Rise of the Evening Star

Really mature.

Do you think they’ll figure out a way to stop the demon? Seth asked.

I’m sure they’ll think of something. The Sphinx seems really smart. He’ll have a plan.

He said you beat him at Foosball, Seth said.

He wasn’t too good He didn’t even spin his cowboys

Shaking his head, Seth bowled the ball again and picked up the spare I don’t think Nero could follow me off the preserve. Maybe I should just take the gold and go. Then everyone will be out of danger.

Stop pitying yourself.

I’m serious.

No you’re not, Kendra said, exasperated. If you take off, Olloch will hunt you down and eat you.

Better than having everyone hate me.

Nobody hates you. They just want you to be cautious, so you’ll be safe. The only reason they get mad is because they care about you.

Seth arranged the soldiers in the tightest formation yet.

Think I can knock them all down with one roll?217 Kendra sat up. Of course, you set them up like dominoes.Seth took his position and rolled the ball, totally missing all of them. Looks like you were wrong.

You missed on purpose.

I bet you couldn’t knock all of them down.

I could easily, Kendra said.

Prove it.

She got out of bed, grabbed the ball, and went and stood by her brother. Taking careful aim, she bowled it hard, right down the center, and all the soldiers fell. See?

Almost like I let you win.

What’s that supposed to mean?

Nothing, he said. Who do you think is the traitor?

I don’t know. It doesn’t seem like any of them.

My guess would be Tanu. He’s too nice.

And that makes him evil? Kendra asked, getting back into bed.

Whoever is guilty would be trying really hard to act nice.

Or they would know that everyone would expect that, so they would try to throw us off by acting grumpy.

You think it could be Coulter? Seth turned out the light and jumped into bed.

He’s known Grandpa for too long. And Vanessa could have handed us over to Errol instead of rescuing us. They all seem innocent. I wouldn’t be surprised if it turned out to be another explanation.218 I hope so, Seth said. They’re all really cool. But keepyour eyes open.

You do the same. And please stay out of the woods.

You’re my only brother, and I don’t want you to get…

hurt.

Thanks, Kendra.

Good night, Seth.

Seth awoke in the dead of night with a hand covering his mouth. He grabbed at the fingers but was unable to pry them from his lips. Don’t be alarmed, a voice whispered.

It’s Coulter. We need to talk.

Seth turned his head. Taking his hand from Seth’s mouth, Coulter held a finger to his lips, then curled it beckoningly.

What was Coulter up to? It was an odd hour for a conversation.

Turning his head the other way, Seth saw Kendra asleep under her covers, breathing evenly. He eased out of bed and followed Coulter to the door and down the stairs to the hall.

Coulter took a seat on the last couple of steps. Seth sat down beside him.

What’s going on? Seth asked.

How would you like to set things straight? Coulter asked.

Sure.

I need your help, Coulter said.

In the middle of the night?

It may be now or never.219 No offense, Seth said. This seems kind of suspicious.I need you to trust me, Seth. I’m about to try something

I can’t do alone. I think you’re the only person with the courage to help me right now. You have no idea what is really going on.

You’re going to tell me?

Coulter looked around, as if he were nervous that somebody might be spying. I have to. I need somebody like you on my side here. Seth, the artifact we are looking for is very important. In the wrong hands it could be extremely dangerous.

It could even lead to the end of the world.

That seemed to agree with what Seth had heard from his grandparents. Go on, he said.

Coulter sighed and rubbed his thighs, as if hesitant to continue. I’m taking a big risk here because I believe I can trust you. Seth, I’m a special agent working for the Sphinx.

He gave me specific instructions that at all costs, I had to recover the artifact, especially if the integrity of Fablehaven was ever compromised. Now that we’re nearly certain where the artifact is hidden, I’m going to go prepare the way to get it, tonight, and I want you to come with me.

Right now?

Immediately.

Seth wiped away an eyelash that was starting to poke his eye. Why not get help from the others?

You heard your grandfather. He wants to wait and take care of Olloch first. That poses a problem because, in a day or two, Olloch could become too powerful, Fablehaven220 could fall, and the artifact could be placed in extreme jeopardy.How could I come with you? Seth said. The second I

leave the yard, the demon will be after us.

It’s risky, Coulter conceded. But Fablehaven is a big place, and the demon is off foraging. Hugo is waiting outside.

He’ll take us to the grove and keep Olloch off of us if the glutton makes an appearance.

Grandma said the demon could eat Hugo, Seth said.

Eventually. Until Olloch gets more powerful, it would take him a long time to best Hugo. I wouldn’t chance this tomorrow. But Hugo handled the demon just fine not so many hours ago. And Hugo is faster than Olloch. If we have to, we’ll just have Hugo escape with us back to the yard.

Why me? Seth asked. I don’t get it. Part of me thinks

I should go tell Grandpa Sorenson right now.

I can’t blame that instinct. I know this is unusual. Just let me finish. You know that if you go to your grandpa, he will never let you come with me. And he is in no position to help me himself. I came to you because I’ve spent the evening trying to convince the others to go after the artifact now rather than later, but they are all too afraid to take definitive action. Yet my private mandate from the Sphinx remains-with the threat of Olloch looming, I need to secure the artifact right away.

Why me? Seth repeated.

Who else can I trust besides your grandfather? Your grandmother is good at a lot of things, but she doesn’t belong on this kind of mission. Neither does Kendra. I can’t221 do it alone. I think I know what is haunting the grove, aphantom, and I need somebody brave to join me if I’m going to defeat it. You’re my only hope. You’re young, but honestly,

Seth, as far as courage goes, in my book, you’ve got all the others beat.

What if you’re the traitor? Seth asked.

If I were the traitor, I’d already have somebody to help me bypass the phantom. Christopher Vogel and I would be off taking care of business. You and I wouldn’t be having this conversation. Also, we can’t actually get the artifact tonight.

We need a key your grandfather has in order to access it. But if we can get rid of the phantom and confirm the location of the artifact, I’m confident that I’ll be able to convince the others to join us in retrieving it tomorrow.