Part 23 (1/2)

I want to hear, Kendra managed. Is he dead?

All signs suggest he has been consumed by Olloch, Tanu said.

Kendra hunched against the porch railing, shoulders shaking. She tried not to believe what she was hearing, but there was no other choice.

Tell us everything, Grandma said, voice quavering.

Hugo was simple to track, though he traversed some rugged terrain, Tanu said. We met him heading back toward the house, returning along the same route he had used to reach the grove.

So Coulter did go to the grove, Grandpa said angrily.

Yes. For the life of me, Hugo looked dejected when we found him. He was missing an arm, had his head hung low, and was trudging slowly. Once we found him, we ordered him to take us to where he had left Coulter.

And Hugo went directly to the grove in the valley of the four hills, Grandma said.

Followed his own tracks, Tanu said. When we got to the grove I studied what evidence I could find. I saw where Coulter and Seth entered the grove together. It did not appear Hugo was able to join them. Working my way around the perimeter of the grove, I found where Coulter's tracks departed. On the far side of the grove, I discovered where Hugo had scuffled with Olloch. I'm sure that is where Hugo lost his arm. Nearby I saw where Olloch entered the grove.243 Not far from there, I found where Olloch left the grove. Wesearched and searched, but located no sign of Seth leaving the grove.

How could Olloch enter the grove if Hugo couldn't?

Kendra asked.

Different barriers work in different ways, Tanu said.

My guess is that the grove is less repellent to creatures of darkness. A demon like Olloch would be immune to many black curses.

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.

n.o.body 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 gra.s.s. 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 c.o.c.ked 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 acc.u.mulate 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.