The Golden Symbol (Kilenya Series Book 6) Page 10

  Trying to stay focused, Jacob asked how the negotiations had gone.

  “You were there,” Azuriah said.

  “I don’t remember anything.”

  Azuriah sighed in exasperation. “Well, Renforth made all sorts of stupid requests. I agreed to one of them. Someone from Jacob’s circle of friends will be traded for Renforth’s blood. That person is to act as Renforth’s slave until the Lorkon are cured. At which point, and after we’ve cured and killed the Lorkon, we’re to bring something back to Renforth as proof that they’re dead—robes, weapons, a Dust that followed them, or whatever else we can get our hands on. Only then will we be able to take Jacob’s friend home.”

  Jacob nodded to himself. This wasn’t terrible, so long as the person who had to act as Renforth’s slave wasn’t mistreated. He frowned. Knowing Renforth, he wouldn’t be terribly kind to that individual.

  They soon reached the top of the hole, where Jacob realized he hadn’t felt any of the negative emotions he’d experienced on the way down. Why was that? Possibly because he’d already been so miserable? Or because he was leaving Renforth’s planet?

  Even though Azuriah pointed out that it would anger the dead Shiengols, he let Jacob Key them directly to Mendon when they got to the first door.

  Jacob didn’t even wait to see what the others did before climbing the stairs to the bathroom to shower. He threw away every speck of clothing that had mud on it. Who knew what that black stuff was? He was pretty sure Mom wouldn’t appreciate having it in her washer. Or house, for that matter.

  When he overheard that Dad would be holding a meeting in four hours to choose someone to go back to Renforth’s, Jacob set his alarm clock for three and a half. It wasn’t near what he needed, but it would have to suffice.

  ***

  Jacob was tempted to bring his pillow and blanket to the meeting in the backyard, but didn’t, and he thought that was an excellent show of character for a prince. He had a really hard time concentrating until things got started, though. His eyes wouldn’t focus and his mind felt really muddled.

  While he’d slept, Mom, Dad, and Matt had set up the chairs. Jacob took a seat on the second row and waited for someone to come sit next to him. Matt did on one side and Aloren sat on the other, but down two seats. Akeno ended up taking the spot between them. Jacob was glad to sit next to his friend, but he wished he could see Aloren better. He wanted to know how she’d react to what Dad and Azuriah would have to say.

  Once everyone had gotten settled, Dad turned the meeting over to Azuriah. The Shiengol stood and faced the group.

  “One of you has to act as a slave for Renforth. We’ll be taking that person to him later today in exchange for Renforth’s blood. Decide who’s going.”

  Azuriah sat down again, and Dad rubbed his head. Jacob didn’t need to see Dad’s emotions to know he was frustrated with Azuriah’s chosen method of delivery.

  Naturally, there were a lot of questions. Jacob watched the emotion colors with interest as they swirled around him and through the group. Confusion, fear, panic, frustration, anger, excitement. Jacob cocked his head. Excitement? Who would be excited right now? Then he realized the color was coming from Matt and decided to discount it. He should have guessed. Matt was always excited.

  Dad took over again and answered the questions as best he could, having Azuriah fill in the blanks of what he didn’t fully understand. Once those present realized the individual wouldn’t have to stay in Renforth’s world permanently, most people calmed down.

  “I’m sure Renforth will treat the individual with respect,” Dad said, rubbing his eyes.

  Azuriah shook his head. “Don’t count on it.”

  Dad didn’t look at the Shiengol. “They won’t really be a slave.”

  Azuriah shook his head once more. “Wrong again.”

  The colors for annoyance flowed in the air around Dad, but he didn’t show it on his face. Impressive. “At least they’ll be safe from harm and injury.”

  “No, they won’t.”

  Dad dropped his hands in exasperation. “You obviously know more, so why aren’t you doing the talking?” He dropped his voice to a whisper. Since Jacob was on the second row, he could hear, but only if he concentrated hard. “Stop trying to scare everyone. They’re panicked enough.”

  Azuriah jumped to his feet, flipping his bright green robes back. “Have you seen your son’s face?”

  Jacob raised his hand to where he’d been hit.

  Azuriah didn’t whisper. Without looking, he pointed at Jacob. “That is how the person can expect to be treated.”

  “A man or boy, yes. But Renforth wouldn’t treat a woman like that, would he?”

  “Ye—” Azuriah hesitated a moment. “Okay, he’d be a little more fair to a woman.”

  Dad folded his arms, a look of triumph on his face for having finally bested Azuriah.

  Azuriah glared. “You don’t—”

  “Then it should be a woman who goes,” Hayla called from the back. “And I’ll take the responsibility.”

  Gallus and Mr. Coolidge immediately started shaking their heads. Jacob straightened as far as he could to see better and was surprised to see that Hayla and Mr. Coolidge were holding hands. Holding hands!

  “We need her too much,” Coren the blacksmith yelled over the murmurs. “Someone who hasn’t been working so closely with the people should go.”

  “Then it should be me,” Bezza, Gallus’s wife, said.

  Coren rolled his eyes. “Someone who doesn’t have small children.”

  Aloren met eyes with Jacob, and he could tell she was about to volunteer. He shook his head and mouthed “no” to her. She’d already sacrificed enough, had already been through too much.

  Aloren ignored him and raised her hand. Dad was calling on her when Onaly strode up to the front of the group and turned to face everyone.

  “I’ll go. I’ve been a slave before. I’m a hard worker. I can handle physical and verbal abuse—it wouldn’t be the first time for me. And unlike Mothe—Hayla—I haven’t been here for very long. People don’t know—or trust—me as they do her.” She turned to Dad. “Your Majesty, I actually want to do this.” She paused, looking at a spot on the tree behind him. “There isn’t anything holding me here.”

  Jacob shifted in his seat, staring at his hands. He knew she was referring to him. From the corner of his eyes, he saw a few people turn to look, but he kept his eyes down, willing the redness to leave his cheeks.

  Dad pulled at his lip, studying Onaly. A hush fell over the crowd, and they all waited to hear what he would say.

  “If it’s what you really want . . .”

  She nodded. “It is.”

  “Then you’ll go.”

  “No!” Hayla jumped to her feet. “I’ve already lived my life. I’ve been in worse situations than her!”

  Onaly shook her head. “It’s only for a couple of months, Mother. And staying behind would be more dangerous.”

  Mr. Coolidge pulled Hayla back into her seat. He kissed her on the cheek, tucking her hair behind her ear, probably whispering soothing words to her.

  Onaly cleared her throat, blinking. “And you’ve got so many loved ones here. The risk is much higher for you than it is for me.”

  “She seems bitter about something,” Sweet Pea said from behind Jacob.

  Jacob almost smiled. Lucky Sweet Pea . . . his injury had prevented him from getting involved in a lot of the recent drama.

  Dad put his hand on Onaly’s shoulder and spoke to her quietly—probably expressing gratitude. He then dismissed everyone. It looked like Hayla was going to approach him and try to convince him to change his mind, but Mr. Coolidge persuaded her not to. She ended up storming away from him, wiping her face.

  Azuriah, Jacob, and Onaly Keyed to the cursed Shiengol city and began the long trek back to the link. Jacob sighed, getting ready for the harassing dead Shiengols and the negative emotions.

  But Onaly kept him distracted. She talked almost the
entire way. It was as if she realized he would never fall for her, that she wouldn’t see him for a couple of months, and that there hadn’t ever been a chance for the two of them to get together.

  Jacob surprised himself by listening intently. Of course, the fact that she started off the conversation with something really interesting didn’t hurt.

  “I know you like Aloren,” Onaly said. When Jacob turned to tell her he didn’t want to talk about that, she rushed on. “And I think you should know . . . though she just might kill me for saying something . . .”

  She had Jacob’s full attention at this point.

  “No, maybe I shouldn’t say something.” Onaly looked at Jacob, a teasing glint in her eye, and for a moment, he was tempted to strangle her to get her to continue. “Oh, I can’t keep it in anymore. She likes you too.” Onaly looked ahead, possibly so she wouldn’t see Jacob’s response.

  And good thing, too—he wouldn’t have been able to hide the huge grin that nearly split his face. Aloren liked him? Aloren? Wow! That was awesome!

  But what could Jacob do about this? He wouldn’t turn sixteen for a little over a year, and that was the age his family rule said he could start dating and spending time one-on-one with girls. Oh, well—at least the girl he’d liked for almost a year liked him too.

  Jacob nearly skipped to catch up with Azuriah. He did notice Onaly’s disappointment, though, and made a concerted effort to hide his enthusiasm. It just didn’t seem fair to her, especially since she was sacrificing nearly two months for Jacob and his people.

  Onaly caught up too and started talking about life in Ridgewood. As Jacob had suspected, she’d been a flirt. She said she couldn’t help it, but that someday, she would be with a guy who really liked her.

  Jacob agreed and reassured her. Then, when they got to the hole, he helped her down the steps. He was surprised that the spirits seemed not as grouchy that day, and that his emotions weren’t so off-kilter as they had been the last time. Maybe the negative emotions were strongest the first time through.

  Onaly backed away from the link. She felt how Jacob did before. She had no intention of going through that stuff to get to Renforth’s world. Total fear of the unknown.

  Jacob convinced her, though, and even let her hold his hand. He heard muffled screaming while they fell, and by the time they were on Renforth’s world, he couldn’t feel the fingers of the hand she was holding.

  “Disgusting!” Onaly shook herself like a dog, trying to get the mud off. “So gross.”

  Neither Azuriah nor Jacob said anything—Jacob was partially amused, but his thoughts had already turned to the upcoming meeting. Hopefully, they wouldn’t be thrown into a cell again. Hopefully, Renforth would cooperate. Hopefully, Jacob and Azuriah would be able to leave right away this time.

  Doulers jogged across the courtyard to meet them. “Hurry, hurry,” he said, putting a hand on Onaly’s back, ushering her forward. “Renforth will see you now, but we must be quick about it.”

  For a moment, Onaly only had eyes for her surroundings. Jacob wasn’t surprised—she’d probably never seen anything like it. But at Doulers’ insistence, she stopped gawking and hurried. The guards opened the door.

  Jacob almost grinned when Renforth beckoned the group forward and then greeted Azuriah. He looked at Jacob.

  “You’re in much better spirits this time,” he said.

  Jacob nodded. He wasn’t sure if he should speak—if that would be considered insubordinate—or if he should meet Renforth’s eyes. Azuriah never did prepare him to meet a Shiengol king. Obviously, human royalty here was non-existent, but the fact that Jacob was royalty back on Eklaron and part Shiengol had to mean something, right?

  “Come here, child,” Renforth said to Onaly.

  She approached his throne cautiously, eyes down.

  He had her turn around, show him her fingernails, open her mouth—Jacob wanted to ask if he was buying a horse, but decided to keep his thoughts to himself—and then let her step back.

  “You’ll do fine.” He pointed. “See that stool over there? Bring it. I want to rest my feet on it.”

  Onaly jumped to follow his order, and he laughed. “Quick one!” He turned to Azuriah. “I suspect you want me to fulfill my end of the bargain?”

  Azuriah didn’t say anything but just stared at Renforth.

  Renforth hesitated. “Perhaps I should have asked for more. Perhaps this task was too easy.”

  Azuriah glared. “You made a deal, Renforth.”

  “So I did.” He leaned forward in his throne, tapping the arm rests, alternating hands. He glanced back and forth between Jacob and Azuriah, probably reading their emotions. Jacob didn’t trust him—his emotions still showed dishonesty. From the corner of his eye, Jacob also watched Azuriah. The firm stance, hands at his sides, fists clenched—all of it showed Azuriah’s determination. But so did the colors, and surely Renforth noticed that. He wasn’t going to be able to convince Azuriah to change the deal.

  “Very well,” Renforth finally said.

  Jacob almost slumped in relief, but kept his body still, like Azuriah’s. Renforth’s eyes flicked to Jacob and he laughed. “Not as good at hiding his emotions, this one.”

  No one responded, and Renforth whistled. A couple of humans brought in a table with instruments on top. Renforth rolled up his sleeves.

  Onaly turned to Jacob, her eyes big. “I don’t want to watch this,” she whispered.

  Jacob looked around—no one was paying attention to them, so he took her to the side of the room. “Then don’t. I doubt Renforth will care.” He looked into her deep-blue eyes. “Don’t be afraid.”

  She stiffened. “I’m not.”

  “Onaly, I can see emotions. Remember?”

  She glanced away, not answering.

  “Azuriah is right. When we were here before, I did notice that the female slaves looked happier than the men—I don’t know why. But at least Renforth should treat you decently.”

  She nodded, still not meeting his eyes.

  “And I’ll do my best to make things happen quickly. We’ll come and get you, I promise.”

  She nodded again. “I’ll be fine.”

  “I know. I just want you to know we appreciate you. I appreciate you.”

  Azuriah approached, carrying a square metal container. The blood was probably inside it. “Let’s go, Jacob.”

  Onaly gave Jacob a muddy hug, then went to stand near Renforth’s throne. Jacob waved at her and smiled, hoping to encourage her. She would be okay—he was sure of it.

  He wasn’t as sure she’d get out in the end. It all depended on Jacob and his group’s ability to cure the Lorkon. If they lost? Onaly probably wouldn’t know right away. But when no one came to get her, she’d figure it out soon enough.

  That wasn’t a cheerful thought.

  ***

  Jacob and Azuriah returned to Mendon as quickly as they could and gave the blood to the Fat Lady and Aldo. Jacob imagined them pouring it into a black cauldron, then bringing it to a boil over a fire, cackling and rubbing their hands. That probably wasn’t the exact method of combining ingredients, but he might never know. The two potion masters refused to allow anyone near the antidote. Both were paranoid something would go wrong—a speck of dust would get in it, someone would accidentally knock it over, it would get contaminated by a whiff of bad breath, and other such things.

  Jacob snickered when he heard the Fat Lady bring up her concern of dust getting into the potion. Her cabin was the dirtiest place he’d ever seen. If dirt was going to contaminate the potion, it had already happened, and would happen a thousand times again before the stuff was finished.

  He decided to keep his thoughts to himself for the time being. Later, he told Matt and Aloren, and they had a good laugh about it.

  Now that he knew Aloren’s feelings concerning him, he didn’t know how to act around her. He was glad she wouldn’t be involved in getting the blood from the royal Fire Pulser so he didn’t need to figure things
out just yet. But every time they were together, he caught her looking at him. And of course, he had a hard time meeting her eye. Dang his stupid shyness! When would he get over it? He just hoped she was patient enough to wait until he got up the courage to do something.

  That was the last ingredient Jacob had to help find: the royal Fire Pulser’s blood. It shouldn’t be too hard, once they figured out where Lasia had gone and whether or not she was royal. But Dad was sure she was. They just needed to ask Sanso.

  Jacob Keyed himself to the town hall, ready to confront the Ember God, hoping someone was there this time.

  Chapter Nine: Needed: One Water-Spraying Contraption

  Eachan threw his cup across the room, shattering it against the wall. “Another dead-end test!” He turned to Sanso. “How are we to do it?”

  Sanso shrugged. “Such a great, simple plan. And without any way to execute it, we’ll have failed, just like these tests.”

  Eachan slumped into his seat and ran his hands through his hair. There had to be a way to get water on a Lorkon without spilling any on themselves! Everything they tried failed at least once—some, many times. And a failure would result in one of them being dead.

  They had to keep that dangerous water as far away from them as possible, but so far, both he and Sanso had gotten very wet with regular water every time they attempted anything.

  What they needed was a contraption with the power to expel water across a large distance. But how would they construct such a thing?

  Eachan still hadn’t seen the Lorkon anywhere. He wasn’t even sure they were around. But that didn’t stop the energy he felt in the air that built day by day. Something big was about to happen, and he didn’t want to be in the middle of it. He wanted to have his little game over soon, with a dead Lorkon as the result.

  Just then, the front door opened, and Jacob walked in. “Hi,” he said.

  Eachan only nodded in response. He looked back at the table in front of him with the cups and jugs of water where they’d been testing and trying different things. Something—a genius idea—had to occur to him.