The Shadowseeker - Victor Kloss Page 0,47

been in here twenty minutes already. Someone could come in any moment.”

Ben nodded. He felt reluctant to leave. Even though the locker was completely empty, it somehow felt like his dad was close by. Maybe it was the smell. Ben gave the stones one last pat.

Click.

The stone beneath his hand suddenly retreated. A small door concealed in the far corner of the locker swung open, revealing a torch-lit passageway that descended ever downwards.

— Chapter Eighteen —

Important Discoveries

A rattling came from the entrance door to the locker room, followed by a couple of hushed voices.

“Get in, quick!”

Ben shut the locker door and they stumbled in the darkness to the secret entrance. Ben led them through and into a gently downward-sloping passageway. The torch lights on the stone walls flickered, casting dancing shadows as they walked.

“I know I shouldn't be saying this,” Charlie said, “but technically this passageway isn't possible. We should be walking into the floor below right about now.”

“Tut tut, Charlie,” Ben said. “I would have thought by now you'd know logic doesn't apply when magic is involved.”

“A magic passageway right in the middle of the Institute,” Natalie said, her voice filled with wonder. “At least we know what Charlie found out about Guardians is true – you do have unparalleled access to the heart of the Institute, Ben.”

“We'll soon find out if it means anything. Look ahead,” Ben said, pointing.

The passageway came to an end, and they found themselves facing the faint outline of a door with a small handle protruding from the stone. Ben grabbed the handle and turned. The door opened easily, and they stepped through.

“Oh wow,” Natalie breathed.

They had entered a large circular room that resembled something out of a gentleman's club. It was lit by a decorative chandelier that hung from the high ceiling, creating a warm glow through magical means. Squishy leather chairs were placed in twos and threes on a thick, gleaming golden carpet. Painted on the walls were incredible murals of what Ben assumed were famous Institute members. At one end was a long cabinet, which held all sorts of bottled drinks, but it was the centre of the room that caught their attention. There was a magnificent long table, surrounded by high-backed chairs. Behind the table was a small replica version of the statue of Queen Elizabeth wearing a full suit of armour, holding her sword aloft. Strangely, Ben noticed she was missing her boots. Next to her was a large globe, much like the one in the library, which floated in the air and spun gently on its axis.

“Ben, look!” Charlie said. He was pointing to a grand fireplace at the end of the room. Charlie hurried over, bent down, and started touching the kindling. “I knew it. Come here, quick!”

Ben exchanged puzzled looks with Natalie. He hurried over and saw Charlie digging his hands into the ash.

“Feel this,” Charlie said.

Ben knelt down and touched the ash gently.

It was warm.

“Not more than two or three hours old, I'd say,” Charlie said.

Ben felt his whole body tense. “My parents,” he whispered, staring into the fireplace, and then at a stunned Natalie and a grinning Charlie.

“Are you absolutely sure, Charlie?” Natalie said. “How did you know the fireplace was warm from across the room?”

Charlie tapped his nose. “I've got a strong sense of smell.”

“On par with a bloodhound,” Ben said.

Ben got up and surveyed the room, hands on hips. It was clear this was some sort of common room for the Guardians, or anyone else able to get in.

“I wonder what they were doing here,” Natalie said.

“Hiding, probably,” Charlie said.

Ben nodded. It made sense. “Let's take a look around.”

They found nothing further of interest until they approached the table. The boots that were missing from the statue were placed on the table, on top of a whole pile of books and documents.

Charlie scrambled up onto one of the chairs to get a better look. He started picking up documents and books, and scanning them with computer-like speed. “This is fascinating. These are all about the same thing.”

To Ben's frustration, Charlie was so immersed in reading a long yellow parchment that he failed to elaborate. Ben turned his attention to the books; the moment he read a few of the titles, he knew what Charlie meant. A History of the Forreck. Forrecks and Where to Find Them. Forrecks: Should They Be Terminated? Crystal Dragon vs. Forreck: The Ultimate Battle. Ben saw a section highlighted in yellow by someone in the book How to