Sure, Kendra said.
What was the imp saying? Seth asked.
That he was going to dance on our graves, Kendra said.
Seth spun around and cupped his hands beside his mouth like a megaphone. Only if they bury us in your cruddy cell, he yelled. He glanced at Grandma. Think he heard me?143Coulter
He's not here, Seth said, checking his wristwatch.
He'll be here soon, Kendra said.
They sat together on a stone bench at the edge of an oval section of lawn with a marble birdbath near the center.
The sun had not been up long, but the day was already getting warm. A cluster of fairies played among the blossoms of a nearby shrub. Others hovered over the birdbath, admiring their reflections.
The fairies haven't been very friendly lately, Seth said.
Kendra scratched her temple. They probably just need their space.
They were so friendly before we left last summer, after you led them against Bahumat.
They were probably just extra excited.144Try to talk to them, Seth said. If you can understandimps, I bet you can understand fairies too.
I tried last night. They ignored me.
Seth glanced at his watch again. I say we go do something else. Coulter's like ten minutes late. And he picked the most boring spot in all of Fablehaven to make us wait.
Maybe we're in the wrong place.
Seth shook his head. This is where he said.
I'm sure he'll come, Kendra said.
By the time he does, we'll have to leave to visit the
Sphinx.
Coulter suddenly appeared in front of them, standing on the lawn not ten feet away, blocking their view of the birdbath.
One instant there was nothing, the next, he had popped into existence, leaning on his walking stick. I suppose
I wasn't meant to hear that, Coulter said.
Kendra shrieked, and Seth jumped to his feet. Where did you come from? Seth yelped.
Take more care what you say out in the open, Coulter said. You never know who may be listening. I'm sure your grandparents wanted your visit to the Sphinx kept a secret.
Why were you eavesdropping? Kendra accused.
To prove a point, Coulter said. Believe me, if I
weren't on your side, and you had given me that information,
I would not have tipped my hand by revealing myself.
By the way, Kendra, fairies are jealous by nature. There's no surer way to earn their dislike than to become popular.
How did you do that? Seth asked.
Coulter held up a fingerless leather glove, letting it hang145 limp. One of my prize possessions. I deal in magical trinkets,tokens, and artifacts. Tanu has his potions, Vanessa has her critters-I have my magic glove. Among other things.
Can I try it? Seth asked.
All in good time, Coulter said, pocketing the glove and clearing his throat. I understand Tanu got you off to a fine start yesterday. He knows his business. You'd do well to heed him.
We will, Kendra said.
Before we begin, Coulter said, shifting his feet as if he were feeling a tad uncomfortable, I want to make one thing clear. He gave Kendra an uncertain glance. No matter how careful you are about personal hygiene, it is perfectly natural for a teenage girl to develop an occasional pimple.
Kendra hid her face in her hands. Seth grinned.
Such things are a natural part of the maturation process, Coulter continued. You may begin to notice other changes as-
Kendra raised her head. I'm not embarrassed about it, she insisted. It was just the potion.
Coulter nodded patronizingly. Well, if you ever need to talk about... growing up-
That's very kind, Kendra blurted, holding up both hands to stop him from saying more. I'll let you know if I
want to talk. Zits happen. I'm okay with it. Seth looked like he was about to explode with laughter, but he managed to contain himself.
Coulter wiped a hand across the top of his head, flattening his little tuft of gray hair. He had reddened slightly.146 Right. Enough said about hormones. Shifting gears. Hepaused for a moment, rubbing his hands together. What do the two of you want me to teach you?
How to make ourselves invisible, Seth said.
I mean generally, Coulter clarified. Why do you want to apprentice with me?
So we can learn how to protect ourselves from magical creatures, Kendra said.
And so we can help out around here, Seth said. I'm sick of staying in the yard.
Coulter wagged a finger. A preserve like Fablehaven is a dangerous place. In my line of work, any degree of carelessness can lead to disaster. And by disaster I mean death. No second chances. Just a cold, lonely coffin.
The new soberness in his tone had quickly changed the mood. Kendra and Seth listened attentively.
Those woods, Coulter said, sweeping a hand toward the trees, are teeming with creatures who would love nothing more than to drown you. To cripple you. To devour you.
To turn you to stone. If you let your guard down for a moment, if you forget for a second that every one of the creatures on this preserve is potentially your worst enemy, you won't have any more chance of surviving than a worm on a henhouse floor. Am I getting through to you?
Kendra and Seth nodded.
I don't tell you this out of cruelty, Coulter said. I'm not trying to shock you with exaggerations. I want you to go into this with your eyes wide open. People in my profession die all the time. Talented, cautious people. No matter how147careful you are, there is always the chance of running acrosssomething more terrible than you are prepared to handle. Or you might find yourself in a situation you've dealt with a hundred times, but you make a mistake, and you never get a second chance. If either of you expects to venture out into those woods with me, I don't want you clinging to a false sense of security. I've had my close calls, and I've seen people die. I'll do my best to keep you safe, but it is only fair to warn you that on any given day, even doing something that might seem routine, if we're out in those woods, we could all perish.
I'll not have you along without making that clear.
We know it's risky, Seth said.
Something else I ought to tell you now. If we're all in mortal peril, and it looks like saving you means sacrificing myself, or worse, sacrificing both of us, I'm probably going to save myself. I'd expect you to do the same. If I can protect you, I will; if not... you've been warned. Coulter raised his hands. I don't want your ghosts showing up moaning about how I didn't warn you.
We've been warned, Kendra said. We won't haunt you.
I might haunt you a little, Seth said.
Coulter snorted, hawked up some phlegm, and spat.
Now, I intend to keep us far from situations where our lives are in jeopardy, but there's always a possibility the worst could happen, and if that's a risk you're unwilling to take, speak now, because once we're out in the woods, it may be too late.148 I'm in, Seth said. I'm still sad I didn't get to go yesterday.I'm in too, Kendra said bravely. But I was fine with yesterday.