by Brandon Mull
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.
