The Enchanted Obelisk (Clockwork Calico Book 2) Read online

  The Enchanted Obelisk

  Clockwork Calico Book 2

  Lana Axe

  Text copyright © 2016 Lana Axe

  All Rights Reserved

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  About the Author

  The streets of Ticswyk buzzed with activity, citizens rushing to their various destinations. None took notice of the special calico cat, sleeping soundly in the window of her apartment. Cali lay stretched on her windowsill, her favorite cushion warmed by the late morning sun. Her brass enhancements glittered in the sunlight, her tri-colored fur shining almost as bright. The rattle of a carriage wheel against the cobblestones caused her to stir, her nose and ears twitching in response. She refused to wake up. This nap was far too sweet to abandon.

  Settling back to sleep, she had no choice but to picture the street’s activities. Her mechanically enhanced ears could not tune out the sounds of the real world, so they invaded her dreams. Children ran about in play, one boy stopping near her window to announce the early morning’s headlines.

  “Ancient Egypt Arrives in Ticswyk!” the boy shouted.

  Cali rolled over on her window perch and tucked her head under her paws. When the boy shouted again, she opened her mechanical eye, its purple light illuminating her face. Squinting, she peered through the window at the boy outside. With a powerful hiss, she caught the boy’s attention. He startled and turned to see who was there. At the sight of a giant purple eye, he jumped backward, dropping his newspapers and landing flat on his bottom in the street.

  Pushing open the window, Cali bounded to the young boy’s aid. She’d only meant to scare the boy away, not injure him. He appeared unharmed, but guilt came over her. She had acted in haste. Since he appeared unharmed, she felt it only right to help him gather his papers.

  With a swipe of her paw, she gathered his newspapers into a neat stack. The boy’s jaw hung open, his eyes refusing to blink. Gathering his wits, he stood and brushed the dust from his pants. With a nod, Cali turned and flicked her tail before hopping back through her window. Cali grinned as she watched the boy walk away. He glanced back several times, but made no effort to return to her window.

  Though an amiable cat, Cali did not appreciate being roused from her slumber. Unless, of course, it was time to eat. A rumble in her stomach reminded her that she had not eaten since earlier that morning, and it was definitely time for a snack.

  Descending from her perch, she landed with an audible clack. The enhanced claws of her right paw clicked slightly against the wooden floors as she moved through the apartment. When she arrived in the kitchen, she found only an empty dish. Breakfast was long since over. Scanning the room, she searched for any sign that her human friend, Lionel, had left some treats for her while he was busy working. He hadn’t.

  For weeks now, Lionel had been busy with a new project. It ate up every free moment of his time, and his commissioned works were being neglected. As a Master Tinker, Lionel’s talents were always in demand. He could repair just about any machine ever crafted, and his many inventions were celebrated throughout the city. There was no cleverer inventor, and the enhancements he’d bestowed upon Cali were the hands-down favorite of the city’s most recent exhibition. She was honored to call him her dearest friend.

  Padding away from the kitchen, Cali made her way to Lionel’s workshop. He kept the door closed at all times in an effort to keep his living space separate. Otherwise, his inventions would overwhelm his apartment, though they often found their way inside it anyway. Cali paused before the door and meowed.

  No response.

  Trying again, this time with more force, she sounded a pitiful mrroww. She waited ten seconds, then twenty. How could he ignore such a mournful cry? With a sigh, she pushed her way through the cat flap.

  Inside, all was quiet. Surprising, considering the nature of Lionel’s work. Metal and gears, levers and springs, and all sizes of engines powered by steam were the tools of his trade. A Master Tinker not beholden to any of the city’s Guilds, Lionel followed his own path. Cali spotted him seated at his desk, peering intently at a small bronze fitting in his hand. Whatever it was, Cali decided, it couldn’t be more important than her empty stomach.

  Keeping her eyes focused on Lionel, Cali made her way across the room. The floor was littered with dust and a few metal shavings, but she expertly avoided them with help from her mechanical eye. The flecks of metal glinted in the light of her visual enhancement, her right eye shining purple in the dimly lit room. Her unaltered left eye glowed green, her pupil wide. The only light available came from Lionel’s desk lamp, the window shade having been drawn closed. The tinker’s work was top secret, and he intended to keep it away from all prying eyes. Except, of course, for Cali’s. Though he hadn’t explained his invention to her, she was not banned from his workspace. She was, after all, his closest friend.

  Meowing softly, Cali hoped to win Lionel’s attention. Despite her repeated attempts, he remained oblivious to her presence. Trying harder, she wrapped her tail around his ankle and rubbed her face against his leg. Still nothing. Stretching herself tall on her hind legs, she placed a paw in his lap and tapped, but the tinker remained steadfast in his work.

  Sitting back on her haunches, Cali tried to determine how far she should go. Yes, she was hungry, but she wasn’t yet starving. Resorting to stronger methods was not yet necessary. Instead she chose patience. Stretching herself into a sphinx position, she cocked her head to the side and watched as Lionel tended to his work. It was only a few minutes later that she began to yawn, and her eyelids grew heavy.

  The chiming of a nearby clock brought Cali back to her feet. Giving the object a sideways glance, she studied the hands while counting the chimes. It was definitely eleven of the clock, and it was time for her lunch. Steeling herself for a loud caterwauling session, she held her head high. Before the first note of her song could escape her throat, she heard a noise behind her. Someone, or possibly something, was at the apartment’s rear door.

  Always curious to see who was about, Cali dashed through the cat flap, leaving it swinging in her wake. The jingling of keys suggested a human at the door, and she knew immediately who it must be. Stopping only feet from the door, she sat back on her haunches and waited.

  A head of curly, honey-colored hair poked itself inside the door. “Lionel?” His sister, Florence, stepped inside and knelt before Cali. Softly fluffing the calico’s cheeks, she said, “How are you today, Miss Cali?”

  Cali purred and nuzzled her face into Florence’s hand. She was a frequent visitor and lifelong friend to the calico cat. Not only had Florence been present when Lionel rescued Cali from the streets, but it had been Florence who had first taken notice of the scrawny kitten in the alleyway. Without her keen eyes, Lionel might never have located Cali, nor would he have set the trap that eventually led her to a life of luxury.

  Florence was also the owner of Lionel and Cali’s apartment. She managed the gas-lamp factory to which the unit was attached, and a cat flap on the rear door allowed Cali to come and go as she pleased among the factory workers. To her delight, they were a cat-loving lot. Many treats could be found among them, as well as warm laps.

  “Let’s see what my brother’s up to,” Florence said as she stood. Ever conscious of fashion, the businesswoman
wore a stylish brown-and-white pinstriped dress, complete with bustle and matching hat. Her hair was neatly piled on top of her head, and lace gloves decorated her fingers. The soft scent of lavender remained as she stepped away.

  Cali followed close at her heels as she entered the kitchen. She wouldn’t find Lionel there. Instead, Cali meowed, imploring the woman to follow. Though Florence could not fully understand the speech of her animal companion, she knew exactly what the cat wanted her to do.

  I’ve trained her well, Cali thought. Her chest puffed with pride as she listened to Florence’s footsteps falling in line with her own. Cali gave a soft meow when they approached the door to the workshop.

  “Of course,” Florence said. “I should always check here first.” Shaking her head, she turned the knob and opened the workshop door. Her brother was meticulous when it came to his inventions, and she knew his latest project was delicate work. He’d neglected to visit and work on a machine for her at the factory, and now she knew why.

  Seated at his desk was Lionel, just as Cali had found him an hour or so before. In one hand was a small, pointed tool, in the other a set of metal gears about the size of an orange. Florence suspected this was only a model of the actual device. Lionel often worked on a miniature before spending resources on the full-size version. It saved him many a headache when a flaw presented itself early on. He was smart, and his younger sister admired him.

  “I hope you don’t mind my letting myself in,” she announced. “There was no answer at the door, and I knew you’d be home.” She waited for a response, but Lionel did not look away from his work. Trying again, she said, “I knew you’d be home because we have an appointment.”

  Lionel’s eyes drifted from the items in his hands and looked over the rim of his spectacles. “Appointment?” he asked.

  “At the museum,” she replied. “Don’t tell me you forgot?”

  Lionel glanced over his shoulder at the clock. “That today?” He set down his tools and scratched the top of his head.

  “Yes, and there’s still that little problem with the conveyor,” she reminded him. “It’s making that clicking sound.”

  “Oh,” Lionel said, slapping his hand against his forehead. “I plum forgot. This project has me wound up tight. You want me to take a look at it now?”

  Florence shook her head. “It can wait. I’m eager to see this new exhibit.”

  Lionel waved a dismissive hand. “That stuff’s been around thousands of years. It isn’t going anywhere.”

  Pursing her lips, his sister replied, “Even so, I want to get there before it’s overcrowded. A little excursion is just what you need to take your mind off your work.”

  Lionel stood, pushing the chair away from his desk. Grabbing a nearby rag, he rubbed at the oil stains on his hands until the skin was mostly clean. Brushing at the metal shavings on his trousers, he attempted to make himself more presentable. Repositioning his suspenders, which had been lowered for comfort, he snapped them into place. “All set,” he announced.

  “The museum prefers for gentlemen to wear a tie,” she reminded him.

  He responded by opening his desk drawer and fetching a slightly wrinkled black tie. Fitting it around his collar, he managed to tie it into a respectable bow. Taking notice of his bare elbows, he rolled down his sleeves and pinned the cuffs. “Better?” he asked.

  Florence studied her brother with a sideways grin. Then she glanced at Cali.

  The feline shifted her gaze to Lionel, who stood with his hands in his pockets. His brown hair showed flecks of gray, his blue eyes sparkling with mischief. The stubble on his chin was thicker than usual, evidence of his all-consuming work. He looked every bit a tinker, not the sort of man to attend a fancy gala. But the museum was not a formal affair, and she doubted Florence could convince Lionel to change into a suit, which would leave him feeling out of place and out of sorts. His shirt and trousers would do nicely. Florence had fashion enough for both of them.

  With a wink to Cali, Florence removed the magnifying glass clipped to Lionel’s spectacles and placed it on the desk. “Don’t forget your hat,” she said.

  “It’s by the door, as always,” he replied.

  Before he could take a step, frantic buzzing sounded from the tinker’s desk, similar to a housefly stuck in a lampshade. Quick as a flash, Lionel swung around and silenced the object responsible for the noise. Florence gave him a questioning look.

  “Once I’ve got this working…” He trailed off, nodding and smiling.

  With expert precision, Cali weaved herself between Lionel’s ankles while he walked. Dashing to her right, she repeated the same movements among Florence’s ankles, taking care not to unbalance the bipeds. They could topple easily, but not on Cali’s watch.

  “I need to feed Cali before we head out,” Lionel said.

  Cali knew he wouldn’t forget. A purr rose in her throat, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. Her mouth watered as she waited for him to retrieve a tin from the pantry and carve it open with one of his gadgets. The smell of the chicken inside wafted on a gentle breeze, setting her stomach to rumbling. The sooner it was in her mouth, the better. Lifting a paw, she implored him to hurry.

  She didn’t have long to wait. Lionel placed a small metal bowl at his feet and stroked the calico’s head as she dove into her meal. It tasted almost like fresh, and she savored every bite to the last.

  “You know she needs to eat only twice a day,” Florence said.

  Cali looked up from her meal and narrowed her green eye. Twice a day would never be enough. She was barely able to stand the waiting between four meals a day. Trusting that Lionel would never be so cruel, Cali turned back to her bowl and licked up the last of the flavor.

  “She’s a healthy cat,” Lionel replied. “And she has to keep up her strength to carry around those enhancements. If she’s going to keep them all powered up, she has to have more calories than the average cat.” He stroked Cali’s back, continuing along her tail.

  “If you say so,” Florence said. Pausing at the mirror near the door, she checked the positioning of her hat. Giving it a minor adjustment, she nodded her approval. “All set?” she asked.

  Lionel grabbed his hat from the rack and removed a bronze key from the band. It was the handiest place to keep track of his apartment key, and he’d replace it immediately after securing the door. “After you, madam,” he said, giving a slight bow.

  Florence laughed and grabbed onto her brother’s arm. Despite his less-than-dapper appearance, he was a brilliant man and a wonderful brother. She could think of no better escort to accompany her to the exhibit.

  Following hot on their heels, Cali stepped outside the apartment and onto the sidewalk. There was no way she was going to miss seeing this special collection of antiquities. All the hype in the newspapers these past few days had piqued all of her feline curiosity. Now that the exhibit was finally ready for viewing, Cali wouldn’t be persuaded to stay home. Either she went with her friends now, or she would go alone later.

  “Looks like someone wants to come along,” Lionel said, leaning down and lifting Cali off her feet.

  Florence only smiled and nodded.

  There was no point in arguing where Cali was concerned. She was a well-mannered cat and a fixture in Lionel’s life. Besides, ever since her brilliant performance at the exhibition, she was a sight many of Ticswyk’s citizens hoped to see again and again. She would likely be recognized and fawned over a time or two while they were out. Cali relished the attention, and she enjoyed hearing others compliment Lionel on his work. One day the world would see him as she did—as the cleverest tinker that ever lived.

  Tucking Cali safely beneath his arm, Lionel secured the apartment door. After arming his unique security system, one that would deliver a nasty shock to anyone attempting to force the door, he tucked his key away and nodded to his sister.

  Florence linked her arm inside his, and the trio headed toward the carriages parked nearby. Today was a special day in
Ticswyk, and many others would soon be on their way to the museum. It wasn’t every day that a new exhibit opened, but the museum’s new security system had attracted exhibitors from around the world. Its completion meant the world’s treasures would be safer here than anywhere else. One day the city could be home to items of worth beyond measure.

  Today it was the landing spot for Egypt’s finest antiquities, and every citizen was eager for a glimpse, none more so than Cali. The excitement of it all had her heart racing as she was placed inside the carriage. Lionel placed her in Florence’s lap before pulling himself into a seat and tossing a coin to the driver.

  “Museum,” Lionel said.

  The driver clicked his tongue and the horse began to trot, its metal shoes clicking against the cobblestone street. Cali gave the horse a thorough exam with her mechanical eye, but she did not recognize the animal. It was probably new to Ticswyk, since more carriages would be needed to service the crowds. Tourists would soon be arriving, if they weren’t here already. Cali enjoyed seeing new faces around town.

  As they moved along the streets, Cali kept her eyes peeled for any familiar faces. She spotted one—a black-and-white horse by the name of Nellie. Cali meowed a greeting of hello as the two carriages passed, and Nellie gave a friendly snort and tossed her head.

  Not understanding the greeting between friends, Lionel patted the top of Cali’s head. “It’s all right, Cali,” he reassured her. “It’s not much farther.”

  Cali found herself quite at home in a carriage, but her friend’s concern was appreciated. She settled in, taking in the sights of her hometown. The museum was a good distance from her apartment, and she hadn’t traveled this far in quite some time. They passed numerous parks and a butcher shop that caught her eye. The smell of a pastry shop garnered not only her attention, but her companions’ as well. The brother-sister duo shared a notorious sweet tooth, and Cali enjoyed her fair share of butter and creamed sugar.