Chapter Four
Eden
After my bath, I found a note on the bed left by Alex for me to meet them downstairs in the dining room. I was hungry and couldn’t wait to see what Miss Lily cooked up for dinner.
As soon as I left the room, I felt a strange sensation . . . one I’d never experienced before. It wasn’t physical . . . like tingles or coldness, but more of a knowing that something bad was about to happen, or was near. Maybe it was just that heaviness in my heart and mind knowing what had happened on the mountaintop earlier, combined with the fact that Alex was going to leave soon.
As I made my way down the stairs and headed toward the kitchen, the aromas of Miss Lily’s cooking made my mouth water and my stomach growl. It was true, what everyone said. She was a magician in the kitchen. Once you tasted her cooking, you understood why.
As I reached the foyer and headed down the hall to the kitchen, I heard voices.
“Hello, Eden,” Miss Lily chimed with a tray of freshly baked rolls in one hand. My mouth watered as I watched the steam rise from the morsels. “Go ahead into the dining room, dear. Dinner will be served shortly.”
“Thanks, Miss Lily.”
She answered with a wink and a wide smile, and began humming as I walked by.
When I entered the room, everyone was there and seated—Samuel, Alaine, Kade, Emma, and Alex. But the atmosphere in the room wasn’t cheerful like it usually was. It was solemn and every expression appeared melancholy.
“Eden,” Alaine chimed, straightening in her chair. Her face brightened, offering me a smile, but worry was still furrowed on her brow.
“What’s going on?” I questioned, taking a seat next to Alex. He took my hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze, so I turned my attention to him. “Alex . . . what’s wrong?”
Samuel cleared his throat. “Remember earlier this afternoon, when I thought there was a threat on the mountain?”
I nodded.
“We fear that the Fallen have been watching you, and are now aware of the power you possess and what kind of damage you can do. Whoever was there was sent to spy and will soon notify the others. Word will spread, and who knows what they’ll plan.” His head fell forward with a deep sigh, his hand raked through his already disheveled hair. “We should have been more careful.”
“Samuel, every time we step out that door we are at risk,” Alaine stated, placing her hand on his arm to comfort him. “We can’t keep her hidden away with a gift like hers. They would have found out the truth eventually.”
“Yes, but she is only in the beginning stages of her training. If they came for her, or caught her right now, I’m not sure she would be able to handle them.”
I suddenly felt my acceptance into their family more profoundly. They were truly looking out for my safety and wellbeing, and it made my heart swell.
“None of us stand a chance unattended, Emma added. “But Eden is strong. And we will make sure that from now on, whenever she steps outside, it’s never alone.”
Samuel’s expression deepened with worry. “We have to keep her inside the barrier. If they capture her, they’ll either kill her or use her as a weapon.”
I stood to my feet. “I would never allow them to use me. Never!”
Samuel’s eyes met mine. “If they don’t kill you, you won’t have a choice. Their methods are brutal and merciless. They’ll do whatever necessary to make you comply.”
My insides went weak and my body trembled at the thought of what kind of torture they would inflict.
Kade interjected, but his eyes weren’t fixed on me. “Don’t worry, Alex. We’ll be sure she’s safe while you’re gone.”
Alex’s grip tightened around my hand, but he remained silent. I knew he was carrying an enormous burden knowing he’d have to leave soon. But he was still a Guardian and had to continue his assignments until Midway said otherwise.
Kade was allowed to stay with Emma, so maybe in the future there was a chance Alex could stay with me too.
However, Kade’s father and Emma’s grandfather were Archangels. Two of the highest and most adored in Grandia and that definitely played in their favor.
“What do we do?” I finally breathed, my heart thrumming against my chest. I knew how real the threat was. I’d experienced it firsthand and almost died because of it. But now that I was here, I wasn’t the only one at risk. We all were.
“Right now, the safest thing to do is lay low,” Alaine said. “We will have to keep Eden within the barrier until we can figure out a better way to train her. No Fallen can enter, except Samuel, so it’s the safest place to be.” Her eyes met her husband’s. “We need to be ready for anything, especially now that they’ve seen her power.”
Alex stood to his feet and leaned forward to them. “She needs to keep training. She can’t stop now, not with the threat growing,” he pleaded. “There has to be a place for her to go that is safe.”
Emma stood to her feet next. “I know of a place.” She turned to Kade and his eyes saddened.
“Where?” I asked.
“There is a portal not far from here. It leads to a hidden world, a safe place, and the only way to get in or out is to fly.”
Alex turned to me. “It was Ethon’s safe place,” he explained. “Lucifer’s son.”
“Oh,” I exhaled. Ethon, who had also been bonded to Emma. Who probably took her there, which was why Kade didn’t seem too thrilled about it. The same Ethon who was killed by Lucian, the ex-leader of Lucifer’s Fallen army. Because of his bond to Emma, Lucifer blamed everyone in contact with her for his untimely death. And even now, he was plotting to kill them to exact revenge.
“It’s a place she can practice without being seen,” Emma continued. “I agree with Alex. Eden can’t stop training. She still has a lot of untapped power she needs to harness.”
Kade nodded. “Then that’s what we’ll do. If she goes, we all should be there. But we need to make sure that Midway sets up another barrier around the tree that houses the portal.”
“I’ll take care of that,” Alex said. “I’ll go to Ephraim tonight.”
Emma leaned across the table and placed her hand over mine. “Don’t worry, Eden. We’ll all get through this together.”
I couldn’t help but believe her and in her hope. I was surrounded by survivors, who had withstood death countless times. The heaviness in the room started to lift just as Miss Lily stepped into the room with a large pot of steaming soup.
“Hot chicken soup is sure to make everyone feel better,” she said, setting it in the middle of the table. She left and returned with the freshly baked rolls and butter, and began serving everyone.
After dinner, Alex stood and thanked everyone, then grabbed hold of my hand and pulled me out of the room with him. His urgency made me wonder if something was wrong.
He led me back through the foyer and up the stairs, and straight into our bedroom. As soon as he closed the door, he began pacing. Running a hand through his thick, raven hair he stopped in front of me. “I won’t be able to stay here to watch over you and it’s killing me.”
I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around his waist, burying my face in his chest. “We both knew this day was coming. Don’t worry about me. I have the others here, and besides, if I run into trouble at least I know I can call a tornado and spin those bastards sick.”
His arms enclosed around me, and his hot breath feathered across the top of my head. “I’ll be with you every day until I leave to make sure you’ve learned the necessary things to survive while I’m gone. The Fallen have been waiting to spot a weakness. What better way than to take my bonded from me.” He stepped back and gazed into my eyes with a grave seriousness. “You have to be on alert at all times. You can never drop your guard, especially while I’m not here. I’ll make sure that Samuel teaches you some counteractive moves in case you ever get into a situation. He was one of the top Fallen warriors.”
Through our bond I could feel the overwhelming worry he had for me. But I couldn’t let him think I was afraid, even though I was. The future was uncertain, but I wouldn’t let him leave thinking I couldn’t handle myself. So, I grabbed both of his hands and gazed deep into his stunning emerald eyes.
“Alex, I’m here and alive because of you. In the short time we’ve been together, I’ve learned so much. I know what my limitations are, and I won’t be going outside and frolicking through the forests alone. Yes, my life has changed, but I think I’m adapting pretty well.”
“Yes, you are.”
Standing on my tiptoes, I pressed my lips against his. His eyes closed, one hand clasped the small of my back, and the other gripped my neck, holding me in place.
The air around us charged, sending waves of pleasure surging through my entire body. And I knew he felt it too.
His lips became ravenous, his tongue sweeping across my lips, dipping into my mouth, claiming me. Sweet kisses traveled down my neck, his tongue swirling against that sensitive spot at the base, causing a moan to pull from my throat. In a split second I was off my feet, my back pinned against the bed. Alex’s warm body pressed against mine, his chest hovering above me, his eyes darkened with a need I was more than willing to fulfill.
“No matter what evil may come, you will never face it alone. You are my life, and no matter where I am, I will find a way to keep you safe.”
His words were like a salve, soothing my fears.
But it was his touch and kiss that took them away completely.