Eden's Mark

by D. M. Sears

  Gregor collapsed to the ground, weak from the shadow poison. I didn’t know what to do, I wasn’t a healer like Val.

  “Gregor, what do I do? I don’t know how to cure this.” I was on the verge of tears. He didn’t know what he would do had he lost me; well, the same thing was now hitting me in the face.

  I calmed myself and listened to the earth. Its song hummed through me, igniting my birthmark. I was lit with the green aura of our Mother Earth. I felt energized and my mind cleared. I rolled Gregor over so I could see his wounds. His gashes were deep and Gregor’s blood flowed like a stream from each one. I placed my hands over his torn flesh and pushed all the energy I could into his body. I reached for his essence that tied us together and found it faded. I grabbed at it, anchoring him to keep the shadow at bay. The light under my hands glowed brilliant with the earth’s song that flowed out of me and into Gregor.

  The poison snaked out of the claw marks in a black vapor. An icy wind picked up and carried the vaporous tendrils back to whoever had created the shadow. I let the energy flow until the flesh closed and healed on Gregor’s body, before I let myself believe he would be okay. When all was finished I rolled Gregor over. He was still so weak. His essence flickered, causing me to panic slightly. I knew he needed blood to survive, so I tore the soft skin just under my birthmark with elongated incisors. I opened his mouth tilting his head back. I dropped my life-giving blood into his mouth, praying he would come back to me. Gregor roused at the taste and pulled my wrist close to his lips. He drew the life force out of me with every drop he swallowed until I started to lose consciousness.

  “Gregor, stop.” I said weakly, trying to get my arm free of his hands.

  “Gregor…please.” I began to fade out, falling back towards the ground. I felt hands catch me and hold me close.

  “Why did you do that? I am the one who is supposed to keep you safe, and now, I have drunk too much from you.” I could hear the sadness in his voice along with remorse.

  “I love you,” was all I could get out. I was so very tired. I had nothing left to give.

  “Koren, can you and Maiya help me get Eden in the forest? I will go hunt once she is secure, she needs to replenish what I took from her, but I cannot give any until I feed.”

  “You can count on us, Gregor, we are here to help you both with whatever we can.” Koren gently placed his hands under my arms securing me in his grasp and away from Gregor. Groggily I watched as my vampire set up a shelter for us to wait under. He twisted the purple-red limbs manipulating them until he had a canopied nest created. Koren set me inside the smooth branches and Maiya, in her cat form, lay in my lap, warming me from the cold wind.

  “Thank you, I will return shortly, my friends.” Gregor took off deep into the forest. I placed a weak hand on Maiya and stroked her fur. The calming effect took me into its thrall.

  I was not sure how much time had lapsed. Maiya was asleep, purring loudly in my lap. I couldn’t recall when Koren had shifted into his bear, but I was leaned against him, warmed by his coat. I felt some energy returning. I lifted up and felt a stab of pain in my temple. I had a major migraine and rested against Koren. I wasn’t going to bounce back that easy. Gregor must have really taken a lot from me. I watched Maiya’s ears twitch and she rose off of me stretching her graceful body. She jumped out of our little nest and Koren followed suit.

  “Hey, where are you all going?” My voice was hoarse and my throat throbbed in rebellion of every syllable I uttered.

  “Come back, don’t leave me here alone, please.” I just stared after them as they walked into the trees.

  I asked them to leave us, my heart.

  Gregor, where are you? I don’t like being here alone.

  I am almost to you, do not fear, Eden. I had to hunt so I could replace the blood you gave me.

  I felt his overly warm body envelop me. I wasn’t used to him being so warm. My body was cold and I nestled into him like a child under a blanket.

  “I know you do not want to drink blood, and I do not want that either, but the truth is, you need to replace what I took from you.”

  “I will be fine. I am feeling better already.” I gave a weak smile and I knew he was unimpressed.

  “You are pale and weak, my heart. Let me help you, this will feel different. The hunger will take hold and you will go into a blood lust.” I watched his eyes darken a little.

  “Gregor, is this a good idea then, I mean here, now?” Thinking about what he said to me made the blood pound in my ears.

  “If you do not replenish, you will become weaker and weaker until your life fades. Our people need blood to survive; you are now part of that group. Trust me, I wouldn’t lie to you.”

  I saw the sincerity in his face and knew he was telling me true. “Okay, what do I do?”

  He smiled that sultry smile and guided my head to his neck. I felt his lips and tongue on my neck giving me shivers. I basked in his warm kisses feeling my stomach flip and my mark tingle. Our light glowed around us but I used my mind to mute it down, all we needed was more shades to attack us. I had been practicing every time I was with Gregor to try to control our aura. I was beginning to make some headway.

  I felt my teeth elongate and the numbing saliva fill my mouth as he continued his assault on my skin with his lips. I smelled his skin and his cool sweet aroma sent me spiraling into desire. I opened my mouth and slowly nipped at the flesh at his neck. A moan filled my ears as I did it a second time.

  You are teasing me.

  No, I am just enjoying the moment.

  I bit down on his neck gently and felt my teeth break skin. A rush of hot liquid flooded my mouth. I swallowed the spicy metallic mix of Gregor’s blood, feeling it awaken my starved cells. His grasp tightened around me holding me to him, never to let go. I savored the taste of his rich spicy blood. I cautiously tuned into myself, waiting for the blood lust to overtake me. As my strength returned, I realized I was in no danger of becoming blood-drunk. My body let me know I had taken enough and I released my mouth from his skin watching the two pinpricks close. I looked at Gregor inquisitively.

  “Our bodies heal, remember?” I watched a smile flirt with his mouth. I reached up and kissed him deep.

  “Thank you, Gregor. I feel much better.” I nuzzled him as our two friends came to us from beyond the trees.

  “You are welcome to bite me anytime you wish, my heart.” I saw him wink and I broke out into laughter. Koren and Maiya strode up to us questioning my outburst.

  “I owe you both a debt, thank you for caring for Eden in my absence.” He bowed at the waist towards our friends.

  Maiya grinned at us, “You owe us nothing, and you have been to our aid more times than we can count.”

  I beamed at my friends and at my vampire. “So, what do we do now?” I hated coming back to reality, but we couldn’t stay here like this.

  “We search for Amend.” Gregor was serious now, and that meant business.

  “Okay, one Eden wolf coming up.” I stepped to the ground and felt the change take place. My wolf burst forth in anticipation of the hunt. Koren and Maiya both took their forms and we started to sniff for any trace of Amend.

  Gregor kept guard over the wolves as we went this way and that, using our keen sense of smell. An hour passed, two, maybe. I was getting deeper into the trees. With my wolf’s sight, I could easily see 150 yards away but the coloring was all wrong. This whole form-changing thing would be a difficult adjustment. I could feel Gregor and knew he was anxious about me being so far away, but I think I had proven I could take care of myself and him. The day wore on us and just as I was ready to give up, a familiar fragrance hit me.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  I found something. It sort of reminds me of Lex. It might be Amend. I need someone to double-check this, please.

  On our way.

  Maiya was closest to me and came to pick up the scent. Gregor reached me next, and then Koren’s wolf made his appearance. We all agreed it was similar t
o Lex’s and followed it. I needed to stretch back into my human form for a little while, so Koren took over the lead.

  “You have done a great job tonight, Eden. I am lucky to have such a woman with me.” Gregor grabbed my hand and I made sure our light was subdued. His warmth crept into me, though, and I relished the feel of it.

  We walked hand in hand through the forest as I took count of the strange goings-on around me. The birds that shrieked in the dark had nothing I could compare them to. Animals, unseen, scurried about, all over the forest floor, despite the wet ground and sharp, biting wind. The trees looked menacing in the dark and I was glad Gregor was here with me.

  The wolves in front of us stopped abruptly at some fallen trees. The smell of toxic fumes and burned flesh made me want to be sick. Blood covered the tree, some human and some shade. I wanted to get far away from the scene in front of me, but Gregor’s steady grip helped to comfort me.

  “What do you think happened?” I was sure Amend was involved, but whether he was okay was beyond my knowing.

  “It looks like quite a scuffle went on here. I’d say both parties received significant injuries, by the look of the forest.” Gregor put his arm around me and Koren changed back into his natural form as Maiya went off in search of who knows what.

  “We need to be careful while we are here, in case there are any shadows hidden, waiting for Amend to return.”

  “Why would he come back?” I doubt anyone would want to come back to this area of the forest.

  “For his stave.” Koren held up a twisted, knotted staff. It was white as snow and had strings of brightly colored beads and things hanging on it. The tip held a large multifaceted setting covered in different stones. Down the shaft were delicate carvings, symbols, the things Val had been teaching me.

  I reached out and Koren placed it in my hand. I immediately felt the power surge through me.

  “Wow, did you feel it too?”

  “Feel what? It felt like a wooden stick to me.” Koren shrugged at my comment, clearly not understanding what I was meaning.

  “The power in it. It’s crazy, I feel like I am charged with electricity.” I know I looked half crazed, but this was unbelievable.

  “Let me see it, Eden.” I reluctantly handed the staff over to Gregor, who closely examined it. I wanted to yank it back from him; the feeling of the stave in my hands was a little more addictive than I would have guessed. “I feel nothing as well. It might be only mages can feel whatever is imbued in this staff.”

  That would make sense. I let Gregor keep hold of it; the mere fact that I wanted it more than being around Gregor put me off. We continued to look around the broken trees and blood-covered ground when we heard Maiya howl. Koren shifted in mid-run and took off towards her cry. Gregor and I used our preternatural speed, following behind the brown wolf.

  We sped through the forest, practically running into our friends. In front of Maiya, we saw a small man coated in blood, flesh ripped open. I stood in shock as I stared down on the broken body.

  “Is that…” I already knew the answer, but I felt compelled to ask anyway.

  “I believe so, Eden.” Maiya had sorrow in her voice. She came next to me and put her hand on my shoulder. Instantly I felt a wave of comfort flood me.

  “Do you think he is…alive?” There was no way, but I walked to the blood-covered man and touched him. Images flooded my mind causing me to fall backwards into Gregor. I saw the whole fight in my head. The shadows’ attack, Amend fighting them off. Something caught my attention amongst the gore that I was seeing, a cloaked woman just on the outside of the fight. Her outfit was black and smooth, like leather, her hair was fiery red and the wind whipped it around. I tried to focus on her face, but it was too blurry. As Amend used the staff’s energy to incinerate the shades, she left. I saw something shine as she turned and was gone.

  The moaning brought me back to reality. Not moans from me, but from the blood-covered body before me. “Amend, can you speak? Amend?” I was yelling at the poor man, not realizing how hysterical I sounded.

  I watched Gregor and Koren grab Amend from his bleeding arms and lift him up on to his feet. He stood about 5 ft. tall with a baldhead and the longest white beard I have ever seen. I was reminded of Dumbledore, by the way of his robe and beard.

  “Who…are…?” He could barely get a word out. His body was still bleeding and at this rate, he would die.

  “He needs healing, Eden. Do you think you have the energy to remove the shadow poison from his body?”

  “I can try, I may need extra energy from you, Gregor.”

  “Take what you need, my heart.”

  I laid my hands over Amend’s broken frame and grounded myself in the dark earth that surrounded us. “Mother Earth, I need your help, too. Please grant me your healing power to save Amend.” I closed my eyes and at once felt the energy flow through me. The green light mingled with my own energy and Gregor’s essence, causing a bright burst of light to surround all of us. I focused all the energy I had on removing the toxic poison from his slumped frame. I saw the same vaporous tendrils and tar-like ooze flow from his wounds as I had seen leave Gregor’s.

  I was wearing down before I had even got to the healing part. “Use the staff, Eden.” I heard Amend’s voice ring out, soft and shaky, but it was his.

  I did not hesitate; I grabbed the staff from Gregor and felt the buzz of power. The stones filled with light and my mark burned hotter as I siphoned the power from the staff. I felt it enter my body, giving me a rush. Now I knew what a high really was. I let the power flow from my fingers and into Amend. The bright light filled him and I watched the wounds close up and color return to his skin. When I was sure all the wounds were purged and healed, I used my blue flame to destroy the puddle of ooze. The fumes permeated the air causing us to cough and hack.

  The stones in the tip of the staff slowly faded and I leaned on Maiya for support. I was weary, but Amend was standing on his own and he looked much better.

  “I was wondering when you would come visit your uncle. I have answers you seek, but first we must go help my nephew. That is why you have come, is it not?” He stared at me in a puzzled fashion.

  “Um, yeah, but how did you know?” Gregor was beside me now and I let him put his arm around me keeping me upright.

  “My dear, I know a lot more than you think. I am still weak, but if one of you would carry me, we can be on our way.” Amend held his staff close to him and watched Koren change into his large bird form. Maiya helped him on Koren’s back.

  Maiya changed her form as well, and Gregor placed me on top of her. “Wait, what about you?” I didn’t want to leave Gregor on the ground.

  He squeezed my hand tightly, “My heart, you need to rest, you have had a busy night. I will be fine, traveling in the way of my people. I can keep up; I will be right behind you.” Gregor kissed me softly and the two birds flew into the air in unison. I saw Gregor below us take off like a bullet, winding through the forest of tall purple trees.

  The sun was beginning to rise and we had at least another 6 hours before we would reach the village. The purple Yoli Forest was left behind and the valley stretched before us. Gregor was going to have to take cover soon.

  Gregor, where do we stop? The sun is rising.

  I can be in the sun, but it is painful. We are not stopping until we get to the village.

  Not if it means pain for you. Let them take Amend, I will stay with you and we can meet them once the night comes.

  Out of the question. You will stay where you are and I will continue on foot. We will not alter our course.

  Gregor…

  Eden, let us get to Lexington. You and I will have time to rest once he is healed.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  The day wore on and I felt the sting of the sun on Gregor’s skin. If you thought bee stings and ant bites were bad, this was a thousand times worse. The sharp stabbing pain that wouldn’t go away left me shaking. I was fine with the light, no sensitivit
y here, but Gregor wasn’t so lucky. He gritted his teeth and bore the pain until finally, just after noontime; we saw the village in the distance.

  We landed in the middle of the village and Gregor helped us off the large birds. Maiya and Koren changed back into their natural forms and we rushed to Lex’s side.

  “Eden! I have been worried sick about you. Are you okay, tell me what happened.” Val had me in a death grip of a hug. I looked around the room and saw Bimisi sitting in his place by the sidewall of the hut. He nodded at me and I returned the salutation.

  “Aunt Val, we found Amend, he is here to help Lex.” I smiled the best one I could muster under the circumstances.

  “Really?”

  “Yes, I am here. It is good to see you my child. How is my nephew?” Amend brushed past us, stopping only to greet our guest. “Thank you for keeping the shadows at bay, my old friend. I will take it from here.” With a bow, Bimisi turned to smoke and was gone.

  The others stood in confusion and wonder at the acknowledgment of Bimisi. I felt better knowing someone else could see him too. “Everyone leave us except Eden, the rest may go.” Amend stared down at his nephew while everyone stared at me.

  “I will not leave her, sir. Eden is my heart.” Gregor stood beside me tall and proud.

  “I know what she is to you and you to her, but this task that is set before us takes concentration and you, my fine fellow, are a distraction.”

  “She can barely stand, no way will I allow her to do this before she is rested and back to full strength.” Gregor’s eyes were darkening and I felt his anger start to rise.

  “It is fine, I can do this, Gregor. It is my fault Lex is sick in the first place. I promise if I become overwhelmed, I will come find you.” I looked him in the eyes so he could see my truth and sent love and admiration for his protection of me.