A Warden's Purpose (Wardens of Issalia Book 1) by Jeffrey L. Kohanek

Author:Jeffrey L. Kohanek [Kohanek, Jeffrey L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780999410783
Publisher: Fallbrandt Press
Published: 2018-05-18T22:00:00+00:00

With a nod, Everson folded the letter and slipped it into the envelope. He put the envelope on the desk, turned toward Jonah, and poked him in the shoulder.

“What?” Jonah jerked awake with a start, blinking as his head rose from his pillow.

“You fell asleep.”

Jonah rubbed his eyes and sat up on the bed. “What time is it?”

Everson grabbed his pack and opened it. “It’s time to go. The sun set over an hour ago, so the kitchen should be quiet.”

Standing, Jonah arched his back as he stretched. Everson grabbed the glowlamp and slid it into his pack, plunging the room into darkness. He then gripped his canes and stood as Jonah opened the door. The blue light of the glowing floor tiles in the corridor lit the opening as Everson shuffled through. With the door closed and locked, the two boys headed down the hallway.

Despite the illuminated tiles to light the way, the cold interior of the massive building felt eerie and lonely – an empty husk bereft of a pulse. They passed through the main hall, entered the central corridor, and tested the doors to the dining hall.

“Locked,” Jonah whispered as he dug into his pockets. He pulled out a long needle and a flat strip of metal.

“You know how to pick a lock?” Everson asked in a hushed voice.

Jonah shrugged. “Effects of a misspent youth.”

He then knelt and slid the needle into the slot, twisting and wiggling it. Everson glanced down the hall nervously as the sound of metal scraping metal echoed in the quiet of night. A click sounded and Jonah slid the flat metal piece into the lock, grimacing as he used it to turn the bolt.

“Done.” He turned the knob and the door swung open.

A voice came from behind them. “What are you guys doing?”

Everson stared at Jonah with alarm in his eyes and swallowed before turning. With arms crossed, Donnell stood a few strides away.

“Donnell,” Everson stammered. “What are you doing here?”

“I was studying in the lounge, and I spotted you two heading down the corridor as I was returning to my room. Are you breaking into the dining hall?”

Jonah stood and turned toward Donnell. “It’s no big deal. We aren’t stealing or anything like that.”

“So, why do it?”

Jonah glanced at Everson, who shrugged.

“We want to investigate the ovens.”

Donnell’s eyes narrowed, his head tilted to the side. “The ovens?”

With an exasperated sigh, Everson waved Donnell forward. “Just come with us and you’ll see. Regardless, we need to get out of the hallway.”

Everson shuffled inside, as did Donnell, while Jonah pulled the door closed behind them.

When the room fell dark, Everson handed his pack to Jonah.

“Take the lamp out so we can see.”

Jonah extracted the glowlamp and blue light bloomed, casting long shadows across the room. The three boys slipped past the tables and made their way to the kitchen. They circled the long counter that normally divided the students from the cooks, and the ovens came into view. The air grew warmer as they edged closer.

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