Oh, yeah! Seth cried. What was I thinking?

Come back over here, Coulter invited. Now you've sampled a distracter spell. One of the spells protecting the fences of Fablehaven does essentially the same thing.

Anyone who comes across the fence immediately has his or her attention diverted elsewhere. Simple and effective.

I want to try, Kendra said.

Be my guest, Coulter offered.

Kendra walked toward the birdbath. She kept repeating in her mind what she was supposed to do. She even mouthed, The ball, the ball, the ball, repeatedly. When she reached the birdbath, she stared into the water at the silvery sphere. She wasn't distracted yet. She picked it up and brought it back to Coulter. Here you go.

He looked flabbergasted. How did you do that? he asked.155 I'm as surprised as you are. I thought I was just a girl.No, really, Kendra, that was most unusual.

I just focused.

On the ball?

Yeah.

Impossible! The charge must have run out. After all these years... go put it back.

Kendra jogged over to the birdbath and set it inside.

Coulter walked over to the birdbath, hands balled into fists.

He placed a hand into the water beside the sphere, began rubbing the bottom of the basin, and then quickly s.n.a.t.c.hed the ball. It still works. I could feel the spell striving to muddle me, potent as ever.

Then how did you get it? Kendra asked.

Practice, Coulter said. If you focus on the ball it will distract you. So you focus on something near the ball. I was focusing on rubbing the bottom of the birdbath, keeping the ball in the back of my mind. Then, as I'm rubbing the bottom of the birdbath, when I notice the ball, I grab it.

I concentrated on the ball, Kendra said.

Coulter tossed the ball toward the bench. It came to a rest on the lawn. Go get it again. Don't even try to focus.

Kendra walked over and picked it up. Guess I'm immune.

Interesting, Coulter said thoughtfully.

I bet I could do it now, Seth said.

Set it down, Kendra, Coulter said.

Seth walked toward the ball, stooped to pick some gra.s.s, and then went and sat on the bench. What? he asked,156wondering why they were staring, then slapping his foreheadagain once they reminded him.

Must be another side effect from the fairies, Kendra guessed.

Must be, Coulter said thoughtfully. The mysteries keep piling up around you, don't they. You've reminded me, the fairies have caused some other peculiar effects here at Fablehaven. Let's move on to the fun stuff. We've made a fascinating discovery since your last visit. He raised his voice. Hugo, come!

The ma.s.sive golem came out from behind the barn, loping toward them with long, pounding strides. When Kendra had last seen Hugo, he was blooming with verdure, thanks to the fairies. Now he looked much more like he had before the fairies had resuscitated him: a primitive body of soil, stone, and clay, more apelike in form than humanlike, a few weeds and dandelions sprouting here and there, but no leafy vines or colorful flowers.

Hugo halted in front of them. The top of Coulter's head barely reached the middle of the golem's powerful chest.

Hugo was broad, with thick limbs and disproportionately large hands and feet. He looked like he could effortlessly tear Coulter limb from limb, but Kendra knew Hugo would never do something like that. The golem only followed orders.

You remember Hugo? Coulter said.

Of course, Seth said.

Watch this, Coulter said. He picked up a stone and tossed it toward the golem. Hugo caught it.

What's that supposed to prove? Seth said.157 I didn't tell him to catch it, Coulter said.He must have a standing order to catch things thrown at him, Kendra guessed.

Coulter shook his head. No standing order.

Faintly, Hugo smiled.

Is he smiling? Seth asked.

I wouldn't put it past him, Coulter said. Hugo, do whatever you like.

Hugo squatted, and then jumped high into the air, raising both arms. He landed with enough force to make the ground tremble.

He's doing things on his own? Kendra asked.

Little things, Coulter said. He's still totally obedient.

He completes all his ch.o.r.es. But one day your grandmother spotted him putting a baby bird back into its nest. n.o.body had issued a command; he was simply being kind.

You're saying the fairies did something to him! Kendra said. After Muriel destroyed Hugo with a spell, they rebuilt him, but they must have changed him.

Near as we can tell, they made him a true golem, Coulter said. Manufactured golems, the mindless puppets who exist only to obey orders, were originally created in imitation of true golems, actual living creatures of stone or mud or sand. True golems long ago pa.s.sed out of all human knowledge. But apparently Hugo is now one. He is developing a will.

Awesome! Seth exclaimed.

Can he communicate? Kendra asked.158 Only crudely for now, Coulter explained. His comprehensionis quite good-it had to be, for him to take orders.

And his physical coordination is as precise as ever. But he is only just beginning to experiment with expressing himself and acting on his own. Slowly but surely he has been improving. In time, he should be able to interact with us like a normal person.

So right now he's like a big baby, Kendra said in wonder.

In many ways, yes, Coulter agreed. One of the jobs I want the two of you to undertake is to engage in an hour of playtime with Hugo every day. He will not be under any order to heed your commands. I will simply leave him with the mandate to enjoy himself. Then you two are free to talk to him, play catch with him, teach him tricks, whatever you like. I want to see if we can get him functioning more on his own.

If he gets too smart, will he stop taking orders? Seth asked.

I doubt it, Coulter said. Obedience to his masters is woven too deeply into his being. It is part of the magic that holds him together. He could, however, develop into a much more useful servant, capable of making decisions and sharing information. And he could start enjoying a higher state of existence.

I like this a.s.signment, Kendra said. When can we start?

How about now? Coulter offered. I don't think we have enough time for a real foray into the woods today. You159 need to be here after lunch so you can go into town withyour grandmother. I have no idea what you might be doing there. Imitating Seth, Coulter pantomimed like he was locking his lips and throwing away the key. Hugo, I want you to play with Kendra and Seth. Feel free to do whatever you want.

Coulter strode away toward the house, leaving Kendra and Seth with the ma.s.sive golem. For a moment the three stood in silence. What should we do? Seth asked.

Hugo, Kendra said. Why don't you show us your favorite flower in the garden?

Favorite flower? Seth complained. Are you trying to bore him to death?

Hugo raised a finger and then waved for them to follow.

He stomped off across the lawn in the direction of the swimming pool. Picking favorites gives him a chance to practice making choices, Kendra explained as they ran to keep up with Hugo.

Fine, then how about favorite weapon or monster or something cool?

Hugo stopped beside a hedge with a flowerbed at the base. He pointed at a large blue and white flower with a trumpet-shaped blossom and vivid, translucent petals. It was delicate and exquisite.

Good pick, Hugo, I like that one, Kendra complimented.

Great, Seth said. You're very sensitive and artistic.

Now, how about we have some fun? Want to go jump in the Pool? I bet you could make the best cannonb.a.l.l.s!160 Hugo crossed and uncrossed his hands, indicating thathe did not like the idea.

He's made of dirt, Kendra said. Use your brain.

And rock and clay... I thought it would just make him sort of muddy.

And clog up the filter. You should have Hugo throw you in the pool.

The golem turned his head toward Seth, who shrugged.

Sure, that would be fun.

Hugo nodded, grabbed Seth, and, with a motion like a hook shot, flung him skyward. Kendra gasped. They were still thirty or forty feet away from the edge of the pool. She had pictured the golem carrying Seth much closer before tossing him. Her brother sailed nearly as high as the roof of the house before plummeting down and landing in the center of the deep end with an impressive splash.

Kendra ran to the side of the pool. By the time she arrived, Seth was boosting himself out of the water, hair and clothes dripping. That was the freakiest, awesomest moment of my life! Seth declared. But next time, let me take off my shoes.160 161The Sphinx Kendra stared out the window at a huge, derelict factory as the SUV idled at a stoplight. Rotting boards crisscrossed the lower windows. The yawning upper windows were nearly devoid of gla.s.s. Wrappers, broken bottles, crushed soda cans, and weather-worn newspapers littered the sidewalk. Cryptic graffiti decorated the walls. Most of the spray-painted words looked sloppy, but a few had been expertly rendered with gleaming metallic letters.

Can I take off my seat belt yet? Seth complained, squirming.

One more block, Grandma said.

The Sphinx isn't staying in a very nice part of town, Kendra said.162 He has to keep a low profile, Grandma said. Oftenthat translates to less than ideal accommodations.

The light turned green, and they drove through the intersection. Kendra, Seth, and Grandma had been on the road quite a while in order to reach the coastal city of Bridgeport. Grandma took a much more leisurely approach to driving than Vanessa, but despite the gentle pace and pleasant scenery, the prospect of meeting the Sphinx had kept Kendra on edge for the entire ride.

Here we are, Grandma announced, activating the left blinker and turning into the parking lot of King of the Road Auto Repair. The run-down auto shop looked abandoned.

There were no cars in the small lot, and all the shop windows were obscured by dust and grime. Grandma avoided a lone, rusty hubcap lying on the asphalt.

What a dump! Seth said. You sure this is the place?

The SUV was just coming to a stop when one of the three doors to the garage slid upwards. A tall Asian man in a black suit waved them inside. He was lean, with wide shoulders and a humorless face. Grandma pulled into the garage, and the man yanked the door down behind them.

Grandma opened her door. You must be Mr. Lich, she said. The man lowered his chin briefly, a motion halfway between a nod and a bow. Mr. Lich gestured for them to exit the vehicle.

Come along, Grandma said, descending from the SUV. Kendra and Seth got out as well. Mr. Lich was walking away. They hurried to follow him. He led them out a door into an alley where a black sedan was waiting. Bland163 features neutral, Mr. Lich opened the back door. Grandma,Kendra, and Seth ducked inside. Mr. Lich got up front and started the car.

Do you speak English? Seth asked.

Mr. Lich fixed him with a steady stare in the rearview mirror, put the car in drive, and started down the alley.

None of them made further efforts at conversation. They followed a disorienting series of alleys and side streets before finally reaching a main road. After a U-turn, they were back on side streets, until Mr. Lich brought the sedan to a stop in a dirty alley beside a row of dented garbage cans.

He got out and opened the door for them. The alley smelled like taco sauce and rancid oil. Mr. Lich escorted them to a grimy door that read Employees Only. He opened it and followed them inside. They pa.s.sed through a kitchen into a dimly lit bar. Blinds covered the windows. There were not many patrons. Two guys with long hair were playing pool. A fat man with a beard sat at the bar next to a skinny blonde with a pockmarked face and frizzy curls. Wispy strands of cigarette smoke twisted in the air.

Grandma, Seth, and Kendra entered the room first. The bartender was shaking his head. No patrons under twenty-one, he said. Then Mr. Lich appeared and pointed toward a stairway in the corner. The demeanor of the bartender changed instantly. My mistake. He turned away.

Mr. Lich ushered them up the carpeted stairs. At the top, they pushed through a beaded curtain into a room with s.h.a.ggy, calico carpet, a pair of brown sofas, and four suede beanbag chairs. A heavy ceiling fan spun slowly. A large,164 old-fashioned radio stood in the corner, softly playing bigband music, as if tuned to a station broadcasting out of the past.

Placing a hand on Grandma's shoulder, Mr. Lich motioned toward the couches. He did the same for Seth.

Turning to Kendra, he gestured toward a door on the other side of the room. Kendra glanced at Grandma, who nodded.

Seth flung himself onto a beanbag.

After crossing to the door, Kendra hesitated. The silent car ride and unusual environment had already made her uncomfortable. The prospect of facing the Sphinx by herself was unsettling. She looked over her shoulder. Both Grandma and Mr. Lich motioned for her to enter. Kendra knocked softly. Come inside, said a deep voice, barely loud enough to be heard.

She opened the door. A red curtain fringed with gold ta.s.sels and embroidery blocked her view. She pushed through the velvet curtain into the room beyond. The door closed behind her.

A black man with short, beaded dreadlocks stood beside a Foosball table. His skin was not merely a shade of brown ---- it was as close to truly black as Kendra had ever seen. He was of average height and build, and wore a loose gray shirt, cargo pants, and sandals. His handsome face had an ageless quality-he could have been in his thirties or his fifties.

Kendra glanced around the s.p.a.cious room. A large aquarium held a vibrant collection of tropical fish.

Numerous delicate, metallic mobiles dangled from the ceiling.

She counted at least ten clocks of eccentric designs on165 the walls, tables, and shelves. A sculpture made of garbagestood beside a life-sized wooden carving of a grizzly bear.

Near the window was an elaborate model of the solar system, intricate planets and moons held in place by wire orbits.

Would you join me in a game of Foosball? His accent made Kendra think of the Caribbean, although that was not quite right.

Are you the Sphinx? Kendra asked, bewildered by the unusual request.

I am.

Kendra approached the table. Okay, sure.

Would you prefer cowboys or Indians?

Spitted on rods were four rows of Indians and four rows of cowboys. The cowboys were all the same, as were the Indians. The cowboy had a white hat and a mustache. His hands rested on his holstered six-guns. The Indian had a feathered headdress, and his reddish-brown arms were folded across his bare chest. The feet of each cowboy and Indian were fused together to better strike the ball.