“Whatever you do," Seth said around a chewy mouthful, "try not to leave me down here too long. You can only play a certain amount of Yahtzee games in a row before you become a lunatic." "I'll keep that in mind.”

“What'll you do if you can't find a way to cure him?" Seth asked.Dale paused. "I'll never know that day has come, because I'll never stop trying.”

“You don't know how to respond," Ferrin said. "I'll make it easy for you. The safest course of action for your young rebellion would be to toss me off the tallest cliff you can find. I have played a perilous game for years--trading secrets, telling lies, finding leverage, earning trust only to betray it. I got away with an eccentric lifestyle among Maldor's elite by hiding much of what I learned and proving myself too valuable to kill. It was a precarious, unforgiving game. When I released you from Felrook, I miscalculated, and I lost Game over. Bridges burned. But the game is part of my nature. I don't think I can stop playing until I stop breathing.”

“Oh, Kendra, before I forget, Gavin asked me to give you this letter." He held out a gray, speckled envelope."Happy birthday to you!" Seth exclaimed, his voice full of implications.Kendra tried not to blush as she tucked the envelope away."Dear Kendra," Seth improvised, "you're the only girl who really gets me, you know, and I think you're very mature for your age--""What about some cake?" Grandma interrupted, holding the first piece out to Kendra and glaring at Seth.”

“I think we should probably get Vanessa out of the Quiet Box to help us. What do you guys say?''Absolutely,' Newel affirmed. 'Best idea I've heard all day.''I'll second that,' Doren said gladly.Seth gave the satyrs a doubtful scowl. 'Wait a minute. You guys just think she's pretty.''I've been around a long time,' Newel said. 'Vanessa Santoro is not jut pretty.''He's right,' Doren agreed. 'She's walking dynamite. My pulse is rising just talking about her.''She also might be a traitor,' Seth stressed.'The lethal temptress,' Newel said with relish. 'Even better.''It will definitely spice up the adventure,' Doren encouraged.'I'm obviously talking to 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.”

“ 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 waster, hair and clothes dripping. "That was the freakiest, awesomest moment in my life!" Seth declared. "But next time, let me take off my shoes.”

“Then I'm going?" Kendra asked.The adults in the room exchanged tacit glances before nodding.Then we only have one more problem left to discuss," Seth said. Everyone turned to him.How do I get invited”