Ember Gods

Chapter 10

Butch scratched his chin. "If he won't be here for another half hour, what're we all doing here now?"

Jacob rubbed his own chin. How did Butch get that much facial hair? Jacob's had been slow to come in, and was just barely getting thick. Butch had a ton of it.

"We want you boys to get to know each other, since you'll be working together a great deal in the next while."

Butch glanced at Jacob. "I already know Human Boy. He's cool." He leaned back in his chair, then patted his stomach. "My mom would kill me if she knew I was asking, but do you have any food?"

Ebony laughed, but Brojan scowled at the teenager. "Sweet Pea, please take things seriously."

Jacob's stomach rumbled, reminding him it'd been a while since he'd last eaten.

What Brojan had said sank in. Apparently it hit Matt at the same time.

"Wait—what'd he just call you?" Matt asked.

"Sweet Pea—my name."

Matt nearly fell out of his chair. "That's your name?"

"Sure is. Pretty, isn't it? Fits me just fine."

"Yeah, like sunshine fits emo. No offense, but why on earth did your parents name you Sweet Pea?"

Akeno laughed. "Matt, we're not on earth."

Matt snorted. "Yeah, well, I've seen sweet peas before, and he's definitely not one of them."

Jacob chuckled too—Matt had a point. A Makalo that burly and farmer-like should have a name like, well, Butch.

"Well, see, in our culture, moms name the kids. Apparently, when I was born, Mom took one look at me and thought I was the cutest, sweetest little thing she'd ever seen. She couldn't possibly know I'd be the hairiest, strongest, bravest, and most best-looking Makalo here. Sweet Pea fits me. Gets the girls every time."

"Yeah, it does," Akeno said. "All three of them."

Sweet Pea jabbed him in the ribs. "Leaving none for you, eh?"

The two Makalos grinned at each other, and Jacob and Matt laughed. The adults looked as if they were enjoying the conversation—probably relieved "the boys" were getting along so well.

Sweet Pea stretched, popping his back. "If it hadn't been for the stupid Lorkon attacking and me getting injured, I would've gone with you, Jacob, instead of Akeno."

"Not instead of," Ebony said. "But yes, you would have gone too."

"Really?" Jacob asked. He couldn't imagine how different things might have been if Sweet Pea had accompanied them. He probably would have hit on Aloren from day one.

After a couple minutes more of lighthearted banter, Brojan finally gave the go-ahead for Jacob to get Gallus.

"Akeno, do you want to come with me?" Jacob asked.

"I . . . I'll be really slow," he paused, "but . . . if that doesn't bother you . . ."

"Of course it doesn't. Plus, I've got the key, so speed doesn't even matter."

Akeno got up from his seat, a large grin spreading across his face. "Let me get my shoes."

Once he returned, Jacob opened a link to Gallus's store. There were only two customers in the store, and both jumped when the door opened. Jacob was surprised at how dark it was inside. He looked around—the windows had been covered.