Free The Mapmakers Union (The Doorknob Society Saga Book 3) by MJ Fletcher Page A

and it was going to take some serious digging to find it.
    Edgar and Slade were having an in depth conversation about the latest stats on the Old Kind racing circuit, while I found myself worrying about just what Mr. Tower had seen me do. I wanted to call Gavin and tell him what had happened but I couldn’t do that with my friends around. Plus, I was still beating myself up over Jess. She hadn’t talked to me in some time and I was worried that maybe I had screwed things up beyond repair. I figured I should talk to Gran about it again and see if maybe she could help. Dad was busy getting ready for a new tour of his magic act, leaving me with Jess and Gran. That didn’t seem like a good idea if Jess actually hated me, Gran would constantly have to be a buffer between us.
    “Good afternoon, Ms. Masters.” The melodic voice made my back stiffen as it drifted down off the porch at our approach. I looked up to see DeAndré’ ’ Morgan leaning against the column at the top of the stairs. His dreadlocks were pulled back in a ponytail and his size seemed even more impressive, his arms appearing as thick as tree trunks. I had thought Slade had thick muscles, but he paled in comparison.
     My eyes narrowed. “What are you doing here?” That was supposed to be a thought but it sought of slipped out. I worried that he had found a way to track me and finally realized that I was the one he has been searching for.
     Gran pushed the door open and walked out onto the porch a mug in her hand. She extended it to DeAndré’ ’ and he took it with a smile and sipped the hot liquid. “Chloe, this is DeAndré’ ’ Morgan he’s from the Skeleton Key Guild.”
    “We’ve met.” My eyes remained fixed on him and he smirked at me and stepped aside as the three of us climbed the steps to the porch.
    “Boys, why don’t you go grab a snack; I need to talk with Chloe.” Gran opened the door waving my friends inside. Slade looked at me with a raised eyebrow and I nodded that it was okay.
    “Yes, we’ve met but not properly. I thought it was about time with all the trouble that you’ve had with the Guild that I formally introduce myself.” Morgan placed his mug on the bistro table.
    “Did you now?” I crossed my arms and gritted my teeth. I hated not knowing if that was the real reason he was here. It seemed as if the Skeleton Key Guild was all about getting in my face today.
    “Chloe, it was my idea.” Gran placed her hand on my shoulder and with a chance that he might not be lying, I relaxed... a little.
    “With the truces called off and after what happened at the Diesel Factories, I thought it would be wise to meet with someone from the Guild. It would be best for all of us.” Gran titled her head at me and I knew she was referring to Jess.
     I could still recall the look on Jess’ face when fellow Guilders had shouted at her that she was a traitor. I took a deep breath and sat across from Morgan. If this could possibly help my cousin, then I could handle it.
    “Sorry about all that stuff at the Diesel Factories.” I pulled my school bag off my shoulder and let it slide to the ground beside my feet. My hand instinctively slid over my doorknob in the pocket of my jacket and the feel of it reassured me.
    “After talking with everyone it seemed you were only defending yourself. You can see why some people might be offended that you were wearing a Guild member’s jacket. You aren’t exactly known as a friend to the Guild,” Morgan said as if he had just acquitted me of a crime.
     Annoyance bubbled in my gut and while I certainly didn’t feel that I owed him an explanation, I wanted to make sure he understood one important thing. “Nightshade and I were friends. His mother gave me the jacket and I intend to wear it.” Morgan nodded and leaned back in his seat. “I understand; it’s hard to lose someone you’ve been close with. Your grandmother is right though. With the truces called off, you have no protection if an