Keys to the Demon Prison (Fablehaven #5)(136)

Although mostly sheltered from the breakers, the water in the cove rose and fell erratically. The boat containing Hugo entered after them. Steep rock faces surrounded the cove on all sides. The rowers piloted the boats over to the most climbable face.


Hugo lunged out of his boat, finding purchase on the steep slope. The golem reached out, and, as the water level in the cove rose high, Bracken guided Kendra into his hand. Holding Kendra in one earthen hand, Hugo quickly scaled the face. From the top, Kendra peered down as the others disembarked and scrambled up the steep slope. Bracken created a floating ball of light to help illuminate the climb.



By the time everyone reached the top, the rowboats had exited the cove to return to the ship. Kendra could hardly imagine how the launches could row against the incoming barrage of breakers, but as far as she could see, the undead sailors made a smooth escape.


Bracken increased the size and brightness of his light ball and left it hovering about twenty feet above his head. Not far from the craggy shore, the island became vegetated, with tall trees draped with vines overshadowing exotic ferns. Nearby lay a timeworn statue of a lion, webbed with cracks and missing three legs. Standing, it would have been almost as tall as Hugo.


Bracken took the lead, guiding them along the coast until they reached a sandy lagoon. A barricade of dark rocks, jutting like rows of fangs, shielded the far side of the placid lagoon from the fury of the sea. Huge stone slabs and broken pillars littered the beach, as if graceful structures had once stood here. Kendra ran a hand over the crooked base of a broken column, examining the remnants of intricate carvings.


"This looks like a good spot for a picnic," Seth said, sitting down on the edge of a half-buried foundation. "These are sort of like benches."


"I could eat," Warren said.


"This might represent our best chance for a meal," Bracken agreed.


Kendra sat down, digging into her backpack for water. The voyage on the Lady Luck had used up much of their food and water, but enough remained for one last decent snack. At this point, it would consist mostly of jerky, nuts, crackers, and dried fruit. As everyone took inventory, Kendra realized they had packed their provisions on the assumption that after today they would need no more food. If they somehow survived, she supposed they could fish.


Nobody spoke as they ate. The dangerous trip to shore had left Kendra shaken, and the mysterious atmosphere of the dismal beach did little to brighten her spirits. The knowledge that they were all about to die hung over the meal. None of them discussed their impending doom, but Kendra felt certain they were all pondering it. She ate mechanically, the nuts and jerky tasteless in her mouth.


As the eating slowed, Bracken stood. "I can sense the shrine to the Fairy Queen farther along this coast. The shrine lies near the east side of the dome encasing the door to Zzyzx. If I understand the lore correctly, the dome should open to face the rising sun, so the shrine might be a good place to make our final preparations."


"Lead on," Trask said.


"You realize we have to live through this," Warren said, shouldering his pack. "There's no way my last meal is going to be hiker food."


Newel and Doren laughed. Nobody else could muster the effort. They started walking, Bracken in the lead.


"Come on, people!" Newel chided. "Warren made a joke. He has a point! We don't have to trudge to Zzyzx like mourners at our own funerals! We came on this mission knowing the outcome would be our demise. Doesn't that remove most of the stress? I'd be a lot more nervous if I thought I had a chance."


"It's like Bodwin the Bold," Doren agreed cheerfully. "He faced his executioners with a smile on his face and tipped the headsman. We may be doomed, but why not enjoy ourselves? It will lessen the victory of our adversaries."


"I like that," Seth said. "I'm going to smile at the demons. I really am. You guys watch me."


"I'm glad to be off that ship," Kendra said. "At least we'll die on a tropical island."


"I kind of like Warren's plan to not die," Vanessa said. "Any of you have last messages you want me to deliver?"


"You're all nuts," Trask chuckled.


"This beats letting it gnaw at us," Warren said. "I bet I'll be the last one standing."


"You wish," Seth said. "That will be Bracken. I bet he takes some demons with him."


"And I won't?" Warren exclaimed.


"Maybe a little one," Seth laughed.


"Not many weapons can harm a greater demon," Bracken said. "Seth's blade is our best by far. My horn can do it. Warren has the adamant sword, and it should pierce most demonic hides. The swords we took from the Gray Assassin will cut demon flesh. Trask has both at the moment, but he should give one to Vanessa. I saw her mind. She's very talented with a blade. The rest of you should hang back and take up our arms when we fall. And, for the record, if you want to place bets on the last of us standing, my money goes on Hugo."


"No," the golem rumbled. "Not last. Hugo save Seth. Hugo save Kendra."


Tears stung Kendra's eyes.


Newel raised a hand. "How do I get added to that list?"