Chapter 14
The Thief's Net
I don't own fablehaven
Kendra slowly stirred her oatmeal. She lifted a glob on her spoon, turned the utensil over, and watched the wet clump plop back into the bowl. Her toast was growing cold.
Her orange juice was growing warm. She just wasn't hungry.
Outside the sun was rising, casting a golden glow over the garden. Fairies flitted about, coaxing blossoms into brighter bloom. The mellow, peaceful morning seemed indifferent to the fact that her brother had been kidnapped.
"Personally I thought there would be a line like and the world went on outside but had lost all its beauty or something." Warren said.
"What?"
"Isn't that some book reference?"
You should eat something, Grandma said.
Kendra put a bite of oatmeal in her mouth. In other circumstances it would have tasted good, dusted with cinnamon and sweetened with sugar. But not today. Today it was like chewing Styrofoam. I'm not in the mood.
Grandpa sucked butter from his thumb, having finished another piece of toast. Eat, even if it feels like a chore. You need your energy.
Kendra took another bite. You couldn't get the Sphinx last night? she asked Grandma.
Nor this morning. It just rang and rang. Which is unfortunate but not uncommon. He answers when he can.
I'll try again after breakfast.
Grandpa sat up straight and craned his neck, looking out the window. Here they come, he said.
"Sigh"
Kendra sprang to her feet and ran to the back porch.
Tanu, Vanessa, Dale, and Hugo had emerged from the woods and were approaching through the garden. Hugo cradled
Coulter in one arm. The golem's other arm was missing.
Kendra saw no sign of Seth.
Distressed, Kendra turned to Grandma, who was wheeling
Grandpa out to the porch. I don't see Seth, she said.
Grandma put an arm around her. Don't jump to conclusions.
As Hugo and the others drew nearer, Kendra realized that Coulter looked different. His expression was blank, and his skin was bleached. His hair, which had been gray, was now white as snow. He had apparently suffered the same fate as Warren.
"No big deal" Warren said hole swiping his hand downwards.
What news? Grandpa asked as the others gathered on the grass beneath the porch.
Nothing good, Tanu said.
What about Seth? Grandpa pressed.
Tanu looked down. The action said it all. Oh, no,
Grandma whispered. Kendra burst into sobs. She tried to stifle them by biting her sleeve. Squeezing her eyes shut did,not stop the tears.
"We're you doing that when my sting bulb died?"
"It was worse because we could have stopped you and we definitely knew you were dead."
Maybe we should wait, Vanessa said.
I want to hear, Kendra managed. Is he dead?
All signs suggest he has been consumed by Olloch,
Tanu said.
Kendra hunched against the porch railing, shoulders shaking. She tried not to believe what she was hearing, but there was no other choice.
Tell us everything, Grandma said, voice quavering.
Hugo was simple to track, though he traversed some rugged terrain, Tanu said. We met him heading back toward the house, returning along the same route he had used to reach the grove.
So Coulter did go to the grove, Grandpa said angrily.
Yes. For the life of me, Hugo looked dejected when we found him. He was missing an arm, had his head hung low, and was trudging slowly. Once we found him, we ordered him to take us to where he had left Coulter.
And Hugo went directly to the grove in the valley of the four hills, Grandma said.
Followed his own tracks, Tanu said. When we got to the grove I studied what evidence I could find. I saw where
Coulter and Seth entered the grove together. It did not appear Hugo was able to join them. Working my way around the perimeter of the grove, I found where Coulter's tracks departed. On the far side of the grove, I discovered where
Hugo had scuffled with Olloch. I'm sure that is where Hugo lost his arm. Nearby I saw where Olloch entered the far from there, I found where Olloch left the grove. We searched and searched, but located no sign of Seth leaving the grove.
"Well it is hard to find those when your in a cocoon and devoured by a demon."
How could Olloch enter the grove if Hugo couldn't?
Kendra asked.
Different barriers work in different ways, Tanu said.
My guess is that the grove is less repellent to creatures of darkness. A demon like Olloch would be immune to many black curses.
Did you go into the grove? Grandma asked.
There is a malevolent evil there, Vanessa said.
We felt unprepared for what we might face below those cursed trees, Tanu said. We had to physically restrain Dale.
In the end, we followed Coulter's departing tracks and found him roaming in the woods as you now see him.
Kendra could hardly listen to the news. She clutched the railing and fought the overpowering grief throbbing inside of her. Each time fresh sobs shook her, she tried to weep quietly.
After all that had happened last summer, how close they had all come to losing their lives, it seemed unfair that death should now take Seth so suddenly and unexpectedly.
"Guys I'm not dead!"
"Seth your talking to a book."
It was unimaginable that she would never see her brother again.
Could he be alive, swallowed whole? Kendra asked in a small voice.
Nobody would look at her. If the demon devoured him, he is no more, Grandpa said gently. We'll give it a day. If
Olloch consumed Seth, he should slow down and return to his dormant state until somebody else makes the mistake of feeding him. I don't mean to give you false hope, but we won't know for certain that Olloch has ingested Seth until we locate the demon in his dormant state.
Should we look sooner? Kendra asked, wiping her eyes.
What if Seth's still out there, running?
He isn't running, Tanu said. Believe me, I looked. At best he may have found a place to hide inside the grove.
Which is unlikely if the demon came and went,
Grandma said sadly.
Can we get anything out of Coulter? Kendra asked.
He seems no more responsive than Warren, Dale said.
Want to see if he reacts to you, Kendra?
"Eww"
Kendra pressed her lips together. The thought of going near Coulter was revolting. He had killed her brother. And now, like Warren, his mind had flown. But if there was a chance he might reveal something useful, she had to try.
Kendra climbed over the porch railing and dropped to the grass. Hugo, set Coulter down, Dale ordered.
Hugo complied. Coulter stood still, looking even smaller and more frail now that he was albino and expressionless.
Kendra placed a hand on his white neck. Coulter cocked his head and looked her in the eye. His lips trembled.
We never got Warren to say anything, Kendra said.
Try asking him, Vanessa said.
Kendra placed a hand on either side of Coulter's face and stared into his eyes. Coulter, what happened to Seth.
Where is he?
Coulter blinked twice. The corner of his mouth twitched toward a smile. Kendra pushed him away. He looks happy about it, she said.
"Only because he can sense you" Warren said.
"Your talking to a book" Seth said.
I'm not sure you were getting through, Dale said. I
think he just liked your touch.
"That sounds really wrong."
Kendra gazed up at the golem. Poor Hugo. Can we fix his arm?
Golems are resilient, Grandpa said. They frequently shed and accumulate matter. Over time the arm will reform.
Kendra, perhaps you should come in and lie down.
I don't think I can sleep, Kendra moaned.
I could give her a mild sedative, Vanessa offered.
That may not be a bad idea, Grandma said.
Kendra considered it. The idea of falling asleep and temporarily leaving all the heartache behind was appealing. She was not sleepy, but she was weary. Okay.
Placing a supportive hand on Kendra's elbow, Vanessa guided her up to the porch and back into the house. In the kitchen, Vanessa put some water on the stove. She left and returned with a tea bag.
Kendra sat at the table, absently handling a salt shaker.
Seth really is dead, isn't he?
It doesn't look good, Vanessa admitted.
I didn't picture this happening. It was all starting to feel like a wonderful game.
"Ouch"
It can be wonderful, but it is definitely not a game.
Magical creatures can be deadly. I have lost several loved ones to them.
He was always asking for it, Kendra said. Always looking for risks. This wasn't Seth's fault. Who knows what kind of pressure Coulter might have applied to lure him away? Vanessa poured warm water into a mug, inserted the tea bag, and stirred in some sugar. I'm guessing you would prefer your tea drinkable versus scalding. She pulled out the tea bag and set it on the counter. This should be plenty potent.
Kendra sipped at the herbal tea. It was minty and sweet.
Unlike the rest of breakfast, it tasted like something she could finish. Thanks, this is good.
Let's start walking to your room, Vanessa said. In a moment, you'll be glad to be near a bed.
"Wouldn't want to pas out on the stairs."
Kendra continued sipping from the mug as they climbed the stairs and passed down the hall. The drowsiness hit her on the way up the steps to the attic. You weren't kidding,
Kendra said, leaning against the wall to steady herself. I feel like I could just curl up right here and fall asleep.
You could, Vanessa said. But why not go a few more steps and sleep on your bed. Vanessa took the mug from
Kendra. It was not yet half empty.
The rest of the way to her bed, Kendra felt like she was moving in slow motion. After the painful news about her brother, the numb, detached sensation was welcome. She climbed into bed and instantly faded into a deep sleep, unable to process the final words Vanessa spoke to her.
Waking up from her drugged slumber was a delicious, gradual process for Kendra, like lazily floating upward out of deep water. The surface was not far off, and when she reached it, she knew she would feel perfectly rested. No desire to slap a snooze button, no grogginess from sleeping too long. She had never noticed herself awakening so smoothly.
When she was finally fully awake, Kendra hesitated to open her eyes, hoping the contentment would linger. Wasn't there a reason she shouldn't feel so perfect? Her eyes shot open, and she looked over at Seth's empty bed.
He was gone! Dead! Kendra closed her eyes again, trying to pretend it had all been a miserable dream. Why hadn't she awoken when Coulter came and took him? How had Coulter gotten him out of the house so stealthily?
"You guys" Warren said while pointing at Seth and Kendra. "Need to stop blaming yourselves for everything."
She opened her eyes. Judging from the light, it was late afternoon. She had slept the day away.
Kendra went downstairs and found Grandma in the kitchen, chopping cucumbers. Hello, dear, she said.
Any news while I was out?
I've tried to contact the Sphinx twice. Still no answer.
I hope he's all right. Grandma stopped cutting and wiped her hands on a towel. Your grandfather wanted to talk to us in the study once you awakened.
Kendra followed Grandma to the study, where Grandpa sat reading a journal. He closed the book as they entered.
Kendra, come in, we need to talk.
Kendra and Grandma sat down on the cot near
Grandpa. I've been thinking, Grandpa said, and the way everything played out last night doesn't add up. I know
Coulter well. He is a cunning man. The more I ponder the situation, the less strategic sense I see to his actions, especially with him ending up an albino like Warren. His behavior was so clumsy that I suspect he was not acting under his own volition.
You think somebody was controlling him? Kendra asked.
Such things are possible in numerous ways, Grandpa said. I may be wrong, and I have no concrete proof, but I
suspect we may have yet to discover our traitor. And so I
have set a plan in motion. It may cause some commotion tonight, so I thought it was only fair to warn you. Look under my cot.
"Dun dun dun!"
Under the cot Kendra saw a six-foot-long, ornately carved box. Grandma peeked as well. What's in the box?
Kendra asked.
Less than an hour ago I called in Vanessa, Tanu, and
Dale. I told them I believed we had caught our traitor, but that I was worried about Christopher Vogel's presence on the property, undoubtedly with designs for more mischief. I told them that I had decided to hide the key to the artifact vault under my cot, and that I wanted them to know where it was in case of an emergency. Then we went on to discuss plans for tracking Olloch tomorrow, as well as how we might discover the whereabouts of our other uninvited guest.
Big box for a key, Kendra said.
It's no ordinary key, Grandpa said.
You're not actually using the key as bait, Grandma said, sounding certain he would not be so foolish.
"Love the trust you got going on there."
Of course not. The box contains a thief's net. The key is hidden elsewhere. Grandma nodded approvingly.A thief's net? Kendra asked.
"That thing was so annoying." Dale said.
If anyone opens the box without deactivating the trap, the net will spring out and wrap them up, Grandpa explained. A magical tool for apprehending would-be robbers.
Where's the key? Kendra asked.
I'm not sure you should be burdened with that knowledge,
Grandma said. That kind of information could make you more of a target. Your grandfather and I are the only people aware of the key's location.
Okay, Kendra said.
Grandpa rubbed his chin. I've debated over whether to send you away, Kendra. On one hand, I strongly suspect that the crisis here at Fablehaven has not ended. On the other, the Society of the Evening Star will start trying to track you down the moment you exit the gates. At least the fences of
Fablehaven provide a barrier against them. With the register hidden in a new place, we should have no new undesired visitors.
I'd rather stay here, Kendra said. I don't want to put my parents in danger.
"Aww thanks" her parents said while hugging her.
I think for now that is the best move, Grandpa said. I
recommend you sleep with your grandmother tonight in our room. I don't want you sleeping alone. The attic provides extra protection against magical creatures with bad intentions, but I'm afraid our remaining foes are mortal.
Because Olloch ate Seth and is now out of the picture, Kendra thought morbidly. Whatever you want, Kendra said.
Bedtime arrived much too soon for Kendra. Before she knew it, dinner was eaten, painful condolences were shared, and she was lying in a king-sized bed beside Grandma Sorenson. Kendra loved her grandma, but she was becoming aware that she smelled too much like cough drops. Plus she snored.
"Um... not sure how to react to this but ok" Ruth said.
"I'm sooooo sorry!" Kendra said.
Kendra tossed and turned trying to find a comfortable position. She tried lying on her side, her stomach, and her back. She bunched the pillow in different ways. It was no use. Having slept all day, she was more ready to go play soccer than she was to fall asleep. It didn't help that she was sleeping with her clothes on in case somebody really did get caught in Grandpa's net during the night.
In her own home she would have watched TV. Or made herself a snack. But the only ones at Fablehaven with a television were the satyrs. And she was afraid to get up for a snack for fear of running into somebody trying to sneak into
Grandpa's study.
"That's the worst."
There was no visible clock, so time began to feel indefinite and endless. She kept trying to construct a scenario in which Seth was not dead. After all, nobody had seen Olloch eat him. They weren't a hundred percent sure. In the morning, after they tracked the demon, it would be more certain, but for tonight, she could still hope a little.
A sudden disturbance downstairs broke the restless monotony. Someone shouted and something awoke with a start. Grandpa started calling for help.
Kendra tugged on her shoes and raced into the hall. She turned a corner to the hall that led to the stairway. Grandpa was yelling excitedly from downstairs.
On the stairs Kendra met Vanessa and Tanu. Vanessa carried her blowgun; Tanu held his pouch full of potions.
Kendra could hear Grandma right behind her.
After tromping down the stairs, they all dashed across the entry hall and into the study, where Dale lay tangled in a net on the floor. Grandpa sat at the edge of his cot, a knife in his uninjured hand. We caught somebody with a hand in the cookie jar, he announced.
"That was so awkward." Dale said.
I told you, Stan, Dale panted. I don't know how I got here.
Tanu put the potion he was holding back into his pouch.
Vanessa lowered her blowgun. Grandma engaged the safety on her crossbow.
Why don't you explain to everyone? Grandpa suggested.
Dale was on his stomach. The net was so tight it squished his features and only allowed him to partially turn his head to try to face them. His arms were crossed awkwardly on his chest, and his legs were bound together.
I went to sleep and woke up like this on the floor, Dale asserted. Simple as that. I know it looks bad. Honestly, I
had no intention of stealing the key. I must have been sleepwalking. Dale looked and sounded desperate.
"Sorry if I don't meet up with your criminal standards." Dale said jokingly.
Grandpa narrowed his eyes. Went to sleep and woke up here, he repeated thoughtfully. Understanding dawned in his gaze. The traitor is clever enough to realize that I now know the secret, so it will do no good to pretend otherwise-the clues lead to an obvious conclusion. Trusted friends acting out of character.
Drumants released to explain the bite marks. And now
Dale asserts that his strange behavior happened in his sleep.
"Well shoot"
I should have connected the dots earlier. I'm afraid this will end in a scuffle. Dale, I'm sorry you're stuck in a net. Tanu, we mustn't blow this.
Grandpa threw his knife at Vanessa.
"That escalated quickly." Warren said.
Raising the blowgun to her lips, she arched her body, barely dodging the knife, and fired a dart at Tanu. The large Samoan caught the dart on his pouch. Vanessa lunged gracefully at Grandma, swinging the blowgun like a switch and knocking the crossbow from her grasp. Tanu charged Vanessa. She dropped the blowgun, producing a pair of tiny darts, and pricked Tanu on the forearm as he reached for her. Instantly his eyes went wide and his knees turned rubbery. His potion pouch tumbled from unfeeling hands and he fell hard to the study floor.
Grandma reached for her fallen crossbow, a red welt already rising on her hand. Vanessa sprang at her, stabbing her with the other tiny dart. As Grandma swayed and toppled,
Kendra dove, snatched the crossbow, and tossed it across the room to Grandpa an instant before Vanessa slammed into her.
Grandpa pointed the crossbow at Vanessa, who scrambled behind the desk, putting herself out of his line of fire. Kendra saw Vanessa close her eyes. Her face became serene.
Clutching the crossbow, Grandpa rose from his bed and hopped toward the desk. Careful, Kendra, she's a narcoblix, he warned.
"Why do they keep thinking we actually no what any of these are?" Seth asked.
Moving swiftly, Tanu pulled out the dart lodged in his potion pouch and pounced at Grandpa, tackling him and wrenching the crossbow from his grasp. Get away, Kendra!
Grandpa cried as Tanu pricked him with the dart. Vanessa remained trancelike on the floor.
Tanu had left the potion pouch behind when he attacked Grandpa. Kendra grabbed the pouch and dashed out the door. She hadn't digested all the details, but it was clear that Vanessa was controlling Tanu. Run, Grandpa panted groggily.
Kendra raced to the back door and out to the porch. She jumped the railing to the grass below. The yard was dark.
Most of the lights in the house were off. Kendra ran away from the porch through the garden. Glancing back, she saw
Tanu burst out of the doorway and vault the railing.
Kendra, don't be rash, come back! he called.
"That's low" Tanu said.
Kendra offered no reply and ran even faster. She could hear Tanu gaining behind her. Don't make me hurt you!
he shouted. Your grandparents are fine; I just put them to sleep. Come back, we'll talk. His voice sounded strained.
Kendra sprinted toward the woods, taking the most direct route she could, tromping through flowerbeds and knifing between blossoming shrubs. The thorns of a rosebush raked her arm. Playing soccer during the previous school year had led to a habit of jogging. She appreciated her added speed and stamina as she reached the woods well ahead of the hulking Samoan and still going strong.
The woods are deadly at night! Tanu hollered. I don't want any harm to come to you! It's pitch black, you're going to have an accident. Come back. His phrasing was labored as he tried to run and yell at the same time.
The woods were dim, but Kendra could see well enough.
"That's handy"
She jumped a fallen limb and dodged around some thorny briars. There was no way she was going back. Vanessa had staged a coup. Kendra knew that if she could get away, maybe she could return later with a plan.
Kendra no longer heard Tanu pursuing her. Chest heaving, she paused and looked back. Tanu stood at the edge of the woods, hands on his hips in a feminine stance.
"Really Vanessa couldn't you have made me look at least a little manly?" Tanu said with a grin.
He looked hesitant to enter. I really am your friend, Kendra. I'll see that no harm comes to you!
Kendra had her doubts. She stayed low and tried to pick her way more quietly, worried that if she gave away her exact location Tanu might be encouraged and give chase. He held his hands up to his eyes, as if he was having trouble seeing. It was apparently more shadowy where she was walking than where he stood. He did not come after her, and Kendra worked her way deeper into the woods.
She was not on a path. But this was roughly the route she and Seth had taken when they first came upon the naiad pond. If she kept going straight, she would reach the hedge surrounding the pond, and from there she knew how to find a path. Not that she had any idea where she should go from there.
Walking briskly, swerving through the bushes, Kendra tried to piece together what had happened. Grandpa had called Vanessa a narcoblix. She remembered that Errol had told her and Seth about blixes before Seth snuck into the mortuary. There was a type of blix that drained away your youth, and another that could animate the dead.
Narcoblixes were the kind that could control people in their sleep.
Which meant that Grandpa was right-Coulter was innocent. He had been under Vanessa's influence. Vanessa didn't care if Seth got eaten or if Coulter was turned into a mindless albino.
"I do care, it was my duty"
She was just doing reconnaissance on the grove so she could figure out how to get to the artifact. She may have even wanted for Seth to be eaten in order to get
Olloch out of the way.
Kendra was seething. Vanessa had killed her brother.
"Good thing he's not dead then."
Vanessa! She never would have guessed it. Vanessa had saved them from Errol and acted so kindly. And now she had backstabbed them and taken over the house.
What could Kendra do? She considered going back to the Fairy Queen, but something deep inside warned against that course of action. It was hard to explain-it simply felt wrong. She had a quiet certainty that if she returned, she really would end up turning into dandelion fluff, like the ill-fated man who had ventured to the island in the middle of the pond in the story Grandpa had told her last summer.
Were Grandma and Grandpa really all right? Was Vanessa going to hurt them? Kendra wanted to believe thatVanessa meant it when she said she meant them no harm.
"I wouldn't purposely harm them." Vanessa promised.
There was reason to hope she was sincere. Taking a life on
Fablehaven soil would strip Vanessa of the protections afforded by the treaty. She couldn't have that happen if she planned to go after the artifact, right? The need to respect the treaty should protect her grandparents if nothing else.
Then again, Vanessa had already indirectly killed Seth by leading him out of the yard. Maybe that didn't count, since
Olloch had actually done the killing.
To make matters worse, somewhere Vanessa had an accomplice-the unseen intruder, Christopher Vogel. How long before he found out she had usurped the house and joined her there? Or was he off working some other aspect of a plan more complex than Kendra could guess at?
"She's a sharp one." Warren said while gesturing at Kendra.
Kendra had to do something. Where was Hugo? Would he help her if she could find him? He didn't have to take orders from her, but his free will was blossoming, so maybe she could persuade him to lend a hand. On second thought,
Vanessa had been authorized to issue commands to Hugo, so chances were the treacherous narcoblix could instantly turn the golem into an enemy if Kendra brought him near.
There was nobody else. Grandpa, Grandma, Dale, and
Tanu were captured. Coulter was an albino just like Warren.
Seth was dead. She tried not to let the thought derail her.
"It's kind of annoying having that repeated over and over again."
What were her assets? She had grabbed the potion pouch, although she wasn't very confident which potion was which. She wished she had paid closer attention when Tanu was showing Seth. At least the potions couldn't be used against her.
What about Lena? The thought sent a thrill of hope through her. Kendra was headed toward the pond. She hadn't seen her former friend yet during this return visit to Fablehaven. The last time Kendra had seen her, Lena was a full-fledged naiad again and had tried to drown her. After the full-sized fairies saved Fablehaven from Bahumat, while undoing much of the harm the demon had caused, they restored Lena to her state as a naiad. Decades ago she had voluntarily left the water and married Patton Burgess. The decision had made her mortal, although she had aged more slowly than he. After he passed away, she toured the world, eventually returning to Fablehaven with plans to end her days at the preserve. Lena had resisted the fairies when they hauled her off to the pond. But once she was back in the water, she had appeared content.
"That's sums that up nicely."
Maybe Lena could be tempted to leave the water if Kendra explained the dire situation! Then Kendra wouldn't have to face the situation alone! It certainly beat having no plan. New purpose entered Kendra's stride.
Before long Kendra reached the tall hedge. She knew that the hedge ringed the pond, and if she followed it she would eventually reach an opening with a path. When she and Seth had first visited the pond, he had found a low opening where they had managed to crawl under the hedge.
She kept an eye out for such an aperture, since it would certainly save some time.
She did not travel too far along the thick hedge before she noticed a pronounced indentation. When she investigated more closely, she found it was impassable-the foliage was too dense. The next indentation she noticed was less obvious, but when she crouched she found it went all the way through.
She wriggled through the hedge on her belly, wondering what other animals or creatures used this cramped entrance.
At the far side she stood and surveyed the pond. A whitewashed boardwalk connected a dozen wooden pavilions around the dark water. Face tilting toward the sky, Kendra noticed there were no stars, and no moon either. It was overcast.
"That really helps sell it."
Still, enough light was apparently filtering through the clouds to illuminate the night, for although the clearing was gloomy, she could make out the contours of the lawn and the latticework of the gazebos and the foliage on the island in the middle of the pond.
Kendra crossed the lawn to the nearest gazebo.
Somebody certainly took pride in caring for this area.
"Ya that's about right"
The grass was always tidy, and the paint on the woodwork was never peeling. Maybe it was the result of a spell.
Projecting from the boardwalk below one of the pavilions was a little pier attached to a floating boathouse. The last time Kendra had seen Lena was at the end of that pier, so it seemed as good a place as any to call for her.
Kendra noticed no evidence of life in the clearing. At times she had seen satyrs and other creatures, but tonight all was silent. The tenebrous water of the pond was still and impenetrable. Kendra tried to walk quietly, out of reverence for the silence. The tranquil night was ominous. Somewhere below the inscrutable surface of the pond waited Kendra'sold friend. With the right plea, hopefully Lena would renounce life as a naiad and come to her aid. Lena had decided to leave the pond once-she could do it again.
"Maybe if Patton had shown up a little earlier." Seth said.
Walking along the pier, Kendra kept away from the edges. She knew the naiads would enjoy nothing more than to pull her in and drown her. Kendra gazed at the island.
Again a sense of foreboding filled her. Returning to the island would be a mistake. The feeling was so tangible that she wondered if it had something to do with being fairykind.
Perhaps she could sense what the Fairy Queen considered permissible. Or maybe she was just scared.
Stopping just short of the end of the pier, Kendra licked her lips. She felt hesitant to speak and desecrate the silence.
But she needed help, and could not afford to waste time.
Lena, it's Kendra, I need to talk.
The words seemed to die the instant they left her lips.
They did not carry or reverberate. The dark pond remained inscrutable. Lena, this is an emergency, please come speak to me, she tried in a louder voice.
Again, she felt she had spoken for her own ears alone.
There was no hint of response from her shadowy surroundings.
Why is she back again? a voice said from off to her right. The sound came up out of the water, the words soft but undistorted.
Who said that? Kendra asked.
'She's here to show off, what else? another voice answered from directly below the pier. Mortals get so proud when they know our language, as if speaking it weren't the easiest and most natural ability.
"Ya it's totally worthless" Seth said dryly
I'll allow that it beats her clumsy honking,
"Im so using that in the future." Seth said.
"And I thought we were going to be nice to each other." Kendra said.
a third voice giggled. Barking like a seal.
Several voices giggled from under the obscure water. I
need to speak with Lena, Kendra pleaded.
She needs to find a new hobby, the first voice said.
Maybe she should take up swimming, the third voice suggested. Laughter rippled all around her.
You don't have to talk like I'm not here, Kendra said.
I can hear every word just fine.
She's an eavesdropper, the voice under the pier said.
She should come closer to the water so we can hear her better, said a new voice near the end of the pier.
I'm just fine where I am, Kendra said.
Just fine, she says, said another new voice. A big clumsy scarecrow glued to the ground, plodding around on stilts. The comment initiated the longest bout of tittering yet.
Better than being trapped in an aquarium, Kendra said.
"Oh shoot"
The pond became silent. She is not very polite, the voice under the pier finally said.
A new voice chimed in. What do you expect? Her feet are probably sore. Kendra rolled her eyes at the giggles that followed. She suspected the naiads would gladly trade insults all night.
Fablehaven is in danger, Kendra said. The Society of the Evening Star has taken my Grandma and Grandpa prisoner. My brother Seth has been killed. I need to talk toLena.
I'm here, Kendra, said a familiar voice. It was slightly more light and musical, slightly less warm, but it was definitely
Lena.
"Poor Lena" Kendra said solemnly.
Hush, Lena, said the voice under the pier.
I'll speak if I choose, Lena said.
What do you care of mortal politics? one of the earlier voices chided. They come and go. Have you forgotten what mortals do best? They die. It's the one talent they have in common.
Kendra, come close to the water, Lena said. Her voice was nearer. Kendra could vaguely see her face beneath the surface of the pond to the left of the pier. Her nose was nearly breaking the surface.
Not too close, Kendra said, squatting well out of reach.
Why are you here, Kendra?
I need your help. The preserve is at the brink of falling again.
I know you think that matters, Lena said.
It does matter, Kendra said.
It seems to matter for a moment. Just like a lifetime.
Don't you care about Grandma and Grandpa? They could die!
They will die. You'll all die. And at the time it will seem like it matters.
"Stupid naiads."
It does matter! Kendra said. What do you mean, nothing matters? What about Patton? Did he matter?
"Oh how the turn tables have turned!" Warren said.
There came no answer. Lena's face broke the surface of the water, gazing up at Kendra with liquid eyes. Even in the weak light, Kendra could see that Lena looked much younger. Her skin was smoother and more evenly colored.
Her hair had only a few strands of gray. The water around
Lena sloshed and churned and she vanished.
Hey, Kendra said. Leave her alone.
She's through talking with you, said the voice under the pier. You are not welcome here.
You pulled her away! Kendra accused. You jealous little airheads. Waterheads. What do you do, brainwash her?
Lock her in a closet and play songs about living under the sea?
You do not know of what you speak, said the voice under the pier. She would have perished and now she will live. This is your final warning. Go face your fate. Leave
Lena to enjoy hers.
I'm not going anywhere, Kendra said resolutely. Bring
Lena back. You can't do anything to me if I stay away from the water.
Oh, no? said the voice under the pier.
"What's this?" Vanessa said raising an eyebrow.
Kendra did not like the knowing tone of the speaker.
Too much confidence. She had to be bluffing. If naiads left the water, they became mortal. Still, Kendra looked around, worried that somebody might be sneaking up on her to push her into the water. She saw nobody.
Hello? Kendra said. Hello?
Silence. She felt certain they could hear her. Don't say we didn't warn you, one of the earlier voices sang.
Kendra crouched, trying to be ready for anything. Were the naiads going to throw something at her? Maybe they could collapse the pier? The night remained quiet and still.
A hand reached up out of the water at the end of the pier. Kendra jumped back, her heart in her throat. A
wooden hand. Little golden hooks served as joints. Mendigo scrambled out of the dark water and crawled onto the pier.
"Didn't see that coming"
Kendra backed away as Mendigo stood, the wooden limberjack
Muriel had changed into a fearsome servant. The overgrown primitive puppet had been pulled into the water by the naiads the year before. It had not crossed Kendra's mind that they might release him. Or even that he would still be functional. Muriel had been imprisoned. She was locked up with Bahumat deep beneath a verdant hill.
Apparently nobody had told Mendigo.
The wooden figure rushed at Kendra. Although she had grown since she last saw the limberjack, he was still an inch or two taller. Kendra turned and ran along the pier back to the boardwalk. She could hear him gaining, wooden feet clacking against wooden planks.
He caught up to her at the bottom of the gazebo stairs.
Kendra whirled and tried to grab at him, hoping to catch hold of a limb and unhinge it. He nimbly evaded her grasp and caught hold of her around the waist, flipping her upside down. She struggled and he changed his grip, pinning her arms to her sides. Kendra was caught in a helpless position-facing awayfrom him, upside down, arms immobilized. She tried to wriggle and flail, but Mendigo was alarmingly strong. As the oversized puppet trotted away from the pond, it became apparent she was going wherever he wanted.