Rise of the Evening Star

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.326 He stuck her behind a sofa. As soon as she was out ofview, 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.327 The feeling was so strong, I suspected a demon. And ofcourse 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.328 Kendra fought the urge to leap to her feet and shout atVanessa. 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 inhabiting Tanu329 was get a look at the creature and run away, but I lost allbodily 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.330 Really is a fine house, Errol remarked. I rather enjoylounging 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.

Seth exited the room again. He did not return for a few minutes. When he finally came back, he said, I checked out the windows. There are two imps on the back porch, and a big fat one out front. The sides of the house look unguarded.

If you slip out through the study window, you might be able to sneak into the woods.

We should wait and make a break for it together, she said. Nobody is going to look behind the couch between now and when you steal the keys.332 How long do you think we should wait? he asked.Longer than you think, Kendra said. The clock on the wall says 10:47. I say we wait a full hour before you go upstairs, just to be safe.

In that case, I'm going to make a sandwich.

No way, Kendra said firmly.

All I've eaten for two days is cocoon pulp, he said.

You had snacks at Warren's, she said.

Right, snacks. I wasn't that hungry then. Now I feel like my stomach is digesting itself.

If they hear you rustling around, we could all die.

There's plenty of food at the cabin. I say wait.

What if they end up catching us? Seth asked. Then we'll be stuck eating glop! Did you smell that stuff?

If we get caught, we'll have bigger problems than what to eat.

I bet I could make a sandwich about ten times quieter than you whisper, he accused.

Are you trying to make me angry?

Are you trying to make me hungry?

Fine, Kendra said. Go make a sandwich. We've got an hour, maybe you can bake some cupcakes too.

I've got a better idea. I'll make us smoothies in the blender. With lots of ice.

I wouldn't be surprised.

Fine. You know what? You win, Kendra. I'll sit here and starve.

Good. Starve quietly.

Time crawled. Seth spent most of the hour sitting invisibly on the couch. Kendra tried to picture what escape route she would use if things went bad. Eventually the hour passed.

Can I go get the keys? Seth asked.

Do we need more of a plan? Kendra said.

My plan is to be really quiet and bring the keys downstairs,

Seth said.

And then only one of us should go to the basement, so at least one of us can get away, she said. We don't want to both get trapped down there.

Okay. What if somebody wakes up and sees me? Seth asked.

Run for it, Kendra said. I'll play it by ear. Just because they see you won't mean they'll know I'm in the house.

Maybe I can lie low and save the day after things settle down.

Or maybe somebody else will save the day for a change, Seth said. Besides, if they find me I bet they'll search the house.

Where's the best hiding place on this floor?

If I were you, I'd hide in the study, like behind the desk.

You'll have quick access to a window that will take you outside.

Going out through the side should give you a chance to avoid the imps. If they catch me, you should probably take off. Maybe you can leave the preserve and try to find the Sphinx.

We'll see, Kendra said.

Wish me luck. Hopefully my growling stomach won't give me away.333 Wrapped in her sheet, Kendra walked to the entry hallwith her brother. As he started climbing the stairs, staying close to the wall and treading lightly, she went to the study.

She unlocked the window and squatted behind the desk.

She noticed a letter opener on top of a pile of papers. She picked it up. It felt comforting to have some sort of weapon in her grasp.

All she could do now was wait. Maybe she should be the one wearing the glove and creeping into Vanessa's room.

Seth would never have let her, since sneaking around was more his specialty. But it was an awful lot of responsibility to give to somebody who liked sticking French fries in his nostrils.

At the top of the stairs, Seth moved stealthily down the hall to Vanessa's door. A light had been left on in the bathroom, so the hall was fairly bright. The door to Vanessa's room was closed. There was no light shining underneath it.

Cupping his ear against the door, he waited invisibly, but heard nothing.

Gently he turned the knob. It made a faint clicking sound, and he paused. After several slow breaths, he turned the knob the rest of the way and eased the door open. The room was darker and more shadowy than the hall, but he could still see fairly well. Vanessa was lying on her side on the bed beneath her sheet. The blankets were folded at the foot of the bed. Containers full of strange animals were everywhere.334 Seth took a slow step toward her bed. A low croak disturbedthe silence. Seth froze, turning invisible. Vanessa did not stir. Apparently she was accustomed to animal sounds in the night. That should work in his favor.

Her bed was on the far side of the room. He decided that instead of crossing the center of the room, he would work his way along the perimeter. That way if she woke up, there would be less chance of her accidentally bumping into him.

Seth crept along the edge of the room taking small, quiet steps. The sheet did not cover Vanessa's shoulders, so he could see that she had not changed out of her clothes.

Staring at her, he had a hard time picturing her as a traitor.

She was so pretty, her dark hair spilling over her pillow.

Seth glimpsed a metal pole under her chin. It had to be the artifact key! She was sleeping right on top of it!

A bird chirped and he halted, watching the narcoblix intently. Satisfied that she remained asleep, he worked his way along the wall, passing numerous cages. Vanessa was facing him. All she needed to do was open her eyes while he was moving and all would be lost. Finally he reached the nightstand beside her bed. Her blowgun lay on the nightstand, along with three small darts. What if he picked up a dart and pricked her? Did narcoblixes have immunity to sleeping potions? It wasn't worth the risk. But he picked up a tiny dart anyhow, for backup.

Another step closer and he was standing over Vanessa.

If she stretched out her hand she could touch him. If he reached out his hand he could touch her. There was no way335 he could get to the artifact key. She was partly on top of it.He would have to wait for her to shift positions.

While he waited, he scanned the room for the dungeon keys. There were many surfaces where they could be resting, on top of cages or terrariums as well as on tables or dressers. He did not see them anywhere. They could be in her pocket. Or tucked away in a secret spot. Or Errol might have them.

Vanessa continued to breathe evenly, showing no sign that she would ever change positions. Maybe narcoblixes were really deep sleepers. She might not move all night.

There was simply no possible way he could slide the long key out from under her without waking her up. Most of it was under the sheet with her.