The Dominion Key (25 page)

“How wuuuzzz your new schoool?”

Elliot’s squeal rang in my ears. I climbed to my feet, wiping the dirt off my tattered clothes even as the robot’s protractible arms wrapped tightly around me.

“Not so great, actually,” I admitted.

“I misssed youuu!”

“I—uh … missed you too.” I wriggled free of Elliot’s grasp. “How’d you get here?”

My dad stepped forward with an explanation. “Your mother and I decided to bring him with us. He rode on the back of my hover scooter.”

“I ooonly felll off onccce!”

“We parked the scooters in the bushes,” Mom said. “Elliot waited there until we were sure you were okay.”

“But we’ve already filled him in on what he missed,” Dad said.

“Baaad man got zapped tooo North Pole!” Elliot chimed in.

“Actually, Antarctica is the
South
Pole,” Dad corrected. His eyes turned to me. “You showed great courage back there, Son.”

The memories flickered in my brain. The world coming to a sudden standstill. Nothing moving but a string of light. Vex flying backward through the gateway.

I shook my head, as if that would rid me of the thoughts. “I don’t even know how I made it happen.”

“You’re getting stronger,” Mom said. “More powerful.”

“Yeah, and thanks to that power, the whole world is gonna suffer if Vex ever
does
get his hands on me.”

Dad’s magnified eyes didn’t blink. “Then we’ll make sure that doesn’t happen.”

“Unfortunately, that means you won’t be able to return to Alabaster,” Mom said. “Now that Vex knows you were there, it wouldn’t be safe any longer.”

Our conversation was interrupted by a sound outside. A steady
thwumping
that grew louder and louder. My family and I rushed to the front yard. Gazing up at the sky, we saw a bright red helicopter coming in for a landing. Stanley was in the pilot’s seat. Squeezed into the cockpit beside him were Captain Justice and Scarlett Flame.

The spinning propellers blew away broken branches and loose chunks of earth. By the time the helicopter had touched down, a mob of excited students and teachers had gathered close by.

Captain Justice kicked open the door to the helicopter
and leaped outside. Ignoring the screaming students around him, he scanned the swarm of faces until he saw who he was looking for.

“Sophie!”

The superhero rushed forward and wrapped his muscular arms around his daughter. A wave of whispers passed through the crowd of classmates.

“Oh my gosh!”

“The newbie knows Captain Justice!”

“I’m jealous!”

Captain Justice held Sophie by the shoulders, gazing at her. “Scarlett and I came as soon as we heard. Are you all right?”

“I’m fine, Dad,” Sophie said.

Scarlett Flame approached, sunlight glistening across her golden body armor. She placed one manicured hand on Captain Justice’s shoulder and the other on Sophie’s. “We were so worried that we canceled the rest of our publicity tour.”

Sophie glanced up at her dad’s girlfriend. I could see a hundred snarky thoughts pass across her face. But instead, Sophie swallowed. And all she said was “I’m glad you guys came.”

“We’re just sorry it couldn’t have been sooner.” Captain Justice gazed at the destruction all around: A massive crater in the ground. Scorched trees. A log cabin with half its front wall missing. “Looks like we missed all the fun.”

Milton pushed through the crowd of onlookers and
wrapped his arms around the two newly arrived superheroes.

“Group hug!”

“Yes—uh … it’s nice to see you as well, Marlon,” said Captain Justice.

As the sun gradually rose higher in the clear blue sky, Captain Justice and Scarlett Flame signed autographs for everyone. Eventually, Principal Alabaster separated from the group and approached my parents. “Delightful seeing you again after all these years,” he said. “I’d love to stay and catch up, but I’m afraid we’ve got to get back.”

“We truly appreciate everything you did to keep our son and his friends safe,” Dad said.

“Just doing my job.” Principal Alabaster’s twinkling gray eyes moved from me to my parents. “You know, your twenty-five-year class reunion is coming up. Perhaps I’ll see you there?”

A half smile appeared on my mom’s face as she replied, “Not a chance.”

“That’s what I thought you’d say.” Principal Alabaster turned back to the excited mob. “Okay, everyone. Autograph time’s over. Back to school.”

The crowd let out a disappointed groan. Principal Alabaster pulled open another seam in the universe. By the looks of it, this portal led directly into the stone entrance of Alabaster Academy. As the principal ushered students and teachers through the gateway, I stood to the side with Sophie, Milton, my parents, and Elliot, saying our goodbyes.

Cassie emerged from the group. “Too bad you guys can’t
come back to school.” She pushed a strand of silver hair from her forehead and her eyes landed on Milton. “I’ll miss hanging out with you.”

“Me too,” Milton said at once. “I’ll let you know where we end up. Maybe your dad can teleport you there on weekends.”

Cassie smiled. “That’d be nice. And you can show me your Supersonic uniform.”

Milton nodded eagerly. “My jet-boots still fit!”

Cassie let out an excited chirp. She rushed forward and kissed Milton on the cheek. When she hopped backward again, Milton’s face had gone red all over.

“See ya!” Cassie waved as she vanished through the portal.

For a few moments, Milton stood there with a goofy grin on his face—until Miranda knocked him out of his daze with a punch to the shoulder.

“Snap out of it, lover boy.” She chuckled, turning to the rest of us. “Well, I guess this is goodbye.”

“What do you mean?” I knitted my brow. “Aren’t you coming with us?”

I knew at once from the look on Miranda’s face that she wasn’t. I guess it shouldn’t have come as such a surprise. Out of the four of us, she’d done the best at Alabaster. She’d excelled in everything—from defusing bombs to avoiding dodgeballs. She was obviously meant for a place like Alabaster.

But none of that meant I was happy to see her go. Miranda had become one of my best friends over the summer. I had
no idea where I’d end up, but knowing she wouldn’t be there really bummed me out.

One glimpse at Sophie and Milton was all it took to let me know that Miranda had already broken the news to them. Probably while I was unconscious.

“My mom and I have spent the past two years traveling the country, trying to improve my Gyft and get noticed,” Miranda said. “Along the way, I’ve lost every friend I’ve ever had. But at Alabaster …” She couldn’t help grinning. “It’s the best of both worlds. I’ll be able to train my powers without switching schools every few months. There’s only one downside—I’ll miss you guys.”

“We’ll miss you too,” I said.

Miranda hugged Sophie, Milton, and me, then turned and skipped through the portal, into the entry hall of Alabaster Academy, where a large group of Gyfted kids were waiting for her.

Principal Alabaster gave us one final wave. Then he stepped into the entry hall, closing the interspatial gateway behind him as if he were zipping up a tent.

There was enough room in Scarlett’s helicopter for three additional passengers. Since my parents’ hover scooters were parked close by, they would travel separately with Elliot, while Milton, Sophie, and I would hitch a ride with the superheroes.

“I call shotgun!” Milton raced excitedly to the helicopter door.

Captain Justice and Scarlett Flame followed him, holding hands.

“Ugh.” Sophie made a face. “They better not make out the whole way.”

As Sophie trailed them, I waited behind with my parents and Elliot.

“What’ll we do now?” I asked.

Dad shook his head. “We’re not entirely sure. At the moment, we don’t even know whether we can call ourselves supervillains. I mean, just
look
at us. These days, we spend most of our time with Captain Justice.”

“Don’t forget his girlfriend and her solid-gold swimsuit,” Mom grumbled.

“Maybe it’s time we get back out there. Show the world we’re still capable of awful treachery.” Dad’s expression filled with sudden purpose. “After all, it’s been nearly a year since our last wicked plot.”

I shuddered. That’s just what I needed in my life—
more
wicked plots.

“First things first,” Mom said. “We’ll all meet up again in Sheepsdale. We figure we have less than twenty-four hours to vacate the house before Vex regroups and comes looking for us. Wherever we end up, we need to make sure we can bring the zombies. And Micus.”

“Don’t forget about Elliot,” Dad said.

“Yeaaahhh! Donnn’t forrrget meee!”

“And as for you”—Mom ruffled my hair—“we’ve got to ensure that you get a good education.”

“And that you remain safe,” Dad added.

“Maybe we’ll try homeschooling.”

My head filled with dreary thoughts of never leaving the house, enduring lessons interrupted by the groans of hungry zombies, with nobody to hang out with but two supervillains, a dysfunctional robot butler, and a murderous mutant houseplant.

Now, that
would
be a wicked plot.

I hugged my parents and Elliot goodbye. Once they took off in the direction of their hover scooters, I climbed into the back. My shoulder pressed up against Sophie’s as I settled into the cramped cabin.

Stanley started the engine. I heard the
whoosh
of propellers beginning to swirl above us. Soon, the helicopter lifted off. We were on our way.

Joshua Dread began as a Microsoft Word file on my computer, and it would’ve stayed that way were it not for the intelligence and efforts of my agent, Sarah Burnes. Thank you for your excellent guidance over three books now. Many thanks also to Logan Garrison, who spotted Joshua in her crowded slush pile and got this whole thing started. Rebecca Gardner and Will Roberts have done an extraordinary job of sharing this series with the world and setting Joshua Dread up with all his different aliases: Joshua Schreck, Lucas D., Jack Vandal, and more to come. Thank you to everyone at the Gernert Company. Without a doubt, the best agency a guy could ever want!

A HUGE thank you goes out to my editor, Wendy Loggia, for your insight, wisdom, and advocacy on behalf of this series. And for making me a better writer.

Thank you, Mary Van Akin. I truly appreciate your publicity expertise, patience, and dedication over the last year. And thanks to Nicole Banholzer for taking the torch from Mary and offering your enthusiasm and ideas from day one.

I am so fortunate to have the support of Delacorte Press/Random House Children’s Books. In particular, and in no particular order: Krista Vitola, Trish Parcell, Bobbie Ford, Adrienne Waintraub, Lisa McClatchy, Brenda Conway, and Beverly Horowitz. This series would not have been possible without all of your commitment, attention, emails, calls, contacts, expertise, experience, and a million other little things that
helped get Joshua Dread onto bookshelves (both real and virtual) and into readers’ hands.

Thank you to the copy editors who have worked behind the scenes on all three books. You make me seem much more intelligent and observant than I actually am.

My gratitude goes out to the terrific folks at the Random House Audio/Listening Library imprint—Dan Zitt, Laura Duane, Jodie Cohen, Katherine Fleming, and Catherine Bucaria—for bringing Joshua Dread to life. And to Maxwell Glick, for playing all the parts so well.

Thank you to Brandon Dorman. Your covers keep getting better.

Cathy Berner at the Blue Willow Bookshop in Houston has been a wonderful advocate for this series from the beginning. I owe you some Jacques Torres, Cathy.

When I was writing the acknowledgments for the first Joshua Dread, I had no idea what an enormous role librarians and teachers would play. Traveling to schools and libraries across the country, I’ve seen firsthand what a difference you make in the lives of your students. I am truly encouraged by your passion and dedication to reading, writing, curiosity, and creativity.

The following educators are among those who invited me into their schools and offered me an opportunity to share my story with their students: Tim Jones, Debra Yocum, Michael Kandel, Margaret Mary Ryan, Jami Ryan, Sarah Murphy, Phoebe Search, Beth McGregor, Vikki Terrile, Tiffany Nienow, Cheryl Patrick, Cindy Kunz, Diana Hood, Sue McDowell, Sydnie Kleinhenz, Kim Warwick, Alicia Vandenbroek, Margaret Garrett, Kay Almquist, Ashley Wagon, Noland Harmon, Brandee Smith, Marilyn Fowler, Jeanette Dow, Babette Vandervert, Erica Briscoe, Kim Logue, and Leigh Collazo. THANK YOU!

A number of people were generous enough to let me stay at their homes while I was on the road promoting this series.
Thank you to Debi Thompson Campbell, Chris and Lee Daniels, and Bob and Mia Leland.

I am so grateful for the support from my family throughout the years. Doug, Sherilyn, and Kim Svien. Erin and Dennis Sissell. Mike, Carla, and Cody Owens. Layla Price. Stephen and Claudia Greek. Amy and Stephen Snell. Lauren and Travis Trull. Caitlyn and John Moore. Kristy Fowler Compton.

My greatest appreciation goes to my grandparents James and Sue Greek, to whom this book is dedicated.