Part 7 (2/2)
Dale skidded to a stop on the four-wheeler, leapt off, and helped Vanessa take the suitcases out of the trunk. Seth hurried over to help. Kendra reached into the backseat and retrieved the duffel bags.
Looks like you took quite a hit, Grandma said, surveying the gash in the roof of the otherwise streamlined vehicle.
She still handled surprisingly well, Vanessa said, picking up Seth's suitcase. Seth reached for it.
We'll cover any costs for repairs, Grandma said.
Vanessa shook her head. I spend a fortune on insurance.
Let them foot the bill. She rewarded Seth's persistence by relinquis.h.i.+ng his suitcase.
Together they walked to the front door and entered the house. Grandpa sat in a wheelchair in the entry hall. His left80 leg was in a cast that went from his toes to the top of hiss.h.i.+n. A second cast covered his right arm from wrist to shoulder. Fading bruises marked his face, yellowish and gray splotches. But he was grinning.
A pair of men flanked Grandpa. One was a hulking Polynesian with a broad nose and cheerful eyes. His tank top revealed ma.s.sive, sloping shoulders. A th.o.r.n.y green tattoo wreathed his thick upper arm. The other man was an older fellow a few inches shorter than Kendra, thin and wiry. His head was bald except for a gray tuft in the middle and a fringe around the sides. He wore several trinkets around his neck, affixed to leather cords or dull chains. He also wore a couple of braided bracelets and a wooden ring. None of it looked valuable. The pinky finger was missing from his left hand, as was part of the ring finger.
Welcome back, Grandpa cried, beaming. It's so good to see you. Kendra wondered if he was trying to compensate for his injured appearance with exuberance. Kendra, Seth, I would like you to meet Tanugatoa Dufu. Grandpa gestured at the Polynesian man with his unbroken arm.
Everyone calls me Tanu, he said. He was soft-spoken, with a deep voice and clear enunciation. His playful eyes and mild voice went a long way toward offsetting his otherwise intimidating appearance.
And this is Coulter Dixon, a name Kendra has heard before, Grandpa said.
Coulter regarded them with a measuring gaze. Any friend of Stan's is a friend of mine, he said, sounding less than sincere.81 Nice to meet you, Kendra said.Any friend of Grandpa's... Seth added.
Dale and Vanessa collected the bags Kendra and Seth were holding and started up the stairs.
And of course the two of you have met Vanessa Santoro, Grandpa said. Tanu, Coulter, and Vanessa have joined us here at Fablehaven to help with the workload. As you can see, I took a tumble last week, so their a.s.sistance has become even more valuable in recent days.
What happened? Seth asked.
We'll reserve that discussion, and many others, for tomorrow. Midnight is long gone. You've had an eventful day. Your room is ready and waiting. Get some sleep, and we'll make sense of the situation in the morning.
I want to know what bit me, Seth said.
Tomorrow, Grandpa promised.
I don't think I could sleep now, Kendra said.
You may surprise yourself, Grandma said from behind, ushering Kendra and Seth toward the stairs.
Morning will come soon enough, Grandpa said. As Kendra started up the stairs, Tanu wheeled Grandpa in the direction of the study.
Kendra ran her hand along the smooth finish of the banister.
She had seen this house in ruins after Seth had foolishly opened the attic window on Midsummer Eve. And she had seen it restored after an army of brownies had repaired it overnight, making unpredictable improvements in much of the furniture. As Kendra entered the attic playroom, it felt familiar and safe, in spite of the night when she and her82 brother were pinned inside a circle of salt by ferociousinvaders.
Here's your things, Dale said, indicating the bags beside the beds. Welcome back.
Sweet dreams, Vanessa said, exiting the room with Dale.
Can I offer you anything? Grandma asked. Some warm milk?
Sure, Seth said. Thanks.
Dale will bring it up momentarily, Grandma said. She gave each of them a hug. I'm so glad you arrived safely.
Have pleasant dreams. We'll catch up properly in the morning.
She left the room.
Seth dug into his suitcase. Can you keep a secret? he asked.
Kendra crouched to unzip her duffel bag. Yes, but you can't, so I'm sure you'd tell me either way.
He pulled a jumbo pack of size C batteries from his suitcase.
I'm going to leave here a millionaire.
Where'd you get those?
I picked them up a long time ago, Seth said. Just in case.
You think you're going to sell them to the satyrs?
So they can watch TV.
Kendra shook her head. The satyrs they had met in the woods after stealing soup from the ogress had promised Seth gold if he would bring them batteries for their portable television.
I'm not sure I would trust Newel and Doren to pay up.83 That's why all payments have to be made in advance,Seth said, replacing the batteries in his suitcase and taking out the oversized T-s.h.i.+rt and shorts that he used as pajamas.
We've already talked about it.
When?
Last summer, while you were sleeping forever after the fairies kissed you-during one of those rare moments when somebody wasn't scolding me. I'll be in the bathroom. He headed out the door and down the stairs.
Kendra took advantage of the opportunity to change into her nightclothes. Not long after she changed, there came a soft knock at the door. Come in, she said. Dale entered with two mugs of warm milk on a tray. He left the drinks on the nightstand.
Pulling back her sheets, Kendra climbed into bed and began sipping at her milk. Seth came into the room, picked up his mug, and chugged the contents. Wiping his mouth on his arm, he walked over to the window. There's lots of fairies out tonight.
I bet they'll be happy to see you again, Kendra said.
Seth had started a feud with the fairies during their previous visit after he had captured one and inadvertently turned her into an imp.
They forgave me, he said. We're friends now. He switched off the light and jumped into bed.
Kendra finished her milk and placed the empty mug on the nightstand. You're not going to do anything stupid this time, are you, she said.
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