The Impossible Engineers (The Doorknob Society Saga Book 2) Read online

  “Us? What the hell are you talking about?”

  “Polymorphs.”

  “I’m not a Polymorph.” I shook my head. He had to be wrong. I was a Doorknob Society member, I had declared and everything.

  “Right, because you declared and you never felt like you might be able to use another power generator?” His brow furrowed and he glared at me as if he dared me to deny it.

  Naturally the memory of the Skeleton Keys in my hand and the surge of power they had generated popped into my head.

  “Oh no,” I whispered.

  “Chloe, listen to me very carefully. Polymorphs are very rare and much sought after. You can’t let anyone know what you are... not even your friends.”

  “Why not?”

  “People are already trying to use you to their advantage and it’s not because of your darling personality... you exude power. If they knew you were a Polymorph, it would get much worse, trust me I know. You would especially be a prize that the First Kind couldn’t resist.” There was something in his words that told me he was speaking from experience and I shuddered to think of what he may have gone through.

  “What do I do?”

  “We look out for our own. When this is over find me, and I’ll teach you how to control your various talents and how to survive.”

  “I can’t tell anyone?” This was quite a burden to lug around on my own and I wasn’t sure I could handle it.

  “Not a soul, it would be far too dangerous. After you’ve learned control then you can decide what to do. I will tell you that most Polymorph’s leave whatever organization they were a member of because that particular Society, and it’s anyone of them, no bias here, always tries to use the Polymorph to their advantage in some way.”

  “But my family has always been in the Doorknob Society? How could I ever leave?” How ironic. I almost laughed if it wasn’t so sad that I should now begin to fully grasp Slade’s predicament. His family had been in the Impossible Engineers forever just as mine were in the Doorknob Society. How do you simply walk away from your heritage?

  “That’ll be your choice. But tell me, can you trust them?”

  All my doubts about the Society came rushing back to me. I had tried to convince myself that Mr. Jordan had been the traitor, not the Society, but even Dad never really trusted the Society and still didn’t.

  “Thank you,” I said quietly.

  “No problem, as I said we take care of our own.”

  “So there are more like us?”

  “I’ll explain everything when we start your lessons. Someone taught me, now I’ll teach you. That’s how it’s done. Polymorphs thrive and survive by helping each other. The Time Stamper is about to end, remember don’t tell anyone.”

  I reached out grasping the Time Stamper and holding it up to look it over. “Can I borrow this?”

  “Of course.” Gavin smiled and I slid the Stamper into my pocket.

  Everything suddenly returned to normal. I heard Edgar and Slade chatting, while Faith and Jess were still busy in the kitchen. Nightshade had been sitting at the other end of the table, so close and not aware that time had slowed and I had discovered that I’m a Polymorph. Another crazy thing to deal with I suppose, though I had always thought I was a freak, now this confirms it.

  “The page seems as if it’s one of many when it actually contains all the markers leading to the Impossible Engineer device.” Gavin spoke as if he’d never been interrupted, as if nothing had ever happened.

  “Where is it?” I asked excitedly, all thought of being a Polymorph fading in an instant.

  “The Dreaded Wastelands.”

  Naturally, it couldn’t be someplace called Happyland or Candyville. I could have even tolerated Skunkville. No, it had to be the Dreaded Wastelands and I bet there was a damn good reason for the name.

  “Are you kidding?” Edgar rushed forward grabbing the edge of the workbench as if the excitement was too much for him and he had to steady himself.

  “Nope, all the clues point to it. And it also gives two coordinates in the old language of the Mapmakers that open the portal to the Wastelands.” He tapped his finger on a series of numbers along the edges of the page. Edgar leaned over and I could see his mind already calculating the map directions.

  “What are the Dreaded Wastelands?” Faith asked as she and Jess walked over and placed a large bowl of pasta salad they had made on the table. Jess handed out bowls and forks. You could easily tell we were all hungry by the way we each eagerly filled our bowls. Then we each found a spot to sit and hear all about where we’d be going.

  “At one time the Dreaded Wastelands were similar to the Diesel Factories, a dimension that straddled multiple other dimensions,” Gavin explained. ”The real First Kind used it as a base of operations. But when the war raged the endless battles, particularly the final one, turned the dimension into a disaster area with portals that opened randomly and gremlins overran the place. The last I heard the Societies had banned all access to the area.”

  “Then let’s surrender the page in exchange for Val. They’ll never find the artifact in that place.” Slade spoke between bites of food and Faith and Edgar agreed with eager nods.

  I hated to burst their bubble as to what they assumed was an easy solution. “They’ll never release her and I doubt they plan on letting any of us survive the exchange.”

  “So what’s the plan?” Nightshade asked, his elbows on the table and his hands firmly locked together as if in prayer, which we really needed plenty of.

  I looked right at Nightshade and with confidence that surprised me said, “We set a meet to exchange Val for the page and then get out of there with both.”

  “Bold,” Nightshade smirked. “And you think we all have a chance of surviving that plan?”

  “Honestly, I’m not sure how this is going to go down. I only know that I intend to rescue Val.”

  Edgar was the first to speak up. “I’m in.”

  I was surprised to see the look of anger and determination on his face. But then there was no hiding the fact that he cared for Val.

  Jess was next. “Me too,” She turned to Edgar sitting beside her and gently placed her hand on his arm and smiled.

  I turned to Slade, not sure of his answer, though was relieved when he nodded. Faith was next to meet my questioning eyes.

  “I feel like it’s my fault Jasper is involved, I’ll help.”

  Nightshade was last, though I had no doubt of his answer. He rubbed his chin and scrunched his brow as if thinking it over. Leave it to him to be dramatic.

  “Little chance of success and almost certain death,” —he threw up his hands— “of course I’m in. Let’s hear the plan, Masters.”

  Chapter 23

  Status: I try another one of my idiotic plans.

  “You think this is going to work?” Jess asked, leaning in close so no one else could hear.

  “They set the meet, we have little choice now.” I shrugged.

  Jess frowned. “That’s reassuring.”

  “Sorry, Cuz, I think we have a shot but it’s a dangerous one.”

  Jess wrapped her arm around my shoulder. “If we’re not willing to lay it on the line for our friends than what good are we?”

  “Thanks for sticking with me.”

  “I always will, Cuz, no matter what.” She gave me a quick hug and I thanked my lucky stars that I had the friends I did. She stepped away wiping her misty eyes. Edgar was standing off by himself looking over a map. I made my way to him and slid my arm through his and tugged. “Hey.”

  “Hey, Chloe.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine; I’m just trying to figure out a way to get us into the Dreaded Wastelands.”

  “That’s not what I’m talking about.” I grabbed his chin and forced him to look me in the eye. “We’ll get her back.”

  “We have to, Chloe, please.” His lip quivered.

  “I’ll get Val, I promise.” I leaned over and kissed his cheek and
he smiled. Edgar and Val always skirted around the fact that they like each other. Everyone in the group avoided the subject, but it had been obvious how Edgar felt about Val and Val didn’t completely hide how she felt about Edgar. And though Val could be an annoying pain in my butt, she was also a good friend and had been since we were young and I wasn’t about to let anyone harm her.

  “Chloe,” Gavin called and waved me over to him. Slade, Faith and Nightshade were standing around him at the workbench. I patted Edgar on the shoulder and walked over to them. Brimstone was holding The Forget-Me-Not orb and rolling it around in his hand.

  “What’s up?”

  “I know your friend Val is normal and to avoid her asking a ton of questions or the Council intervening, I’m giving you this to use.” He reached out for my hand and dropped the orb into it.

  It was small like one of those rubber balls you buy in the coin machines at a food store. A symbol was carved into it that seemed familiar, though I couldn’t place it. Thin lines stretched out from it engraved all over its surface leading to a small circular flat button.

  “What am I supposed to do with this?”

  “It’s called a Forget-Me-Not, anyone can use it. You press the button and point it at the person whose memory you want to alter so that she remembers nothing that happened. Gavin took my hand, holding the orb, and covered it with his own. The metal felt cool against my palm and I looked at him feeling there was something more I needed to know and was surprised at the intensity of his eyes. It was as if they burned into me. Then suddenly a small shock of energy shot into my hand and he said, “Don’t forget.”

  Forget what? I thought but didn’t say. “Okay, thanks.”

  Gavin smiled and walked away.

  I shook my head a bit confused and slid the orb into my pocket.

  “Here we go again.” Slade laughed and hurried over to me and before I knew it he had me in his arms hugging me. Nightshade turned and walked out of the room, Faith following right behind him. I watched as they disappeared down the stairs.

  “Slade,” I slipped out of his arms and stepped away from him. “I’m still not sure what’s happening with us.”

  “I understand. I’ll give you time, but I’m not giving up on us.” He smiled and raised his hands, backing away.

  What the hell I am doing? I shook my head, my best friend is in trouble and I have to deal with this crap. Maybe I’d be better off with no boyfriend at all.

  I glanced over at the stairs where Faith had trailed like a puppy after Nightshade and sighed. She certainly didn’t waste time. I wandered over to the stairs and was surprised to see Faith headed up them. She walked back into the room smiling and passed me without saying a word. I headed down the stairs, my boots sounding like cracks of thunder against the metal and I winced. Great, now everyone heard me leaving the room or did it bother me that everyone knew I was going to talk with Nightshade? Dumb thought, why would they care.

  Nightshade was leaning against a brick wall directly across from the stairs. He tensed as soon as he noticed me. This was going to be fun.

  “You ready for this?” I asked as I got closer.

  “You know me, Masters, I’m always ready.”

  “We follow the plan to the letter, no cowboy antics like almost sending us to our deaths in outer space.” I grinned.

  “I’ll do my best, though I could point out that my cowboy antics saved us.” His jaw tightened as if he was trying to contain his anger, which sparked in his eyes. I was kidding with him, but I guess he wasn’t in the mood.

  “And I’m grateful you did. I just don’t want anything going wrong or anyone getting hurt.” I couldn’t bear to see him hurt again like the last time. I had thought he was going to die and it had nearly torn me to pieces.

  “Maybe you should check with your boyfriend then, since he’s the one who likes to spill our secrets.” The bitterness in his voice surprised me.

  “Slade should have never done what he did and he knows it. He’s trying to make amends. And don’t talk to me about secrets Nightshade.” I was sick of all his innuendos and accusations.

  “What is that supposed to mean?”

  “You want to tell me where Henna disappeared to or why you walk away to take your phone calls or what about your disappearing acts wherever we go lately. You suddenly seem to have a lot of secrets. You expect me to trust you, but you won’t tell me what’s going on. Why the hell not?”

  “You’re questioning me?” Nightshade pushed off the wall and stood face to face with me, our noses nearly touching.

  “Damn right, what the hell are you up too?”

  “Your boyfriend betrayed us and you forgive him, let him back into our ranks, but I don’t even get the benefit of the doubt. Why? Because I don’t choose to lay my life bare for you?”

  His breath tinged my lips and it felt like a faint kiss and I silently cursed myself for even thinking it and damn if it didn’t fire my temper even more.

  “You’re up to something, Nightshade. I know it and I’ll figure it out sooner or later.” I wasn’t backing down. Nightshade could make my blood boil and maybe he was right about Slade, but damn it he was keeping something from me and I wanted to know what.

  “I’m starting to think that you’ll never figure me out, Masters.” He laughed as if at some private joke and backed away from me.

  His damn laughter annoyed me, but it was the way he stepped off as if he was finished with me that really kicked my ire into overdrive.

  “Backing off Nightshade? What am I a little too much for you to handle? You favor meek girls like Faith who get weak in the knees for you? Sorry, I don’t buy your crap. You’re hiding something. I don’t know what it is and I don’t know why. But I’m sure as hell going to figure it out.”

  “Good luck with that, Masters. Every time you’ve ever asked me for help I’ve been there for you; no questions, no complaints and all you’ve ever done is question me. After we rescue Val, we’re done.” He shook his head and dropped brooding down into one of the brown leather chairs.

  “What the hell are you talking about?” My heart raced and my anger boiled.

  “Just what I said, Masters. When this mission is over I don’t ever want to talk to you again. School will be done, which means we’ll never have to see each other again.”

  The words hit me like a slap in the face. Was he kidding? We were both mad and frustrated with each other, but never talk again?

  “Why?” I asked confused by the turn our fight had taken.

  “You don’t trust me, yet you forgive people who betray you. I’ll help Val, afterwards... stay the hell away from me.”

  “We always fight and you’ve never given up on our friendship before. Why walk away now?” I didn’t want to let him go, to lose him from my life even if he did drive me nuts.

  “You call this a friendship? Is that what you think this is? You call me only when you need me. And then you question my every move and motive. Why would I ever want to be friends with you?”

  “But...” I didn’t have a rebuttal. I was at a loss for words, a first for me. I couldn’t believe what was happening. I was shocked and lost. I mean Nightshade was a pain but he was right about so many things, including going easy on Slade after what he had done. But I never gave Nightshade the benefit of the doubt. I never let him know that I trusted him.

  “But nothing, let’s go save Val and get the Artifact, then we’ll never have to deal with each other again.” He stood up and walked past me to the stairs.

  “Fine.” I nodded and followed numbly behind him, my heart clenching tighter with each step I climbed. I entered the loft and watched as Nightshade walked over and started talking with Faith. My stomach turned and a yawning emptiness washed over me. I felt as if I had just lost an important part of me and I couldn’t explain why. Had I really expected Nightshade to stick around? He might be the only person in the world more broken than I was. And broken people weren’t very good at keeping the pieces together.

/>   “You okay?” Slade asked placing his hand on my shoulder.

  I turned. He was smiling, as if happy, as if all was right with the world and yet it wasn’t. Had I made a mistake forgiving him so quickly for what he did? Did my feelings, mixed as they were for him, cloud my judgment? Had Nightshade been right?

  “I’m fine.” I lied and looked him in the eye hoping he would be able to tell. But he just smiled and hugged me. He had no idea I was having so many doubts or felt like Nightshade had just turned my world upside down. I hugged him tightly hoping it would make all my worries disappear but it didn’t help. I glanced across the room and Nightshade refused to look in our direction, he just kept talking to Faith.

  Fine let him walk away, he’s a pain in the ass anyway I didn’t need him in my life. I have plenty of friends and none of them drive me to want to strangle them.

  Yeah, keep telling yourself that, Chloe, and see how it works for you.

  “It’s time,” Edgar called out as he checked his Impossible Engineer timepiece.

  I nodded and stepped away from Slade. “Everyone know what they’re supposed to do?” I looked around to each of them and they all nodded. Nightshade didn’t even meet my glance, he just nodded his head. “Then let’s go.”

  I pulled my doorknob out of my pocket and let my power flow creating a doorway and opening it for everyone to step through. I was the last to leave the loft, I turned and looked back to see Gavin watching me.

  “Good luck.” He waved.

  “Thanks, we’ll need it.” I said and stepped into the portal.

  The streets and alleys of the Diesel Factories were nearly empty. The moon was bright in the night sky and stars were shining brilliantly reminding me of the night Nightshade and I had spent in the desert. I glanced in his direction, but he wasn’t looking up at the stars, he wasn’t remembering.

  “Okay everyone, time to get moving.” I said. Nightshade, Slade, and Edgar took off to set our plan in motion while Jess and Faith came to stand on either side of me.

  “Let’s go get Val.” Jess said with determination and the three of us walked out onto the main drag of the Diesel Factories.