Eyes of the Sun (18 page)

Once he’d been healed, though, and all of the Lorkon influence had left, he remembered the reason behind his anger. He was nearly impossible to control—his desires for revenge blinded him against reason, and he was aggressive and hurtful to the people around him. Jacob was positive they’d be able to use the man in some way—that he’d be good for their group, a leader or something—but no one agreed with him. It got to the point where Myler couldn’t stay in Taga Village anymore.

But Jacob and his group didn’t have many choices. The Lorkon had destroyed every door in Ridgewood, Macaria, and the ones Jacob had used previously in Fornchall. They even found Aldo’s door, along with the random ones surrounding August Fortress. The only doors untouched were a couple at the manor in the infected forest and the door in August Fortress itself.

After meeting with everyone, Dad decided to have Jacob take Myler to the fortress, along with all the people who were against helping or who didn’t care either way.

“We can’t have them wandering Eklaron,” Dad said, “especially Myler. He’s too volatile. And it would be dangerous if news of what we’re doing reached the Lorkon.”

The others agreed that August Fortress was the best place for the people to be held, since the Argots still surrounded the fortress and prevented escape. Maybe that was why the Lorkon left the door intact. They figured no one would be able to go there anyway.

Dad had Hayla accompany the people, helping them start farming and cultivating the available land around the fortress. Jacob transported food and other necessary items to them as needed, and after a few weeks, they reached enough independence to where Hayla was able to return to Taga Village.

The time for the first major harvest had arrived, and Kenji teamed Jacob, Sweet Pea, and Aloren to work together. Because there were so many people living in Taga Village—many of whom weren’t able to do a lot for themselves—all able-bodied people were required to help, but Jacob didn’t mind. He’d always enjoyed garden work, didn’t mind getting dirty, and was actually excited.

The sun had just barely risen when he grabbed his gardening gloves from the shed and jogged to Taga Village with Matt, who’d been assigned to work with Akeno, Jaegar, and Tani.

Tani had been working one-on-one with Onaly. Jacob was glad about that—Onaly wouldn’t have the chance to offend Aloren, and apparently, Tani worked really well with the girl. They’d quickly become friends.

Jacob took a deep breath of the summer-morning air, enjoying the fresh smells of the forest.

He knew he should feel differently about Aloren, but the idea of spending several hours with her—away from Kevin—only made him more excited about gardening that day.

But Aloren was distant and stiff. Sweet Pea tried to get her to talk and laugh and joke with them, but nothing worked. Jacob brushed her off, deciding not to let her sour attitude affect his enjoyment. He pulled a couple of weeds, then started picking green beans, enjoying the sound of the other gardeners conversing and a few people singing as they worked.

Sweet Pea wasn’t about to let Aloren off the hook so easily. After teasing her about her hair that morning—she hadn’t even attempted to do anything with it—he turned the conversation to Kevin.

“So, how’s the boyfriend?”

Aloren flipped her hair out of her face. “What boyfriend?”

Jacob’s heart started beating quickly. Had they broken up?

Sweet Pea’s eyes twinkled. “You know . . . loverboy!”

“What are you talking about?” she snapped.

“
Who
.
Who
am I talking about. Kevin.”

“What about him?” She viciously attacked the green beans, pulling them roughly from the vines. Jacob doubted those plants would survive.

“You’re seriously moping around. Are you pouting about something?”

It seemed as if Aloren hadn’t heard him and he repeated his question.

“No,” she said with exasperation. “What’s up with you? Why are you asking so many stupid questions?”

Sweet Pea met eyes with Jacob, then glanced back at Aloren. “What’s going on?”

She again didn’t hear him. Something must’ve been on her mind for her to be that distracted.

“Are you and Kevin having relationship problems?”

Jacob cringed, totally expecting Aloren to lash out at Sweet Pea for asking.

She flipped her hair back. “No, we’re
not
going to break up! Why would you even think something like that?”

Sweet Pea’s jaw dropped. “I didn’t . . .” He looked at the plants, obviously mortified. “Okay, so I only asked if you were having problems. I didn’t think about you guys breaking up. I’m sorry.”

“Look, I don’t want to talk about it, okay?”

Sweet Pea held up his hands, meeting eyes with Jacob again. He didn’t say anything, though, and Jacob bit his lip, definitely wanting to be invisible so Aloren wouldn’t snap at him too.

The rest of the time was as awkward as Jacob expected it to be. Aloren apparently had a hard time concentrating and couldn’t tolerate small talk, even if it didn’t involve her. Jacob sighed. He was grateful when Akeno showed up a couple of hours later, asking Jacob to take him back to Onyev’s time to get tips on plants.

They left immediately. Jacob dropped his gloves and dusted the dirt off his jeans. “Man, I’m
so
glad you came right then,” he said as they started toward Gratitude City.

“How come?”

“Aloren. She’s being really grouchy again. She wouldn’t even let us talk! I don’t know what’s wrong with her, but she’s been way off for the past few weeks.”

“I know. Even my father noticed. He doesn’t usually see those things.”

“What’d he say?” Jacob couldn’t help but be curious. Makalos view things differently—maybe Kenji understood Aloren better.

“Only that she’ll grow out of it eventually.”

Jacob scoffed. “Yeah, in twenty years, probably.”

Akeno didn’t say anything for a while, but as they passed through the gates of Gratitude City, he glanced at Jacob. “Do you still like her?”

Jacob nearly stumbled. He didn’t remember ever having told Akeno that he was interested in Aloren. What should he say? “Uh . . .” His words seemed to get trapped. Of course they would—his
thoughts
were trapped.

Akeno sensed his discomfort. “I’m sorry if that’s a question I shouldn’t ask. Matt told Sweet Pea a long time ago that you had a crush on Aloren, and Sweet Pea told me.”

Jacob didn’t respond at first. He kicked a rock off the road, wondering who else knew. Probably everyone.

His heart skipped a beat. Did that mean Aloren had heard? Oh, please no—she’d better not know. That would be so awful! He almost stopped walking. No wonder she was treating him differently! It disgusted her that he was interested. His stomach turned, thinking it all over. How would he act around her now? He’d forever wonder what she thought of him, how she could possibly stand to be near him.

Jacob realized Akeno was still waiting for a response. He took a deep breath, finally deciding that the truth was always best. “Yeah, I think I do.”

Akeno nodded. “What about Onaly? She likes you a lot.”

“I know. And she’s way too forward. It’s a little freaky.”

Akeno laughed. “I saw her grab your hand yesterday and wondered what you thought about that.”

“I was thinking about ways I could get her to let go without hurting her feelings.”

Akeno stopped outside Onyev’s place. “It might not be possible, Jacob. Forward girls—forward guys—they all end up experiencing emotional pain at one point or another. It’s just part of life.”

He turned and entered, leaving Jacob to ponder what the Makalo had just said. But what about the guys who
weren’t
forward? Jacob was one of them, and he’d been hurt too. Was it possible for no one to get hurt in these situations?

Deciding he didn’t know the answer, Jacob followed Akeno inside.

Onyev seemed happy to see them. They wandered his garden for a while, talking about Akeno’s plants—how they were growing, what colors they exhibited, and when they’d be ready to harvest for Aldo and the Fat Lady’s newest potions and experiments.

Then Onyev turned to Jacob, a serious expression on his face.

“You’ve mentioned the Lorkon several times. They’re rather large, aren’t they? And they have blood-colored skin that chafes and peels?”

Jacob nodded. “Yes.”

“Well, we’ve had a visit from two of them.”

Akeno’s mouth popped open. “You have? Are they the same ones from our time?”

The patriarch smiled, putting his watering can away. “No, they’re not. But they’re formidable and dangerous. As I told you previously, a few villages had been attacked by something unknown. Well, the attackers have come to light, and I’m finding they’re difficult to control and keep away. Until I can figure out how to get rid of them, we’ll have to be extra diligent.”

“Have any died?” Jacob asked.

“Not a lot—we’re fairly resilient, and the people were quick to act.”

Jacob glanced at Akeno. Too bad they weren’t resilient anymore. And neither were they quick to act. Jacob smiled, thinking about how many times the Makalos had asked him not to move quickly, to wait and watch things unfold.

He realized Onyev had started talking again, and looked back at the patriarch.

“ . . . lucky that there are only just the two. If I’d been motivated before to help you figure these creatures out, I’m doubly so now.”

Jacob tossed his empty watering can from hand to hand. “Do you think it
is
possible to get rid of them?”

“Oh, yes. Certainly. But it’ll be difficult and dangerous. I’ve learned how they become Lorkon, and it’s quite disgusting.”

The patriarch reached for the watering can, and Jacob handed it over. “Yeah, it is. I figured it all out a couple of weeks ago. Blood. And lots of it.”

Onyev nodded, putting away the cans. “The antidote will be very difficult to put together, I’m sure.”

“Do you have any clues to what it might be?”

“Not really. I may never figure out this puzzle.” He sank into a chair. “And I already know you and your people won’t be able to help. This is ancient magic. The more I study and research, the more I realize a simple potion or spell won’t rid us of these beings.” He motioned for Jacob and Akeno to sit as well. “I don’t have much information, but the three of us ought to figure something out, right? I have access to a great deal of knowledge, and you two have already learned much about the Lorkon. Let’s start thinking our way through this.”

Jacob scooted to the edge of his seat, eager to brainstorm with one of the smartest people he’d ever known.

“The antidote . . . the antidote,” Onyev began. “What would it be?”

“What about what my parents did to me when I was a baby?” Jacob asked. “To save me from the Lorkon? Could we replicate that?”

Onyev shook his head. “No. That didn’t get rid of the Lorkon influence in you—you carry some of their traits.”

Akeno raised his hand. “Have you tried full Rezend? Maybe the blood of a Makalo would counteract the Lorkon potion.”

Onyev pinched his lips. “I’m not sure it would. But I see your reasoning. If diseased blood creates a Lorkon, then perhaps clean blood would cure them.” He nodded. “I like that. I’ll focus on that idea here, if you’ll continue researching in your time as well. From what you’ve told me, things are a bit more precarious there.”

Jacob took a deep breath and released it. “Yeah, we’re pretty much stuck in the Makalo village, and there aren’t many willing to help us.”

“Being trapped is never a good option. You might want to look into removing the block on that entrance.”

“But don’t we want to keep the Lorkon out of the village?”

Onyev shrugged. “They’ll get through either way.”

Jacob nodded, but hoped Onyev was wrong. The seal he’d put on the entrance was the only thing protecting the humans and Makalos from the Lorkon. It needed to last
much
longer.

Chapter Twelve: A Shiengol Quest

A Minya approached Jacob almost as soon as he and Akeno returned to the present time. “Azuriah must speak with you now.”

Jacob said goodbye to Akeno, then headed over to Azuriah’s fortress. The Shiengol stood on the front step, hands on hips, waiting.

“Shiengols are approaching August Fortress. I need your parents and that Makalo Patriarch to find a place for the humans currently spoiling it. Some of the Shiengols who are coming won’t tolerate their presence.”

Azuriah’s arms shook, his hands still on his hips, and for a moment, Jacob wondered if he should be afraid. The color red swirling in the air around the Shiengol was incredibly bright, and Jacob realized the mistake Dad had made: he hadn’t asked Azuriah’s permission to take the humans to August Fortress. And that would annoy anyone, especially a Shiengol.

“Okay. I’ll be back,” Jacob said.

Azuriah nodded, folding his arms across his chest.

Jacob Keyed himself to the different locations, gathering Mom and Dad and stopping at Kenji’s.

He quickly told Kenji and his parents what had happened, then took them to Azuriah’s place.