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

slight smile, stepping through the door to the back of the house.
    Jacob looked down and felt himself blush when he saw there was now a deep handprint in the wall. He lowered his arm. “Oh, I’m so sorry! I . . . I didn’t mean to—I was just feeling the warmth.”
    Kenji frowned, crossing the room to Jacob. “What warmth?”
    “Right here.”
    The Makalo felt the spot where Jacob’s hand had been. “I can’t feel anything. Has this happened before?”
    “In the tree last night, but I don’t think I left a mark.” Jacob frowned, trying to think of something he could do to remove the print.
    “And before then?” A smile played at the corners of Kenji’s mouth.
    “No, that was the first time.” Jacob shook his head. “I’m really sorry.”
    There was a twinkle in Kenji’s eyes. “That’s fine—it’s a nice addition to the décor of the room.” Interest flitted across his eyes. “See if you can figure out why you felt heat. That is definitely fascinating.”
    The front door opened, and Ebony and Akeno entered the room.
    “Mara’s boy is going to be fine,” Ebony said, shutting the door.
    Kenji put his arms around his wife. “So will Jaegar, but we need to talk.” He led her to the table, and Jacob and Akeno followed.
    Kenji addressed Jacob after sitting. “What happened out there?”
    Jacob couldn’t meet his eyes. “I . . . I left. I wanted to go home. Akeno came with me. The wolves stopped us and attacked.”
    Kenji nodded. He didn’t question Jacob’s decision to go home, which made Jacob feel even more uncomfortable. The need to defend himself rose—even though it was apparent he didn’t need to—but he didn’t dare say anything. He’d almost been responsible for the loss of two lives.
    Kenji finally broke the silence. “Jacob, due to what we’ve seen, I do not believe the Lorkon will let the wolves leave the villagers alone until . . .” He sighed, then looked at Jacob, a worried but tender expression on his face. “Until you leave to get the Key. If they won’t even let you go home, there really isn’t another choice. It’s too dangerous for all of us—you included—to have you here.”
    Jacob’s face tightened. He stood and paced near the front door. Kenji was right. These people were in too much danger if he didn’t leave. The wolves wouldn’t let him go home, and they had no hesitation in attacking others to force him into following the Lorkon plan. He wanted to curse. He wanted to throw things, to rip something up. He clenched his fists, frustrated at how things had turned out. Why now? It wasn’t fair. He looked at the expectant Makalos.
    “Okay, I’ll go. It’s just so . . . annoying.” He scowled. He sounded so selfish. He sat in resignation, trying to think how the Makalos must feel. They were practically helpless. “But I can’t do it alone.”
    Relief spread across Kenji’s face, but he quickly replaced it with a serious expression—the expression adults got when they were planning something important. “Akeno will accompany you, along with the Minyas, September and Early.”
    Jacob nodded and glanced at Akeno, who smiled back. “But you’re sending more than just us, right?”
    “There’s no need,” Kenji said.
    “The four of you are enough,” Ebony said.
    “What?” Jacob frowned. “I don’t want to offend Akeno, but I figured you’d also send an adult with us. At least, someone a little older than me, and more experienced.”
    Kenji smiled. “Actually, Akeno is older than you. He’s the oldest of the Makalo youth here.” Kenji said it with pride in his voice.
    Jacob raised an eyebrow. “He looks like he’s ten. Maybe eleven.”
    “He’s thirteen, but Makalos age differently than humans.”
    Akeno leaned forward. “If I were human, I’d be seventeen or eighteen. Our bodies mature physically, mentally, and emotionally much more quickly than do the bodies of humans.”
    “Kind of like my dog,” Jacob said. He flushed, realizing