by Holly Martin
‘I’m not sure that will help, if he can feel my feelings for you, he might be able to find the password too.’ I groaned with frustration. Seth lying on top of me when I slept was not ideal, one day Adam might be able to access my powers and he could incinerate Seth in seconds. That thought filled me with a cold dread. There had to be a better solution to this. Anger boiled through me. ‘He’s not going to win this, Seth, I’m stronger than he is.’
Seth nodded. ‘You are stronger now, I feel it, I felt it that night you came back, when I kissed you, I could feel it burning through you then. You can beat him Eve, I know it.’
I stood up, feeling marginally more refreshed, more alert, though I hadn’t dreamed, I had at least rested.
It would be good to get out of the fort for a while. I hadn’t been out since my return. I needed some fresh air.
‘Come for a walk?’ I asked Seth.
He nodded and we walked down the stairs. Eli and Alexandria followed. I’m not sure if they thought Adam might be able to take control of me while I was a wake, but they weren’t taking any chances.
As we walked towards the pool, patterned with ripples of scarlet from the sunset above us, I spotted Zach talking to Deacon. Zach spotted me and shifted awkwardly. I leaned up to kiss Seth on the cheek, then released his hand and walked over to Zach.
Zach frowned as I approached and looked at his feet.
‘Come on, we need to talk.’ I stopped for a moment and Zach hesitated then fell in at my side as we walked down towards the woods. I looked back over my shoulder at Seth talking to Deacon. No doubt filling him in on the latest happenings in the ‘fun’ world of Eve. Eli and Alexandria followed us but at a discreet distance. I saw Eli touch her arm as they talked quietly to each other and I smiled. They weren’t like traditional couples in the kissing, holding hand sense, well at least not in front of me, but they seemed to do everything together. If Eli was on duty outside my room then Alexandria would be on duty with him. When they fought, they fought alongside each other, seeming to gravitate towards each other. Although the Guardians weren’t capable of deep emotions, I knew he loved her in his own way.
As soon as the trees enclosed us, I turned to face Zach.
Zach refused to look at me.
I sighed. ‘Zach, I don’t blame you for kicking me out, you were protecting me, you were doing what you thought was right to protect me. None of this was your fault, its Adam, it’s all been Adam.’
Zach shook his head vehemently. ‘I should have known, I should have killed him when I had the chance. If he had killed you I would never have forgiven myself…’
‘Zach…’
‘Eve, I nearly got you killed, I shouldn’t be one of your Guardians, I failed you…’
A rustling of leaves announced my husband’s arrival. Zach glared at him.
‘As much as I hate to interrupt this self-loathing thing you have going on, because I’m really rather enjoying it, but Eve’s right,’ Seth said.
He took me in his arms and I closed my eyes as he kissed my forehead. ‘It goes against my better instincts to be nice to my brother, I’m not sure if it’s my emotional human side letting me down or your bad influence over me,’ he said in my head.
‘It was the emotional human side that I fell in love with,’ I said.
Seth sighed, kissed me again then turned to face his brother. ‘There was no way you could have known, you could’ve never told the difference, with shape shifters they are identical copies. Remember the last time a shape shifter, disguised as Eve came to the fort, I held her in my arms and kissed her and I still couldn’t tell the difference. I beat Eve up, nearly killed her trying to protect her. You did the best thing you could do, you let Eve go. I would never have done that. If you had killed her, you would have never forgiven yourself, hell neither would I. But you were able to see beyond the desire to kill the shape shifter and Eve is alive because of it. And Adam would have got to her one way or another. Now as much as it pains me to say it, Eve needs you, you make her laugh and she definitely needs that lately. So stop sulking and beating yourself up over something that was not your fault.’
‘Thank you.’ I smiled at my husband.
Zach shuffled his feet awkwardly, then nodded. ‘Ok, so I guess you’ll be wanting to make good on your promise,’ he said to me.
I looked at him in confusion.
‘In the corridor, when I let you go, you said you would kick my arse in retribution. Tomorrow morning, nine o-clock?’
I laughed. Seth growled.
‘I will kick your arse, but not tomorrow. I have a few problems I need to sort out at the moment, most importantly getting some more sleep, but once I’ve solved it, I’ll be down there to beat you up, as promised.’
Zach waved goodbye to me, looking a lot happier and we made our way back to the fort.
I turned to Seth. ‘I want to practice my powers, I haven’t done so for ages, and I’m stronger now, I want to see what I can do. The more I practice, the stronger I’ll get. It’s my strength that will beat Adam in the end.’
Seth nodded and we walked back up to the roof where the rest of my personal guard were waiting.
I ran through my usual stock of different skills and abilities. It came so easily now, though I wasn’t sure if it was because I was stronger or because I’d done these things many times before. I had to try something new.
I bit my lip as I thought. Flying. I’d done it once when I first moved to the fort, when me and Seth first got together, but had been unable to do it since. I could do it, I knew I could.
Visualizing floating above the ground I laughed when I saw myself dangling a few metres over the roof, I laughed even more at the stunned faces of my Guardians. I did a few cursory loops round the rooftop then landed by Seth. He smiled at me but I doubted he or Eli would grant my next request though.
‘Can I try this out properly?’
As predicted the smile fell off both of their faces.
‘Just a five minute burst, I’ll be back before you can even miss me.’
Seth sighed with exasperation.
‘Two minutes then?’ I pleaded.
Seth nodded, reluctantly and I felt a wave of relief wash over me. Though my kind, sweet, gentle Seth had returned, I was still worried that he might be over protective and never leave my side again. It was a relief that I could still have a bit of freedom, even if it was only two minutes.
I looked at Eli, and he nodded too.
I quickly took off from the roof and zoomed over the forest. I soared through the air, twisting and spinning like a bullet, over the trees, over lakes and mountains. The feeling was exhilarating, and despite what I had been through, what I was still going through, I couldn’t help smiling with the freedom coursing through my veins. I turned in the air, heading back towards the dot on the far mountains that was the fort. I swooped low over the trees, letting the leaves touch me as I flew slowly back. As I flew over a clearing, I saw something that made my heart leap into my mouth. Fear, I could actually taste it. Two figures dressed in the smart green uniform of the Royal Guard were making their way towards the fort, but were these only two of many, and why were they heading towards the fort, was it to fight for me, or against me. I should have flown on, told my Guardians so they were prepared, so they could protect me. But something made me double back. As I hovered in the air, trying to be covert behind the branches of a tall tree, the fear was quickly quelled and was replaced with a heady relief.
I quickly landed in front of them, slamming into the ground so hard the birds nestled in the nearby bushes took off squawking their protests. I looked up from the small craters in the ground around my feet and straight into Mason’s eyes, as he stood protectively in front of his wife.
Mason’s mouth fell open and then fell into a huge grin.
‘Eve?’ he took a step forward then stopped himself, and with a smirk he put an arm across his chest and bowed his head.
‘You can cut that out right away,’ I laug
hed, quickly crossing the gap between us and hugging him tight. Mason hugged me back.
‘You came back?’ I said, tears smarting my eyes.
‘I never left you Eve, not really. I was always loyal to you, I always will be.’
I hugged him tighter. Until an awkward shuffling behind Mason made me pull away. I grinned at Rhesa and she held a polite hand out to shake mine.
‘Pleased to meet you Eve, well properly meet you. The last time I saw you, you were hardly lucid, I’m Rhesa.’
I leapt forward and hugged her tightly too.
I pulled back to face them. ‘What happened in the Oraculum’s castle? Quinn got me out and I could hear fighting and shouts but…’
‘We led an attack and loads of his Guardians revolted and joined us. There were so many against him. I never saw Adam though. I think once the fight broke out he fled. What about Quinn, what happened to him, I saw him in the midst of the fight, he ran past me and told me he’d got you out, but I never saw him again?’
I swallowed a big lump in my throat and shook my head. ‘He got me out and then went back in to kill Adam. He hasn’t come back and Adam is still alive so…’ I trailed off.
Mason frowned. ‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry that I doubted him too.’
I nodded, sadly.
‘As soon as the fight was over, as soon as Adam was gone, we started making our way back to you. How are you? You look better and you’re stronger now, I can feel it.’
I pulled a face. ‘Not strong enough apparently.’ I told him about the dreams, about Adam being in control, how I hadn’t slept properly since my return for fear that I would hurt someone. I told him that I had managed to snatch a few hours here and there but that it wasn’t enough and how tired I was.
Mason pulled a face. ‘So he lives to torture you another day?’
I nodded.
‘Oh you never told me, who was your brother?’
‘Oh… David, your… Dad.’
‘Oh,’ I frowned. ‘Sorry.’
‘That’s ok, we weren’t exactly close, I knew of him, rather than knew him, but he died doing what he wanted to do, protecting you.’
‘So… does that make you my uncle?’
Mason laughed. ‘In a weird way, yes I guess it does.’
Suddenly Seth appeared by my side. Mason and Rhesa coiled ready to attack, as did Seth when he saw the green uniform. But they all relaxed when they recognised each other and Seth stepped forward to embrace Mason.
‘I owe you my life,’ Seth said, releasing him.
Mason shook his head, with embarrassment, then for something else to focus on he introduced Seth to his wife.
Seth hugged her too, then turned back to me with narrowed eyes. ‘Two minutes eh?’
I leaned into his chest and he kissed my forehead as he wrapped his arms round me. ‘Don’t think you can get round me like that.’
‘You could have just asked if I was ok, rather than sliding to me. How long has it been?’
‘Five minutes.’
I grinned as I released him. ‘Come on, you guys hang on and I’ll slide us back.’
Mason shuffled forward to catch hold of my clothes, Rhesa looked a bit confused but copied what Mason was doing, Seth took my hand and I slid us back to the roof.
Most of my Guardians greeted Mason as Seth had done. Isaac gave him a small smile and nodded. He wasn’t as good with the emotional stuff as my other Guardians.
‘I’m glad your back buddy, we could do with your help here,’ Noah said.
‘Yeah I heard, I’m not sure what I can do to help, but I’ll definitely be another pair of hands to pin her down if she gets out of hand,’ Mason winked at me. ‘Is there some kind of plan?’
Eli and my Guardians exchanged uneasy glances and I looked between them in confusion.
‘We thought perhaps we might try sedating you tonight Eve,’ Eli said and I felt the smile fall off my face.
‘You’re kidding? After I spent a week strapped to a table, injected with god knows how many drugs, you want me to go through that again?’
‘It would be a mild sedation, we thought that if Adam is unable to do anything with your body he might give up,’ Lucas said.
I was horrified at this prospect but it seemed that all my Guardians were in agreement. I turned to Seth, hoping to get his support but he looked guilty. Clearly he thought it was a good idea too.
‘I thought you at least would be on my side,’ I said, quietly.
‘I am, I just want to keep you safe. Every single time you fall asleep he’s there waiting. What if I let him get up, thinking that its you? It would take him seconds to cause you a fatal injury. I can’t lose you baby.’
‘Why don’t you just tie me to the bed and go the whole hog?’ I said, sarcastically.
‘We thought of that too,’ Isaac said.
I glared at him. ‘I’m not being sedated and I’m not being tied up. You guys can have a chat and you can come and find me when you’ve come up with a better plan.’
I walked off the roof, I heard footsteps coming after me and as I reached the bottom of the stairs, leading off the roof, I turned to see Alexandria was with me.
We walked down the stairs and out into the bright sunshine. The blue sky, the white fluffy clouds, was at stark contrast to my mood. I scowled at them, at their audacity to drift aimlessly and peacefully above me, when I was in such a filthy mood. We walked into the trees and the peace here was the same. Everywhere was peaceful, quiet, tranquil, just to spite me.
Alexandria knew I didn’t want to talk, so she just walked silently at my side.
Eventually we stopped. We were standing by the old statue again, the one of the cloaked lady.
I slumped down, leaning against the tree. Alexandria sat down next to me.
We sat in silence for a while but then Alexandria turned to me.
‘Come on Eve, out with it, you’re like a bear with a sore head.’
I smiled wryly. ‘I’m just tired. I’ve only had a few hours’ sleep since I’ve come back from being held by Adam and quite frankly the whole being sedated and tied up scares me to death. I’m disappointed that Seth wouldn’t realise how much I’d be against that idea after what I’ve been through.’
‘He’s handling it in the best way he can, Eve.’
I sighed.
‘Don’t let him win.’
‘Who Seth?’
‘I meant Adam.’
I sighed again, bitterly. ‘He is winning, first it’s me he is trying to hurt and kill, it won’t be long before he kills one of you guys.’
‘But he’s not just winning with that though, yes the attempts on your life is obviously the most worrying, but he’s winning in other areas too. Your personal life is taking a beating too.’
‘Every time I go to sleep, he tries to kill me, I’m exhausted, I think I have every right to be a little stressed out and grumpy.’
‘But you’re letting him get to you, so he’s already won. Look, what if Adam does win, what if Seth dies tonight, no let me finish,’ she reached for my hand at my aghast expression. ‘What if he dies or you do, do you really want to spend your last day with him, angry and grumpy? I know this is clichéd but you should live every day like it’s your last.’
I looked at her in confusion. ‘Where’s this ‘embrace life’ attitude come from?’
‘Just that life is short, how many have died in the last few months, how many more will die before the end, none of us know how much longer we have on this little rock, we have to make the best of whatever time is left…’ she paused, though I knew something else was coming. ‘One of the Zekis in the villages, Marcella, she was a friend of mine, I haven’t seen her for months, last year sometime I think was the last time. She was killed by the Putarians a few weeks ago. I bumped into her husband when we were trying to get to you. The one thing he kept saying, over and over was how he should have told her every day how much he loved her, how much she meant to him and he didn’t. He was always busy
with the animals and when he came home from the farm, he was exhausted, he would just eat his dinner and go to bed. He said if he’d known she was going to be taken from him, he would have made more time for her, he would have told her more often that he loved her, but now it was too late. You might not have the rosy future you want with Seth. It might not be Adam, it might be something else that takes him from you. No matter how hard you try to protect him, there might come a time that there’s nothing you can do, so instead of getting snappy with him, grab him, kiss him and tell him you love him. Have no regrets Eve, that’s all I’m saying.’
I smiled, wryly, she was right.
I stood up. ‘Come on then, I have a husband to apologise to.’
Alexandria grinned and stood up too. I hugged her. ‘Thanks.’
‘No problem, Eve.’
We ran back, this time I felt the warmth of the sun on my back, and heard the birds singing and the rustle of the gentle wind through the leaves. The statue was far from the fort, and it was always harder to run up the hill rather than down, but I always felt better after a run, more energised, which I was hoping would last for the remainder of the day.
Finally we arrived back at the fort and jogged back up the stairs towards the corridor. Lucas was stationed outside my room when I got back. He grinned at me as I approached, immediately sensing the shift in my mood. I moved to hug him, and instantly without hesitation, he hugged me back, holding me tightly against him. I smiled, then disentangled myself from him and went into my bedroom.
Seth was lying on the bed. He sat up when I came in, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. Immediately I went and sat on his lap, cradling his face in my hands as I kissed him.
‘I’m sorry,’ he said.
‘Hey, that was what I was going to say,’ I grinned.
Seth held me tight, embracing me into a big bear hug as he kissed me. Finally we parted.
Seth ruffled my hair, affectionately. ‘Let’s go back to our island for a bit. I’m not saying you’ll be any safer there, but at least we get to lie on the beach all day.’
