Rise of the Evening Star

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.