Keys to the Demon Prison (Fablehaven #5)(67)

"I won't do anything hurtful," Bracken promised. "He says he's a unicorn," Kendra inserted. "So I've heard," Warren said. He removed the amulet and took Bracken's hands. They stared at one another. "Just relax," Bracken said. "Think about what you hope to accomplish by visiting me." Soon he released Warren's hands. "He's not a stingbulb. Nor is he an enemy. Good to meet you. I'm Bracken."



"Warren, how did you get down here?" Kendra asked.


"I wish I could say through my own brilliant innovation," Warren said. "I had help."


"From who?" Bracken wondered.


"The Sphinx."


"What?" Kendra exclaimed.


"I know how it sounds," Warren said. "Hear me out. It will make sense."


"We're listening," Bracken said skeptically.


"Tonight changed everything for the Sphinx," Warren explained. "He has lost control of the Society."


Bracken scowled doubtfully. "How?"


"Graulas is here."


"The demon who helped Seth back at Fablehaven?" Kendra asked. "Isn't he dying?"


"Not anymore," Warren said. "Apparently a demon called Nagi Luna here at Living Mirage had an agent slip Seth the Translocator and the Sands of Sanctity. Seth escaped the dungeon and went to heal Graulas. Once healed, the demon stole the artifacts, acquired the Chronometer, and came here."


"Seth healed Graulas!" Kendra cried.


"He must have thought he was being kind," Warren inferred.


"So now the Society has all five artifacts," Kendra said.


"And something the Sphinx never counted on," Warren said.


"A powerful demon vying for control," Bracken surmised. "The Sphinx always maintained he would open Zzyzx only on his terms."


"But his plans have fallen apart," Warren said. "Graulas has already won over most of the Society, including Mr. Lich. Many have long felt the Sphinx was too lenient and conservative. If the Sphinx doesn't play along, he'll end up a prisoner in his own dungeon. Blixes are mortal beings, and Mr. Lich has been with the Sphinx almost since the beginning, sipping from the same Font of Immortality. With or without the Sphinx, Mr. Lich can use the Translocator and the Chronometer to begin the process of opening Zzyzx."


"And the demons can finish it," Kendra said.


Bracken pounded a frustrated fist into his palm. "Deluded as the Sphinx was, we're all worse off than before."


"We have one ray of hope," Warren said. "If he can't do it on his terms, the Sphinx wants to abort the opening of Zzyzx. He wants to stop Graulas as badly as we do. He can't let the demons know his intentions. He wants to remain close to the center of things, in the hopes of bringing them down from the inside. But he provided me with some key information."


"How did you meet up with him?" Bracken inquired.


"Earlier in the night, I was part of a rescue attempt," Warren said. "Kendra came here as part of the same mission. I was dropped off separately from the rest of the strike force as a fail-safe. I began evasive maneuvers the instant the dwarf left my side, and good thing I did. Minutes later I was the target of a manhunt. Coulter, a friend of ours, had lent me his invisibility glove, which improved my chances. Even so, I barely managed to elude my pursuers.


"Not long after Graulas arrived at Living Mirage, the Sphinx decided to personally lead the hunt for me. Accompanied by a few wraiths under his control, the Sphinx tracked me down. But instead of bringing me in, he told me the situation, gave me some keys, and explained about a secret passage into the depths of his dungeon."


"You can lead us out of here?" Bracken exclaimed.


"By a pathway known only to the Sphinx," Warren confirmed.


"Then what?" Kendra said.


"He wants us to protect the Eternals," Warren said.


Bracken laughed bitterly. "The world is upside down."


"He said there are three Eternals left. He recently learned the location of one, a man called Roon Osricson, who has long occupied a heavily fortified stronghold in Finland."


"Okay," Bracken said uncertainly.


"The Sphinx feels certain Graulas will move against Roon immediately," Warren said. "The demon is already campaigning for support to remove Nagi Luna from her confinement in the dungeon. The Sphinx believes it will not be long before Nagi Luna holds the Oculus in her hands. Once she does, he believes she will speedily discover the remaining Eternals. Bracken, he wants you to leave one of your psychic communicators in your room. He will retrieve it and feed us information as it becomes available."


"This is a dangerous game," Bracken whispered. "You understand, our interests may temporarily align, but the Sphinx does not share our agenda. His end goal is not to stop the opening of Zzyzx, but to regain control of the situation and open it on his terms."


"I get it," Warren said. "But keep in mind, if Graulas is here and healthy, what are the odds of the Sphinx regaining control?"