Chase Tinker and the House of Secrets Page 4

  Janie ran across the floor and dropped to her knees. She passed her hand across the Relic’s smooth face. As soon as it changed to smoky-gray she asked, “Relic, why isn’t the Time-Travel Room working?”

  “The Time-Travel Room has been terminated,” answered the Relic in its deep voice.

  “Terminated!” she exclaimed. “Why?”

  “The changing of history can have serious consequences.”

  “But, what changed?” asked Janie, glancing at Chase and Andy, who had crouched next to her.

  They watched as scenes flashed across the surface of the Relic. Jedadiah’s story of how he’d found it began unfolding, moving in rapid-motion as if someone had hit a fast-forward button. Moments later, it slowed and they were able to see the next part of the story: the kids’ ill-fated time-traveling trip. Chase, Andy and Janie stared at themselves as the Relic showed them meeting Jedadiah around his campfire.

  “Look! I’m on TV!” said Andy, pointing at himself.

  “It’s not a television,” snapped Janie.

  “It kind of seems like one to me,” answered Andy, shrugging.

  “Shh!”

  The bandits appeared and the kids watched the ensuing fight until Jedadiah escaped with the Relic. At that point, the scene changed. They now saw Jedadiah running through the trees and brush. Clutching the Relic to his chest, he glanced back over his shoulder. The kids gasped when he tripped on a tree root sticking from the ground and tumbled over and over down the side of a steep, rocky hill. Sprawled at the bottom, his leg twisted at an awkward angle and blood spurting from the various jagged cuts on his face, arms and chest, he groped around for his lost bundle.

  “Oh no!” cried Janie. “That didn’t happen before.”

  “Jedadiah dragged himself to where the bundle was jammed between two rocks,” said the Relic. “Panting heavily, he pried it loose, and slumped to the ground, exhausted, yet gripping the bundle as though he would never let it go. Four long, agonizing days went by. He was near death when a passing shepherd came upon him. With the help of his two sons, the shepherd carried Jedadiah to their home. They cared for him until he was healed and ready to resume his journey back to Scotland.”

  The scene faded.

  “We almost killed Jedadiah,” whispered Andy.

  Feeling as if he’d just plummeted down the steep, rocky hill, Chase stared at the Relic’s blank face. “At least he made it home,” he murmured.

  “Yeah,” said Andy. “At least.”

  “I still need the Time-Traveling Room turned back on!” shouted Janie.

  “You saw what happened,” said Chase, losing patience. “We almost destroyed everything. I think we’re better off without that crazy power to tempt us.”

  “I have to save my mom.”

  “Persephone once told us that sometimes things are meant to be, no matter what,” said Chase. He wanted so badly to make her understand.

  “I don’t care! My mom is more important.”

  “We miss her, too, but there’s nothing else we can do.”

  Andy patted her arm. “Don’t worry. We’ll share our mom and dad with you.”

  “Thanks to your stinking dad, we’ve already been sharing!” she said. “And you saw how that ended up.” She slammed her journal on the floor and lunged forward, reaching for the Relic, but Chase tackled her before she had a chance to grab it. Andy leaped back to avoid being caught in the scuffle.

  “I’m not letting you touch the Relic!” yelled Chase, holding her to the floor.

  “Let go of me!” Flopping back and forth, she swung her fists wildly.

  “No! You have to stop.”

  “You—are not—in charge!”

  BAM! One of her fists struck the side of Chase’s head; the other bashed his cheek. Man, why does it always have to be my head getting knocked around? He thought as shooting stars flashed in front of his eyes. He flipped over twice, rolling himself and Janie away from the Relic. With an extra strong shove, he sent her sliding across the smooth floor.

  “Janie, calm down!”

  Janie pulled herself to her feet, panting raggedly, her eyes filled with loathing. “You’ll be sorry for this,” she snarled. She was so enraged, Chase half-expected fire and smoke to shoot from her nostrils. For one tense moment, she looked as though she might lunge again. Instead, she grabbed up her journal and stormed from the room.

  “Wow! She was even scarier than before,” said Andy, his voice shaking.

  “You’re telling me,” said Chase as he swiped his hand across his brow.

  “She’s really losing it, isn’t she?”

  “Pretty much.”

  “So how do we fix her?”

  Chase sighed. “Good question.” He didn’t know if it was upsetting everyone else as much as it was upsetting him, but seeing Janie spiraling down into complete anger and despair was just about killing Chase, especially since he had no idea what to do about it. He’d never felt so helpless.

  “Do you think if she’d smashed the Relic, all our magic would’ve been lost forever?” asked Andy.

  Staring at the glowing Relic, Chase found himself wondering the same thing. “I hope not, shrimp, but I don’t think we ever want to find out.”

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Dread

  Cemeteries. Chase really hated cemeteries, and by the looks of this one, his graveyard nightmares were about to come true.

  The day was cloudy and chilly, and even though it was only the second day of September, it felt like fall had already arrived. Driven by the cool breeze, gray fog swirled and dead leaves skittered across the damp ground, whirling past the rows of eerie-looking tombstones.

  Huddled under a tree, his hands crammed into his pockets, Chase hunched in his jacket and shivered. He didn’t know if it was the thought of going to the cemetery or what, but from the moment he’d awakened this morning, something hadn’t felt right. Weird dreams had haunted him all night: vague images of being chased down dark hallways by phantom-like beings shrouded in black, their evil laughter echoing through his mind.

  He shook his head to clear away the frightening images. He had other things to think about right now. Today was Aunt Clair’s funeral. It was the first time he’d ever been to one, so that had to be the reason for his uneasiness.

  He watched the small group of friends and acquaintances of Clair’s and the rest of the family as they milled restlessly around the chairs that had been placed beneath the wide canvas awning they’d erected over Clair’s gravestone. Too bad they would never know the true story behind Clair’s death, since few people outside the family knew the Tinkers’ magical secrets.

  Like Chase, everyone there was dressed in somber outfits of black, forest green and navy blue. His mom’s shiny, reddish-gold hair was the brightest spot in the sea of dark shapes and colors. She and Doctor Dan were busy fussing over Grandfather, who was sitting in a wheelchair with a blanket covering his legs. Chase had to smile at the irritated expression on Grandfather’s face as they hovered around him like a couple of large mosquitoes looking for a tasty spot of skin to snack on.

  Chase scratched his nose and sighed. Even though too many things had happened for him to forgive his dad anytime soon, he knew he wouldn’t be able to stay angry with Grandfather much longer, especially with him being sick and all. Besides, if not for Grandfather, Chase and Andy would still be in New York City, completely clueless about the Tinker house and why they had magical powers in the first place.

  The sudden loud snap of the tent flapping in the wind caused Chase to jump to the side and stumble over a tree root. He was way too jittery at the moment. He took a deep, calming breath and let it out slowly. Relax, he told himself.

  “What’s up?” said a voice in his ear.

  He jumped again. “Geez, Persephone! Did you have to sneak up on me like that?”

  “Scared I might be a ghost or something?” she asked with a teasing lilt in her voice.

  “Of course not.” The vision of Aunt Clair’s ghost
flitted through his mind as he reached up and tugged at the too-snug tie his mom had insisted he should wear. “As if I believe in anything like that.”

  “Yeah, right,” she said. “You’re looking rather green around the gills, as Mr. Hiram would say.”

  “Um…well…cemeteries aren’t the funnest places, you know.” He scuffed his toe in the dirt. “I wonder what’s taking your mom so long,” he added, wanting to change the subject as quickly as possible.

  “It must be taking longer than she thought to sweet-talk Janie into coming,” she said. “I can’t believe that girl’s still being so stubborn.”

  “Your mom’s talking to Janie?” he said, frowning. “I think we should go back to the house and check on them. Especially after what happened last night.”

  “What do you mean?”

  He told her about the attempted time-traveling trip, and how crazy Janie had acted after finding out the room had been turned off by the Relic.

  “Oh my gosh!” she exclaimed. “My mom and I had no idea.” She grabbed his arm. “Come on, we have to go see if everything’s okay.”

  They hurried to Anne and pulled her aside. “We think Janie’s planning on not coming so we want to go get her,” said Chase quietly.

  “We can’t force her to be here, Chase,” said Benjamin as he and Andy sidled over to join in the conversation.

  “But I’m hoping it will help her,” said Chase. “You didn’t see her, but she was in pretty bad shape last night.”

  “I don’t know…” murmured Anne, giving Ben a worried look as she nibbled on the inside of her bottom lip.

  While he waited for his parents’ decision, Chase glanced down at the gray headstone embedded in the ground. His heart jumped when he saw for the first time Clair’s name carved across it.

  Clair Augusta Tinker

  Beloved mother, daughter, sister, aunt, friend

  You will be missed.

  He swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat, and pushed down the sadness that always seemed to be a part of him these days. Augusta? Poor Aunt Clair, having to share a name with such a cranky old crone. He pictured in his mind the original Augusta with her grim face, warty nose, and intimidating black eye patch, thankful her enchanted picture wasn’t there to smack him again.

  “Well…okay,” said Anne, interrupting his thoughts. “If you think it will do any good. I don’t know what else we can do for her.”

  “You better make it quick, kids,” said Benjamin. “The service is supposed to start soon.”

  “Don’t worry,” said Chase. “We’ll zip there and back before you even know we’re gone.”

  “Hey, I want to go, too,” said Andy.

  Chase rolled his eyes. “Only if Mom says so.”

  “It’s okay with me,” Anne answered. “But hurry back. And be careful!”

  The three kids rushed around several tall gravestones and ducked behind a tall hedge that sheltered them from any prying eyes.

  “Okay, hang on,” said Chase as he grabbed their arms. “Thomas’s Bathroom!” The familiar swirl of wind and darkness whisked them away. Moments later, they appeared in the bathroom. Chase was happy that he was finally able to teleport back there without landing in the bathtub or on top of the toilet.

  “Why don’t we check the kitchen first?” said Persephone. “My mom thinks food is the best medicine for any problem.”

  “Sounds good to me,” said Chase.

  “A snack sounds good to me,” said Andy as the three kids raced down the hall.

  “We don’t have time for eating,” said Chase, looking irritated. “Is your stomach all you ever think about?” He was saying this right as they passed the study. He glanced in, and skidded to a stop. “Whoa! What happened here?” His heart began to pound.

  If he hadn’t known it was Grandfather’s study, he never would have recognized it. The place was in complete shambles. The windows were shattered and the French doors were dangling from their hinges. Grandfather’s desk had been flipped over, its drawers yanked out and broken; the furnishings were ruined beyond repair, fabric shredded and cotton stuffing torn out; the paintings, bookshelves and even the wallpaper had been ripped from the walls.

  The three kids stepped cautiously into the room, debris crunching underfoot.

  “Who could have done this?” whispered Persephone.

  Chase approached one of the tattered walls. It was streaked with dark scorch marks that resembled black blood vessels creeping off in all directions. He ran his finger along the outline of one. An electrical charge shot up his arm. He yanked his hand away. His mouth became as dry as burnt toast.

  “James did this,” he muttered hoarsely, clenching his fists. “Somehow.”

  “What?” cried Persephone. “But how? He’s been gone for over two weeks.”

  “I’m not sure, but I have a feeling it was him,” said Chase. His voice shook slightly as he surveyed the room again, his mind spinning. The memories of James trying to drown him while they were out fishing and then attacking Grandfather were two things he didn’t plan on forgetting anytime soon. Some payback would feel awfully good.

  “You just think it’s him because of what he did to you and Mr. Hiram,” said Persephone.

  Chase shrugged. He didn’t want to argue about it. Punching James in the eye again seemed like a much better idea.

  “So where is he now?” asked Andy. “And why would he destroy this room?”

  “Who knows?” said Chase, scowling at the mess. “But since it’s the Shielding Room, its power must help with the protective enchantment Grandfather put around the house to help keep us safe. Maybe James wanted it out in order to let someone in.”

  “But who would he want to let in?” asked Andy, looking bewildered.

  “And how is it possible for him to do this, anyway?” asked Persephone, waving her hand agitatedly. “He doesn’t have that kind of power. Does he?”

  “At this point, nothing about him would surprise me,” said Chase. He squinted at a shattered flower vase as he remembered the golden chest they had to jump into in order to get to the hidden rooms where the powers used to hurt and destroy lived. “Maybe before he left, he found his way back to the fighting powers rooms and enchanted something to use later.”

  “I’m pretty sure Mr. Hiram would’ve locked that chest again,” said Persephone. “So how would James get in without the key?”

  “I don’t know!” said Chase, losing patience.

  “Maybe he used those treasure chests we found in the library,” Andy chimed in. “You know, the ones that can teleport people to different rooms in the house.”

  “Oh, yeah…” said Chase, nodding. “Good thinking, Andy.” He crossed his arms and looked thoughtful. “Since he knows the names of some of those powers now, that just might work...”

  Persephone clapped her hand to her mouth, fear in her eyes. “But if he did and if we do go after him, he might do something awful to us, too!”

  “I have my watch. It should help,” said Chase.

  “Your watch?” said Persephone.

  Chase stuck his hands into his pockets as he swept aside some of the wreckage with the side of his shoe. “Uh…the day we were down exploring the fighting rooms, I enchanted it with the Shoot-anything-from-your-fingertips magic.”

  “That’s how you were able to blast those ropes at Roland Marlowe when we were at Doctor Dan’s!” exclaimed Andy. “I forgot all about it ‘til just now.”

  “Yeah, too bad that didn’t work,” said Chase bitterly.

  “You were worried James would enchant something,” said Andy with an accusing look, “and yet you went and did it for yourself.”

  “At least I don’t plan on hurting innocent people,” said Chase.

  Persephone twisted her fingers together. “So what if James isn’t the one who did this?”

  “But who else?” said Chase. “You know the enchantment of the shield only lets in whoever Grandfather wants to be let in, and unfortunately, James is
one of them.”

  “You said Janie was acting crazy,” said Persephone.

  “Yeah, but, I don’t know, what would wrecking the study do for her?” answered Chase. “My money’s still on James. I think we should check on the gold chest in Grandfather’s room. Make sure that’s okay. I have the key for it hidden in my room.”

  “You have the key?” said Persephone.

  “Yeah. I took it out of the lock after you guys were gone. I thought it might need some safekeeping, and it looks like I was right.”

  “Why am I surprised?” said Persephone as she shook her head in exasperation. “I should’ve known you wouldn’t let that key get past you.”

  Chase gave her a lopsided smile. “Let’s go.”

  The three kids ran to the boys’ bedroom. Chase rummaged through a drawer, pulled the key from a balled-up t-shirt, and shoved it into his pants pocket. “While we’re here, let’s see if Janie’s in her room,” he said, while yanking off his jacket and tie and tossing them into a corner.

  “If she is,” said Persephone, “maybe my mom’s with her.”

  Ten seconds later, Chase pounded on Janie’s door. “Janie, are you in there?” They waited several moments, but the door didn’t open. Chase peeked in. The room was empty, but much tidier than he’d expected. Even the bed was neatly made, which was kind of weird, considering how wrecked Janie looked lately.

  “No one’s here,” said Chase. He paused. Something still didn’t feel right. It was like the awful feeling of dread he’d had in the cemetery had followed him here and was now stalking them through the house.

  “What’s wrong?” asked Persephone, noticing the strange look on his face.

  “Um, nothing,” he muttered. He took a deep breath. “Okay, let’s go check on the chest.”

  They got a little lost searching for Grandfather’s room, but at last, they stood at the bottom of the marble staircase. Remembering that the secret way up the stairs was to walk backward, they all turned and climbed up them. At the top, Chase threw open the double doors. Their eyes went straight to the foot of the bed, where, the last time they’d been there, the golden chest had sat.