Fablehaven2-Rise of the Evening Star Page 28

  savage who broke my leg.

  I thought this was the cell with the imp, Kendra said.

  The one who yelled at me when Grandma showed us the

  dungeon.

  That's right, dear, Grandma said.

  We had two other giant imps in confinement, so you

  can bet she released them as well, Grandpa said. In addition,

  she probably has help from Christopher Vogel by now,

  and I would wager that she is still inhabiting Tanu. You kids

  will need to use extreme caution.

  Dale and Coulter are down here in another cell,

  Grandma said. Voorsh was kind enough to confirm that.

  The goblins almost cooked us, Seth said. Then

  Kendra said that you would reward them if they helped us.

  So they did. I think they want a goose.

  I'll give them ten geese if we get out of this, Grandpa

  said. Quickly, what is your plan?

  We're going to get the artifact key and then free you

  guys, Seth said. We have Coulter's invisibility glove, so

  when we get big again, we can still be sneaky.

  At least one of us can, Kendra said.

  The key to the vault is large, like a staff, Grandpa said.

  Like five feet? Seth said.

  More like six, Grandpa said. Taller than I am.

  Vanessa will keep it close. Be on guard; she is most dangerous.

  Seth, have no illusions: whether or not she is inhabiting

  Tanu, you stand no chance against her in a fair fight. You

  have seen the dungeon keys?

  Yes, Kendra said.

  We used to keep them on a peg by our bed, Grandpa

  said. She may be keeping those close as well. Depending on

  how everything plays out, it may be impossible for you to

  return to us with the dungeon keys. For all but the brownies,

  there is only one way out of here, so you could easily

  become trapped down here with us. If worse comes to worst,

  get the artifact key and flee the preserve. We can hope the

  Sphinx will find you.

  If all else fails, leave the artifact key and save yourselves,

  Grandma said. She turned to Grandpa. We had

  better let them go.

  By all means, Grandpa said. Should the potion wear

  off before you reach the kitchen, all will be lost.

  You'll find that the brownies have a staircase all their

  own, Grandma said. Look for the hole at the base of the

  stairs.

  Can you find your way in the dark? Grandpa asked.

  Kendra can see in the dark, Seth said.

  I think it's another fairykind thing, Kendra said.

  You know the way, then? Grandma asked.

  I think so, Kendra said. Out the door, turn right, then

  left, then right, then through the door and up the stairs.

  Good girl, Grandpa said. Make haste.

  Kendra and Seth scooted back through the slot in the

  door. Good luck! Grandma called. We're very proud.

  Recovering the Key

  Kendra held Seth's hand as they raced along the hall. At

  their current size, the corridor felt as wide as a ballroom.

  Seth's speed began to flag as they reached the end of

  the hall where they needed to turn left. This glove gets

  heavier and heavier, Seth panted.

  Let me take it for a while, Kendra offered. He handed

  it over with no protest. The glove was not terribly heavy, but

  it was hard to hold, like trying to carry a couple of unrolled

  sleeping bags. Burdened by the glove, she hurried as best she

  could.

  I wish I had infrared vision like you, Seth said.

  Infrared?

  Or ultraviolet. Whatever. Is normal light too bright for

  you now?

  It's the same as ever. Can we talk later? I'm running out

  of wind.

  They trotted along in silence. The hall seemed endless.

  Kendra's heart was hammering, and sweat was drenching her

  silky clothes, making them feel slimy. The bulky glove

  flopped around as she ran.

  I have to walk for a minute, Kendra gasped finally.

  They slowed their jog to a walk.

  I can take the glove back, Seth said. Kendra handed it

  over.

  I still need to walk, just a little, Kendra said. Hey, I

  see our last turn up ahead.

  Still a pretty good ways to the door, and then the stairs

  after that, Seth reminded her.

  I know, I'll be good in a second, sorry to slow us down.

  Are you kidding? I'm tired too, and you carried that

  glove a long way. They walked in silence until they reached

  the hall where they needed to turn right.

  Should we run again? Kendra asked.

  We'd better, Seth said.

  Kendra was reminded of running laps around the field

  with her soccer team. She was naturally a pretty good runner,

  but those first few practices had really tested her. She

  had almost thrown up a couple of times during the first

  week. She could run through the stitches in her side and the

  burning muscles, but once she became nauseated, her

  willpower to run faded fast. She had been at that point when

  she asked Seth to stop, and she could feel the unwelcome

  sensation returning.

  She tried to ignore the dank smell of the dungeon. The

  humid stench alone was enough to make her queasy. She

  reminded herself that Seth was carrying the glove and doing

  just fine. The taste of bile rose in her throat. She fought to

  choke back the sensation until she involuntarily flopped forward,

  hands slapping the stone floor, and dry heaved.

  That's sick, Kendra, Seth said.

  Keep going, she gasped. Nothing had come up, but she

  had a foul taste in her mouth. She wiped her lips on her

  sleeve.

  I think we should stay together, he said.

  You'll get big first, she said. I'll catch up.

  Kendra, I can't see. I can't run without you with me.

  Maybe if you let loose and yack you'll feel better.

  Kendra shook her head and stood up. I hate puking. I'm

  already feeling better.

  We can walk for a minute, he said.

  Just for a minute, she replied.

  Before long Kendra was feeling much steadier. She

  picked up the pace, not charging as hard as before, trying to

  conserve energy. I see the door up ahead, she finally said.

  The tall iron door loomed into view. Kendra led Seth to

  the small opening in the bottom of the door. They passed

  through the brownie entrance and hustled toward the stairs.

  Do you see the hole Grandma was talking about? Seth

  asked.

  Yes, off to the left. It's small, looks like a mouse hole.

  She led Seth to the hole in the wall near the first step,

  She had not remembered how steep and numerous the stairs

  were from the basement to the kitchen. They would barely

  be able to reach the top of each step. With the glove, scaling

  the stairs could have taken hours.

  Kendra and Seth wriggled through the hole. Inside they

  found a brownie tunnel like the one they had followed to get

  into the dungeon, except it was a stairway entirely of stone.

  The stairs were steep but just the right size for brownies. They

  started scaling the long staircase two steps at a time. Kendra's

  legs s
oon felt rubbery. Can we rest for a second?

  They paused, both of them breathing hard. Uh-oh,

  Seth said after a moment.

  What? Kendra said, looking around, worried he had

  seen a rat.

  I'm starting to tingle, he said.

  Give me the glove and run, Kendra said.

  He handed it off and bolted up the stairs. Kendra followed,

  finding new energy in her desperation. He was ten

  steps ahead, then twenty, then thirty. Soon he was out of

  view. Before long she could see where the steps ended. There

  was a little extra light filtering in through the door from the

  kitchen.

  She reached the top of the long staircase and crammed

  the glove through the hole ahead of her. Then she squirmed

  through the hole.

  Kendra, the glove, Seth hissed from beyond the

  brownie door. His voice was pitched lower again. She raced

  to the little door, dragging the glove, and lunged through

  into the kitchen.

  Seth was almost back to his normal size. The clothes the

  brownies had made lay in tatters. Kendra heard footsteps

  coming toward them from around the corner. Seth's face was

  a mask of panic as he snatched the glove and hastily tugged

  it on, vanishing instantly. Flashing back into view, he picked

  up Kendra, and she disappeared as well. They both flickered

  briefly back into view as Seth grabbed the remnants of the

  clothes the brownies had made. Then he held still and

  became transparent.

  A second later Vanessa rounded the corner and looked

  right through them. Did you hear something? she asked

  uncertainly.

  Course not, love, a male voice answered from around

  the corner. You've been hearing things all day. The imps are

  on guard. All is well. Kendra recognized the voice. It was

  Errol!

  Vanessa frowned slightly. I suppose I have been on

  edge. She walked back out of sight.

  Kendra realized she had been holding her breath. It

  made her feel lightheaded. She started breathing again, as

  controlled as she could. Seth grabbed a large green dish

  towel off the counter and wrapped it around his waist.

  Suddenly, Kendra started tingling. She slapped Seth's

  hand. He held her up to his ear. I'm tingling, she

  whispered.

  He tiptoed away from the door. Vanessa had walked

  away toward the dining room, so he went in the opposite

  direction. As they entered the living room, Kendra felt the

  tingling spreading and intensifying. Won't be long, she

  warned.

  He stuck her behind a sofa. As soon as she was out of

  view, she started pulling off her dress, which was feeling

  tight. After a couple of moments, the tingling became

  severe, and she felt herself growing. Before she knew it, she

  was back to her normal size, her body pushing the sofa away

  from the wall, the unbearable tingles subsiding.

  Seth straightened the sofa. Kendra peeked her head up.

  If you hold my hand, will I turn invisible too?

  Seth grabbed her hand and held still. He became invisible,

  but she did not. It must just work for small stuff, he

  said.

  Try to find me some clothes, she whispered.

  Voices and footsteps were approaching. Seth hushed her,

  moved to the side of the sofa, and held still.

  Errol came striding into the room, wearing the same

  antiquated suit Kendra and Seth had become familiar with.

  A minor setback, he remarked over his shoulder. Why

  not just send Dale?

  Vanessa followed him into the room. We're running out

  of people. Our job here is far from complete. We must conserve.

  Tanu is a major loss. He was strong as a bull.

  Kendra bit her lip. What had happened to Tanu?

  Errol crossed the room and flung himself down on the

  sofa, kicking off his shoes. At least now we know what

  we're up against, he said.

  We should have known last time, Vanessa said.

  Kendra awoke me at just the wrong moment, right before I

  glimpsed what was approaching. Many creatures radiate fear.

  The feeling was so strong, I suspected a demon. And of

  course I missed seeing what happened to Seth.

  You're sure he's alive? Errol said.

  I'm sure I felt him, Vanessa said. But I couldn't take

  possession of him. He was slippery, protected. It was like

  nothing I've ever felt.

  Errol laced his hands behind his neck. Sure he isn't just

  a mindless albino?

  Vanessa shook her head. After Coulter and Tanu were

  attacked by the revenant I lost all contact. It's as if Seth

  found some kind of shielded area.

  But there was no escape! You saw enough to know

  that.

  Which is why I'm perplexed, she said. I know what I

  felt.

  You haven't sensed him since this morning?

  True. He could be free, he could be dead, though dead

  would be a reckless assumption. My instincts tell me something

  unforeseeable has happened.

  Are you sure you don't want to send the imps out hunting

  for him and Kendra? Errol asked.

  Not yet, Vanessa said. Once the imps pass out of the

  yard they will not be able to return. If we find the register,

  that would change things. We mustn't take unnecessary

  risks. There's too much at stake. I want the imps on guard

  until we resolve how to handle the revenant. Kendra will

  surely return to try to help her grandparents. If we are

  patient and keep careful watch, she will come to us. And if

  not, she will have to sleep before long.

  Kendra fought the urge to leap to her feet and shout at

  Vanessa. She reminded herself that getting caught would

  only make matters worse, no matter how satisfying an angry

  tirade might feel. Not to mention the awkward fact that she

  had no clothes on.

  You're sure she won't meet up with Hugo? Errol asked.

  I sent Hugo to the farthest corner of Fablehaven with

  strict instructions to wait there for at least two weeks. The

  golem is out of the picture.

  Yet the problem of the revenant remains, Errol mused.

  We know the location, we have the key, we just need

  to get past the undead guardian, she said.

  Along with whatever traps protect the tower itself,

  Errol added.

  Naturally, she agreed. Which is part of the reason I

  would hate to waste Dale on the revenant as well. I would

  like to use him to explore the tower.

  Errol sat up. Then send Stan or Ruth.

  Or when Kendra falls asleep I can send her, Vanessa

  said. But I don't want to send anyone until we have a strategy

  to remove the nail.

  Can't you divorce yourself from the situation? Errol

  said. Just focus on the consoling fact that you are not actually

  in the grove, that you're just using someone else as a

  puppet.

  You'd have to sample the fear to understand, she said.

  It is overwhelming and irrational. It left me utterly paralyzed

  both times. There is no room for creating intellectual

  distance. All I intended to do when I was inhabi
ting Tanu

  was get a look at the creature and run away, but I lost all

  bodily control. It poses quite a problem.

  Perhaps it would do us good to sleep on it, he said.

  That may be your best idea of the evening, Vanessa

  said.

  Errol got to his feet. All he had to do was notice that the

  sofa was pushed a little farther away from the wall than

  usual, look behind it, and see Kendra lying there utterly

  exposed. He picked up his shoes. Not five feet away the

  invisible presence of Seth remained dutifully motionless.

  Kendra heard somebody else entering the room. Still no

  sign of activity, a raspy voice reported. It had to be one of

  the imps.

  Keep a sharp lookout, Grickst, Vanessa said. I would

  not be surprised if Kendra tried to slip into the house under

  the cover of darkness.

  Kendra could hear Grickst sniffing. Their stink is everywhere,

  he said. If I didn't know better, I'd say they were

  right here in this room, the girl and her brother.

  They have been, for days on end, Errol said. Don't

  forget the scent. Keep your nostrils open. Kendra will be getting

  sleepy and desperate by now.

  That will be all, Grickst, Vanessa said. We are going

  to turn in. Tell Hulro and Zirt to raise the alarm at any sign

  of either of the children. Otherwise you can refrain from

  reporting until sunrise.

  Very well, Grickst said. Kendra heard him leaving.

  Vanessa and Errol were walking away as well.

  Really is a fine house, Errol remarked. I rather enjoy

  lounging in Stan's bed.

  Kendra could hear them climbing the stairs.

  The shorter our stay, the better, Vanessa said. Keep

  alert. We'll finalize our plans in the morning.

  Kendra waited quietly, listening to the sounds of Vanessa

  and Errol moving around on the floor above. She heard a

  toilet flush, and then the sound of water running in a sink.

  We just need to be patient, Seth whispered.

  Yeah, Kendra said. Wait for them to settle down.

  Do you think Errol is Christopher Vogel? Seth asked.

  If they haven't found the register yet, that seems like

  the only explanation, she said. It must be his real name.

  I'll be right back, Seth said.

  Before she could protest, he was creeping away. He

  returned shortly wearing Grandpa's white bathrobe. He

  tossed a sheet over the back of the couch, and Kendra

  wrapped herself in it. These were in the study, he whispered.

  The cot is still a mess. Nobody will miss the sheet,

  even if they look. Back in a sec.