The Skeleton Key Guild (The Doorknob Society Saga Book 5)

by MJ Fletcher

Slade’s back straightened at the comment and he smiled at Nightshade, and then turned to me.

  “Fine, you’re it,” I said reluctantly, “but don’t complain to me if you get killed.”

  “Wouldn’t think of it.” Slade laughed and held out his hand to Nightshade, who grabbed it and shook it roughly. “Thanks.”

  “Don’t mess it up.” Nightshade grinned his crooked smile and Slade laughed, a deep bellow that echoed around the room.

  “Did I miss something?” Edgar walked in scratching behind his ear and yawning.

  “Nothing more than usual.” Nightshade elbowed Edgar.

  “What’s going on?” Edgar asked.

  “Masters was about to explain her plan to us,” Nightshade said placing his hands on Edgar’s shoulders and steering him to a chair. He sat on the arm of the chair beside him and they both looked my way.

  “Was I now?”

  “Sure you were.” Nightshade leaned back, in his normal cocky and confident style.

  I didn’t know if I wanted to hit him or kiss him. But I guess either way I could take care of that later. “I do have a plan and I doubt anyone is going to do back flips over it. It’s dangerous and a little crazy.”

  “As usual.”

  “Shut up, Nightshade.”

  “I thought you two played nice now?” Jess walked in the room. She was wearing black stretch pants and a work out top. Her hair was tied in a ponytail and she was rubbing the back of her neck.

  She’d been put through the ringer by Rosalita so that she could heal quickly. From the yells I had heard coming from the room earlier, I imagined it was very unpleasant. Yet time and again my cousin surprised me by how strong she had become. I didn’t put anything passed her at this point.

  “Who said we play nice?” Nightshade winked at me and I couldn’t help but smile.

  Jess grinned and rolled her eyes. “Way too much information.” She slipped onto the couch next to me. “Well, let’s hear this plan of yours then.”

  I leaned forward, my elbows resting on my knees, and my fist under my chin. I took a deep breath and hoped that this time maybe everything would go exactly as I planned.

  “According to the Engineers the Bridge that Mr. Tower is using is going to take a good deal of time to power up to create the portal needed to open a path to Accadia. A member of each Society will activate a section of the Bridge with the last two activated by the Artifacts from the Doorknob Society and Skeleton Key Guild.”

  “Doesn’t he need the Artifacts from the other Societies? We have what, three of them? Shouldn’t that be enough to stop him from using the Bridge?” Nightshade asked.

  “I’ve been going over the schematics of the Bridge and there is a way for him to activate it with only the two Artifacts,” —Slade scratched at the stubble on his chin— “but it isn’t pleasant.”

  “Tell them.” I said.

  He nodded and continued. “He is going to open up the Bridge to syphon power directly from the people who open each segment of the Bridge... in affect he will drain them alive.”

  “He’s going to kill them,” Nightshade clarified.

  Jess tensed beside me. We’d known our family members were in danger, but to hear what might happen to them made it much too real and damn terrifying.

  “We’re not going to let that happen.” I placed my hand on Jess’ knee to reassure her. “We’re going to stop him once and for all.”

  Gavin entered the room with his arm around Henna’s waist. “How?”

  They both looked dashing like movie stars out of some movie. Gavin Brimstone was handsome, though I thought of him only as my mentor and friend. Henna was beautiful with her dark hair and caramel skin, set off by her bright colored clothes. They’d been a couple for what seemed like forever and gave me hope that relationships could last.

  “Edgar tracked Mr. Tower. We know where he is and how to get to him. We’re going to take the fight to him and destroy the bridge,” I explained.

  “You’re talking about destroying something created by members of each Society, that’s quite a tall order,” Gavin mused.

  “We’re going to use the Artifacts.” The room fell silent and I looked to each of my friends who sat staring at me.

  “You’ll need members of each Society for that Artifact, correct?” Henna asked.

  “Yes,” I replied.

  “I’ll use the HVO Artifact.” As the words left her mouth Gavin’s jaw clenched. He knew how dangerous using one of the Artifacts could be, let alone using it to try and fight the First Kind.

  “Are you sure?” I asked. “I was going to talk to Emory or Declan about using it.”

  “I can handle it.” She pushed her hand through her straight black hair flipping it over her shoulder.

  “As long as Emory is on board I have no problem with that. Anyone else?” I glanced to Gavin, but he only slipped his hand into Henna’s and squeezed it.

  “I’ll use the Mapmakers Legend,” Edgar chimed in.

  I smiled widely. “I doubt if anyone but you could make the thing work.” I chuckled at the thought of someone trying to decipher the Legend. Edgar had accessed it before and I trusted him with my life. He was the one I was least worried about. Edgar was beyond brilliant, and the one person I believe could handle the power of an Artifact and turn it off when he had to.

  “I’m handling the Engineer Artifact,” Slade said as if to remind me of my earlier resistance.

  “Agreed,” I said, though my reluctance remained.

  “They’re going to expect us to do something,” Nightshade said.

  “They’re not going to expect what I have in mind.” I smiled wickedly and leaned forward to finish explaining my plan.

  Chapter Forty-two

  Status: Surrounded by mentors and more.

  “Henna is talented. She’ll handle the Artifact well. But how does Gavin feel about it?” Emory sat at the kitchen table of the Reliquary drinking the coffee I’d made for him. His dark hair had more grey in it than I remembered and his face was creased with lines. This war had taken a toll on him.

  “He didn’t object,” I said.

  “Maybe not in front of you.” Levi Miller leaned against the far wall, his long blond hair hanging loose around his face and his massive frame still as impressive as ever. Beside him stood my Uncle Archibald Masters, he had rings under his eyes and when I had first seen him, I hugged him for a good five minutes. I hadn’t been able to even talk with him, with the Council after me, until now.

  These men had been friends with my parents when they were younger and I had come to rely on their council. Along with Gavin and DeAndre they were the closest thing I had to mentors.

  “Regardless, I trust her and if you say she is ready, I’ll let her use the Artifact,” I said.

  “This plan of yours is bold to say the least,” Uncle Archie said.

  “Can you three deliver what I need?” I asked pointedly. I couldn’t be left in a bad situation if anyone couldn’t come through on their part of the plan.

  “Slade is right. More members of the Engineers are defecting. I’ll be able to do what’s needed.” Levi nodded.

  Emory took a deep breath. “The HVO is scattered. Most of our force is what Declan was able to rescue from Storm Reach. But those who sided with us are willing to do as requested.”

  “Dante has taken those we know who are still loyal members of the Doorknob Society and placed them under my control. He’s honoring the deal he made with you,” Uncle Archie said.

  “About time.” I still didn’t trust Dante. But once Nightshade had been able to get the Guild to splinter against Mr. Tower, Dante had no choice but to help us. “Good, I want to end this in one final blow. I don’t want the First Kind popping up again in a hundred years to torment my family or the Old Kind.” I poured myself a cup of coffee and lifted it to my nose, taking a deep breath and inhaling the exotic aroma.

  “Are you ready for this, Chloe?” Emory asked.

  “As ready as I am goi
ng to be.”

  “You’re a strong woman. Your parents would be proud. But I want to make sure you understand the stakes.” Emory slid his hand over his mouth and down to stroke his chin. He was worried about me. I could see it in his eyes.

  “I know what’s at stake more than most. Not only are my Uncle and sister’s lives hanging in the balance, so is the Old Kind. But it’s even more than that.”

  “Is it?” Emory asked.

  “My friends and I could all die. We’re risking everything, but damn, there isn’t a better bunch of people I’d be willing to do this with than them.”

  “Do they know?” Mr. Miller asked.

  “Each and every one of them knows. They’ve been my friends long enough to know the stakes in this game.” I straightened up and took a sip of coffee. I’m not a fool. I know there was not only a chance, but a strong likelihood, that some of us might not make it out of this alive. That some of the people I loved most might end up dead. But we were all willing to do it in spite of that. That’s why I loved my friends so much and wouldn’t trade any of them for anything in the world.

  “Are you three done harassing her now?” Rosalita laughed as she entered the room.

  I rushed to her and threw my arms around her hugging her. Her bracelets jangled and her shawl tangled in my fingers, and she chuckled at my reaction. “I’m glad you made it,” I whispered to her.

  “I had to be here for the end,” she replied softly.

  I always sensed she knew more than she was saying, but I had long since learned there was no point in questioning her on it.

  “We just wanted to be sure she was ready,” Emory spoke up.

  Rosalita released me and walked toward him, wagging her finger. “This girl has seen more battles than all of you combined and saved more than her fair share of asses, including yours I might add.”

  I hid my smile behind my hands as Rosalita was not a woman to mess with.

  Emory apparently agreed as he raised his hands and backed up. “She is all yours, though we will need to make some final preparations.” Emory winked my way and they all exited the kitchen.

  “How are things in the Hollow?” I asked knowing Rosalita had stayed behind to help with the wounded in the Skeleton Key Guild dimension.

  “Improving, most of the pockets of First Kind have been weeded out. It has gotten rather quiet.” She pulled out a cup and poured herself some coffee.

  “So you came to say goodbye.” I sipped my coffee, staring at her over the rim. Maybe this once she would reveal something that could be important.

  “I know you’re planning something, so I wanted to see you beforehand.” She patted my shoulder.

  I sighed, if she knew anything, she wasn’t letting on about it. “I’m going to finish Mr. Tower.”

  “Don’t underestimate him, Chloe.”

  “I’m not.”

  “He’s had a long time to plan for this and will expect you to try something.”

  “I know, but just because he expects us to do something doesn’t mean we do nothing. He has to be stopped.”

  “You’re right he does, but what your former teachers were saying needs to be taken to heart. Please be careful.”

  “I will be.” I smiled and Rosalita reached out, her hand sliding over mine and squeezing it.

  “I wanted you to know how happy it’s made me to meet you and get to know you after all those years of waiting. Ichibod would be beyond proud of the woman you’ve become.”

  “That means more to me than you can know.” I smiled, my eyes welling with tears at the thought of my ancestor. I wished he had survived so that he’d been able to beat Tower in his own time and be here now with Rosalita.

  “I also wanted to say how proud I am of you. You’re not only the fulfillment of the girl I waited for you to become, but you’re also the most impressive woman I’ve known for some time.” She pulled me to her and hugged me once more.

  Her words meant so much more to me than she would ever know or I could express. “Thank you, Rosalita.”

  She pushed me back holding me at arm’s length and her face hardened in a way I’d never seen before. “Now go kill that bastard.”

  Chapter Forty-three

  Status: One more time before we go.

  “I am doing the final calculations on the Legend tonight and we should be all ready to go by the morning,” Edgar said as I entered the Great Room.

  “That should work. According to Danika and the other Engineers, the power up cycle should put them reaching capacity sometime tomorrow night.” Slade peered over Edgar’s shoulder and shrugged not being able to make any sense of his scribblings.

  “Anyone have any plans for the night?” Jess asked crossing the room and flicking on the flat panel TV that Slade had installed. She clicked through the screens and stopped on a mystery movie marathon.

  I looked across the room and Nightshade smiled at me. I knew he had an entirely different idea in mind. I shook my head at him slightly and he shrugged and smiled wickedly. I wanted to spend time with him, but I also wanted to be with my friends. It had been so long since we’d all had time together and who knew if we ever would again.

  “Hey, everybody!” Val yelled as she rushed into the room, holding a tray of food and placed it on the table pushing Edgar’s Maps out of the way, though he didn’t notice, he just kept scribbling away.

  “How did you get here?” I asked.

  “Jess brought me through a little while ago and I brought treats from the Cape Beanery.” She pointed to the food and then held up a bag of Cape Beanery coffee, my mouth began watering. I had missed the best coffee in the world since the day I moved away from Cape May.

  “I’m all for food.” Slade began picking at the food.

  “Safe some for the rest of us King Kong,” Nightshade said as he slid in beside him and reached over to grab some.

  “Shut up Nightshade,” Slade said.

  “Seriously, after all this time that is all you can come up with. This is getting too easy, maybe I should give you some lessons.” Nightshade’s lopsided grin almost made me break out laughing.

  Slade huffed and looked at Nightshade. “Shut up.”

  Nightshade couldn’t help himself and burst out laughing. His head fall against Slade who joined in laughing with him. They both seemed to be enjoying themselves when they leaned over to grab some food.

  Val slapped at their hands. “Help me get some plates.” They both shrugged and with smiles on their faces followed her out of the room.

  I crossed over to Jess who was standing with her arms crossed, watching the beginning of a movie. “You brought her through?” I smiled.

  She shrugged. “Yeah, I figured Edgar might want to see her. Plus, I keep getting texts from her that she hates protected status.”

  “You softie.” I pushed my shoulder into hers.

  “I’ve missed this,” Jess said her eyes glancing around the room as the guys returned trailing behind Val, plates in hand.

  There was laughing and joking and Nightshade and Slade’s usual argumentative banter. Edgar was his usual oblivious self and Val leaned over and kissed the top of his head.

  I slipped my arm around Jess’waist and leaned my head on her shoulder. “So have I.” We walked to the table and both began filling plates with food.

  “Where are Gavin and Henna?” Slade asked between bites.

  “I think they want a little private time.” Nightshade winked at me and I did my best not to throw my plate across the room at him. Though the idea of private time with him didn’t sound like a bad idea at all.

  “What? They didn’t want to hang out with us?” Slade tossed a piece of bread in the air and caught it in his mouth.

  “You’re not really that dumb are you?” Nightshade laughed.

  “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Slade stared at Nightshade who was laughing so hard he had to lean over and grab his sides.

  “Sex.” Edgar’s voice broke through the noise and ever
yone grew quiet.

  “Excuse me?” Val asked.

  “Sex... the reason Gavin and Henna want to be alone... is sex. I’m surprised you didn’t know that Slade.” Edgar lifted his pen up, waving it in the air like his explanation was the most reasonable thing in the world.

  “That’s not the only reason couples want to be alone you know.” Val crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot.

  “Sure it is, just ask Chloe and Nightshade.”

  My face drained of all color and Nightshade actually fell over laughing even harder. Even Jess couldn’t help but laugh at that one. She slid her hands over her face trying to hide the humor tickling her, but her whole body shook with it.

  “Edgar!” Val yelled his name, horrified. Her shocked tone finally broke the spell and he looked up and smiled at Val.

  “Val, when did you get here?”

  That was the moment I lost control and joined in laughing so hard I thought my stomach would burst. Slade threw his head back and was guffawing, leaving only Val and Edgar not laughing.

  “This is not funny.” Val looked around annoyed at everyone cracking up around her.

  “I think you might be wrong. Whatever it is, everyone seems to think it’s hilarious.” Edgar gestured to all of us, half of who were on the floor near to tears with laughter.

  “You’re an idiot, you know that?” Val scolded.

  “Well no, I mean I am in the top percentile of intelligence, actually about one-one hundredth of a percent, so that would rule me out of being an idiot.” He smiled happy that he had an answer for her, and she threw her arms in the air and laughed out loud.

  It took a good five minutes for us all to stop laughing and crying. I pulled myself together and sat back on the couch with Val and Jess on either side of me.

  “So what was so funny?” Edgar asked and we all had to contain ourselves from starting all over again.

  “Nothing, Edgar, nothing at all,” I said.

  “Well that’s odd,” Edgar scratched his head. “I mean we were only talking about sex.”

  I bit my lip and Val pulled the throw pillow from behind her and threw it, hitting Edgar in the face and knocking off his goggles.