Part 13 (2/2)

We don't know, Grandma said. The Quiet Box was brought here when Fablehaven was founded, and was already occupied. Word has been pa.s.sed down from caretaker to caretaker never to open it. So we leave it be.

Grandma proceeded down the hall. Kendra stayed near her, while Seth lingered in front of the Quiet Box. After a moment, he hurried to catch up. Near the final elbow of the hall, the one that would complete the square, Grandma paused at a seemingly random cell door. Seth, you said you wanted to see a prisoner. There is the imp who injured your grandfather.

She shone the flashlight through the little window in the door. Kendra and Seth crowded close to see. The imp stared at them coldly, frowning. He stood nearly as tall as Dale. A short pair of antlers jutted from his brow. Leathery skin sheathed long, muscular limbs. Kendra had seen many imps. Too bad this one had not been changed back into a fairy like the others.

Go ahead, s.h.i.+ne your light, you have no idea the doom hanging over you, the imp snarled.

What do you mean? Kendra asked. Grandma and Seth both looked at her strangely. The imp was staring at her.

What? Kendra said.

No light will stave off the coming darkness, the imp said, eyes on Kendra.

What darkness? Kendra replied.141The imp made a choking sound and looked astonished.Can you understand his speech? Grandma asked in wonder.

Can't you? Kendra said. He's speaking English.

Grandma put a hand to her lips. No, he's speaking Goblush, the tongue of imps and goblins.

You understand me, Stinkface? the imp tested.

Is this a joke? Kendra asked.

Because I understand you, the imp said.

I've been speaking English, Kendra said.

Yes, Grandma agreed.

No, the imp said. Goblush.

He says I'm speaking Goblush, Kendra said.

You are, the imp said.

That must be what he hears, Grandma said.

You don't understand him? Kendra asked Seth.

You know how imps sound, Seth said. No words, just growls and snorts.

What are they saying? the imp asked. Tell them I'm going to cook their insides on a stick.

He's saying gross things, Kendra said.

Say nothing more, Grandma said. Let's get you away from here.

Grandma hurried them down the hall. The imp called after them: Kendra, you don't have long to live. Sleep on that. I'll be out of here before you know it. I'm going to dance on your grave! On all your graves!

Kendra whirled. Well, you'll be dancing alone, you ugly wart! All the rest of your kind got changed back into fairies,142 and they're beautiful and happy. And you're still a deformedfreak! You should hear them laugh at you! Enjoy your glop!

Silence. And then the sound of something slamming against the cell door, followed by guttural snarling. k.n.o.bby fingers protruded from the bars of the small window in the door. Come along, Grandma said, tugging Kendra's sleeve.

He's just trying to upset you.

How can I understand him? Kendra asked. The fairies?

It must be, Grandma said, walking swiftly. We should have more answers tomorrow. Your grandfather got through to the Sphinx this morning and set up a meeting for tomorrow afternoon.

Me too? Seth asked.

Both of you, Grandma said. But keep it between us and your grandfather. We want everyone else to think we're going on an outing into town. They don't know that the Sphinx is currently nearby.

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 wrist.w.a.tch.

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 cl.u.s.ter 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 s.p.a.ce.

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.

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