring at the mess of symbols and glyphs.
“It’s a map legend,” Nightshade said scrutinizing it with as much interest as the rest of us. “You can attach that to any map and it will decipher it for you. I would imagine it can do a lot more than that as well.”
“Something like that could break the codes of every organization’s map.” Slade let out a low whistle as he shook his head.
It wasn’t sounding good. “What does that mean?” I asked, not caring if I appeared stupid, I wanted to make sure I understood just what we had here.
“Every group has places only they can travel to and secrets particular to each one,” Nightshade explained and pointed to the paper. “With this legend you could find the location and entrance to every place and learn every secret. Forget the truces, every dirty secret would be aired and it would create an all-out war.”
Jess shivered and turned away from the Legend as did Slade and Nightshade.
I rolled the paper up and lifted the case to slide it back in for safe keeping but instead slipped it into my pocket. I activated a small portal and slid the paper through it, quickly closing it shut. Then I screwed the top of the cylinder back on as if I had placed it back inside. I wasn’t sure why but for some reason I thought it best that I was the only one who knew where it was.
I pulled my phone out and started typing a text to Edgar. A plan had been churning in my mind for a while now and though the others might be offended that I left them out of it, I had to do what I felt was best. I sent the text to Edgar and he replied quickly. I sent him one more message and turned back to the others.
“Okay, we need to bring the Legend to the council. But I have a feeling that these First Kind jokers are going to come after us.”
“What about Jordan?” Slade asked. “He sits on the council and he won’t help you or your dad?”
“That’s why we have to bring it to the full council and tell them everything that’s happened.”
“You really think the First Kind will make a move in front of the council?” Nightshade questioned.
“I do,” I said with a confident nod. “They already outed themselves by attacking us at the Paladin Academy. They want the artifact. It makes sense for them to make one last attempt.” I didn’t want to mention my dreams, visions whatever they were, to them but I had come to trust that they were showing me the truth.
“I’m in,” Jess said and came to stand beside me.
“Me too,” Slade said placing his hand on my shoulder and squeezing. I placed my own over his and gave a squeeze. I looked to Nightshade though I didn’t doubt he’d join us.
“What the hell, you’ll probably get yourselves killed, and how could I miss that.” He walked over and joined us.
“Good because I have a plan.” Everyone gathered around me as I gave them the details and hoped like hell that it would work and not get any of us killed in the process. Once I finished Nightshade and Jessica drifted off to discuss things and I found myself alone with Slade.
“I’m so glad you’re okay,” he said his arm winding slowly around my waist.
He inched me closer and I got lost in the puppy-dog look he gave me, the kind that you can’t resist and you know you have to respond to because it’s just too damn hard not to.
“And I’m glad you’re all right.” I eased up against him. His broad shoulders seemed to wrap around me as he leaned over and kissed me. I got lost in the kiss; time, place, nothing else seemed to matter. No thoughts intruded, no gremlins o
r goons interfered. It was only the two of us and at the moment I wanted it that way. I was sorry when it ended but glad Slade’s arm lingered at my waist.
“I know you said we could talk when this is all over. But I need to say something now... I want to be with you Chloe. I care about you and when I watched you go through that portal at the tavern...” He shook his head, then took my hand and squeezed it gently. “I don’t want to lose you.”
“I don’t want to lose you either.” I didn’t know if it was the craziness of my life or the recent close calls with death that made me grab Slade as if he were a life preserver and not only hug him fiercely but kiss him as if we might never get the chance to kiss again.
Someone cleared their throat loudly and I turned to see Jess and Nightshade standing nearby. I stepped away from Slade so swiftly that I almost stumbled. I was upset with myself for forgetting that Slade and I weren’t alone. And by the way Jess was smiling at us and Nightshade rolling his eyes I’d say they had seen quite a lot.
“If you two are done sucking face can we get on with this?” Nightshade snapped.
“Watch and learn, Nightshade, and maybe then you’ll be able to please your own girlfriend for a change,” Slade snapped back at him.
Nightshade turned angry eyes on him. The kind of anger I saw flare in his eyes when he had told me he intended to kill Caleb.
I couldn’t help it I had to come to his defense, especially knowing the mention of a girlfriend would no doubt stir painful memories in him. “Slade, knock it off.”
“No worries, Masters,” Nightshade said without a trace of anger in his voice, though anger remained potent in his eyes. “You don’t need to protect me from your Neanderthal boyfriend. I’m surprised he was able to string that many words together in one sentence.”
“Can we do this?” Jess asked hoping to get all of us moving and avoid a fight.
“Yes, lets.” I didn’t wait for anyone to agree. I pulled out my doorknob and activated it creating a portal back to the Infinity Library. Since I had already been there I didn’t need a map to point the way. The portal sprang to life and I opened the door and watched as each of my friends stepped through. I took a deep breath and then stepped in after them closing the door behind me and hoping that we were finally on the last leg of our adventure.
I stepped out of the portal into bedlam. I quickly had to dart out of the way of a charging gremlin. The library which had been so serene when we were last here was now chaos personified. Creatures over ran the place tearing it to shreds as the honor guard of the council stood in a tight circle trying to fight off members of the First Kind.
“Masters, get her!”
Ms. True’s high-pitched screech cut through the din of chaos like finger nails on a chalk board. It was easy to spot her across the hall. Her eyes burned with such hatred that I actually thought she’d burst into flames.
“So much for the plan.... now run,” Nightshade ordered with a shove as a horde of gremlins and First Kind rushed toward us.
Chapter 34
Status: My plan goes to hell at the library.
Slade ran up beside me and Nightshade and Jess followed behind. They both yanked out their keys and swung bands of crimson energy toward the massive bookcases we ran past. The rumble started low but soon developed into a roar that shook the ground as the bookcases tumbled down, crashing on top of anyone chasing after us. I glanced back just in time to see the first wave of gremlins disappear under books and shelves. Whoever said that books weren’t useful is an idiot.
“Turn,” Slade yelled and we all pivoted turning down an adjacent corridor. He skidded to a stop and dug in his bag, pulling out one of his Impossible Engineer devices. “Keep running.”
“Not a chance.” I spun around and ran back to him just as a gremlin turned the corner and took a swipe at him. It never got close, I opened a portal and its momentum sent it flying to somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean. “Whatever you’re doing, hurry.” I urged with more gremlins and First Kinds gaining ground quickly.
“Step back,” he ordered and he did the same standing close beside me against the wall. The metal bar he had attached to the floor started grinding and sheets of metal started flipping out of it like some crazed deck of cards gone wild. A metal wall sprung up in no time right in the middle of the corridor, a booming sound echoed off it as someone on the other side threw something against it.
“How long will it hold?” I asked.
“A few minutes tops.”
We didn’t hesitate, we ran down the corridor to where Nightshade and Jess waited at the next cross section.
“Masters, I’ve come to the conclusion that your plans suck.” Nightshade grinned as we jetted down yet another hallway.
“Thanks, but we stick to the plan,” I said. “We need to reach the council.”
“And so you have, Masters.”
I stopped short of running into Mr. Jordan, he and his two goons blocking the corridor. “Jordan?” I said, shocked by his sudden appearance.
“You were expecting someone else? Once the attack began the council split up for its own protection. I, of course, have been waiting for you to show up to complete our bargain.” His eyes lingered on my back where I had strung the long cylinder case that held the Legend.
“Of course you did.” I kept my distance, my friends staying close on either side of me, none of us trusting him in the least.
“You have it?” he stared at the cylinder.
“I have a question.”
Jordan blinked and looked at me his eyes narrowing. “What?”
“Why does the head of the Doorknob Society want an artifact of the Mapmakers Union?”
“Why I want it is none of your business.”
“I’m guessing it’s because you didn’t believe my dad. Now you’re looking the fool because it turns out that you were wrong. You made your bones from taking down my dad, this map proves he’s was right all along and innocent of everything you accused him of, this artifact ruins your perfect little career.” His eyes flared and his face turned deep red, which confirmed I was right and made me grin.
“You little brat, give it to me!” He took a quick step forward and so did I, my anger boiling over at this man who had caused my dad such grief and pain.
“Try and take it,” I challenged, clenching my teeth as energy pulsated in my body preparing me for a fight.
Jordan paled and glared at me as if I had three heads.
“You’re as crazy as your father.”
I smiled at what I took as a compliment. “Your damn right I am.”
“Take it,” Jordan commanded with a brisk wave at his goons.
My friends moved as one before I had time to react. In unison they sent a wave of power that sent the two DS guards flying into one another with a dull thud.
“Ho-how dare yo-you,” —Jordan stumbled nervously— “attack a member of the council, I’ll have all of you thrown out of your organizations.”
“Try it jackass.” Nightshade threatened.
“What he said,” Slade agreed, the two having finally found a common enemy.
“You’re all insane.” Jordan gulped, his eyes shifting between us like a trapped mouse fearful of which cat would pounce first.
“Where is the rest of the council?” I waved my hand calling off Nightshade and Slade who stepped back.
“I don’t know,” he said with trembling hands that he attempted to still.
I wasn’t buying his act. He was a mean-spirited man and I didn’t for once believe he had suddenly turned into a cowardly fool. “Tell me what happened.”
“When the attack started I assumed it was you and your friends. I left the council to find you and —”
I didn’t let him finish. “You’re going to take us to the council.”
Jordan looked as if I had just asked him to hang himself and I had a feeling that I might have done just that.
“I can’t.” He shook his head adamantly.
“It wasn
’t a request.” I was surprised at just how threatening I sounded.
Another resounding boom rocked the library and I stretched my arms out to steady and stop myself from falling over. The explosion made Jordan even more fearful, his wide eyes frantically searching for an escape route.
“We need to hurry,” Jess said from behind me and I caught the urgency in her voice.
Jordan’s horrific scream shocked me and I spun to see what had elicited such terror. A gremlin surged into the room, its pointed fangs bared and sharp claws ready to tear into us. It aimed right for me and I swung my hand up to create a shield just as a huge wrench caught it on the chin sending it stumbling. Slade moved swiftly before the gremlin could retaliate, green mists of energy flowed off of his gloved hands as he swung again, this time doubling the force and catching the gremlin in the side. He howled in pain and anger. Jess and Nightshade hurried to create bindings that shackled the beast and toppled him to the ground.
“They broke through my wall,” Slade said as if apologizing. “There’ll be more here soon.”
I turned back to Jordan, whimpering and mumbling to himself. Probably never had to defend himself, always had someone doing it for him. He disgusted me. I hurried over to him, grabbed his silk tie, yanked him away from the wall and shoved him down another corridor.
“Bring us to the council now or I’ll leave you for the next gremlin to eat.”
“O-okay,” he mumbled and rushed down the hallway.
We followed after him, keeping close, not trusting the sniveling fool for one single minute.
We crossed through numerous hallways, Jordan keeping a quick pace. I wasn’t sure if he ran from the danger behind us or his desire to try and escape us, which I wouldn’t put past him.
Jess moved beside me as we kept on Jordan’s heels.
“I know you said Ms. True had betrayed the Skeleton Key Guild, but seeing her like that,” —she shook her head— “it’s crazy.”
I’d told Jessica all about Ms. True but she had known her far longer than I had and was shocked to say the least.