Crystal Keepers

by Brandon Mull

  “I’m not going to give up,” Cole said.

  “I can see that. But my advice stands. Are you ready?”

  Closing his eyes, Cole pictured the balcony where he had just spoken to Queen Harmony. Abruptly his power stopped flowing. He could no longer sense his ability, and the Founding Stone had disappeared.

  CHAPTER

  29

  FUGITIVE

  “You did it!” Harmony exclaimed.

  Cole opened his eyes. Kneeling before the queen on her balcony, a starry sky above, he breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

  “I had some help,” Cole said, standing.

  “I only offered encouragement,” Harmony said modestly.

  “I appreciated it,” Cole replied, trying to pretend he had partly meant her. “After we spoke, I found somebody inside the Founding Stone. Kind of like a semblance. The guy who made the stone shaped some of himself into it. He sent me here.”

  “I see,” Harmony said. “When your mind departed, I must have been completely frozen again. From my point of view, we were just speaking. You appeared immediately after we finished.”

  “Everyone was frozen but me,” Cole said. “I know one thing. Owandell is furious right now.”

  “And baffled,” Harmony said. “He’ll suppose you’re powerful indeed to have slipped through his grasp. And he won’t be entirely wrong. It really was quite a feat. Did he see your face?”

  “He got a good look at me, but I had my hood up and my face wrapped.”

  Harmony folded her arms. “That’s enough to be dangerous. Your shaping power is very distinctive to those who can perceive it. Owandell would not have missed it, and you’re right about his fury.”

  “I need to get out of here,” Cole said.

  “Don’t be too hasty. Owandell can’t touch you here in my tower. He’s already moving to watch all exits. You won’t escape him with speed. Tell me what you learned.”

  “Owandell helps run the Brotherhood of Nazeem,” Cole said. “They’ve been around in secret for a long time. It seems like Nazeem is where shapecrafting comes from. At least the shapecrafting that Owandell knows. The guy in the Founding Stone called it lawless shaping.”

  “An apt description,” Harmony said. “You mentioned they’re trying to free Nazeem.”

  “Sounds like that’s their main goal,” Cole said. “He’s at a place called the Fallen Temple in Necronum. They act like once he’s free, nobody can stop them. And they expect it to happen soon. Nazeem ordered them to make their final preparations.”

  “Did they give specifics?” Harmony asked. “Any dates?”

  “No details,” Cole said. “Nazeem didn’t speak long before noticing me.”

  “This is still valuable information,” Harmony said. “Anything else?”

  “Dandalus, the guy in the Founding Stone, said shapecraft could destroy the world.”

  “I don’t doubt it,” Harmony said. “Consider what happened with Carnag and Morgassa. That could be only the beginning. You have served me well, Cole. Owandell has guarded this information for a great while. I’m surprised to learn his plots involve more than shapecraft and political maneuvers. I had no inkling that he served some mysterious master. I don’t know how he kept this secret so perfectly. I’ve never heard of Nazeem or the Fallen Temple. I’ll investigate and see what I can learn.”

  Cole stared out at the vast view, lit by stars and the silvery light of the rising moon. “Do you sense your daughters?”

  Harmony walked to the railing and gripped it tightly. “Yes, but tonight I’m troubled.” Her eyes gazed out into the moon-glossed distance. “I fear for Destiny and Honor. They’re both in Necronum, close to each other. Something is wrong. Their panic started earlier this evening, and has only escalated since then.”

  “They’re in danger?” Cole asked.

  Harmony nodded. “Mortal peril. I’ve lingered here all night. I would try to help them, but who is left to send?”

  “Honor is tough,” Cole said.

  Eyes still far away, Harmony placed a hand over her heart. “Sometimes toughness isn’t enough. Or bravery.” She turned to Cole. “This isn’t a world for children. I’m not sure it’s a world for anyone.”

  “I’ll help if I can,” Cole said.

  Harmony smiled sadly. “You’re a child too. For now, you have hardships of your own to endure. Survive one mission at a time. If Nori or Tessa can use help, I’ll place markers in the sky. Mira and others know where to look. I have drawn you a map that marks the location of Abram Trench’s most secret lair. It’s where he’s holding Constance. Will you take it to Googol and Nova for me?”

  “Of course,” Cole said.

  “You’ll want the code phrase that lets Constance know I trust you,” Harmony said. “The words are different for each child. Tell her ‘Follow the path and don’t look back.’”

  “Got it,” Cole said.

  “Guard those words with your life. Nobody knows about them, so even if you’re captured, I doubt you’ll be asked to divulge them. If you are, give the phrase ‘Meet me by the waterfall.’ Should somebody use those words, it will signal to Constance that something is amiss.”

  “Thanks for trusting me,” Cole said. “I won’t let you down.”

  “By the way, I found where your friend Jenna was taken,” Harmony said.

  “Really?” Cole replied. With all that had happened, he wondered if she might have forgotten to follow up.

  “She went to Necronum,” Harmony said. “To the Temple of the Still Water.”

  Cole could hardly contain his excitement. “Thank you! She’s a close friend. I’ve been searching for her since I came here.”

  “Glad I could be of service,” Harmony replied. “I’ll send Sophie to fetch you an errand-boy uniform. It will be the best way to leave the castle. Others will help you make your way to the train station. All will be arranged. You’ll leave on the earliest train of the day.”

  “Can I avoid using my ID?” Cole asked.

  “Don’t you have it?” she asked.

  “I have it,” Cole said, feeling one of the pockets inside his robe to make sure. “There are people looking for me.”

  “Even I must show my ID to ride the train,” Harmony said. “Perhaps we could figure out another way with more time to plan. But time is of the essence. The best we can do is make sure you board right before departure.”

  “Okay,” Cole said. “That’ll have to work.”

  Reclining in a comfortable seat, Cole watched the sunrise through the train window. He sipped hot chocolate and nibbled on a sweet roll with raspberry filling. More tired than hungry, he was using the food to stay alert.

  He had boarded the train in darkness, wearing jeans and a leather jacket. Everything had gone so smoothly that it made him feel extra vigilant.

  Nobody had stopped him when he left the First Castle with a group of errand boys. A woman had met him at an inn and helped him get to the train station with a change of clothes. Nobody had looked twice as he boarded the train. Nobody in his nearly full car acted suspicious.

  Was it possible he would get away clean? Owandell couldn’t cover every way out of Junction. The mysterious spy who escaped him could be headed to any kingdom, or could still be hiding in the castle, or elsewhere in Junction City.

  But what about the Hunter? As soon as Cole presented his ID, the Enforcers must have started scrambling to intercept him. And Owandell was the head of the Enforcers. Would the Hunter figure out that the kid he was looking for was the spy who had escaped the gathering with Nazeem?

  Queen Harmony had assured him she would contact the Unseen in Zeropolis so that somebody would be there to meet him when he arrived at the main terminal. But what about when he transferred at Outpost 19? He could only hope the Hunter wouldn’t have time to get people in place.

  The sun
rose higher, and the ride remained monotonous. The seat was so comfy, and there didn’t seem to be any threats present. He hadn’t slept much the night before. In spite of all the potential danger, Cole began to struggle to keep his eyes open. He decided that if he was going to sleep, it would be best to do it before the transfer.

  He awoke as the train slowed to a stop at Outpost 19. Today Cole traveled with a small, empty knapsack, just so it would look like he had some luggage. The map to Abram Trench’s top secret hideout was safely tucked in his jacket pocket.

  Cole exited and started following the crowd to the monorail. Then he stopped in his tracks.

  Two large robots stood in front of the monorail, surveying the approaching passengers. Tall, sleek, and black, they looked just like the drone that the Hunter had used to try to catch him in Zeropolis. Several people boarding the monorail glanced uncomfortably at the gangly robots.

  Trying to stay casual, Cole turned away from the monorail, only to find a third drone guarding the station’s exit, positioned between the stairs and the senders. At the moment, people from the train swarmed near Cole, many of them taller than him. None of the drones appeared to have noticed him yet.

  Cole crouched down and pretended to tie his shoe. The crowd would help hide him while passengers were transferring, but once that was finished, he’d have no cover.

  Should he try to slip out of the station? What would he do alone in an isolated outpost? How would he get to Zeropolis? The Hunter would just send people to track him down. He needed to get on the monorail. What were his chances of slipping by the robots? Could he use somebody as a human shield?

  Cole knew he needed to act. If he delayed, he would be taken. He couldn’t let that happen! Dalton and his friends needed him. Queen Harmony was counting on him to deliver Constance’s location. Mira had to find her sister. He hadn’t survived spying on Owandell to get nabbed by a couple of robots.

  A hefty man in a striped suit passed near Cole on his way to the monorail. Cole rose and followed him, staying close enough that he had no view of the drones. The man made his way toward one of the doors closest to the front. That was good! It put both drones on the same side.

  As the monorail drew near, Cole carefully shifted from behind the man to his side, keeping the robots out of sight. As the man reached the steps up to the door, Cole slipped ahead of him, head turned partly away from the drones, and handed his ticket to the conductor.

  A metal hand clamped down on his shoulder from behind.

  “A moment of your time,” the robot requested in a male voice that sounded nothing like the Hunter.

  “The monorail departs in eight minutes,” the conductor warned.

  Cole tried to twist away from the metal grip, but the fingers tightened, making his struggles useless. “Okay,” Cole said, backing away from the monorail.

  Never releasing him, the drone marched Cole across the floor of the station. Cole tried to reach for his power. Even with the shapecrafted barriers in place, he knew it was still possible to access his ability. The Founding Stone had taught him that much.

  But no matter how hard he pushed, Cole could feel no glimmer of his power. He attempted to make his vision detach and go roaming. He tried to teleport. His efforts amounted to nothing more than wishful thinking.

  The drone took him through a nondescript door. They went down a hall to a room where a woman waited—a pretty blonde in a white shirt with a blue leather vest and matching pants. In the corner a metal coffin sat on a wheeled cart.

  The drone forced Cole into the room. The tall robot had to crouch a little to fit through the doorway.

  “You led us on a merry chase,” the woman said. “I didn’t think you’d make the mistake of coming back this way, but the Hunter was right. Maybe one day I’ll learn not to doubt him.”

  The drone was still gripping Cole. There was no way to run. All he had left were words. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Sure you do,” the woman said, producing a syringe. “It’s over, kid. Try to relax.”

  While the drone held Cole steady, she swiftly poked the needle into his arm and pressed the plunger. Cole squirmed and bucked, but it did no good.

  Whatever she had injected into him acted quickly. His head became light, and the woman began to blur. Within a moment Cole limply swayed as the floor seemed to tilt. The drone held him up.

  “Don’t do this,” Cole said, the words mushy. “Please, let me go.”

  “Don’t fight it,” the woman said. “Relax. You have a train to catch.”

  The woman lifted the hinged lid of the coffin, and the drone placed Cole inside. It was padded. Cole fought to keep his eyes open but lost consciousness before the lid closed.

  CHAPTER

  30

  THE HUNTER

  Consciousness returned by degrees. All Cole knew at first was that he still felt too tired to open his eyes. The hard surface beneath him failed to ignite his curiosity. Where exactly was he? Did it matter? He had awakened in many different places over the past couple of months. At least it was quiet. On his back with his eyes closed, he could be anywhere.

  When he moved to wipe his eyes, Cole found that his arm was restrained. His eyes snapped open, the drowsy calm dispelled. He discovered that his arms and legs were cuffed to a metal table inside a bare, white room. A panicked burst of struggling proved that the restraints were solid. A counter with a sink and several drawers looked to be the only furnishings besides his metal slab.

  Getting captured came back to him in a rush. How had he forgotten? The injection must have left him groggy.

  How long had he been out? His mouth was really dry and had a coppery taste. A long time could have passed. Where was he? It looked like a room in a hospital. Maybe a mental hospital? Or some kind of prison?

  “Rise and shine!” greeted the youthful voice of the Hunter from a speaker in the ceiling. “I guess you can’t rise yet, but I’m glad you’re awake. You had a nice trip?”

  “Where am I?” Cole asked, unsure if the Hunter could hear him.

  “You’re at my favorite retreat in Zeropolis,” the Hunter said. “I’m here too. I’ll come see you in a minute.”

  “Could you bring some water?”

  “You bet. Sit tight.”

  Cole waited. It wasn’t long before the door opened and a person entered dressed all in dark leather. A helmet hid the face. The person set a glass of water on the counter, then closed the door and locked it.

  Pulling off his helmet, the person revealed himself to be a boy about Cole’s age. The kid stared at Cole for a long moment, his face lighting up with joy and relief. His huge smile looked involuntary. Tears shimmered in his eyes.

  “I can’t believe it’s really you,” he said.

  The reaction left Cole confused. “Man, you really wanted to catch me.”

  The Hunter laughed, still looking delighted. “Yeah, I guess I did. You didn’t make it easy.”

  “You’re the Hunter?” Cole asked.

  “You knew I was young,” he said. “Almost as young as you. I’m a little older than I look. My shaping powers make me age slowly. Take a good look at me. Do I look familiar?”

  Cole was at a loss. The kid had brown hair and a friendly face. “Not really.”

  The Hunter came closer. “Come on. Look hard. Think. Nobody is listening anymore. Who am I, Cole?”

  “Have we met before?” Cole asked, thoroughly perplexed. Was this some kind of weird form of torture?

  The Hunter looked a little disappointed. “You’ve known me most of your life.”

  “Most of my life was back on Earth.”

  The Hunter watched him. “You’re getting warmer.”

  “I knew you on Earth?”

  “In Idaho and Arizona,” the Hunter said.

  Cole looked him up and down, trying to place him
. “Has it been a while? Were you a lot younger or something?”

  The Hunter shook his head. “Part of the time. You’ve known me since you were born. The last time you saw me, I looked pretty much like this. Come on, think.”

  “Are you just messing with me?”

  “No. We both love soccer. Your parents are Bryant and Liz Randolph.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “They’re my parents too, dummy. I’m your brother. Hunter Randolph.”

  Cole was speechless. This was ludicrous. What kind of game was the Hunter playing? The kid was not familiar at all. “Yeah, whatever.”

  “Don’t, Cole. I’m serious. Look at me. Can’t you see the family resemblance?”

  Cole supposed he and the kid shared some physical similarities. But they were hardly twins. “You look my age.”

  “I’m about two years older than you. In more than two years, I’ve only aged about six months. Chelsea is a year older than me.”

  Cole shook his head. “You are such a liar. You searched me on the Internet. Nice try. No way am I believing you.”

  “Think, Cole,” the Hunter said. “Nobody back home remembers you. I was taken before you, so you don’t remember me. I hoped that maybe since we were both here now, there might be a little spark of memory.”

  Cole honestly had no shred of memory of this kid. It had to be a lie. Surely he would remember his own brother. “Why would my brother work for the High King?” he challenged.

  “The same reason the CIA works for the president,” the Hunter said. “The High King is in charge. He’s been good to me. You’ve gotten involved with some bad people, Cole. You have no idea.”

  Cole shook his head. This was so bogus. “You must think I’m dumb as a rock.”