The Cog Chronicles Box Set

by P M Cole

  Between times I planned and plotted. When I wasn’t trying to remember the exact route through the cave tunnels to get to my room, and the other corridors I had glimpsed, I was building machines and devices large and small from the metal I had seen. No longer did I need a pencil and paper. I could sit for hours pulling pieces of metal apart in my mind and reengineering them for better uses. I had to do this, or thoughts of the friends that got hurt because of me, would force their way in, and I would start to sob. Sometimes it happened anyway, and when it did, I let the tears come, for I found it was better to cry for a short amount of time until the pain subsided, then to try to resist.

  On what I thought was the third day, a knock came on the secure wooden door.

  “Corine?”

  I sighed. It was the last voice in this hell that I wanted to hear. My mother.

  “Can I enter?”

  “Do what you wish.”

  The door swung back slowly, and in walked the woman that meant nothing to me. If I hadn’t the memory from my childhood, I would have thought she was artificial. A human automaton brought alive by Hades. She was wearing a long black skirt, and a blue blouse. In her hand were some books.

  “I thought you might want these. I can’t imagine how boring it must be for you in here, but Harold said you should have time to think about your situation.”

  “OK.”

  She placed the three volumes on the bottom of the bed and sat beside them. She was only a few feet from me. Too close.

  I shuffled further up the bed.

  She picked up the top book. “This is Robinson Crusoe. Do you remember I used to read this to you when you were a child?”

  I shook my head. “I don’t remember anything from that time.”

  “Oh… Maybe it will come back to you when you start reading it.”

  “Maybe.”

  “Is the food to your liking? I can get you something different if you—”

  “It’s fine.” I turned to her. “When can I get out of here? I don’t want to stay locked up in this room forever…”

  “No, of course not. This is just for a short period. In fact, Harold has told me that if you want, you can go for a walk with me today.”

  “It’s daytime?” I had no idea.

  She smiled. “Yes, it is two o’clock.”

  “We can walk around the gardens?”

  She looked down. “No… Just around the caves. Maybe in time the gardens.” She leaned towards me. “You have to realise, you are like a stranger to them. They do not trust you. They think all you want to do is harm them.”

  “Then why bring me here?”

  “Because you are my daughter!”

  “I thought the others were your family…”

  “You all are. I looked so long for you, Corine. Until I’m ashamed to admit… I thought you were lost to me, but then we heard rumours of a girl that had miraculous powers over metals.” She smiled. “I knew, Corine. I knew it was you!”

  “And I learned you are with him.”

  She looked away as if in thought. “I was so young when I had you—” I ignored the fact that she still looked in her late twenties. “I saw the world as black or white back then. My horizons were so limited. Harold changed all of that for me.”

  “And what of my father? The man that works for Hades killed him!”

  “You may have seen that Sisyphus now has one eye and a scar on his face? That was because of his actions that night. He was only meant to subdue Gideon, and then persuade us to go with him. But as he often does, he overreacted. Harold almost killed him for that. But even so, it took a long time for me to forgive Harold.”

  Each of her words struck like daggers into my heart. I couldn’t understand how she could forgive Hades for killing my father. It made no sense. I held firm, not showing her any emotion.

  “But you did forgive him…”

  She smiled, grabbing my hand before I had a chance to move it away. “And you will too.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  I stood in the grand hall as I learned it was called, the large cave that I had been brought through on entering their underground home. Torches burned, illuminating the greens and oranges of various elements that permeated the rock faces around me. If it had just been a cave, I would have described it as beautiful. My mother stood to my side. It was time for my ‘tour’.

  A small waterfall fell across rocks which had a smattering of crystals across their surface, the effect produced a cascade of colourful reflections. I noticed a series of iron constructions, which acted as platforms and gates to restrict access to other areas.

  “Ahem,” said Ophelia.

  I looked at her attentively.

  “Natural streams flow through the caves. And if we walk through here…” We approached a tunnel.

  “Where’s Hades?”

  She stopped abruptly, looking back at me. “Stop calling him that, Corine! His name is Harold Cannington! Refer to him as Mr Cannington.”

  I nodded in compliance. We then ducked slightly and moved into the narrow tunnel.

  “As I was saying, there are a number of rooms down here. Some we use for residential purposes, some for other purposes…”

  I imagined torture chambers.

  We arrived at the first of a series of doors that I could see. This one was open, revealing a room larger than my own, and filled with regal-looking furniture. Heather sat in the far corner in a rocking chair, rocking back and forth. She was dressed in all black as if waiting to attend a funeral.

  “This as you can see is Heather's room.” She looked at the youthful-looking girl. “I’m showing Corine around our home, would you like to join us?”

  My instinct was to run through the room and drive her metal hair brush into her chest, but instead I smiled. “I'd like that Heather, if you’re not busy.”

  She scrunched her face. “Hmm…” Then stood. “OK. I’m bored anyway.”

  I wondered what she did all day, as the others actually had jobs in the city. I then remembered the member of the clan that I had not seen since Byron's birthday.

  “Where’s Alexander?”

  Ophelia frowned.

  “Oh, we hardly ever see him. He’s probably in some woman’s quarters!”

  Ophelia looked at her angrily. “Heather! You know not to talk like that. Remember you’re a young lady, and act like one!”

  Now it was Heather's turn to frown.

  My mother sighed. I noticed a blood vessel pulsing on her left temple. “So, this corridor has Heather’s and Daniel’s room when he’s here. The other floors—”

  “Other floors?” I asked.

  Heather rolled her eyes. “If you didn’t realise, we literally are in hell!”

  “Heather!”

  I smiled, wrapped my arm around Heather's, then looked back at my mother. “Show me these other floors.”

  *****

  I sat inside a room half the size of the grand hall, but with a ceiling just as high. So much so that it was divided into three floors, with two being above me. It was also full of books. Ophelia had shown me this, and a number of the other rooms the day before, and I had chosen this, the library, as my favourite, although I was sure the really interesting rooms were being kept from me. It also had a good amount of metal. Even though the bookshelves were wooden constructions, a large number of the larger books had brass frames and clasps, and I was aware of them all.

  During my tour, each time we entered a room which contained metal, my mother and Heather would become tense which amused me and gave me hope at the same time. I also noticed the strange way my mother acted towards the young girl. A general motherly annoyance combined with fear. Perhaps she was scared Heather would do the same to her as she did to…

  I leaned back in one of five chairs which were placed around a large reading table. Every part of me wanted to try to escape. To run from this place and find my friends and help them, to find Colin and express my gratitude and ask for forgiveness for what happe
ned to the other Ratters. By time we left the Factory, he was showing signs of coming around from his unconscious state, and Hades informed me that because the young man showed such valour, he would make sure he would be taken to the casuals’ medical buildings. His pretence of care made me hate him even more, but the thought that Colin survived the ordeal helped me get through my days.

  They all sacrificed so much for me and here I was, looking at old books. But even if I could escape I wouldn’t. I needed to be closer to Hades, and now I was. I was living in his palace.

  A thump came from one of the high bookshelves behind me. As far as I knew I was alone in the library. I stood and walked past a few lanes of shelves. On coming around the corner of the last, the most cloaked in shadow, I stopped, taken aback by the dark leather volume that was lying on the floor, glowing.

  I looked over my shoulder to see if I was still alone. I was. I stepped forward, and slowly picked up the book, which was casting a yellow light on the books around me. Almost frightened to open it, I let my fingers trace the cover's edge then pulled it open. Golden words glistened in front of me.

  ‘I am Athena. Hades' grip on this realm grows stronger each day. This is the only way I have to contact you and will probably be the last time we can converse. After you close the book, the message will dissipate, so read and remember my words. Your friends are grouping together once more. They have not given up on you and will make an effort to rescue you from Hades in four days’

  “No… tell them not to,” I realised these words had already been written. This was a one-way message.

  ‘You must be ready by then. If you escape, you must run and find the council, for that is the only—’

  Council of Gods?

  A noise came from the end of the aisle, and I instinctively slammed the book shut.

  Heather appeared. “What book is that?” She walked to me snatching the volume from my hands. “Let me see.” Then pulled it open revealing black and white lettering. “You read Latin?”

  I hid my relief that the previous words had disappeared. “Err… no, I was just trying to find something written in English.”

  She frowned, handing me back the book. “Some chance of that! I’ve asked Father—”

  “You call H… Mr Cannington, Father?”

  “Yes, of course, what else would I call him? Lord?” She burst out in laughter. “Hmm he would probably like that. No, Father will suffice. Anyway, are you done here with these old books? If so, I was hoping we could have some fun?”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  I stood on the gravel path and took in a lungful of icy air. It burnt my lungs and nose to do so, but it smelt of freedom.

  “Don’t stand there, you’ll be seen, silly!” said Heather up ahead. “This way.”

  As she moved further away, I looked back at the house. It was a straight route from where I was to the terrace, and I doubted Heather would have the stamina or inclination to chase after me if I ran. Also, we were alone, with only the servants in the main house being my obstacles. Even my mother was nowhere to be seen.

  A test?

  It seemed too easy to leave, and even if I did make it out, the reason I ended up here would still exist. Running wouldn’t change that.

  But Lucas and who knows who else will be coming in four days… I can’t be responsible for more suffering…

  Heather's head peered around a distant hedge. Her lips moved, mouthing what looked like ‘come on’, and she beckoned me to her.

  I jogged onwards, getting to the point she had just been, then followed her into a maze-like narrow channel of bushes and trees, all coated in snow and ice, until we arrived at our destination.

  A large greenhouse, an oasis of domed roofs and wrought iron arches stood before us. It reminded me of a miniature version of the Crystal Palace or the similar constructions at Kew. It too, like everything else around me, had succumbed to the ice, with its glass windows and panels only allowing a hazy, frost-covered view of what lay inside.

  Heather skipped over snow-covered paving slabs, towards the entrance. I followed, and when she pulled the iron door open, was hit by a myriad of fragrances. Stepping inside was like entering another world, for exotic trunks, palms, and flowers as large as both my hands put together, surrounded me. I walked past them and into a clearing. Explosions of colour were on all sides and in the centre was a small pond surrounded by a stone wall. I noticed there were no fish.

  “This… is amazing. How did you do all this?” I said, looking up at the leaves almost touching the top of the structure.

  Heather twirled a flower she had just plucked around in her fingers. “Oh, I didn’t make this. This was Cassandra. This kind of thing is easy for her. She just waves her hands and… all of this appears.” She said with a frown, then suddenly grinned. “But that’s not why I brought you here!”

  “It’s not?”

  “No silly. I bought you here for this!”

  She stood upright and closed her eyes, then held her hands out. At first, I thought nothing was happening, and then I noticed the flowers near her start to wilt. Their petals then fell, one by one and the rest of the plant waned and turned brown. This effect grew, taking more of the life with it, as if a pestilence was eating its way through the iron and glass room. I wavered, wondering whether I should turn and run as the wave of death moved through the plants around me and kept on going. After hardly any time had passed, the colour had been replaced with grey and black ashes.

  Heather opened her eyes, looked around her, then jumped up and down. “Isn’t it beautiful!”

  I tried to hide how horrifying it was and forced a smile to my face.

  She let her fingers drag across the remains of plants, there stems and buds cracking and falling to the floor. “When I was younger I used to sneak out and bring this gift to people. Take their time from them so they might appreciate better what they had left…”

  I looked at the iron girders wondering if I could bring one down on her if I needed to.

  “But I got in trouble. Now—” She looked at the dead plants around us. “— I can only use my gifts on silly plants… I so miss looking into their eyes as they wither…”

  I took a step back.

  A creak came from behind. A rush of cold air told us the door was open. Ophelia appeared.

  “You can’t be out here!” she said ignoring the scene around her.

  I wasn’t sure who she was referring to. Probably both of us.

  “We were just having some fun!” shouted Heather back.

  “Harold explicitly said Corine is not to be allowed out until the banquet! Now both of you, quickly back underground, he will be home soon.”

  Heather rolled her eyes while pouting, but thankfully she walked forward, past Ophelia and through the door to the outside.

  My mother leaned into me. “Never come back to this place with her. Do you understand?”

  I nodded. She seemed genuinely concerned.

  She then turned and walked to the door. I followed, allowing my hand to trace along the window ledge.

  *****

  Silver cutlery sat on a huge mahogany dinner table, in a back corner of the grand hall. Another test perhaps.

  Streams of water trickled across multicoloured rocks, and burning torches illuminated the faces of those who were seated, waiting on the staff to bring the food.

  Heather was to my left while Daniel sat to my right. Across from me sat Byron and Grace while to my far right was my mother, and opposite her at the head of the table, the Lord high and mighty himself. Hades, Mr Cannington or whatever I was meant to call him.

  A column of old men and women filed in from one of the nearby tunnels, each carrying a silver platter, then they proceeded to place them in the middle of the table. Each of them looked terrified and it made me sick to my stomach.

  The silver jug in front of me juddered slightly, and I noticed Grace look at it, then me.

  The elderly people moved away, and Hades picked up a gl
ass which sparkled from the nearby flickering flames and tapped his fork against it. It was the first time I had seen him wearing anything other than his long black coat, for he was dressed in a white shirt and purple, silk waistcoat.

  “I would like to say a few words before we enjoy the delicious food in front of us.”

  Some of those around me were looking at him in anticipation while others looked at the table.

  “I know there has been conflict amongst us, here, at this table. I know recent times have been trying. But look at us today! Together. One—” Heather mumbled something. He looked at her, his eyes betraying the smile which was still plastered to his face. “Is there something you want to say, Heather?”

  “Where’s Alex and Cassandra?”

  “Cassandra is attending to important work, for the benefit of us all.” He frowned. “And I’m sure the same is true for Alex.”

  “Yes, with scarlet women,” said Grace.

  Hades slammed his fist down, making the dishes, jugs, cutlery, and most of the people around the table jump.

  He paused, calming himself, then looked back up with the same artificial smile. “What is important is that there are still six at this table, because of the newest member of our family. Corine.”

  Hell, everyone's looking at me.

  I produced a smile almost as fake as Hades.

  He continued, his attention fixed on me. “I know the years you spent away from us were very… taxing on you. You were lost in the wilderness for so long, but you found your way back to us. To your mother." He and my mother shared a smile, which made me feel even worse. "Knowing your mother as I do—“ Ugh “— it does not surprise me that you did. Hopefully, you don’t hold it against us that we felt you should stay in your room for a few days, although I understand you have been spending time in the library. Did you find any volumes to your liking?”

  “Umm… most are in Latin.”