Keys to the Demon Prison (Fablehaven #5)(66)

"What about my parents?"


"I know of no accessible route to their cell. I looked into it for Seth."


"But they're here?"


"I believe so."


"I'd love to contact them. They think I'm dead."


"Wish I could help. Hopefully Seth will show up soon and rescue us. He can vouch for me."


Kendra considered the statement. "It might take more than Seth's endorsement."


"Don't underestimate your brother. He was careful. He didn't trust me right away. In fact, maybe he still doesn't really trust me. I hope he uses the coin."


"If you gave him a magical toy, he'll use it."


Bracken sighed. "I can't believe you're fairykind and you can't recognize a unicorn. You know, the sooner you trust me, the sooner we can play ping-pong."


"Huh?"


"Nothing. Lousy joke. It'll make sense later. Unicorns aren't very social creatures. I'm doing my best."


"You're fine."


"Doesn't help that you're so ... brilliant."


"Is that sarcasm?"


"I meant brilliant as in shiny. Should I stop talking?"


She was starting to entertain the possibility that Bracken might be legitimate. Wouldn't the Sphinx's dungeon be full of good creatures like unicorns? Many of his prisoners should be potential allies. Of course, every time she started trusting a stranger, it seemed like she got burned. Gavin had seemed great before his true nature was revealed. She would be slow to offer any real trust. "You're saying you could take me to Maddox right now?"


"I'm saying--" he stopped. Suddenly he looked stricken. "I don't believe it," he muttered in a completely different tone.


"What?" Kendra asked.


"I have an intruder in my cell." He sounded astonished. "How do you know?"


Bracken turned to face the gap in the rear wall. "I created a magical detection system that would signal me if anybody entered while I was away. It has never alerted me before. Nobody ever visits my cell."


"What does it mean?" Kendra wondered.


"I have no idea. This has been the most eventful night this dungeon has seen in decades. I have to investigate. My cell is some distance away. Care to join me?"


If he was an enemy, she supposed he could harm her as easily here in her cell as out in some secret passageway. "Sure."


He smiled. "Follow me." His expression seemed so playful, Kendra found herself wanting to please him.


They slipped through the gap and Bracken closed the sliding wall. Using the light from his stone to guide them, he led Kendra on an elaborate path, through hidden hatchways, down stairwells and ladders, along tight crawl spaces. They headed mostly downward, until at last they reached an area that looked like a natural cave, with no clear path and glistening rock formations that appeared half melted. Soon they sat and scooted down a cramped incline of oily stone. No wonder Bracken's clothes looked so ragged!


Just before the bottom of the incline, he directed Kendra into a branching passageway. They hurriedly proceeded along a crudely excavated stretch of tunnel and finally reached a dead end. Bracken held a finger to his lips. Leaning his mouth to Kendra's ear, he whispered, "My visitor awaits us inside." He produced a short, sharp knife. "Stand back."


Kendra stepped away. Bracken waved a hand and sang a few unintelligible words, and a portal opened. Glowing stone in one hand, knife in the other, Bracken entered.


"Who are you?" Bracken demanded.


"A friend," came the answer. Kendra knew that voice!


"I hope so," Bracken replied. "You have a much larger knife."


Kendra peered through the opening into Bracken's cell.


The spacious room was more cavelike than her cell, but equally bare.


The intruder was Warren, warily clutching the fancy sword he had claimed back at Lost Mesa.


She caught his eye. "Kendra!" he exclaimed.


"You know each other?" Bracken asked.


"This is my friend Warren," Kendra said. "Or I guess he could be a stingbulb."


"How did you get in here?" Bracken challenged.


"I understand you can protect those around you from outside scrutiny," Warren said. "Sort of a psychic shield."


"Yes," Bracken said. "How would you know that?"


"Are you doing it now?"


"I always do it. Nagi Luna is constantly trying to spy. The only scrying tool I can't thwart is the Oculus. I see that you have a charm that protects you from scrutiny."


Warren fingered the feathery, beaded amulet around his neck. "A recent gift. We need to talk."


Putting his knife away, Bracken approached Warren. "First, I need to confirm you are not an imposter."


"How?"


"Remove the amulet, and give me your hands." Warren glanced at Kendra. "Do you trust this guy?" She shrugged. "A little, I guess."