The group caught up right when Jacob exited the tunnel. After a joyful reunion between Gallus and Aloren, Ebony ordered the teenagers and the Minyas to go to the Fat Lady’s cabin while she, Gallus, and Sweet Pea stayed behind to see to Eachan.
Jacob couldn’t remember a time when he’d been happier to see the Fat Lady’s messy interior. He was exhausted, but couldn’t help smile at what had happened. He’d sensed the Minyas’ power and had been able to draw from it! Was it a new ability? It had to be—he could now feel the magical skills of those around him. The Fat Lady actually had a gift when it came to potions. That was why they worked so well. Her gift was the final ingredient. He wondered if she knew that.
Matt and Aloren had the same feeling, and Jacob understood why. They were non-magical humans, but had taken the same potion. Matt recently, and Aloren several months ago.
And the Minyas—the poor, sweet Minyas. They’d survived, though they’d been unconscious most of the time. Jacob had carried them back. He watched over them while Matt helped Aloren clean up the cuts she’d sustained during a fall in her escape. When she was ready, Jacob returned her bag. She smiled at him gratefully and pulled out Hazel’s container, placing the Minya inside.
The Fat Lady dug through her cabin for several minutes, trying to find a box for Early. She finally emerged, her bun coming loose, a metal tin in her hand.
“This should do the trick,” she said. “Haven’t used it in years, but that doesn’t matter.” She handed the silver container to Jacob.
Jacob gently slid his fingers under Early’s still form, placed her on the cushioned material in the box, and closed the lid.
“Don’t touch those for at least half an hour,” the Fat Lady said. “Any movement will set the Minyas back, and being so close to death, it’ll most likely kill them.”
Jacob pulled his hand away from the container and sat frozen. He’d feel awful if Early died because he knocked her box accidentally.
Ebony, Gallus, and Sweet Pea arrived, out of breath, and slammed the cabin door shut, deep yellow swirling around their faces.
“Phew!” Sweet Pea said. “That was close!”
“What happened?” Jacob asked.
“The Lorkon showed up right as we were leaving the tunnel. We barely beat them here.”
The Fat Lady looked out the window near the front door. “Yup. They look ticked. Good thing the spells on my cabin are stronger than they are.”
Aloren stood. “Eachan?”
“We had to leave him behind,” Ebony said. “We couldn’t move him. Not even an inch.”
Jacob nodded. “The Lorkon barrier,” he said. He hesitated, glancing at Aloren, then back to Ebony. “Is he alive?”
“Yes,” Ebony said. “He should be fine in a few hours. His injuries were mostly minimal—exhaustion and burns, which we treated with Kaede Sap.” She sat down, wiping sweat off her forehead. “I just don’t know what to do, though. He’s stuck there. Can’t go forward, can’t go back. He’ll die unless someone checks on him regularly. Gives him food and so forth.”
“Wow. That’s gonna be awful for him,” Matt said.
Ebony nodded. “We’ll make him as comfortable as possible.”
Gallus looked around. “How are all of you doing?”
“Matt and I are fine,” Jacob said. He nodded to Aloren. “She could use some Kaede Sap, though. She’s got some cuts that don’t look good.”
The Fat Lady and Ebony worked together to mend Aloren’s wounds, and Jacob rested his forearms on his knees. He looked up when Ebony gasped.
“Oh, wow,” Ebony said, holding Aloren’s arm. “How’d this happen?”
“Sanso, the Ember God, burned me, trying to get me to talk.”
“Let me see,” Jacob said, his voice catching in his throat.
Aloren approached him, smiled, then quickly looked away. She lifted her sleeves, revealing white-patterned skin on her upper and lower arms.
Jacob stared at them in horror. “It’s like he . . . he tattooed you! How’d you handle that?”
She shrugged. “Same as how I lived through watching my mother die—there wasn’t anything else I could do. And I wasn’t going to tell them about you.”
A strong emotion flowed through Jacob—he wasn’t sure what it was. Pride? She’d defended him! He felt his cheeks redden, and he squared his shoulders.
“She’s got some pretty tender bruises and other wounds,” the Fat Lady said. “But we’ve fixed her up the best we can for the time being. She’ll be fine. No broken bones. What she really needs is a good, long night’s rest.”
The Fat Lady pointed at Gallus. “You’re next.”
“I’m fine—didn’t get hurt. Just tired.”
“Same here,” Sweet Pea said.
“Well, shoot,” the Fat Lady said, looking disappointed. “How’d you guys get off so easily?”
Gallus smiled. “We were evenly matched against the Ember Gods. They couldn’t get an upper hand on us, nor we on them.” He paused. “We’ll need more on our side if we fight them again.”
“When, more likely,” Ebony said.
The Fat Lady inclined her head. “We need Shiengols.” She motioned to Jacob. “He needs them.”
Jacob frowned. “Why would I need Shiengols?”
Gallus leaned back in his chair. “They’re wise, powerful beings, and will be better able to help you develop your abilities.” He sighed. “They’re still in August Fortress, though—they never got away.”
Jacob’s eyebrows shot up. “You mean, they’re still stuck where they were when Dmitri—er, my dad, rescued my mom?”
“Yes—yes, they’re still there.” Gallus rubbed his face.
“There wasn’t any way to release them,” Ebony said. “We tried, but the Lorkon stopped us each time. Realizing we were worth more to the Shiengols alive than dead, we gave up.”
Jacob felt himself flush. “Gave up?”
“Yes,” Gallus said. “Not forever, of course. We need to get them out soon.”
“Are they even still alive?” Matt asked.
Gallus snorted. “Of course they are.”
Matt frowned. “How do you know?”
“They’re Shiengols.”
Matt rolled his eyes. “That doesn’t mean anything to me.”
Gallus sat down, leaning back in the chair, eyes closed. “You can’t just kill a Shiengol. It takes special weapons to get rid of them permanently. They’re not immortal, but they do live for a very, very long time.”
The group was silent for several moments while the Fat Lady brought out drinks.
Matt took his cup and sniffed it. “Please tell me this won’t taste anything like that disgusting stuff you made me drink last time.”
The Fat Lady laughed. “Worse. It’s made from the juice of apples.”
“Oh, okay.” Matt downed the entire glass and asked for more.
Jacob turned to Gallus. “What made the Ember Gods run away from you guys back in Maivoryl City?”
“I’m not sure, really. We’d stopped fighting for a moment, and there was a pop and a small burst of flame in front of the Ember Gods. The flame went away and a black object floated in front of them. Couldn’t hear what was happening, but it looked like they were talking to the thing. Then another pop, a burst of flame, and the thing disappeared. The Ember Gods ignored us and raced down the street.”
“Fire Beetles,” the Fat Lady said. “They’re new—come from a different planet.”
“Another planet?” Jacob asked.
“Yup. The same planet where Pulsers and Turners originate. I've done my research since you and Matt tried to get Aloren last time. Fire Turner, by the way, is the correct name for these Ember Gods—from what I’ve heard, they enjoy their nickname, but we don’t need to be building up their egos. Beetles are the equivalent of a Minya on that planet, though they’re only good for one conversation. They appear, the people talk back and forth through them, then the beetles burst into flames and die.”<
br />
“They die?” Matt asked. “Seems kinda extreme.”
“Sure is.” The Fat Lady sat on the couch. “The Lorkon have discovered many things that are foreign to us. I’ve done my best here, researching and trying to figure things out, but with only a little luck.”
“Wait,” Aloren said, turning to Jacob. “You tried to get me once already?”
Jacob nodded. “Yeah. We weren't very successful, though. The Fire Turners burned my back and broke Matt's leg. Ebony was able to heal us, though.”
“They're so evil.”
Gallus stretched, then got to his feet. “I’m ready to head home. And we should report to Brojan and Kenji—I’m sure they want to hear from us.”
Kilenya Series Books 1, 2, and 3 Page 102
