Keys to the Demon Prison (Fablehaven #5)(154)
Bracken had already gone by the time Kendra used the Translocator to return to Fablehaven. When they had said their good-byes at Living Mirage, he had promised to visit before too long. She understood that the Fairy Queen needed his help transforming Zzyzx into a paradise, but Kendra often wished he could have lingered longer. Before he left, he had used his powers to sever the narcoleptic hold Vanessa had on the Sorensons and their friends. After visiting Fablehaven, although he broke Vanessa's hold on some of the centaurs, he had left her connected to Cloudwing and Stormbrow.
"I'm making lunch," Mom called out the window. "Turkey sandwich okay?"
"Sure," Kendra replied.
"You want to try some avocado on it? Or cranberries?"
"No thanks, just cheese."
Her parents had moved the family to Fablehaven. They were still debating whether Kendra and Seth would return to public school or simply receive their schooling at home. While Grandpa and Grandma Sorenson continued to live in the main house, Grandpa and Grandma Larsen had taken up residence in the old manor. Dale had been found alive and well in the stables, and continued in his role maintaining the rebuilt preserve. Kendra enjoyed the new dynamics at Fablehaven. After so long, in ways she could never have imagined, her family was all around her, and their lives had become calm. Almost too calm.
Kendra looked to the woods. The fairy Shiara had visited Kendra this morning, bubbling with excitement. She had twittered about a surprise visit around noon, but refused to relate any hints or details. Her excitement had left Kendra curious--and quietly hopeful.
Kendra checked her watch. Noon had come and gone. Perhaps Shiara had it wrong. She wasn't the type of fairy to pull a prank.
As Kendra began to wander toward the house, a silver-white dragon came gliding over the treetops. Tucking and diving, he spiraled down to the yard, slowing at the last instant and landing with a flourish of his gleaming wings.
"Hi, Kendra," Raxtus said. "How was that for an entrance?"
Kendra was happy to see Raxtus, and his arrival made sense. Shiara was the fairy who had cared for him as a hatch-ling, so of course she would be excited for him to visit. But Kendra's heart sank a little at the same time. She had been hoping the surprise might be somebody else who tended to make fairies excited.
"Very impressive," Kendra said. "It feels like it has been a long time."
"I've been helping with the rebuilding," the dragon said. "You already wouldn't recognize Zzyzx. Those fairies can work when they set their minds to it. I think it has been good for everyone. I haven't seen most of them so lively in years. And it's great to have the astrids back."
"I'm glad," Kendra said. "Are you here to visit Shiara?"
"Yeah."
"She must be so proud of you."
Raxtus craned his head away shyly. "You know, my dad is finally treating me like a real dragon. He saw me take out a couple of demons when we attacked Orogoro's rear guard. I'm really small, and my breath weapon is a joke, but my scales are almost as hard as his, and my teeth and claws are unusually sharp. I had no idea. I'd never really tested myself. Now that he runs Wyrmroost, my dad has this whole training regimen planned when I get back from helping the Fairy Queen. He taught my larger brothers lots of tricks that I missed out on. He will help me become a more effective fighter. But I promise I won't let it turn me into an idiot!"
"I'm sure it will just make you more confident with your friendly side," Kendra said.
"And maybe a little scarier?" Raxtus hoped. "Definitely."
"You know, I didn't come here alone."
Kendra held her breath. She tried to keep her expression composed. "You didn't?"
"He wanted me to bring you to meet him."
"Are we talking about Bracken?" Kendra asked.
"No, Crelang. Remember him? The astrid? He was one of your bodyguards."
Kendra stared at Raxtus blankly.
"I'm kidding. Of course, Bracken! But don't mention I told you. It was supposed to be a surprise."
"I promise to look surprised." Her pulse raced. What if he sensed her excitement? She didn't want to seem pathetic. But she had missed him! It had been weeks since she had last seen him.
"He's been talking about you a lot," Raxtus informed her in a confidential tone. "Go easy on him. I'm going to fly you to him, then get out of your way. You two deserve a little privacy."
"I should tell my parents," Kendra said.
"I'll come back and tell them," Raxtus assured her. "This should be quick. He has a surprise for you. I keep saying too much! Mind if I take you? Don't tell him how much I blabbed!"
"Sure," Kendra replied.
Raxtus snatched her and took flight. "Agad left me with free roam of all the preserves he restored," Raxtus said. "I think he wants me to help be his eyes and ears among the dragons. He's given me a lot of trust."
"That's great," Kendra said, her thoughts on the upcoming reunion.
"This will be a short flight," Raxtus said.