by Brandon Mull
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.
