The Key

by Felicia Rogers

  “Let’s go into the workshop.”

  Chase grabbed his backpack and followed his father. Mom waved from the window and he waved back. She seemed satisfied Dad had the situation under control, and vanished from view.

  Inside the workshop, Dad asked, “How do you know it’s not her touch that sets it off?”

  Chase ran his hand through his hair and heat rushed to his cheeks.

  “That’s the way of it, then.”

  “Dad, I—”

  “No need to explain.”

  “Really? You’re not upset?”

  “Well, I’d hoped you’d be able to stay away, but clearly it’s beyond your control.” Dad slumped on the stool by the workbench and pushed the journal he’d been reading aside. “I think the best we can hope for is that you can keep from revealing your other form until I can find out exactly why it’s happening.”

  “What are you two doing out there?” Mom yelled from behind the closed workshop door.

  “I think we better let your mother know you’re all right. That is, before she comes in here and finds out things she isn’t ready to know.”

  “Yeah.” Chase paused. “Dad?”

  “Yes?”

  “Thanks.”

  His father nodded and opened the door.

  Chapter 14

  Maddie hung up the phone. One thing she hadn’t discussed with Chase was meeting Dougal in the woods. He’d said he’d flown to reach her. The shock had caused her to pass out. When she woke, he was gone and Chase crouched in his place.

  Just thinking about it made her head ache and she massaged her temples.

  Maybe Dougal had meant he’d gone really fast? Or had he literally meant that he’d flown through the air? Was he the gray-winged creature that had saved her from the swerving car? Anything seemed possible.

  Pacing her room, she tried to think it through. There had to be a rational explanation. Maybe she had fallen asleep on the rock and dreamt the entire thing. She hadn’t imagined the gray gryphon, but perhaps Dougal had been a dream.

  The psychiatrist had said the mind could conjure many things, including a person to offer comfort.

  Maddie drew in a deep breath. She was so tired. Separation from Chase had caused sleepless nights. Now that they were still friends, and maybe more, she would rest like a baby.

  Grandma called and she hurried downstairs for supper.

  ****

  “You must ssstop being ssso ssstupid!” Serena hissed.

  “Don’t nag me.” Dougal lay back on the chaise and ran a hand through his hair. When she was upset, she always drew out her words like a snake. What would she do if she realized her primordial actions? Maybe throw a rock at his head. The thought made him smile.

  “When will you learn? Your time trick in the classroom only hindered your power! The eochair will never appreciate someone who gives up their energy so freely.”

  “Shut up! You know nothing of her.”

  “Oh, and you do?” Serena paused, paced to one side of the room, whipped around, and exhaled loudly. “You like her, don’t you?”

  Dougal hid his reaction. Serena was too nosey for her own good. She would never understand his feelings for the eochair. “As I told you before, I don’t like her. She is a fragile creature. A breakable being. She is nothing to me.”

  “I do not believe you.”

  He jumped up, grasped her by the throat, lifted her off the ground, and shoved her head against the wall. “I don’t care what you believe.”

  “Touché. But it matters not to me if you have feelings for her. Her fate was decided long ago. As was ours.”

  He dropped her to the cave floor and turned away. “You’re right. My feelings for her are none of your concern.”

  “Ah, so I was right.”

  Dougal grabbed a chair and hurled it across the cavern. It crashed into the wall above her head. “Of course you’re right. She is supple and full, like a big red juicy apple. I want to take a bite of her sweetness and allow the juices to dribble down my chin.”

  She laughed, a deep guttural sound that filled the cave. “Serena knows. I always know.”

  “Her smell is intoxicating. I can’t get enough of her. Why must we wait?”

  “The timing must be perfect. Besides, she must be willing to fulfill her task. We cannot force her.”

  “Who made up these stupid rules?”

  “Modern language,” she said with a sigh. “The Ancient Ones, of course. The door may only open with a willing key and no other.”

  “How am I going to make her willing?”

  “It is simple. Let Chase woo her.”

  ****

  Maddie awoke with a start, a nightmare fresh in her mind. Not anything she wanted to remember. She tried to run from it, gathering her clothes and rushing to the shower. Hot water cascaded over her shoulders and down her back. But she couldn’t forget the dream.

  The black flying creature had leaned over her and with its claw had reopened the wound on her face. Blood had dribbled along her cheek in a steady flow, seeping into the hard-packed earth. From the blood a tower had grown. Ivory doors with intricate carvings had appeared, bigger than her grandma’s house. They had shone amidst the fog. They hummed and vibrated and she wanted to touch them, if only for a moment. She’d reached forward, but before she made contact the ground opened up and swallowed her. That was when she woke.

  The human mind was such a mystery. How did it string such fanciful images together?

  Thinking about the dream, she took too long in the shower and had to dress fast. The gray gryphon was clearly why she’d created the black one in her nightmare. The tower was obvious since it dominated most of her dreams. But what about the ivory doors? What about the ground swallowing her? Maybe she had read about it in a book, or saw it in a movie?

  A glance at the clock — oh, great. Chase would be there any minute. She rushed downstairs to find Grandma Draoi preparing breakfast.

  “Hello, dear. How are you?”

  “So so.”

  “Did you sleep well?”

  Maddie grabbed a piece of toast, a couple slices of bacon, and scooped eggs onto her plate. “Not sure. I had some weird dreams.”

  Grandma Draoi frowned. “Do you want to talk about them?”

  “Nah.” Not enough time to describe her dream and eat, too. She spooned scrambled eggs into her mouth. Cheese in them. Yum.

  She rushed back upstairs, brushed her teeth, and grabbed her purse and an empty backpack. Hopefully the teachers would replace her books today; she’d been so miserable the day before, she’d forgotten to ask even in the classes she hadn’t cut. The truck’s horn honked as she reentered the kitchen. She planted a kiss on Grandma Draoi’s wrinkled cheek and raced out the back door.

  Chase stood beside the truck, holding the door like a true gentleman. She grinned, climbed inside the cab, and stowed her empty backpack at her feet. He climbed behind the wheel, started the engine, and drove off.

  For a while, it felt as if nothing had changed between them, as if their friendship had never been tested. Chase said, “I’ve been thinking of places to hike and I thought it would be cool to try out the park with the waterfalls. What do you think?”

  “Sounds nice.”

  “Have you been there before?”

  She shook her head.

  And so on. When they arrived, the school was abuzz with chatter about that afternoon’s dance. For a few moments, Maddie felt a warm glow. She had a date and they were gonna dance.

  But then Stephanie passed them in the hall, speaking to Marley in an overly-loud voice. “I have the perfect dress planned. I’m going to knock Dougal’s socks off.”

  The warm glow vanished and Maddie gnawed her lip. She hadn’t even thought about what to wear. Maybe she should back out of the date, rather than embarrass Chase by wearing jeans or worse.

  After that, the day dragged. At lunch Maddie picked at her food while Chase scarfed his down. Clearly if there was a problem, he didn’t
see it and she’d get no help from him. The bell rang and they went to his locker. Maddie threw her new books inside and stuffed the ones she’d need for homework in the backpack.

  He leaned against the locker door. “What’s up?”

  It was time to be honest with him. “Maybe this dance isn’t such a good idea.”

  He looked outraged, not understanding. “Why not? I thought you wanted to go.”

  Nope, no understanding there. “I do, but…”

  He waved his hands in circular motions, egging her on. “But…”

  He waited and finally she shrugged. “Nothing. Just take me home so I can get ready.”

  He bowed and swept a hand in front of him. “This way, madam.”

  Chase left her in her driveway. Slumped, she shuffled into the house as the truck’s engine noise receded into the distance. The door banged closed behind her.

  “Is that you, Maddie?”

  “Yes, Grandma.”

  Grandma Draoi stepped around the kitchen door and wiped her hands on a dish towel. “How was school?”

  “The usual.”

  “That bad?” she asked with a smile.

  Maddie returned the smile, even though she didn’t much feel like it, and shrugged her shoulders. “It wasn’t bad. It’s just that I’m having regrets.”

  “About what?”

  She sighed. “I agreed to go to the school dance with Chase tonight.”

  “And this is a bad thing?”

  “No, it’s not a bad thing. I really want to go. It’s just, well, I have nothing to wear.”

  Grandma laughed. “A woman’s age-old problem.” She tossed the towel onto a nearby hall table. “Come with me.”

  Up the stairs to the very top. Grandma led her to the attic. The door creaked open and light filtered through dusty curtains. With a broom handle, Grandma knocked spider webs from the corners. “Can’t keep this place free of the critters.”

  Cobwebs aside, the attic was surprisingly neat. A row of trunks ran the length of one wall, as if they’d been pushed into place moments ago. Grandma Draoi opened the middle trunk and crouched on one knee. “Let’s see what we can find.” Solids, calicos, plaids, and other colorful fabrics dropped beside the trunk as Grandma lifted each and tossed it aside without looking at it twice. At last she lifted one and held it up. “This is it.”

  An old person’s dress. It had to be, and Maddie couldn’t turn her head to look. But the dress reflected in the full-length mirror on the other wall. Knee-length, pale blue, with spaghetti straps — it was perfect and she couldn’t stop a gasp.

  Maddie grabbed it and held it to her, then twirled in front of the mirror. The silky soft material settled about her knees. “Grandma, this is gorgeous. Where did you get it?”

  “It belonged to your mother, dear.”

  The material slid along her body toward the floor, but Maddie grabbed it and held it tight to her chest. Her mother’s…

  “Do you want to wear it?”

  She swallowed the flood of emotion. “Yes. Yes, I do.”

  “Then we’d best get downstairs and wash it up.”

  ****

  “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so nervous.”

  “That’s because I’ve never been this nervous,” replied Chase.

  Dad laughed. “You better get control of yourself. If this girl knows you’re afraid, then you’ll really be in trouble.”

  His mother straightened his collar. “Alex, leave the boy alone. There is nothing wrong with being a little nervous when you’re dating someone you like.”

  Chase refused to snort. Or even when dating someone you don’t like.

  Dad shook his head. He yelled over his shoulder as he walked toward the living room. “Have a good time with Maddie and remember to be home at a decent hour. You can’t take her hiking tomorrow if you don’t get some sleep.”

  Mom fingered his hair and slapped lint from his jacket. “Ignore your father and just have a good time.”

  He kissed her cheek. “Thanks, Mom.”

  She smiled and nodded.

  Chase grabbed his keys, ran out the front door, and climbed into the truck. One glance at the digital clock on the dash sent his heart racing. He was barely going to make it on time, at least if nothing went wrong. With his luck…

  He shifted gears and backed the truck out. Thoughts of what to say raced through his mind as he shifted to drive and accelerated. The things they had in common were limited. They were both seniors and out-of-towners. They had similar classes. Obviously she didn’t detest the outdoors or she wouldn’t have agreed to the hike. After that… after that, he didn’t know of anything they had in common.

  The one main thing was off-limits. He guessed the night’s conversation would have to flow as it happened, and hopefully naturally.

  The truck shuddered to a halt and he opened the door, expecting to climb out, but his attention was arrested as Maddie descended the porch steps. A pale blue gown hugged her curves. Strappy blue sandals highlighted her shapely calves. He held his breath as she approached the driver’s side. All he could do was stare at her.

  She blinked back, confusion tightening her forehead. “Are we still going?”

  He shook his head to clear the Maddie-induced fog. “Yes, of course.” If he could find his brain from wherever he’d parked it. He jumped out, placed his hand to the small of her back, and guided her to the passenger door.

  “Thank you,” she said once she’d settled in the truck, a red hue covering her freckled cheeks.

  He ran to the other side and slid behind the wheel. Overwhelmed by her beauty, he found that the simplest tasks became hard to accomplish. The keys slid into his lap and he nearly shoved the house key into the ignition.

  She smoothed the skirt. Against the pickup’s worn fabric, it looked like a princess’ gown. “Do I look okay?”

  He leaned on the wheel and faced her. “You’re more beautiful than I can describe.”

  Her lips twitched upward and her face morphed into a darker red. He looked away, put the truck in gear, and drove to school.

  When they arrived the dance was in full swing. They had to park across the student lot, then walked inside and a chaperone directed them to a photo booth. They took a picture, both smiling broadly, before joining the other kids. The music thumped loudly, and they found an empty table and sat down.

  “Can I get you something to drink?” asked Chase.

  “Yes, please.”

  ****

  Maddie tapped her foot to the pop music as Chase went in search of refreshments. She couldn’t wait to wet her parched throat.

  On the trip to school, Chase had sent covert glances in her direction until she’d thought about having him take her home so she could change. The unusual attention had caused her to sweat. The restroom! That’s where she should go. Somewhere to hide. Dorks don’t do dances. Not very well, at least.

  But before she could leave, a shadow fell over the table.

  “May I have this dance?” Dougal asked. In a black suit, he looked even hotter. But not as hot as Chase in his white button-up shirt and khaki pants. The white against his surfer tan made her want to fan herself.

  Maddie gulped. “I don’t think so.”

  “Oh, come on. I’m sure Chase won’t mind. Look, he’s at the punch bowl with Marley.”

  She glanced where he pointed. Marley filled Chase’s cup and handed it over. Her hand lingered on his, then she stroked her hair behind her ear and tilted her head, listening to something he said. Then she laughed and fluttered her hand to his shoulder.

  “You want to dance now, right?”

  Dougal didn’t wait for an answer, but grabbed her hand and hauled her to her feet. Dragged to the dance floor and forced into his arms, she didn’t readily move. The beat changed to something slower, and before she knew it she was following his lead.

  Even though she didn’t really want to. Did she? Did she really believe Chase was flirting with Marley?

  Eye
s closed, Dougal sniffed. “Your hair smells of flowers baked in the sunshine. The scent reminds me of…”

  Maddie waited, but he didn’t finish the sentence. “Of?”

  He shrugged. For the first time since she’d met him, he seemed off balance somehow. “Of an Irish lass from my past.”

  “Oh.” She paused, but the opening was too good to resist. “Do you want to talk about her?”

  He snickered under his breath. “Women are often attracted by my good looks, charm, and mysterious nature, but I fear they don’t truly know me.”

  Oh, yeah. Right. But Maddie’s heart rate accelerated. What had she gotten herself into?

  ****

  He should have resisted the urge to dance with her. The only thought on his mind had been goading Chase and creating a rift between the burgeoning couple. Serena’s idea, that the more Maddie felt for Chase the more leverage they had, didn’t thrill him. He had other plans. Like causing her to love him, not that cretin, so she would willingly do as he wished. It was a much better idea than anything Serena had suggested.

  Too late to run. Dancing with Maddie had opened old wounds. Merissa. Ah, if he closed his eyes he could still smell the fresh scent of her hair and feel her silky smooth skin.

  Merissa had been Cian and Arin’s daughter and the most beautiful girl in the entire village. Even though her father was part gryphon, she held no hint of being anything other than human. And she had loved Dougal, really loved him. He hadn’t discouraged her love, nor had he encouraged it. She was too young to know the ways of the world. Too young to know her part in it all.

  He’d spoken to Cian of marrying Merissa only once. He’d frowned and agreed to consider the matter. Days after Cian had accepted his offer of marriage, Dougal had done something stupid. When the boys in the village had goaded him, made him angry, his black nature had reared its ugly head and the village had never been the same.

  After that he had been ashamed to show his face. He’d hid in the mountains and stayed away from his people. And there he’d met Serena, mother of monsters.

  Merissa had married, had several daughters of her own, and eventually passed away, leaving Dougal at the same age he’d been when they’d met, and alone. It was always the same. Everyone he loved died before him.