Ember Gods

Chapter 4

Matt pushed the telescope aside and put his arm around Jacob's shoulders. "It's going to take some getting used to—this whole business about my brother having superpowers and all."

Jacob shrugged off Matt's arm.

Matt laughed, holding his hands up defensively. "Besides basketball, of course."

Kenji smiled. "You have no idea. And we're almost certain more gifts will surface, especially after what happened at the castle, when the Lorkon touched him. We feel it will have brought his powers out, and that they'll start manifesting themselves. The ability to find weakness is a great power, but it isn't something the Lorkon would risk everything to get. There are other things still lurking in your brother."

"Like what?"

Kenji shrugged. "We're not sure."

Matt pushed Jacob playfully. "Well, get a move on!"

Jacob laughed, but didn't respond, and Brojan led them out of the tree and toward Kenji's place. Jacob was lost in thought, grateful his legs were able to hold him up now. The ability to make weak things strong was wonderful, but it exhausted him. He hoped his other powers wouldn't be so tiring.

They entered Kenji's house, and Brojan said goodbye. Jacob turned to Kenji and asked a question he'd been entertaining for a while.

"Why doesn't anyone just climb over the canyon walls? I mean, the tree is tall enough so you can see over them to the lands on the other side. It shouldn't be that difficult."

"Good question," Kenji said. "You heard of the enchantments on the Fat Lady's cabin? We put similar spells around the canyon. Nothing will ever be able to get through, not even a Yoon. We purposefully left the entrance exposed, knowing we'd eventually want to come and go."

Ebony handed out cups of water. When she got to Jacob, she took his hands and examined the blisters. "Nothing some sap won't cure." She left the room, returning moments later with a package, which she opened.

"We want you to keep the key for now," Kenji said. "You're the only one who can use it, so there's no point in us holding on to it."

He exited through one of the doors at the back of the room, and Jacob held out his hands for Ebony as she approached with the soaked strips of cloth. She quickly wrapped his wounds.

"You know it won't heal all the way until you've slept, right?" she asked.

He snorted. "Yes. Learned that the hard way."

She nodded. "That's right. Your exhaustion won't be as strong this time."

"Thank goodness."

Ebony finished up just as Kenji returned, carrying the ornate box Jacob had taken from the Lorkon castle. He stopped, his jaw dropping, and stared at the box. The container had begun to glow, and a faint strain of familiar music emanated from it.

Jacob smiled, glad to hear the melody again, and reluctant to admit it was nice to have the key back in his presence.

Kenji nodded. "Just as I'd hoped. It comes to life around you." He handed the box to Jacob. "You are the only one who can use it."

Jacob opened the box and wasn't surprised by the burst of music and light, but Matt was. He yelled and jumped back, holding his hands in front of him defensively.

"Oh, geez," Jacob said, laughing. "It's just a harmless old key."

Matt smiled sheepishly, dropping his arms. "You never know. There are a lot of things here that are really crazy. And after what happened to you in that castle, I don't want to be bewitched or something."

Jacob snorted, but didn't respond. He looked at Kenji. "Does this mean I'll be running a lot of errands?"

Ebony nodded. "Starting tomorrow. We'll have a meeting around five o'clock your time. For now, I'm sure your mom wants you home."

"Yeah, we have chores. And I hate leaving her alone."

Jacob and Matt turned to leave.

"Should I use the key now?" Jacob asked.

Kenji motioned for Jacob to go ahead, and he pulled it out of the box, directing it toward the door. The prongs changed shape as they neared the keyhole, fitting perfectly.

"Um . . ." Jacob tried to remember what he'd said the day before. "My house." He glanced at the Makalos. Ebony motioned for him to continue, and he turned the key to the left, opening the door. His front room greeted him.

"Wow, that's cool," Matt said.

Jacob agreed.