Always October by Bruce Coville

Author:Bruce Coville
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins

22

(Jacob)

THE BATTLE FOR THE BABY

As Teelamun revealed her face, Lily’s grandfather made a noise that sounded a little like a sigh, a little like a whimper.

As for me, I gasped so loudly it made LD flinch. But how else should I have reacted to seeing Tia LaMontagne, my grandfather’s first wife … the oddly beautiful woman whose portrait hung in my upstairs hallway?

Despite the years that had passed since she’d painted that self-portrait, Tia had aged but little. The main change was a pair of Bride-of-Frankenstein white streaks that shot through her flame-red hair.

“Is it really you?” whispered Gnarly. His voice held so much pain, I actually felt sorry for him, something I would not have thought possible.

“Yes, Abraham,” she said softly, “it’s me.”

“But what … how …” His voice caught.

Lily moved to his side to take his hand.

“This is not the time,” said Teelamun. “If we survive what is to come, I will explain everything when we have some privacy. For now, for the sake of old friendship and more, I ask your help in caring for Dum Pling.” She lifted her head for a moment, then said softly, “He is my grandchild, Abraham.”

Gnarly closed his eyes and swallowed hard. I wasn’t sure, but I thought I saw a tear trickle from beneath one of those closed lids. He started to ask a question, then stopped himself. After a long moment he said gruffly, “I’ll help.”

“I now ask this pledge of all of you,” said Keegel Farzym. “Do you swear to help Jacob guard and guide the baby, help him protect the bracelet, and help him remain safe and undetected on the nights of his transformation?”

Though I was terrified by what I had committed myself to, when Gnarly, Lily, Mrs. McSweeney, and even Luna said in unison, “We do!” I felt a surge of warmth and of being not alone in a way I had not experienced since my father’s disappearance.

Again, the other monsters rose. (I couldn’t see Invisible Ed, but I assume he stood, too.) Making that same gesture of hands to foreheads, they bowed and said, “Humans, we salute you!”

When they had resumed their seats, Keegel Farzym said, “We must return you to Humana as quickly as possible. Alas, the only way to return now is through the Library of Nightmares.”

“Poet!” cried Squeak. “You can’t do that! The path is far too dangerous!”

“Can you suggest another route once they leave Dark Valley?” asked Syreena sharply.

The little catman thought for a moment, then shook his head.

“Then the route is clear,” said Invisible Ed, his voice even gloomier than usual. “They must take the tunnel behind the tapestry to depart our chamber. Doing so will bring them to the surface a mile or so from the Black Bridge of Doom.”

“Black Bridge of Doom?” I asked. My voice quavered and my fingers tapped against my thumb so fast, they were almost a blur.

“Doom is the name of the river it crosses,” said Syreena, waving a careless hand. “It’s poetic, really. Hardly anyvun dies there these days.

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