The Golden Symbol by Andrea Pearson Read Free Book Online Page B

a moment before nodding. “You’re right. I apologize.”
    Jacob waited for the tense moment to pass before asking a question. “Why does it require royal blood from Fire Pulsers and Shiengols, but not a Makalo?”
    Kenji answered first. “Because there has never been a royal Makalo. Patriarchs are chosen based on the life they’ve lived, not their bloodline.”
    That answered Jacob’s question well enough, and everyone looked back at Aldo.
    He continued. “The next part should be easy. ‘Sap from a reca plant. Sap from a Kaede tree.’ And we already knew this one: ‘Sap from a silver tree.’” He looked at the Fat Lady and Kenji. “The reca plant and silver tree will be easy. But are there even any Kaede trees left? Any that are pure?”
    Jacob almost volunteered the information about Akeno growing Kaede trees, but realized it wasn’t his secret to share. And besides, the trees Akeno had planted had the anti-bug potion flowing through them, so they weren’t technically pure anymore.
    “Akeno could probably grow one,” the Fat Lady said. She motioned to the list. “But let’s figure out everything else in order.”
    “Blood of a royal Shiengol,” Aldo said. “That one’s easy.” He looked at Azuriah.
    Azuriah had already started shaking his head. “You read it correctly the first time. I’m a royal Shiengol, but not the royal Shiengol.”
    “What’s the difference?” the Fat Lady asked.
    Azuriah frowned at her. “Everything. This recipe calls for the blood of the royal Shiengol. And that would be Renforth.”
    “But that’s good news,” Jacob said. “We can just go find him again and get him to donate.”
    Azuriah shook his head. “No, we can’t.” He leaned on the table. “Renforth is back on his own world, and he’s always considered the Lorkon threat to be below him.”
    “His own world?” Dad asked. “What do you mean?”
    Azuriah shrugged. “Not every Shiengol is from Eklaron. My branch of the family has interbred with Shiengols from this and Renforth’s world. I’m the most royal Shiengol here, but Renforth has a more pure bloodline and is the most royal Shiengol there. His family was very strict in marrying only those from his world, while mine has been a little more lenient.”
    “So . . . I have to go to another planet, then?” Jacob felt his scalp prickle. He was just getting used to this one!
    “And not just that world.” Azuriah motioned to Aldo. “You mentioned the blood of the royal Fire Pulser.”
    Aldo nodded.
    Azuriah pursed his lips, tapping them with his fingers. “Knowing Keitus’s personality, he made sure to understand what it takes to get rid of Lorkon. He knew we’d need the Fire Pulser. They took Lasia away for a reason.”
    “Is Lasia a royal Fire Pulser?” Jacob asked.
    “I wouldn’t be surprised,” Azuriah said. “And I’ll bet they returned her to her own world.”
    Jacob took a deep breath. “This is getting really complicated.” What had started as a simple—well, relatively simple—idea was now becoming a huge undertaking. He should have guessed it wouldn’t be any other way, especially after what Ramantus went through to become a Lorkon.
    Jacob exhaled slowly, trying to calm himself. He’d be going all over the place. Experiencing new things that were bound to be dangerous. And if the Lorkon had set up traps? Jacob shook his head. This might end up being completely impossible.
    Azuriah put his hand on Jacob’s shoulder and gently squeezed. Jacob had forgotten that the Shiengol could read emotions too—he had never acted on them before where Jacob was concerned, so this comforting action was surprising.
    “I’ll go with you to Renforth’s world. He’d kill you immediately if you went alone.”
    Jacob nodded. He wasn’t sure if that was supposed to reassure him or not.
    “And we’ll find someone who can accompany you to the Fire Pulser world as well. Full-blood Shiengols are not welcome there.” He looked down at Jacob.