He led her to a promontory that jutted out over a glistening lake fed by the waterfall. In the distance an endless river twisted and turned like a silvery ribbon that trailed deep into the Amazon. Shimmering rays of sunlight streaked behind billowy clouds that cabled across the sky.
They stopped among a patch of drab, gray plants near the edge of the cliff. He held her hand in his, as they silently took in the wondrous view.
Eden felt as insignificant as a dust mote, but not unhappily so. She believed that she and Bramford always were meant to be there because the world revolved around them. If only she could express her feelings to him. A kiss would do, she thought, recalling the crush of his lips on hers.
She turned expectantly just as he squatted down to examine the dreary foliage, which appeared out of place in that wonderland.
“Oh, that’s it.” Eden recognized it as the hoped-for cure.
Bramford nodded and she wondered how he had discovered it.
“Be glad it’s unknown,” he said, yanking out a plant with a flick of his wrist. “Or man also would have ruined this place by now.”
“But if Maria is right, it could save many lives.” Eden realized that her father probably would be the first non-native to take its medicine. “We could call it Newman’s Cure,” she said, hopefully.
Bramford added another root to a growing pile, then looked up at her, radiating intensity. His broad chest and shoulders formed an irresistible triangle above the slim hips.
“The Indians also believe it has power over death,” he said. “What if you could have that, Eden? Would you stay as you are, or risk change?”
She wanted to stay forever with Bramford at Heaven’s Gate. Nothing else mattered but this deep, simple happiness. She held his intent gaze as the answer teased the tip of her tongue. But old fears crowded in on her. What did he mean by change? Did he think she needed to improve?
“I guess it’s the proverbial Fountain of Youth,” Eden said, breezily.
He turned back to his task with what sounded like a dissatisfied grunt. She suspected she had missed something, as if a lock had turned, but the door remained hidden. She dropped to her knees beside him, wanting another chance.
“Do you think it’s possible, Ronson? To have whatever you want?”
“I don’t know,” he said, yanking out another plant. “I didn’t think so before. But now, I’d like to believe it.” He paused and looked at her again. “Did you ever wonder why I put you on probation instead of Ashina?”
Eden decided to forgive the small injustice. “You wanted to keep the peace at the lab,” she said plainly.
“No, I tried to protect you. I expected something to happen that night and wanted to keep you out of harm’s way.”
“I swear I didn’t know about Jamal.”
“I believe you, now.”
Eden sighed with relief. Still, she had to confess the worst of her crimes, even if Bramford already knew, even if she lost him now.
She looked him in the eye and said, “You were right. I let things slip—Jamal used me to learn about my father’s plans. I guess I was showing off. Stupid to think…” She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I was wrong.”
“We all make mistakes,” Bramford said. “And yet, being here with you makes me think that maybe things were supposed to happen the way they did. Do you understand?”
Eden nodded, though she wondered exactly what he meant.
“I just wish a beautiful girl like you hadn’t gotten mixed up in such a mess,” he added.
Me? She stared blankly at him.
He laughed. “Don’t tell me you don’t know how beautiful you are, Eden?”
“I’m a Pearl.”
“So was my mate.”
Stunned, she searched his eyes for the lie but only detected a warm glow. But was he really thinking of her?
Eden began, haltingly. “You said Rebecca didn’t trust you. When you drank the bejuco de oro.”
“She was weak,” Bramford said, with a trace of disgust. “It started one unguarded, drunken night. When Rebecca got pregnant, I decided to commit myself, for the child’s sake. It was time to mate, anyway.”
He seemed tentative, as he went on. “I wanted you to be strong. From the beginning, I wanted you to be different.”
“Because I look like her?”
“At first the resemblance both attracted and irritated me. It wasn’t easy to be around you. I feared you’d betray me like she had…if I loved you.”
Unsteady, she sat back on the ground. She could hardly believe he cared.
“You are different,” Bramford continued. “When I took the medicine, you stayed by me. And you want to learn, don’t you?”
“Very much.” About love mostly.
“What else happened in the jungle?” he asked.
Eden felt her skin flush at the memory of their stolen passion, the burning kiss.
“You mistook me for Rebecca and kissed me, or rather, her,” she said, too sharply.
“Yes, I remember that. Did our kiss frighten you?” Bramford waved a hand over his body. “Did this?”
“No.” Eden’s voice hitched. “I liked it.”
He scooped her into his arms. “And now?”
“I like it,” she repeated, hugging him.
“That’s because you’re my she-cat.”
Bramford nuzzled her neck then traced a line up to her lips. With soft licks he parted her mouth. Heat blazed like wildfire through her body. Her mind went blank as he kissed her, deeply.
Eden closed her eyes, giving in to his hungry demands. Their limbs intertwined until her body molded to his. She sank into a river of bliss that swept her outside of time, outside of any barriers—real or imagined—and into a place where she thought anything was possible. Even a future together. When he released her, she knew she would never be the same.
“We should leave before we wear out our welcome,” Bramford said, hoarsely. “I’ll cut vines to carry the roots.”
Breathless, Eden watched him walk back up the slope. Her path never had been clearer. She wormed her fingers into her bandages and pulled out the Life-Band. She heard Bramford working inside a grove of trees that hid him from view. Do it now, Eden.
She hurried to the edge of the cliff, praying that the river would carry the device far away so no one would ever find them. But as she reached back to throw it, something caught her hand and violently spun her around. She stood face to face with Bramford, who must have moved like the wind.
“What’s this?” he said, snatching the wristband from her.
“It’s not what you think,” Eden said.
His jaw twitched, the impenetrable mask returned. “Did you use it? There’s no point lying now to protect your lover.”
“I thought you believed me.”
“Tell me the truth.” His fingernails cut into her skin. “Did you send a signal? This isn’t about us anymore, Eden.”
“Only to Shen—he’s coming. You told me he’s your half-brother. I thought I could trust him.”
He looked stricken. “Good Earth, there’s no time.”
He flung the Life-Band high into the air. Eden watched it sail out over the cliff and twirl like a ballet dancer before it dropped fast as a stone. She sank to the ground, defeated.
Bramford bound the plant roots to his chest, wrapping the vines as tightly as he held his anger.
“I should leave you here,” he said.
Eden muttered. “Go ahead.”
“I already have enough crimes to pay for.”
He hefted her onto his shoulders and sprinted across the plateau. She longed to command him again with her body movements, but the subtle communication between them had slipped away.
How fleeting her happiness had been. Silent tears streamed down her cheeks as they left paradise behind. And yet, despite the pain, Eden didn’t regret loving Bramford. Not for one second.
Only Aunt Emily had understood this exquisite burden.
Proud of my broken heart since t
hou didst break it,
Proud of the pain I did not feel till thee,
Proud of my night since thou with moons dost slake it,
Not to partake thy passion, my humility.
FOR ONCE Maria wasn’t there to greet Eden and Bramford when they arrived at the quiet, moonlit compound. Eden imagined the worst. Father?
Bramford pulled her from his shoulders as soon as they reached the main hut. They hadn’t spoken a word since they had left Heaven’s Gate. How on Blessed Earth would Eden ever win him back?
She hurried inside and found her father asleep in the hammock, his open mouth loudly sucking in air. Maria kept a vigil beside him, her face drawn. She looked past Eden and brightened when she saw Bramford enter with the plant roots. With a definitive nod, she seemed to tell Eden there was a chance. Then she hurried from the room, moving faster than Eden thought possible.
Eden brushed a hand against her father’s fevered check. “I’m here, Father.”
“Eden,” he whispered, slowly opening his eyes.
“We found the medicine you need.”
“We?”
“Bramford and I.”
Bramford came up beside her, but she couldn’t bring herself to look at him.
“Hello, doctor,” he said.
Her father glanced from Eden to Bramford and back again with a knowing look. “You were gone a long time,” he said, with great effort.
She quickly shook her head, trying to discourage him. “It was far, that’s all. Please, you’ve got to hold on.”
“For some things, you cannot wait.”
Bramford knelt down beside the hammock and spoke to him in a firm but gentle voice. “By this time tomorrow, you’ll be stronger. How long before the procedure is ready?”
A glimmer of light sparked in her father’s eyes. “Another day to complete the sequences, I estimate.”
“We’ve run out of time, doctor.” Bramford shot Eden an angry look. “I’ll give you an hour once you’re on your feet.”
“Too much risk—”
“Just be ready. For two, that is. There’ll be two of us this time.”
Her father looked at Eden in surprise. “Is it true?”
“No,” Bramford said sharply. “My son Logan and I will adapt.”
“What?” she said, squaring off with him. “You can’t do that.”
His chest swelled. “I’m his father; I have the right.”
“He’s only a child. He can’t decide for himself.”
“I know what’s best for him.”
“Do you, Bramford? Forcing him to live like an animal?”
“At least he’ll survive.”
“But at what cost? Go ahead, run away if you want, but leave Logan here. We’ll care for him.” Eden was surprised to say it, and yet relieved. “I’ll take care of him.”
Bramford’s temper evened. “You would do that?”
“Yes, as if he were my own son.”
He studied her, hope flickering in his eyes. Then he shook his head. “It can’t be.”
“Why?” Eden said, trying to sound reasonable. “Because he’s an albino?”
Shock lit Bramford’s face. She knew she had crossed a line. But for the love of Earth, why had he put her in such a difficult position?
Icy calm flattened his voice. “I’ll bring you my son’s genome disk, doctor.” Then he strode out of the room.
Eden stared through the window at the moonlight that laddered across the waterhole. She would never love anyone but Bramford. She simply couldn’t live without him. Only one choice remained, whether he wanted it or not. If necessary, she would spend the rest of her life convincing him.
“Please, Father,” she said, turning to him. “Adjust your calculations for three.”
“No,” he said flatly.
“But I want to adapt like Bramford.”
He looked at her under his eyebrows, the owlish eyes begging for restraint. “That is categorically impossible.”
Poor Father. He just had to listen.
“Why?” she said. “I know what’s in store for me.”
“Eden, I realize that it may not be readily apparent, however, you are my first priority.” He started to tremble as he went on. “My deepest regret is that I did not take better care of your mother. I won’t make the same mistake with you.”
“Don’t you understand? I have to be with Bramford.”
Her father shook his head, his eyes fluttering closed. She knew he would never agree. And maybe she didn’t mind that he cared, after all. But, now that she had declared her heart’s desire, she refused to let it go.
Maria clattered up the steps, carrying a gourd full of a foul-smelling paste. Some Fountain of Youth, Eden thought. With its drab appearance and repellent odor, nature had disguised the plant well.
She drifted to the porch, hoping to find Bramford, but he was gone. The fast knocking sounds of a spectacled owl reverberated in the air, echoing her burning question. What to do, what to do? Eden spotted the Pulsatrix perspicillata in the crook of a guava tree. The owl swiveled its domed head, studying her, the white markings around its eyes giving it a scholarly air.
Haven’t you learned anything, Eden?
Yes, she understood what Aunt Emily had tried to teach her. That love is all there is.
“I’ll be back soon, Father,” she called, hurrying down the steps.
He would forgive her, eventually. And if he never did, well, he had done enough.
Eden slipped inside the laboratory, steeling her resolve. Moonlight streamed through the solar roof, bathing the room with a soft, waxy glow. She gripped a stool, poised to throw it, when she considered Bramford’s wrath. He just might kill her. Then the frightening image of his final adaptation popped into her head. He also needed to understand.
She heaved the stool at her father’s console and it hit with a loud crack. Glass splintered in the air; electric wires fizzled like live snakes. Eden slipped on the debris as she ran forward. She used her hand to break her fall and cut it on a shard of glass. Overwhelmed by the rush of emotions, she barely felt the sting. She struggled to her feet and charged forward again with a fierce yell.
She was her own damn she-cat!
Even Bramford’s furious roar couldn’t stop her. He tackled her to the ground with a flying leap. Snarling, he cuffed her wrists over her head.
“Once a traitor, always a traitor,” he said, panting hard.
Eden bucked against his weight. “You don’t understand.”
“That you would get us killed?”
“That I love you, you bastard.”
Bramford grew still, his eyes locked onto hers. His voice had a cutting edge. “Who do you think you love? I’m not the same man. There’s nothing left for me now but to protect my son.”
“I want to adapt with you,” Eden said.
His eyes widened in surprise. He started to speak, but suspicion crowded out hope. He jerked his head at the havoc she had wreaked. “I suppose that’s why you ruined the lab?”
“My father refuses to give me the procedure. He left me no choice.”
“You’re lying,” Bramford said, yanking her to her feet. “You’re just buying time until your mate arrives.”
Eden slapped his cheek. “You’re my mate.”
“But you’re too beautiful to change.”
She threw herself at him and he grabbed her tight. His mouth crushed against hers. She softly moaned his name, as his lips traced the length of her throat.
“Ronson. You and I. We’ll be a family, with Logan, in the jungle—”
“This is wrong,” he said, pulling away.
Eden clung to him. “Please, you have to believe me.”
Bramford threw her over his shoulder, ignoring her desperate pleas. He sprinted down the path and rounded the bend. Towards the prison again, she realized.
“No, wait!”
He set her down inside the hut. “I should have left you here from the beginning. Then none of this would
have happened.”
Eden grabbed his arm. “But you can’t deny that it did.”
“I don’t deny it. But I have a choice. This time I’m making the right one. They’ll free you after we’re gone.” He gave her a cold look. “And Eden, it would be foolish to try and find me. I might not recognize you.”
He spun away and locked her in. She heard a low, frustrated growl as he left.
“Bramford! Let me out!”
Eden banged her shoulder against the door until it burned with pain. Her voice grew hoarse from yelling. She knew no one would dare respond.
Exhausted, she curled into a ball on the ground with her head pillowed on top of her hands. Tears slid across her face, forming a puddle under her cheek. It could all be so simple.
What on Blessed Earth would it take for Bramford to trust her?
A HIGH, THIN WAIL woke Eden from where she lay sleeping in the prison hut. She couldn’t place the sound, but it chilled her to the bone. She stumbled to her feet and stood on tiptoe under the window, listening. Heavy footsteps and men’s gruff voices filtered in. Gray fingers of light seeped over the edge. Barely dawn, she thought, her mind racing.
Again, the heartbreaking cries filled the air. The sisters, Eden realized with a start.
“Careful,” a deep voice said from the other side of her door. “He said not to hurt her.”
“Not yet,” a squeaky voice said, and let out a cruel laugh.
Eden would recognize those two anywhere. She steeled herself, as the door burst open. Just as she feared, her repulsive dance partner and his sleazy sidekick stood there, machetes hanging from their belts.
“Yum, Pearly,” Giant said, grabbing her.
Eden thrashed against him, caught like an insect pinched in his fingers. He zeroed in for a kiss, his lips puckered. Nobody kisses a she-cat without her permission, she decided, kneeing him hard in the groin.
His eyeballs rolled back in his head, as he slumped to the ground, groaning. Eden darted outside, but stopped short, her heart in her throat. Jamal was coming towards her. She took in the damage she had inflicted, feeling both horrified and vindicated.
He walked with a hitch, dragging one leg. Hideous scar tissue crisscrossed the warrior tattoo, which now resembled a terrified old man. The grin Eden once admired angled down one side of his face, making him look crazy. Finally, Jamal looked as ugly as he was on the inside. At least he wouldn’t be able to trade on his looks in order to dupe the next girl.
Revealing Eden Page 22
