A/N: Shoutout to my Chap 18 first reviewer 'Joey':)

Preview:

"Halves," Gavin muttered thoughtfully. "Of a whole. Halves. Cutting in two. Two. Two people."

"Two people are supposed to use the combined key," Bracken concluded. "Two people are going to Evolot. Two people are going to go find the antidote to save Kendra." He glanced at Gavin. "Get everyone. We need to decide who the two people are going to be, and the sooner the better."

Chapter 19

"We don't have time to call them back here," Seth argued. "We have to make a decision now. What if the keys disappear? Or worse—what if Kendra doesn't…."

"Seth's right, Ruth. We have to choose from the people who are here now," Bracken said. "I think I should go to Evolot. Anyone who disagrees tell me now."

No one said a word. "Okay. I have the first spot. Who else is going?"

Seth stood up. "I am. I'm her brother. You know that I won't be able to just sit here when I know that there was something I could have done. I'm also a Shadow Charmer. You never know if it might come in handy at some point."

"Seth, no. Your parents would never forgive us if they found out that both of children were at risk," Ruth argued, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Kendra is already hurt and on the verge of death. Don't add to the number of people dying!"

"But I'm not going to just stay here!" Seth exclaimed in a frustrated tone. Why wouldn't they let him save his sister? Yes, he was younger than most of the people present but he knew that his powers were valuable. They could help.

"Why can't we just all go?" Dana said. "I mean, come on. There's what? Four of us who can go? Why don't two people hold each half?"

"Five," Cain piped up. "Bracken, Gavin, Dana, Seth and me."

Bracken and Gavin were surprised for a moment; they had forgotten about Cain. "You want to back there? But your wife…ex-wife…."

"Angela, or Silvertongue as you all call her, won't be glad to see me for sure. Honestly, I don't even know if I would be allowed entrance to Evolot ever again even if I was able to use one of the key halves. But I want you to know that I will be willing to give any assistance I can, and for now all I can offer is my manpower," Cain said sincerely.

Everyone nodded in thanks. They were grateful that it was for certain that Cain was on board. However, the situation with Evolot had to be addressed. Eventually, arguments concerning Seth' safety and the keys' eligibility rose again.

"Can I say something? Look, I know my opinion probably doesn't really count and isn't appreciated, but I think that the more time spent here debating who's going the more time wasted," Gavin said. "And I bet you're all going to argue about what I'm going to say next, but I want to go. I need to go!" He sighed. "I know that you know that I can and will do anything in my power to help Kendra and Fablehaven in order to make up for Lost Mesa and Navarog. If this is what it takes for you to trust me as you had Gavin Rose three years ago, then so be it. "

It was quiet. It wasn't as if everyone hadn't expected Gavin to volunteer—the fact that he was helping them at all proved that he held some sort of concern for Kendra—but they were speechless when they realized that Gavin cared about what they thought about him. From what he had been like before, or at least what his personality as Navarog was like, he was supposed to be reckless, confident, and indifferent. Just a week ago, he was quick to talk back or show his familiar smirk. Now, his face was oddly calm, but his eyes were impatient and pleading with a tint of desperation. Maybe there was more to Gavin than what met the eye. To top it off, it was as if he was begging to go, something that shouldn't have come easy to Navarog.

"I think it would be wise to consider Gavin as the second person to go," Cain eased in. "Angela will be very interested in meeting you, for it's likely that she already knows of all of your powers. Being unusual or unique is an advantage when facing Angela." Gavin shot a grateful look his way.

Bracken slowly nodded and fiddled with the half key in his hand. "Of course. That makes sense." Seth raised his eyebrows at Bracken's unexpected agreement but decided against speaking about it.

"So will it be Bracken and Gavin traveling?" Stan confirmed.

Seth looked downcast. "But I can't do nothing…"

With a stern look on his face, Hank clamped his hand on his shoulder. He turned him so that they were face to face and spoke quietly. "Listen, Seth. We both know that Bracken and Gavin are perfectly capable of acquiring the antidote. I do not doubt your abilities either. I think you would be able to retrieve it also. Think of it this way: if Bracken and Gavin are chosen to leave for Evolot who will be left?"

He did a quick calculation. "Well, me, Dana, you, Grandma, and Grandpa Larsen. And Cain," Seth replied carefully.

"Correct. Think about it, Seth. If there was to be an attack by the Society of the Evening Star when they are gone, who out of the six of us remaining can fight?"

Understanding dawned on him. "Me and Dana. I don't know if Cain can fight combat," he said with a glance at Cain, "but that would still leave us with at most three fighters left to defend."

"If you were to go with them Dana would be left alone to fight. She has skill I'm sure, but I know her forte is potions. Cain is human and hasn't been trained to fight against demons. Stan, Ruth, and I are too old for fighting; the best we could do to aid the defenders of Fablehaven would be to ask for reinforcements and attempt to put up additional wards. That wouldn't be enough. But think, if we had a Shadow Charmer with a background of weapons and defensive skills, wouldn't our chances of protecting the preserve be higher?" Hank said kindly.

"Yes," Seth admitted.

"You would still be protecting Kendra. You'd still be fighting for her. Now, do you agree to stay and defend Fablehaven?"

"Yes," he said again. He still looked unhappy, but there was a sense of purpose and determination in his eyes. "I say that Bracken and Gavin go to Evolot. They'll get the job done right."

Dana glanced at Seth and based on his expression she relented. She really only wanted to go to Evolot to not be left alone. Truly, she disliked the idea of facing Silvertongue, an unnatural goddess. She didn't mind staying as long as someone she could talk to and was familiar was left too. "I second that."

"As do I. My presence would only make things harder for my wife and me," Cain claimed.

"Since we all agree that Bracken and Gavin will claim the two halves, they must prepare for Evolot. And it wouldn't hurt for the rest of us to arm ourselves," Ruth said.

With a new air of determination and anxiety, the headed downstairs to the weapons room.

*.*.*.*

The men are coming for her, Angela thought with a laugh. Stupid least she was pleased with their understanding of her message. It would have been difficult to find another way to make them realize that she wanted two people to appear before her.

However, she had left it up to fate to make sure that the people left in Fablehaven would choose those particular two to go. They, along with the Shadow Charmer, interested her the most. The Shadow Charmer would be sent for next once her first plan worked.

Angela watched Cain for a few moments, with a look of disgust. Traitor, she thought. He betrayed me once. Was it so hard for him to listen obediently, after all I did for him? He never fails to remind me why I should punish him. She sighed. Her conscience surprised her; she had not chosen to just get rid of him.

She turned away from the Looking Pond, swishing her skirts. She had to get her façade ready for their arrival. What would tempt them the most, a blonde? An exotic Amazon princess? Silvertongue shook her head. She chided herself for having forgotten; there was only one face in all of Evolot that would tempt them. Kendra's. But she knew that Gavin and Bracken would be able to see through her disguise if she talked to them for an extended amount of time. Changing into Kendra Sorenson would only be her Plan B. Although she highly doubted Plan A would be a failure.

Angela closed her eyes in order to materialize in the middle of endless grassy plains. Flowers dotted the plains and the sky stretched for miles. With a wave of her hand, clouds formed. There was no end to her kingdom. The surroundings made it seem like anyone who tried to run away or escape would fail.

She despised the idea of giving up her beautiful face to look like someone as plain and average as her. She wondered what those two boys saw in her. Kendra was easy to break; the illusions about her and Bracken being together had proven that. But the slap she had received from her was undeniably uncalled for. Did Kendra really think the almighty Silvertongue would just let that pass, let it go?

And she wanted to obtain the power she had. A chance to become fairykind was something she had looked for for a long time. When she discovered that a young girl was gifted by the Fairy Queen she knew she had to make it hers.

And to think, she had been merciful! She had offered that ungrateful girl a chance to live in Evolot; an escape from the pain she was feeling now. It was a fair trade, in her opinion. I could have been crueler and offered her nothing in exchange, Angela thought. That pain wasn't enough for her lack of appreciation and defiance.

Karma would come for her too late. No, revenge was faster…and sweeter.

*.*.*.*

Gavin buckled in the last few straps of his vest. The lightweight sword bumped against his thigh as he reached over to sharpen the two daggers he planned to stash in his boots. He glanced over at the others. They had stopped watching him closely as they had before whenever he was near weaponry. As if he would suddenly attack them.

Bracken was already waiting by the doorway and stared up the stairs. Gavin warily approached him. "I'm surprised you agreed to my request to go with you. You, of all people, should have thrown a fit."

"No fighting remember? What about our deal?" Bracken said.

"I'm not fighting with you. I'm making conversation," Gavin said. "And have you forgotten? The deal wasn't 'no fighting at all'; it was 'no fighting over Kendra'."

"Look, I agreed because I know you can help. And I think Cain was right when he said that having someone along with…a different type of power will be advantageous. I'm only being fair."

Gavin nodded curtly. "Seth would have been an advantageous person to accompany you."

"Do you want to be replaced by Seth on this mission?"

He scowled. "No. Never mind."

Bracken sighed. "Kendra wouldn't want me—us—to send her brother there unless we absolutely had to. Seth will probably be busy here anyway. The attacks on the Knight bases are increasing and eventually our enemies will target Fablehaven. Tonight might be the time they decide to fire."

"What about what I told you the other day? You know, about the Cytrion attack?" Gavin brought up.

"I don't know," he replied with a glance out a nearby window. "Your theory makes sense but the Society of the Evening Star is our only big threat. There's no other enemy."

"I think there is."

Bracken stared at Gavin. "Who?"

"I don't know," Gavin said. "I have a feeling…"

"Bracken, Gavin, everyone else is all set," Hank called. It was true. Seth wore a similar vest to Gavin's, one with pockets for holding small blades and emergency potions. He adjusted his grip on his sword and flipped it around until he was satisfied. Dana peered at her sai, making sure there was no damage or dullness. Ruth was armed with her familiar crossbow and Hank tested a traditional spear contraption that easily shrunk down to the size of a pen. Stan had chosen a bow and a copper quiver of a dozen arrows, tipped with acid poison. Cain wasn't necessarily expected to fight, for they had given him more protection in the form of leather accessories than weapons, but he still had a dagger sheath attached to his left leg.

With a last look at Gavin, Bracken nodded. "Let's go up."

Their apprehension sped up the ascent up the flight of stairs. The thought of venturing into the unfamiliar world of Evolot was unnerving. They shuffled into the attic room and quietly shut the door.

Cain handed Bracken and Gavin each a half of the silver key. "Now put them together."

Slowly, they reached out until the two parts met. As soon as they completely matched up with one another to form a single key a blinding white flashed throughout the room as it had done so just earlier. Everyone covered their eyes with a groan. Stars and bursts of colors danced across their eyes. After a few moments they could see what had happened.

The once dull silver halves had transformed into a shiny radiant single key. The engravings had the appearance of curving streams of diamonds, causing them to blink. All other light sources were put to shame.

On the headboard, just above where Kendra's head lay, a small pulsing keyhole was faintly outlined. To enter Evolot, all they had to do was slip the key into the keyhole and turn.

"Well, this is it," Cain said. "Your passage to Evolot."

Hank, Stan, and Ruth approached them with serious expressions. "Be careful there, you two. We don't have much to go on what will happen. However, this is our last chance to save Kendra. I regret putting this upon your shoulders. Perhaps you will think of a way to retrieve the antidote without needing to give something in return, for there is a big possibility she will ask for something once you reject the temptation. Our hopes and good luck go to you both."

"Thank you."

Cain stepped forward next. "My wife is not so bad. I would hope that she won't harm either of you in any way, but still be aware. She has tricks up her sleeves," he chuckled sadly. "With that in mind I hope there won't be any reason for you to have to hurt her either. Send my regards if you have time."

"Of course."

"I don't know you both all that well…but still. Good luck in Evolot. Find the antidote and bring it back," Dana said quietly.

"We will," Bracken answered. Gavin just nodded.

Finally, Seth came forward. "Guys, my sister doesn't have much time left. You have to get the antidote fast. If you have to tie Silvertongue down to get it…" Seth quickly looked at Cain, who looked mildly amused.

"You know if it came to that we would do it," Bracken said. "Seth, you know I'd do anything for your sister."

"I do know that. I've seen you overprotective over Kendra so many times already these past two years," Seth said with a grin. "And I can predict what you're going to say, Gavin, but will you do anything to get that cure as well?"

Gavin hadn't expected to be talked to directly. "I'll trust my instincts that your prediction matches with my intentions."

Seth laughed quietly. "If I'm right, then you're good to go. I know you've heard this about a billion times already, but good luck."

It was time to go. The unicorn and the dragon positioned themselves on either side of Kendra. "How do we go about doing this? There's two of us here…and one key," Gavin pointed out.

"Hold hands?" Seth suggested.

"No," Bracken and Gavin said in unison.

"I think as long as you're touching you both will be transported to Evolot," Cain said. "If you don't want to hold hands, then one of you grab onto the other's shirt of something of theirs."

Bracken refused to hand over the key to Gavin, so he was forced to walk over to Bracken's side and grip onto his scabbard. After a meaningful last look at Kendra's face, which was now inhumanly pale and tinged with a deathly blue, Gavin spoke, "We'll be back."

Everyone else watched as Bracken slowly inserted the key into the brilliant keyhole. Although there was supposed to be solid wood inside the hole outline, the key slipped through as if the headboard was made out of butter. Bracken's expression became shocked by this outcome, but quickly returned to its determined state. As soon as the entire key was buried into the hole, Bracken said quietly so only Gavin could hear, "For Kendra."

Then he turned the key.

Again, the blinding white light blazed through the room, but they were ready for it. Cain, Seth, Dana, Ruth, Stan, and Hank closed their eyes or covered them with their arms. When it was finally safe to open them, the two men were gone, as was the keyhole in the headboard. "That's it," Cain said. "They should be in Evolot right now. All we can do is wait."

"What if they need help? Is there any way to get in?" Dana asked.

"From what I know, only a key can give you entrance," Cain said. "And we can't go out looking for Evolot, wherever it is…"

"Okay, okay," Seth said loudly, instantly taking charge. "We need someone stationed here, just in case they come back or there's something to update. Not everyone needs to stand guard, especially since we don't know for sure is there's even going to be an attack."

"I'll do it," Cain volunteered. "I mean, even though I'm armed and all, I'm not very experienced in the combat field. The best I could do would be defending myself. I'd probably just get in the way of the real battle."

"That'll be fine. Hank, Ruth," Stan said turning to the two elders, "Let's head back to my office. I'm sure there were many calls and messages left when we were occupied. We'll have to chart our next move and rally up any allies nearby to help defend the Knights." They quickly excused themselves and only gave a quick glance back in the room before heading out.

Cain got comfy in the chair next to Kendra and spied a thick book about the history of centaurs. Interested, he picked it up and became engrossed almost immediately. Which left Seth and Dana.

"I guess we're left with fighting for Fablehaven," Seth sighed quietly, stepping through the attic room door.

"Sure, except you forgot the part where there's nothing to fight against," Dana said.

He groaned. "And I also forgot that I was left with you."

Dana rolled her eyes. "You should be grateful. Now you have someone to talk to."

"You mean someone to annoy me."

"Whatever. Come on, let's get ready to 'fight'," she retorted, making quotation marks with her fingers.

"You don't have to jinx it. I already have a bad enough feeling as it is."

*.*.*.*

Traveling to Evolot was unreal. It was as if gravity had ceased to exist and they were floating in midair. Bracken was suspended in a world surrounded by light, which he expected. It wasn't the familiar, blinding light; more like being on Earth after a blizzard. And there was no sign of Gavin.

Without warning, Bracken felt like he was being dropped from thousands of feet in the air and was plummeting down like a meteor back to the ground. Instead of screaming he closed his eyes tightly and let himself falling, frantically hoping that something was going to catch him.

Eventually, the air around him slowed his descent, little by little, until Bracken could see from the back of his eyelids that the light was waning. Once the fall stopped, he still couldn't feel solid ground beneath him. He finally opened his eyes and looked down. He was about a foot away from reaching the ground. Bracken looked around him, trying to figure out a way to drop down.

"Just take a fall forward," a voice behind him said. Gavin approached him, looking unaffected by the drop.

"What?"

"Lean forward. There'll be gravity again."

Bracken hesitantly shifted his body weight forward and as Gavin said, gravity existed again and the ground rushed up to meet him. Before he could fall face-first, he threw his hands and knees forward and fell in a crouch. It was ungraceful, but at least he wasn't scratched.

Bracken got up and brushed himself off. "Interesting way to get to Evolot," he muttered.

"You didn't like the fall?" Gavin for once didn't sound sarcastic.

"I didn't think there would be one. You didn't seem to mind it," Bracken said.

"It reminded me of flying."

"Of course." Finally, Bracken averted his attention to the scenery around him and stared. Wondrous rolling hills of long healthy grasses spread across the horizon and blossoms of flowers spotted the plains. The sky was a clear periwinkle blue and held fluffy white clouds. However, there was no sun; light radiated from the land itself.

"It's very…paradise-like," Bracken said hesitantly.

Gavin understood what he meant. "You can tell that it's false. I've never been to a place that looked like this that wasn't filled with trouble."

Bracken had hoped that Silvertongue would be waiting for them once they arrived. He preferred that they obtained the cure as soon as possible. After all, they were on limited time. It didn't help that they were unaware whether the time difference was the same as Cain's experience. What if it was the opposite and more time passed in Fablehaven than here in Evolot. He tried to focus on their objective but his mind couldn't stop returning to the attic room and Kendra.

He looked at Gavin, who was staring up at the sky, probably assuming something bad was going to attack. But when he really looked at him, he realized that what he was really thinking about was flying. The last time he had transformed was at Lost Mesa. Bracken sort of sympathized with him; he had had similar feelings when he had first given up his horn. He also knew that Gavin wouldn't selfishly ask for time to fly, no matter how rude and unpredictable he was. After all, he wanted the same thing as he did.

Sympathy made Bracken ask, "You want to fly don't you?"

Gavin was startled. "What?"

"You miss flying right? And don't deny it; you're looking at the sky as if you're hoping you'll drop again. And if you fly, you might be able to see something."

"I know we made a temporary peace treaty and all, but I don't need any sympathy, Unicorn. That wasn't part of the deal if I remember correctly. You make it seem as if I won't live if I don't fly. I'm perfectly fine," Gavin retorted. "We are not friends."

Bracken groaned. "I was just trying to be nice. I never said we were friends. And it could have benefited us anyway."

"If I was up there," Gavin pointed up, "then who would save you from the evil beings down here?"

He rolled his eyes. "Thanks for your concern," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Bracken inspected the grass and tried to detect any signs of life. There was none. But from the corner of his eye, he saw a reflection. "What's that?"

"What?" Gavin followed his gaze and squinted at the reflection. "A mirage?"

"Can't be. I think it's a pool, or a pond," he said.

"Okay," Gavin said gruffly. "I'm guessing the plan is to see what it is up close?"

"Well there's nothing else to do is there?" He placed a firm hand on the hilt of his sword and began to hike up the nearest hill towards the reflection. And Gavin had no choice but to follow.

DONE! I finally completed Chapter 19! Sorry for the super long wait. Every time I try to finish it, I always have something more to do…but it's now winter break! I'll have plenty of time for writing.

As for the poll (PredictIt) it is no officially closed. I should have ended it a long time ago though. Anyway the results ended with Bracken leading with 6, Gavin in second with 4, and 'new, upcoming character' with 3. Oh yeah, someone voted for Warren and Vanessa once. The answer to who will eventually get the antidote is ONE OF THE CHOICES. Who? Stay tuned!

New poll is up once again! However, it will be closed sooner than usual because I need the answer/ majority ASAP for future reference. Remember: polls are just for reference and to see what you think! Might not actually happen in the story.

As I always do at the end of the chapters, I want to say thank you thank you thank you for supporting me and ROTDP! Questions, suggestions, concerns in reviews and/or PMs:)

Also I decided to include answers to some questions or comments:

Guest(?): No, Gavin and Kendra are not dating in my fanfic. They've been in a sort of a mutual understanding kind of thing, but nothing is official. That gets pushed aside since Gavin is now in the picture, at least for now.

GlitterPancakes: Haha thank you for all your reviews! I hope I don't disappoint you and meet expectations! (This actually goes to all readers)

daughterofares14: Thank you:) I realize there is a lack of detail and hope to improve my writing in the future. I think I hurry too much so that I can finish the chapter as soon as possible!

Oh, thanks to all those who wished me well on my trip! It was great~

—aznbooklover