Fablehaven2-Rise of the Evening Star Page 8

  to be a big secret? Even though it was late and she felt

  drowsy, her mind was too full of questions for sleep to find

  her quickly.

  The next morning, Kendra awoke with Seth shaking her

  shoulder. Come on, he said, hushed and excited. It's time

  for answers.

  Kendra sat up. She blinked several times. She wanted

  answers too. But why not sleep in a little first? It was this

  way every Christmas-Seth awakening the whole house at

  the crack of dawn, anxious and impatient. She swung her

  legs out of bed, grabbed her duffel bag, and walked down the

  stairs to the bathroom to freshen up.

  When Kendra finally descended the stairs to the entry

  hall, she found Vanessa carrying a tray laden with steaming

  scrambled eggs and dark toast. Once again, Vanessa was

  dressed in a stylish outfit and her makeup was applied with

  subtle artistry. She looked too sophisticated to be holding a

  tray of food like a maid. Your grandparents want you to join

  them in the study for a private breakfast, Vanessa said.

  Kendra followed Vanessa into the study. Another tray

  with drinks, jam, and butter was already on the desk.

  Grandpa sat in his wheelchair, Grandma sat in the chair

  behind the desk, and Seth sat in one of the oversized armchairs

  in front of the desk. An empty plate rested on his lap.

  Kendra noticed a cot in the corner where Grandpa now

  apparently slept.

  The study was an eye-catching room, full of odd knickknacks.

  Strange tribal masks lined a shelf, golfing trophies

  crowded another, a collection of fossils vied for attention on

  a third. Half of a large geode glittered in a corner. Plaques,

  certificates, and a framed display of medals and ribbons decorated

  a portion of one wall. The savage head of a boar hung

  mounted not far from the window. Younger versions of

  Grandpa and Grandma Sorenson grinned from multiple pictures,

  some black and white, others in color. On the desk,

  inside a crystal sphere with a flat bottom, floated a fragile

  skull no bigger than Kendra's thumb. She settled into the

  other leather armchair.

  Thank you, Vanessa, Grandma said.

  Vanessa nodded and exited.

  We take turns cooking meals these days, Grandma

  said, spooning eggs onto her plate. Come dish up before it

  gets cold. Nobody can match Lena, but we try our best. Even

  Stan was in the rotation before the accident.

  Even Stan? Grandpa blustered. Have you forgotten :

  my lasagna? My omelets? My stuffed mushrooms?

  I meant because you're so busy, Grandma soothed. She

  raised a hand to partly hide her mouth, as if confiding a

  secret to her grandchildren. He's been a bit crabby since the

  accident.

  Grandpa was visibly biting his tongue, probably because

  another indignant outburst would only confirm Grandma's

  words. Under his bruises, his face was reddening. Kendra

  scooped some eggs onto her plate while Seth buttered a

  piece of toast.

  What happened to you? Kendra asked Grandpa.

  Mom said you fell off the roof, Seth said, but we

  weren't buying it.

  That would take us into the middle of the story,

  Grandpa said, regaining his composure. Better to start at

  the beginning.

  You'll get to the part about what bit me? Seth verified

  hopefully.

  Grandma nodded. But first a question for Kendra. Did

  Errol ever indicate that he knew anything about what transpired

  between you and the fairies?

  Yeah, Kendra said, sitting back down and picking up a

  piece of toast. That was partly how he convinced me to

  trust him. He said that he knew I had been fairystruck, and

  offered the information as proof that he knew Grandpa's

  friend Coulter. She put some eggs onto her toast and took a

  bite.

  The imp, Grandpa growled, drumming the fingers of

  his good hand on his cast. He shared a glance with

  Grandma.

  What imp? Seth asked.

  The imp that put him in that wheelchair, Grandma

  said.

  I thought all the imps changed back into fairies,

  Kendra said.

  Apparently a few imps were not at the chapel when the

  empowered fairies were curing the others, Grandpa said.

  But we're getting ahead of ourselves. He stared at

  Grandma for a moment. We tell them, right?

  She gave a single, small nod.

  Grandpa leaned forward in his wheelchair and lowered

  his voice. What we are about to tell you must not leave this

  room. You must not discuss it even with others we trust, like

  Dale, or Vanessa, or Tanu, or Coulter. Nobody should know

  that you know. Or the danger will only increase. Am I

  understood?

  Kendra and Seth both agreed.

  Grandpa eyed Seth. I mean nobody, Seth.

  What? he said, squirming a little in his seat. I promise

  I won't tell anyone.

  See that you don't, Grandpa admonished solemnly. I

  am taking a risk allowing you to return to Fablehaven after

  the harm you caused. I do it partly because I trust that you

  have learned a hard lesson about caution, and partly because

  it may be necessary for your protection. This is information

  we would prefer not to share with anyone, let alone children.

  But your grandmother and I feel that you have become

  too deeply involved for us not to reveal the whole story. You

  have a right to understand the hazards you face.

  Kendra glanced at Seth. He looked so excited that he

  could hardly contain himself. Although she was also curious,

  she dreaded to hear the specifics of any threat so somber and

  secretive.

  I have already related part of the story, Grandma said.

  Last summer, in the attic, before we went to rescue your

  grandfather, I mentioned some reasons why Fablehaven is

  different from most other magical preserves. I told you in

  case your grandpa and I perished and you survived.

  Fablehaven is one of five secret preserves, Kendra said.

  Very good, Kendra, Grandpa said.

  The five secret preserves each have a powerful item

  hidden on them, Kendra continued. Not many people

  know about the secret preserves.

  Very few indeed, Grandma said. And none know the

  location of all five.

  One probably does, Grandpa corrected.

  Well, if he does, he has never let on, Grandma replied.

  I've wondered a lot about what you told us, Kendra

  said. It seems really mysterious.

  Grandpa cleared his throat. He looked almost hesitant

  to speak. Did Errol ever allude to Fablehaven as a secret

  preserve housing a special artifact?

  No, Kendra said. Seth shook his head.

  And he did nothing to cajole that information out of

  you? Grandpa pursued.

  No, Seth said. Kendra agreed.

  Grandpa leaned back. That, at least, is a relief.

  But we must continue with our plan, Grandma said.

  Grandpa waved his hand. Of course. We'll proceed as if

  the secret is out.

  You think t
hey know? Kendra asked.

  Grandpa frowned. The Society of the Evening Star

  should not even be aware that this preserve exists. Enormous

  efforts have been taken to maintain our anonymity. Yet we

  know the Society colluded with Muriel and nearly managed

  to overthrow Fablehaven last summer. And so we must

  assume that they are aware Fablehaven is a secret preserve,

  and realize what it contains.

  What? Seth asked. What is the artifact?

  By itself, an ancient talisman of tremendous power,

  Grandpa said. In connection with the other four, the key to

  Zzyzx, the great prison where literally thousands of the most

  powerful demons from every age of this world are incarcerated.

  None remain who know its location, Grandma

  whispered.

  Except, perhaps, the Society, Grandpa murmured,

  scowling at the floor. If the five talismans were ever brought

  together and used to open Zzyzx, the results would be…

  catastrophic. Apocalyptic. The end of the world.

  Endless night, Grandma echoed. Across all the earth.

  The mighty fiends inside of Zzyzx would make Bahumat look

  like an infant. A lapdog. In their absence, we long ago lost

  the ability to contend with beings of their power. Even the

  fairy army you summoned would quail before them. Our only

  hope is to keep them imprisoned.

  The room was silent. Kendra could hear the grandfather

  clock ticking. So how do we stop them? Seth finally said.

  That is the right question, Grandpa said, jabbing a finger

  at Seth for emphasis. I put that same query to the unofficial

  leader of the Conservators' Alliance.

  What's that? Seth asked.

  The caretakers of all the preserves around the world,

  along with their allies, belong to the Conservators'

  Alliance, Grandma explained.

  Each caretaker has an equal say, with none officially

  presiding, Grandpa said. But for centuries we have benefited

  from the advice and aid of our greatest ally-the

  Sphinx.

  Like in Egypt? Kendra asked.

  Whether he is actually a sphinx, we do not know,

  Grandpa said. Surely he is more than mortal. His service

  dates back to the twelfth century. I have spoken with him

  face-to-face only twice, and on both occasions he was in the

  likeness of a man. But many of the most powerful creatures,

  like dragons, can assume human form when it suits them.

  You asked the Sphinx what to do? Seth asked.

  I did, Grandpa said. Face-to-face, as a matter of fact.

  He suggested we move the artifact. You see, at roughly three

  hundred years old, Fablehaven is among the youngest preserves.

  Of the secret preserves, it is by far the newest. One

  of the secret preserves was compromised not long before

  Fablehaven was founded. The vault housing the artifact was

  transported here, and Fablehaven was kept a secret thereafter.

  So the idea is not without precedent.

  Have you moved it yet? Kendra asked.

  Grandpa scratched his chin. We have to find it first.

  You don't know where it is? Seth blurted.

  To my knowledge, Grandpa said, none of the caretakers

  of the secret sanctuaries know where the artifacts on

  their preserves are hidden. The vaults that hold them were

  concealed so as to never be found.

  And they are protected by lethal traps, Grandma

  added.

  Which is the true explanation for our visitors,

  Grandpa said softly.

  They're here to find the artifact! Kendra said.

  Grandpa nodded. I do not envy their task.

  Have they found anything yet? Seth asked.

  Vanessa has had some luck poring through the journals

  of former caretakers, Grandpa said. Patton Burgess, Lena's

  husband, was fascinated by the secret artifacts. In a coded

  reference in one of his journals, he made mention of an

  inverted tower on the property where he believed

  Fablehaven's artifact resides. His notes were inconclusive,

  but they gave us some idea of where to concentrate our

  search. We may find the artifact tomorrow. Or it might take

  many lifetimes.

  No wonder Vanessa has such an awesome car, Seth

  said. She's a treasure hunter.

  They all have different specialties, Grandpa said.

  Tanu is a potion master. Coulter collects magical relics.

  Vanessa focuses on capturing mystical animals. Their various

  occupations have taken them to some of the most dangerous

  corners of the world, and qualify them for this perilous

  assignment.

  As caretakers, we hold as an heirloom the key that will

  allow us to access the vault, Grandma said. We keep it

  safely hidden. Once we discover the location of the vault,

  the key will allow us the chance to get inside and retrieve

  the artifact.

  Even with the key, avoiding the many traps guarding

  the artifact promises to be no small task, Grandpa said.

  Tanu, Coulter, and Vanessa will need to be in top form.

  Did they know about Fablehaven beforehand? Kendra

  asked.

  None of them, Grandpa said. I counseled long with

  the Sphinx and others to select them. Coulter is an old

  friend. I know him the best. Tanu has an impeccable reputation.

  As does Vanessa. The Sphinx and several other caretakers

  vouched for both of them.

  Despite their careful selection, Grandma said, there

  is a chance, however small, that the Society could have gotten

  to one of them. Or that one of them has been an agent

  for the Society all along. The Society of the Evening Star

  has an uncanny ability for infiltration. An endorsement

  from the Sphinx virtually clears them of suspicion, but the

  Sphinx himself cautioned that we should remain mindful of

  the possibility.

  Which is part of the reason we selected three instead of

  one, Grandpa said, along with the desire for extra help.

  Even with three seasoned experts, finding the artifact is an

  overwhelming assignment.

  Together they serve the added benefit of providing

  extra security around here, Grandma said, which is obviously

  a comfort, considering the recent unrest.

  There have been reports of unparalleled activity by the

  Society, Grandpa said. Since last summer, two more preserves

  have fallen, one of them a secret preserve like

  Fablehaven.

  So they got one of the artifacts? Kendra asked, gripping

  the arms of her chair.

  We don't know, Grandpa said. We hope not. You

  remember Maddox, the fairy broker? He went into the preserve

  after it fell to perform reconnaissance. We have not

  heard back.

  How long ago? Seth asked.

  More than three months, Grandma said.

  The secret preserve was in Brazil, Grandpa said. They

  thwarted an infiltration there two years ago. Then this past

  February… we don't know what happened.

  What artifact was hidden there? Seth asked, wide-eyed.

  Impossible to say, Grandpa said. We have a rough

  idea of what the artifacts are, but no clue which is hidden

 
where.

  What are they? Kendra asked.

  Grandpa looked at Grandma, who shrugged. One

  grants power over space, another over time. A third grants

  unlimited sight. A fourth can heal any ailment. And one

  bestows immortality.

  The details have been deliberately shrouded in mystery,

  Grandma said.

  The magic they wield is greater than any we know,

  Grandpa said. For example, there are ways to get from one

  place to another besides walking, but the artifact that grants

  power over space does so in ways superior to any known spell

  or relic or creature.

  And somehow, used together, they can open the demon

  prison? Kendra clarified.

  Exactly, Grandpa confirmed. Which is why they must

  remain apart and out of the hands of our enemies at all costs.

  One concern is that if the Society could get their hands on

  one, they could use it to help retrieve the others.

  But they may already have one, Seth said.

  We can only hope that the fallen preserve in Brazil was

  as inhospitable for them as it apparently was for Maddox,

  Grandma said. Others have been sent since Maddox vanished.

  None have returned. Naturally we must take precautions

  as if the worst has happened.

  So where do Seth and I come into all of this? Kendra

  asked.

  Grandpa took a sip from a tall glass of orange juice. He

  furrowed his brow. We're not entirely sure. We know the

  Society has taken a serious interest in you two. We worry

  that they may know something more than we do about the

  change the fairies wrought in Kendra, something that makes

  them believe she could be of use to them. They infiltrated

  your school and tried to win your trust. They used Seth to

  free a captive demon. Almost certainly they meant to abduct

  you. Their ultimate goal is hard to divine.

  The Sphinx himself wants to meet Kendra, Grandma

  said.

  He's here? Seth exclaimed.

  Nearby, Grandpa said. He never stays in one place

  long. Most recently he was doing damage control in Brazil.

  But he has become concerned that Fablehaven may be the

  next target. There have been numerous rumors of Society

  activity in the area, even beyond what happened with the

  two of you. I got in touch with him last night. He wants to

  meet Kendra and see if he can discern why the Society has

  become so interested in her.

  I want to meet him too, Seth said.

  We plan to bring you as well, Grandpa said, to see if

  something can be done about that bite.