The Victorian Express: The Doorknob Society Saga

By MJ Fletcher

Chloe Masters and James Nightshade have defeated the First Kind but now they’ve taken on a new job. Hunting down the remnants of that powerful group, they find themselves aboard the most famous train in the multiverse. But they are not alone.
And old enemy stalks them, can they figure out the truth before it’s too late? Join them as cocktails and murder board the Victorian Express.

A Doorknob Society Novella.

• Language: English
• Publisher: MJ FLetcher
• Release date: May 11, 2015
• ISBN: 9781513065359

MJ Fletcher

MJ Fletcher was born in New Jersey and now lives by the beach with his very understanding wife and daughter. He has been writing since he first stapled pages together as a child and called them a book. He finally realized his ambitions when his comic book series Adam Zero The Last Man of Earth was published by Ronin Studios. His other comic book work includes Digital Webbing Presents and The Hero Initiative. His first novel The Doorknob Society released in 2012 was nominated for a Cybil award in the young adult category. He has written the Doorknob Society Saga, The Grimm Chronlcies his rollicking steampunk adventure series as well as working on numerous other projects.

Book preview

Chapter

1

Status: I walk back into the fire, of course.

H ow long is this going to last again? Jess asked as she slung my bag into the trunk of Nightshade’s Hudson Hornet .

The car gleamed in the afternoon light of Cape May, New Jersey. Its ink black paint job with red flames licking the hood looked spectacular, though I wasn’t about to tell

him

that

.

The train lasts two days there and back, plus the race,

I

said

.

So it’s official? Jess grasped the trunk lid and slammed it shut. She was wearing a long sleeved shirt to hide the tattoos that now covered her forearms. It was a lasting gift for her taking my place as the Skeleton Key Guild Artifact.

Yes, they accepted his application, so he’s going to race. I glanced over at Nightshade. He and Slade were standing over the open hood working on the engine once again. He loved racing and the Rings of Hercules was one of the biggest races the Old Kind held every year. What Jess didn’t know was that it wasn’t the only reason we were going. We also had a secret mission from the Council to

deal

with

.

If I can get away, I’ll try to make it, she said with a smile.

I slipped my arm around her waist. "Are you going to

be

okay

?"

She knew I was asking because of the Artifact. Though I had become the Artifact for the Doorknob Society, I was able to remove it thanks to Jess getting a hold of the device that could contain it. Jess wasn’t so lucky. Every time she used her powers, she got closer to burning up

from

it

.

"I’ll

be

fine

."

She rested her head against mine. Our blonde hair mingled together, and I had to admit we looked more alike now than ever before. It was from the fact that Jess was dressing less like a prom queen and more like me. My hoodie was tied around my waist and my concert T-shirt for Ralph Nealson and the Chancellors had seen better days, but I loved it as much as my torn and ripped jeans. The whole outfit was carried off by my combat boots.

If you need anything you can text me,

I

said

.

"

I

know

."

You have any plans?

Edgar and Val invited me to go out to dinner with them in London. I told them that I had something else to do, she replied with a smirk.

I chuckled and we walked to the front of the car. "You don’t want to hang out

with

them

?"

"I can’t handle their cute couple routine

right

now

."

Who are we talking about? Slade poked his head out from under the hood. He had grease smeared across his cheek and wore a day’s worth of stubble.

Edgar and Val,

Jess

said

.

Oh, they can be kind of cheesy. He shrugged and disappeared under the hood once again.

Aren’t you two done tinkering?

Not yet, boss lady, Nightshade

called

out

.

I told you not to call me that, I said, though why I bothered I don’t know, since he keeps calling me it anyway.

Why don’t you head to the train station and I’ll finish getting the car ready and stow it? We can meet up afterwards. His voice echoed off the engine.

"Don’t they have a service

for

that

?"

I’m not letting any gearhead touch my car,

he

said

.

Hey, Slade countered before I could say anything.

You know what I mean, Nightshade amended.

Yeah, I’m the only gearhead you will let touch the Hornet. I get it. Slade shook his head and continued working on the vehicle.

Fine, I agreed with reluctance, "but don’t

be

late

."

Are you sure you aren’t talking about yourself?

Nightshade

said

.

Slade and Nightshade shared a laugh at my expense, and I thought for a moment of slamming the hood of the car on their heads. But that was no way to start off our first trip as a couple.

I walked back up the pathway to my family home with Jess

beside

me

.

The truth. Are you really ready for this? Jess asked.

I wondered for a moment if she was reading my mind. This was a big deal even if I didn’t want to admit it. We were going away, just the two of us, though it was technically a mission. But still, we were a couple going on a vacation. I was improving when it came to the relationship thing, so I was aware that this had to mean something.

It’s no big deal,

I

said

.

"

You’re

sure

?"

Completely,

I

lied

.

"Okay, good

luck

,

Cuz

."

"I know you’re busy in Paris, but do me favor and check on Erin while

I’m

gone

."

My younger sister had been living in our family home with our grandmother ever since we rescued her from the Frist Kind. I spent as much time here as I could, but I also had a flat in London with my best friend Val that I used often. Plus, it afforded Nightshade and I more privacy.

Of course I will, Jess winked at me, it’s not like I could pass up Gran’s home cooking.

I ran my hand along her arm and squeezed her hand. "

Thank

you

."

Love you, Cuz,

Jess

said

.

We gave each other a quick kiss on the cheek, and then I reached out and used my abilities to activate the Doorknob on my family home. It was time

to

go

.

You too and I’ll see you soon,

I

said

.

Try to stay out of trouble,

she

said

.

Always.

I focused my energy on the doorknob as blue mist surrounded it, then I opened the door and stepped out of the portal onto the top platform of the train station. The sounds of the city above me echoed all around. I was in Manhattan underneath city hall. This old subway platform had been