Did you go into the grove? Grandma asked.
There is a malevolent evil there, Vanessa said.
We felt unprepared for what we might face below those cursed trees, Tanu said. We had to physically restrain Dale.
In the end, we followed Coulter's departing tracks and found him roaming in the woods as you now see him.
Kendra could hardly listen to the news. She clutched the railing and fought the overpowering grief throbbing inside of her. Each time fresh sobs shook her, she tried to weep quietly.
After all that had happened last summer, how close they had all come to losing their lives, it seemed unfair that death should now take Seth so suddenly and unexpectedly.
It was unimaginable that she would never see her brother again.
Could he be alive, swallowed whole? Kendra asked in a small voice.
Nobody would look at her. If the demon devoured him, he is no more, Grandpa said gently. We'll give it a day. If
Olloch consumed Seth, he should slow down and return to his dormant state until somebody else makes the mistake of244 feeding him. I don't mean to give you false hope, but wewon't know for certain that Olloch has ingested Seth until we locate the demon in his dormant state.
Should we look sooner? Kendra asked, wiping her eyes.
What if Seth's still out there, running?
He isn't running, Tanu said. Believe me, I looked. At best he may have found a place to hide inside the grove.
Which is unlikely if the demon came and went,
Grandma said sadly.
Can we get anything out of Coulter? Kendra asked.
He seems no more responsive than Warren, Dale said.
Want to see if he reacts to you, Kendra?
Kendra pressed her lips together. The thought of going near Coulter was revolting. He had killed her brother. And now, like Warren, his mind had flown. But if there was a chance he might reveal something useful, she had to try.
Kendra climbed over the porch railing and dropped to the grass. Hugo, set Coulter down, Dale ordered.
Hugo complied. Coulter stood still, looking even smaller and more frail now that he was albino and expressionless.
Kendra placed a hand on his white neck. Coulter cocked his head and looked her in the eye. His lips trembled.
We never got Warren to say anything, Kendra said.
Try asking him, Vanessa said.
Kendra placed a hand on either side of Coulter's face and stared into his eyes. Coulter, what happened to Seth.
Where is he?
Coulter blinked twice. The corner of his mouth245 twitched toward a smile. Kendra pushed him away. Helooks happy about it, she said.
I'm not sure you were getting through, Dale said. I
think he just liked your touch.
Kendra gazed up at the golem. Poor Hugo. Can we fix his arm?
Golems are resilient, Grandpa said. They frequently shed and accumulate matter. Over time the arm will reform.
Kendra, perhaps you should come in and lie down.
I don't think I can sleep, Kendra moaned.
I could give her a mild sedative, Vanessa offered.
That may not be a bad idea, Grandma said.
Kendra considered it. The idea of falling asleep and temporarily leaving all the heartache behind was appealing. She was not sleepy, but she was weary. Okay.
Placing a supportive hand on Kendra's elbow, Vanessa guided her up to the porch and back into the house. In the kitchen, Vanessa put some water on the stove. She left and returned with a tea bag.
Kendra sat at the table, absently handling a salt shaker.
Seth really is dead, isn't he?
It doesn't look good, Vanessa admitted.
I didn't picture this happening. It was all starting to feel like a wonderful game.
It can be wonderful, but it is definitely not a game.
Magical creatures can be deadly. I have lost several loved ones to them.
He was always asking for it, Kendra said. Always looking for risks.246 This wasn't Seth's fault. Who knows what kind of pressureCoulter might have applied to lure him away? Vanessa poured warm water into a mug, inserted the tea bag, and stirred in some sugar. I'm guessing you would prefer your tea drinkable versus scalding. She pulled out the tea bag and set it on the counter. This should be plenty potent.
Kendra sipped at the herbal tea. It was minty and sweet.
Unlike the rest of breakfast, it tasted like something she could finish. Thanks, this is good.
Let's start walking to your room, Vanessa said. In a moment, you'll be glad to be near a bed.
Kendra continued sipping from the mug as they climbed the stairs and passed down the hall. The drowsiness hit her on the way up the steps to the attic. You weren't kidding,
Kendra said, leaning against the wall to steady herself. I feel like I could just curl up right here and fall asleep.
You could, Vanessa said. But why not go a few more steps and sleep on your bed. Vanessa took the mug from
Kendra. It was not yet half empty.
The rest of the way to her bed, Kendra felt like she was moving in slow motion. After the painful news about her brother, the numb, detached sensation was welcome. She climbed into bed and instantly faded into a deep sleep, unable to process the final words Vanessa spoke to her.
* * * *
Waking up from her drugged slumber was a delicious, gradual process for Kendra, like lazily floating upward out of deep water. The surface was not far off, and when she247 reached it, she knew she would feel perfectly rested. Nodesire to slap a snooze button, no grogginess from sleeping too long. She had never noticed herself awakening so smoothly.
When she was finally fully awake, Kendra hesitated to open her eyes, hoping the contentment would linger. Wasn't there a reason she shouldn't feel so perfect? Her eyes shot open, and she looked over at Seth's empty bed.
He was gone! Dead! Kendra closed her eyes again, trying to pretend it had all been a miserable dream. Why hadn't she awoken when Coulter came and took him? How had Coulter gotten him out of the house so stealthily?
She opened her eyes. Judging from the light, it was late afternoon. She had slept the day away.
Kendra went downstairs and found Grandma in the kitchen, chopping cucumbers. Hello, dear, she said.
Any news while I was out?
I've tried to contact the Sphinx twice. Still no answer.
I hope he's all right. Grandma stopped cutting and wiped her hands on a towel. Your grandfather wanted to talk to us in the study once you awakened.
Kendra followed Grandma to the study, where Grandpa sat reading a journal. He closed the book as they entered.
Kendra, come in, we need to talk.
Kendra and Grandma sat down on the cot near
Grandpa. I've been thinking, Grandpa said, and the way everything played out last night doesn't add up. I know
Coulter well. He is a cunning man. The more I ponder the situation, the less strategic sense I see to his actions,248 especially with him ending up an albino like Warren. Hisbehavior was so clumsy that I suspect he was not acting under his own volition.