The Golden Symbol (28 page)

The army the Lorkon were bringing was absolutely huge. Jacob had glimpsed sections of it as it entered Dunsany Mountain and the Molg tunnels near Ridgewood.

He wiped his sweaty hands on his pants, still not leaving his bedroom. There was so much more to do, and he hesitated. He wasn’t ready to join the rest in what was possibly their last meeting.

Was he ready? Definitely not. But was it possible to be ready for something like this?

At least he’d had plenty of time to practice painting the symbol on Pambri, Britt, and Azuriah’s faces. It was super awkward! Azuriah had been so very grumpy. He didn’t like having Jacob that close to him. And he especially didn’t like it when Jacob messed up and spilled the paint onto other areas of his skin that weren’t already scarred from the hot metal.

But Jacob had mastered it. He fingered the symbol around his eyes. He felt the power it gave him trickling through his system, giving his Shiengol abilities extra oomph.

He saw a glint of metal in the forest near a blue glow—there was Akeno! Jacob shook his head. His friend was again opening and closing doors, making sure none of them had rusted shut. Like they could in only two days. Besides, the Makalo had already spent a lot of time making sure the doors would be in perfect working condition for years to come.

Akeno wanted Jacob to have plenty to use, for many reasons. First, it would keep them safe from the Lorkon army. Second, Akeno hoped it would distract their enemies, though Jacob still wasn’t sure how. Third, and Jacob couldn’t understand this one either, Akeno had to have exactly twenty-four doors. It was his favorite number, apparently. They’d probably only use half of them, but Akeno didn’t care. He was doing his best to be prepared.

The doors were so strong that no normal ax could chop through them. Jacob and Akeno had built them together. Akeno made the steel and wood grow together, and Jacob had removed all the impurities and weaknesses. The doors were invincible.

If only their users would be.

Yesterday, Akeno had been running around, working like crazy. He’d pushed himself so far that he fell unconscious several times and needed Matt or Jacob to give him sap to strengthen him.

Jacob shook his head, then leaned his forehead against the cool window glass. He heard Matt call his name from downstairs—the meeting was probably ready to start—but he ignored him. He didn’t want to face another day of blistering hands, discouraged people, and impossible tasks.

His thoughts went to Aloren. She’d hung around the edges, wanting to help Jacob and Matt, but was constantly needed in other places. Jacob had longed to be with her, and he felt like she’d wanted to be with him . . . but they still hadn’t talked about anything, and Jacob was positive his parents would discourage them from doing that anyway.

Someone knocked on his door, but he didn’t turn.

“Jacob?” Mom walked in. She’d released her mother’s servants and had come back yesterday after the queen passed away. He’d been surprised that she wasn’t even sad—instead, an air of calm and peace now surrounded her, in spite of the impending dangers. “You okay, honey?”

Jacob turned from the window. “I’m not ready, Mom. How can I possibly do it all? And look at my hands.” He held them out. They were covered with blisters.

Mom tucked his hands inside her own. “I’ll get the anti-bacterial cream and some bandages.” She looked him in the eye. “Oh, Jacob, my brave, brave son.” She pulled him into a tight hug, rubbing his head. She sniffed and he squeezed her tight, not sure what to say.

“You’ve gotten shorter,” was the first thing that popped out of his mouth.

She laughed. “Funny,
funny
, my tall boy.” She leaned back and looked him in the eye again but didn’t say anything. Jacob resisted the urge to look away. Her eyes were blue—not the light blue that his were, but still clear and pretty. He was glad she hadn’t inherited the Shiengol trait. Otherwise it might have been her in his position, and he definitely didn’t want that. She’d already gone through enough.

She took a deep breath. “Your father wants to start the meeting. Let’s go now.”

Jacob nodded and followed her downstairs to the living room.

Dad sat on the couch, leaning forward, resting his arms on his knees. He didn’t look up when they entered the room, and it didn’t surprise Jacob. Dad had been so stressed lately. His predominant colors were a mess of
all
colors, bordering on hysteria. Jacob was glad no one else—aside from the Shiengols—saw this. Everyone believed the calm, confident exterior that Dad exuded.

Jacob wondered if this was how all great leaders were—suffering on the inside, brave and collected on the outside.

Mom sat on the couch next to Dad, putting her hand on his knee. “We’re ready.”

Dad startled, then got to his feet, seeming to put his thoughts behind him. “Good.” He glanced around the room at the usual people, then paused when he saw Jacob. “As soon as the Lorkon head this way, I’ll have you return your mother and sister to the manor.”

Jacob nodded, and Mom didn’t say anything. He supposed she already knew this.

Dad continued. “We’ve got a lot to do, and not much time to do it. The Lorkon are heading for Fornchall. We believe they won’t stay there long before leaving for Mendon.”

He met eyes with everyone in the room. “Aldo, have you and the Fat Lady decided what you plan to do during the war?”

Aldo shook his head. “We spent so much time on the antidote, we didn’t make any plans.”

“Then we’ll have both of you stay in the Fat Lady’s cabin. Do you want Jacob to open a link there so you can access this house when needed?”

The Fat Lady raised her hand. “I propose that Aldo and I stay here—in the house. Aldo has experience with war and if I’ve got potions and the like around me, I can make myself useful. Especially if we’ll be using your home as a hospital again. I’m sure Ebony wouldn’t mind help.” The Fat Lady met eyes with Ebony. “In fact, if I’m not mistaken, I’d bet Ebony would rather be fighting than healing.”

Ebony looked at her feet, her cheeks getting pink.

Dad rubbed his chin. “Is she right?”

Ebony nodded, but didn’t say anything.

“There’s nothing wrong with that,” Dad said. “You’ve got far more fighting experience than many others, and we could really use you.” He looked back to Aldo and the Fat Lady. “We’ll have the two of you take care of the sick and injured people.”

Dad took a deep breath. “Now, then. We’ve got to figure out what exactly needs to be done today and who must do it.”

He hesitated and glanced at everyone again. Jacob also looked around. What he saw disturbed him. Everyone was so exhausted—their emotions, their bodies. They weren’t ready for the war. They weren’t ready for another day like the last few.

Jacob looked at Dad and knew the same had occurred to him. And judging by his emotion colors, he was seriously thinking about something.

Everyone waited for him to speak, but for several seconds, he didn’t.

“You know what?” Dad said. “We’ve got one of the biggest, most dangerous wars in Eklaron history coming up. One more day isn’t going to do us much good when we’ve already spent so many months preparing. Why don’t we take the day off?”

The group murmured. Some stared at Dad like he was insane. Others had relief on their faces.

“In fact,” Dad said, “let’s give everyone the day off, and those of us here, in this room, will have a party. We deserve it—we need it.”

Mom smiled up at Dad. “Something to recharge the batteries?”

Dad grinned at her. “Exactly. Dear, why don’t you—”

Mom jumped to her feet. “Jacob, Matt, get the tables out from under the house. Aloren and Hayla, help me find my decorations.” She clapped her hands, a huge grin on her face. “This is going to be fabulous!”

Dad laughed. “Yes, honey, it will.”

And it was. Dad spread word to all of the Makalos and humans who weren’t in the usual group that they were to do whatever they’d like—so long as it didn’t involve the coming war. Everyone else ran around, getting things ready for Mom’s party. Gallus and his wife had Jacob open a link to their shop and they lugged back boxes and boxes of decorations. They hung bright red and blue banners from the trees and tables, and streamers along the chairs.

Mr. Coolidge left and returned half an hour later, his propane barbecue in the bed of his truck. Hayla went with him and they stopped at the store with money from Dad, buying as much meat as they could get their hands on.

Tani, Kevin, and Sammy arrived while decorations were being put up. They stood by the garage, staring into the backyard, mouths open.

Matt and Sweet Pea laughed at them and started to explain what was going on, but Jacob wandered away, wondering where Aloren had gone. He’d noticed her watching him several times while he and Matt set up the tables and chairs. Did she want to talk to him? Should he go find her? Yes. He should. His hands started sweating, but he ignored them, determined not to let any opportunities pass.

He found her by the shed, leaning against the wood, eyes closed.

“Aloren?” He put his hand on her arm.

She turned to him, a half smile making her dimple pop. Her eyes sparkled. “Yes?”

His insides turned mushy. What was he doing? Why had he been so impulsive? He took a deep breath. Time to throw his shyness away. “Isn’t this awesome?”

She looked away, doubt on her face. “I don’t know—”

Jacob laughed. “You can’t fool me. I see your emotions. You’re just as excited about a party as the rest of us.”

She whacked his arm playfully and he grabbed her hand to stop her, then didn’t let go.

She glanced at his hand, then up to his eyes. “Jacob?”

He swallowed. “Yes?”

“I . . . I’d like it very much . . . if . . .”

What was she trying to say? Jacob’s heart flopped. That she wanted to date him? Kiss him? His eyes strayed to her lips. Yes—please be that. A kiss. A kiss would be nice.

“I’d like it very much if . . . you played basketball with Kevin and beat him one last time.”

Jacob couldn’t help it. He laughed. That was so far from what he’d been thinking!

She scowled up at him. “What’s so funny?”

He shook his head, ignoring her question. “You want me to trash him?”

She nodded. “More than he’s ever been trashed before!”

“I thought you guys ended on good terms.”

She flipped her hair back. “Oh, we did, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to see him lose every now and then. His pride needs to be put in its place.” Her smile disappeared for a moment. “Just don’t tell him it was my idea—that would be bad.”

Jacob grinned. “Deal. I’ll be back!”

Feeling more energized than he had in months, Jacob dashed up to his room and grabbed his basketball. He waved at Early, who was sitting on his desk next to a plate of honey Mom had gotten her. Then he ran downstairs and outside.

“Basketball game!” Jacob called. “Basketball game in two minutes! And I’ll play against
all
of you.”

Kevin and Matt’s eyebrows shot up. “Are you crazy?” Matt asked. “We’ll destroy you.”

“I seriously doubt that.”

Kevin rubbed his hands together. “Looks like Clark needs some putting down.” He glanced at Matt. “Not you, Clark. The other one.”

“Oh, I got it,” Matt said with his usual easy manner.

“You’re so going down.” Kevin grabbed Jacob’s ball, tossing it from hand to hand.

“By you guys? Not likely.”

Matt whooped. “Awww, yeah! He’s trash-talkin’ us!”

The teenagers ran around the garage to the driveway. Jacob wasn’t surprised that a bunch of people followed, decorations and cooking apparently forgotten. He turned to see who he’d be up against, and grinned. This would be super easy. Matt, Akeno, Sweet Pea—who was getting better with his new leg all the time—Kevin, and Tani. Jacob was surprised to see her playing, since she usually didn’t. She stuck her tongue out at him when he looked at her. He laughed, taking off his Shiengol robes and armor that he wore all the time now.

Kevin and Matt cheered—they knew he gained strength from his armor. But what they’d forgotten—or maybe didn’t know—was that he didn’t need it to be good at basketball. He had that ability naturally. Plus, he still had the symbols around his eyes.

The game started. At first, Jacob acted like he was struggling. He played sluggishly, letting Kevin and Matt steal the ball every time they tried. Then, when the other team relaxed, he tapped into the power of his symbols, still amazed at how perfectly he could sense the other players’ emotions, distractions, and desires. He knew what they wanted almost before they did and homed on that, using his natural talent at basketball, racing around them, pushing them, forcing them to put their all into the game.

It worked better than he thought it would. Before they knew what had happened, he took his losing score and tripled it, far surpassing them.

The game ended quickly. The other team fell to the ground, breathing heavily. Jacob held the ball, looking down on them, ignoring Aloren and Mom cheering in the background. “And that’s how it’s done,” he said.

Even Sammy cheered, but she pretended to feel bad for Matt when he dropped near her side.

Dad appraised Jacob, arms folded. “Looks like someone is getting a little too full of himself,” he said. “Aldo and I would like to join Matt’s team.” He turned to the rest of the group. “Anyone else want to help?”

“Sure!” Mr. Coolidge said, getting up from the grass where he’d been lying near Hayla.

Jacob bit his lips, eyebrows raised. This was Dad’s favorite sport—he knew it in and out. Aldo was wiry and fast and hard to keep track of. And Mr. Coolidge had a
lot
of basketball experience. He’d played in high school and college.

They would up the risk considerably.

“Fine, old man,” Jacob said, tossing the ball to Dad. “Let’s play.”

Dad scowled at Jacob, then turned to the rest of his team, still scattered on the grass near the driveway. “Are you kids too tired to play? Wanna see some adults do better than you?”

“Never!” Kevin said as he and the rest jumped up. “Let’s play ball!”

This time, Jacob didn’t hold back in any way. He couldn’t afford to—not with so many more players. He raced around the others, stole the ball over and over again, slam-dunking it, throwing three-point shots.