The Key of Kilenya

by Andrea Pearson

  When Jacob finally woke, his mind was clear. He stretched as far as his legs and arms would let him, then sat up, rubbing his eyes. The sun was bright in the sky, and he guessed it was close to noon. He heard voices downstairs, recognizing one of them as Jaegar's. He grabbed the bags and went down the stairs, crouching at the bottom where the two Makalos wouldn’t see him. Jaegar was opening the windows, a little blonde Makalo followed him around.

  “No, Kaiya,” Jaegar said.

  She stomped her foot. “Why not? I won’t wake him. I just want to peek.”

  “Mother and Father said not to go upstairs, so the answer is still no.”

  “But Jaegar—”

  Jacob sprung into the open. “Boo!” he yelled, then laughed when Kaiya screamed and dropped the book she’d been holding.

  She jumped behind Jaegar, covering her face.

  “Hey!” Jacob said. “You look a lot better.”

  Jaegar smiled. “Yeah. Thank you—for everything.”

  “How’s Akeno?” Jacob asked.

  “Still sleeping,” Jaegar said, taking his sister's hand. “Come—Mother and Father wanted to see you as soon as you woke up.”