The Soulkeepers

Chapter 42: The Emancipation of Jacob Lau

                   

"Lilly!" Jacob yelled toward his mother. He was afraid to yell Mom, afraid the Watchers might use their relationship against them. "Lillian!" he called again but she would not turn, would not or could not stop rocking herself in the shabby bed. It was as if she couldn't even hear him.

A group of Watchers had formed around him, imitating him and laughing. They were taking turns changing their features to resemble his. Jacob watched as their skin became lighter or darker to match his own and their hair changed to his untamed cut. The female Watchers would keep their long locks but try on his skin tone or cheekbones.

Oddly, two Watchers at the back weren't participating in the game. They stared at him, a hint of something he might have interpreted as compassion in their eyes. One was a gorgeous Indian Watcher, tall with iridescent brown skin and eyes the color of dark amber. Her friend had long red hair, piercing green eyes, and a low-cut emerald green dress. They looked familiar to Jacob. He glared in their direction, trying to sort his thoughts.

The green eyes sliced right through him, as if they could see into his soul. But it was the amber eyes that attracted him. The golden hue warmed him from head to toe. Where had he seen them before? He stared more intently and the Watcher did the oddest thing, she nodded and smiled.

That small tip of her head, that smile, Jacob's brain flooded with memories of Malini, the way the gold and red had danced in her eyes by the fire, the sweetness of her grin. One of these creatures might have copied her appearance, but they could never copy the genuineness of her smile. It had to be her. But how did she get here and why was she one of them?

Jacob turned away. To get her alone, he'd need to be less entertaining. With a stretch and a yawn, he walked to the bed and crawled under the pitifully dirty blanket. Peeking out from a tiny crack, he made his chest rise and fall rhythmically.

As expected, the crowd began to make disgruntled noises. After a few rocks thrown in his direction, the Watchers wandered off one by one. All except for Malini and the Watcher she was with. The redhead approached the cage door.

"Jacob," she called in a raspy whisper.

He pulled back the blanket.

"Jacob, it's me, Dr. Silva."

He approached cautiously. "Dr. Silva? What happened to you?"

"It's a long story. We've got to get you out of here. Malini's here as well."

"I saw her."

"She's keeping watch, in case we have company."

He looked down at Dr. Silva's fingers on the cage door. "It's locked."

"Yes, of course, Jacob."

"Dr. Silva, I'm so sorry about what I did. I know I don't deserve it but thank you for coming for me."

"I forgive you, and based on what Malini has been through to get this far, I think she has also."

"Yes, I have." Malini walked up behind Dr. Silva. "But Jacob already knew that."

Jacob's whole body tingled at the sight of her. "It's nice to hear it out loud," he said. In fact, the forgiveness seemed to heal some of the despair that hung in the air. His chest felt lighter.

"I have something for you, my friend," Dr. Silva said. She handed him a bottle of water. "I recommend using discretion. We are not entirely alone."

If there were a way for him to fit inside the bottle, he would have done it. As it was, the familiar hum of the water was soothing beyond belief. He took a small sip, strength seeping into his flesh with the liquid. Then he filled his palm. A disc of ice shot from his hand, slicing the lock in two before returning to its source. He willed every drop back into the bottle.