by Brandon Mull
like a normal person.
Warren! she hissed.
He jumped and turned toward her. Who's there? he
asked.
She was so surprised to hear him speak that it momentarily
prevented her from answering. You can talk! Oh my
gosh! What happened?
Of course I can talk. I'm sorry-who are you?
I'm Kendra. She couldn't believe it. He seemed perfectly
fine.
I'm going to need a little more to go on. He squinted
in her direction. The night probably looked darker to him
than it did to her, and of course she was invisible.
I'm Kendra Sorenson. Stan and Ruth are my grandparents.
If you say so. What compelled you to hide in a tree in
the middle of the night? Can you tell me how I got here?
Meet me at the back door, Kendra said. I'll be there
in a second. Warren had somehow been cured! She was no
longer alone! She slid off the limb and climbed down from
the tree. Taking off the glove, she walked out from among
the trees and through the garden to the back door, where
Warren met her.
Standing in the doorway, he studied her. He looked even
more handsome now that he had possession of himself. His
striking eyes were a silvery hazel. Had they been that color
before? It's you, he said in curious wonder. I remember
you.
From when you were mute? she asked.
Was I mute? That's a first. Come inside.
Kendra entered. You were a mute albino for a few
years.
Years? he exclaimed. What year is it?
She told him and he looked flummoxed. They walked to
the table in the main room.
He ran a white hand through his thick hair, then stared
at his palm. I thought I was looking sort of bleached, he
said, flexing his fingers. The last thing I remember was
something coming toward me in the grove. It could have
been yesterday. I was overcome by a panic like I had never
known, and my mind withdrew to a dark place. I felt nothing
there, hemmed in by pure terror, disconnected from my
senses, retaining a groggy semblance of self-awareness. Near
the end I saw you, wreathed in light. But it felt like hours
lapsing, not days, certainly not years.
You've been catatonic, Kendra said. There is a
revenant in the grove, and everybody who goes there ends
up like you did.
I haven't wasted away too terribly, he said, patting
himself. I feel a tad slimmer, but not withered like I should
be after years in a coma.
You could move around, but always in a daze, Kendra
explained. Your brother Dale made sure you got exercise.
He took good care of you.
Is he here?
He's locked in the dungeon with my grandparents,
Kendra said. The entire preserve is in danger. Members of
the Society of the Evening Star have taken over the house.
One of them is a narcoblix, so I've been awake for a couple
of days straight. They are trying to get the artifact.
He raised his eyebrows. You're saying there isn't going
to be a Welcome-Back-from-Your-Coma Party?
Kendra smiled. Until we rescue the others, I'm all you
get.
Sooner or later, I want cake and ice cream. You mentioned
the artifact. Do they know where it is?
She nodded. They weren't sure what to do about the
revenant. My brother went to fight it. Since you're suddenly
awake… I think he must have defeated it.
Your brother?
My little brother, she said, suddenly rather proud of
him. He took off with the key to the tower and a crazy plan
to use a courage potion to counteract the fear radiating from
the revenant. I thought he was nuts, but it must have
worked.
He has the key to the inverted tower? Warren asked.
We stole it from Vanessa. She's the narcoblix.
Your brother intends to enter the tower?
He wants to get the artifact before they do, Kendra
said.
How old is he?
Twelve.
Warren looked astonished. What kind of training does
he have?
Not much. I'm worried about him.
You should be. If he goes into that tower alone, he will
not emerge alive.
Can we go after him? Kendra asked.
Sounds like we'd better. He dropped his gaze to his
hands, shaking his head. So now I'm albino? Don't stand
too close; my luck might rub off. I set out, seems like yesterday,
to retrieve the artifact. That was what led me to the
grove. I knew a danger lurked there, but the overwhelming
fear took me off guard. Now, after losing years of my life in
a panic-induced trance, I get to pick up right where I left
off.
Why were you after the artifact?
It was a clandestine commission, Warren said. We
had reason to believe the secret of Fablehaven might have
been breached, so I was charged with removing and transferring
the artifact.
Who had you do that?
Warren gave her a measuring stare. I'm a member of a
covert organization that combats the Society of the Evening
Star. I can't say any more.
The Knights of the Dawn?
Warren tossed up his hands. Nice. Who told you that?
Dale.
Warren shook his head. Telling that guy a secret is like
writing it across the sky. Anyhow, yes, we had reason to suspect
Fablehaven had been discovered by the Society, and I
was supposed to locate the artifact.
Ready to finish what you started?
Why not? Looks like things fell apart around here without
me. Time to put Humpty back together again. None of
my gear is where I left it, but ill-equipped or not, we'd better
hurry if we hope to catch your brother before he enters
the tower. I take it Hugo isn't around.
Vanessa sent him to the farthest corner of Fablehaven
with orders to stay put, Kendra said.
The stables are far enough from here that getting a
horse will save us no time. I know the way to the valley. You
up for a night hike?
Yes, she said. Mendigo should return soon. He's an
enchanted puppet the size of a man, and can help us get
there faster.
An enchanted puppet? You're not exactly an average
teenager, are you? I bet you've got some stories to tell.
Kendra was pleased by the admiration in his voice, and
hoped it wasn't showing on her face. Why was she thinking
about the moment she had kissed him? She was suddenly
very conscious of the way she was standing, and had no idea
what to do with her hands. She had to stop noticing how
cute he was. This was the wrong time for silly crushes! One
or two, she managed to say.
I'm going to scavenge for equipment, Warren said,
hurrying over to the cupboards.
I have a glove that makes me invisible when I hold
still, Kendra said. And several magical potions, though I'm
not sure what they do.
Of course you do, he said, rifling through some
drawers. Where did you get all that?
/>
The glove belonged to a man named Coulter.
Coulter Dixon? he asked urgently. Why do you speak
of him in the past tense?
He became a mute albino like you. Which probably
means he's fine now, except that he's locked up in the dungeon
with Dale.
Jackpot! Warren announced.
What?
Cookies. He stuck one in his mouth. What about the
potions?
A guy named Tanu. He's a former mute albino too now,
but I don't know where he is.
I've heard of Tanu the potion master, Warren said.
Never met him.
Just then Kendra heard a faint jingling of hooks. She ran
to the front door. Mendigo carne to a halt beside the porch.
Our ride is here, Kendra said.
One minute, Warren called. He returned promptly
with a coil of rope looped over one shoulder and an ax in his
hand. Best weapon I could find, he said, hefting the ax.
Mendigo can carry us, she said. He's stronger than he
looks.
That may be, but we'll travel faster if I run alongside.
Off we go, then.
Mendigo, Kendra said. Carry me to the place you just
took Seth, fast as you can. And don't lose Warren. She
pointed at Warren for emphasis. She scrambled up onto
Mendigo's back and they set off at a brisk pace.
Warren did a good job keeping up at first, but he was
nearly running at a full sprint, and before long he was gasping
and wheezing. Kendra ordered Mendigo to carry him as
well, and Warren consented. I don't have the wind I used
to, or the legs, he apologized.
Warren was considerably bigger than Seth or Kendra,
and Mendigo did not run quite as speedily while carrying
him. Occasionally Warren insisted on running for a minute
or two, trying to maximize their pace.
The night wore on. At last they reached the valley. The
stars in the east were growing faint as the sky began to pale.
Mendigo soon reached the unseen boundary that he could
not cross.
He can't enter the grove, just like Hugo, Warren
remarked. If Hugo had been with me that night, I would
not have lost those years.
Set us down, Mendigo, Kendra said. Guard the grove
from all intruders.
What have we here? Warren murmured, stooping and
examining the ground.
What? Kendra said.
I think your brother was here. Follow me. Warren
jogged toward the trees, clutching the ax.
Kendra rushed to keep up. Could there be other dangers
in the grove? she asked.
Doubtful, Warren said. This has been the revenant's
domain since the hiding of the artifact and the founding of
Fablehaven. Few would dare tread this cursed ground.
Wait a second, Kendra said. Here's Seth's emergency
kit. He lost it the first time he came to the grove. Kendra
retrieved the cereal box from where it lay.
First time? Warren asked.
Long story, Kendra said.
Look here, Warren said. The key. Your brother is not
inside the tower. He's probably injured or spent. We'd better
hurry.
They trotted through the trees. Warren held the ax in
one hand, the key in the other. What's that up ahead?
Warren said. A flashlight?
Kendra saw the glow as well, low to the ground. As they
hurried nearer, she saw that it was indeed a fallen flashlight.
Gauging by the faintness of the bulb, the batteries were
nearly depleted. Beside the flashlight lay a skeleton clad in
rags. And atop the skeleton lay her brother, facedown.
Warren knelt beside Seth, felt his wrist for a pulse, and
rolled him over. One of Seth's hands remained closed
around a pair of pliers that held nothing. The flashlight
revealed ugly mottled marks on Seth's throat. Warren leaned
in for a closer look. His neck is bruised and burned, but he's
breathing.
Shouldn't Vanessa be in control of him? Kendra asked.
You know, the narcoblix?
This is no natural sleep, Warren said. She may have
power over him, but she can't animate limbs that refuse to
function. He paid a severe price to best the revenant-it was
evidently a very close contest. Potion or no potion, your
brother must have the heart of a lion!
He's very brave, Kendra said, tears pooling in her eyes.
Her lips trembled. Can I borrow the light? Warren handed
her the flashlight and she found a small potion in the cereal
box. He was very proud that Tanu gave him a potion that
could boost his energy in an emergency.
That might do him good, Warren said. He uncapped
the bottle, propped up Seth's head, and poured some of the
fluid into his mouth. Seth spluttered and coughed. After a
moment, Warren gave him more, which he gulped.
Seth's eyes opened, and his brow furrowed. You! he
said weakly, his voice raspy.
Get out of him, hag, Warren spat.
Seth smiled eerily. And then his eyes rolled white.
What happened? he gasped, voice still raspy. The
revenant?
You succeeded, Warren said.
You're healed, Seth murmured perplexedly, staring at
Warren. Didn't know… that would happen. Kendra. You
came.
Ask him something only he would know, Warren said.
This could be a ruse.
Kendra thought for a moment. What dessert did you
hate in your school lunch last year?
Cherry cobbler, he said weakly.
What was your favorite shadow puppet Dad used to
make?
Chicken, he said.
It's him, Kendra said confidently.
Can you sit up? Warren asked.
Seth's head bobbed slightly forward. His fingers
twitched. I feel like I've been run over by a steamroller.
Like everything… has been squished out of me. My throat
hurts.
He needs time to recuperate, Warren said. And I
need to get into the tower. The narcoblix knows the way is
open. The only reason she would have released Seth is
because she is already on her way here. Kendra, you mentioned
that a great imp is helping her, along with another
man, but she may have more contacts than them on the preserve.
I should be able to navigate the traps. Let's have
Mendigo take you and your brother to a safe place.
I want to come, Seth croaked.
You've done enough today, Warren said. Time to pass
off the torch to others.
Give me more of that potion, Seth said.
More of that potion won't change your condition,
Warren said. Though Kendra should probably have a dose,
to help her keep awake.
Kendra took a sip. Almost instantly she felt a burst of
alertness, as if she had been slapped.
Warren scooped his arms under Seth, lifting him in a
cradled position. Kendra started collecting the key and the
ax, but Warren told her to leave them. He was walking with
quick steps back toward Mendigo.
Should I go into the tower with you, Warren? she
asked, catching up.
Too dangerous, he said.
/>
I may be able to help, she said. Last year, I visited the
Fairy Queen's shrine on the island in the pond and raised a
fairy army to save Fablehaven from a demon named
Bahumat.
What? Warren sputtered.
She did, Seth confirmed.
You do have stories! Warren said.
The fairies left me with certain gifts, Kendra continued,
not wanting to specify that she was fairykind. I can see
in the dark, and speak all the languages the fairies can. I
don't need the milk anymore to see magical creatures. And
my touch can recharge magical objects that are out of
energy. The Sphinx seemed to think that might come in
handy for some of the artifacts.
It very well might, Warren said. It has been suggested
that the artifacts were deliberately drained of energy as an
additional safeguard.
Without me you might not be able to use the artifact
even if you find it, Kendra said.
I believe I can successfully negotiate the traps in the
tower, Warren said. But that is without knowing what they
are. I'm not infallible, as the grove has aptly proven. Do you
understand the possible dangers of accompanying me?
We could both die, Kendra said. But there is danger
everywhere at Fablehaven today. I'll come with you.
An extra pair of eyes and hands could make a difference,
Warren conceded. And the ability to charge the artifact,
whichever one it is, could make all the difference. We'll
trust Mendigo to watch over Seth.
This is no fair, Seth muttered.
Do you want your glove back? Kendra asked.
You'll need it more, he said firmly.
They emerged from the grove and hurried to Mendigo.
Warren suggested that Kendra have Mendigo take Seth to
the stables. Kendra gave orders for Mendigo to take Seth to
the stables and watch over him, keep him safe from harm,
and not allow him to wander off for a full day unless otherwise
instructed. Mendigo trotted away, cradling Seth.
Warren and Kendra ran back to the dry skeleton of the
revenant and retrieved the key and the ax. Kendra followed
Warren deeper into the grove. There was little undergrowth,
but the deeper they went, the closer the trees grew together,
and the heavier they were draped with moss and mistletoe.
They reached a place where the trees grew so snugly that
their branches interlocked in such a way as to almost form a
wall.
When Warren shouldered through the living barrier,
they found a small clearing ringed by trees, illuminated by a
