When he got back, Mom and Dad were waiting for him in the living room. The expressions on their faces said they had something serious to talk about, and Jacob quickly put thoughts of Early out of his mind.
“Honey,” Mom said, motioning for Jacob to have a seat next to her, “your dad and I have been discussing a few things. Well, one in particular.”
Jacob didn’t like her tone of voice. Not only that, but the colors swirling around her indicated discomfort. His heart beat sped up. “Yeah? About?”
“You—your future. You’ve got a lot of work ahead of you. Azuriah made it clear that he expects to train with you for several hours a day.”
Jacob thought he could see where this was going. “I’ll be really stressed, I know. I’ve been thinking about it, and I know I can’t overdo things. I figured out really quickly while in the fortress that pressure and Time-Seeing don’t go together.”
“Not only that,” Dad said. He looked uncomfortable. “But . . .”
Jacob swallowed. “Okay, just spit it out. You’re making me really nervous.”
Dad took a deep breath. “We’ve been thinking about pulling you out of school and hiring a tutor.”
Jacob’s jaw dropped. “But . . . that means . . . basketball . . .”
“You’d have to quit JV,” Dad said, nodding. “Which is important to you. This, however, is more important.”
“I don’t understand—I did everything fine before, when we were getting ready to rescue Aloren.”
“Honey, we know,” Mom said. “But it’s much different—this time, almost everything depends on how you handle things. We don’t want to over-stress you, and your dad and I feel that if you had one-on-one time with a teacher a few times a week, it would be better than having you gone several hours a day.”
Jacob felt his eyes smart—he wasn’t about to cry. Not in front of his parents. “But I’ve worked so hard!”
Mom put her arms around him. “You have. You really have. Think about it this way—if things go smoothly, you’ll be able to register again your senior year. You’ll make it on varsity easily.”
“I can’t just drop out! I’ve never not been on a team! And everyone will think it’s because I didn’t make varsity.”
“Think it over,” Dad said. “We’ll give you some time to adjust to the idea.”
Jacob stood. “I—”
He couldn’t continue the conversation. He had to be alone. He quickly walked out of the room and ran up the stairs to his bedroom, shut his door, then fell on the bed. Without basketball, he wasn’t sure where he’d be. He needed it! It helped him concentrate and feel good and . . . and . . . it wasn’t fair! Why didn’t anyone else have to sacrifice like this? Why weren’t they telling Aloren she couldn’t go to school? Or Matt?
Jacob jerked to his side, answering his own question. Because they didn’t have “special abilities.” Well, curse his gifts! He didn’t ask for them and he didn’t want them!
He scowled at the wall, feeling the bitterness creep across him. A part of him recognized that maybe, if he threw a big enough fit, he’d be able to continue playing basketball at the school. He let those emotions rush over him—getting his way. Pushing other people around.
Then he took a deep breath—that wasn’t how he was, and he didn’t want to hurt his family.
He rolled to his back again. But then . . . the only thing he could do was to go along with his parents.
Jacob covered his face with his pillow.
***
An hour later, someone knocked on his door. Matt didn’t wait for the go-ahead to come in. He grabbed Jacob’s desk chair, spun it around, and straddled it.
Neither said anything for several moments.
Finally, Matt cleared his throat. “Mom just told me what’s going on.”
Jacob nodded, putting the pillow aside.
“I’m sorry—I know how much it sucks.”
Jacob nodded again. He didn’t need to respond.
“I’ve been thinking, though.” Matt paused. “You’re working toward getting on varsity, right?”
“Yeah.”
“And you don’t have to stop playing ball just because you can’t be on the team anymore, right?”
Jacob took a deep breath, then sat up. He hadn’t thought of that. “I guess so.”
“Well, look at it this way. We’ll all help you keep up on your skills. You won’t fall behind—you were already way ahead anyway. And not only that, but I really do believe what Aldo said about the Lorkon intending to come and destroy everything. We can’t just stay here, ignoring them. It will happen eventually.” He paused again. “So . . . by dropping out for a while to work on your abilities and figure things out in Eklaron, you’re actually working toward making varsity. ‘Cause if we don’t stop the Lorkon, there won’t be a varsity team in a couple of years anyway.”
Jacob thought on that for several moments, then nodded. “Maybe you’re right.” When put that way, it made sense. There wasn’t any way the Lorkon would let Jacob continue playing basketball if they took over his life.
“Cheer up, Jake. This isn’t the worst thing ever. Other people have had to make bigger sacrifices.”
Jacob looked his brother in the eye for a moment. “I know. But it’s still really dumb.”
Matt agreed and leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. He played with the rungs in the back of the chair, possibly giving Jacob time to think.
Jacob ran his hand through his hair. What Matt said really hit him—sacrificing. If it meant saving his family and loved ones and even basketball, he could sacrifice his biggest goals for a season. It was a noble thing to do—putting the needs of other people ahead of his own. He’d already had a lot of practice doing that, and had even considered joining Keitus to save his family.
He took a few deep breaths. “I’ve got so much to do. I don’t know how I’ll get everything done.”
Matt sagged in the chair. “Yeah, I’m glad I’m not in your spot.”
Jacob reached over and playfully slugged his brother on the shoulder. “It would’ve been better if you were—you could’ve figured everything out by now.”
Matt shook his head. “Nah. You’ve done a really good job.”
Jacob looked at his hands. “Thanks.”
“Wanna play a game of one-on-one?”
Jacob looked up and snorted. “Why? So you can lose?”
Matt rolled his eyes. “Whatever. I practiced while you were gone. I’m even better than before.”
Jacob laughed. “I doubt that.”
“Oh! A challenge! Game’s on!”
The brothers jumped up to leave the room, Matt’s colors switching from concerned to cheerful. He paused before they headed down the stairs. “I’ve only got one request.”
“What’s that?”
“Hurry up and save the world so I can still be captain of the football team.”
###
Rise of Keitus, Kilenya Chronicles Book Four, is now ready to read! Find it here. Enjoy!
Read the full story behind Dmitri and Arien’s escape from the Lorkon with their baby. Join Andrea’s Readers Group to gain access not only to Stolen Princess but the rest of the stories in the Exclusive Reader Stories box set:
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Note from the author:
Hey, everyone! :-) So, I worried a little it would bother my readers that Jacob acted like a teenager and/or is treated like one occasionally. Usually, in books written about sixteen-year-olds, family and parents aren’t heavily involved. In fact, they tend not to really be a part of the story at all. That’s always bothered me a bit. Just because Jacob is magical and powerful, doesn’t mean his family and responsibilities would disappear. So yes, he still has chores. :-) I hope you’re okay with the “real” life in my fantasy stories. :-)
As usual, if you want some free books, click the link above and come join us where the grass grows greener and the sun shines brighter. AKA, my readers group. ;-) :-) As usual, I’ve included a fun little teaser for the next book below. I hope you enjoy it. :-)
Much love!
Andrea
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Rise of Keitus Sneak Peek
About an hour after the attack started, Gallus stopped at a run-down place that looked like an old saloon. The back and left side of it had been blown away by one of Lirone’s bombs.
A gust of wind pushed hot air from the building past Jacob’s face, making his eyes sting again from the acrid smell of the wreckage. He watched the smoke curl and twist, then disappear into the night sky. The idea of innocent people being attacked, combined with the strong smell of burning wood, made his stomach turn.
Gallus knocked, and a man with a close-cropped brown beard opened the door. “Good evening, Morton,” Gallus said.
“Come in.” The man stepped back, allowing them all to enter.
Somewhere a baby was bawling. Morton shut the door and then peeked out a window, barely moving the curtain. Jacob was about to ask if the baby was okay, but stopped when he noticed the colors swirling around the man—a mix of red, orange, and purple. Anger, nervousness, and distraction. That didn’t sit right with Jacob. Everyone else had exhibited fear, panic, and in some cases, excitement.
Not only that, but Morton’s actions were jerky, abrupt. Jacob didn’t know why, but a feeling of distrust flowed through him. This man wasn’t being honest, but what did he have to lie about?
Jacob’s silent question was answered when Morton grabbed him, yanking him away from the others. Something sharp pricked Jacob’s neck. The man’s breath came in fast, short bursts. He stank like something that had dragged itself out of the sewers.
Gallus raised his hands and stepped carefully toward Jacob, but Morton growled at him to stop.
“My wife is dead, Gallus. Lirone killed her. I’ve got a newborn and a two-year-old. How am I supposed to take care of them without her?” He paused for a moment. No one responded. “How am I to care for them?” Jacob felt Morton’s arms shake, and the blade poked him even deeper. “None of this would have happened if it weren’t for this boy. They’re looking for him. And I’m tired of standing by, doing nothing.”
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