Read Grey Griffins: The Clockwork Chronicles #1: The Brimstone Key for Free Online Page B

by airship.”
    “Or subway,” Todd added. “That’s where the
Zephyr
comes in.”
    “What about portals?” Max asked.
    “Portals are shut down inside all Templar academies,” Todd replied. “They say it’s a safety precaution.”
    “It’s more like they don’t want the students sneaking out for a night on the town,” Ross corrected.
    At that moment, the doors to the subway creaked open. Max thought he could see Brooke enter one of the cars behind them, but the cloud of steam, the crackle of MERLIN Tech, and the rush of students made it a confusing scene.
    “Ladies first.” Ernie bowed to Natalia. Harley couldn’twait, though. He was too excited to see what was inside, so he slipped past her as she scowled.
    The
Zephyr
had been a marvel of comfort and luxury in its heyday. It was tastefully appointed with dark mahogany, brass accents, and leather hanging straps for anyone who chose to stand. For those who sat, there were deep leather benches set like parlor couches, some facing one another, some with their backs to the windows. The whole of the carriage was illuminated by the warm glow of Tiffany lamps mounted on the side walls. Whoever had built the subway had spared no expense.
    “Too bad the train was left to rot,” Natalia remarked. The seat beneath her was split and covered in mildew.
    “It’s not so bad,” Harley replied. “A little elbow grease and a bit of varnish, and this baby could be as good as new.”
    After three whistles, the doors to the
Zephyr
closed, and the carriage rose into the air on its silvery sled. An instant later, the subway shot into the darkness.
    “Wait a minute,” Natalia said, glancing over her shoulder. “Half of these people weren’t on the platform with us.”
    “There are lots of stops between here and the Twin Cities,” Ross explained.
    “The students at Iron Bridge don’t have to live in Avalon?” Ernie asked.
    Todd laughed. “This is my first time in this boring town, and I bet it’s the same for most of us.”
    “Avalon most certainly isn’t boring,” Natalia said defensively.
    “Give me a break,” Ross chimed in. “It’s just a tidal pool that was left over from the old world. And trust me, there is a big difference between a pool and the ocean.”
    “You have to understand, most of us live either in the Land of Mist or in major cities like New York and London,” Todd explained. “Compared to those places, in Avalon you barely have your toes in the water.”
    “So when are you going to give us a tour?” Harley asked, hopeful for a chance to visit Mad Meriwether’s Gadgetry Shoppe.
    “I wouldn’t count on it any time soon,” Ross explained. “I’m sure there will be restrictions on students entering the city.”
    “How long is this ride supposed to last?” Ernie asked. The bumps in the rails were making him feel nauseated, and he didn’t want to vomit in front of everyone.
    “Time and distance are completely different in the Land of Mist,” Ross explained. “You might as well get comfortable, because we’re going to be in here for a while.”
    As he spoke, the subway train cut into swirling fog. Max noticed everything around them start to shimmer, and then the subway changed. The rotted interior became sleek and polished. Gone was the smell of mildew and the bumps in the rail. Once it entered the Land of Mist, the
Zephyr
had returned to its former glory.
    “That was incredible!” Harley said, marveling at the transformation.
    “Not bad,” Todd agreed. “Just watch out for the rogue portals and bottomless pits.”
    “Don’t forget the sea monsters,” Ross reminded him.
    Ernie gasped.
    “Don’t worry,” reassured Todd, with his nose pressed against the window. “The
Zephyr
will know what to do.”
    The subway emerged into a glass tunnel deep under the shimmering water. Max watched in awe as they sped past sunken ships, schools of exotic fish, and a forest of plants that were as tall as skyscrapers.
    “It’s amazing