by Fletcher, MJ
“Almost?” I wanted to bite my tongue as soon as I said it but as usual my mouth was quicker than my brain.
Mrs. Flint squinted over the rim off her glasses at me and the class followed her gaze. Her ever-present smile had disappeared and she regarded me with a calculating expression. She sized me up and down in one quick glance and then pushed her glasses back up her nose. Her smile then quickly returned.
“Well, dear, some of the earliest books written about the Old Kind have been lost to time. And while a concentrated effort has been made through the years to locate them we’ve yet to be successful.”
Slade jumped in with his two cents. “You mean like the Chronicles?”
His remark appeared to send a jolt of apprehension through the students and they began whispering amongst each other.
“Quiet now, this is, after all, a library,” Ms. Flint ordered and then turned to Slade. “Yes, Mr. Slade, you are correct, the so-called Chronicles are among the volumes believed to be missing from the library. However we do have a few pages from those rare books on display. They are the only known surviving pieces.”
“Are those documents about the Founders?” Slade continued his query.
Mrs. Flint huffed in frustration. “Yes, they are.”
“Do they say anything about the artifacts?”
“Mr. Slade, I’m well aware that you are an engineer and like all engineers you are fascinated with moveable objects but the Chronicles say no more about the legendary artifacts of the founders then you’ve heard in bedtime tales. Now if we can continue the tour without further interruption.”
Mrs. Flint turned and without another word on the subject continued the tour.
I glanced around the library, knowing that I’d be returning, and anxious to do so, as soon as I could to begin my search.
Several students gathered around Slade and continued to whisper.
I stuck closer to Edgar as we made our way out of the library. “What was that about?” I asked nodding toward Slade.
“Slade is like so many, eager to find the legendary artifacts of the Founders and eager for recognition.”
“What artifacts?”
“That’s part of the problem... no one is really sure. Supposedly the Founders gathered together the most powerful inventions of each group. They are believed to have amazing abilities in defending against some unknown adversary. After they defeated this nameless or fabled foe the Founders hid the inventions until such a time when they were needed once again. All the information is contained in the Chronicles but the volumes themselves were lost with only supposedly a few pages surviving. The few stored here and some pages in private collections.”
“So they’re history books?”
“Kind of, they tell the history of the earliest Founders and even the first of our kind. They supposedly also contain knowledge of the three missing societies that have been lost to time. Most people consider the Chronicles nothing more than fables while others think they contain the true history of our kind.”
“Sounds like some people take it too seriously.”
“Some say that a single chapter of the Chronicles is what led to the dissolution of the truces that lead to World War II.”
“What?”
“You learn all about it in 20th Century and the Temporal Wars.”
“What’s that?”
“This semester’s history course.”
“Sounds fun.” What I really thought it sounded like was the bizarre ravings of a mad man but standing in this place I knew that wasn’t the case. It looked like I was going to need to do a lot of studying.
We passed through the cafeteria, which resembled some gothic parlor more than an average school cafeteria. The gymnasium contained numerous odd looking machines that I assumed were created by the engineers because Slade was busy showing them off to other students. We finished with a tour of the numerous sports fields and activities that the Academy offered.
We returned to the classroom where Mrs. Flint handed out a complete class list to each of us. Mine detailed the classes for the first half of my day, including the history class Edgar had mentioned. The second half of my day consisted of classes dealing with each specific discipline from The Doorknob Society to the Skeleton Key Guild. It also contained a chunk of time marked as undeclared, I bit my tongue unsure what it meant.
“Those of you who are undeclared are probably feeling a bit apprehensive but it isn’t that unusual for new students to go undeclared for their first year. That is why we will have you cross train in each discipline until your abilities display themselves. We are currently determining where each of you will be placed for the first semester. And once we make our final determination, I’ll inform you.”
Mrs. Flint’s voice carried across the classroom as she droned on and I let me mind wander. I needed to get into the library. I knew Dad would be mad if he knew I was investigating the family, but deep down something nagged at me. I couldn’t help wonder if the faulty truce and the disappearances had something to do with why Mom left us. I might not be able to bring her back but I could damn well find out why she left... I deserved that much.
Chapter 11
Status: Do I just attract the crazy?
The lunch bell rang and we all hurried out of the classroom and headed to the cafeteria. I meandered alongside Edgar as he talked endlessly to one of the other students about mapmaking. The ornate wooden doors stood open and delicious scents greeted us as we made our way to one of the numerous round tables. Edgar and his friend continued chatting and Slade wandered over with a few other students and took up the other chairs at our table.
I pulled out my cell phone and quickly checked my text messages. The first was from Dad asking how my day was going and I sent a return message telling him it was great and added a smiley face. I wanted to talk with Dad about all this but he was the one person I couldn’t talk to right now. The next three messages were from Val asking me just about everything from how it was going to what kind of books did we get. I fired off quick responses and then turned back to the other students.
“From everything my dad says the truces are in real danger for the first time in a while,” Slade was saying as all the other students listened with rapt attention.
Slade’s Dad was a high ranking member of the Impossible Engineers so he would be aware of what was going on.
“They say that all the time,” Edgar countered.
“And Mapmakers always want to believe that everything will turn out fine.”
“Almost as much as Engineers worry that people are out to steal their designs.”
Slade grinned. “You’re lucky you’re declared, Edgar. I don’t think you’d do well as an Engineer.”
“Damn lucky, this way I don’t have to listen to you drone on about boring gears and systems,” Edgar shot back.
“Look, Jackie, the help is fighting with one another.” A blonde girl was walking passed the table and stopped to make the comment. Her friend snickered and put her hand up to her mouth to stop from laughing. A guy stood behind them looking menacing, which was easy for him since his flat nose appeared as if it had been crushed against his face.
“No one’s talking to you Guilder,” Slade warned.
He didn’t even turn the girl’s way as he spoke. I realized it was the same girl I had seen earlier with Nightshade. Her eyes met mine for a moment and it hit me that I knew her but from where?
“I wouldn’t bother talking to the help anyway,” she scoffed and flicked her flowing blond hair, turned and walked away.
“Ridiculous.” Edgar rolled his eyes.
The words had barely left his lips when the flat-nosed jerk spun around and grabbed Edgar by the shirt yanking him out of his seat.
“What did you say punk?”
Edgar’s shirt caught tight at his throat and he couldn’t respond; he could barely breathe.
I bolted out the chair and grabbed the guy’s hand. “Let him go— now.” My hands went for his thu
mb that gripped the shirt.
“Shut up,” he snapped and laughed at me.
I smirked back at him. Being the daughter of a magician had its advantages. Dad had explained the best way to escape various situations. The mistake people make when trying to break someone’s grip is going after the wrist. What you need to do is go after the thumb on the hand holding you, which is just what I did.
I yanked back on his thumb pulling it away from Edgar’s shirt and bending it back as far as I could. He yelped in pain and lost his grip.
“You little...”
He swung at me and for a split second I pondered why it was that I always got myself into these situations. I braced for the inevitable blow but it never came. Slade’s arm shot out and wrapped around the Guilder’s.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you?” Slade nodded at me and I let go of the guy’s thumb and stepped away.
“You picked the wrong fight gearhead.” The guy swung at Slade and he stepped into the blow cutting it off and letting the arm slam into his side. It barely budged him. Instead he grinned and snapped his head forward slamming his forehead into the guy’s nose. His skull connected with a brutal smack and the Guilder stumbled backward grabbing at his bloody face.
“Some kind of problem here?”
I knew the voice as soon as I heard it. It was smooth and arrogant and I sighed wishing I was somewhere else.
“It’s none of your business, Guilder,” Slade said angrily.
“It is now,” Nightshade said stepping between Slade and the Guild member.
“If you’re planning on fighting a Guilder why not take on someone more skilled?” Nightshade challenged.
“This isn’t any of your business, Nightshade,” Slade warned.
The two clearly knew each other and it didn’t appear that they had the best of relationships.
“I’m making it my business. You attacked a Guilder, not a smart move.”
“What are you, protector of the Guild now? Last I heard people around you have a tendency to die.”
Slade definitely hit a nerve. Nightshade’s eyes narrowed and looked ready to kill. The blonde, who had started the trouble, stood in the background her body turning rigid at Slade’s accusation.
“If that’s true you’ve put yourself in a bad situation,” Nightshade said.
Energy crackled in the room and I didn’t need to see the key in Nightshade’s hand to know he was activating his abilities.
I didn’t think twice, I stepped forward and placed myself between them. “Like Slade said, it’s not your business.”
“Masters, I should’ve realized you were part of this?” His glance flickered back to the blonde and then back to me.
Other Guilders were gathering behind him and picking up their fallen member. While behind us a row of people had lined up and I figured they were Impossible Engineers. This was going wrong quickly.
I tried to figure a way out of this before it exploded. “You’re no fool. You must have heard that the truces are in danger. It wouldn’t look good for even a small argument to get blown out of proportion, now would it?”
“Maybe you should keep your boyfriend on a leash.” He smirked at me.
My annoyance fast approached anger. Even when I was trying to help, he couldn’t help but tweak me. “He’s not my boyfriend.”
“Right,” he laughed and his eyes ran up and down me, “keep telling yourself that, sweetheart.”
Slade stepped forward and I placed my hand on his chest stopping him in his tracks, but it didn’t stop his mouth.
“Don’t talk to her like that, Nightshade!”
“I think I made the lovebirds angry.” Nightshade laughed and the other Guilders joined in.
Thankfully, I felt his power diminish and he slid his key back into his jeans pocket. Slade’s pressed more firmly against my hand, his chest rock-hard, and I pushed back urging him to stay put.
“Are we done here?” I asked.
“Sure, I didn’t realize this was some lovers’ quarrel.”
He stared at me for a moment, then turned and joined the group of Guilders that had formed behind him. They laughed and slapped him on the back as if praising him. He nodded and grinned and then he suddenly gave a quick backward glance in my direction. The blonde girl raced passed me to his side, slipped her arm around his and they disappeared into the crowd.
I spun on Slade. “What the hell was that?”
“Nothing, Nightshade and I don’t get along that’s all?”
“I know he’s a jerk but you can’t let him get to you.” Slade’s eyes were focused on the Guilders and I reached up, grabbed his chin none too gently and forced him to look at me.
He smiled. “Are you okay?”
Relieved that his usual smiling-self had returned, I smiled back. “I’m fine.”
“Thanks,” Edgar interrupted and I stepped away from Slade.
Edgar slapped his shoulder and I saw him watch me from the corner of his eye as they chatted. I keep reminding myself that I have no time for a relationship right now... no time for Slade. I needed to focus on finding out who the man in black was and how it might all link back to my mom.
Michael Slade would just have to wait... yeah, right.
Chapter 12
Status: I Engineer Impossibly.
Before leaving school Mrs. Flint caught me in the hall and informed me I would be apprenticing with the Impossible Engineers for the next few weeks. I think the Universe has a sick sense of humor. Here I am trying to avoid complications with Slade and yet I keep getting pushed toward him.
I found Val waiting for me where I last saw her about a block from the school. Her frantic waving made her look like she was trying to flag down a passing jet. I gave a short wave that seemed to placate her as the windmill arm movements ended and she waited with just an embarrassingly large grin.
“How was it?” She drew the words out to make them last much longer than they were meant to.
“Nice.”
“Nice? Nice is all you’ve got to say?” she said her voice growing increasingly louder.
“Well.” What to tell her and what to hold back? “I met my homeroom teacher and found out the first subject I’d be specializing in.”
“Really, what is it?”
“Engineering.”
“Wow, see that’s why I am so surprised I didn’t get into the Academy. I’ve already taken some engineering courses.”
I listened half-heartedly as Val rolled off a list of classes and qualifications for yet another reason why she should have been accepted to Paladin Academy. Though I must admit she no longer acted as if I shouldn’t have gotten in, just that she should have as well.
“So did they give you a book list or anything?”
As I readjusted my bag on my shoulder I realized I hadn’t really gotten any info on what I would be doing with the Impossible Engineers. “No, not yet.”
“Well I’m sure the instructor will give you a list. Oh, maybe I can read some of them after you’re done,” she said eagerly.
Not likely, I thought to myself. I doubt the Engineers would want a regular person playing around with their knowledge. Regular person. It wasn’t that long ago that I believed myself a regular person and now... I wasn’t quite sure what I was.
“Yeah maybe,” I managed a weak smile. “So how was your day?”
Val immediately launched into a long and very detailed explanation. She pointed out numerous times that she was in all advanced classes of course. She rattled on nonstop; allowing me no more than two words the whole walk home.
“I’ll see you later Val,” I said walking up the porch and fishing in my bag for my keys. Val stood at the bottom of the stairs a sour expression on her face and rooted in place.
“Is your dad home?”
“Nope, he’s on tour?”
“So you’re all alone that’s terrible.”
Val and I must have a different version of terrible because mine included a quick dinner follo
wed by vegging out and watching old TV shows the rest of the night.
“No, it’s alright I’ve got some left over Chinese. I’ll be fine.”
“Really? My mom left me some tofu meals for dinner.” She kicked at some loose pebbles on the ground.
My shoulders sagged and I sighed. I knew I was going to regret it but she looked so forlorn. I pushed the key in the lock, turned it and swung the door open. I thought of biting my tongue but another look at Val had me saying, “Why don’t you hang out here till your mom gets home.”
“Oh, that’d be great,” she said already halfway up the stairs and rushing through the door.
I closed it behind us and prepared myself for a long night of Val.
She hung out until after eight when her mom finally called and told her to come home. It hadn’t been as bad as I thought. We ate and talked while watching some old TV shows. I texted with Dad and Edgar, Dad sending me pictures from his latest shows. While Edgar tried to explain some of the contraptions I might be working on with the Impossible Engineers. After Val left I went up to my room and tossed my school bag on the bed while checking my texts one more time. It was getting late and I needed to go to bed but I still hadn’t heard Dad come in yet and I was worried as usual. By midnight I was yawning and trying to keep my eyes open with little success. The last thing I remembered was reading my clock... 1 AM.
I woke up to the sound of my alarm, happy that I hadn’t had any bad dreams. I quickly got ready for school and as I rushed downstairs I peeked into Dad’s room to see him fully dressed and sleeping on his bed. He must have used a portal after his last show so he could sleep at home.
Edgar and I met for the walk to school and the day preceded much as the one before. I found my way to each of my classes and the teachers wasted no time in handing out assignments and of course homework. When the half day bell rang I found myself anxious to begin my new studies with the Impossible Engineers.
“Good luck,” Edgar said as he stuffed his books into his bag and slung it over his shoulder. “I can’t wait till you get to come with me to the Mapmakers Union, it’ll be great. You’ll love it.”
