Keys to the Demon Prison (Fablehaven #5)(131)

"True," Kendra said.


She had grilled Trask about her parents and grandparents, but he had been kept in isolation at Living Mirage. She had asked Vanessa as well. The narcoblix had traveled into Tanu's body along with some of the others, but they were kept in separate cells, locked up day and night, so she had learned nothing except that they remained in the dungeon.


Having parked where they could observe the main road, Kendra and Trask sat up as a huge pickup truck approached at high speed. The truck zoomed past their SUV; then the taillights flashed brighter and the truck turned around. Headlights glaring, the truck came to a stop facing them, and Hugo vaulted out of the back.


Kendra and Trask got out of the SUV as Newel and Doren hopped down from the truck. "Told you!" Doren said, swatting Newel with the back of his hand. "Trust the golem."


Newel cracked his knuckles. "We were heading to the rendezvous when Hugo started to sense you guys. He led us here."


"We're two hours early," Doren said proudly.


"Seth," Hugo rumbled, pointing toward the lighthouse.


"He's fine," Kendra said. "He's just calling our ride. Warren, Bracken, and Vanessa are with him."


"You boys must have disregarded some speed limits to get here," Trask said.


Newel laughed. "That truck can move! We rarely went less than twice the speed limit."


"It was exhilarating," Doren gushed.


"Did you hit any speed traps?" Kendra asked.


"Twice," Newel said. "We pulled over politely. Both times the officer looked shocked to find a goat at the wheel without a human in sight."


"They searched the cat both times," Doren said. "It was easy to prick them with one of the darts Vanessa left us. They went to sleep, we put them back in their car, and no trouble ever caught up with us."


"I'm sure other officers responded when they stopped calling in," Trask said. "But they probably dismissed the report of a truck driven by goats as a hallucination."


"Vanessa had five spare sets of plates with corresponding registrations," Newel explained. "We swapped them after any trouble."


Trask chuckled. "That may have helped as well. We did some speeding to get here ourselves, but had better luck with speed traps."


Kendra regarded the satyrs. "You guys are really going to come to Zzyzx with us?"


"We've come this far," Doren said.


"Seth promised us our own flat-screen TV with a generator," Newel explained. "Besides, having front-row seats to the end of the world beats waiting for the disaster back at Fablehaven with the centaurs in charge."


"Seth told me about the centaurs," Kendra said.


"There will be a reckoning if we can survive the demons," Trask vowed.


"We have a chance," Doren said. "Seth has Vasilis. There are poems and songs about that sword."


"Not to mention a unicorn on our side!" Newel exclaimed. "They are the superheroes of the fairy world. They're not very outgoing, but when they decide to help, it can make all the difference."


"Don't join us buoyed by false expectations," Trask said. "Consider the enemy. We're talking about Gorgrog and his horde. We almost certainly will not be coming back."


"We get it," Newel said cheerfully. "If it's the end, so it goes. We had a good run. But can't we hope for the best?"


Trask shrugged. "I suppose we can hope."


***


Above the red brick base, visible in the cloud-muted moonlight, white and black stripes spiraled to the top of the lighthouse, making it look like a giant barbershop pole.


Vanessa led Seth to the door at the base and opened it quickly. He followed her inside.


They climbed the curving stairs, a small flashlight helping them see. Roughly thirty at a time, the stairs ascended to semicircular landings. Periodic windows granted higher and higher views. By the time they reached the top, Seth was panting.


An observation platform surrounded the top of the lighthouse. Vanessa and Seth stepped outside. The gibbous moon came out from behind a cloud, throwing silver highlights on the corrugated ocean and the vegetated coastline. The salty breeze and great height made Seth feel like he was in the crow's nest of some enormous ship.


"Is it time?" Seth asked.


"Close enough," Vanessa replied, checking her watch.


Seth took out the handbell and removed the leather muffle from the clapper. He shook the bell over his head vigorously. The bell rang loudly, but nothing about it seemed supernatural. Seth clanged the bell constantly until Vanessa told him to stop. Then he stepped forward to the railing and looked down.


Far below, Bracken flashed a light at him. After muffling the clapper, Seth tossed the bell over the edge. As planned, Bracken and Warren would now run the bell to the former site of the lighthouse and ring it again. Hopefully, ringing the bell at both locations, they could be more sure the ship would respond as desired.


Seth followed Vanessa down the long flights of steps and out of the lighthouse. She locked up, and they trotted back to where they had parked. Before they reached their vehicle, a huge humanoid shape came stomping toward them out of the darkness. After a brief fright, Seth recognized Hugo. He ran to the golem, who scooped him up in a rocky embrace.