Thirteen Keys Novels & Stories

Needing more from him. “I don’t know much, just what Asena has seen.” I give Chakor a warring growl to not play games with me. “Four keys of color, together they unlock a door for the gods. Only a bright and electrifying power can join these keys together. This is all I know, I swear. Even Asena and Ashe know no more than me.” He promises me. I peer deep into his eyes, looking for the lie, but I only see the truth. Chakor is not lying.

Then the crystal shot downward. Straight toward Thomas. The Sixth Key had chosen. And for the first time— Cassian looked genuinely surprised. The race had changed. Now Thomas held three keys. Cassian held three keys. The final key would decide everything. And somewhere above them— the Seventh Crown waited.

I lean forward, ignoring the pain. “Well, you’re right. The ritual needs three keys to activate. I have one. But don’t worry, The others will come soon.” Her voice wavers, just a bit, and I seize on it. Three keys, and she’s only got one. That’s my glimmer of hope.

She checked her system for a minute, nodded, and handed me a key. “Top floor, Room 10. We offer spa services, and there’s a rooftop hot tub if you’d like it.” I returned the smile and headed for the elevator. As it rose, I allowed myself one small expectation - that the room would at least justify being here. The elevator pinged on the last floor and slid open. I stepped out, scanning the door numbers until I found ten. Holding my breath, I swiped the key. God, I hated disappointments. Please don’t be one.

Aerys asked. "The keys are on the back wall by the stairs," The woman pointed towards the stairwell he walked down. Aerys quietly walked over and picked up the ring of keys. There were more than 4 keys on it, he would have to try a few times before he found one that worked. He worked quickly, trying each key in the door. After 6 keys, he was starting to give up. 7 keys, 8 keys, 9 keys. Gods, how many did it have? When he reached the 12th and final key, it clicked the lock. The door swung open.

Simply gone, the way Ashford had been gone, chosen, removed, used. Kaelan closed the case slowly. When he turned back to us, his expression had settled into the particular stillness that meant he was already several moves ahead and none of them were good. “Three keys,” he said. “One with me. One with the steward of this study. One that was never fully accounted for after the last change of household. We find the steward. We find every person who has had access to this room in the last month. And we do it before the moon rises tomorrow night.”

Richard had told me Adrian used seven differently in the games he made for me. "Seven meant substitute a word." “What word?” Mercer asked after I explained. “Richard said it depended on the puzzle.” “That seems inconvenient.” “Richard said it was designed by a man who thought ordinary treasure hunts lacked intellectual discipline.” I searched the old notebook. Page after page contained my childish handwriting, Adrian’s corrections, and rules Richard had explained to me. Then I found a list titled HOUSE KEYS. One meant gate. Three meant road. Five meant water. Seven meant old. “Old,” I said.

Seraphina studied him. "Would you let me walk away?" His answer came without hesitation. "Yes." "Even if walking away meant losing everything?" "If it's your choice." The simplicity of his answer unsettled her more than a dramatic promise would have. She looked back at the notebook. Another page had been marked. At the top was a single heading. THE FIVE KEYS. Caelric leaned forward. "Five." Seraphina read. The first key belongs to the successor's childhood. She touched the pendant.

There was no need for him to care so much. Secondly, the key was indeed the most important thing! He wanted to get the key to save his mother. It was undoubtedly the best if Demon Sovereign was willing to cooperate. Swish! All of a sudden, the Demon Sovereign spat out the other three keys. They were exactly what he got after swallowing the three Monster Kings. Caspian grabbed it and summoned the thirteen keys he had obtained earlier. They immediately sensed something. Buzz! The 16 keys gathered together and then let out an amazing buzzing sound.

It's a stroke of luck that could be a game-changer. Eskaal approaches the keys with caution, taking care not to make any noise that might alert nearby Guards. He reaches out and grasps the keys, his fingers closing around the cool metal. With the keys in his possession, Eskaal's heart races with a mixture of anticipation and nervousness. He moves swiftly to the heavy wooden door and inserts the correct key into the lock. The mechanism turns with a soft click, and the door swings open, revealing a dimly lit corridor.