by MJ Fletcher
“Hey, Chloe.” Edgar came over by me, his goggles shoved up into his black hair that was forever disheveled.
“Hi Edgar, thanks for the help last night.” I smiled and patted his shoulder.
“Jess told me my plan worked, that’s great. I figured we might be able to dump him in the ocean and confuse his tracking by having another person portal you out.” He grinned from ear to ear.
“It worked perfectly.”
“Great, Jess also mentioned that she tried to talk with you.” He titled his head and gave me an Edgar look, meaning it was difficult to get annoyed at him.
“Not you too,” I sighed.
“Sorry, Val would kill me if I didn’t try.” He shrugged and I knew he wasn’t kidding. Val was many things but forgiving was not one of them.
“I’ll let her know you tried talking to me.” I laughed and punched his shoulder in understanding.
“Thanks.” Edgar smiled and walked to one of the many tables and plopped down and started going over his maps. My stomach churned as more portals opened and Jess entered the room along with Mr. Miller and behind him Slade.
I scowled at Slade and walked out of the room. He and I hadn’t spoken for months. I couldn’t bring myself to speak with him after he had shown more concern for the artifact than for me. I stood in the hallway and looked out of one of the many windows and shook my head. Who knew what dimension the structure was currently residing in? The building shifted itself every few hours so that only people who knew its signature could find it.
“Chloe?” Slade’s voice broke my concentration and I turned to face him. For once he wasn’t using his puppy dog eyes on me which actually made me happy.
“What do you want?” I sneered.
“I just want to talk.” He stepped toward me and I backed up. He closed his eyes and sighed and took a step backward.
“Well, then talk.”
“I’m sorry.” He opened his eyes and looked directly at me.
“Okay fine.” I wasn’t giving him anything. I had no sympathy for him; I was angry and hurt.
“Chloe, I screwed up, I know that. I was stupid.” His voice cracked as he spoke and I knew he was really trying, but I still didn’t intend to give an inch.
“You left me; you walked away and didn’t even think twice about it. But Nightshade did.” I seethed.
“I know and it’s my fault it was Nightshade who died and not me, I understand that now.” He lowered his head and let out a deep breath.
“What do you want Slade?”
“I want you to know I understand. Nightshade and I didn’t see eye to eye but he did what I couldn’t, and I will always be grateful to him for that. I know you want nothing to do with me right now and I get it. I let you down. I’m going to try and prove to you I’m worth your time again.” He waited with a hopeful look in his eyes.
“Whatever.” I shrugged not willing to forgive him so easily.
“I’m serious, Chloe, I’ll do whatever it takes.” He stepped forward and reached out to take my hand.
There was a time I would have welcomed Slade’s touch, but not now. All I could think about was Nightshade and how I felt when he kissed me. I didn’t think that I would ever know such a loving kiss like that again.
A small twinge of guilt pricked at me for not having told Slade about it. The guilt dissipated fast enough. The memory was for me alone to keep. The only person I had shared it with was my grandmother and I was pretty sure she was going to keep my secret.
“Okay, Slade.” I patted his hand and moved away from him.
“Okay then.” He gave a slight nod and grin as if he wasn’t quite sure if we were okay and reluctantly walked away, leaving me to my thoughts.
I took a deep breath and turned to once again look out the window. How the hell had my life become so complicated? I didn’t want to hurt Slade but I was still so angry with him for deserting me when I needed him. And I couldn’t deny that Nightshade’s ghost hovered around me always near yet so far out of reach.
I walked back into the antechamber and found Mr. Miller sitting at the table with my friends sitting across from him. I slid into the chair beside Jess.
“Thank you all for coming. As you know due to your success in dealing with the First Kind, they failed to obtain the Impossible Engineer artifact. However, they did succeed in acquiring the Legends of the Mapmakers Union book, which is a guide on how to use the artifact of the Mapmakers. We’ve learned from our contacts in the Mapmakers that someone has been trying to access the artifact. We need to get that book back or find a copy of our own.” Mr. Miller leaned back in his seat and waved his hands opening the floor to questions.
“Do we have any other leads?” Edgar twisted his hands together excited by the prospect of working on anything that involved the Mapmakers Union.
“The last copies of the book were thought to have been destroyed during the Darkwatch episode over a hundred years ago. You all came across the only copy known to exist during your battle with the First Kind.”
Something about that clicked in my memory but I wasn’t sure what, something about the Darkwatch seemed familiar.
“So any suggestions as to how we can locate it?” Edgar asked eagerly.
Dad walked into the room and sat beside Mr. Miller. “I think you’re going to have to go to the Tavern at the End of Time.”
“Are you kidding, Uncle Eli?” Jess asked as if she hadn’t heard him right.
“No, not at all,” he said bluntly as he looked directly at each of us.
That tone and look I was familiar with... Dad wasn’t kidding.
“Oh, okay,” Jess said, and then grew quiet.
“Okay, I’ll bite, what is the Tavern at the End of Time?” I asked curious to find out about a place that could turn my cousin silent.
“The Tavern is one of the few places where time and space intersect,” my dad explained. “You can meet with people from any time in history. That’s what makes it so dangerous. You can learn your own fate or get lost in the time stream. It’s not for the faint of heart and I don’t particularly care for the idea of any of you going there.” His eyes lingered on me when he said that. “Unfortunately, I learned this morning that there was an incident last night that precipitated the withdrawal of the Skeleton Key Guild from all truces as of today.”
“What happened?” I had a good idea but I wanted to make sure.
“I’m not sure. From what I could learn it seemed that they had a mole in the Guild and were trying to catch the person responsible but lost them. They claim it was a Doorknob Society member. We told them we knew nothing about it, but they didn’t believe us and cut off contact.”
Damn it, this is because of me getting sloppy. I knew I should have never taken that meeting last night. But getting information out of the Guild was more difficult than any of the other Societies. Even Jess, a full member, isn’t kept in the loop on everything that goes on. It appeared as if the Societies had become more secretive as time went on.
“So what’s this mean?” Edgar asked.
“Paladin Academy is the only place that is completely safe. If you go anywhere else the Diesel Factories, Ranger Institute, or the Dying Star Markets there are no truces in effect. You have to be careful and keep your noses clean. This could be very dangerous.” Dad looked in my direction. I guess he was on board with everyone else that I was taking too many chances.
“What about me?” Jess chewed on her lip as she asked.
“The Guild will not want you to have contact with anyone outside of the SKG but seeing as how you live with us, I doubt they will try to enforce it. I left a message with your grandmother trying to find out if she knows anything. Once we learn more we can figure out how to deal with this.” He gave Jess a reassuring smile.
She nodded. “Thanks Uncle Eli.”
“For now I think we need to concentrate on finding the book,” Dad said. “And the best place to start is at the Tavern at the End of Time.”
“S
ounds like fun.” I chuckled and Dad shot me the most disapproving look he could muster. I huffed and sat back in my seat.
“This is serious, Chloe.” Jess reprimanded with a stern look and I rolled my eyes in response.
“Okay, so is the Tavern really at the end of time?” I asked curiously and more seriously than any of them could imagine.
“The tavern is an intersection of time. Think of every moment in history as an old record, take all of them and stack them together and you have the whole of time bound together but not accessing one another. The hole in the middle of each record is where the Tavern exists, in all time periods,” Mr. Miller explained just as a teacher would, breaking down the subject so his students could understand it.
“How do we get there?” I asked.
“That’s a very good question.” Levi laughed and looked to my dad.
“No known entrance exists to the Tavern. Most people who have accessed it have done so by accident.”
“Great plan.” I rolled my eyes and sighed.
“I have an idea.” Edgar raised his hand like we were in school.
“Yes, Edgar?” Dad asked with a smile I knew well. One that always warned me that Dad knew what I was thinking or planning. That meant he already knew what Edgar was going to say.
“The Legend artifact can be used on any map and it’s believed it can find anything or any place. If we can use the Legend, we could find a way to the Tavern.” Edgar’s eyes lit up like it was Christmas morning.
“Now that sounds like one of our crazy plans.” I tapped the table and pointed to Edgar. “So how do we get to the Legend?”
“Jeremiah, he’s the head of the Mapmakers and a friend of my family, has been studying it ever since we recovered it. I can talk to him and see if he will let me have a look at it.” “What map will you use to attach it to?” I asked.
“There are maps in the Infinity Library that have information on the Tavern, though not its location. Those maps combined with the Legend should be able to point me in the right direction.”
“Looks like we’re going to the library,” I said eager to get started.
Levi stood. “Then we all know what needs to be done. Once you have the location of the Tavern inform us. I need to return to Paladin Academy.” He gave each of us a nod, as if telling us to be careful, before leaving.
Dad waved me over to him with a non-to-happy look.
“Dad?” I leaned against the edge of the table where he sat figuring I was in for some type of lecture.
“We need to talk.” He gestured for me to follow him. I trailed behind him as we left the room, not looking forward to what was about to come. We stopped at the end of the hall and Dad rounded on me. “What the hell is going on with you?”
“What do you mean?” I shrugged.
“This whole attitude of yours lately, like you could care less about anything? You need to knock it off.”
He was angry and doing his best to keep his cool, but I was tired of everyone telling me what to do and tired of trying to keep my cool. “Do I really?”
“Yes, you do, and it’s time to get rid of the attitude.”
“Wellllllll,” I said drawing out the word to try and keep my calm. It didn’t work. ”Let’s see about my attitude. Could it possibly be because my friend is dead? Oh wait, I forgot... he died so that I could live, but what does that matter? Then there’s Mom, bless her black heart. She intended to kill me, but hey, why should that bother me. But best of all is the fact that I’m secretly working for my dad against the Doorknob Society, placing my life and that of my friends in danger. Tell me, which of those wonderful things should make me not have an attitude?” I hadn’t realized how my voice had risen but then my anger had boiled over. I wasn’t surprised that Dad remained calm. He had a way of doing that when my temper flared.
“Chloe, I know you’ve had a lot thrown at you, more than anyone ever should. And while I would love to protect and keep you away from this whole mess, I can’t. You’re in the thick of it and there’s no turning back. I’m sorrier than you’ll ever know about Nightshade, but I’m also grateful. He’s a hero to me, giving his life so that my daughter could live. As far as Mom is concerned, I wish I knew what made her betray us, made her want to kill you when she had been such a loving, caring mother to you. Maybe when this is finally settled we’ll have answers. However, right now I need your help and I need to know if you can handle it. If this is too much, if you’ve reached your limit, tell me now.”
Of course it was too damn much, but what was my alternative, sit in my room and cry in my pillow? I sure as hell wasn’t going to do that, and I sure as hell wasn’t going to let Dad know, so I did what I had to do... I lied.
“Of course I can handle it, I’m a Masters.” I kept a good poker face, something I had learned to do lately, and I was glad I had. Dad had a way of studying my face to see if I was being honest, which he was doing now, so my new talent came in handy.
He reached out, grabbed my shoulders, and pulled me close. “Look, if I could trust the DS to do this I would, but right now we have no idea if the First Kind infiltrated our ranks. We can only rely on those who have proven trustworthy, and that’s basically you and your friends. If I could do this I would, but I’m still looked at with suspicion. DS is watching me like a hawk since I was readmitted and even more so now that the truces have been revoked. You’ve already done more than your share so if you can’t handle this I’m fine with it, just tell me.”
I sighed and rested my head against his chest, a spot I always sought when I needed comforting. And he had comforted me once again just as he always had. It was good to know he thought of Nightshade as a hero and that he was as confused about Mom as I was and that he believed me trustworthy. While a part of me wanted us to run away and escape the madness, it just wasn’t possible. Too much had changed and life would never be the same again. “I love you too, Dad, and don’t worry, I’m fine. I can do this and more.” I hugged him tight not wanting to let go.
He kissed my forehead, stepped back, and brushed my hair out of my face. “I’m glad to hear that. Now what’s going on with you and Slade?”
“What do you mean?” I titled my head confused by the question.
“Well, a few months ago you were a couple, now you don’t even talk to him. Not to mention he came to me and asked me to talk to you. Did you know that he still refers to himself as your boyfriend?”
“Seriously?” I sighed and rolled my eyes. Why do men have to be such pains? As far as I was concerned Slade and I broke up the moment he left me behind and chose that artifact over me. We had just talked and he knew damn well we weren’t together anymore. Now I was going to have to “break up” with him. My day just keeps getting better and better.
“I take it that means you’re not dating anymore?”
“No, not dating, not at all. And not wanting to date anyone right now.” I glanced down at the tip of my combat boot and an image of Nightshade popped into my mind. I could see him as clearly as if he was standing in front of me. He wore his signature, I-don’t-give-a-shit-smile when he actually did care more than anyone knew. Then there were his two different colored eyes, one bright blue and the other light gray. Damn, but I missed him.
“That’s fine by me.” Dad laughed and I punched his shoulder.
“Shut up.”
“I know it’s hard to lose someone you care about, but trust me time fades the pain.” Dad smiled and I realized this must have been how he felt when Mom deserted us.
“Thanks, Dad.”
“No problem, just do your dad a favor and try not to do anything too crazy.”
“Who me?” I smirked.
“Yes you.” He took a fortifying breath as if he had more to say but was reluctant to say it. “I’ve got some leads on the First Kind. I’m going to start tracking them down, which means I won’t be around much.”
I didn’t like the sound of Dad being away and all alone. Ever since Mom had left it had always be
en the two of us looking out for each other.
“What type of leads? You can track them and still come home at night, can’t you?”
“No, I’m going to use my magician act as a cover, so I’ll be traveling all over the place. I’ll keep in touch and pop in from time to time and if you need me, I can be here quickly. Don’t worry about my leads, they may be nothing but I need to check them out anyway.”
It was my last year of school and after it was over I had given thought to leaving Cape May and apprenticing with the Doorknob Society. A decision that was relatively normal. With Dad and I having traveled so much, the last few years of being settled in Cape May were more of an abnormal lifestyle to me. But I had never thought that Dad would leave before me or without me.
“Who’s going to assist you?” I’d helped Dad with all his magic tricks.
“I’ve got a few people in mind. The real trick will be to keep the First Kind off my trail so I won’t be taking any Old Kind.”
“You’ll be careful right?” I didn’t want Dad to go. I’d lost too many people I cared about already; I didn’t want to lose him too.
“Aren’t I always?” he grinned trying to reassure me. “I’m doing a few dates leading up to the holidays, and then I start the main tour.”
I wanted to tell him that he couldn’t go; he couldn’t leave me. I was afraid of losing him and if he was nearby I could keep him safe. At least I wanted to believe I could. But just like he knew he couldn’t stop me from doing crazy things; I knew I couldn’t stop him. So I reluctantly said, “Okay, but you better keep in constant touch or else.” I shook a finger at him and Dad hugged me and I hugged him back, not wanting to let him go. We parted and Dad threw his arm over my shoulder and we walked back to the room where my friends waited for us.
“By the way, Faith wanted me to tell you to call her. She wants to talk to you,” Dad said then gave me a quick kiss on the cheek and headed toward the portal that would take him home.
I nodded, waved with one hand and with the other reached back scratching at the base of my skull. I felt like there was something I had forgotten, but couldn’t think of what it was, though I had this overwhelming feeling it was important. Faith had been a great friend the last few months. I’d even considered showing her the Reliquary, but Jess had talked me out of it. She still had issues with Faith.
