Kilenya Series Books One, Two, and Three by Andrea Pearson Read Free Book Online

heels.
    Kenji stood with Jaegar in his arms. Jacob looked around for Butch and saw him with an elderly man who was supporting most of Butch’s weight. They hobbled to the right, disappearing between the buildings.
    Kenji addressed two of the Makalos who were anxiously peering over the ledge. “Watch the wolves. Tell me when they leave.” He turned and headed swiftly down the path to his left, Jaegar limp in his arms. Jacob and Akeno had to jog to keep up with him.
    “My son, my poor son—” Kenji said to no one in particular, the pain in his voice evident.
    “I’m so sorry,” Jacob said.
    “If he dies, I . . .” He cleared his throat. “Jacob, before you came, the wolves never dared enter Taga Village.”
    Jacob bit the inside of his cheek, avoiding looking at Kenji. If only he’d listened to the Makalos, none of this would’ve happened.
    They entered a stone house, painted bright blue, with streaks and spatters of white. Kenji gently placed Jaegar on a large table situated along the left wall of the room. Ebony burst into tears at the sight of her tattered young son.
    “What happened?” she asked.
    “The wolves attacked while . . .” Akeno started.
    “While I was trying to go home,” Jacob finished. Guilt poured over him again.
    Disappointment flashed across Ebony and Kenji’s faces before they turned their attention back to Jaegar.
    “Oh, Jaegar, Jaegar . . .” Ebony said. “What if those wolves were poisonous? Will sap help?”
    “We’ll need to work quickly,” Kenji said. “This is hard, but I need your help. Gather yourself. You know what to do.”
    Ebony nodded, sniffling as she tried to hold back the tears, and ran from the room. She returned moments later with some familiar items—a small package, an armful of cloth, and a bowl.
    Kenji mixed the sap while Ebony separated the cloth. Most of it had been cut into strips, but there was one piece that formed a sheet.
    Jacob leaned forward, curious to watch everything they did, since last time he had been the injured one.
    Kenji poured the contents of the jug and the small package into the bowl, creating a thick, brown liquid. Jacob recognized the smell immediately. Maple syrup. Why on earth would they use maple syrup?
    Akeno and Ebony hurriedly cut off Jaegar’s shirt, revealing severe bites all over his chest and arms. Jacob shook his head, shoving his shaking hands into his pockets. He should have listened.
    The Makalos saturated strips of cloth with the mixture and laid them on Jaegar’s wounds. Very soon, Jaegar was almost completely covered in cloth pieces. Ebony let out a worried breath as she and Akeno stepped back. Kenji covered Jaegar with the larger sheet, and the three of them looked on as they stood near Jacob.
    “Was it too late? Will he die?” Jacob asked, but Ebony held up her hand.
    “Give it time.”
    Every few moments, she lifted the edge of one of the strips and looked under, a deep frown on her face. Kenji paced near the front door, hands behind his back.
    At first, nothing appeared to be changing. But a few moments later, Jacob was relieved to see that the wounds were healing and disappearing.
    After what felt like forever, Ebony let out a breath, this time of relief, and pulled off all the strips. Every single wound was gone, leaving only pink skin underneath. Jaegar’s breathing was now steady.
    “All right,” Kenji said. “Now he needs to rest.” He picked Jaegar up and carried him out of the room.
     
     
     

Chapter 5. Speed of Light
     
     
    Today we encountered the first element. It was lucky we were not killed. Or drowned, I should say. The Lorkon had placed a magical waterfall to completely bar passage from the castle and neighboring city to anything beyond. The water was totally invisible and difficult to feel. Perhaps it would be more correct to say that it was mostly invisible. When riding up to it, it appeared as a great wall of air, shimmering in the hot sun.
    One of our men entered first, and he and