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

argument with a Guilder escalates into something much worse.”
    “I don’t need protection.” It was difficult getting a handle on Morgan. It might appear that he was trying to help but I had my doubts. There was something else going on, though I couldn’t pinpoint it and I prayed that it had nothing to do with the other day when he was chasing me.
    “I could see that,” Morgan chuckled, “but a spark like that could set off a much larger conflict and no one wants that, Chloe.”
    “He’s right, dear.” Gran smile, though her shoulders were slumped as if weighted with concern and she kept wringing her hands. How was it that I always managed to make the people that I cared about the most, worry? “It makes it difficult on others as well.” Her smile had faded and I knew that I wasn’t getting the whole picture.
    “What do you mean?”
    “Your cousin has been having some problems,” Morgan said.
    “What kind of problems?” My hand squeezed my doorknob tighter.
    “She’s gotten into a few fights with other Guild members. Apparently, they haven’t taken too well to her siding with you at the Diesel Factories.”
    I stood, my anger boiling and rushing up to flush my face. “Fights, with whom?”
    “Sit down, Chloe. There is nothing you can do about it now.” Morgan was all matter-of-fact and I hated to admit that he was right, which of course I didn’t verbally, though I did sit down.
     I turned to Gran, her face suddenly looking older to me. Had I been the cause of those added wrinkles and worry lines? I felt contrite, something I very rarely felt. “What can I do?”
    “Well for one thing, no more fighting with Guild members, or at least not antagonizing them,” Morgan said.
    “Fine but I’m not taking off the jacket.”
    “Fair enough,”—Morgan turned to Gran with a smile—“Mrs. Grimm, may I have a moment alone with Chloe?”
    “Certainly, and thank you for coming Morgan.” She stood and patted his hand before going to the door “I’ll be right inside, Chloe.”
    I kept my eyes on Morgan as I heard the door close behind me. Was he truly concerned about me or was he setting a trap and waiting to spring it?
    “Your grandmother was one of my trainers when I first joined the Guild. She was a wonderful instructor, I owe her a lot.”
    That’s how Gran knew Morgan, I remembered she had been some kind of teacher but I had never given it much thought. “That’s why you’re here?”
    “That... and you.” There was that stare again, I could swear the man was trying to dig into my soul.
    “What about me?”
    “You’re powerful, Chloe, more powerful then you realize. You could have really hurt someone if I hadn’t stepped in at the Factories.”
    “I was in control.”
    “No, you weren’t. I’ve only seen someone draw that much energy when they are close to losing control. Your grandmother is a dear friend of mine. She’s already lost her daughter; I don’t want to see her lose a granddaughter as well.”
    The words stung and I had to bite my lip before I made one of my trademark stupid comments. Was he suggesting that I was going off the deep end like my mother had? I didn’t like anyone comparing me to my mom, in anyway, not after what she had done to me. But I worried that he might be right.
     Ever since Nightshade’s death I had pushed myself harder and harder as if trying to right the wrong I felt I had done. But it seemed that I had forced all those I loved to suffer my penance along with me. Jess was getting into fights and not talking to me. I had strung Slade along, not letting him know how I felt. Dad was more concerned than ever and now it seemed that I had aged Gran with worry. Maybe I was out of control?
    “I can handle myself,” I said but not with my usual self-confidence.
    “Chloe, you’re not a Guild member. There is only so much I can do to help you if you get into trouble. I’m asking you to be careful, if not for yourself, then for the people who care