Ember Gods

Chapter 39

When Jacob and his group arrived at the Fat Lady's cabin, they held a quick council, trying to figure out what to do. Gallus, Sweet Pea, and Matt all wanted to key into the city, but Ebony still didn't like the idea.

"What if we hiked over the mountains behind the cabin?" she asked.

The Fat Lady shook her head. "Can't. The wall prohibits any entrance from this side of the hills."

"That's stupid," Matt said.

"We could use your tunnel and head back to the castle," Jacob said. "Though, I wouldn't know how to get out once we've gotten in."

"Plus, there'd be Lorkon." Matt said.

"Using the Key of Kilenya is the only thing that will work," Gallus said to Ebony.

The Fat Lady rubbed potion on her bottom teeth. She did that a lot, and Jacob figured it was what made them sparkly and nice. "No other option."

Ebony sighed. "I . . . I guess so," she said. "We'll need to hurry. It's already much later than we'd planned."

Jacob agreed. But at least they were all on the same page.

The Fat Lady said she'd inform Brojan and Kenji of everything that had happened, and she and Ebony hugged again, this time laughing about another goodbye.

Jacob put the key in the lock. "Maivoryl City, vacant house." He stepped through, crouching. It was a different place from last time. The floor had a layer of dust nearly an inch thick. It hadn't been disturbed in some time—perhaps years.

After they made sure the house really was vacant, they tried to figure out where they were. Jacob didn't recognize the street and wasn't sure he'd be able to find his way to the town hall.

Gallus stared out the window. "It's been years since I was here, but I believe I remember the way." He opened the door. "Follow me," he whispered.

They filed out onto the street, everyone wary. Jacob was extra alert, especially after the last time he'd been here, but there wasn't anything around. The place was like a ghost town. They walked several blocks and didn't see anyone.

After five minutes, Gallus breathed a sigh of relief. "No one's here. I wonder where they've all gone."

"Does it matter?" Sweet Pea asked. "Just so long as they're not bothering us."

Ebony scowled at him. "Of course it does. Did I neglect that part of your studies? Never trust a false promise."

"A what?"

She shook her head and strode forward to walk next to Gallus. Sweet Pea caught up with her, and Jacob and Matt glanced at each other. Jacob didn't want to walk in the back, and it looked like Matt felt the same. They caught up to the others.

Jacob felt a sense of security being so close to Gallus, Sweet Pea, and Ebony, though he knew it would most likely be short-lived. If only these people had been with him and Matt the last time they'd come to Maivoryl City. Perhaps they would've escaped with Aloren, and not just a burned back and a broken leg.

After passing several more streets, Gallus paused. "I really don't know where we are," he said. "This part of town has changed."

"It all has," said a voice from a building to the right. An Ember God stood in the doorway. The colors swirling around him alternated between light blue, light pink, and light purple—calm, bored, and distracted. "You didn't expect it to stay the same, did you? Cities change when the people inhabiting them change." He stepped off the porch and peered at them. "Can I help you?"