Fablehaven_ Rise of the Evening Star Part 21

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 bypa.s.s 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.

Coulter's mention of the key also corresponded with what Seth had heard from his grandparents. Without the key, Coulter couldn't access the vault. If he couldn't access the vault, his goal couldn't be to steal the artifact. And if Coulter harmed Seth, it would blow his cover and prevent him from ever getting Grandpa to hand over the key. Still, even if Coulter was telling the truth, the adventure would certainly be dangerous. Seth knew that his life would depend on whether Coulter really could handle the phantom in the grove. It had been too much for Warren. He wished he could get advice from somebody else, but Coulter was right-if Seth told anyone, from Grandpa to Kendra to Tanu, they would try to stop them.

I don't know what to do, Seth said.

Once we have the artifact, we can all escape and lock222 down Fablehaven, trapping Olloch inside until your grandparentsand their not-so-secret friend figure out what to do with him. Everybody wins, and we keep the artifact out of evil hands. I've thought it through, and this is our last chance to set everything right. If we stall, it is going to end badly. By tomorrow night, Olloch will be too strong. I can only do this with your help, Seth. Warren failed because he attempted it alone. If you refuse, we may as well both go back to bed.

It seems like every decision I make is wrong lately, Seth said. People keep tricking me. Or I just do stupid things on my own.

Not everybody is out to fool you, Coulter said. And bravery is not always a liability. Often it is quite the opposite.

I happen to know your grandfather has great admiration for your adventurous spirit. This could be your chance to redeem yourself.

Or to prove that I'm the most gullible person in the world, Seth sighed. Hopefully this will end the streak. Do I need to bring anything?

Coulter beamed. I knew I could count on you. He patted Seth on the shoulder. I have everything we need.

Can I grab my emergency kit?

Good idea. Quiet, though. We mustn't disturb the others.

Seth slunk back up the stairs and into the attic bedroom Kendra had shifted position but was still sound asleep Crouching, Seth pulled the emergency kit out from under his bed.223 He felt uncommonly nervous. Was he making a mistake?Or was he just anxious at the prospect of facing a terrible phantom in a cursed grove with a short old man in the middle of the night? Coulter seemed to be the most cautious of all the adventurers. He had known exactly what to do when they met the fog giant, and he seemed confident that together they could handle the phantom. Seth stared at his emergency kit. If he just followed instructions, he would be fine, right?

Coulter did seem a little desperate to comply with the a.s.signment from the Sphinx. He was probably putting them in a situation more dangerous than he would normally prefer because the stakes were so high. But he was right. The stakes really were high. Fablehaven was once again heading toward destruction. And Seth knew it was mainly his own fault.

Last time, Kendra had saved the day. Now it was his turn.

Seth crept down the stairs.

Ready? Coulter asked.

I guess.

Let's get you some milk.224Peril in the Night Deadfalls snapped and popped like firecrackers as Hugo pounded through the dark woods. No starlight penetrated the balmy darkness beneath the trees. Hugo maintained an unflagging pace, clutching Coulter under one arm and Seth under the other, like a running back with two footb.a.l.l.s.

They emerged from the woods briefly and thumped through a covered bridge spanning a deep ravine. Seth recognized it as the same bridge he had seen when Grandma took him and Kendra to barter with Nero. Not far beyond the bridge, Hugo left the path again, resuming their noisy, loping dash through oblivion. Only the occasional clearing allowed the faint glow of the stars to interrupt the blackness.

Seth remained tense, antic.i.p.ating the appearance of225 Olloch. At any minute, he expected a supersized glutton toattack Hugo, splitting the night with a ferocious roar.

Instead, Hugo continued tirelessly forward, fluidly dodging obstacles.

When Hugo reached the top of a steep slope, he charged down without hesitation. Seth felt like they were on the verge of tipping over with every step, but the golem never stumbled. When they reached a dead tree leaning against a cliff, without using his hands, Hugo raced up the rotten trunk like a ramp. Seth's stomach lurched as the ground grew distant, and he felt certain they would fall, but although the tree creaked beneath them, the golem did not falter.

At length they reached a large, open valley with a rounded hill at each corner. After the complete darkness of the forest, the starlight proved sufficient to reveal the surrounding terrain. Tall brush covered the ground, mingled with p.r.i.c.kly weeds. A dark stand of trees loomed at the far end of the valley, between the two largest hills.

Hugo bounded across the valley, coming to an abrupt stop near the edge of the shadowy grove. Forward a few more steps, Hugo, Coulter said.

The golem leaned forward, trembling. He rocked back, and the shaking stopped. Slowly Hugo lifted a leg. As he tried to move it forward, he began to shudder.

Enough, Hugo, Coulter said. Set us down.

What's the deal with Hugo? Seth asked.

Just as most magical creatures cannot enter the yard back at the house, Hugo cannot enter this grove. There is226 an unseen boundary here. The ground is cursed. Fortunately,as mortals, we can go wherever we choose.

Seth raised his eyebrows. We have to go up against the phantom without Hugo? he said.

I expected this, Coulter said. Though I would rather have been mistaken.

Are we sure we want to go someplace Hugo can't?

This has nothing to do with what we want. This is a matter of duty. I don't want to go in there, but I must.

Seth stared at the dark trees. The night seemed suddenly cooler. He folded his arms. How do you know a phantom is in there?

I did some private reconnaissance. I ventured far enough into the grove to read the signs. It's clearly the abode of a phantom.

How do we stop a phantom?

Coulter pulled a short, crooked stick from his belt. You hold this holly wand high. No matter what happens, keep it above your head-change hands if you must. I'll take care of the rest.

That's all?

The holly will protect us while I bind the phantom. No small task, but I've done it once before. The phantom may try to frighten or intimidate you, but if you keep the wand high, we'll both be fine. Now more than ever, whatever you see and hear, you must remain stouthearted.

I can do that, Seth said firmly. What if Olloch shows up?227 Golems make fabulous guardians, Coulter said. Hugo,keep Olloch the Glutton out of the grove.

Should I wear my medallion?

The one to repel the undead? By all means, put it on.

Seth fished the medallion out of his emergency kit and slipped it around his neck. Coulter turned on a heavy flashlight.

The initial glare made Seth squint and blink. The bright beam pierced the darkness of the grove, lighting the s.p.a.ce between the trees, allowing Coulter and Seth to see much deeper into the ominous woods. Instead of vague, shadowy trunks, the harsh light revealed the color and texture of the bark. There was almost no undergrowth, just rank upon rank of gray pillars supporting a leafy canopy.

Find your courage, and hang on tight, Coulter said.

I'm ready, Seth said, holding the holly wand aloft.

Hugo, if we fall, return to the house, Coulter said.

If we fall?

Just a precaution. We'll be fine.

You're not helping my courage a whole bunch, Seth complained. He started impersonating Coulter. Seth, we'll be just fine. Nothing to worry about. Hugo, when we die, please have us buried in a beautiful cemetery by a stream.

I'm sorry, Seth, I meant if we die. Be brave. When the phantom kills you, don't scream, even though it's going to hurt a lot.

Coulter was smirking. Are you finished?

Sounds like we're both finished.

Everyone copes with nerves differently. Humor is among the better ways. Follow me.229Coulter stepped forward, beyond the plane Hugo couldnot cross, and Seth followed closely. The trees cast long shadows. The flashlight beam swayed back and forth, making the shadows swing and stretch, creating the illusion that the trees were in motion. As they pa.s.sed the first few trees, Seth glanced back at Hugo, waiting in the shadows. His night vision had already been ruined by the flashlight, so he could barely make out the form of the golem in the darkness.

Can you feel the difference? Coulter whispered.

I'm scared, if that's what you mean, Seth said softly.

Coulter stopped walking. More than that. Even if you didn't know to be scared, you would be. There's an unshakable sense of foreboding in the atmosphere.

Seth had goose b.u.mps on his arms. You're sort of freaking me out again, he said.

I just want you to be aware of it, Coulter whispered. It may get worse. Keep that holly wand up high.

Seth was not sure whether it was simply the power of suggestion, but as they resumed walking, with each step the air seemed to grow colder, and the feeling inside seemed to become darker. Seth grimly studied the trees, bracing himself for the terrifying form of a phantom to appear.

Coulter slowed and then stopped. The hair rose on the back of Seth's neck. Coulter turned slowly, eyes wide and shimmering. Uh-oh, he mouthed.

The fear hit Seth like a physical blow, making his knees buckle. He dropped his emergency kit as he collapsed to the ground, keeping the hand with the holly wand high. Seth was instantly reminded of when he had sampled Tanu's fear230 potion. The terror was an irrational, overpowering force thatinstantly stripped away all defenses. He struggled to rise and to keep his hand up.

He had made it to his knees and was trying to lift a leg when a second wave of fear washed over him, more powerful than the first, much more potent than the potion Tanu had given him. The medallion around his neck dissolved, evaporating into the chilly air. Vaguely, distantly, Seth was aware that the flashlight was on the ground, and that Coulter was on his hands and knees, quivering. The fear intensified steadily, relentlessly.

Seth crumpled. He was on his back. The wand remained above his head, clenched in a frozen fist. His whole body was paralyzed. He tried to call out to Coulter. His lip twitched.

No sound came out. He could barely think.

This surpa.s.sed the fear of death. Death would be a mercy if it would make the feeling stop, the uncontrollable panic mingling with the mind-scrambling certainty of something sinister approaching, something with no need to hurry, something that would not be so kind as to let him die. The fear was palpable, suffocating, irresistible.

Seth had always pictured his life ending much more heroically.