The Mapmakers Union (The Doorknob Society Saga Book 3) (11 page)

“Let’s keep this fair shall we, ladies.” I heard him say.

I stayed where I was, Slade joining me.

Darla sneered busy forming the crimson bands of energy around her key into a curved blade like the one she had used against me. As soon as it finished forming she raced across the dance floor and swung it at Jess who side- stepped it easily, while the wisps of red smoke coming from Jess formed into long chains.

She walked calmly backwards as Darla ran at her again, swinging her blade in one arc after the other. Jess never bothered to create a shield; she moved swiftly avoiding each slice with skill and speed. With a quick twist of her hand the chain shot out and clasped around her opponent’s wrist.

Darla’s eyes popped wide and she brought her blade down hitting the chains, sparks flew but the chain held. Jess rushed in flicking her hand and another chain shot out locking around Darla’s other arm. Clicking sounds echoed throughout the dance floor as Jess activated the locks on her ethereal chains.

Darla’s blade dissipated and she spun her key around trying to unlock the chains. But for every lock she broke two more took its place. Jess’ fingers manipulated the tendrils of energy working to combat every technique Darla attempted to use to escape. Darla’s energy finally wavered and she dropped to her knees, new wisps of crimson bands snaked out locking her legs and around her mouth. Finally her head dropped and Jess reached out and pulled the skeleton key from Darla’s hand. Murmurs rushed around the room and Skeleton Key members mouths hung open in shock.

Jess held the key up and turned full circle so that everyone in the room could see her holding it aloft. “Does anyone else want to call me a traitor?” she yelled and then spun and pointed at the girls who had been ready to attack her. “You two?”

Her voice resonated power and she stepped toward them, both girls scurried back their eyes wide with fear.

I rushed across the floor and reached out grabbing Jess’ shoulder and pulled her back. She turned, shooting me a lethal look that had me dropping my hand off her shoulder and before I could warn her to calm down someone else did.

“That’s enough.” It was the blond doorman, who stepped between Jess and the Guild members. “They were going to attack me,” Jess challenged.

“But they didn’t and you won. It’s over; let it go.”

The power in the room ebbed and Jess walked away without a glance or word to me, so I thought it best not to follow her.

“You two better collect your friend.” He motioned to Darla and the two Guilders ran forward and helped her up. The chains of energy had dissipated and they were quick to get her on her feet, though she wasn’t quite as quick to raise her head that hung in shame. When she was finally steady on her feet she ran past me, her friends following behind.

“Thank you,” I said to the doorman.

“Just doing my job,” he said with a smile. “By the way, I’m Declan Hardcastle.”

“Thanks again, Declan. I appreciate you helping my cousin even if it is your job.” I went to rejoin my friends and Declan walked alongside me.

“I haven’t seen you in here before; it doesn’t seem like your scene.”

“No not really, I like the music but I’m usually too busy for a night out.”

“That won’t do, you need to get out and have fun. How about next week you and I go to this great little place I know where we can have some great food and dance.”

 I was floored and couldn’t answer him right away unsure of what had just happened. I finally spoke, stumbling over every word and feeling like a complete fool. “Um, well—I mean—I’m—not sure.” “When you are sure let me know, it’s an open invitation. I better get back to work.” He winked and walked away leaving me completely dumbstruck.

I finally found Edgar who was still sitting on the couch and slid in next to him. The band had gone back to singing and the club back to normal, as if nothing had happened.

“You okay?” Edgar asked doing a double take when he looked at me.

“I just got asked out?”

“On like a date?”

“I think so.”

“Is that a good thing?”

“I don’t know.” I shook my head trying to clear my thoughts and get my head back in the game. “Where are Slade and Jess?”

“There.” Edgar pointed to the corner of the bar where they stood talking. Jess had her arms folded stubbornly in front of her and Slade was leaned over doing most of the talking.

“How is she?”

“Not in a good mood.”

I didn’t know how Jess was going to handle our plan but it was necessary that we get back to it pronto, which of course spurred me into action. “I can’t wait any longer; I’m going to try and get the coordinates.”

Edgar agreed with a nod knowing it was essential we accomplish this, so I got up from the couch and headed up the stairs. I stopped at the top to take a fortifying breath, needing it. This thing with Jess really had me bummed but I couldn’t afford to think about it now. Sooner or later though this had to be settled between us and I’d rather it be sooner than later. It had been too long already.

 I walked through the large double doors. The room had a dance floor similar to the one downstairs and it was crowded as were the tables that hugged the edges. A bar ran the length of the wall to the right side. I stepped up to an open spot, got a drink and turned to glance around the room as casually as possible. I spotted one of my targets at the other end of the bar. He was slightly older than me and on the pudgy side. He was in an animated conversation with a girl and a guy and they all laughed now and again.

I wasn’t very good when it came to flirting and could never understand how guys could be attracted to me—like Declan—wow, that still threw me.  But I needed to get this guy   to come to me. I moved down along the bar and found an empty stool nearby and slid onto it. I kept glancing at him as he talked with his friends, holding his eyes when they met mine and after a few minutes I knew I had caught his attention.

A few more flirty glances had him moving closer. The girl he’d been talking with sent me nasty looks, which led me to think that she was interested in being more than just friends with him. But the guy was clueless just like I had been to Nightshade. I was starting to think I might need to make the first move when he finally walked up beside me, leaned on the bar, and flagged down the bartender.

“Another please,” he croaked pointing at his glass. “Hi,” he finally said to me.

“Hi, yourself, having a good time?”

“Yes, yes I am,” he said his eyes darting from me to his glass and everywhere else in the room. The poor guy obviously didn’t talk to girls very often.

I knew if I didn’t ask it would take another hour before he figured out what to say. “Want to dance?”

“Um, sure.” He smiled and I slid off the stool. We walked onto the dance floor, his female friend watching us like a hawk.

The Rockdora’s music was pumping through speakers that had been cranked out of the floors and the dance floor was crowded with people. I listened to the beat and started moving to the music. It had been awhile since I had a chance to dance and the memory of the last time I did jolted me.

I had danced with Nightshade at the end of school year dance.

 The Mapmaker guard may have been pudgy but he was light on his feet and he had rhythm. We both moved along to the beat and for a moment I forgot everything and allowed myself to enjoy. We spun around the floor, the pounding bass pouring through me and energizing me.

The memory of the dance I shared with Nightshade played over and over in my head. Us spinning around the glass dance floor surrounded by the stars. I held onto the happy image savoring every moment of it and let myself get lost in the song and enjoyed the dance.

The guard grabbed my hand and twisted me around and I let out a laugh at just how good a dancer he was. Remembering why I was there, I clicked the button on the
Coordinate Catcher
and felt a tugging in my arm as it activated.

He shook his head, his eyes turning wide... “Did you feel that?”

“I know great music right?” I misdirected his question knowing he had felt the tug as the coordinates were pulled from him. I glanced at the bar and saw his friend staring at us, her mouth set in an angry line. I leaned in and got my mouth close to his ear.

“I think your friend would rather you were dancing with her.” He pulled back and looked over at her. She smiled and waved enthusiastically.

“No, we’re just friends,” he said turning and smiling at me.

“Sweetie, I’m going to do you a favor. That girl has feelings for you, now go get her and show her what a good dancer you are.”

“Really?” His eyes went wide with shock.

“Trust me a woman knows, now go.” I gave him a push and he walked to the bar. A huge smile spread across the girl’s face as he approached and grew when he obviously asked her to dance. She grabbed his hand and they rushed onto the dance floor together.

I smiled pleased that something nice had finally come out of one of my plans. Edgar and Slade were sitting at the end of the bar and I made my way over to them. I waved my hand with the catcher on it smiling.

“One down, one to go,” I said when I got near.

“Actually, I took care of that.” Jess walked up beside me and held her own hand up, a catcher on it. “I got the other one.”

“Thanks, Jess.” Happy that she had helped out and hoping that this meant things were going to get better between us.

We both placed our hands on the bar and Slade twisted the dials on the sides releasing them and handing them to Edgar so that he could get the coordinates. He took them and quickly began going over the locations cross referencing them.

“Are we good?” I asked Jess and she looked at me with an odd expression.

“Slade,” she said and he stepped up to Jess. She grabbed his shirt, yanked him forward and kissed him.

Slade may have been shocked but that didn’t prevent him from kissing Jess back. I stood watching as they mugged it out until she finally let him go and he stumbled backward.

She grinned at me. “Now we’re good.”

Status: A legend, a map, and a plan; what could go wrong?

“What the hell was that?” Slade demanded, looking from Jess to me.

“You explain it to him,” Jess said as she walked away.

 I went after her grabbing her arm and spinning her around. “Is this is how it’s going to be?” I could understand her wanting to get back at me for what she thought I had done but I was fed up with the whole mess and I wanted it resolved.

“I don’t know, Chloe. All I know is you betrayed me.” The edges of her mouth turned down and her shoulders slumped.

“I swear, Jess, nothing happened between Nightshade and me until that night. I’ll admit there were moments but we never crossed that line, not until...” My voice trailed off and I lowered my head as those horrible memories assaulted me again.

“I want to believe you,” she said quietly.

I raised my head. “I love you, Cuz, and if you don’t believe me I understand. But do you really think Nightshade would do that to you?”

Jess looked at me and just for a moment a smile played across her face.

“What are you two talking about? What happened that night?” The anger was clear in Slade’s voice.

 My head drooped; this was not good. “Slade.”

“Don’t try to appease me, Chloe, tell me what happened. I deserve to know!” He yelled and I turned to find him towering over me. He was angry and I knew there was no avoiding this anymore.

“Nightshade and I kissed before he died.”

Slade’s teeth clenched and his face went red. “You should have told me.”

“Why Slade, what does it matter?” I was tired of hiding what had happened and how I really felt.

“You were my girlfriend.”

“But I was never yours, Slade. You were always more interested in your gadgets than me. I care about you— you’re my friend—but I’m not going to have you hold this over my head. If you can’t handle it, I’m sorry.”

“Fine.” Slade stormed past me and down the stairs and I let out a long breath. Damn, I hated hurting the people I cared about but what was I supposed to do pretend forever that it didn’t happen? Never let anyone know the truth? What would that say about the last few moments Nightshade and I shared, that it meant nothing?

“I’m going to check on him,” Jess said and rushed after Slade.

 I shook my head and walked back into the room and sat down at the bar beside Edgar. He was busily working on the coordinates that we’d retrieved.

“I think I found it.” He beamed as he tapped a set of numbers and looked around finally noticing that the others were gone. “Where’d everyone go?”

“Never mind, we’re on our own. So where are we going?” I had no choice but to shrug off the altercation with Jess and Slade and concentrate on the matter at hand.

“I’ve never seen these coordinates before; I’ve got no idea where they end.” Edgar scratched his temple and I knew he was worried. Just like I was, figuring Slade or Jess wasn’t about to help me now, that left me handling most anything that came our way. Edgar was smart as they come but in a fight he wasn’t going to be much help.

“Damn it, we need help.”

“What do we do?”

Everyone had been pushing me to not involve her but at this point it seemed like I had little choice if I wanted to get my hands on the Legend. “I’m calling Faith.”

“Is that a good idea?” Edgar ran his hand through his hair.

“We don’t have a choice; we need back up and she’s the only one I trust to help.” We walked down the stairs and I took my bag from Edgar slinging it over my shoulder. I pulled the flap open and reached in feeling around until I found my leather jacket and slid it on. I pulled my phone out of the inside pocket and tapped the screen.

“I’m not sure I like this,” Edgar said.

My head started to ache. Something was gnawing at me but I couldn’t place what it was. I shook my head trying to clear it and the ache worsened. What choice did I have? Everyone else was MIA and I needed help. Faith was there every time I needed her and she had saved my butt against Jasper.

A wave of dizziness hit me and I remembered running into the alley after Jasper and Faith. Blurry images rushed at me as did a flash of anger but hell if I knew why. And for the life of me I couldn’t recall fighting Jasper in that alleyway.