Kilenya Chronicles Books 1-3

Kilenya Chronicles Books 1-3

Andrea Pearson

Copyright © 2017 Andrea Pearson

Book design and layout copyright © 2017 Andrea Pearson

Cover copyright © 2019 Covers by Christian

Series by Andrea Pearson:

Kilenya Chronicles

Kilenya Stories

Mosaic Chronicles

Koven Chronicles

Ranch City Academy Series

License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This is a work of fiction, and the views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author. Likewise, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are represented fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events or locales, is entirely coincidental.

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Forsaken Prince

Kilenya Chronicles Book One

Dedication

To Josh.

This story was, is,

and always will be

for you

Chapter One

The bell on the store’s front door rang just as Jacob Clark finished stacking bags of mulch in the corner of the greenhouse. He stepped back, wiping sweat off his forehead, before surveying his work and giving a nod. Even Mr. Fulcher wouldn’t disapprove. Jacob removed his work gloves, shoving them in the pocket of his Fulcher Mulches and Plants apron, then turned to help up front.

Most days during the summer were pretty frantic, but they were finally coming out of the busy season, and the customer who’d just made the bell ring was their first of the afternoon. Jacob relished the hard labor without interruption, but today, he was in the mood to help someone. He hoped this one would have a lot for him to do.

He rounded a corner of pillars and hanging vines, and his eyes landed on the teenage girl who’d entered the store. He hesitated. Most of their shoppers were older people, and only occasionally did someone around his age shop there. This girl had long dark hair, slightly tanned skin, and sparkly brown eyes. She smiled, and a dimple appeared in her cheek.

Jacob wiped his hands on his apron before coming to a stop near her. Can I help you?

The girl motioned to the counter, where she had placed a small potted plant. Yes. I’d like to buy this.

Jacob stepped behind the counter and woke up the register, then scanned the plant’s barcode and accepted her cash.

Are you new here? he asked. Mendon was small and well off the beaten path. Unfamiliar faces were even more rare than teenage customers.

She nodded. Yes. Well, sort of—I’m just passing through. I’m actually looking for someone. Maybe you can help me find him.

Jacob handed her the receipt. I’ll do my best. What’s the name?

I’m Aloren.

He held back a smile. I meant the name of the person you’re looking for.

Aloren flushed slightly. Jacob. He’s about your age and works at a greenhouse in Mendon.

I’m Jacob. What can I do for you?

I was hired to bring you to the Makalos so you could help them get back the Key of Kilenya.

He raised an eyebrow. Excuse me? Was that even English? Key of . . . colon? Uh . . . Who hired you?

The Makalos. Kenji, Ebony, Patriarch Brojan. She hesitated. They said you’d be familiar with them . . . You’re not, though, are you. It was more of a statement than a question.

He shook his head. You’ve got the wrong guy—there aren’t many Jacobs in town, but I can help you find the one you need. A Jacob who worked in a greenhouse?

Aloren folded her arms. "No, it’s you. Dark hair, light blue eyes, works here." She jabbed the countertop.

Jacob nodded, wondering where Mr. Fulcher had gone. The man usually kept on the move, wandering the establishment, doing odd jobs. It would be nice to have some backup here. Yes, but I have no idea what you’re talking about. Makos—I don’t even know the word you said.

Your parents are Dmitri and Arien, right?

Relief flowed over him. No. They’re not. Thank goodness. She did have the wrong guy.

Aloren flushed. Sorry, I forgot they go by other names here. Lee and Janna?

Jacob blinked. Where was she getting her information?

Mr. Fulcher came to the front of the store just then. He looked at Aloren before sending a questioning glance to Jacob.

Jacob just shrugged. Yes, that’s them.

Aloren ignored Jacob’s boss. And you’ve got an older brother and a little sister, right?

Jacob didn’t respond, but she folded her arms in satisfaction when she evidently saw the answer on his face. How did this girl know so much about some things and be completely off on others? Was someone really looking for him?

Jacob, they’re in danger—you’re all in danger. The Lorkon have been trying to find you for years. The Makalos were hoping they’d reach you first, but your parents wanted to keep you in the dark as long as possible so you could have a normal childhood. Well, the Makalos got attacked by the Lorkon, and they’re desperate. They hired me to make contact with you, but I think it might be too late—the Lorkon are powerful and intelligent. They know what we’re doing. I saw little signs on the way here that they’ve been watching you as well.

Seriously? She had to be joking. Jacob opened his mouth, about to ask what signs she’d seen, then realized he shouldn’t encourage her. Insanity wasn’t something to laugh about, and he didn’t want to upset her. Instead, he walked to the door and opened it for her, making sure she had her potted plant. I’ll think it over. Thanks for the warning—I need to get back to work now.

Aloren followed reluctantly, a frown on her face. They told me you would be easy to convince. That you should know everything by now. Your parents—

Are very busy people. Thank you again for the warning. I hope you have an excellent day. Good luck with those Lykons.

Aloren’s mouth opened and closed several times before a frustrated expression crossed her face. Fine, she spat. She turned, and with a huff, she stormed off down the street.

Jacob shut the door, then leaned against it. Whoa. She’s crazy.

Mr. Fulcher chuckled. I was going to ask. He bent over the register, checking the tape. I saw that you finished the mulch. Would you help me move the ceramic pots inside? It looks like it’s going to rain, and I don’t want them getting stained.

Jacob agreed, and the two of them got busy. He’d been working for Mr. Fulcher for over a year now. It was a great job—good hours, decent pay—and gave him something to do during the summer. His junior year of high school would be starting in a few days, and he’d saved up plenty for homecoming, prom, and all the clothes he’d need for the year.

Regardless how much he told himself that Aloren was crazy, he couldn’t help but feel nervous the rest of his shift. A sense of foreboding wouldn’t leave. That stupid girl, getting him on edge.

At the end of his shift at seven, he grabbed his phone from underneath the office table, surprised to see he had several missed calls. One from Dad and at least fifteen from Mom. Why hadn’t they called his work phone directly?

On the way to his car, he dialed his mom’s number. She didn’t pick up. He called his dad. No answer there either, so he tried Matt, his older brother.

Matt answered, thank goodness.

Hey, have Mom or Dad called? Jacob asked.

No. What’s up?

Nothing . . . I don’t know. Some crazy chick came in today, saying we were all in danger and a whole bunch of gibberish about all sorts of seriously insane stuff. I told her to go away, but . . . well . . . Mom called me fifteen times and Dad once while I’ve been at work. They didn’t leave messages, and neither of them are answering their phones now.

Wow. I get off in half an hour. I’ll meet you at home as soon as I can.

Jacob ended the call, knowing it would be at least forty-five minutes before Matt got home, unless he left early. He worked for a grocery store in Logan, the nearest big city, and it was a fifteen-minute drive. Good commute under normal circumstances, but it seemed like forever today.

Jacob pulled up in front of his house, and his palms started sweating. Something felt off. Dad’s car was there, and so was Mom’s. Why hadn’t they answered their phones? He parked and jumped out, jogging to the front door. It was cracked open, and he pushed it the rest of the way, his heart pounding.

The lights inside were off. That wasn’t normal. The Clark residence was an old country home, built back when indoor heating and air conditioning hadn’t been invented yet. As a result, the windows were small to help keep the house warm during the winter and cold during the summer. Mom always kept lights on. She would rather pay an elevated electric bill than live in a dark house.

Jacob flipped the switch. Nothing happened. He stepped inside, and something crunched under foot. He looked down. He’d stepped on broken glass. Jacob glanced around the room. All the bulbs had been shattered—the lamp near the front door, the overhead light, and the lamps on the shelves near the piano. Nothing else was broken.

His heart did a little flip, and foreboding settled over him again. What had happened?

Mom? Dad?

No answer.

He stepped into the kitchen. Everything there was broken—not even the battery-operated clock on the wall was still ticking.

Jacob’s breath caught when he spotted blood all along the edge of the counter.

Dad! Mom! Amberly!

In a rush, he searched the rest of the first floor, then bounded up the stairs. He didn’t get far before stumbling to a halt. A huge body was sprawled across the top of the staircase. Jacob gasped, stepping back involuntarily, and nearly fell down the stairs before catching himself. It wasn’t human. It couldn’t be. No human looked like that.

Jacob clung to the railing, staring at the dead beast. What the crap was it? The thing was huge. Humanoid, with stubby, muscular legs, massive arms, and four fingers on each hand. The wall all around it was splattered with blood and marred with spray from a shotgun.

The creature wore dark leather pants. It wasn’t wearing a shirt, and Jacob nearly wretched as he stepped up the stairs and saw a huge gaping hole in the thing’s chest. More blood slicked down the stairs and pooled beneath the beast.

The entire thing was covered everywhere with very short hair. Spikes jutted out from the lower jaw, coming to sharp points about two inches from the chin. The eyes had rolled back in the head, the lids open.

Jacob stumbled up the stairs, trying not to touch the creature or its blood. Were there more of those things in the house? Was he in danger? And where were his parents?

Chapter Two

Jacob’s breathing came in pants and gasps. His dad’s shotgun lay in the hall near the top of the stairs. Shells—some empty—were scattered across the floor. Jacob grabbed the gun and several of the shells, fumbling to load the weapon in case he needed to defend himself.

Someone whimpered, and Jacob rushed down the hallway. He passed another one of those beasts, this one missing a head. His stomach flipped. He refused to look at the gaping neck.

Hello? he called out, clenching the shotgun. Mom?

His parents’ room was empty. He barely glanced into his and Matt’s separate rooms before pausing in the doorway to Amberly’s. A familiar figure huddled on the other side of her princess bed, and he gasped.

Mom! Jacob rushed to her side, dropping to his knees. He set down the gun and placed a hand on her shoulder.

She jumped, shrinking against the wall, her hair falling over her face.

It’s me! It’s Jacob. Are you okay? What happened? What’s going on?

Mom slumped in relief and sobbed. I’m so sorry.

He gently pushed her hair away from her face, then startled. She was covered in blood. Bruises were blossoming across her cheeks and neck.

What’s going on? he repeated.

We tried . . . to protect you . . .

Where are Amberly and Dad?

They . . . took them.

They who? Jacob asked. He pulled out his phone to call 911.

The Lorkon. Her eyes cleared as she concentrated on her son’s face. They sent their servants. Your father and sister have been taken. You have to get them!

Jacob couldn’t move. Lorkon. He knew that word. Had Aloren been right about everything? Who are the Lorkon? Is that what’s in the hall?

No—Molg. In hall. I need Kaede sap.

Jacob blinked. Ka—what? No, you need the ER.

She only protested a little as he helped get her better situated, propping her up with pillows and wrapping a blanket around her. He dialed 911 after making sure that the upstairs really was empty. How was he going to explain those bodies to the paramedics?

Jacob quickly told the dispatcher there was blood all over the place and he’d come home to find that his mom had been attacked and needed an ambulance. He didn’t mention the bodies.

The dispatcher wanted him to stay on the line, but he told her he needed to call his brother. After making sure help was on the way, he hung up and called Matt.

His sentences came out in quick bursts. Get home now. Dad and Amberly are gone—Mom says kidnapped. She’s hurt really badly. An ambulance is on the way. Please be okay, Dad and Amberly.

Holy cow. Okay, I’m coming.

Jacob hung up and knelt on the floor next to his mom again. Help is coming. What do I do about the bodies?

She took a breath, obviously struggling to maintain focus. Your brother will take care of them. She gripped his shirt, her expression very intense. Jacob, you have to understand first. We should have told you years ago. Your dad was in line to become king of Gevkan when the Lorkon attacked. There were only three of them. We still don’t know how it happened, but they killed millions. They were slaughtering our people, searching for us. With help from the Makalos, your father and I went into hiding here on earth when you were a baby.

Jacob froze, staring at her. You know the Makalos?

Mom nodded. Yes. Many of them are our friends. Her grip tightened. You have to go to them. You have to find your dad and sister. The Makalos will help. Don’t worry about school or work—I’ll tell Mr. Fulcher.

Jacob took a breath. He’d forgot about both.

Just then, a loud pop sounded through the air, and Jacob jumped to his feet, staring at a huge black beetle that was floating in the middle of the room.

Jacob Clark? The voice was deep, grating.

He stared at the thing. How was it not falling? Yes?

Your sister is a poor substitute.

Jacob circled the beetle. Where was the voice coming from? The mouth wasn’t moving. And what was he saying, his sister was a poor substitute?

Come to the Maivoryl castle in Gevkan and she’ll live. Your life for hers—a simple exchange. If you get here fast enough, we won’t torture King Dmitri before we kill him.

Maivoryl castle? Gevkan?

You have two days . . .

The beetle burst into flames and burned up, ashes falling to the floor.

Mom started to sob, her shoulders shaking, putting her face in her hands. She wailed, her voice almost too weak to hear.

What am I going to do? Jacob asked. He wanted to comfort her but wasn’t sure how. She was so broken. His heart clenched, thinking of the pain she was in—emotionally and physically.

Steps fell in the hall behind him. There was no way Matt had gotten there yet, and that couldn’t be the paramedics—they’d announce their arrival with sirens and shouts.

He whirled and lashed out. All he saw was a blur of brown before he’d been grabbed on the arm, twisted, yanked around, then pinned on the floor.

Jacob blinked, recognizing his attacker. Aloren?

She glared at him. Don’t try to attack me again. She glanced at his mom. Kenji and Ebony hired me to bring your son to them. They need his help to get the key.

Key? Jacob asked at the same time that Mom said, What happened to the key?

It’s been stolen. The Lorkon are doing everything they can to get Jacob in their control. They planned to use it as bait. Judging by how this place looks, they took things a step further. She frowned at Jacob. "I told you your family was in danger. Why didn’t you listen?"

Jacob scowled, shifting. Get off me.

Aloren glared again, her eyes flashing. "Not until you swear you’ll come with me. I have a job to do, and I’m going to do it."

Mom moaned. Please tell Kenji and Ebony we’re so sorry. We should’ve told him earlier.

A faint wailing of sirens filtered into the house, and Aloren scrambled up. You’re coming with me, she said, grabbing Jacob’s arm and yanking him to his feet and toward the door. I have to get to Maivoryl City.

Mom reached for Jacob, and Aloren released him. He stepped to her, taking her hand, feeling his heart and insides twist at what had happened—was happening.

Go, son, she said. Find Dmitri and your sister. Bring them back. She looked at Aloren. "Do you know who my son is? Who he really is?"

Aloren nodded. Yes, I do.

Then take care of him. Your future lies in his hands.

Chapter Three

The front door opened and slammed shut. Hello? Matt called out.

We’re up here, Jacob yelled.

He heard Matt dashing through the living room and heading up the stairs. Matt yelled as he passed the first dead body, then shrieked again as he passed the second one.

What on earth is going on? he asked, coming to a halt in the doorway to Amberly’s room. Are you okay, Mom? What happened? Where are Dad and Amberly? And what the freak are those things?

Jacob grabbed his brother, trying to get his attention. I have to go with Aloren to get Dad and Amberly back. Mom can explain everything—pretend you’re the one who called 911. He turned to Mom, taking her hand. I’ll do my best. Take care of yourself.

She held on tightly. Be careful, son. The Lorkon are dangerous and will stop at nothing to get what they want.

The sirens got louder outside, and flashing lights bounced through Amberly’s window.

Come on, Jacob, let’s go, Aloren said.

Jacob said goodbye to Matt and Mom, wondering what they’d say to the paramedics about those bodies, then followed Aloren downstairs. She led them out back just as the paramedics came through the front door.

The Makalos will be waiting for us, she said, running into the forest that bordered Jacob’s backyard and heading to the small canyon behind the house. They’ve been very anxious since the Lorkon stole the key.

Jacob grabbed her. Hold on. Stop.

She pulled away. We don’t have time.

Wait! Where are we going? I’ve been all over this canyon and forest. We’re not going to find anything up here.

Aloren scowled at him, turning to run again. Obviously, you don’t know everything.

Jacob kept pace with her. Please, at least tell me what’s going on.

Aloren flipped her hair over her shoulder, sending him an irritated glance. I’ve already told you everything I know.

Then tell me again. I wasn’t paying attention.

That’s evident. Aloren sighed in exasperation, slowing down. Okay, so you’re a prince. We call you the Forsaken Prince. Your parents are royalty. They’ve been in hiding—protecting you and themselves from the Lorkon—since you were a baby.

Jacob was a prince? Why didn’t my parents tell me anything?

Look, I don’t know. I wasn’t part of the decision-making process. I wasn’t even alive when everything went down.

Why are you so mad at me? Obviously, I wasn’t part of that decision either.

Because I don’t have time to deal with this. I was hired to bring you to the Makalos and to help you get the key, not coddle you and make sure you’re comfortable with the information no one knew you hadn’t been given. Okay?

Jacob’s mouth opened and closed. He had no response for that.

Just then, a flash of light filled the forest, and a miniature woman, about two inches tall, with dark hair and wearing a white dress, appeared, floating in the air. She didn’t have wings.

Jacob’s jaw went slack. What the crap?

Are you coming, Aloren? the woman said. Kenji says you must come faster.

Yes, Early, I’m on my way. Tell them plans have changed. The Lorkon got there before I did—they kidnapped King Dmitri and his daughter. Also, if the Makalos want to send someone with us, they’re going have to be ready the minute we arrive.

The little person nodded and disappeared in a flash of light, reappearing only seconds later. They say okay. The way to Eklaron is open.

Thank you.

The little person disappeared, and Jacob followed as Aloren took off at a jog.

Eklaron?

It’s a sister planet of earth, Aloren said.

We don’t have a sister planet.

Aloren sent him a glance that told him just what she thought of that.

The path became springy under Jacob’s feet, the bushes on either side of him thickening. The rich smell of old wood assailed him, and he looked up in surprise. The aspens and evergreens had given way to maples and magnificent oaks—trees he’d never seen in this forest. Had he gone farther now than he’d ever been before? How was that possible? He and Matt had thoroughly explored these forests on numerous occasions. For a moment, hysteria nearly overcame him. He started to look for markers, familiar trees, other paths—anything so he could find his way back in case Aloren lost him.

She didn’t lose him, though. She led him through the ancient forest and into a meadow. The sun was close to setting, its rays lighting the weirdest tree Jacob had ever seen. Its branches were old and twisted, circling each other in a haphazard race toward the sky. The trunk of the tree was massive—nearly as big around as Jacob’s house.

His attention wasn’t on the tree for long before he noticed it had a gaping hole in it near the ground. Short people were pouring in and out of that hole, and he realized with a start that it was a door. Then he noticed that the people weren’t human. There was something off about them that he couldn’t figure out.

He and Aloren were surrounded by chaos as the creatures noticed them and began clambering around them.

Aloren, did you see them?

Molgs! Tons of them!

They attacked without warning.

Couldn’t have predicted it.

Oh, you brought Jacob!

Jacob, help us! Help us!

We need you!

Stop it! Aloren shouted. Where’s Brojan? Where are Kenji and Ebony?

Here, Aloren, a woman with blond hair said, striding through the group. Patriarch Brojan was injured—like the rest of the wounded, he’s sleeping it off. She motioned to the sides of the meadow where Jacob noticed for the first time that there were tons of the shorter people sleeping, bandaged up.

Ebony, we’ve got to go, Aloren said. Now. The Molgs took King Dmitri and the princess. Every minute we spend here is a minute they get closer to the Lorkon castle.

Jacob, glad to meet you a man said, joining Ebony. He interlaced his fingers through Ebony’s. Wish it could’ve been under different circumstances. Your father and I are close friends.

Um . . . good to meet you too. I wish I’d known about you earlier.

Yes, so do we. But your parents chose not to explain anything to you, and now we must live with the consequences.

Jacob raised an eyebrow. That was harsh. How did him not knowing lead to people being attacked? He seriously doubted he had anything to do with it.

My name is Kenji. I’m a Makalo. We’re a magical species that once ruled Eklaron. When the Lorkon attacked the first time seventeen years ago, they reduced our numbers drastically, and now, we hide here, in Taga Village. He motioned to the canyon walls around them.

Jacob glanced up, seeing a tall crevice in the stone walls on either side. More Makalos were in the crevices near squat buildings. The canyon reminded him of Mesa Verde in Colorado. He’d gone there a couple of times on vacations with his family.

Kenji turned to Aloren. Seden will go with you—like you, he has a particular motivation for getting to Maivoryl City.

Jacob glanced at Aloren. Particular motivation?

She ignored him. Good. Anyone else?

My son, Akeno.

Aloren nodded. Are they ready?

Nearly. Kenji turned to Jacob. We’ve packed everything we thought you might need—food, water, bedding. You can take Early to facilitate communication with us. Please keep us posted on your travels. He motioned to Aloren. Make sure you and Seden warn him about everything. Answer all his questions. Kenji rubbed the back of his neck. Well, whatever you have the answers to.

We’ll do our best, she said.

Chapter Four

Aloren folded her arms. With the increased danger and the Forsaken Prince’s obvious lack of knowledge—which puts him in even more danger—my rate has doubled.

Kenji sighed. I understand. We’ll meet whatever extra demands you may have.

Thank you.

Jacob stared at Aloren. What a mercenary. For the first time, he noticed what she was wearing—tight brown leather pants that laced up the legs, a leather top, and very durable shoes. A short sword was slung over her back, a knapsack hung over her neck and one arm, and she’d pulled her hair into a ponytail. Not a speck of makeup was on her face—not that she needed it. This girl was intense. He decided then and there not to cross her again if he could help it.

If you see the witch, run, Kenji said.

Aloren half smiled. Of course.

Kenji ran off to get Seden, and Aloren glanced at Jacob. Everyone says that. It’s a stupid myth, not something we need to worry about. She doesn’t actually exist.

Jacob folded his arms across his chest. He didn’t know if there was a witch or not, but Aloren’s know-it-all attitude was getting on his nerves. You don’t know everything.

Aloren rolled her eyes. Whatever. I know more than you do.

Right. About this world. He couldn’t help but wonder what her story was, though. What had the Makalos required of and promised her? And why was she so angry and intense?

A huge man with bronzed skin and dark hair and eyes strode up to them. Aloren, Jacob, are you ready? His voice was deep, booming.

Yes, Seden, Aloren said.

Jacob noticed a Makalo with black hair and bright blue eyes hovering behind Seden. He glanced at Jacob, then quickly away. Seden ignored the Makalo, but Aloren motioned to him.

Are you Akeno? she asked.

He nodded.

Good. We’re all ready, then. Seden, lead the way.

Seden sent her an irritated expression—he obviously liked being bossed around as much as Jacob did—then strode across the meadow and into the forest on the opposite side from where Jacob and Aloren had come.

Not waiting for the others to catch up, Seden started up the trail. Jacob followed him, not wanting to walk near Aloren.

When he noticed that Jacob was just behind him, Seden said, A witch lives in the forest just outside the entrance to Taga Village. If you see anything, run.

Aloren chuckled, making pace with Jacob. There was just enough room on the path for them to walk side by side with Akeno trailing behind. It’s all myths, you know.

The man shrugged. Maybe so, but I don’t live my life according to solid facts. There’s a bit of truth in everything, and that belief has kept me alive for a long time. He glanced at Jacob. I’ve been informed that you don’t know much about this world.

Jacob nodded, half expecting Seden to chastise him. The man didn’t, though, thank goodness.

I’ll do my best to fill you in on what I know. Have you heard about the war already?

A bit. I know the Lorkon came and killed a lot of people.

Yes. It happened about sixteen years ago—right before you were born.

Tell me more about them, Jacob said.

They’re disgusting and very dangerous. We’ll have plenty of time to discuss them later. For now, though, we need to get through the basics.

Seden proceeded to tell Jacob about that war. The Lorkon had kidnapped Princess Arien—Jacob’s mom. Jacob’s dad had gathered a group of followers to go after the Lorkon, fighting through many traps the Lorkon had set. In the end, almost everyone had died, including Dad’s best friend and half of his group. Kenji had been part of that group.

One of the Lorkon traps has been neutralized, but the others have not. We’ll need you, Jacob, to get us through them so we can rescue your family.

Jacob shook his head, stepping over a log that had fallen across the trail. Are you serious? I’ve never been here . . . that I remember, anyway. What could I possibly do?

Your father led his group through those traps, and no one has been able to follow since. Because of that, people have great expectations of the Forsaken Prince. You can thank your father for that.

Great. Just great. Jacob shifted the heavy knapsack Kenji had given him. And why does everyone call me the Forsaken Prince?

Many reasons. The Lorkon had you in their possession and let you go. Now they seek you diligently, though we don’t know why. Your parents took you to a strange land to hide you, practically giving up your rights. You’ve been forsaken, forgotten, and left alone for years by your own people. And now, when the Lorkon rule has gotten increasingly horrible, they are finally remembering you. They place a great deal of hope in you—hope that you’ll dethrone the Lorkon and return your father to his rightful place. That you’ll cleanse the land of the effect the Lorkon have had. And that you’ll make their ways of life happy once more.

Wow. Talk about pressure.

Seden sent him a smile. Don’t worry about it—your father is the one who should be feeling it. As king, he’s technically in charge, and it was his choice to take you away from your subjects.

Jacob’s thoughts went to his dad. How long had he and Amberly been gone? Were they hurt? And if so, how badly? Jacob fisted his hands. Those Lorkon would regret every injury they gave his family.

The group fell silent as the trail took a sharp turn upward. Jacob watched the sun finish setting, casting a rosy glow through the trees and canyon. Eventually, Seden stopped hiking and motioned to a relatively level section of canyon off the trail.

We’ll camp here. Akeno, would you set up some huts?

Jacob had almost forgotten the Makalo was there, he was so quiet. He looked back and nearly jumped out of his skin. Akeno’s left ring finger glowed a brilliant blue. The light from his finger increased exponentially as Akeno stepped off the path, holding up his hand.

Whoa, Jacob whispered. That’s freakishly cool.

Akeno sent him a smile. Thanks, I think.

As Jacob watched, the Makalo put his left hand on a tree trunk and closed his eyes. The branches of the tree and bushes started to move, encircling Akeno. Jacob stared, hardly believing his eyes, then jumped out of the way as a squirrel darted across the ground, followed closely by intertwining branches.

What’s going on? Jacob asked.

Makalos control living things, Aloren said, arms folded, watching as the branches started forming huts.

Moments later, two rounded little forts had been created. There were small openings in the roofs, and the walls were made of tightly woven branches. Jacob stepped inside the first one, joining Akeno and Seden. The floor of the hut was matted and springy—perfect for sleeping.

This is amazing.

Akeno gave him a sheepish smile. I don’t technically control living things—I ask favors of them, and they agree.

I’ve only been around Makalos for a few days, but I’ve never seen a living thing say no to one, Aloren muttered behind Jacob. That’s control, if you ask me.

Jacob resisted the urge to shake his head at her. That girl had issues.

Seden told everyone to eat up and go to sleep. They wouldn’t be starting a fire—he didn’t want to wait for it to die out before they hit the sack. They didn’t have enough water on hand to douse it.

Jacob found beef jerky, cheese, bread, and nuts in his bag, and ate, listening as the others discussed plans for the next day. Apparently, they’d be going through an infected forest, stopping at the cabin of an old friend of the Makalos, and then encountering one of the traps the Lorkon set up for Dmitri several years ago. There were a lot more details, but Jacob’s head began to whirl. He was too tired to take in much more. Instead, out of habit, he powered up his phone and tried to check his texts. He didn’t have service—that wasn’t surprising. It was ten, and Seden wanted to get an early start the next morning. Jacob turned off his phone, pulled a blanket from his knapsack, and fell asleep.

Chapter Five

After what felt like only a few minutes, Seden was waking everyone.

We’ve got a lot of ground to cover today, he said. We’ll eat as we travel.

The trail got steep again, and everyone had to use their hands to hike, pulling themselves up using roots, rocks, and vines.

Finally, about an hour later, they reached the entrance to Taga Village. It was a tunnel about ten feet long, cut through the stone face of the canyon wall. Bits and pieces of board were strewn all around it. Akeno surprised Jacob by talking. He said that the boards used to seal the entrance shut.

The Lorkon blasted their way through, he said.

Aloren raised her eyebrow. The Lorkon themselves? I was under the impression that they sent servants.

Akeno flushed, and Jacob felt like yelling at Aloren for being so critical when the Makalo obviously had a hard time talking in front of strangers.

Same difference, Jacob said. They’re behind it either way.

Akeno sent him a grateful expression while Aloren turned her back. Jacob snorted inwardly. Whatever.

Before going through the tunnel, Seden gave them another warning about the witch. Snakes serve her. If you see anything off or weird, get out of there.

Aloren didn’t scoff this time. Jacob almost commented on the fact that he’d seen lots of things that were off or weird, but held back.

The trees on the other side of the tunnel were dead, misshapen, and shriveled. They were almost painful to look at. The land around the trees also appeared to be dead, and there were animal carcasses all over the ground. The stench was so strong that Jacob’s stomach lurched, and a sharp feeling of nausea hit him.

All of this, however, was not what caught him off guard the most.

Everything—including the sky and his companions—was completely devoid of color.

No one moved for a moment as they stared at the forest.

Why is everything black and white? Jacob asked.

We don’t know, Seden said. He glanced at Aloren. Most say it’s the witch’s control over the landscape.

Aloren rolled her eyes, but didn’t respond.

Jacob turned to her. "What’s your explanation for it?"

I don’t have one, she mumbled.

Seden grinned victoriously.

While he was taking everything in, Jacob had the slight sensation of being on a boat, rocking side to side. It took a moment to put his finger on why. He studied the forest around them, finally noticing that the trees were moving, shifting away from them. Then he noticed something else. There wasn’t a trail on this side of the tunnel.

When Jacob commented on it, Akeno surprised him by being the one who answered.

As Seden said, the forest is infected by the witch. She tries to trap people, and the forest helps. Not only that, but it does its best to remove any evidence that people have ever traveled here.

Well, I don’t know about you guys, Jacob said, but I’m convinced that there’s an actual witch here.

No one responded—not even Aloren—and Seden led the way into the forest. Jacob was grateful the trees weren’t so thick that walking without a trail was impossible. Still, he wasn’t comfortable with his surroundings. He felt watched, and that made the hairs on the back of his neck raise.

The farther into the forest they went, the more the trees moved. Seden eventually pulled out his sword and hacked at branches that crisscrossed in front of them.

That’s only going to make them mad, Aloren said, stepping across a huge log.

So . . . be . . . it, Seden responded in between whacks of his sword. We have to . . . get through . . . somehow.

Aloren was right, though. The trees began whipping around in a frenzy, almost as if they were freaking out.

Dodging branches, dead animals, and stumps, Jacob stumbled through the forest, doing his best to ignore the angry trees. He kept his eyes on Seden and Aloren, but it was difficult to keep up.

The air tasted stale and dirty, and each breath he took was agonizing. He tried to limit the amount of air that entered his lungs, but the stench of death was overwhelming.

The forest was growing thicker. Jacob’s palms began sweating and his heartbeat hitched up even faster when he noticed that the distance between himself and the two ahead of him was growing. Were the trees letting them through while trying to stop him?

Guys? Can you slow down?

They didn’t look back. Had they heard him over the sound of the thrashing trees?

Stop! Jacob yelled.

They still didn’t hear him, and he froze, blinking in shock when the trees shifted and moved, putting them completely out of view.

Akeno gave a little shriek. We can’t lose them! He started running, easily passing Jacob.

You’ve got to be kidding me, Jacob said, jogging again, grabbing trunks and branches to catapult himself past the trees.

The forest grew even thicker, making it nearly impossible to see, and what little light there was danced around as the branches thrashed. After only a few minutes, Jacob could no longer see Akeno, and very soon he couldn’t hear him, either.

He stopped running, not sure where to go since they hadn’t exactly been following a straight line.

Hello? Akeno? Aloren? Anyone?

No one answered, and he wasn’t surprised. He barely heard himself—the stupid trees were too loud.

Something cold and smooth brushed against Jacob’s cheek. He frantically wiped it off his face, spinning to see what had touched him. Nothing was there but the moving branches.

He started forward again, cautiously peering ahead. He gasped as another cold, smooth thing ran through his hair. He shook his head, trying to rid himself of the animal—or whatever it was.

Seconds later, an extra weight slid across his shoulders and over them, circling his neck. He reached up to grab it, recognizing the feel of the creature. It was a snake about two feet long. He yanked, flinging it off. Jacob stumbled backwards, nearly falling, as the pale-colored snake flattened and floated swiftly to a nearby tree.

The trees stopped moving.

Chapter Six

With the stillness, the light no longer danced, and Jacob could see better. Nearly every surface was covered with snakes—the ground seemed to have come alive. Several of them floated through the air.

Jacob looked around, half expecting to see a witch. He didn’t want to call out for his group—he didn’t want to draw any more attention to himself.

Jacob peered through the darkness, gingerly treading forward. He tried not to step on any of the snakes and grimaced when he did, but they weren’t reacting to him now that the trees were still.

As he walked cautiously, something large brushed against his leg. He looked down and made out the shape of a snake two feet in diameter as it slithered slowly past him, then stopped.

Jacob felt his heart do a double beat as his mind raced. What kind of snake was that? Was it poisonous? He couldn’t remember ever having seen one on TV. He scrambled away, but with a quick jerk he almost didn’t see, the snake re-coiled itself around his feet. In a split second, several loops of it encircled him, pinning his arms to his sides, and he couldn’t move anymore.

The snake hissed, eye-to-eye with Jacob, its intelligent gaze piercing into him. Its tongue flicked out, barely touching Jacob’s skin and hair, testing the air around him. Then its body tightened so much that it squeezed the breath out of him. The snake lifted him completely off the ground and started carrying him through the forest. Jacob gasped for air, his vision going red, and was finally able to pull in a breath.

After a few minutes, the forest ended as the snake reached the edge of a clearing. Toward the center was a hill with a very large manor sitting atop its crest. There was no sign of Akeno or the other two.

The manor must have been impressive in its day. Large granite columns graced the front of the building, and the windows, most of which had either been boarded over or smashed open, were massive and elegant. The wide concrete porch that circled the house was now cracked and disheveled, with vines growing through the cracks and up many of the columns. One corner of the foundation had begun to sink.

In front of the house, to the right, was a large pit. Jacob thought he could hear Akeno’s voice coming from it, and he struggled to break free of the snake’s tight grip. But the snake ignored his attempts and continued slithering across the ground, up the stairs, and through the open front door of the house.

It was musty and dirty inside. Dim light shone through several of the smashed windows. The front entryway was spacious—at least two stories high, maybe three. The floor was marble, and there were marble pillars lining the edges of the room. Stained-glass windows between the pillars let in muted light.

Jacob caught a glimpse of a side room with sheet-covered furniture before the snake carried him up the staircase. There was a hallway at the top of the stairs, the first half overlooking the front entry and the second half lined with doors. All the doors were shut, and many had a slight greenish glow coming through the cracks.

The snake stopped abruptly at the end of the hall. In place of the door was a silvery, translucent sheen that filled the entire doorway. The snake paused before entering. The moment its head passed the frame, there was a loud clap, and the sheen disappeared. The snake wriggled forward a few feet, then released its hold on Jacob. He stumbled and whirled, ready to defend himself, but the snake had already slithered back into the hallway and was biting the top, bottom, and sides of the doorframe. The translucent veil materialized again, sealing the room, and the snake slithered down the hall and stairs.

Jacob rushed to the nearest window, barely noticing junk and oddly placed rolls of thick cloth on the floor, and watched as the snake disappeared into the forest. He waited a few moments, but the snake didn’t return.

The pit was beneath the window. It wasn’t very deep—maybe two or three feet—and Akeno was there, thrashing around in the remains of charred furniture and other debris. Jacob pounded on the window, trying to get Akeno’s attention, but the Makalo didn’t seem to notice.

A cold wind blew on the back of Jacob’s neck, making his hair rise. He turned and nearly yelled—about a foot or so away was a partially decomposed body sitting in a chair, on the verge of tumbling over.

Afraid it would fall at any moment, Jacob kept his hands up as he stepped to the side, barely missing another body that lay across the floor with arms stretched toward the door. He jumped away from it, realizing that what he’d assumed to be rolls of cloth were really bodies sprawled on the ground, reaching for the exit. He made his way to a clear spot and looked around.

The room was very large. There was a massive bed against one wall, a fireplace on another, and several chairs placed in random positions around bookcases, tables, and the fireplace. Nearly every chair held human remains, ranging from full skeletons to decomposing corpses that had been dead for only a few weeks at most. In one corner of the room was a table. On top were two stone jugs and bits of both fresh and moldy food.

The smell of death and decay became so overpowering, Jacob felt as though his lungs would burst. Desperate for fresh air, he steeled himself, then rushed past the dead bodies back to the window.

He grunted, pushing on the lever, trying to open the window. But it wouldn’t budge.

Jacob’s gaze landed on the jugs, and he grabbed one—it was heavy with water. He smashed it against the window as hard as he could. The result was water splashing all over himself and the nearest body, the jug shattering, and the window remaining undamaged. He grimaced.

Then he looked down and noticed several broken objects on the floor below the windows—byproducts of others’ attempts to break the glass.

Jacob groaned. You’ve got to be kidding me.

The sound of his own voice startled him, and he looked over his shoulder at the bodies. He felt stupid when he realized he was checking to see if they’d moved. He forced himself to take a breath to calm himself and studied them. What if, like them, his only way out was through the doorway? But why hadn’t they gone through? They weren’t tied up or anything. They weren’t even near the door. None of them was closer than five or six feet.

Resolving to get out, Jacob crossed the room toward the shimmering doorway. He stopped about three feet away, peering at it. There was a slight movement, a few swirls in the silver. Light pink and blue mists emanated from it, and Jacob was distracted by the color for a moment—it was the first he’d seen since he got here. As he reached toward the portal, something passed over his skin as his hand went through the mist. It was cold—very cold—and a sharp pinpricking sensation started at his fingertips, moving up his wrist to where the mist stopped. Alarmed, Jacob pulled back his arm and examined his hand. No blood, no mark, nothing.

He looked up, took a step closer, and put his hand out again, this time determined to touch the shimmering barrier. The same cold, prickly feeling started at his fingertips and reached his elbow. He held his breath and plunged his arm forward. Nothing happened. But then he saw the sheen separate where he touched it.

Jacob stepped forward, pushing himself into the veil. The cold mist encompassed him, and the pinpricks covered him from head to foot. An enormous pressure enveloped his entire body, making movement difficult, and the air started to swirl around him. As the wind gained speed, his shirt got pulled up and his hair ruffled.

An intense pain hit him, starting in his chest and moving to his extremities. He felt electrocuted—he couldn’t move, and his body shook. He couldn’t even breathe. His fingers felt pulled from their joints, and there was no sensation in his feet. He tried to back out of the doorway, but it was as if some invisible force was holding him in one spot.

After what seemed like an eternity, but was probably only a few seconds, the feeling left him and he doubled over, gasping for breath. The pain in his muscles was replaced with numbness and he lost his balance, falling back into the room.

Chapter Seven

Jacob lay awkwardly on his side, no feeling in his body whatsoever. Had he been hit by lightning? Zapped with a Taser? Even his brain seemed paralyzed.

Sensation slowly returned to his limbs and he rolled onto his back, staring up at the ceiling. What on earth had happened? Or, more precisely, what on Eklaron had happened? Had he been electrocuted? And why hadn’t it killed him? Did the people in the room try the same thing with similar results? He flipped onto his stomach and gradually got to his knees, ignoring the dead body two feet away.

He stood and turned to face the barrier. It was the only way out of the room—he was sure of that. Did he dare try walking through again? He scowled at the thought, looking at the dead bodies. There was no way he was going to stay here and die like they did. He had to find Dad and Amberly. Mom was relying on him.

With new resolve, Jacob held up his hand and took a step, frowning as the tingly sensation moved from his fingers and up his arm. This time, however, he steeled himself against the pressure of the swirling air and pushed as hard as he could. The same intense pain began, stopping his breathing once again, but he was already moving forward and continued pushing.

A loud pop made him jump, and the pressure, the mist, the pain, and the wind were gone. There was only the simple doorframe.

Relief coursed through his body, and he breathed deeply. Why had it worked this time and not the first? Deciding to think on it later, he took one last look into the room, then sprinted down the hallway and the stairs. He crossed the front entryway and exited the house, expecting something to jump out at him any moment, relieved when nothing did. Where was that witch, if she really did exist? And where had the huge snake gone?

Something odd about the trees caught his attention. They all appeared to be pulsing toward a point in the forest some distance away. And that spot seemed to be moving.

A sick feeling came over him as he realized that whatever was moving through the forest was coming toward him, and that the trees wanted to be close to it—trees that had been trying to attack him earlier. The witch, or something equally evil, was on the way.

Jacob ran to the edge of the pit and saw Akeno randomly digging through the junk. The furniture had been burned a while ago—how long, he couldn’t tell.

He headed down the three-foot slope toward Akeno. Come on, let’s go.

Akeno ignored him.

Jacob looked back at the forest. We don’t have a lot of time.

Again, Akeno didn’t respond. So, not asking for permission, Jacob pinned the Makalo’s hands to his sides and swung the small creature over his shoulder.

Then he practically flew out of the pit. Ignoring Akeno’s yelling, Jacob sprinted through the forest, praying he wouldn’t run into the snake. It was difficult to keep Akeno on his shoulder—he was kicking and flailing with all his might and almost got away several times. What was his deal?

The trees weren’t thrashing. Jacob figured they were distracted by whatever lay just ahead of them. He was running almost straight toward their focus point, but there wasn’t anything else he could do. He had a rough idea of where he needed to go, and that was back the way he’d come. Hopefully, he’d find Aloren and Seden. Hopefully, the witch wouldn’t find them first.

Jacob kept Akeno’s wrists pinned together with one hand. He used the other to push branches out of the way. Veering right, he widened the space between the oncoming danger and themselves.

As he tore through the forest, a snake flew out of the air in front of him, and he almost lost Akeno. Something caught his attention, and he stole a sidelong glance. Completely unprepared for what he saw, Jacob lost his balance and tumbled headlong into the brush. The dark, piercing eyes of a beautiful woman had locked with his. He rose to his knees, still holding Akeno. She was about a hundred feet away, the trees leaning over, almost touching the ground as they bowed to her.

She was clad in flowing white robes that billowed in the breeze. Her long, dark hair mingled with the robes drifting around her. She smiled mockingly at him, and it appeared as if she found his situation humorous. Her walk was graceful, and though she moved toward the house, when their eyes met, she stopped to face him.

Danilo, she said in a whisper. Her voice was haunting, carrying across the distance with ease.

Akeno whimpered, and Jacob, distracted by the woman’s beauty, realized he was probably squishing his prisoner. Tearing his eyes away from her gaze, Jacob saw fear written all over the poor Makalo’s face. He looked at the woman again and saw that she was still watching him, though now she reached toward him, beckoning him to come.

Feeling an odd yearning to do so, Jacob got to his feet, hefting Akeno and brushing himself off with the hand that wasn’t holding the Makalo. What was a beautiful woman like that doing alone in the forest? There were dangerous things here, and . . . and she obviously needed him. He could take care of her. He’d clean and fix up the manor. Everyone was probably just being pessimistic about the Lorkon. He took a step in her direction, but Akeno struggled on his shoulder, seemingly aware of what Jacob was doing.

Jacob scowled, then glanced at the lady, and she again beckoned.

He smiled at her. The picture she created was one of serenity and elegance. He wanted to look into her eyes and say something intelligent to make her like him. He took a step forward, but jumped when Akeno bit him and tried to escape.

Stupid Makalo! Jacob said, scrambling to cover Akeno’s mouth and hold him in place.

The pain made him hesitate, however, and he frowned, struggling with himself internally. Something made him long to be near the woman. But then again . . . what had Seden and Aloren been talking about earlier? He couldn’t quite remember. A gross feeling started in the pit of his stomach and spread to his heart. He blinked, his mind clearing, somewhat confused by the feeling. Something so beautiful and perfect couldn’t be bad, could it? But there was that feeling again. Take a step back, it warned him. He grunted, frustrated with the persistence of the ridiculous thought that was ruining his peaceful moment.

Finally recognizing that he couldn’t ignore the warning, he closed his eyes, willing his intuition to tell him why he shouldn’t go to her.

Logic briefly touched his mind. Seden had warned them about a witch here. The trees wanted to be near her, and they had been attacking him earlier. He scowled and opened his eyes. She was still there, patiently waiting. He glanced down at his arms, mildly surprised to see that the skin was still scratched and scraped from being attacked by limbs.

Jacob looked at her again, noticing for the first time the hundreds of snakes swirling around her ankles. Yeah, snakes had taken him to a room full of dead people. This woman was evil.

He took a step back, trying to gauge how she’d handle rejection. A look of anger crossed the woman’s face. Again she beckoned, imploring him to come.

Shaking his head, unable to speak, he took another step back.

This time, an unmistakable expression of anger marred her exotic features. With a quick movement, she spread her arms, raised her face to the sky, and emitted a shrill, piercing scream.

A thick black cloud of air poured out of her mouth, made up of thousands of flying bugs and beetles that congregated around her. Dropping her head, she directed her scream toward Jacob, and the cloud came shooting across the distance between them.

Chapter Eight

No longer hesitating, Jacob took off in the opposite direction, running as fast as his legs would go.

Faster! Akeno yelled, still slung over Jacob’s shoulder.

Jacob couldn’t go faster—the trees were fighting again, snagging him and the Makalo. He jumped over logs, animal carcasses, and rocks, trying to get away from the woman and those black bugs.

The trees kept fighting him, but with less intensity. They were now bending toward something almost directly behind them.

Akeno yelled in fright, and Jacob, who thought he was already running as fast as he could, put on even more speed, nearly losing his balance in the process.

He heard shouting ahead, and when he rounded a large tree, he nearly slammed into Seden and Aloren. The man took one look behind Jacob and shrieked. He and Aloren turned and ran alongside Jacob. The smell of dead animals was overwhelming, and Jacob’s head spun from the stench.

He looked up and could see the end of the forest fast approaching. Relief coursed through him. Only that much farther to go. He could make it—he had to make it.

With one final push, he sailed through the last bit of forest at what felt like breakneck speed. A few strides past the forest edge, the buzzing sound dissipated, and he looked backward. The cloud of black had stopped exactly where the forest ended. There was no sign of the woman.

Jacob and the others ran another ten seconds before they couldn’t go any farther. He released his hold on Akeno, who tumbled out of sight, and Jacob collapsed on his back in the tall grass alongside a trail.