The Golden Symbol (29 page)

Once more, he won.

Jacob would never tell the others how close they came to beating him, though. He grinned as the “crowd” cheered, holding the stitch in his side and trying to hide his exhaustion.

“It’s no fair!” Matt said, pointing at Jacob’s face. “He’s got those symbols! They’re making him win!”

“Not entirely,” Azuriah said. He was leaning against the garage door with Pambri, where he’d probably been watching. Jacob hadn’t seen them arrive. “They add to his Shiengol abilities, but not his human ones. And basketball is definitely
not
a Shiengol ability.”

The expression on Azuriah’s face made everyone laugh—he obviously felt this sport was beneath him.

Jacob decided to explain what he’d been doing. “I tapped into my power to see emotions, which took things a step farther, allowing me to see your desires. Pretty much, I knew what you wanted to do and used that against you.”

“Foul play!” Kevin called from where he’d slumped on the grass.

Jacob grinned.

Azuriah looked at Dad. “Now do you see why we plan to give him the extra strength? He’ll be able to predict the moves of the Lorkon even better than he did during this game.”

“As would you.”

Azuriah nodded. “Yes, but I wouldn’t be able to administer the antidote.”

Dad motioned in the general direction of the backyard. “Are you here for the feast?”

Pambri held up a bowl of salad. “We sure are!”

“Then let’s eat!”

Everyone cheered and went around back.

It was the best party Jacob ever remembered having. They laughed, played games, watched a movie, ate a ton of junk food, and meat and cheese and other good foods from both Earth and Eklaron.

But best of all, the day was spent with those they loved most.

Chapter Nineteen: Starting

Jacob woke up well before the sun had risen. Knowing what was to come put him on edge immediately. He grabbed the piece of paper he’d left on his desk the night before and quickly scanned through what he’d written. To-do lists weren’t usually his thing, but he hadn’t been able to sleep because he was worried he’d forget something.

First—shower.

Second—dress in his armor and robes. He looked over at the pile on his floor topped with his Shiengol pole, grateful that his fighting abilities with it had grown so much recently. He’d never truly mastered the sword—it was leaning in the corner. He hadn’t really used it since Azuriah had taught him how to fight with a pole.

Third—eat breakfast. Couldn’t forget that.

Fourth—Key to Azuriah’s fortress. Paint the symbols on Pambri, Azuriah, and Britt.

Jacob scanned down the rest of the list, realizing that almost everything else depended on other people.

From what he’d seen, the Lorkon wouldn’t be at the front of their army as before—they were sending a large battalion first, then would be followed by another huge battalion. The entire army was at least twenty thousand strong, made up of humans, Molgs, and Dusts.

Aldo and the Fat Lady insisted on keeping most of the antidote at the Fat Lady’s cabin, and everyone had agreed. Jacob was to carry one syringe, but the cabin was the safest place for it—the Lorkon had never figured out how to break through the protections there.

As a last-minute decision, the Fat Lady and Aldo had decided to stay at her house to guard the rest of the loaded syringes. When Jacob needed the antidote, he’d Key there to get it. Instead of the Fat Lady and Aldo helping the injured people, Hayla and Aloren would do it, with Aloren helping fight as necessary.

Jacob’s palms started sweating. He forced himself not to think about the pressure that had been placed upon him, concentrating instead on other aspects of the coming battle. He, Dad, Gallus, Akeno, and Matt would stick together. Jacob was grateful for that—there was no way he could defend himself, as well as Akeno,
and
Time-See.

He hurried with his shower and was tying up the last of his armor when someone knocked on his door.

“Hey,” Matt said, walking in. “Couldn’t sleep?”

Jacob shrugged. “I got about three hours.”

“You’re getting dressed for the battle already?”

Jacob nodded. “There’s too much to do. Don’t want to be unprepared when things start.”

“I’ll come with you to Azuriah’s.” Matt’s usual green color wasn’t surrounding him, and Jacob guessed his brother was feeling like this might be their last day together.

They headed down to breakfast. Before she’d let Jacob Key her back to the manor the night before, Mom had spent at least two hours cooking breakfast and lunch for her men. Jacob sure loved her.

He surprised himself by eating a ton. He’d figured he wouldn’t have an appetite.

Every few minutes, Jacob Time-Saw to Fornchall, where the Lorkon had camped. They still hadn’t left. As soon as they did, he’d send out a warning.

“They’re still at Fornchall?” Matt asked, shoveling the last bite of pancake in his mouth.

“Yup. Let’s go.”

They cleaned up after themselves, then Keyed to Azuriah’s fortress.

Pambri was waiting in the front hall. As soon as Jacob got there, they went upstairs, where Britt and Azuriah were sitting at the bathroom counter.

“Don’t rush it,” Pambri said, sitting down too.

“But don’t take more than ten minutes,” Azuriah said, turning to Jacob. “We might not be fighting, but we still have a lot to do in case the Lorkon decide to attack in our direction.”

Britt only smiled. Jacob hadn’t ever really talked to her—she never spoke in front of other people. Was she shy? He shrugged to himself, deciding it didn’t matter, and got to work.

As they’d done previously, Jacob started with Pambri. He’d practiced on her so many times, it only took a couple of minutes. She was quiet and kept her eyes shut the whole time. Jacob appreciated this—Britt sometimes forgot Jacob wasn’t full Shiengol and would open her eyes when someone spoke, momentarily blinding him.

It was her turn next, and she only blinded him three times. Which was better than usual.

Azuriah, of course, kept his gaze fixed on Jacob. He was the most awkward—glaring, daring Jacob to mess up.

Which Jacob did. Twice.

The first time it happened, Jacob pulled back, waiting for Azuriah to say something. But the Shiengol didn’t—maybe because Matt was there.

The second time, though, Azuriah shouted and jumped up from the chair, causing even more paint to spread across his face. He growled, staring at Jacob, breathing deeply.

“Why are you so clumsy?” His jaw was clenched. If he had been an Ember God, the place probably would’ve been in flames.

Jacob resisted the urge to roll his eyes. “If you wouldn’t stare at me so much, practically daring me to mess up, I wouldn’t be so clumsy.”

“Azuriah, just sit down,” Pambri said.

Jacob half smiled at his brother. Matt’s hands were in fists, his eyes not leaving Azuriah, as if he was ready to protect his brother if it came down to it.

Luckily, Azuriah listened to Pambri, and Jacob wiped the mistake away with the corner of a rag and started that section over again.

The best part of painting the symbols on the Shiengols’ faces was that when he finished, a rush of power flowed into his system. But while Jacob got stronger, the Shiengol he was painting would visibly slacken, and he couldn’t help feeling guilty. It was like taking away a part of them.

But it was voluntary, and it really
would
help.

As he and Matt walked back to Mendon, talking to and encouraging people along the way, he felt the Rezend in his body respond to the Rezend in the Makalos, and the Lorkon blood in him shy away from the happiness of some of the people.

Of course, the most powerful abilities he felt were Shiengol. Emotions floated toward him from much farther away. They were like waves of particles, drifting, flowing around. At first, it was as if he were watching a very colorful sunset—everything around him was brilliant. But he gradually adjusted and was able to concentrate on some emotions and tune out others up to almost a mile away.

It was cool.

That wasn’t all, however. Sometimes—not often—Jacob was able to see more than one location at once. The first instance, he actually tripped and fell.

Matt pulled him up. “What’s going on?”

“I can see you
and
the Lorkon,” Jacob said, dusting himself off. “And at the same time. This hasn’t ever happened before.”

It was so disorienting, he wasn’t sure that this part of his Shiengol abilities would help him. Mainly because he wouldn’t have time to practice it before the Lorkon came.

Speaking of the Lorkon. Jacob lost his breath for several seconds, then choked, trying to get his words out.

“Okay, what’s wrong this time?” Matt asked.

“They’re coming. They’re on their way! Why hasn’t the alarm been sounded? Why doesn’t anyone know? We’ve only got a couple of hours!”

Matt’s face drained of blood and his hands shook. “All right. Okay. What do we do?”

“Tell Dad.”

The brothers took off through the forest, speeding past people. It didn’t take Jacob long to notice that everyone else was panicked too—racing around, gathering things, putting on armor. The Makalos must have noticed the activity at Fornchall after all, and were preparing.

They reached Dad in the living room at the same time as Early, who delivered the message.

Dad turned to the brothers. “Good, you’re back. We’ve only got an hour or so to finish getting ready.” He ran his hand across his head. “I can’t believe I’m about to go to war against my own father.”

There wasn’t anything Jacob could say to that, and besides, Dad wasn’t listening. He turned and strode from the room and into the study.

“What do we do?” Matt asked.

Jacob looked at him. “You need to get your armor on. I’m going to find Akeno. Come meet us outside his hut when you’re ready.” Jacob dashed from the house and entered the forest, doing his best to keep himself at a slow jog. It was hard—every ounce of his body wanted to race as fast as he could. To run away. To hide. To do anything but find Akeno and face the coming army.

It didn’t take long to locate his friend. Akeno was issuing orders to the other Makalos and stationing them around the forest near the strongest of the trees. The forest would need a lot of reinforcing, but at least Akeno wouldn’t have to do it by himself anymore.

Sweet Pea was following him and Jacob sent him back to the house, where Dad had wanted him to be stationed in Jacob’s room with a crossbow pointed outside the window. The Makalo still wasn’t strong enough to climb trees, where he would’ve been more comfortable, but he seemed okay with being in the house. It would be up to him, Aloren, and a few others to keep the “hospital” safe. Hopefully, the army wouldn’t reach that far.

“Are you ready?” Akeno asked, flicking a glance in Jacob’s direction before turning back to Kenji, who was climbing a tree with some difficulty. “Reach a little higher, Father.”

“As ready as I can be,” Jacob said. He shaded his eyes from the early morning sun, hoping Kenji wouldn’t fall. But the patriarch made it to his perch, where he situated himself and waved Akeno off.

Akeno turned to Jacob. “Do we need to go over everything again?”

Jacob shook his head. He knew the drill—Time-See to watch for dangers and the Lorkon. Pull back and tell Matt, Dad, and Gallus what was going on. Help Matt with Akeno if necessary. While doing this, Akeno would be using the forest and shrubbery to watch the war too.

“Good. Um . . .” A look of uncertainty crossed Akeno’s face. “Where’s Gallus? Where are your father and Matt?”

“Gallus is over there,” Jacob said as he spotted the large man exiting one of the blacksmith shops with Coren. “Matt will be coming soon—he’s putting on his armor. Dad’s freaking out in the study . . . but don’t tell him I said anything. I think he needs some time to himself.”

Akeno nodded. “Okay. How would you feel about helping me make sure all the doors are situated properly and shut, ready to be used?”

“That would be great.” Even though Jacob knew it had been done a billion times in the past couple of days, he needed something to keep his mind off the war. He didn’t want to think of the casualties and injuries they’d probably have.

It took Akeno and Jacob the rest of the hour to hurry through the forest, checking every door. It was a good thing they did it, too—several of them were open. Jacob had never tried to Key to an open door before. Akeno was positive it wouldn’t work, and by the time they finished, they didn’t have time to test it out.

Distant booming echoed through the forest. Jacob and Akeno looked at each other. Jacob’s hands started shaking. His heartbeat sped up. All the saliva in his mouth dried up, and he felt like he was about to choke. He started breathing quickly. Had to calm down. Had to be strong—help Akeno. Fight the Lorkon. Win.

“They’re here,” Akeno whispered.

Jacob couldn’t answer—his throat was too dry, his tongue swollen. He grabbed his pole, wanting to have it in his hands, then Keyed the two of them to the door where Gallus, Matt, and Dad were supposed to meet them.

Matt got there first. “Sammy, Kevin, and Tani are at the house. Dad’s going to have them guard the place from the Earth side again.”

Jacob swallowed, trying to get rid of the dryness. It didn’t work. He couldn’t answer, but Matt didn’t seem to notice.

“They must be using huge drums to get that kind of sound.” He looked at Jacob. “Have you checked?”

Jacob shook his head. “Will now.” He Time-Saw to the Lorkon army. They were pouring through the entrance to Taga Village, the biggest Molgs carrying drums that they beat over and over again. The vast number of humans, Molgs, and Dusts made his mouth drop. How could he, Akeno, and their army of a few thousand defeat all of them? He pulled back from the vision, refusing to allow himself to think about that.

“Big drums. And gigantic Molgs.”

“What else did you see?” Akeno asked.

Jacob stared at his friend, wondering why the Makalo would ask when he could probably just look for himself, using the forest. Then he realized Akeno was trying to help him calm down and focus. To step into his role as prince.