Fablehaven: The Complete Series by Brandon Mull

Nobody would know. She tipped the envelope up and found there was no address or return address. The envelope was blank. Hand-delivered. Had Maddox brought it? Probably.
     
    After a final glance to ensure Grandpa still looked comatose, Kendra slid the cream-colored paper out of the envelope and unfolded it. The message was written in bold script.
     
Stanley,
     
I trust this missive finds you in good health.
     
It has come to our attention that the SES has been exhibiting unusual activity in the northeast of the United States. We remain uncertain whether they have pinpointed the location of Fablehaven, but one unconfirmed report suggests they are in communication with an individual(s) on your preserve. Mounting evidence implies the secret is out.
     
I need not remind you about the attempted infiltration of a certain preserve in the interior of Brazil last year. Nor the significance of that preserve in connection with the significance of yours.
     
As you well know, we have not detected such aggressive activity from the SES in decades. We are preparing to reassign additional resources to your vicinity. As always, secrecy and misdirection remain top priorities. Be vigilant.
     
I continue to search diligently for a resolution to the situation with Ruth. Do not lose hope.
     
   With everlasting fidelity,
     
   S
     
    Kendra reread the letter. Ruth was her grandma’s name. What situation? SES had to be the Society of the Evening Star. What did the “S” at the end of the letter stand for? The entire message seemed a bit vague, probably deliberately.
     
    “Look at this,” Seth whispered from the kitchen.
     
    Kendra jumped, every muscle in her body tensing. Grandpa smacked his lips and shifted on the couch. Kendra stood temporarily immobilized by guilty panic. Seth was not looking at her. He was stooping over something in the kitchen. Grandpa became still again.
     
    Kendra folded the letter and slipped it back into the envelope, trying to situate it as she had found it. Moving stealthily, she joined Seth, who crouched over muddy hoofprints.
     
    “Were they riding horses in here?” he asked.
     
    “It would explain the racket,” she murmured, trying to sound casual.
     
    Lena appeared in the doorway, dressed in a bathrobe, hair awry. “Look at you early risers,” she said softly. “You caught us before cleanup.”
     
    Kendra stared at Lena, trying to keep her expression unreadable. The housekeeper showed no indication of having seen her spying at the letter.
     
    Seth pointed at the hoofprints. “What the heck happened?”
     
    “The negotiations went well.”
     
    “Is Maddox still here?” Seth asked hopefully.
     
    Lena shook her head. “He left in a taxi about an hour ago.”
     
    Grandpa Sorenson shuffled into the kitchen wearing boxers, socks, and an undershirt stained with brown mustard. He squinted at them. “What are you all doing up at this ungodly hour?”
     
    “It’s after seven,” Seth said.
     
    Grandpa covered a yawn with his fist. He held the envelope in his other hand. “I’m feeling a little under the weather today—might go lie down for a spell. As you were.” He shambled off, scratching his thigh.
     
    “You kids may want to play outside this morning,” Lena said. “Your grandfather was up until forty minutes ago. He had a long night.”
     
    “I’m going to have a tough time taking Grandpa seriously when he tells us to show respect for the furniture,” Kendra said. “It looks like he drove a tractor through here.”
     
    “Pulled by horses!” Seth added.
     
    “Maddox enjoys a celebration, and your grandfather is an accommodating host,” Lena said. “Without your grandmother here to rein in the merriment, things got a little too festive. Didn’t help that they invited the satyrs.” She nodded at the muddy hoofprints.
     
    “Satyrs?” Kendra asked. “Like goatmen?”
     
    Lena nodded. “Some would say they liven up a party too much.”
     
    “Those are