Ember Gods

Chapter 27

"I'm a Fire Turner, Jacob." He shrugged in a mock-humble way. "An Ember God, as the villagers call me. You can call me that too—I'm sure you'll agree sooner rather than later that it's a fitting name. But remember, I am not to be toyed with. One touch of my hand will cause you more pain than you've ever felt in your life."

Jacob wasn't sure what made him say it. "I doubt that. Nothing could be worse than what I felt when the Lorkon touched me."

The man snorted. "Diseases aren't anything compared to the pain of burnt flesh, I assure you."

Matt fidgeted at Jacob's side, pulling things out of his pocket. "Well, it's been nice chatting with you," he said, "but we've got to go now."

The man laughed. "I don't think so."

Matt brought up his air pellet gun and a LED flashlight. He switched the light on, shining it in the man's eyes, and shot him in the face with the gun. The man roared, grabbing his eyes.

"Run!" Matt yelled, and he and Jacob tore around the tree, heading for the lit window as fast as they could. Voices came from the houses around the town hall as the brothers reached the back wall of the building and pounded on the window. The light went out. Someone grabbed Jacob from behind and he kicked backward, releasing himself. He whirled and gasped. Villagers surrounded the brothers. Hundreds, it seemed, still poured from the houses.

Jacob jumped to his brother's side, punching someone away from Matt. They fought back to back, Jacob using the techniques Sweet Pea had taught him. He expected a burst of flame to engulf both of them, but it never came. Where was the Ember God? He wasn't one of the attackers. Jacob looked back at the tree, trying not to be distracted, but wanting to know where the man had gone. There he was—leaning up against the tree, arms folded, watching. What was he doing? Waiting for them to be finished off?

Jacob returned to the fighting with renewed vigor. The people were so weak, he almost felt bad returning their punches. He couldn't count how many he'd knocked to the ground.

Finally he and Matt scared everyone away. He squinted, focusing on the tree. The man was no longer there. Where'd he go?

"Key," Matt breathed. "Front door."

They ran around the side of the town hall, jerking to a halt right before reaching the porch. A man was there, a large grin on his face. It wasn't the same guy as earlier—this one had shorter hair. No shoes, black leather clothes. Another Ember God.

"I can't let you enter this building."

"Oh, we're just leaving . . . so . . . don't worry about us," Jacob said.

The man sneered. "Really? Allow me to escort you."

"No, thanks, we're good," Matt said. He didn't wait to see what the guy's reaction would be. He turned and ran toward the nearest house, Jacob on his heels.

They almost got to the door when the first Ember God was on Jacob's right. He used the flat side of a sword to stop the boys. It hit them across the chest and they fell to the ground, gasping for air. The man smiled down on them as they struggled to their feet and tried to run away again.

"Time for this to end," he said.

Before Jacob knew what was happening, the man brought the handle of his sword down hard on Matt's thigh. With a snap, Matt's leg crumpled beneath him and he howled in pain, falling to the porch near the door. Jacob dropped to his knees by Matt, then glared up at the man, anger and hatred making his eyes sting.

"Jacob, you have two choices. Watch your friend die right now, or watch him die later, when the Lorkon take you both." He stepped closer—close enough for Jacob to feel the heat rising from his hands. The Ember God sneered again. "Personally, I'd choose now, since I'll be more merciful than the Lorkon."

Jacob shook his head, trying to think up a way out of the situation. He did his best to control his voice, coming to a decision quickly. "I'll take my chances with the Lorkon, thank you very much."

He acted as if he were surrendering, casually putting his hands in his pockets. His fingers closed around the pocket knife in one hand and the key in the other. He couldn't use an air gun—the Ember God would be expecting that. The knife was the next best thing.

"As you wish," the man said. He reached for Jacob's arm, but Jacob jerked away from him.

"Don't touch me!"

"I'll hurt you if need be."

"Just—just hold on, will you?" Jacob helped Matt up, trying to keep the items in his fists from the man's sight while also trying not to cause his brother too much discomfort. Matt's face was white and he gasped, using the door behind him to steady himself.

Jacob put Matt's arm over his shoulders, and put his own arm—the one with the key in it—around his brother's waist. "This is going to be slow. He's in a lot of pain, thanks to you."

The man smiled, but took a step back, gesturing for Jacob to go first.

Instead, Jacob flipped the knife open and flung it at the man. It went into his shoulder.

The Ember God grunted with anger. Not waiting to see what would happen, Jacob turned Matt around, pushed the key in the lock, and said, "Kenji's house."

He flung the door open and pushed Matt inside. Matt called out in agony when he landed on Kenji's floor. A burst of light illuminated the door in front of Jacob, fire surrounded him, and a searing pain rushed up and down his back and legs—the Turner had blasted him with flames.

Screaming, Jacob pushed through the door and slammed it shut, then fell to the floor next to Matt. The last thing he saw was Kenji's family staring at him from over dinner, light yellow with a hint of orange—the color of surprise—around their faces. Jacob heard someone say his name, then blackness closed in.