“Jacob. Glad you’re here.”
The room fell silent as soon as everyone saw Jacob. He felt the hairs on the back of his neck prickle and realized he was prince over these people. He needed to act like it.
He ignored Onaly and looked at Aloren, who also appeared to be relieved. “What happened?”
Aloren took a deep breath, apparently calming her frazzled nerves. “Onaly decided to take over teaching for me. Apparently, she’s a genius when it comes to math.”
“Math?” Jacob looked at Kevin and whispered, “When did you guys start teaching math?”
“When children started to arrive, we began teaching all the basics. It’s why Onaly is here in the first place—Hayla requested that she join our school.”
“And I hate it,” Onaly said. “I’ve got better things to do with my time than sitting around, listening to her.” She reached out and grabbed Jacob’s arm. “I’d rather spend time with you.”
Jacob felt his cheeks color. How was he going to get himself out of this without hurting Onaly’s feelings or making himself look like a jerk? It was important that these people respected him—it would make things easier.
“Onaly, why don’t you go wait out in the hall? I’d like to talk to Aloren. Then I’ll come talk to you.”
Onaly nodded and released his arm, then strode from the room.
Jacob looked at the students. “What are you supposed to be doing right now?” he asked, using his most authoritative voice.
“They should be readying themselves for the quiz we’re about to take,” Aloren said.
“Then do it,” Jacob said to the students.
Without looking at him, they lowered their heads, intent on their papers, and Jacob approached Aloren. The colors in the air around her showed that she was still frustrated, but starting to calm down.
“I’m guessing Onaly is a problem student?” He smiled, standing near her desk, joined by Kevin.
“Totally and completely,” Aloren said. She leaned forward, ran her hands through her hair, and then massaged her temples. “And I can’t handle her one more minute. She ignores me, argues, and talks to the students around her.” Aloren looked up at Jacob. “The biggest problem, I think, is the fact that I’m only a couple months older than her.”
Jacob nodded. He could see why that would bother Onaly. “But she should still be respectful.”
“Yeah, well, she totally has a crush on you,” Aloren said. “She talked about you several times. Said you two were really close, that you defended her the other day, that you’d do anything for her.”
Aloren glanced at Jacob and then rested her eyes on the desk. Kevin shifted uncomfortably, and Jacob didn’t say anything—he didn’t know what to say. He’d never told Onaly he would do anything for her. That was silly. But he didn’t want to make things worse by calling her a liar.
Aloren continued. “I know she’s lying—about . . . about everything—but I don’t need her impudence right now. I need order and . . . and . . .”
Jacob could tell she was about to start crying. “What if I have Onaly spend time with Hayla and Mr. Coolidge instead of being in class with you?”
Aloren looked up and wiped her eyes. “Oh, would you? I’d really appreciate it.”
“Sure. Anything to help you guys out in here.”
Jacob faced the class. “The behavior you’ve seen today from a student is very inappropriate. If I hear that any of you have treated Ms. Aloren or Mr. Kevin in a similar manner, I’ll—” He hadn’t thought beyond that point, so wasn’t sure what to say. He didn’t want to leave empty threats, though. “I’ll have them report it to me, and I’ll speak with you personally.” He looked at the students, watching their reactions, along with their emotion colors, and was satisfied. There were more adults in the room than children, and he figured Onaly was the only one who’d ever given Aloren and Kevin any problems.
Jacob smiled a goodbye to Kevin and Aloren, then went out into the hall to deal with Onaly.
“I can’t believe you agreed with her.” Onaly glared at him. “She is a horrible teacher. She hates Ridgewood and thinks my mother is an idiot.”
“Aloren said all that?”
Onaly scuffed her foot on the floor. “Well, no, but she’s still a horrible teacher.”
Jacob had heard only good things about Aloren’s skills. However, he did recognize that not everyone would learn in the same manner. “Either way, you shouldn’t have shown her disrespect in front of the whole class.”
Onaly didn’t respond, and Jacob’s thoughts drifted from their conversation as he led the way to Hayla’s office. He felt weird having to act like an authority figure, especially with kids his own age.
Suddenly, Onaly threaded her arm through his, bringing him back to the present. Jacob froze, unsure of what to do. The only person who’d ever treated him like this was Shirley from school—annoying Shirley.
“Thanks for not making me go back in,” she said.
Jacob swallowed a few times, then extracted his arm. He paused outside Hayla’s office and turned to Onaly. “I can’t check up on you all the time. Just . . . just be nice to the people here. They’ve all been through a lot.”
She nodded, then gave him a quick hug. Jacob felt his cheeks redden. She was cute, she was his age, and she obviously liked him, right? That’s what her actions were saying, weren’t they? But what did she expect of him? How was he supposed to act?
Onaly danced into her mom’s office and shut the door.
It took Jacob a moment to remember he was supposed to be somewhere else, and soon. He walked through the halls of the education building, trying to figure out how he felt. He liked Aloren more, but she had made it obvious she wasn’t interested in him. Onaly, though . . . Onaly wasn’t dating anyone, and she liked him. And she was cute.
He sighed, deciding to figure things out later.
Chapter Eleven: Relationship Problems
When Jacob got to the fortress, Azuriah let him in, pole in hand. He motioned for Jacob to follow him to a large, stone-floored gym area at the back of the building. As soon as they entered the room, Azuriah swung his pole at Jacob, spearhead whistling as it sped through the air. The staff section hit Jacob in the side, flinging him across the room. With a grunt he landed on the stone, scraping his arm.
He glared up at Azuriah. “That wasn’t fair. You attacked without warning.”
“That’s the point. Always be on your guard.”
“Even around friends?”
Azuriah raised his eyebrow. “Am I a friend?”
Jacob’s mouth popped open to answer, but nothing came out. He growled and jumped to his feet. “I guess you aren’t.” He swung his pole, remembering and applying the sword-fighting lessons his dad had given him. Things would be different with the poles, but some of the techniques should be the same, right?
No, not at all. And even after teaching Jacob some defensive and offensive moves, Azuriah bested him again and again.
“This is so dumb!” Jacob said, throwing his pole down. “You’ve been doing this for how many years? And you expect me to pick it up, just like that?”
“Of course I do. You’ve got plenty of talent. You’re just directionless.”
“Whatever. Even if I am, so are you. I got it from you.”
Azuriah rolled his eyes. “Impertinence.”
The Fat Lady strode into the room. “Jacob, thought I heard you. You need to come downstairs.”
“Does this have to happen now?” Azuriah asked.
“I gave you an hour. My turn to have the boy now.” The Fat Lady grabbed Jacob’s shoulder and twisted him around, pushing him out the door. She didn’t need to force him—he was ready for a break from training.
“What do you need me to do?” Jacob asked as they walked through the halls.
“We don’t know how to help Myler.” The Fat Lady huffed, breathing heavily.
“He didn’t heal?”
“No, he did . . . but things have been d
ifficult.” She led him down the stairs, then paused at the bottom and whispered, “He’s not exactly normal. Not like the others. There might have been permanent damage. He says he won’t talk to or cooperate with anyone but Dmitri, and we’re hoping he’ll accept you, since you’re Dmitri’s son.”
A man suddenly started shouting from one of the cells, and Jacob recognized the voice as Myler’s. Aldo dashed out, slamming the door behind him, frowning. But his eyes lit up when he saw Jacob.
“Oh, good. Your turn to talk to Myler.”
Jacob raised an eyebrow. “Okay . . . what am I supposed to say to him?”
“Just introduce yourself for now. We’ll work out the details later.”
Aldo motioned for Jacob to join him, and together they peered through the window at Myler. “We’ve learned that he doesn’t like crowds. And to him, more than one is a crowd right now. Just be cautious, but don’t appear weak.”
“Right.”
Jacob blinked. How was he supposed to know what Myler thought was cautious, but not weak? He wiped his hands on his pants and took mental stock of the situation, making sure he knew what would surround him and what he could use as a weapon if he needed one. Then he nodded at Aldo, who opened the door.
Jacob stepped inside the cell, and Aldo shut the door behind him.
Myler looked up. “You. I remember you.” He frowned, the colors in the air around him showing annoyance, and turned his face away.
“My name is Danilo Leontii. I’m King Dmitri’s son.”
Myler nodded. “I know.”
A long silence followed. During it, Jacob became acutely aware of his need for a shower after fighting with Azuriah. He could practically hear the seconds ticking away, but didn’t want to say anything or push himself into Myler’s space.
“I guess I’ll talk to you later,” Jacob said. He turned and left the room.
“Well?” Aldo waited by the door.
Jacob shrugged. “I only introduced myself, like you said. I think he just needs more time.”
“It’s already been several days.”
“Yeah . . . he has to get used to having people around him.” Jacob pulled the Key from his pocket. “Let me know if he does anything or if I can help in any way. I’m heading home for a shower. I’ll come back later.”
Not waiting to hear what they had to say about that, Jacob Keyed himself to Mendon. He took a quick shower, then helped Hayla retrieve seven more people from Ridgewood who wanted to help fight. Just seven. Jacob knew it wasn’t much, but the more they had, the better the outcome would be in the war against the Lorkon.
Myler proved to be fairly difficult to work with. He did, however, allow Jacob to speak with him, and after some time, Jacob was able to learn the man’s history. He’d been engaged when the Lorkon took over Maivoryl City and had watched as they performed tests on his fiancée that eventually rendered her immobile, unable to speak, and without any of her memories. She died five years later. The two of them hadn’t been able to communicate once her tests started, and she’d rejected all Myler’s attempts to help her. Myler was so angry about the Lorkon, he’d resorted to trying to take his own life, but the Lorkon had injected him with something that took away his ability to concentrate. After the injection, he couldn’t remember what had angered him so much.
Once he’d been healed, though, and all of the Lorkon influence had left, he remembered the reason behind his anger. He was nearly impossible to control—his desires for revenge blinded him against reason, and he was aggressive and hurtful to the people around him. Jacob was positive they’d be able to use the man in some way—that he’d be good for their group, a leader or something—but no one agreed with him. It got to the point where Myler couldn’t stay in Taga Village anymore.
But Jacob and his group didn’t have many choices. The Lorkon had destroyed every door in Ridgewood, Macaria, and the ones Jacob had used previously in Fornchall. They even found Aldo’s door, along with the random ones surrounding August Fortress. The only doors untouched were a couple at the manor in the infected forest and the door in August Fortress itself.
After meeting with everyone, Dad decided to have Jacob take Myler to the fortress, along with all the people who were against helping or who didn’t care either way.
“We can’t have them wandering Eklaron,” Dad said, “especially Myler. He’s too volatile. And it would be dangerous if news of what we’re doing reached the Lorkon.”
The others agreed that August Fortress was the best place for the people to be held, since the Argots still surrounded the fortress and prevented escape. Maybe that was why the Lorkon left the door intact. They figured no one would be able to go there anyway.
Dad had Hayla accompany the people, helping them start farming and cultivating the available land around the fortress. Jacob transported food and other necessary items to them as needed, and after a few weeks, they reached enough independence to where Hayla was able to return to Taga Village.
The time for the first major harvest had arrived, and Kenji teamed Jacob, Sweet Pea, and Aloren to work together. Because there were so many people living in Taga Village—many of whom weren’t able to do a lot for themselves—all able-bodied people were required to help, but Jacob didn’t mind. He’d always enjoyed garden work, didn’t mind getting dirty, and was actually excited.
The sun had just barely risen when he grabbed his gardening gloves from the shed and jogged to Taga Village with Matt, who’d been assigned to work with Akeno, Jaegar, and Tani.
Tani had been working one-on-one with Onaly. Jacob was glad about that—Onaly wouldn’t have the chance to offend Aloren, and apparently, Tani worked really well with the girl. They’d quickly become friends.
Jacob took a deep breath of the summer-morning air, enjoying the fresh smells of the forest.
He knew he should feel differently about Aloren, but the idea of spending several hours with her—away from Kevin—only made him more excited about gardening that day.
But Aloren was distant and stiff. Sweet Pea tried to get her to talk and laugh and joke with them, but nothing worked. Jacob brushed her off, deciding not to let her sour attitude affect his enjoyment. He pulled a couple of weeds, then started picking green beans, enjoying the sound of the other gardeners conversing and a few people singing as they worked.
Sweet Pea wasn’t about to let Aloren off the hook so easily. After teasing her about her hair that morning—she hadn’t even attempted to do anything with it—he turned the conversation to Kevin.
“So, how’s the boyfriend?”
Aloren flipped her hair out of her face. “What boyfriend?”
Jacob’s heart started beating quickly. Had they broken up?
Sweet Pea’s eyes twinkled. “You know . . . loverboy!”
“What are you talking about?” she snapped.
“Who. Who am I talking about. Kevin.”
“What about him?” She viciously attacked the green beans, pulling them roughly from the vines. Jacob doubted those plants would survive.
“You’re seriously moping around. Are you pouting about something?”
It seemed as if Aloren hadn’t heard him and he repeated his question.
“No,” she said with exasperation. “What’s up with you? Why are you asking so many stupid questions?”
Sweet Pea met eyes with Jacob, then glanced back at Aloren. “What’s going on?”
She again didn’t hear him. Something must’ve been on her mind for her to be that distracted.
“Are you and Kevin having relationship problems?”
Jacob cringed, totally expecting Aloren to lash out at Sweet Pea for asking.
She flipped her hair back. “No, we’re not going to break up! Why would you even think something like that?”
Sweet Pea’s jaw dropped. “I didn’t . . .” He looked at the plants, obviously mortified. “Okay, so I only asked if you were having problems. I didn’t think about you guys breaking up. I’m sorry.”
“L
ook, I don’t want to talk about it, okay?”
Sweet Pea held up his hands, meeting eyes with Jacob again. He didn’t say anything, though, and Jacob bit his lip, definitely wanting to be invisible so Aloren wouldn’t snap at him too.
The rest of the time was as awkward as Jacob expected it to be. Aloren apparently had a hard time concentrating and couldn’t tolerate small talk, even if it didn’t involve her. Jacob sighed. He was grateful when Akeno showed up a couple of hours later, asking Jacob to take him back to Onyev’s time to get tips on plants.
They left immediately. Jacob dropped his gloves and dusted the dirt off his jeans. “Man, I’m so glad you came right then,” he said as they started toward Gratitude City.
“How come?”
“Aloren. She’s being really grouchy again. She wouldn’t even let us talk! I don’t know what’s wrong with her, but she’s been way off for the past few weeks.”
“I know. Even my father noticed. He doesn’t usually see those things.”
“What’d he say?” Jacob couldn’t help but be curious. Makalos view things differently—maybe Kenji understood Aloren better.
“Only that she’ll grow out of it eventually.”
Jacob scoffed. “Yeah, in twenty years, probably.”
Akeno didn’t say anything for a while, but as they passed through the gates of Gratitude City, he glanced at Jacob. “Do you still like her?”
Jacob nearly stumbled. He didn’t remember ever having told Akeno that he was interested in Aloren. What should he say? “Uh . . .” His words seemed to get trapped. Of course they would—his thoughts were trapped.
Akeno sensed his discomfort. “I’m sorry if that’s a question I shouldn’t ask. Matt told Sweet Pea a long time ago that you had a crush on Aloren, and Sweet Pea told me.”
Jacob didn’t respond at first. He kicked a rock off the road, wondering who else knew. Probably everyone.
His heart skipped a beat. Did that mean Aloren had heard? Oh, please no—she’d better not know. That would be so awful! He almost stopped walking. No wonder she was treating him differently! It disgusted her that he was interested. His stomach turned, thinking it all over. How would he act around her now? He’d forever wonder what she thought of him, how she could possibly stand to be near him.
Eyes of the Sun (Kilenya Series, 5) Page 13