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At first Kendra had no idea what he was talking about

When would she have read a letter from the Sphinx? Then she remembered the letter she had read last su up late with Maddox Of course! It had been signed S For Sphinx!

It was a letter you sent Grandpa last year He accidentally left it out in the open You arning hi Star I read it because I thought it175

Be glad you did not read it with malicious intent The letter would have turned into a toxic vapor He folded his hands on his lap We are nearly finished Have you any final questions for randfather with the knowledge that you are fairykind You do your part to keep Fablehaven safe while the artifact is recovered You take note of any new abilities You counsel with your grandparents as needed And you take comfort in the fact that you nohy the

Society is interested in you

He placed a single finger beside his teh secret, and in le between the Society of the Evening Star and those who e the preserves is of desperate importance to the whole world Whatever the rhetoric on both sides, the problereement While the

Conservators’ Alliance wants to preservehu

Star wants to exploit ain power The Society will pursue its ends at the expense of all huher

The Sphinx stood up You are an extraordinary young lady, Kendra, with immeasurable potential The day may come when you want to deliberately explore and channel the power the fairies have granted you On that day, it would176 be uidance and instruction You couldbecome a powerful adversary of the Society I hope we can count on your assistance in the future

Okay, , thanks, Kendra said I’ll do all I can

He extended a hand toward the door Good day, my new friend Your brother can co at the ceiling

Grandh a thick book It seemed like all he ever did lately ait Wait for somebody to take him into the woods Wait for the car ride to be over Wait while Kendra talked forever with the

Sphinx Was the purpose of life learning to endure boredoed Your turn, she said

Seth rolled off the beanbag and stood up What’s he like?

He’s smart, Kendra said He said I’m fairykind

Seth cocked his head Very kind?

Fairy kind The fairies shared their ic with me

Are you sure, dear? Grandma said, one hand over her heart

That’s what he said, Kendra shrugged He acted sure

Seth tuned them out and hurried over to the door He opened it and shoved through the curtain into the rooainst the Foosball table Your sister tells me you are quite the Foosball player

I’176 177 I do not play often Would you care to try your handagainst me?

Seth surveyed the table I want to be cowboys

Good They were unlucky for ainst your sister

Are you really part lion?

Youto you as an avatar? I will tell you if you win Would you care to serve?

Seth grabbed the handles You can

As you wish The Sphinx pushed the ball through the slot The cowboys started spinning frantically The Sphinx got control of the ball, nudged it sideways about an inch, and, with a flick of his wrist, blasted it into Seth’s goal

Wow! Seth said

Your serve

Seth put the ball in play Flailing with his cowboys, he knocked it all the way to the Sphinx’s goalie Using controlled movements, the Sphinx passed the ball across the table, frooal fro! Seth said Did you say Kendra beat you?

Your sister needed confidence Yours is a different proble you my secret unless you earn it Seth put the ball back in play, and the

Sphinx swiftly scored again The sa frooal

You skunked me! Seth cried

Do not tell your sister that I went easy on her Tell her178 you beatSethup and down You have obviously been cursed

A demon statue bit me You can tell?

I knew beforehand, but the evidence of the curse is plain Olloch the Glutton How does it feel to be on his ood Can you fix erator I offered your sister a drink

You have anything froyptians drink it soe knickknacks on the tables and shelves A lass, a crystal urines

The Sphinx popped open a can of apple juice and poured the contents into a frostyand took a sip I like the frozen cup

I alad Seth, I cannot remove the curse It will remain until Olloch either devours you or is destroyed

So what do I do? Seth started guzzling his juice

You will have to rely on the barrier the walls of

Fablehaven provide The day will coates The insatiable drive that compels him toward you will only increase over time Worse, the demon is in the hands of the Society, and I suspect they will ensure he makes his way to you sooner rather than later When179Olloch makes his appearance, ill find a way to deal withhie

No more school? Seth asked hopefully