The Mapmakers Union (The Doorknob Society Saga Book 3) Read Free Page B

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.”
    “Sounds 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