Rise of the Evening Star

Coulter regarded them with a measuring gaze. Any friend of Stan’s is a friend of mine, he said, sounding less than sincere.81 Nice to meet you, Kendra said.Any friend of Grandpa’s… Seth added.

Dale and Vanessa collected the bags Kendra and Seth were holding and started up the stairs.

And of course the two of you have met Vanessa

Santoro, Grandpa said. Tanu, Coulter, and Vanessa have joined us here at Fablehaven to help with the workload. As you can see, I took a tumble last week, so their assistance has become even more valuable in recent days.

What happened? Seth asked.

We’ll reserve that discussion, and many others, for tomorrow. Midnight is long gone. You’ve had an eventful day. Your room is ready and waiting. Get some sleep, and we’ll make sense of the situation in the morning.

I want to know what bit me, Seth said.

Tomorrow, Grandpa promised.

I don’t think I could sleep now, Kendra said.

You may surprise yourself, Grandma said from behind, ushering Kendra and Seth toward the stairs.

Morning will come soon enough, Grandpa said. As

Kendra started up the stairs, Tanu wheeled Grandpa in the direction of the study.

Kendra ran her hand along the smooth finish of the banister.

She had seen this house in ruins after Seth had foolishly opened the attic window on Midsummer Eve. And she had seen it restored after an army of brownies had repaired it overnight, making unpredictable improvements in much of the furniture. As Kendra entered the attic playroom, it felt familiar and safe, in spite of the night when she and her82 brother were pinned inside a circle of salt by ferociousinvaders.

Here’s your things, Dale said, indicating the bags beside the beds. Welcome back.

Sweet dreams, Vanessa said, exiting the room with

Dale.

Can I offer you anything? Grandma asked. Some warm milk?

Sure, Seth said. Thanks.

Dale will bring it up momentarily, Grandma said. She gave each of them a hug. I’m so glad you arrived safely.

Have pleasant dreams. We’ll catch up properly in the morning.

She left the room.

Seth dug into his suitcase. Can you keep a secret? he asked.

Kendra crouched to unzip her duffel bag. Yes, but you can’t, so I’m sure you’d tell me either way.

He pulled a jumbo pack of size C batteries from his suitcase.

I’m going to leave here a millionaire.

Where’d you get those?

I picked them up a long time ago, Seth said. Just in case.

You think you’re going to sell them to the satyrs?

So they can watch TV.

Kendra shook her head. The satyrs they had met in the woods after stealing soup from the ogress had promised Seth gold if he would bring them batteries for their portable television.

I’m not sure I would trust Newel and Doren to pay up.83 That’s why all payments have to be made in advance,Seth said, replacing the batteries in his suitcase and taking out the oversized T-shirt and shorts that he used as pajamas.

We’ve already talked about it.

When?

Last summer, while you were sleeping forever after the fairies kissed you-during one of those rare moments when somebody wasn’t scolding me. I’ll be in the bathroom. He headed out the door and down the stairs.

Kendra took advantage of the opportunity to change into her nightclothes. Not long after she changed, there came a soft knock at the door. Come in, she said. Dale entered with two mugs of warm milk on a tray. He left the drinks on the nightstand.

Pulling back her sheets, Kendra climbed into bed and began sipping at her milk. Seth came into the room, picked up his mug, and chugged the contents. Wiping his mouth on his arm, he walked over to the window. There’s lots of fairies out tonight.

I bet they’ll be happy to see you again, Kendra said.

Seth had started a feud with the fairies during their previous visit after he had captured one and inadvertently turned her into an imp.

They forgave me, he said. We’re friends now. He switched off the light and jumped into bed.

Kendra finished her milk and placed the empty mug on the nightstand. You’re not going to do anything stupid this time, are you, she said.

I’ve learned my lesson.84 Because it sounds like something bad is going on,Kendra said. They don’t need you making it worse.

I’ll be the perfect grandchild.

Once you get your gold from the satyrs, Kendra said.

Yeah, after that.

She lay back, letting her head sink into the feathery pillow, and stared up at the sharp angles of the attic ceiling.

What would Grandpa and Grandma tell them in the morning?

Why had Errol taken such an interest in them? Why had he ambushed them? What had bitten Seth? What about

Vanessa, Tanu, and Coulter? What were their stories? Where had they come from? How long would they stay? Why replace Lena with three people? Wasn’t Fablehaven supposed 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 steaming85 scrambled eggs and dark toast. Once again, Vanessa wasdressed 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.