"The lethal temptress," Newel said with relish. "Even better."
"It will definitely spice up the adventure," Doren encouraged.
"I'm obviously talking to the wrong guys," Seth sighed. "Believe me," Newel said cockily, "you're talking to the right guys. We've been chasing babes since the world was flat." Seth rolled his eyes.
"The boy needs objectivity," Doren scolded. "He's leading this expedition. He needs valid opinions. Seth, considering all sides of this, I am deeply convinced that the right move to make would be to bring Vanessa. And any outfits she may require. And makeup. And perfume. And hair products. Whatever she needs."
Closing his eyes, Seth rubbed his face. Did the fate of the world really rest on these clowns? Should he even be involving them? At least he had Hugo.
Newel slugged him on the arm. "Seth? Lighten up! We're just kidding around. Keeping up morale!"
"We know you'll do the right thing," Doren said.
Seth opened his eyes. "I actually think Vanessa might be on our side. Plus, we may need her help to get where we need to go."
"If you bring her, we'll watch your back," Newel promised.
"A man would be a fool to trust a woman that gorgeous," Doren murmured shrewdly.
"That's a little more helpful," Seth said. "We have a lot to do. We should get back to the main house."
"Lead on," Newel said.
"Have either of you caught a leprechaun before?" Seth asked as Hugo lifted him. Both satyrs perked up. "We haven't," Newel said.
"We've tried," Doren added. "Did Patton have some advice on the subject?"
"He did," Seth said as they started across the yard. "It's part of our mission."
Newel rubbed his hands together. "This adventure keeps sounding better and better."
"You just have to get into the right spirit," Doren laughed.
Seth smiled weakly, quietly wondering if the satyrs would remain as eager once the undertaking stopped seeming fun. "Do you guys want Hugo to carry you?"
"How slow do you think we are?" Newel complained. "Go on, we'll keep up."
Hugo loped out of the yard. Seth thought the golem was going a little slower than he had before the satyrs had joined them, but they still made fast progress through the woods, and, true to their word, Newel and Doren kept pace, dashing along behind.
They had been charging through the dark forest for some time when Hugo stopped. Overhead, all but a few stars were blocked by the canopy of leaves.
Seth heard and saw nothing.
"Centaurs?" Doren asked.
"Behind us," Newel agreed. "Coming this way. Right this way. Sounds like they're tracking us."
"Can we outrun them?" Seth asked.
Newel chuckled. "I'm not sure anything at Fablehaven can outrun a centaur."
Hugo set Seth down and stood in front of him. A few seconds later, Seth could hear the approaching hoofbeats. As the drumming hooves got louder, he also heard leaves rustling and the occasional branch snapping. The satyrs were right. The centaurs were coming straight at them.
Seth shone his flashlight as the centaurs cantered into view. They quickly came to a halt. Cloudwing led the group of four, an arrow set to the string of his enormous bow. The flashlight beam rose from his silver fur to his extravagantly muscled human torso, then swept across the other centaurs.
"Greetings, Seth Sorenson," Cloudwing boomed. "I need to have words with you."
"In the middle of the woods?" Seth asked from behind Hugo. "In the middle of the night?" He was not anxious to converse with centaurs. He felt certain they still suspected him of stealing their unicorn horn, and even though it had been returned, he knew centaurs were the type to hold serious grudges.
"The treaty has fallen," Cloudwing replied, his voice clear and strong. "The preserve is in disarray. We need to know what you humans propose to do."
"We're working on it," Seth assured him.
"We have had tidings that you claimed the manor house on behalf of the demon Graulas," Cloudwing accused sternly.
"Word spreads like wildfire around here," Newel said to Doren.
"Even the cavalry knows," Doren replied.
"I'm doing what I can to keep dark forces away from the houses while the defenses are down," Seth admitted. "Maybe you guys could help the rumor spread."
"So the tale is false?" Cloudwing pressed.
"Yes," Seth said. "But don't go telling everybody."
"A false rumor will not dissuade wrongdoers for long," Cloudwing said. "I understand your grandparents have abandoned the preserve."
"Not on purpose," Seth said. "But yes, they're gone right now."
"Let me suggest you place the houses under centaur protection," Cloudwing advised. "It appears to be our fate to rise up and serve as the true guardians of Fablehaven."
"That might not be a bad idea," Seth said. "Can you spare a few guards until my grandparents get back?"
Cloudwing shook his head. "You misunderstand. We only protect our own property."
"You want the houses!" Seth cried. "What would centaurs do with human houses?"
"We could find uses for them," Cloudwing said. "For instance, we would keep them free of humans." The other centaurs chuckled.
"Then no, we don't want your protection," Seth said.
"Choose your words carefully," Cloudwing advised. "If you deny our protection, you may face our aggression."
"Now you're threatening me?" Seth asked.
"The artificial order of Fablehaven has been overturned," Cloudwing declared. "It is the natural order for the strongest to take what they want. Be grateful that we extend the hand of mercy by offering our protection."
"Be grateful they let you grant your permission in order to firm up their claim," Newel muttered.
"This is none of your concern, goatman," Cloudwing warned.
Newel reddened, fists clenched, but held his tongue.
"You will have to claim the houses yourself," Seth said. "I surrender nothing. My grandparents will be back, and Fablehaven will be repaired."
Cloudwing exchanged amused glances with his fellow centaurs. "You believe the treaty will be reconstituted?"
"Probably," Seth said, hoping he correctly understood the meaning of reconstituted.
"Fablehaven as you knew it is finished," Cloudwing asserted boldly. "Be glad the centaurs are here to keep the sanctuary from degenerating into gated chaos."
"Don't you mean be glad the centaurs are here to bully and enslave the weaker creatures?" Doren asked.
Cloudwing drew his arrow to his cheek and aimed it at Doren. Hugo stepped between them. Cloudwing relaxed. "Another word from either goatman and we duel," Cloudwing vowed. "Did you wastrels not hear that your people have already signed over their lands to us?"
Newel raised his hand like a student and pointed at his lips.
"You may speak," Cloudwing said.
"We weren't part of that arrangement," Newel said.
"Then I suggest you clear out," Cloudwing said. "Vacate the premises. We have already claimed the great cow Viola after finding her roaming the woods unattended. By sunrise, most of the former Fablehaven preserve will be part of Grunhold."
"We plan to clear out," Seth said. "There is a battle being fought elsewhere that we must join."
The centaurs laughed. "If the battle is important," Cloudwing said, "I hope you do not represent the reinforcements."
"You should wish us success," Seth said darkly. "We're trying to stop the opening of Zzyzx. I may not have really been claiming property for Graulas, but trust me, if the prison opens, he will be back to make claims for himself, and he will not come alone."
The centaurs no longer appeared quite as jovial. "Is this where Stan went?" Cloudwing asked.
"It is where everyone of any value is going," Seth said.
Cloudwing bristled. "Fortunately for you, I have little interest in the naive opinions of humans. Even so, I am surprised that previous lessons have not taught you to restrain your tongue."
"Previous lessons?" Seth asked. "Like when Patton beat up Broadhoof?" Newel and Doren whipped around. Their stares warned Seth to cut it out. He understood their concern, but he couldn't help himself.
Cloudwing stared grimly down at Seth, who made sure the flashlight beam was focused right in the centaur's eyes. "I do recall an occasion when an outsider intervened in a dispute any real man would have handled himself." His tone warned that Seth was treading on thin ice.
Seth wanted to brag about stealing the horn. He yearned to remind them about Broadhoof begging for mercy from a human. He knew those words would sting. But he had a mission to perform, and friends to protect. He could not risk enraging the centaurs to action.
"You're right," Seth said. "I provoked the fight, I should have handled it myself."
The faintest hint of a smile appeared on Cloudwing's lips. "You say you are preparing to abandon this preserve as well?"
"Not in those words," Seth said. "We are leaving to try to save Fablehaven and the world from certain destruction. You would be welcome to help us."
Cloudwing smirked. "We will not meddle in the petty affairs of lesser races. But we will grant you until sunrise to be gone."
"We have to gather some gear," Seth said. "How about you give us a free pass until next sundown?"
"Very well," Cloudwing allowed. "Let it be known that after the coming sundown, any of you found upon the property formerly known as Fablehaven will be trespassing on centaur holdings and will be dealt with accordingly."
"Just so we're clear," Seth said, "I don't recognize your claim, and I will be back."
"At your peril," Cloudwing said. He turned to the other centaurs. "We have squandered enough time here. Onward!"
The four centaurs pounded away into the woods. As the hoofbeats faded, Newel glanced back at Seth. "Are you starting to grasp why satyrs hate centaurs so much?"
"I kind of am," Seth replied. "At the same time, considering how messed up everything has become, it might be good to have them protecting Fablehaven."
"If you say so," Doren mumbled. "After that exchange, I would have joined your quest without a reward. This used to be a fun place. I suspect it will soon be unrecognizable."
"Things are tough all around," Seth said heavily. "Thanks for the support."
"We still want the generator," Newel hastened to add.
"I get it," Seth assured them. "We should hurry to the house."
***
Seth found the stingbulb version of Kendra in Vanessa's cell listening to a love song. He tried to ignore the dead body under a blanket in the corner. Newel and Doren murmured to each other about how authentic the false Kendra looked. Hugo was standing guard up by the back porch.
"Have you been all right?" Seth asked. "It's been quiet," Kendra confirmed. "Are you ready for me?"
"I think we'll need Vanessa's help," Seth said.
The stingbulb switched off the sound system and followed Seth out into the hallway. After the accommodations at Living Mirage, the Fablehaven dungeon seemed simple and cozy. Seth hurried to the tall cabinet that contained Vanessa. He opened the door, and the stingbulb stepped inside. He closed the door, the cabinet turned, and when the door reopened, Kendra was gone, replaced by Vanessa.
Vanessa exited the cabinet, regarding Seth and the satyrs curiously. "Why do I get the feeling that something has gone terribly wrong?"
"Because it has," Seth answered frankly.
"I know the others intended to rescue you," she said. "Start there."
Seth recapped all that had happened, openly taking his share of the blame. Vanessa listened quietly, asking a few clarifying questions. By the time he had sketched out the basics of what Patton had advised him to do, she began to look very tired.
"Why didn't you give us the full rundown?" Newel asked when Seth had finished.
"I figured I'd wait until we were all together," Seth said tactfully.
"So we need to set up some wraith guards, catch a leprechaun, and get off the preserve before sundown," Vanessa summarized.
"Those would be the first steps," Seth agreed.
"Have you any idea how perilous it will be to visit the Singing Sisters?" Vanessa said.
"Not entirely," Seth replied. "Do you have a better plan?"
She stared at him silently. "I wish I did. We're so close to utter defeat that the reckless schemes Patton proposed probably do represent our best hope for success. But that only holds true because we basically have no chance for victory. We are talking about pulling off multiple miracles before we earn even a small chance of slightly harassing these demons."
"You don't have to help," Seth said, a little crestfallen.
"I'll help," Vanessa said. "It would be criminal to let you attempt this alone. Any chance of saving the world is worth pursuing. I don't want to crush your faith in the plan. It does offer a glimmer of hope, which we would otherwise lack. Who knows? With luck, Kendra, Warren, and your hornless unicorn friend may find unforeseeable ways to be useful at Living Mirage. And if the new dynamics of the situation are forcing the Sphinx to work against the Society, we may have acquired a very powerful ally. That said, I want to make sure we're all clear that we're probably marching to our deaths."