The Book of Eden

by Alex Temples

  I examined the spotted gray stone behind Claire with interest. It was hard for me to believe there was such significance to an arrangement of rocks. There were three stones that aligned during the solstice – the altar stone, the slaughter stone, and the heel stone.

  Oren had been trying to explain the significance of each and how the solstice proceeded. I looked over my shoulder to see all six keepers were paying rapt attention to me, before turning to Oren.

  “Oren, can you please go over the ceremony one more time, from a historic perspective?”

  Oren nodded, and stepped forward eagerly, seemingly un-phased by the certain violence we faced when the dark fae arrived. I smiled at his youthful response. He’d never been properly afraid of anything in his life.

  He rubbed his hands together briskly before launching into an explanation in his best impression of our father’s lecture voice.

  “During the Winter Solstice, the sun sets right through the middle of the monuments. That happened last night. Each day leading up to this, the days grow shorter, darkness coming earlier each day. After the Solstice, the days begin to lengthen again. The ceremony on the solstice celebrates the sun being reborn. If you look at the great trilithon, the back of it is directly in line with the station stone.”

  He gestured to a shorter stone that stood behind Gloria and continued.

  “That line is where the sun will rise. The trilithon is in that line – it is ten degrees out from where you’d expect it to be. The altar stone -.” He pointed behind me. “-is exactly parallel to that, as are two blue stone pillars to the sides of the back row.”

  I listened to his rapid words, trying to follow. Glancing around the group, I saw I wasn’t the only one struggling.

  Oren’s eyes lit with excitement as he got to the good part. “The altar and blue stones are skewed at 80 degrees, which is the sunrise alignment for the winter solstice. They had to have been very clever to be able to get the stones to do the sunset and sunrise.” He said. A look of admiration flitted over his face, and for a moment I could see he was far away, imagining what the ancient ceremonies must have looked like.

  I cleared my throat, and Oren shook his head, refocusing on the group.

  “Yes, well, I know that was quite technical, but all you have to remember are these three stones.” He pointed to the stone behind me and then two others. These are the most important – and this line.” He said, walking an invisible line among the stones to demonstrate. “This line is where the sun will come through the stones, and after talking with Tristan and Nia, is sounds as if this is the exact place you need to be standing for your ceremony.”

  I nodded. “Thank you, Oren.”

  I turned to the group. “Any questions?”

  They were silent. I nodded with satisfaction. We were as ready as we’d ever be.

  We all took our positions among the stones and waited for the sun to make its appearance.

  “They’re here.” Tristan announced, only moments later.

  My eyes rose to where he pointed. Outside the line of soldiers, several groups of dark fae were moving towards our protective circle. At the same time, a flit of sunlight began to appear on the horizon.

  “Fight well. May the grace of the goddess be with you.” I said, clutching Tristan’s wrist, as I silently willed my friend to come back from battle.

  “And you.” He said. We clasped hands briefly in an age-old greeting among soldiers.

  I nodded sharply. Tristan stepped back from the group, giving us a salute before moving away from the stones, barking orders to his waiting soldiers. The fae followed him, and we seven were alone, Oren and my grandmother our only witnesses.

  I let my eyes meet those of each keeper. “Are we ready?”

  They nodded, their eyes fierce and full of fire.

  We began chanting, blocking out the screams of battle and the clanking of swords in the background. As we danced and chanted, the light grew brighter, stretching across the horizon in a brilliant pink. The magic climbed, a buzzing, rumbling force building around us. I had to catch my breath at the force of it.

  It was working.

  Then, as I was turning to paint the final runes in the air above the altar stone, Gethin stepped out from behind it and brought his sword down a wide arc, right towards my neck.

  Chapter Forty-Eight

  I ducked and rolled, still chanting. Hitting the grass with a dull thud that knocked the air out of my lungs, I grunted and sprung to my feet.

  “Brin, the Lia Fail!”

  I glanced away from Gethin, was coming at me from the right, to see Claire who had called out the warning.

  She was down, clutching a bleeding arm and trying to struggle to her feet. Evrei stepped over her and continued towards me. I glowing stone sat in the palm of his hand.

  “Don’t let him get it to the altar stone!” Claire shouted.

  I yanked my sword from my belt and the blade burst into flame.

  That was new.

  I had little time to question the strange behavior of my favorite weapon because Gethin chose that moment to strike. I pivoted to the left and my blade met his.

  He leapt back in surprise as my sword shattered his blade. Unfortunately, it surprised me as much as it surprised him and I failed to see Evrei’s fist coming towards me until it connected with my jaw.

  I hit the ground with a thud and raised my arms to protect myself, but Evrei simply stepped over me, moving towards the altar stone.

  Oh no.

  Horror filled me as I realized what he was doing. He didn’t need to defeat me in battle. He simply had to convince the stones he was the rightful ruler and I wouldn’t be able to complete the ceremony. He had the damn stone. The Lia Fail, the stone of destiny. The stone that proclaimed the one true ruler.

  Shit.

  Blood trickled from my nose, the taste of iron filling my mouth as I struggled to my feet. The wind roared in my ears, along with the all too familiar sounds of men fighting. Our outer lines were breaking down. Tristan’s men lay bloodied and beaten. The dark fae slowly began to break through the circle.

  “Keepers!” I shouted over the noise. Unsure of whether they heard me, I began our chant.

  From one world to the next, as one being we stand ready to fight. Justice our only duty. To earth, to air, to wind and fire. We are keepers of the elements…

  Their voices joined with mine and we chanted loudly. I watched as Evrei approached the alter stone and still we chanted. I alone could not defeat him. Not today, while he held such power in the palm of his hand.

  Only united can we defeat the darkness.

  As we finished the incantation, the sun was nearly risen. Light flooded through the middle of the stones, hitting the Lia Fail at the same time we spoke the last words. I prayed it would be enough.

  The stone sprung to life, glowing green and hot, bathing Evrei in its light. Everyone on the battlefield turned to watch, knowing it was too late now for anyone to affect the outcome. The sun was risen now. The magic would decide the winner.

  As the stone glowed brighter, I cringed at my almost certain failure. My eyes tried in vain to find Claire. I watched Esma helping Ana off the ground. They were both bloodied and covered in dirt. Nick stood next to Gloria. We watched as Evrei cried in triumph, holding the glowing green stone in the palm of his hand, and then we felt the magic surge through us, seeking.

  It was trying to decide who to give the power to.

  I choked as I moved towards the altar stone. There was still a chance. I saw that truth on Evrei’s face as he watched me move towards him, held glued to the altar by the power of the stone resting in his palm.

  Clutching my sword in my hand, bleeding and limping, I broke into a run.

  I slammed by palm to the face of the stone and we vanished.

  Chapter Forty-Nine

  Once more, Evrei and I stood alone in another world. We were in a garden, the most stunning and beautiful garden I’d even seen, beyond anything I could eve
r have imagined. The world was a magical one, but there was something wrong with it.

  Evrei held the stone in his palm, just as he had at Stonehenge. I still held my sword. We faced each other, silently, standing on either side of the now ghostly looking pillar that was the altar stone. The world around us shimmered, as if it were not quite real, a vision of a time long past.

  “We’re in the garden.” Evrei replied to my silent question, looking around with fascination.

  “What garden?” I asked, staring my enemy in the face, and feeling no fear.

  He laughed then and it was a beautiful sound, especially for a creature I knew to be so dangerous.

  And then I knew

  “Eden. We’re in the Garden of Eden.”

  He only smiled, glancing around in awe. I had no choice but to do the same. To be in a mythical place with one such as he, at this moment in time…I had no more words. We glanced at each other, and seeming to come to some sort of agreement, we turned and walked towards the yawning entrance.

  We’d entered near the ghostly pillar. A fountain sat next to this, and in it swam what looked like coy, all the colors of the rainbow, their frilly fins and long whiskers swirling as they swam beneath the surface. Lily pads floated on the top of the water, fat blossoms in full bloom - pink, purple and blue. The vine-fringed arc we stepped through was covered in tiny blue blossoms and smelled of peaches and cream.

  My mouth dropped in awe at what lay beyond. It was a sunken garden, surrounded by stone benches and pillars, designed almost like an amphitheater. In the middle of it, upon a great, golden throne, sat the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen She was so stunning I couldn’t look directly at her.

  Evrei appeared to be in a trance as he moved down the stone steps towards the throne.

  I followed silently.

  A waterfall trickled along next to the curling staircase as we descended. Spring water flowed like liquid glass, sparkling in the brilliant sun. It was summer here, not winter, as it had been at Stonehenge. Sweat began to collect on my brow. An enormous boat sat in the pond at the base of the waterfall. It was sculpted of vines and dotted with colorful blooms. The mast was a brilliant yellow blanket of daffodil-like flowers.

  I cast my eyes down, looking toward the base of the stairs as we neared the shimmering vision of a woman. She, like the altar stone, didn’t quite look real.

  Taking a final step off the stairs, I moved to stand next to Evrei. The compulsion to bend a knee overtook me, and I dropped into a deep bow.

  “My goddess.” The words tumbled from my lips without my permission, and I knew they were truth.

  Evrei too had bent a knee, murmuring his regards.

  Slowly we both raised our heads.

  “My children.” The sweet voice caressed like a lover, filling my mind with her presence. She hadn’t spoken out loud.

  “At your service, your majesty.” Evrei said, bowing again.

  “As am I.” I said, tipping my head.

  A strange tingling filled my mind. I felt her searching my thoughts, even as I looked up and tried to meet her eyes. They were a brilliant violet, swirling with all the other colors of the rainbow.

  This time she spoke out loud.

  “Interesting.” She said. Her voice was vast and richly accented.

  I stared at her in question. My knee was beginning to ache. I shifted my sword until the tip was balancing on the ground.

  “You both come to me asking vastly different things, yet you both hope for the best outcome for my people.”

  I frowned slightly, glancing at Evrei out of the corner of my eye. He too looked surprised. I couldn’t imagine how she would interpret his aims as helping people.

  She laughed then and it was a musical sound, like bells tinkling in the wind.

  “Your enemy’s arguments always make more sense than you imagine.” She said, and I knew she could read my mind.

  “Rise.”

  I stumbled to my feet, gratefully. Evrei rose as well.

  The goddess reached out a hand and caressed Evrei’s cheek.

  He let out a groan. My eyes widened at the sound, wondering if she was hurting him.

  “Evrei Bane. You possess the Lia Fail, and she finds you to be a worthy leader.”

  Evrei’s eyes widened at her words, but he remained silent. She wasn’t finished.

  She turned her purple eyes to me and her fingers brushed my cheek.

  I let out a groan as the sensation of fire and ice sent a deep quaking through me.

  “Brinmar Yates, Nuada has found you worthy, and I too see a great strength in you.”

  Again, with Nuada. I frowned and the goddess saw my confusion. She glanced down at the sword I held. I followed her gaze and realized it was now glowing with purple fire.

  I swallowed. I was holding Nuada’s sword. The realization flooded through me. I’d had it all along. One of the treasures was right in my hand the entire time.

  Evrei grunted and the goddess laughed again.

  The tinkling bells hurt my ears this time.

  The glowing woman glanced over us one more time before coming to a decision.

  “The magic will decide.” She said finally and with a flick of her wrist I found myself tumbling through space.

  I landed in a heap on top of Evrei. It took us a few moments to untangle our limbs. We were in front of the ghostly altar stone again. One glance at each other was all it took before we both dived for the stone.

  I hit it first and bounced off, falling flat on my butt.

  Evrei smacked a palm to it. The same thing happened to him.

  Glancing around in confusion, I suddenly had an idea.

  I grasped my sword and leapt to my feet to begin the incantation. She had given us another chance for the magic to decide who would control the wall.

  Evrei saw what I was doing and quickly leapt to his feet, holding the Lia Fail in front of him, chanting a counter spell.

  The wind whipped up around us, and suddenly a glowing wall appeared out of the ground. We were looking at the wall between the worlds. My mouth gaped open and it took a second before I could continue, chanting the final words of the spell.

  Evrei finished his spell and I saw his red magic meet my green magic. They both hit the wall at the same time, twisting and wrestling in a tangle of color. The colors fought for control. Slowly, the red and green began to spread across the white wall. Cracks appeared in several places as gaping holes, but my green continued to spread, fighting off the crimson of Evrei’s counter spell. I saw in a moment the defeat in his eyes as my green overtook his magic and coated the wall with color. Still, there were small cracks all over the wall. It was as if my magic were a paint, too think to cover the damage on its own.

  He glanced over at me and I at him. We both turned and walked through the altar stone. This time it didn’t bounce us back, but sucked us in and spit us out in the middle of a battlefield once more.

  Chapter Fifty

  The magic had chosen me.

  Evrei was retreating. The dark fae followed him.

  “Brin! She’s here, guys. Hurry!”

  Claire’s voice broke through the darkness that had threatened to engulf me.

  Suddenly, I was aware of the world again. There were a few cries in the distance, but it was mostly quiet. As I sat up, I saw the battle was finished. The dark fae were retreating, the battlefield littered with the bodies of the fallen.

  Claire ran to me, her face streaked with blood and dirt. She came from between a cluster of trees, leaping over a body.

  The other keepers were clustered around me.

  Tristan and Neil appeared behind Claire. I gasped when I saw they were carrying a body. Nia’s limp form hung between them, her dark hair spilling over her shoulders in a cascade. Blood ran down the front of her body, spilling for a wound at her neck.

  Horror filled me and I stumbled to my feet.

  “What happened?” I cried, running towards them.

  They lowered Nia to
the ground.

  I grimaced as I saw her eyes were wide open, lifeless and staring.

  Neil shook his head, his bright eyes contradicting the fierce anger that made his face glow.

  “Gethin.” Siddarth spit out. I had never heard my gentle friend so angry.

  I gaped in horror at Nia’s body and then took a deep breath and turned to Claire.

  “Give me the cauldron.”

  Claire gaped at me, and looked to Tristan, who had just joined the group.

  “Don’t look at him. Give it to me, now.” I said, my voice quiet and deadly.

  Claire nodded this time, pulling open her bag and retrieving the shimmering cauldron.

  It could feel my desire.

  As my hands went around the base, it glowed and filled with liquid. It knew me. And I knew it could bring Nia back.

  I lifted my eyes to study my surroundings. Wounded men and women lay around us. Some were already dead, but I could also hear the desperate sounds of those still gasping for breath. I thought about what had happened the first time I’d used the cauldron on Tristan. I knew I was taking a risk. Turning to the others, I lifted me eyes and put on my fiercest expression.

  “Tristan, take them all away. Back, outside the lines.”

  Claire gasped and I knew she was thinking what I was. What cost would the cup ask this time? I refused to meet her eyes. This was Nia. We had no choice.

  Tristan nodded and ordered the group back. Neil refused.

  I raised my eyes to him in challenge.

  “Don’t even try, Brinmar. I will not leave her.” He said, his eyes blazing, his jaw set. I knew he spoke the truth. He didn’t care about risking himself. I tucked this away, wondering if I had misjudged the man, who appeared to care for no one other than himself.

  Tristan and Claire herded the group away. Claire cast one more concerned look over her shoulder. Our eyes met, silent and unblinking.

  I had to do this. I saw the acceptance in her eyes and dropped my own as she disappeared over the ridge.