Ember Gods

Chapter 30

Jacob had no idea just how much trouble he was in until he arrived at the village the next day for his fighting lessons with Sweet Pea. Kenji waited near the tree.

"Brojan canceled your lessons and called a meeting. Go get the Fat Lady and Gallus. We'll meet at Brojan's place." Kenji put his hand on Jacob's arm. "He's pretty upset. Things will be all right, though, if you cooperate."

Twenty-pound butterflies hit Jacob in the stomach. He wished now more than ever that he had listened to his initial feelings. He picked up everyone, then took them to Brojan's house on the other side of the village, taking a seat at the table. Sinking low in his chair, he was aware of the stares of those in the room. Now would be the perfect time to disappear.

Brojan began the meeting by giving a rundown of what Jacob and Matt had done the night before. He turned to Jacob. "We must deal with your impatience. We have no idea if you and Matt ruined things, but we will be acting as if you did." He paused. "Do you understand why we asked you to wait until the Fat Lady finished the potion?"

Jacob nodded, finding his mouth too dry to speak.

"And did you understand when we told you it would take time, and that you had to be patient?"

Jacob again nodded, not meeting the patriarch's eyes. He should've chosen not to go through with the plan, regardless of how badly he wanted to get Aloren out of the city.

Brojan stared at Jacob until Jacob looked up. Instead of the bright red of anger he expected to see, there was only a light orange—concern. Tenderness was on the patriarch's face as well. He remembered learning from Akeno that Makalos weren't accustomed to negative emotions. This made Jacob feel even worse.

"Please understand me when I say we empathize with your situation," Brojan said. "We want to help, Jacob, else we would not be willing to work with you. The Fat Lady wouldn't be making more potions—instead, she'd be concentrating on getting Aldo out of his current predicament." He paused. "We will do everything in our power to get Aloren out of that city. But, Jacob, you cannot do it alone. Whatever the Ember Gods may be, they are obviously dangerous."

Brojan rested his head against the back of his chair and stared at the ceiling for several moments. Then he motioned to Ebony. "Please give us a report on the people brought out of the everlasting potion."

Ebony nodded. "Those who have spoken are from Ridgewood, Macaria, and other neighboring cities. One is even from Fornchall." She turned to Kenji and Brojan. "I assume you want to interview her as soon as possible."

"Yes, of course," Kenji said.

Ebony continued. "None of the people so far are from Maivoryl City."

Jacob ran a hand through his hair. He felt timid bringing anything up, especially when he was in such big trouble, but he felt his point was worth making. "We're pulling them from the part of the scented air closest to Ridgewood. It would make sense that none of them are from Maivoryl. They'll be on the other side."

"Yes, we've considered this," Brojan said.

"Nothing we can do," the Fat Lady said. "Not until my potions are complete. Unless, of course, you plan to drag people two miles before getting them to Sweet Pea."

Jacob shook his head. They wouldn't be doing that any time soon. He sighed in frustration, still irritated. "It seems a waste of time to pull these people out when we could be working on something or someone else."

"It's not a waste," Kenji said. "Every life is worth saving. They'll be a blessing to us, you'll see. And these are actual people we're pulling out, not just empty bodies. When they come around, they'll be as grateful to be alive as those who've exited Maivoryl City."