Grey Griffins: The Clockwork Chronicles #1: The Brimstone Key by Derek Benz, Jon S. Lewis Page A

Ernie watched in horror as the flames grew stronger. He wanted to help, but there was nothing he could do. Just as Ernie reached the exit, Robert exploded.

21
P OPPING I N
    The blast of heat that shot from Robert’s body had rocked the SIM Chamber, scorching the walls and melting the glass in the observation deck. Luckily most of the changelings were able to get out in time.
    “Everyone is saying that Yi saved your lives,” Natalia mentioned as they rode home in the
Zephyr
. “He could have been killed.”
    “I was there, Natalia. I know,” Ernie replied tersely. “Everybody thinks he’s a hero, but Yi is the one who scorched Robert with his flame. It caused a chain reaction that Robert couldn’t control. What was he supposed to do?”
    “Don’t worry, Doc Trimble will fix them up,” Harley said. “They’re in good hands.”
    “That’s not the point,” Ernie lamented. “People already think we’re freaks, and now they’re going to be scared of us, too. It’s not fair.”
    With that, Ernie reached into his backpack and pulled out a sketchbook, signaling that he wasn’t in the mood to talk about it anymore. At the same time, a spark of light flashed, and suddenly Sprig popped into Max’s lap. She was wincing in pain. Her spiked fur was damp, and her paws were slick with mud. She looked exhausted.
    “What happened to you?” Max asked.
    “Iron…” she hissed. “The machines have returned, and they are hunting faeries. Collecting them and…” Her gaze roved to Ernie.
    “What?” he asked. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
    “The faeries are afraid, but changelings should be as well,” Sprig replied. “You must get away…. Not safe!”
    “What do you mean?” Ernie shouted, his skin alive with goose bumps. “Who is looking for me? You have to…”
    There was a sudden commotion in the back of the subway car.
    “I’m talking to you, freak!” someone shouted.
    The Griffins turned around to see Angus McCutcheon standing in the aisle, glowering at Smoke. The changeling seemed unperturbed as he sat by himself in the back ofthe subway car. His goggles were flipped up on his forehead, and he was staring straight ahead.
    “Everybody knows this is my bench,” Angus barked.
    Smoke didn’t even bother to blink as Angus’s face turned red. The bully reached out to grab the changeling by the arm, but all he got was a fistful of air. An instant later, Smoke reappeared, locking his arm around Angus’s neck.
    “I wonder how tough you’d be if I teleported you out the window right now? Or better yet, maybe I’ll just take your head with me instead.”
    Angus’s shoulders slumped, but his eyes continued to burn.
    “That’s what I thought,” Smoke said. Then he pushed Angus into the bench and disappeared.
    “Does anyone else think that Smoke kid is a little extreme?” Natalia ventured.
    When the Griffins turned back around, Sprig was nowhere to be seen.

22
M AX G OES ON A D ATE
    Logan dropped Max off at Grandma Caliburn’s house an hour later. The bodyguard hadn’t said much after hearing the news about Sprig, but he didn’t look very happy. As soon as Max had jumped out of the car, he started hunting for the Bounder. She wasn’t in his bedroom, the barn loft, or even the greenhouse where she liked to sleep now and again. He decided to distract himself with homework, but he couldn’t stop looking out his bedroom window, hoping that the spriggan would show up.
    She never did.
    When Grandma Caliburn came home from the market, she decided to treat Max to a night on the town. Sothey got in the car and headed to the Prairie House Café down on Main Street. Max wanted to wait at home for Sprig, but he couldn’t turn down his grandmother’s invitation. It was a quiet night, and most of the tables were empty when they got there.
    “I haven’t been on a date in I don’t know how long,” Grace Caliburn said with a smile. “What looks good?”
    “I hear they’ve got great apple