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

exclaimed in a hushed tone. “But what’s wrong with his legs?”
    It looked like Robert’s shoes had somehow become a part of the floor. He was literally rooted to the spot.
    “He must be a changeling, too.” Ernie smiled.
    “…and I am telling you that boy cannot be allowedinto your class!” Dean Nipkin continued. “He’s not like the others, and you can’t treat him as such. There are rules here, Ms. Merical. Changelings belong under my supervision, and I would
appreciate
it if you could ensure that Robert Hernandez is escorted to Sendak Hall in due haste.”
    Ms. Merical offered a cherubic smile. “Fortunately for Robert, his schedule dictates otherwise.” She held out Robert’s papers as incontrovertible evidence.
    The dean snatched the schedule from Ms. Merical’s hand. After a moment of study, she stuffed it into her pocket. “I can assure you this was a mistake. At Iron Bridge, we don’t mix humans and changelings. Not anymore. There have been incidents,
Elaine
.”
    Ernie’s mouth dropped open. “What’s that supposed to mean?” he whispered.
    “I am well aware of our history,” Ms. Merical countered. “However, Robert’s schedule puts him under my care. Unless Baron Lundgren instructs otherwise, he is going to stay right here.”
    At that moment, one of the instructors ran up to the dean and began whispering in her ear.
    “What do you mean, one of the changelings disappeared? Is this some kind of practical joke?” she asked with fury. “Stephen was under constant supervision.
Your
supervision, I might add. How did this happen?”
    The discomfited man wiped at his brow. “One minute he was in his room, the next he was gone. The guards never saw him leave.”
    “What about the Quantum Cameras?”
    “Nothing. I’ve scoured the video. Perhaps he portaled out?”
    “Nonsense! All portals have been shut down on campus. You know that. There has to be another answer…” The dean’s veins flashed red against her temples. She turned to Ms. Merical. “It seems we have a runaway, Elaine. We’ll have to continue this discussion later.”
    Robert flashed a relieved smile, but he didn’t budge.
    “Happy hunting,” Ms. Merical offered cheerily as Dean Nipkin hurried down the hall. Then she turned to wink at Robert. “Why don’t you go ahead and take your seat?”
    Robert’s shoes uprooted from the floor, and he bounded into homeroom.
    “Welcome,” Ms. Merical said, turning to greet the approaching Griffins. “It’s quite an honor to have the Secret Order of the Grey Griffins and the fabulous Miss Lundgren in my classroom.”
    “You know who we are?” Ernie asked, astonished.
    “Of course, Agent Thunderbolt.”
    Ernie blushed all the way to the tips of his ears.
    “What happened with Robert?” Natalia ventured.
    “Oh, just a little mix-up with his schedule, that’s all,” Ms. Merical explained.
    “It doesn’t sound like Dean Nipkin cares for changelings very much.”
    “I’m sure that’s not true,” Ms. Merical countered witha cheerful expression. “She is one of the leading authorities on the subject of changelings. If she has a fault, it’s that she cares too much.”
    Just then, a terrible crash shook the hall.
    “There goes another ceiling!” Ms. Merical exclaimed as she ushered everyone into the safety of her classroom. “That makes three in the past week.”
    The intercom system crackled to life, and the voice of Baron Lundgren’s secretary filled the halls:
“Due to unforeseen circumstances, class will be dismissed early today. All students are to make their way to the
Zephyr
depot in an orderly fashion.”

13
C AUGHT IN THE A CT
    Ernie spent the rest of the day drawing up a roster of potential changeling recruits for his superhero team. Natalia decided to use the spare time to log in to the Templar Library with her remote-viewing card. She was hoping for a breakthrough in her investigation. There was plenty of information on Round Table cards and