Eyes of the Sun (24 page)

After making sure he wasn’t being followed, Ferron entered a room with tables and a familiar-looking basin in the center, full of blood. Jacob cringed as memories from the last time he’d been in a place like that flooded over him.

The Lorkon strapped Queen Ara Liese to one of the tables, still swaddled in her blankets, and then leaned against the table, waiting.

Nothing happened for what felt like an eternity.

Jacob sped up his Time-Seeing, watching as several minutes passed, then slowed down as Keitus entered the room. He sped up again when it became apparent that Keitus was also waiting. They chatted for what seemed like hours. Actually, Keitus talked, and Ferron nodded at appropriate times.

Then Het and Isan, Jacob’s uncles, joined the others. They carried syringes, along with buckets of some type of liquid. Ferron grabbed one of the buckets, dipped a large rag in it, and started smearing the walls with the stuff.

As soon as the liquid on the walls began drying, Jacob’s vision faded. He growled in irritation, trying to force his way into the room. It didn’t take long for him to realize that was a pointless activity. As before, there wasn’t any way his Time-Seeing eyes could break through the anti-Shiengol potion.

Instead, he returned to the present, scarfed down his chili, and hopped off his bed. He stared at the setting sun for a moment, hoping the remaining light would be enough. Returning to his spot on the bed, Jacob closed his eyes, Time-Saw to the past again, and the queen started glowing brilliantly. He tried to follow her the way Azuriah had taught him, but that didn’t work either. Over and over again, he watched her get carried to that room, but she never emerged.

Azuriah hadn’t been kidding—not even her corpse showed up later.

Jacob returned again and paced the rug, trying to figure it all out. A body couldn’t just disappear like that. It wasn’t possible. He thought through everything he’d learned over the past several months—almost a year. Nothing indicated a reason for her to disappear.

Obviously, the Lorkon had done it on purpose. They didn’t want Jacob and the others to be able to find her. But
how
had they done it?

Jacob felt like the answer was staring him in the face. He begged it to reveal itself to him, but nothing came.

After an hour, he went downstairs to find his parents. Maybe they’d be able to help.

Instead of Mom and Dad, Jacob found Matt and Sammy, Matt’s girlfriend, in the living room. He supposed that would suffice, and told them what he’d seen.

The brothers brainstormed back and forth while waiting for Mom and Dad to come back.

“Maybe they completely destroyed her body,” Matt said.

Jacob shook his head. “Couldn’t have. We didn’t defeat Lirone today because she’s alive somewhere.”

“Oh, yeah.”

“What if they put her in a trance that masked your abilities to See her?” Sammy asked. “Or hypnotized her or something?”

Jacob again shook his head. “Still wouldn’t keep me from Seeing.”

Matt got up and grabbed a ball from the corner of the room. He tossed it against the wall, catching it as it bounced back.

Jacob watched the ball, feeling like he was entering a stupor. He stood and paced, ignoring Matt’s actions.

“I know,” Matt said. “They cured her of being a Shiengol . . .” He stopped and laughed at himself before Jacob could say anything. “Yeah, not possible.”

“Did they use the Key of Kilenya and transport her somewhere else?” Sammy asked. “I mean, from what I understand—from what Matt has told me—if you’re not looking in the exact place where the person is, you wouldn’t be able to See.”

Jacob stopped, thinking. “I don’t . . . No, that couldn’t have happened. Aldo had the Key that whole time.”

He slumped on the couch, pushing his palms into his eyes. “It feels like it’s right there. Like it’s practically begging me to discover it.”

“Is there some sort of medication they could have given her?” Matt asked. “I mean, do they have plants or potions or dirt that make it impossible for Shiengols to see things?”

Jacob jerked to an upright sitting position. “That’s it!” He jumped to his feet and grabbed Matt. “You’re a genius!”

Sammy smirked. “I could have told you that.”

Jacob grinned. “It’s perfect. They must have used that stuff that keeps me from seeing what they’re doing.”

“So they put it on her?” Sammy asked. “Wouldn’t it have worn off eventually?”

Jacob turned to her. “There were syringes. They didn’t have to put the invisa-stuff
on
her—they
injected
her with it.”

“Ew!” Sammy scrunched up her face. “That’s disgusting.”

“It totally makes sense though, doesn’t it?” Matt’s usual green color was almost blinding, it was so bright.

Sammy folded her arms, an eyebrow raised. “Are we sure this isn’t too much of a stretch?”

“Oh, come on, Sammy,” Matt said. “It isn’t a stretch.” He looked at Jacob. “Right?”

Jacob scratched his head. “I really don’t know,” he said, “but it’s the only thing that makes any sort of sense.”

Matt gloated. “Plus, it was my idea, so it
has
to be right.”

Sammy playfully smacked at Matt and he dodged out of the way.

“Can we test the timing with Azuriah?” Matt asked, calming down. “I’m guessing the room went invisible before she died.” His eyes lit up. “Can’t he Time-See? Wouldn’t he be able to tell?”

Jacob nodded. “I think so.”

Matt ran his hand through his hair. “That was a huge gamble on their part. What if the injection killed her?”

“I bet they tested it on other people first. Made sure she’d be okay.” Another thought dawned on Jacob. “The basin in the room. It was full of blood. They were trying to turn her into a Lorkon.”

He sat back on the couch, the implications of what he’d just figured out hitting him all at once. She’d been a test subject. Their first try at turning a Shiengol into a Lorkon. And they’d wanted to keep the Shiengols from figuring it out.

Not only that, but there was now only one Lorkon in all of Gevkan with an unknown history.

The female in the infected forest. Was it true? It had to be!

He bounced on the couch, turning to Matt. “Queen Ara Liese is the female Lorkon!”

“Whoa,” Matt said. “Wait a second. How’d you figure that out?”

Jacob took the ball from Matt and tossed it from hand to hand. “Easy. The room the Lorkon took her to had tables with straps, just like in the castle in Troosinal. And there was a bowl full of blood, just like in Troosinal. And they brought lots of syringes.”

By the time he’d finished talking, Matt was nodding and smiling. “You’re right—I’m sure you are.”

“We’ve got to find Mom and Dad and tell them,” Jacob said.

“They went out to get pizza,” Matt said. “But they should be back soon.”

Jacob hoped Matt was right—he couldn’t wait much longer. He couldn’t stop thinking about what he’d just learned. It was insane! Ferron had injected the queen not only with a Lorkon potion, but a potion that made her body invisible to other Shiengols!

But why hadn’t they put that potion into Jacob as well? Had something gone wrong? Did Dad rescue Jacob and Mom before the Lorkon could inject him with the stuff? Jacob knew they would have done it if they could—Keitus wanted Jacob more than anything. Keeping his grandson invisible from his enemies would’ve been a genius move.

The garage door opened and Jacob jumped up. As soon as Mom and Dad stepped into the kitchen, he bombarded them with his news.

“I know where Queen Ara Liese went!”

Mom and Dad stared at him, looking a little surprised—they probably hadn’t expected to be assaulted the moment they got home.

“You do?” Mom asked.

“Yes! She’s the female Lorkon in the infected forest!”

Dad frowned. “Really? You’re sure?” When Jacob nodded, he continued. “How’d you figure it out?”

“Long story—like Azuriah said, I couldn’t follow her by Time-Seeing, so I found a different way.”

Jacob then told them first what he’d seen, followed by his discussion with Sammy and Matt. Matt interjected, making sure Mom and Dad knew he’d figured out the first part. By the time Jacob finished, Dad was sitting on one of the bar stools, a plate of untouched pizza in front of him.

“Your theory isn’t perfect, but it feels right.” He rubbed his head. “Let’s find Azuriah and tell him. We’ll eat when we get back—this is more important.”

It was a late trip to Azuriah’s fortress, and Jacob was nervous the entire time. Knowing that the Lorkon could enter the village at any moment took away the feelings of security he’d previously felt while there. Mom asked Ebony to accompany them, since she was one of the only fighters left. Gallus was sleeping off the Kaede Sap that was healing his thigh. And Sweet Pea . . . Jacob’s excitement dropped, thinking of his friend who would never regain his leg, no matter how much Kaede Sap they used. So awful.

Jacob and the others arrived at the fortress and Azuriah opened the door, Pambri at his side. Dad explained what Jacob had learned. Azuriah scowled. He didn’t accept the story as quickly. But as soon as he Time-Saw and watched the scene Jacob had watched, he finally agreed.

“We’ll talk about it later. I’m going to bed.”

The fortress door was shut before Mom, Dad, and Jacob could even step back.

Dad chuckled. “I do like his idea—sleep sounds wonderful.”

Jacob couldn’t agree more. The next day would be a busy one—he was sure of that. They’d have to find a way to get Ara Liese, and fast. Who knew when another attack would come.

Chapter Fifteen: Eye Wars

By the next morning, Azuriah was ready to tackle the problem of how to get the female Lorkon out of the infected forest.

He paced the floor in his library during the meeting. “You all understand that this new information explains how the Lorkon were able to break through the entrance to the village. Jacob used Shiengol abilities, mixed with Rezend and some Lorkon. She’s a full Shiengol and a full Lorkon. Her ability to spread corruption overcame Jacob’s Rezend.”

Jacob raised his eyebrows. He hadn’t thought of that. Thinking about her being out there, with nothing to protect them from her in case she came, was a bit freaky.

Azuriah continued. “We’re going to need to remove her without the Lorkon knowing. And we won’t be able to ask her nicely.” He looked at Kenji. “Your boy shrinks things. He’ll shrink her and put her in a box and carry her to Sonda Lake. She won’t need to be full-size to participate.”

Matt raised his hand and Azuriah glared at him, folding his arms. “
What
.” He said it sharply, without a questioning tone, as if hearing Matt speak was the last thing he wanted.

“Don’t the Lorkon spread disease with every touch?”

“So?”

“Wouldn’t that mean that Akeno would get diseased?” Matt glanced at the Makalo. “I mean, he’s already been there. Isn’t it a little rude to ask him to go through all that again?”

Azuriah also turned and looked at Akeno. “He won’t have to. Makalo, you’ll wear protective gloves.” He sat down behind a desk. “But I don’t think we’ll need to worry about diseases with this particular Lorkon.”

“Why not?” Kenji asked.

“According to Jacob’s description, she’s not covered with blood.” He looked to Jacob for verification.

Jacob nodded. “But those bugs that flew out of her mouth might do some damage.”

“I’ll deal with that when the time comes.” Azuriah got to his feet again. “We’re going to need to get her as soon as we can—in the next few hours, if possible.”

Dad nodded. “I’ve arranged for a couple of weeks off from work.” He winked at Jacob. “That’s what happens when you’re in charge. You can make someone else take over for a while.”

Mom’s shoulders relaxed. “Thank you, honey. It’s been hard with you so busy lately.”

Jacob watched his parents. It had never occurred to him how stressed Dad must be with everything going on.
Jacob
was stressed, and he didn’t even have a job!

Azuriah turned to leave the room. “You decide who will need to accompany us,” he said to Dad, then walked out, probably to get some food. Jacob’s stomach grumbled—he’d only had a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast, and that
definitely
wasn’t enough.

“All right,” Dad said. “Jacob and Akeno will go for sure, along with me and Azuriah. We’ll focus on Ara Liese.” Dad looked at Jacob. “You said there were snakes, right?”

“Yeah, huge ones.”

“We’ll need to have a team of people to take them out.”

Mom touched Dad’s arm. “Shouldn’t I be there, since I’m her daughter?”

“No, my dear. She’s not your mother right now—not really. We can’t risk having you hurt in the process.”

Jacob was sure Dad had other things on his mind. He probably didn’t want his wife seeing her mother as a Lorkon. That wouldn’t be a memory Jacob would want.

Aldo steepled his fingers and looked at Dad over them. “There’s something we haven’t considered yet,” he said.

“What’s that?”

“The Lorkon. I’ll bet they know by now, or at least suspect, that we need her. They’re either going to do everything in their power to get to her first, or they’ll attack while we’re gone.” He lowered his voice. “And I don’t think this village can withstand another surprise.”

Dad sighed. “I’m sure you’re right.” He looked over at Jacob. “Go find Azuriah. Tell him our worries and see what he has to say. Maybe the Shiengols can help.”

Jacob walked straight to the kitchen. Sure enough, Azuriah was there with Pambri, eating an omelet. Jacob explained the situation, and before he’d even finished talking, Pambri was already nodding.

“We’ll make sure the Lorkon don’t get to Ara Liese before you do,” she said. “And I’m sure, since the forest is so close to the entrance, that we’ll be able to protect that too. But we need to leave now.”

Azuriah looked up from his food. “Go tell everyone to get ready.”

Jacob rushed back to the library—the expression on the Sheingols’ faces had been pretty serious. He delivered the news and Dad started issuing orders. Mr. Coolidge, who knew the humans from the scented air best, was to lead the snake group. Since he didn’t have any fighting experience—arguing with high school students didn’t count—Gallus would accompany him.