The Key of Kilenya

 Author's Note:

The video on the side of the chapter talks about my hobbies and interests.

Happy Reading! :-)

- Andrea

2. The Rog

            I went to the cabin of Aldo and Ezra’s mother to meet them, but found Ezra dead. Someone had broken into the cabin and torn it to shreds. Aldo was nowhere to be found, nor was his mother.

            I found a paper crumpled in Ezra’s hand, with several notes scribbled on it: “Lorkon behind attack?” “What motive?” “Pregnant” and “Fury of the Elements.” What is a Lorkon? And how will I know where to find my Arien?

            I plan to return to the cabin with a few men as soon as possible for a more thorough search.

***

            Jacob jumped up, swinging out with his hands, but too late. Nothing was there. The door to the tree opened, momentarily blinding him with late-afternoon sunlight, then shut just as quickly.

“Hello?” Jacob called out. No answer. He shook himself, trying to get rid of the creepy feeling that surrounded him.

            A roar outside the tree made him jump.

            Oh, no, not the wolves again. He forced himself to calm down. Wolves didn’t roar, and this roar hadn’t sounded very close. Maybe he had time to get away! He couldn’t stand the idea of being trapped again. Jacob raced to the door and swung it open, but jerked to a stop as soon as the meadow came into view.

            The biggest bear he’d ever seen charged at top speed toward the tree—straight for him.

            He yelled and slammed the door shut, making sure it clicked, then backed as far away from it as he could. He bumped into a staircase and dashed up a couple of steps, waiting for the bear to hit the door. Only, it didn’t.

            Something heavy breathed outside—the bear, obviously. The knob shook—jiggled a bit. A thump against the tree, and Jacob froze, waiting to see if the bear would break through. Another loud roar, and the knob jiggled again. Jacob stared at it, wondering if the bear had the intelligence to try to open it. He hoped not. The light shining through the cracks on either side of the door shifted as the creature tried to find a way in.

            The knob turned, the latch released, and the door swung open. Jacob straightened in fright. The bear roared, opening its mouth farther than Jacob thought possible—the largest set of teeth he'd ever seen dripped with saliva. He fumbled backward, nearly falling when his foot hit the step behind him.

            The animal roared again, then took a leap toward Jacob, who spun around and dashed up the stairs.

            The bear swiped its paw across his back. He expected pain from claws, but felt nothing. Relief flushed through him, though it was short lived. There wasn't anywhere to hide in this tree. He kept running up—passing rooms as he did so. Beds, books, shelves—what was this place? Hot breath rushed over his neck, making the skin there crawl.

            The bear took another swipe at him, but again, the claws didn't catch. Jacob nearly stumbled as he reached the top of the steps, entering a room without an exit—just windows. He ran at them as fast as he could, almost falling forward from the momentum, intending to jump through, but his body merely slammed against the glass. He spun around right as the bear jumped at him, knocking him to the ground, roaring at him. Spittle flew onto Jacob’s face.

Expecting the animal to bite off his head, he was surprised when large fingers gripped him around the shoulder and dragged him down the stairs. He jerked around, looking for the person the hand belonged to, but only the bear was there. It had a human hand? How was that possible? More surprised now than anything, Jacob twisted until he could see the other hand—it was human too! His surprise only lasted a second, though. Pain registered as his legs and rear end hit each step on the way down. He flailed around, screaming for help—doing everything to stop himself, but nothing worked. The fingers dug into his shoulder too tightly.