Keys to the Demon Prison (Fablehaven #5)(104)

"You ought not come here," the man warned, showing his grimy teeth.


"This young man desires an audience with the Sisters," Vanessa said, stepping cautiously into the shack, as if entering the cage of a lion. Seth moved forward with her.


"Shadow charmer, is he?"


"Yes," Vanessa said.


"And you're a narcoblix. And a couple of satyrs in the truck. And a sentient golem. I'll grant that you're the oddest group to come my way since time out of mind."


"You're the sentinel for the Singing Sisters?" Seth asked.


He turned and spat on the floor. "You could say that. Not many folk choose this road anymore. From that island, not more than one in five return."


"How'd you get this job?" Seth asked.


The old man's lips twitched. "I had a need long ago. The Sisters helped. Might be you can take over my watch."


"How do I get to the island?" Seth asked.


"You're the one who wants to go?" the old man asked.


"I'm the one," Seth said.


The old man held Seth's gaze. "Why not ask the little lady to step outside?"


"I want to go with him to the island," Vanessa said.


"Have you business with the Sisters as well?" the old man asked, eyes never leaving Seth.


"I mean to accompany Seth to their door," Vanessa replied.


The old man compressed his lips. "Tell you what. Leave me with the petitioner. If he earns passage to the island, you can join him. But not the golem."


"Go," Seth said. "I'll have to face worse than this before we're done. It'll be good practice."


Vanessa touched Seth's shoulder, then exited. Seth refused to watch her, keeping his eyes on the old man. The screen banged shut.



"Close the door," the old man said.


Seth obeyed, shutting it softly. He and the old man stared at one another.


"What now?" Seth asked.


"You eat sandwiches?"


The question surprised him. "Um, yes."


"How about peanut butter and marshmallow fluff?"


Unlike the satyrs, Seth had been eating sensibly. He had room for a sandwich. "Is there a catch?"


"You mean will the sandwich bind you to me as my eternal slave? No, just a sandwich. Want one?"


"Sure."


"Come inside."


Seth followed the sentinel into the humble kitchen. Looking down, he saw gaps between the floorboards. Chips and scratches scarred the round table.


"Need help?" Seth asked.


"Have a seat," the old man said, leaning his elaborate walking stick against the wall.


Seth sat down by the table on a three-legged stool that wobbled when he shifted his weight. A battered old door on a pair of sawhorses served as the counter. The old man produced a jar of peanut butter and a container of marshmallow fluff, laid down a paper towel, and took two slices of white bread from a bag.


"Tell me why you want to visit the Singing Sisters," the old man said, carefully spreading peanut butter onto a slice.


"Some demons are about to open Zzyzx," Seth said. "I want the Singing Sisters to help me find the Sword of Light and Darkness."


The old man paused, blunt knife held motionless. "That sword has a name."


"Vasilis."


The old man resumed spreading. "Brother, sounds to me like you have a need."


"The demons are holding my parents hostage. Others in my family, too."


The old man wiped the knife clean on the paper towel, then started spreading marshmallow fluff on the other slice. "The Singing Sisters do not offer guidance lightly. They will require much of you. If you fail to strike a bargain to their liking, they'll destroy you."


"I have no other choice."


The old man set the paper towel in front of Seth and cut the sandwich in half diagonally. Folding his arms, he stared down at Seth broodingly. "Those are the magic words."


"Magic words?"


"I'm here to prevent people from going to the island who have no business there. I try to run folks off, scare them, talk them out of it. Having no other choice is the only appropriate reason for visiting the Sisters. I've been doing this a long time. I believe you. Try the sandwich."


"Aren't you having anything?"


"I just ate."


Seth took a bite. It tasted really good. "Yum," Seth said, mouth gummy with peanut butter.


"My specialty," the old man said, sitting down on the other stool.


Seth swallowed. "So I can go to the island?"


"Even if you can cajole the Sisters into pointing you in the right direction, retrieving Vasilis won't be easy. I can tell you're coping with a gigantic problem. You sure you want to bet the farm on Vasilis? Sure you're going to the Sisters with the right question to fix your problem?"


Seth held up a finger as he chewed and swallowed. "Unless you can tell me a better one."