Yet as Kendra turned in the exam, she did not experience the euphoria she had earned. Instead she was weighed down by the question of whether she should sneak out of her house to break into a houseboat hundreds of miles away with a virtual stranger and her younger brother.

As of that morning, she still had not reached her grandpa by telephone, and he still had not replied to the letter she had mailed Tuesday. She had told Seth that until she confirmed the identity of Errol Fisk with Grandpa, they were not going on a road trip with him in the middle of the night.57 The thing with the kobold had been a desperate situation.Now they could afford to wait a day or two.

Seth had ranted about her being a traitor and a coward.

He had complained that if there was a chance to harm the

Society of the Evening Star, they had better take it. He had finished by threatening to join Errol with or without her.

Having completed the exam early, Kendra had about twenty minutes before the buses would be leaving. She went to her locker and took her time loading everything she wanted to keep into her backpack, including the pictures she had clipped from magazines and taped to the inside of the door. Maybe Seth had a point. Checking with Grandpa was more of a formality at this stage. Errol had already helped them dispose of the kobold. If he had wanted to harm them, he'd had his chance when he took them to the mortuary.

Kendra tried to be completely honest with herself. She was afraid of going to the houseboat. If it belonged to somebody from the Society of the Evening Star, it would be very dangerous. And this time she would have to go inside, not just wait in the van.

She zipped her backpack. What she wanted was for

Grandpa Sorenson to tell her that Errol was a friend but that stealing amulets from houseboats in the middle of the night was no job for children. Or teenagers. And it was true!

Barriers or no barriers, it seemed peculiar that Errol recruited kids for tasks like this.

She headed down the hall and out the doors. The sun was shining. The buses idled in a line along the curb. Only a58 few kids were on them. Ten minutes remained before schoolwould officially let out.

Was Seth right? Was she a coward? She had been brave on the preserve when she sought help from the Fairy Queen and rescued everybody. She had been brave when trying to get rid of the kobold. Brave enough to sneak out of the house and go with Errol. But those were emergencies. She had been forced to be brave. What happened to her courage without an immediate threat? How dangerous was sneaking onto an empty houseboat? Nothing had happened at the mortuary; Seth had gone in and out. Errol would not take them to the houseboat if it was too dangerous. He was a professional.

Kendra climbed onto her bus, walked to the back, and plopped down onto a seat. Her last bus ride from Roosevelt

Middle School. She was now in high school. Maybe she ought to start acting more like an adult and less like a scaredy-cat.

Seth whistled as he inventoried his emergency kit. He clicked the flashlight on and off. He examined an assortment of firecrackers. He inspected the slingshot he had received for Christmas.

Kendra sat on his bed, chin in her hand. You really think firecrackers are going to come in handy? she asked.

You never know, Seth answered.

I get it, Kendra said. Somebody might want to have an early Fourth of July celebration.60 Seth shook his head in exasperation. Yeah, or we mightneed a diversion. He ignited a flame with his cigarette lighter to make sure it worked. Then he held up a couple of dog biscuits. I added these since the mortuary. I might have been eaten alive without one.

I can't believe you talked me into this, Kendra said.

Neither can I, Seth agreed.

Mom opened the door, holding the cordless telephone.

Kendra, Grandpa Sorenson wants to speak with you.

Brightening, Kendra jumped off the bed. Okay. She took the phone. Hi, Grandpa.

Kendra, I need you to go someplace where you can speak freely, Grandpa said, his tone urgent.

Just a second. Kendra rushed into her room and shut the door. What is it?

I fear you and your brother may be in danger, Grandpa said.

Her grip tightened on the phone. Why?

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.

She heard a voice calling her name from far away. She opened her eyes and took off her earphones. Dad was standing over her. She's here? Kendra asked, standing up.

No, I said you have a phone call. Katie's dad, he's wondering if you know where Katie might be.

Kendra accepted the phone. Katie Clark? Kendra barely knew her. Hello?65 You disappointed me, Kendra. It was Errol. Dad leftthe room.

Kendra spoke quietly. Sorry, we decided tonight wouldn't work. How did you get our number?

The phone book, Errol said, sounding hurt by the accusation in her tone. Sorry about pretending to be the parent of a schoolmate. I didn't want to startle your parents.

Good thinking, Kendra said.

I was wondering if I might persuade you to join me after all. I'm down the street from your home, right where I

dropped you off the other night. You see, tonight is the last night the houseboat will be unoccupied, and that amulet could cause great harm to your grandparents and their preserve.

I'm sure it could, Kendra said sincerely. Her mind was racing. Errol could not possibly know she and Seth planned to escape to Fablehaven tonight. She had to pretend she still thought of him as a friend. Isn't there some other way? I was so scared the other night.

If I knew of another solution, I would not trouble you.

My predicament is dire. The amulet could cause tremendous harm in the wrong hands. Please, Kendra, I helped you. I

need you to return the favor.

Kendra heard a vehicle pulling to a stop outside. The engine quit. Parting the blinds, she saw a woman climbing out of a sleek sports car. I don't think I can, Kendra said.

I'm really sorry.

Looks like you have a visitor, Errol said, a trace of66 suspicion entering his voice. That's quite a car. Friend ofthe family?

I'm not sure, Kendra said. Look, I need to go.

Very well. The line went dead.

Dad poked his head in. Everything okay?

Kendra put the phone down, trying not to let her anxiety show. Katie's dad was just freaking out a little, she said.

I don't hang out with Katie much, so I couldn't really help him. I'm sure she's fine.

There was a knock at the door.

That must be your ride. Dad grabbed the suitcase the duffel bag off the bed. Kendra followed him to the living room, where Mom stood chatting with a statuesque woman.

Tall and slender, the woman had a lustrous cascade of black hair and an olive complexion. She looked Spanish or

Italian, with generous lips and a playful arch to her eyebrows.

Her cosmetics were applied with an expertise Kendra had never seen outside of fashion magazines. She wore trendy jeans, brown boots, and a snug, stylish leather jacket.

As Kendra entered the room, the woman smiled, her expressive eyes lighting up. You must be Kendra, the woman said warmly. I'm Vanessa Santoro. She had the faint remnant of an accent.

Kendra extended her hand. Vanessa clasped only her fingers. Dad introduced himself and Vanessa offered him a similar handshake. Despite her polished looks and demeanor, her fingernails were incongruously short. Seth came into the room and stopped in his tracks. Kendra felt67 embarrassed for him-he was so unable to disguise hisamazement at Vanessa's striking appearance.