Ember Gods

Chapter 13

Jacob was nearly finished with homework when Matt flung his door open and strode inside.

"Ready to go yet?" Matt tossed a bag at Jacob. "Here, eat."

Jacob sat up and opened the bag—string cheese, Pop-Tarts, a can of apple juice, a couple of Lunchables, and a yogurt smoothie. He pulled out the yogurt, drinking it in a few swallows.

"Pretty much." He stepped to his bedroom door. "Okay, let's see if this works the way it did at Aldo's." He held the key up to the door, and the hole for a lock appeared.

"That's so cool!" Matt said.

"Yeah."

Jacob put the key inside. It fit perfectly, as usual, and he keyed them to the Makalo village.

Kenji, Gallus, Akeno, and Sweet Pea were waiting in the tree. Gallus, not surprisingly, didn't look at the brothers. Sweet Pea half saluted the brothers—Jacob was having a hard time thinking of the Makalo by his real name rather than Butch. Akeno limped to the door, a smile on his face—he looked excited to be a part of this too. Ebony wasn't around, and Kenji reported they were to send a Minya when she was needed.

"Did you finish your chores and homework?" Kenji asked.

Jacob and Matt both said yes, and Kenji rubbed his hands together, eagerness crossing his face.

"Time to get to work!"

Jacob keyed the group to the Fat Lady's cabin, a blast of heat and the smell of rancid juice hitting his face when he stepped inside.

The Fat Lady sat on her dusty, dirty couch, playing with some sort of concoction on the short table in front of her. Aldo sat in the corner of the room, digging through what looked to be a garbage pile.

She turned to Kenji. "Who'd ya like to take the extra Malono Potion?"

"How about Gallus?" Kenji said.

Gallus shook his head. "No, you need someone who'll be able to help any time Jacob is here."

Kenji looked at all who were present. "Give it to Matt—he'd probably be able to help Jacob the most."

Sweet Pea's mouth popped open. "What about me?"

"You're not his brother. They'll work better together."

"But I'm stronger!"

Matt snorted. "Whatever. Dude, I'm like a foot taller than you. And check out these bad boys." He flexed his biceps.

Sweet Pea folded an arm across his chest, tapping his chin with a finger from his other hand. "I didn't see anything happen. Now, exactly where are your muscles?"

Matt punched Sweet Pea on the shoulder, and Sweet Pea playfully shoved him back.

Jacob laughed at them, then chuckled at the reaction of everyone else—the adults were absolutely shocked at what was happening, and a determined expression crossed Kenji's face, like he thought he was going to have to break up a fight. Aldo jumped to his feet with a huge grin, and swung his fists like a 1930s boxer. He hopped around Sweet Pea and Matt, blabbering nonsensical words, fists moving like he was about to enter the ring.

Sweet Pea laughed at the tension the adults had created. "Come on, guys, it's how the earth people interact. Haven't you read any modern books?"

Kenji slowly shook his head. "None of them spoke of physical abuse."

Matt and Sweet Pea both laughed this time. "It's not abuse!" Matt said. "It's how guys mess around!"

The adults relaxed, a couple of them rolling their eyes. The Fat Lady, Gallus, and Kenji started talking to each other about the different ingredients she still had to get for her potion, and where they'd find them.