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a wall. It felt like they were pushing him back. Well, he wasn’t about to let that happen.
    He breathed deeply, then took a few strides forward, almost a jog, but came to an abrupt stop as the two black wolves leaped in front of him, blocking his path. All of the gray wolves rushed at the Makalos. Jacob whirled in time to see some of them chase Butch up a tree. Others charged at Jaegar, who spun around, trying to shield himself with his hands. Jacob sprinted toward them, but it was too late—Jaegar was already pinned to the ground, with two wolves on top of him, barking and slashing with their teeth and paws.
    “ No! ” Akeno screamed. A loud crack filled the air, and all the wolves fell to the ground.
    “Help me get them off!” he shouted. “We’ve only got a few seconds. The effect doesn’t last as long on them.”
    Jacob caught up with him—two wolves had collapsed on top of Jaegar, who was unconscious. Together, Jacob and Akeno rolled the wolves off.
    Already the beasts were beginning to stir. Jacob lifted Jaegar’s small frame in his arms and ran with him toward Taga, following Akeno.
    Butch climbed down from his tree as Jacob ran past, then trailed behind. He wasn’t as fast as Akeno or Jacob, and it wasn’t long before Jacob heard scuffling. He stopped, knowing the Makalo was in trouble, and turned around. The wolves had attacked.
    “Knock them out!” Jacob shouted to Akeno.
    “I can’t—it’s been too soon. It loses effectiveness.”
    “Then take him and run!” Jacob shouted as he shoved Jaegar into Akeno’s arms. He ran back to Butch and the wolves, trying to distract them by flailing his hands wildly. Seeing him, the gray wolves snarled and leaped, but were stopped by the black wolves.
    With the black wolves in front, the pack backed away as Jacob neared. He held his hands out in front, ready to defend himself if the wolves decided to charge. Keeping a distance of about twenty feet, they snarled and showed their teeth—seemingly dissatisfied, but unwilling to move any closer. Jacob scooped up Butch, glad Makalos were smaller than humans. Butch was bloodied, but awake.
    “Sorry, man . . . I tried to . . .”
    “It’s okay.”
    With Butch in his arms, Jacob backed up, then turned and ran as quickly as he could through the trees. It wasn’t long before he could hear the yelps of the wolves behind him, once again in hot pursuit. His breath heaving, he nearly dropped Butch a couple of times. This Makalo was much heavier than Jaegar.
    As Jacob entered the meadow, he spotted Akeno halfway across, running toward the edge of the village opposite from Brojan’s place. He made a beeline in that direction. He was almost at the tree when he made the mistake of looking back. As he did, his stomach tightened in fear and he nearly tripped.
    The wolves were gaining on him quickly, having already gotten to the edge of the meadow.
    Akeno had reached the stone wall. No ladder there, handholds had been carved into the wall. He shifted Jaegar to one shoulder, attempting to climb, but failing when the boy’s body got in the way. Jacob put Butch down, took Jaegar from Akeno, and motioned for Akeno to climb the wall. Akeno scrambled halfway to the top. With one hand securely anchored in a handhold, he bent and took hold of Jaegar by the arm. He lifted the injured boy as high as he could, and a Makalo from above reached down and hoisted Jaegar to safety.
    Jacob picked up Butch and shoved him up the wall to Akeno, who tried pulling him up as he’d done with Jaegar.
    “You gotta help,” Akeno said to Butch, grunting. “You’re too heavy.”
    With Akeno’s help, Butch hauled himself up, crying out in pain.
    “Hurry!” Jacob said. The wolves were only yards away. The same Makalo from above grabbed hold of Butch and, with some effort, pulled him the rest of the way.
    Akeno climbed up, then leaned and offered his hand to Jacob. Jacob took it and hoisted himself over the edge, with the wolves snapping at his