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"I'm glad my mission served a purpose," Tanu acknowledged.
"Then he saves me twice over, administering miraculous potions. I'm doubly indebted, my friend. "
"Nonsense," Tanu said dismissively. "You were risking your neck for us in the first place. "
"We're glad you made it out alive," Grandpa said. "We were beginning to lose hope. "
Maddox winked. "Never count me out. I've survived some close scrapes in my time. "
"Coulter mentioned that you have an idea where the artifact is located," Grandma said.
"That I do," Maddox replied. "I could draw a map, or even lead a team back there. "
"A map would suffice," Grandpa said. "We'll want to move on this swiftly, and you're in no condition to go afield. "
"I'm surprised you didn't return with some fairies in tow," Coulter said.
"Almost did," Maddox said, eyes brightening. "Came across some exotic specimens. I have a few patented methods for luring and befriending fairies, even under those dismal conditions. Without some help from the fairies, I could not have survived in the caves. I wanted to bring some with me, but in the end, I barely got out of there with my own hide intact. Wasted opportunity. "
"You should rest now," Tanu urged.
"What about the map?" Maddox complained.
"We'll bring you materials soon enough," Grandma promised. "Close your eyes, recover some strength. "
Maddox looked around the room, at each person in turn. "Thanks for pulling me out of there and giving me a place to land. I owe you all. "
"On the contrary," Grandpa said. "We owe you for undertaking such a perilous mission. Get some rest. "
Maddox closed his eyes and settled back into his pillows.
Chapter 6 The All-Seeing Eye
"Okay, Kendra," Haden said, picking up a cunningly sculpted queen between a finger and a thumb. "Knowing how the pieces move and capture is only a small part of the game. Understanding position and values is crucial. I know a point system that ranks the values of the pieces in a useful way. Think of this queen as nine points. " He set it down and touched the other pieces as he named them. "Rooks are five, knights three, bishops three, and pawns one. That should help you calculate if a sacrifice is worthwhile. "
"What about the king?"
"Think about it. "
"Right. Top priority. You can't really give it a number. "
"Good. White moves first, so it's your turn. "
Kendra studied her row of pawns. She could move one of eight pieces a square or two forward. "Is there a best first move?"
"The early moves establish a lot about the game. Just experiment. "
Kendra bit her lip. "Isn't chess sort of a game for old fogies?"
Haden raised his eyebrows. "Do I look like a young guy to you? My legs don't work. Sort of limits my options. This keeps my mind agile. I'm excited to train a new opponent. "
Kendra picked up the pawn in front of her queen and moved it ahead two squares.
Haden's door opened and Cody entered. "We have a visitor," Cody announced.
"Who?" Kendra asked.
"The latest fly has landed in Torina's web," he replied.
Kendra stood up. "The next person she wants to drain!"
Haden mirrored Kendra's move, his pawn blocking hers from moving further forward. "You'll get used to it," Haden murmured.
"We have to warn him," Kendra declared.
"That may not go over too well," Cody said. "We'd just rile Torina and make life worse for everyone, the new victim included. "
"Have you guys totally given up?" Kendra accused.
"We've accepted the unavoidable," Haden soothed. "Have a seat. "
"No thanks," Kendra said, storming from the room. Cody stepped aside to let her pass.
"Hardheaded," she heard Cody mumble behind her. She was walking too quickly to discern Haden's response.
She reached the end of the hall and started down the stairs. What was the worst that could happen? Torina might suck away her youth? Kill her? Lock her in the basement? Kendra clenched her fists. She was already a prisoner. What was the use of pretending to be a guest? At least this offered a chance to help somebody, and maybe in the process help herself. If she didn't take advantage of opportunities like this, she would never get away.
Kendra reached the second floor. A broad goblin dressed in a suit barred access to the stairway down to the ground floor. His gaunt red skin stretched over jutting cheekbones and a prominent jaw. Veins corkscrewed grotesquely at the sides of his bulging forehead. "Get back upstairs," he growled, baring uneven teeth.
"I need to talk to Torina," Kendra demanded. "It's an emergency. "
"No games," the goblin snarled.
"I've never met you before," Kendra said. "I have no reason to obey you. I have to speak with Torina. It's urgent. "
"What makes you think she's down there? The mistress is occupied. She will come to you later. You belong upstairs. "
Kendra tried to step around him and descend the stairs, but the thick goblin seized her arm with a rough hand.
"This is none of your business," Kendra spat. "I have to go downstairs. You know I can't leave the house. Let go of me or the Sphinx will turn you into ground beef. " They glared at each other for a moment. After a hesitant pause, the calloused fingers abruptly opened, releasing her arm.
"I'm not sure the Sphinx is yours to command," the goblin chuckled.
Kendra rushed down the stairs. Obviously the goblin had some doubts, but she did not bother to point that out. She trotted through the entry hall, pausing when she saw a young man standing in the parlor, admiring a large painting in a gilded frame. A battered suitcase and an overstuffed duffel bag leaned against a sofa not far from him.
"Who are you?" Kendra asked from the doorway.
The young man turned. He had dark hair that hung to his shoulders and a scraggly mustache. A few pimples dotted his pale face. He wore a black T-shirt and tight jeans. "I'm Russ. Have you seen Torina?"
Kendra entered the room. "Are you here responding to the ad?"
"You got it. Are you a relative?"
"I've been kidnapped. Torina is holding me prisoner. You have to leave immediately!"
Russ snickered. "Good one. I like it. Should I run off screaming and call the cops?"
"I'm serious," Kendra said. "Come on. "
She raced to the front door. Russ followed, displaying only mild curiosity.
Kendra tugged at the door. It was locked. She jiggled the handle desperately. "Help me break it down. "
"That will make a great first impression," Russ chuckled. "They need to put you in the movies. "
Tears of frustration gathered in Kendra's eyes. "I'm not acting, Russ. She's a psycho. She keeps old men and kids locked up here. There's no time! Please help me. Get away and contact Scott Michael Sorenson or Maria Kate Sorenson. They live outside of Rochester. My name is Kendra. I'm a missing person. "
Through her tears, Kendra saw that Russ finally looked uncomfortable. He started chewing one of his fingernails.
"What are you carrying on about, my dear?" a silky voice inquired. Torina strolled down the stairs, her black evening dress shimmering with sequins. "Your mother won't be back until four. "
Russ glanced from Kendra to Torina.
"Run, Russ," Kendra pleaded.
"Kendra, go easy on poor Russ, he isn't used to your antics. Why riot run along and go play out back? Aunt Torina has arrangements to discuss with our new friend. "
Kendra had been caught in the act. She couldn't see how she would get into worse trouble. It was all or nothing. "Russ, come out back with me, I need to show you something. "
"He'll follow along in a minute or two. We have grownup things to d
iscuss. " Torina clicked across the floor to Russ, taking his hand. "Shall we adjourn to the parlor?"
"Don't let her bite you, Russ, she'll suck you dry," Kendra warned. "Together we can take her, fight our way out of this. "
Torina's radiant smile faltered ever so slightly. "Am I a vampire now? How novel! Young lady, I value a healthy imagination, but your behavior is bordering on impertinent. Jameson? Would you escort Kendra to her room?"
"Certainly, madam," answered a rough voice. The goblin in the suit strode down the stairs. He glowered at Kendra. Glancing at Russ, Kendra realized that he could not recognize the goblin's true form. To him, the monstrosity probably looked like an ordinary human butler.
Kendra raced for the back of the house, but the goblin intercepted her, gripping her shoulders painfully. The goblin steered her toward the stairs as Kendra screamed and writhed and tried to kick him.
"Such a display!" Torina exclaimed. "Your mother will hear about this, young lady. "
"Look at them!" Kendra shrieked. "Locked doors, people dragging me away! Get a clue, Russ!"
"What's going on?" Russ asked, his voice nervous.
"The girl is mentally disturbed," Torina purred. "Let me tell you a secret. "
The goblin heaved Kendra over his beefy shoulder. Staring back at Russ, she saw Torina nuzzle his neck, then catch him as he slumped to the floor, one leg twitching. As the goblin mounted the stairs, the pair passed out of sight.
* * *
Kendra crouched over the desk in her room, refolding a piece of stationery. The note already had so many creases that it was almost useless. She had tried once again to improve on the only design that had sort of worked, and once again the result had been unsatisfactory.
She folded the paper into the familiar basic shape, pressing hard on the creases, hoping the form would hold. When she finished, she held up the paper airplane, inspecting it from various angles. It would win no contests for beauty or function. She could almost hear Seth laughing at the pathetic attempt.
Why had she never learned to fold a proper paper airplane? Her brother could produce at least six varieties, all excellent flyers. They were sleek and simple, and he would add little extra tears or wrinkles to produce acrobatic effects.
The airplane she had designed after several miserable failures flew only a little better than crumpling up the paper and throwing it. She transported her ugly little plane to the window, opened it, and passed her hand between the invisible bars. Cold air flooded into the room. Experience had shown that a quick, gentle flick of the wrist was the best way to send the plane soaring. The dark night would conceal the flight, and hopefully some passerby would find one of the notes in the morning.
My name is Kendra Sorenson. I have been kidnapped. Please contact the police. Then contact Scott Michael Sorenson or Maria Kate Sorenson.
They live outside of Rochester, New York. This is not a joke.
Not long after the goblin had locked Kendra in her room, she had decided to start an airborne letter campaign-- the aeronautical equivalent of letters in bottles. Kendra debated about which way she should angle this next toss.
[Drawing: Kendra is throwing a paper airplane out of a second-story window. ]
A key rattled in the door.
Kendra threw the plane and hurriedly shut the window, turning to face the doorway. Torina entered, exuding confidence. She wore the same flashy dress from earlier, but filled it out differently, her body now curvier. Her arms and legs were firm and toned, her skin soft and healthy. She wore much subtler makeup, relying on the natural radiance of her stunning features. Gazing triumphantly at Kendra, she looked like a prom queen ready for her big night.
After an awkward pause, Kendra realized that Torina was awaiting a compliment. "You look amazing," Kendra said.
"People can say what they want," Torina remarked casually, placing a hand on her slim waist. "Diet, exercise, pharmaceuticals, surgery, spa treatments, cosmetics--there is simply no substitute for youth. "
"You drained him?"
"Much more ruthlessly than I would have without your intervention," Torina stated, eyes hard. "Why?"
She closed the door and sauntered into the room. "The way I live grants me limited pleasures, Kendra. Toying with my prey is perhaps the most satisfying. I already had to settle for a less than adequate specimen. Then you soaked all the fun out of the whole encounter, forced me to rush it. "
"I'm so sorry," Kendra apologized. "That must be rough when sucking someone's life away isn't super fun. "
"Don't you dare mock me, missy," Torina hissed. Outrage tightened her youthful features. Tendons stood out in her neck.
"You're so beautiful when you're angry," Kendra said dramatically.
Torina's fury transformed into fierce laughter. "Even though you're joking, Kendra, you thought to say it, which means it must be true at some level. " She wiped a tear from the corner of one eye and crossed to the desk, gathering up the papers there and opening drawers to collect any extra stationery. "No more airplanes. We gathered the ones you've thrown so far. Origami isn't your strong suit. "
"They weren't very good," Kendra admitted.
"Understatement of the year," Torina murmured. "Look, normally I would relocate you to the basement for the stunt you pulled today. I gave you a lot of leeway and you burned me for it. But there is a certain euphoria that comes with regaining my youth, and the Sphinx will be here tomorrow, so you can just stay locked in here until he's ready for you. "
Kendra's legs suddenly felt wobbly. "The Sphinx?"