Jacob stared at the Lorkon’s mouth in disgust—the teeth were dark—and he opted not to respond. It wouldn’t matter anyhow. Everything he said would come out as “insolent.”
Keitus beckoned for Jacob to come closer, and Jacob took one step. The Lorkon blew out a breath in exasperation.
“Come on, Jacob, let’s not play games. We have things to discuss.”
“Why would I want to talk with you?”
“Because I hold the key to your freedom.”
Jacob looked closely at Keitus’s hands. He couldn’t see the Key of Kilenya there. “What do you mean?”
“Isn’t it obvious? One word from me and you’re dead.”
Jacob held back his retort. That was one of the most over-used threats in movies and books. He didn’t think Keitus would respond well to the remark, though, and his head still hurt from the earlier punishment. “What do you want from me?”
“You ask ignorant questions, son. You already know what I want—I can see it in your eyes. I seek the power I gave you. It’s rightfully mine. And you’re rightfully mine.”
“I don’t belong to anyone.”
“I created you.”
Jacob scoffed. “No, you didn’t—you tried to destroy me.”
Keitus took a deep breath. The colors swirling around him flickered from red to blue, showing that he was trying to stay calm.
The Lorkon didn’t speak for a moment. Then, “Sit down; eat,” he said in a much more conciliatory tone. “I insist.”
He waved to a table loaded with food. Jacob approached cautiously, expecting an attack at any moment. When one didn’t come, he sat at the table and regarded the food. He hadn’t realized how starving he was until the smell of rotisserie chicken and warm bread flooded into his nose. “Did you poison it?”
“If I wanted you dead, you’d be that way already.”
Jacob grunted impatiently. “Yes, I know. But did you put something in it that’ll make me talk? Like a truth serum?” He knew Keitus hadn’t read modern earth fiction, so the Harry Potter reference would be lost on him.
“Oh, no. I expect we’ll have a very open, honest conversation.”
“Fine.” Jacob decided to eat. He was so hungry he didn’t think he could wait any longer. And if Keitus had done something to the food, he’d find out sooner than later.
The food was wonderful. Breads and soups and salads of every kind. Fruits and vegetables and meats. Jacob ate the rotisserie chicken first. He couldn’t tell what kind of meat most of the rest were, but he opted to eat the fish and chicken, because he knew what they were. He didn’t want to eat something disgusting. Like human. Gross.
When he’d finished drinking everything down with a tall glass of fruit juice, he leaned back in his seat, sighing contentedly.
“Better already.” Keitus said. “Walk with me, Jacob.”
“Uh . . . okay.” Jacob got to his feet and followed Keitus down the hall. They entered a longer hallway lined with paintings of many different kinds of Shiengols.
“How did you get in the fortress?” Jacob asked.
“You do know I am the one who sealed it before, right? Don’t you think I could unseal it?” Keitus motioned to a painting of Azuriah. “You’ve met him now.” A statement, not a question. “He trained you to see into the past.” Keitus turned to Jacob. “I know he did—you can’t deny it.” He bent over, looking into Jacob’s eyes.
Jacob backed up against the wall. His stomach turned, having Keitus that close. The Lorkon reeked of mold and blood and sweat.
“And you will now use that ability to help me achieve my ends.”
Jacob scowled. “You think I’m going to help you? After everything you’ve done to me and my family?”
Keitus sighed. “You are an impertinent little cub.” He walked several paces, then paused again, examining another painting. “I expected more of you.”
Jacob clenched his jaw. How much longer until the guy actually got to the point? Keitus glanced at Jacob, then indicated the painting with his eyes. Apparently Jacob was supposed to look at it. He took a breath to calm himself, then did as was expected.
It was a woman. A beautiful woman, and breathtakingly so. Dark hair like the rest of the Shiengols, a partial smile that was familiar, mocking. In fact, she was familiar, and he looked at her with his brows knit, trying to remember where he’d seen her before. She wasn’t the woman who’d earlier put her hand on Azuriah’s arm—he was sure of it. And he was sure Keitus wanted to be asked who she was. Well, Jacob wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction of knowing he’d piqued Jacob’s curiosity.
Finally, Keitus turned to Jacob. “Your parents were meant to marry each other.”
Jacob raised an eyebrow. “Are you taking credit for that, too?”
“Of course. And I’ll even take credit for your grandparents’ marriage. None of it would’ve happened without me.”
Jacob snorted. “You planned it? How’s that possible?”
Keitus’s hands twitched. Red flashed in the air around him. “I’ve been alive for a very long time, Jacob.”
“Oh, yes. Lorkon are immortal. How’d I forget?”
“The point is, I bred you. Your abilities are because of me.”
Jacob gawked at Keitus, not wanting to believe him. It was too great a stretch of the imagination to think that Keitus had actually arranged for his parents and grandparents to meet each other. And even if he had, why go to all the trouble? Jacob deflected the comment by saying, “I already know you poisoned me when I was little.”
“I didn’t poison you.” Keitus paused, as if to think before he spoke. “I tried to make you into a Lorkon. My own blood went into you.”
“Wha—” Jacob’s mouth popped open. A Lorkon? Jacob almost became a Lorkon?
“Yes. You’re surprised? Hadn’t heard that before?” Keitus laughed. “Don’t think for a moment that your parents and your precious little Makalos actually know what I was intending to do with you. They can’t possibly see that clearly.”
Jacob couldn’t help himself, even though he’d vowed not to show curiosity. “Why didn’t it work?”
Keitus turned from Jacob. “All my experimentation with babies proved useless once I got my hands on you. You weren’t like any of them. You were stronger. More resilient. And I’m sure Azuriah informed you that you inherited certain . . . traits . . . which prevented you from turning Lorkon when I expected. In my haste to figure out why, they were able to take you away.”
He stopped talking, his hands forming fists at his side. Jacob watched as a drop of blood fell to the floor. Keitus resumed walking. “My research suggested I’d be able to unlock your gifts and assume complete control over you once you’d reached the age of maturity. A simple touch was all that was required. But your parents ruined that opportunity by introducing foreign agents to your blood. That attempt to heal you has proven a challenge to overcome.” He scowled at Jacob. “I’m forced to resort to other . . . methods. More persuasive, you might call them.”
“Why are you telling me all this? Aren’t I the enemy?” Jacob hesitated before going on. “I’m just going to tell them everything you’ve told me. You know that, right?”
Keitus paused, looking away. Then he turned and towered over Jacob. He grabbed Jacob’s shoulders and squeezed very tightly, making him gasp as fingernails pierced his skin. An intense expression of greed crossed the Lorkon’s face and he pushed Jacob against the stone wall.