Part 14 (1/2)

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, s.h.i.+fting 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 embarra.s.sed 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. s.h.i.+fting 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.

That reminds me, Coulter said, I'm a little old-fas.h.i.+oned in some ways, and that carries over to this arrangement.

Call it outdated chivalry, but there are some places I don't feel women should go. Not because they aren't intelligent or able. I just feel there is a certain respect with which a lady should be treated.

Are you saying there are places you'd take Seth but not me? Kendra asked.

That's what I'm saying. And you hold all the feminist rallies you want, it won't shake my opinion. Coulter spread his hands. If you want somebody else to take you, and they're willing, I can't do much about that.

What about Vanessa? Kendra exclaimed incredulously.

What about Grandma? Although part of her didn't even want to go to the dangerous places Coulter was talking about, the idea that her gender would prevent him from taking her was deeply insulting.

Vanessa and your grandma are free to do as they please, as are you. But I'm also free to do as I please, and there are some places I would rather not take a woman, no matter how capable she might be, Vanessa and your grandmother included.

Kendra stood up. But you'd take Seth? He's two years younger than me and practically brain dead!149 My brain is not the issue, Seth said, enjoying theargument.

Coulter pointed at Seth with his walking stick. At twelve, he's on his way to becoming a man. There are plenty of places I wouldn't take either of you, if that brings any consolation.

Places none of us would take you until you're much older and more experienced. There are even places we wouldn't go ourselves.

But there are places you'd take my little brother and not me, just because I'm a girl, Kendra pressed.

I wouldn't have brought it up if I didn't foresee it happening within the next few days, Coulter said.

Kendra shook her head. Unbelievable. You know that Fablehaven wouldn't be here if it wasn't for me.

Coulter shrugged apologetically. You did a wonderful thing, and I'm not trying to detract from that. I'm not talking about ability. If I had a daughter and a son, there are certain things I see myself doing with one and not the other.

I know everybody is busy trying to pretend boys and girls are exactly the same nowadays, but that isn't how I see it. If it makes you feel better, I'll share everything I know with both of you, and most places we'll be going, we can all go.

And I'll get somebody else to take me where you won't, Kendra promised.

That's your prerogative, Coulter said.