For Dwight K. Schrute, who understands that robots should be made with a six-foot extension cord just in case there is a robot uprising.
Derek:
To Ioulia & Noah: In deepest affection. As ever. Forever.
To Courtney Jeanne: The best Frank Hardy a Joe could ever have.
CONTENTS
Copyright
DEDICATION
THE GREY GRIFFINS
THE NIGHTMARE
PART ONE: IRON BRIDGE ACADEMY
1: THE UNMARKED PACKAGE
2: INTO THE DEEP
3: REACHING INTO THE PORTAL
4: A MESSAGE FROM THE GRAVE?
5: TRANSFERRING IS NEVER EASY
6: STICKING OUT IN A CROWD
7: THE TOAD BROTHERS
8: IRON BRIDGE
9: A CLOUD OF SMOKE
10: A LESSON IN FASHION
11: FAIR WARNING
12: CHANGELING QUARANTINE
13: CAUGHT IN THE ACT
14: HARLEY’S SECRET
15: SWAMP FIEND
16: GUILT BY ASSOCIATION
17: THE DIFFERENCE ENGINE
18: DOC TRIMBLE
19: BOOM FOOD
20: THE SIM CHAMBER
21: POPPING IN
22: MAX GOES ON A DATE
23: CIRCLE OF CONFUSION
PART TWO: THE CLOCKWORK CONNECTION
24: CAUGHT IN THE SPIDER’S WEB
25: NEW VICTORIA
26: THE VAN WYCK GUIDE
27: TRANSFORMATION
28: THE MENAGERIE
29: GONE IN A FLASH
30: DON’T FEAR THE REAPER
31: CONSEQUENCES
32: AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
33: THE INVITATION
34: SUSPENDED
35: AN UNUSUAL GUEST
36: THE CLOCKWORK KING
37: THE MIND OF OTTO VON STRIFE
38: BOUNDER CARE
39: ABDUCTED. AGAIN.
40: ROSENKREUZ LIBRARY
41: BREACH
42: ANSWERS
43: THE COMPETITION
44: RAVEN
45: LET THE GAMES BEGIN
46: ROUND ONE
47: ROUND TWO
48: HOW TO TRUMP A WAR MACHINE
49: DECISIONS
PART THREE: BRIMSTONE
50: A DANGEROUS PATH
51: THE BISHOP
52: OBADIAH STRANGE
53: A DRAGON RETURNS
54: HOPELESS
55: THEGRAF ZEPPELIN
56: A STRANGE BREW
57: TRAINING
58: DURBAN
59: THE BRIMSTONE FACILITY
60: VOLT VINES
61: A SECRET REVEALED
62: THE SECRET TO LIVING FOREVER
63: VISIONS
64: THE INFERNO PRISON
65: STRANDED
66: THE DREADNAUGHT
67: GOOD-BYE
68: TIRED OF BEING A VICTIM
THE GREY GRIFFINS
THE LEADER: Max Sumner
After his grandfather’s mysterious death, Max learned that his wealthy family was a part of the secret Templar society. He became the Guardian of the Codex Spiritus, an enchanted book that holds monsters, evil faeries, and other dangerous creatures captive within its magical pages. The Codex can change shapes, from a book, to a ring, to a gauntlet capable of channeling Max’s family power: Skyfire!
THE INVENTOR: Harley Davidson Eisenstein
Built like a linebacker and incredibly smart, Harley is a technological prodigy who designs gadgets critical to any successful monster hunt. Unlike Max’s wealthy family, Harley and his mother are barely getting by. But he’s not bothered; he knows that happiness isn’t measured by how much money you have in your bank account.
THE SLEUTH: Natalia Romanov
Fearless, fiery, and intensely smart, Natalia uses her keen observational skills and her analytical mind to solve any mystery. As a part of her sleuthing kit, Natalia carries a Phantasmoscope that allows her to see into the faerie spectrum. Since a close friend betrayed her, Natalia has had a hard time trusting other girls. She feels more at home with the Griffins than with anyone else.
THE CHANGELING: Ernie Tweeny
Ernie became a changeling after a transfusion of faerie blood, which gave him super speed, rapid healing, and enhanced eyesight. But there’s a catch: whenever Ernie uses his powers, he becomes more faerie and less human. Despite that risk, he has vowed to fight evil as his superhero alter ego, Agent Thunderbolt.
THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR
The Knights Templar is an ancient society that has sworn to protect mankind against unseen dangers like monster invasions and zombie uprisings. In recent months, the Templar were nearly exterminated by an army of werewolves called the Black Wolf Society. They are slowly rebuilding their strength.
THE NIGHTMARE
TERRIFIED, MAX SUMNER FORCED HIMSELF TO WALK DOWN the long corridor. Water dripped from the ceiling, as an eerie light flickered through tattered sheets of plastic strung across the end of the hallway.
Max didn’t notice the fallen bicycle until it was too late. He tripped, cutting his shin. But he couldn’t turn back. Not now. The front wheel spun as he walked toward the light. When he finally reached the ragged sheeting, Max pushed it aside and stepped through. The temperature plummeted and breath rose from his mouth like a ghostly serpent.
Crunch…
Max looked down at a rotted yellow bag half-filled with decaying newspapers and swallowed hard. Then he heard the faint whistle of drills, and Max was certain that the stench in his nostrils was blood.
He passed a discarded sneaker, then a baseball cap with the name Johnny Geist written on the lining of the bill.
“Help me…” a small voice begged.
Max raced through the doorway ahead only to find an empty room. It was some sort of laboratory with rusty instruments and tools that lined tarnished trays. Glass jars filled with mysterious liquids crowded dilapidated shelves, and a faint red stain ran along the concrete floor toward a drain. A steel table with leather straps for hands and feet stood in the center of the room. Then