by Brandon Mull
did they steal?
No matter, Grandpa said. The problem is-
Not a little statue of a frog, Kendra said.
Now Grandpa was silent. Oh, Kendra, he finally muttered.
Tell me what happened.
Kendra recounted how Errol had told them the only way
to get rid of the kobold was to acquire the statue. She related
how he had told them the owner of the mortuary was an evil
viviblix in order to convince Seth to steal the frog.
So that's how they did it, Grandpa said. There was a
spell on the mortuary that would have prevented all but
children from entering. Archibald Mangum is an old friend.
He is no blix. He was away at his eightieth birthday party in
Buffalo the night Seth stole the statue from his house. He
phoned me a few minutes ago.
I've been trying to call you all week, Kendra said.
And I wrote you a letter Tuesday.
There has been foul play, Grandpa said. I have not
received your letter. I suspect it was intercepted, perhaps
from my mailbox. I didn't know the phone was down until
yesterday. We hardly use it except for emergencies. The
phone company came out to fix it a few hours ago. They
found where the line had been damaged, not far beyond the
front gates. I asked if it looked like the line had been deliberately
cut, and they said no, but I have my doubts. When
Archibald called, my worries were multiplied. He has quietly
kept an eye on you and Seth for me. Of course, I realized
that any action taken against him could also involve you,
but I did not expect this. The Society of the Evening Star is
on the move.
What do I do? Kendra asked, feeling unbalanced.
I have already set a plan in motion, Grandpa said.
Now I see that my suspicions were more warranted than I
had anticipated. I told your mother that I was in an accident,
and asked if you and Seth could come stay with us
while I recover.
What did she say? Kendra asked.
Your parents are willing as long as you and your brother
want to come, Grandpa said. I told her I wanted to invite
you myself. Assuming you would agree, I already dispatched
somebody to pick you up.
Who?
You have not met her, Grandpa said. Her name is
Vanessa Santoro. She'll give you a code word: kaleidoscope.
She should be there within a couple of hours.
What should we do until then?
You said this Fisk character is expecting to meet you
tonight?
We haven't confirmed with him, Kendra said. I
wanted to talk to you first. She deliberately neglected to
mention that although she had not confirmed the rendezvous,
she had already resolved to go. He's going to wait
for us at a gas station near our house. If we aren't there by
ten-thirty, he'll know we aren't coming.
I don't like the interest the Society is showing in you,
Grandpa said pensively, as if talking to himself. We'll have
to puzzle that out later. For now, pack your things. Vanessa
should arrive around ten-thirty herself. Be on the lookout.
It may be tough to anticipate how Errol will react when the
two of you fail to keep his appointment.
Can you tell your friend to hurry?
She'll hurry, Grandpa said, chuckling. For now, let
your mother know your decision. Then I'll need to speak
with her again, get her used to the idea that a friend of mine
is going to swing by and pick you up tonight. I'll tell her
Vanessa is a trusted neighbor who happens to be returning
from a trip to Canada.
Grandpa?
Yes?
You weren't really in an accident? she asked.
Nothing life-threatening, but yes, I'm rather banged up.
There have been many interesting developments over the
past months, and whether I like it or not, you are becoming
involved. Right now, as dangerous as Fablehaven can be, it is
the safest place for you.
Grandma's not a chicken again or anything.
Your grandmother is fine, he assured her.
What about Mom and Dad? What if Errol Fisk goes
after them?
Oh, no, Kendra. Don't worry about your parents. Their
ignorance of the secret world we know about should be all
the protection they need. With you and Seth out of the
house, they will be much safer than any of us. Now, pass me
off to your mother.
Kendra found her mom and handed her the telephone.
She then raced to Seth's room and filled him in on everything
she had discussed with Grandpa Sorenson.
So Errol was using us, Seth said. And if we'd gone
with him tonight… I never learn my lesson, do I?
This wasn't your fault, Kendra said. Errol had me
fooled too. You were just being brave. That isn't always a bad
thing.
The compliment seemed to buoy him up. I bet Errol
thought he had us in the bag. I wonder what he would have
done with us. I wish I could see his face when we don't show
up tonight.
Hopefully by then we'll already be on the road.
Dad entered the room. He clapped his hands together
and rubbed them. We need to get you guys packed, he said.
You two must have really done a number on your grandparents
last summer. Dad falls off the roof, and he wants you
there to help him. I hope he knows what he's getting himself
into.
We'll be good, Seth said.
Are those firecrackers? Dad asked.
Just little ones. Seth stuffed them into his emergency
kit.
* * * *
Kendra paced in her room, watching the clock. She
peeked out between her blinds every few minutes, hoping to
see Vanessa pull up. The closer the time got to ten-thirty,
the more anxious she became.
Her suitcase and her duffel bag were on her bed. She
tried to distract herself by putting on her earphones and listening
to music. She sat on the floor, closed her eyes, and
leaned against the bed. Any minute Vanessa would pull up,
and she and Seth would be on their way.
She heard a voice calling her name from far away. She
opened her eyes and took off her earphones. Dad was standing
over her. She's here? Kendra asked, standing up.
No, I said you have a phone call. Katie's dad, he's wondering
if you know where Katie might be.
Kendra accepted the phone. Katie Clark? Kendra barely
knew her. Hello?
You disappointed me, Kendra. It was Errol. Dad left
the room.
Kendra spoke quietly. Sorry, we decided tonight
wouldn't work. How did you get our number?
The phone book, Errol said, sounding hurt by the
accusation in her tone. Sorry about pretending to be the
parent of a schoolmate. I didn't want to startle your parents.
Good thinking, Kendra said.
I was wondering if I might persuade you to join me after
all. I'm down the street from your home, right where I
dropped you off the other night. You see, tonight is the last
night the houseboat will be unoccupied, and that amulet
could cause great harm to your grandparents and their preserve.
I'm sure it could, Kendra said sincerely. Her mind was
racing. Errol could not possibly know she and Seth planned
to escape to Fablehaven tonight. She had to pretend she still
thought of him as a friend. Isn't there some other way? I was
so scared the other night.
If I knew of another solution, I would not trouble you.
My predicament is dire. The amulet could cause tremendous
harm in the wrong hands. Please, Kendra, I helped you. I
need you to return the favor.
Kendra heard a vehicle pulling to a stop outside. The
engine quit. Parting the blinds, she saw a woman climbing
out of a sleek sports car. I don't think I can, Kendra said.
I'm really sorry.
Looks like you have a visitor, Errol said, a trace of
suspicion entering his voice. That's quite a car. Friend of
the family?
I'm not sure, Kendra said. Look, I need to go.
Very well. The line went dead.
Dad poked his head in. Everything okay?
Kendra put the phone down, trying not to let her anxiety
show. Katie's dad was just freaking out a little, she said.
I don't hang out with Katie much, so I couldn't really help
him. I'm sure she's fine.
There was a knock at the door.
That must be your ride. Dad grabbed the suitcase
the duffel bag off the bed. Kendra followed him to the living
room, where Mom stood chatting with a statuesque woman.
Tall and slender, the woman had a lustrous cascade of black
hair and an olive complexion. She looked Spanish or
Italian, with generous lips and a playful arch to her eyebrows.
Her cosmetics were applied with an expertise Kendra
had never seen outside of fashion magazines. She wore
trendy jeans, brown boots, and a snug, stylish leather jacket.
As Kendra entered the room, the woman smiled, her
expressive eyes lighting up. You must be Kendra, the
woman said warmly. I'm Vanessa Santoro. She had the
faint remnant of an accent.
Kendra extended her hand. Vanessa clasped only her
fingers. Dad introduced himself and Vanessa offered him a
similar handshake. Despite her polished looks and
demeanor, her fingernails were incongruously short. Seth
came into the room and stopped in his tracks. Kendra felt
embarrassed for him-he was so unable to disguise his
amazement at Vanessa's striking appearance.
I've looked forward to finally meeting the famous Seth
Sorenson, Vanessa said.
Me? Seth replied inanely.
Vanessa smiled tenderly. She seemed accustomed to
making boys tongue-tied. Kendra was starting not to like
her.
Vanessa glanced at her small, fashionable watch. I hate
to be in a rush, but we have a lot of ground to cover before
the night ends.
You're welcome to stay the night here and get a fresh
start in the morning, Mom said. We could make up the
spare bed.
Kendra experienced an acute moment of distress. They
had to get out of there. Errol was waiting outside, and he had
acted suspicious of Vanessa. Who knew what he might try
during the night?
Vanessa shook her head with a regretful smile. I have
an appointment tomorrow, she said. No worries, I'm a
night owl. I slept in late. We'll get to Stan's in one piece.
Can I get you some refreshments? Mom pursued.
Vanessa held up a hand. I have goodies in the car, she
said. We should get on the road.
Dad had pulled out his wallet. At least let us chip in on
gas.
I wouldn't think of it, Vanessa insisted.
You're saving us a long drive, Dad persisted. It's the
least-
I was going there anyhow, Vanessa said, picking up
Seth's suitcase, the largest of the bunch. Giving your children
a lift is my pleasure. Dad snatched Kendra's suitcase
before Vanessa could grab it as well. Instead Vanessa seized
Seth's duffel bag.
Mom opened the door, and Vanessa walked out, followed
by Dad. I can get my bags, Seth said from behind.
I'm quite capable, Vanessa assured him, striding easily
toward her car.
Whoa! Seth said when he got a look at her dark blue
sports car.
Dad whistled. Ferrari?
No, Vanessa said. Custom made. I got a deal through
a friend.
You'll have to introduce me, Dad said.
In your dreams, Mom muttered.
Standing beside the sports car, Kendra could not believe
she was going to get to ride in it all the way to Fablehaven.
Low and aerodynamic, the glossy vehicle had twin tailpipes,
a sunroof, and fat tires like a race car. In spite of the dead
insects plastered to the front, it looked like the sort of
vehicle you would expect to see in a showroom or at a car
expo-not something that anybody would actually drive.
Vanessa pressed a couple of buttons on her key chain.
The passenger door swung open and the trunk popped up.
There should just be room for the suitcases in the trunk,
she said. She leaned the passenger seat forward and tucked
Seth's duffel bag behind the driver's seat.
Shotgun, Seth called.
Sorry, Vanessa said. House rules. Tallest passenger gets
shotgun. The back is a bit cramped.
Seth drew himself up to his full height. I've almost
caught up with her, he said. Besides, she's more flexible.
Good, Vanessa said, because we'll have to slide her
seat forward to fit the two of you. I don't often have riders
in the back. Dad handed Kendra's duffel bag to Vanessa and
then loaded the suitcases into the trunk.
Seth slouched into the backseat and fastened his seat
belt. Vanessa slid the passenger seat forward a bit and pushed
the back upright. Can you live with that? Seth nodded
glumly. His legs were twisted sideways with the knees
together. Kendra might be able to spare an extra inch or
two once she gets settled, Vanessa soothed.
Vanessa stepped aside so Kendra could get in the car.
Kendra met her eyes and glanced at the Volkswagen van
parked down the road. Vanessa winked in a way that suggested
she was aware of the threat. Kendra hesitated for
another moment. Kaleidoscope, Vanessa murmured.
Kendra got into the car and Vanessa shut the door. The
engine roared to life spontaneously. Vanessa thumbed her
key chain again and the driver's door opened.
Mom and Dad stood together on the curb, waving.
Doubting whether her parents would be able to see her
through the tinted glass, Kendra rolled down her window
and waved back. According to Grandpa, with her and Seth
out of the house, Mom and Dad would be out of danger.
Although Kendra was unsure what new hazards awaited at
Fablehaven, at least she could take comfort knowing her
departure would ensure the safety of her parents.
Vanessa scooted behind the wheel and closed the door.
Her demeanor instantly changed as she tugged on a pair of
black driving gloves. How long has he been there? she
asked, switching on the lights, throwing the manual transmission
into gear, and pulling forward.
Calling a final good-bye, Kendra rolled up the window.
Only a few minutes, I think, Kendra said. He showed up
after we skipped out on meeting him at the service station.
Why didn't you tell me? Seth complained.
I just found out, Kendra said. He called. I was getting
off the phone with him when Vanessa pulled up. He was trying
to talk me into going.
They drove past the Volkswagen van. Looking back,
Kendra saw the headlights come on and the van pull into
the street behind them. He's following us, Seth said.
Not for long, Vanessa promised. Once we're out of
earshot from your parents, we'll get rid of him quick. She
put on a pair of sunglasses.
Isn't it a little dark for sunglasses? Seth said.
Night vision, Vanessa explained. I can kill the lights
and go as fast as I like.
Awesome! Seth said.
They turned a corner, heading toward the interstate.
Vanessa looked over at Kendra. You were just on the phone
with him?
Watch out! Kendra yelled, pointing straight ahead. A
gigantic humanoid figure made of straw shambled out into
the road, waving a pair of crude arms. Having just rounded a
corner, they were not going very fast. Vanessa swerved, but
the monstrous figure leapt sideways to continue blocking
their path. Vanessa slammed on the brakes. The seat belts
locked, and the car stopped about ten yards shy of the
creature.
Yellow and bristly under the bright headlights, the oafish
figure towered at least ten feet above the asphalt, straddling
the yellow line in the center of the road. It had short legs
with large feet, a massive torso, and long, thick arms. The
bushy head lacked eyes, but a gaping mouth appeared when
the monstrosity let out a raspy roar.
A haystack? Seth said, sounding bewildered.
A dullion, Vanessa corrected, throwing the car into
reverse. A pseudo golem.
The dullion charged. The engine growled and the tires
squealed as they backed away. Vanessa expertly whipped the
car around and switched gears, wheels shrieking. They were
suddenly going forward again, away from the creature. The
sharp odor of burnt rubber filled the car.
As they neared the intersection where they had just
turned, the Volkswagen van screeched to a stop, blocking
their escape. A second car, an older-model Cadillac, pulled
