The Doorknob Society (The Doorknob Society Saga) by MJ Fletcher Page A

heard. There were a few classrooms where lessons were already in progress.
    This truce thing got me thinking. With him not being a member of any Old Kind group, I wondered if or how the truce might affect my dad. I thought Slade might know something so I edged my way toward him. Luckily, Mrs. Flint had dragged along the whole class and not just the new students. I was able to scoot my way through until I finally fell in step beside Slade.
    “So do you think what she said about the truce was true?” I whispered.
    “You know how teachers are,” —he gave a low laugh— “always trying to protect us. From what I’ve heard the truce is in serious trouble.”
    “All truces?” I’d read enough on the Old Kind over the summer to know that each group had called a truce with one another. The last time it had been broken was during World War II when all the groups openly fought with one another.
    “My parents say it’s just between the Doorknob Society and Skeleton Key Guild. But if their truce has been broken then who knows how long before the other truces get broken.”
    “How would it affect my dad?”
    “He’s considered a renegade; he’d be safe under haven laws. Meaning in certain areas like the Diesel Factories and here at the Academy he’d be protected, other than that the DS doesn’t offer him its protection.”
    “So he’s on his own then?” I didn’t care for that one bit.
    “Yes, but he has been for a few years now. If the truce is broken they’ll be more interested in one another than in your dad. Maybe whoever that man in black is will back off now.”
    I didn’t think that was very likely. The man in black seemed relentless, the type that didn’t forget or forgive. But you never know.
    “What would happen if someone went after an Old Kind who was still under the truce?” I asked.
    “Depending on how bad the offense, it could range from prison to expulsion from your order.”
    Could that be what had happened to Dad? Had he been kicked out for attacking someone? The man in black?
    “Thanks for the info.”
    “No problem, so what happened this summer?”
    Slade looked at me sideways but I refused to meet his gaze. I had an idea of what he wanted to talk about but I wasn’t interested in starting anything, not with so much uncertainty in my life. Plus I had seen what happened to supposedly happy couples, like my parents. It doesn’t end well.
    “I was busy with work.”
    “Funny I thought you were just avoiding me.”
    “Then I’m doing a crappy job right now.” I laughed trying to avoid how awkward I was feeling.
    “Well I’m around if you need any more information.” Slade leaned close and whispered. “And if you need to talk, I’m here.”
    I tried to ignore the possibility of what a great boyfriend he’d make, being willing to listen to me and giving me hugs when I needed them not to mention that I thought he was probably a hell of a kisser. So I did what I do best, avoided going there and changed the subject. “You’re an engineer?”
    “That’s me Michael Slade of the Impossible Engineers at your service.”
    “Chloe Masters, undeclared.” I detested saying it but in the Academy what group you belonged to made a difference.
    “Undeclared, that won’t last long. But if you get to train with the Engineers ask for me I can help tutor you,” he said with a playful wink.
    “Can you now?” I had the sneaky suspicion that his tutoring had nothing to with school subjects. “I’ll remember that.” I slid back in line thinking a bit of distance between Slade and I might be good. I made my way to Edgar. He was scanning the walls with his goggles. “What’re you doing?”
    “Rumor has it that some legendary artifacts are hidden somewhere in the Academy walls. I configured my goggles to x-ray and I’m scanning for them.”
    “Don’t you think that they’ve already thought of that?”
    “I suppose but maybe they missed something.”
    I perused the walls along with