Fablehaven: The Complete Series (167 page)

“Dale,” Grandma said. “Go stand on the deck and watch Stan speak with the centaurs. We have no idea why they’ve come.”

Grandpa escorted Kendra outside. They crossed the lawn to where Cloudwing waited beside a tall centaur with light blue fur.

“Greetings, Cloudwing,” Grandpa said as they drew near. “I didn’t expect to see you again so soon.”

“Make no pretenses at courtesy,” the blue centaur growled. “Return the Soul.”

“Now, hold your horses,” Grandpa responded in a less friendly tone. “What are you talking about? I’m not sure we’ve met.”

“Skygazer is our spiritual leader,” Cloudwing explained.

“When I awoke today,” Skygazer said, “the power shielding Grunhold had waned. The Heart remained, but the Soul had fled. We found human tracks leading to the marsh. On the far side of the marsh we located similar tracks along with the unmistakable footfalls of your golem. The golem’s tracks were very fresh, and returned directly to your yard.”

Grandpa stared at Skygazer in astonishment. “And you think that means one of us took the horn?” Kendra had never realized her grandfather was such a good actor. His disbelief seemed authentic. “One of our spies recently sent us information that our enemies might make an attempt for the horn. We relayed that information to your king. I sent Hugo out as a precaution, to keep watch for anything suspicious.”

“You asked to borrow the Soul yesterday,” Cloudwing reminded him.

“Right, we
asked.
It would come in useful. We knew our enemies wanted it as well. But we harbored no illusions about stealing it. If we intended to steal it, why would we draw attention to ourselves with a visit? Why would we warn you to guard it well?”

Skygazer glowered. “When necessary, we have secret means of communicating with our mountain troll, Udnar. He mentioned the name Navarog.”

“Navarog!” Grandpa exclaimed. “The dragon? The demon prince? He was imprisoned until recently. We’ve heard he is abroad again. This bodes ill.”

“A demonic dragon could not have entered Grunhold,” Skygazer stated.

“Navarog can assume human form,” Grandpa said thoughtfully. “He is a powerful demon lord. He might have had magic to foil your defenses. Later, if he changed form again and took flight, it would explain why his footprints vanished.”

“Or he was working with you, and the golem brought him here,” Cloudwing said, his posture and voice less certain.

Grandpa laughed. “Right, Navarog the dragon, the demon prince, is now our errand boy.”

Skygazer scowled. “Udnar reported that the intruder moved inhumanly fast, and taunted him by divulging his name, as if fearless of retribution. He left a banana where the Soul belonged.”

“These are dire tidings,” Grandpa lamented. “Our enemies will employ the horn to our significant detriment.”

“You claim no involvement in the thievery,” Skygazer confirmed.

Grandpa shrugged. “Does it seem possible that one of us could have navigated the many safeguards protecting your Soul? If we uncover any leads, you’ll be the first to know.”

“Very well,” Skygazer relented. “We’ll be watching.” The centaurs wheeled about and cantered away through the leafless woods.

* * *

Seth stalked back and forth across the attic bedroom, the horn clenched in his fist. He had felt confident that his success would override any resentment of his disobedience. And it had, to an extent. But in the end he still felt he had disappointed everyone.

Why did he want to go to Wyrmroost so badly? Were they right? Did he mostly want to go as a tourist? Was his chief motivation to see dragons? Or did he sincerely believe his presence would make a difference?

Yes, seeing dragons would be awesome. Why lie to himself? The dragons were part of the allure. But they were not his only reason for wanting to go to Wyrmroost. The Society of the Evening Star had come into his neighborhood and kidnapped his sister. The Sphinx had demonstrated that no place was safe anymore. He would never relent. He had to be stopped before he opened the demon prison and destroyed the world.

Seth had powers now. Who knew, with emotions immune to magical manipulation, he might make a fabulous dragon tamer. But nobody would know unless they gave him a chance. Gavin was supposedly their top dragon tamer, and he wasn’t an adult either.

Certainly Seth could make himself useful at Wyrmroost. He always found a way. Was it any less dangerous to sit at home and do nothing while the Sphinx took over the world?

He shouldn’t have gotten so angry at his grandparents. Getting them riled would not help his chances of going. They responded to reason, not threats. And they deserved his respect. It was just so frustrating having everyone always telling him what he could or couldn’t do!

He heard footsteps on the stairs. The door opened and Kendra entered. She looked around the room, her eyes sweeping over him. Her brow crinkled. “Seth?”

The curtains were shut, leaving the room fairly dim. He stood a good distance from the door. But he wasn’t hiding.

Kendra turned to go.

“I’m here,” Seth said.

Startled, she spun around. “There you are! Where were you?”

“Here all along.”

“Wow, I guess that shade walker thing really works. It isn’t that dark in here.”

Seth shrugged. “Did you want to scold me too?”

“Actually, I wanted to make sure you were all right. And to check out the unicorn horn.”

Seth held it up. “It’s heavier than it looks.” He studied it appraisingly. “I’d say it’s worth about ten million awesome dollars.”

“Or ten million idiot points. Depending on your perspective. Can I hold it?”

Seth scowled suspiciously. “Did they send you up here to get the horn from me?”

Kendra looked at him reproachfully. “No. I don’t think they’re stressed about your threats. I’m just interested.”

“I’m not sure I can let you handle it,” Seth said. “After all, it’s stolen property. What if you touch it and start feeling all guilty? You might go mental and try to return it to the centaurs.”

“You borrowed it, not me. What would I have to feel guilty about, as long as you don’t mind me touching it?”

Seth ran his thumb along the smooth surface of the horn. “If I’m able to lend it to you, it means I could entrust it to them as well. I won’t have to be included on the team to Wyrmroost.”

“We’ll have to find out if you can share it sooner or later. Might as well be now. Look, if you’re worried I’m trying to take it, just give me permission to hold it for a minute. Then I’ll have to give it back.”

Seth sighed. “Okay. You can hold it for a minute.” He held out the horn.

Kendra took it. “You’re right, it does feel heavier than it looks.”

“No guilt?”

“None. It’s so white.”

Seth frowned. “Looks like they won’t need me after all.”

Kendra handed the horn back to him. “Who knows what they’ll decide?”

“I do,” Seth said. “Patton’s message explained that Wyrmroost is protected by a powerful distracter spell. Which means that even though nobody will like the idea, you’ll probably have to go. For the other slots they’ll select old people like Warren. They’ll be too worried that I’d get hurt, and that I don’t have enough experience, never mind the fact that my proven abilities make me uniquely qualified.”

“I don’t see why you’d want to go,” Kendra replied. “The thought that I might have to go makes me want to throw up.”

“Even if Gavin joins the group?”

Kendra blushed. “Whatever. Why would that matter? We’re barely pen pals.” She bit her lower lip. “You think they might need him?”

“It’s a guarantee. Wyrmroost is a dragon sanctuary, and he’s the dragon-taming prodigy. This will be your second date at a deadly wildlife park! Next time you guys should go miniature golfing.”

“You’re a weirdo,” Kendra said. “And you dodged my question. Why do you want to go so badly?”

“Would I love to see dragons? Sure, who wouldn’t? Besides you, I mean. The more important reason is simple. We have to stop the Sphinx or we’re all doomed, and I know I can help do it.”

“There are lots of ways to help,” Kendra argued.

“Good point. Maybe I can pack your sack lunches.”

“You don’t have to do everything.”

“Nope. Just the boring stuff. Maybe I’ll write the Sphinx a stern letter.”

Kendra laid a hand on his shoulder. “No matter what happens, please promise that you won’t do anything stupid.”

“Or anything awesome. Depending on your perspective.”

“Promise.”

Seth fingered the horn. “We’ll see.”

Chapter 16

Moving Out

Christmas had always been Kendra’s favorite holiday. During her younger years, it had been a day when magic overlapped reality, when the regular routine was suspended and, under the cover of darkness, visitors swooped out of the sky and snuck down the chimney with presents. She had always hoped to stay up late and catch Santa in the act, but she always fell asleep before he came and had to settle for a plate full of cookie crumbs and a thank-you note.

As she grew older, Christmas became more about seeing her friends and family. The holiday meant fancy meals with Grandma and Grandpa Larsen, eating turkey or lamb off fine china with ornate silverware, then topping it all off with as much pie as she could handle. Thanks to the gifts given and received, there remained a giddy anticipation the night before and an enchanted atmosphere on the holiday itself.

This Christmas was different.

For one thing, her parents thought she was dead. For another, the holiday had totally blindsided her. She usually looked forward to Christmas Day for weeks in advance. This year, she hadn’t even remembered it was Christmas Eve until Seth mentioned it before they went to bed. How could she pay attention to the calendar when her mind was consumed with a potentially deadly mission?

Kendra had decided that her brother should become a fortune-teller. He had correctly named her, Warren, and Gavin as members of the strike force. Tanu had been included as well. Grandpa had recited the same reasons that Seth had anticipated. Her brother was also correct that he would be left out.

Fortunately, Seth had taken the news much better than she would have expected. Grandma and Grandpa seemed relieved and surprised when he had handed over the horn without a fuss. Kendra assumed it must have helped that her brother had expected the decision. Whatever the reason behind his acceptance, Grandma and Grandpa had been sufficiently impressed to forgo formally grounding him. Kendra sometimes pitied her grandparents as they tried to manage Seth. Short of locking him in a cell, how were they supposed to ground a resourceful kid who refused to stop sneaking out?

Now Kendra sat alone in the living room, enjoying the aroma of the pies baking in the kitchen. There had been no Christmas tree, but her grandparents had filled stockings with treats and given her and Seth wrapped presents. Her presents had seemed suspiciously tailored for the upcoming mission: sturdy boots, a thick coat, new gloves. At least she had had something to unwrap.

They would be eating Christmas dinner at lunchtime, so she, Warren, and Tanu could leave to catch their flight. By the evening they would meet up with Gavin, Dougan, Trask, and Mara in Kalispell, Montana. From there a private helicopter would shuttle them to their destination.

It would be strangest to see Gavin and Mara. Despite her protests to the contrary, Kendra had developed a considerable crush on Gavin as they had exchanged letters during the fall. Seeing Mara would be odd because, since they had last spoken, the Native American woman had lost her mother and her home. Grandpa had explained that after the destruction of Lost Mesa, Mara had joined the Knights of the Dawn and was rapidly becoming one of their most trusted operatives.

Seth trotted into the room, face red from the cold outside. “Kendra, somebody brought you a special present.”