The Golden Symbol (13 page)

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.

“How can I help you, Jacob?” he finally asked.

Jacob stood by the door, looking uncomfortable. “Actually, I need to talk to Sanso.”

Eachan raised his eyebrows. Since when had Sanso become an important figure in Jacob’s life?

“What do you want?” Sanso asked.

Knowing Sanso as he did, Eachan knew the Ember God’s question wasn’t out of rudeness, but curiosity. Eachan wanted to explain Sanso’s mannerisms to Jacob, but it seemed Jacob had already figured it out, judging by the relief on his face. That boy was
different
. Eachan had never figured out why, but he knew the Lorkon wanted the kid for a reason.

“I want to know more about Fire Pulsers.” Jacob approached the table and took a seat well away from Sanso.

“Okay . . . Why, may I ask?”

Jacob rubbed his cheek, looking down. “I’m not comfortable telling you just yet.” He glanced at Sanso. “You haven’t exactly earned our trust, you know.”

Sanso grinned. “Fair enough.” He leaned back, hands behind his head. “Where shall I start?”

“With their government. For example, was Lasia royalty?”

Sanso hesitated. “If I tell you, would you do something for me—us,” he gestured to Eachan, “in exchange?”

Jacob tilted his head and Eachan leaned forward, eager to hear the boy’s response. He knew where Sanso was going with this question.

“I suppose so.”

“Okay, good.” Sanso got up and put his hands on the back of his chair. “We need something that can force or spray water across a far distance.”

“Why?”

“You haven’t exactly earned my trust, you know.”

A smile crept across Jacob’s face, and Eachan couldn’t help but chuckle. Sanso had a quick wit—too bad he was so arrogant.

“All right.” Jacob didn’t even hesitate before giving an answer. “I know of something that’ll work. But I’ll need time to get it.”

“Very well.” Sanso pushed the chair under the table. “And yes, on her world, Lasia was the queen.”

Jacob got up from his chair. “Thank you.”

“Aren’t you going to tell us what you’ll bring back?” Eachan asked.

Jacob’s eyes glinted as he grinned. “No—it won’t make sense.”

He pulled the magical key from his pocket and unlocked the door. Eachan had never figured out how that thing worked.

Before going through, Jacob turned. “Where is Lasia now?”

“The Lorkon had me put her far behind the castle.”

“Okay. I don’t know how long it’ll take me to get back, but I’ll hurry.”

After the door shut, Sanso and Eachan looked at each other.

“Do you trust him?” Sanso asked.

Eachan nodded. “I’ve never seen the boy do anything dishonest. He’ll fulfill his end of the agreement.”

“Good.” Sanso yanked the chair out then dropped into it, arms folded. “I guess now we wait.”

“Yes, I guess so.”

Chapter Ten: Lasia

Jacob dashed upstairs and grabbed his wallet off his desk. He had ten dollars in it—that would have to be enough. Now, if he could just find Matt, they’d be able to run to Walmart and get back before Sanso and Eachan missed him.

But on his way downstairs, Dad stopped him. “What did you learn from Sanso?”

Jacob hopped on one foot, retying a shoelace. “Lasia is royalty. She’s queen of her world.”

“Oh, good.” Dad rubbed his eyes. “This is such a relief. We need to reach her immediately.”

“Okay, but I agreed to get something for Sanso in exchange for the information—I need to do that now.”

Dad put his hand on Jacob’s shoulder. “Son, you will uphold your agreement, but not at this moment. It’s more important that we take care of the antidote first.”

Jacob nodded, pocketing his wallet. Dad was right—getting rid of the Lorkon was the most important thing right now. He followed Dad into the office, where the Fat Lady was talking to Mom.

Once Dad had their attention, he turned to the Fat Lady. “We need a way to keep Lasia in place while we extract her blood.”

The Fat Lady’s eyes lit up with excitement. “So it
is
her?”

“Yes, but we must hurry.”

She clapped her hands. “Excellent! Things are moving along so well.” Then she became thoughtful, obviously thinking through the predicament. She fingered the hole in her stretched-out earlobe. “I think the same thing I had you do before would work.” She held up her hand, stopping Dad from saying something. “But with some modifications, of course. We’ll put the five diamonds on only one side, preventing them from fully connecting, but allowing them to create a shield. In fact, this is probably what I should’ve had you do last time.” She grinned. “Oh, well. We learned, right?”