I have just received reports of some disturbing activity in your area.
Kendra relaxed a little. I know, I've been trying to call you. There was a kobold in my school.
A what? Grandpa exclaimed.
It's okay, a guy named Errol Fisk helped us get rid of it.
He knows your friend Coulter.
Coulter Dixon?
I guess. Errol said Coulter found out about the kobold and recruited him to help us get rid of it.
When did this happen?
This week.
Grandpa paused. Kendra, Coulter has been here at
Fablehaven for more than a month.
She squeezed the phone, knuckles white. A sick feeling was creeping into her stomach. What do you mean?
I'll confirm with Coulter, but I'm sure this man approached you under false pretenses. You must not go near him.
Kendra was silent. She looked at her digital clock. It was
8:11 P.M. In less than two hours they were supposed to meet
Errol at the service station. He was going to pick us up tonight, she said.
Pick you up?
To take us to steal an amulet from a houseboat. He said it would harm the Society of the Evening Star.
Kendra, this man is almost certainly a member of the
Society of the Evening Star. They recently stole something from a friend of mine.
Kendra's mouth was dry. Her heart was sinking. What did they steal?
No matter, Grandpa said. The problem is-
Not a little statue of a frog, Kendra said.
Now Grandpa was silent. Oh, Kendra, he finally muttered.
Tell me what happened.
Kendra recounted how Errol had told them the only way to get rid of the kobold was to acquire the statue. She related how he had told them the owner of the mortuary was an evil viviblix in order to convince Seth to steal the frog.
So that's how they did it, Grandpa said. There was a61 spell on the mortuary that would have prevented all butchildren from entering. Archibald Mangum is an old friend.
He is no blix. He was away at his eightieth birthday party in
Buffalo the night Seth stole the statue from his house. He phoned me a few minutes ago.
I've been trying to call you all week, Kendra said.
And I wrote you a letter Tuesday.
There has been foul play, Grandpa said. I have not received your letter. I suspect it was intercepted, perhaps from my mailbox. I didn't know the phone was down until yesterday. We hardly use it except for emergencies. The phone company came out to fix it a few hours ago. They found where the line had been damaged, not far beyond the front gates. I asked if it looked like the line had been deliberately cut, and they said no, but I have my doubts. When
Archibald called, my worries were multiplied. He has quietly kept an eye on you and Seth for me. Of course, I realized that any action taken against him could also involve you, but I did not expect this. The Society of the Evening Star is on the move.
What do I do? Kendra asked, feeling unbalanced.
I have already set a plan in motion, Grandpa said.
Now I see that my suspicions were more warranted than I
had anticipated. I told your mother that I was in an accident, and asked if you and Seth could come stay with us while I recover.
What did she say? Kendra asked.
Your parents are willing as long as you and your brother want to come, Grandpa said. I told her I wanted to invite62 you myself. Assuming you would agree, I already dispatchedsomebody to pick you up.
Who?
You have not met her, Grandpa said. Her name is
Vanessa Santoro. She'll give you a code word: kaleidoscope.
She should be there within a couple of hours.
What should we do until then?
You said this Fisk character is expecting to meet you tonight?
We haven't confirmed with him, Kendra said. I
wanted to talk to you first. She deliberately neglected to mention that although she had not confirmed the rendezvous, she had already resolved to go. He's going to wait for us at a gas station near our house. If we aren't there by ten-thirty, he'll know we aren't coming.
I don't like the interest the Society is showing in you,
Grandpa said pensively, as if talking to himself. We'll have to puzzle that out later. For now, pack your things. Vanessa should arrive around ten-thirty herself. Be on the lookout.
It may be tough to anticipate how Errol will react when the two of you fail to keep his appointment.
Can you tell your friend to hurry?
She'll hurry, Grandpa said, chuckling. For now, let your mother know your decision. Then I'll need to speak with her again, get her used to the idea that a friend of mine is going to swing by and pick you up tonight. I'll tell her
Vanessa is a trusted neighbor who happens to be returning from a trip to Canada.
Grandpa?63 Yes?You weren't really in an accident? she asked.
Nothing life-threatening, but yes, I'm rather banged up.
There have been many interesting developments over the past months, and whether I like it or not, you are becoming involved. Right now, as dangerous as Fablehaven can be, it is the safest place for you.
Grandma's not a chicken again or anything.
Your grandmother is fine, he assured her.
What about Mom and Dad? What if Errol Fisk goes after them?
Oh, no, Kendra. Don't worry about your parents. Their ignorance of the secret world we know about should be all the protection they need. With you and Seth out of the house, they will be much safer than any of us. Now, pass me off to your mother.
Kendra found her mom and handed her the telephone.
She then raced to Seth's room and filled him in on everything she had discussed with Grandpa Sorenson.
So Errol was using us, Seth said. And if we'd gone with him tonight... I never learn my lesson, do I?
This wasn't your fault, Kendra said. Errol had me fooled too. You were just being brave. That isn't always a bad thing.
The compliment seemed to buoy him up. I bet Errol thought he had us in the bag. I wonder what he would have done with us. I wish I could see his face when we don't show up tonight.
Hopefully by then we'll already be on the road.64 Dad entered the room. He clapped his hands togetherand rubbed them. We need to get you guys packed, he said.
You two must have really done a number on your grandparents last summer. Dad falls off the roof, and he wants you there to help him. I hope he knows what he's getting himself into.
We'll be good, Seth said.
Are those firecrackers? Dad asked.
Just little ones. Seth stuffed them into his emergency kit.
* * * *
Kendra paced in her room, watching the clock. She peeked out between her blinds every few minutes, hoping to see Vanessa pull up. The closer the time got to ten-thirty, the more anxious she became.
Her suitcase and her duffel bag were on her bed. She tried to distract herself by putting on her earphones and listening to music. She sat on the floor, closed her eyes, and leaned against the bed. Any minute Vanessa would pull up, and she and Seth would be on their way.