Shadow

by Christina Garner

  Sarah didn’t have an answer, but she damn sure was going to get one.

  The trio filed out of Alex’s study.

  “You’ll keep me updated?” Quinn pitched his voice low.

  “Of course.” Sarah kept her tone equally quiet. She wasn’t sure how far this newfound transparency from Alex would extend. “Keep the faith. Eden will be home soon.”

  “When she is, I’m never letting her go again.” Quinn’s relief was palpable.

  After another promise from Sarah to keep him in the loop, he left, leaving Sarah and Kai alone in the hallway.

  Sarah gathered her courage. “Do you want to talk?”

  “I do.” Kai took Sarah’s face in her hands. “I really do, but there’s something I have to take care of. Breakfast tomorrow?”

  Sarah swallowed, hoping the sting of rejection didn’t show on her face. “Tomorrow is fine.”

  “Okay, good. Tomorrow.” Kai dropped her hands and hurried out.

  Alex wasn’t the only one up to something. What was more important to Kai than working things out with Sarah? Did she have a date?

  The thought was absurd, but Sarah burned with jealously all the same.

  Chapter 28

  “A badger?”

  The words worked their way into Eden’s foggy consciousness. Where was she?

  She struggled to open heavy eyelids and pushed herself up on her elbows. She instantly regretted it, gasping as pain lanced through her left arm.

  “It’s okay.” Ash rushed to her side. “Lie back.”

  He placed a hand on Eden’s shoulder, gently pressing her back to the pillow. She was hooked up to machines with an IV running into her hand delivering fluids and maybe a narcotic based on how fuzzy her brain felt and how muted the pain was compared to what it had been in the forest.

  The forest.

  She remembered and wished she hadn’t.

  Ash looked terrible—filthy, tired, and wearing a doctor’s scrubs for a shirt.

  “I’m glad you’re awake.” The man who stepped forward wore a white coat and spoke with the authority of a doctor. He pulled a penlight from his breast pocket and flashed it in Eden’s eyes, making her squint. “Can you tell me what happened to you?”

  Ash cut in. “I told you, it was a—”

  “I’d like hear it from her, if you don’t mind.” He turned from Ash back to Eden.

  “It was…a badger.” Her tongue felt thick in her mouth.

  “The thing is…badgers are afraid of humans. Attacks are quite rare. And the claw marks are a bit larger than I’d expect from an animal that size. Follow the light, please.”

  Eden tracked the penlight with her eyes. “What else could it have been?”

  The doctor opened his mouth on the verge of saying something, then pressed his lips back together.

  “We’ll contact someone from wildlife,” he said finally. “Let them know a crazed badger is on the loose.” He clicked off the light and tucked it back into his pocket. “The good news is, you’ll be fine. The claw marks were deep and needed to be stitched. We’re giving you IV antibiotics and you’ll need to take an oral course as well. I’d like you to stay overnight. After that, a GP should check your wounds in a few days to make sure they’re healing properly. How does that sound?”

  Eden was about to say she couldn’t stay in the hospital overnight, and certainly wouldn’t be in Glastonbury long enough for a recheck, but Ash spoke first. “That’s fine.”

  “Rest well. I’ll be back to discharge you in the morning.”

  Eden waited to speak until he’d gone.

  “We can’t stay here—”

  Ash held up his hand, signaling for her to be quiet. He went to the door and closed it.

  “Your arm is pretty bad.” He returned to the side of her bed, resting his hands on the rail.

  “I thought it was nothing.” Eden tilted her head to the side.

  “That’s what I needed you to believe at the time.” His face held concern, his gray eyes soft but intense.

  “I know,” she said quietly. “Thanks for that. And for getting me here.”

  Ash shifted, his cheeks coloring. “How are you feeling?”

  “Like whatever’s in that bag”—she cut her eyes toward the IV—” is the only reason I’m not crying.”

  “Tears would be appropriate. Your arm is…not as pretty as the rest of you.”

  Now it was Eden’s turn to blush, her cheeks going from warm to hot. Ash cleared his throat and took a step back from the bed.

  “You’re right about not staying in Glastonbury.” He stared out the darkened window. “It’s not safe. I’ve gotten word from Magda—the seals grow more visible by the day.”

  “Then we have to get out of here.” Eden sat upright, causing her head to swim, and reached for the IV tube.

  Ash laid a gentle hand on hers. “One night won’t make the difference.” He pulled her hand away from the tube and laid it back on her abdomen. “There aren’t any buses this late anyway.”

  “Tomorrow then.” Eden hadn’t come this far and seen and done all she had only to lose the stones now.

  “Tomorrow.” Ash settled into a chair in the corner.

  “The potion.” Eden jolted with the thought.

  “I did it earlier. I’m sorry, I knew you wouldn’t like it, but—”

  “It’s fine.” She managed a weak smile so he’d know she meant it. “Really.”

  He leaned back in the chair. “Get some rest. I’ll keep watch.”

  Ash didn’t appear as if he should be watching anything. He needed sleep as much as she did after carrying her half a mile. But she knew better than to say it, and the thought of him watching over her provided more comfort than she wanted to admit—even to herself.

  Eden settled back—eyelids already drifting closed—but another panicked thought shot through her.

  “My pants.” Her eyes flew open, scanning the room.

  “Over there.” Ash gestured to the closet. “But what you’re really looking for is right here.” He tapped his backpack with his foot. “Don’t worry, I’ll give it back as soon as we get out of here.”

  A smile played at her lips, the narcotics once again pulling her under. “A deal’s a deal.”

  Eden settled back. The last thing she heard before drifting into oblivion was Ash’s soft reply.

  “A deal’s a deal.”

  Eden woke in the middle of the night, slick with sweat, her insides ablaze. She cast a frantic glance down at her forearm. Even through the bandages, it appeared to have doubled in size.

  She cast her eyes toward Ash but found only an empty chair. She reached frantically for the call button dangling over the rail. Her arm felt as though it were bursting at the seams. Angry red streaks that hadn’t been there earlier snaked out from the bandage and ran up her bicep. Was the fever making her hallucinate, or were they moving—traveling farther before her eyes?

  “Ash.” It came out a croak, her mouth as dry as dust. Where was he?

  The call button was stuck. She gave it a hard yank, finally freeing it.

  “No, don’t.” Ash burst into the room, grabbing the call button from her hand.

  “My arm.” She held it out, eyes widening at the crimson lines now spiderwebbed across the left half of her chest.

  “I know.” Ash eyes, which usually betrayed so little, now shone with fear. “I’ve got help.”

  Eden realized he wasn’t alone. Standing in the doorway was a beautiful woman. She appeared to be in her early twenties with curling, blond tresses and an otherworldliness about her.

  “This is Cordelia. She’s a healer.”

  The way Ash spoke her name sparked fury in Eden.

  A ribbon of red cut between her breasts and down her torso. Eden panted with the effort of not passing out. Of not screaming in pain.

  “If you’re here to help, get to it.” She spoke through gritted teeth, feeling more like the beasts she’d killed than a human.

  Ash clicke
d the door shut and spun the lock while Cordelia the Perfect approached.

  What is she, an elven princess? Who has skin like that? Why doesn’t she have pores?

  Eden fought against the internal babble and lost. Rage ripped through her—why had Ash left her side?

  “You needed help the doctors couldn’t give,” Ash said, and Eden realized she’d asked that last question aloud. “I was told Cordelia has skill with this type of wound.”

  “I do.” When Cordelia spoke, the words floated on the air like bells chiming.

  She traced her hands above Eden’s frame, her breath catching.

  “This is bad.” She glanced back at Ash. “I’m not sure if I can—”

  “You can,” Ash said firmly. “And you will.”

  Elven Princess turned back to Eden, appearing no less apprehensive.

  “This is going to hurt,” she said.

  Eden despised her pity. “I can take—”

  Blinding pain shot through her entire body as the princess wrapped firm hands around her forearm and pressed deep. A scream ripped from her lungs but never made it fully out. Ash had shoved a pillow over her face.

  “Bite down.”

  His command was muffled, smothered as she was. Instead of obeying, Eden opened her mouth wider, a howl erupting from deep inside of her as this porcelain sadist tried to kill her.

  “Please.” Ash pressed harder. “Bite down, or they’ll come before she’s finished.”

  Self-preservation kicked in, and she did as he’d asked, jaws clamping down so hard on the pillow she punctured it.

  Whatever this sadistic sprite was doing, it wasn’t working. It wasn’t working.

  I’m dying.

  Then nothing but that thought over and over and over again.

  I’m dying. I’m dying, I’m…

  Chapter 29

  Sarah was the first to arrive at the diner. She slid into the booth and waited for Kai.

  She’d been up half the night stewing about everything from Eden, to Alex, to Kai. It wasn’t like her, but then again, she wasn’t exactly feeling herself.

  Not that I even know who I am at this point.

  She’d come to college thinking she was one thing—namely her mother’s daughter. But then she’d arrived at Coventry House and discovered she was something else entirely. She was a witch. Eden’s best friend. Kai’s girlfriend. But each of those identities were based on others. Who was she, absent outside influence? She was almost nineteen. Shouldn’t she know by now?

  Not that being left to her own devices was working all that well.

  Her thoughts grew more frenzied by the hour. Kai with someone new. Eden—who knew where—not caring how much destruction she’d left in her wake. Impending doom. One thought was worse than the next, and Sarah had been drowning in the lot of them.

  “You can’t just sit here and not order.”

  Startled, Sarah glanced up. “Pardon me?”

  The server folded her arms. “The table. It’s for paying customers.”

  “I’m just waiting for my girl… For my friend.” The adjustment stung. “We’ll order when she gets here.”

  The server left in a huff, and Sarah stared after her. Had everyone taken crazy pills? Just that morning she’d seen a fistfight on the quad and been flipped off while crossing the street. It was as though the whole town was in a mood.

  “You look deep in thought.”

  Sarah glanced up to find Kai. The moment she laid eyes on her, Sarah’s mind ceased racing. Calm certainly washed over her…the awareness that for all she’d outgrown, she and Kai still fit.

  “I’m sorry,” Sarah blurted out before either even had a chance to say hello. “I was rude the other night in my room—lecturing you about witch business. I’m sorry.”

  Kai slid into the booth across from Sarah. “You were a little intense,” she said. “But it’s okay. It’s pretty intense all around.”

  “Tell me about it.” Sarah couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s still not an excuse.”

  “You know, I used to complain my last girlfriend was too boring,” Kai said, shaking her head. “I will never complain about boring again.”

  Sarah flinched at the mention of Kai’s ex. If she wanted boring so much, maybe she should get back with her.

  Or maybe she is, and that’s the thing she had to do last night.

  Sarah swallowed the bile rising in her throat.

  “Hey.” Kai reached out and touched Sarah’s hand. “Are you okay? Where did you go?”

  Sarah shook away her suspicions, dismissing them as ridiculous. “Sorry. My thoughts are kind of all over the place lately.”

  “I know the feeling.”

  Sarah felt the warmth of Kai’s hand still covering her own. She’d let it go before, but wouldn’t again.

  “I want to get back together.” Sarah’s heart felt lighter for having finally spoken the truth, but her words hung in the air between them and left her feeling exposed.

  “There’s something I need to tell you, and you may not feel the same once I do.” Kai appeared uncertain, the expression foreign on her face. “I have a confession to make.”

  Sarah’s stomach twisted into a knot. It was her ex. Or worse? What could be worse than—

  “Eden didn’t knock me out like she did the rest of you.”

  Sarah blinked. “What?”

  “I was awake when she left.” Kai met Sarah’s gaze as though bracing for an attack.

  “You were awake…” Even as she said the words, Sarah couldn’t quite believe them. She had to say them again. “You were awake, and you didn’t do anything?”

  “I talked to her. Listened, mostly.”

  “What did she say?”

  “That she had to go.”

  Sarah tightened her jaw and pulled her hand away from Kai’s. “And you just let her.”

  Kai glanced down at her hand with regret. “Come on, Sarah.” Kai’s tone held an edge of pleading. “What could I have done?”

  “I don’t know, stop her?” Sarah made no effort to keep the anger from her voice.

  “And how was I supposed to do that?” Kai threw up her hands. “How many times have you told me how much more powerful you both are?”

  “You could have asked her not to go,” Sarah hissed. “Did you even do that? Did you tell her we love her and would fight with her?”

  The server was about to approach but seemed to sense the vibe and detoured in the other direction.

  “Don’t you think she knows that?” Kai said. “She needed to go, and she didn’t want you stopping her. Why do you think she made you fall asleep?”

  “Knowing Eden, to protect us. To be noble and stupid at the same time.”

  Kai was quiet for a minute. When she spoke, her tone was soft. “I’m going to tell you something, and you’re not going to want to hear it.”

  Sarah’s mouth twisted. “What else is new?”

  “Eden’s reasons are none of your business.” Sarah blanched, but Kai continued. “Whatever she’s doing, she didn’t want you with her. Do you get it? She doesn’t want you.”

  “Screw you, Kai.” Sarah moved to stand, but Kai grabbed her arm.

  “Sarah, I’m not…” She released her grip. “I’m not saying that to be mean. I’m saying it so you know whatever her reasons for leaving, they are her reasons, and she’s allowed to have them. She doesn’t owe you or Quinn an explanation.”

  “Do you get the irony of you saying those words to me of all people?”

  “I said you weren’t going to like it.” Kai exhaled, resigned.

  “Why you?” Sarah crossed her arms. “Of all people, why did Eden bare her soul to you?”

  “Because I’m the only one who wasn’t going to stop her, and because…” Kai hesitated. “Because she wanted me to deliver a message.”

  Sarah’s pulse raced. “What message?”

  “To make it clear, she wanted you and Quinn to let her go. Not just physically let her go, but…to move on.
Without her.”

  Sarah’s mouth hung open. “Eden would never say that. And if she did, she didn’t mean it. She was just scared.”

  “She said it, and she meant it.” Kai’s tone left no room for discussion.

  “Does Quinn know?”

  “I told him last night. That’s what I had to take care of. I was hoping to avoid it—hoping you’d both let Eden go on your own, but then Alex brought in the Council, and—”

  “The picture.” A puzzle piece slid into place. “The one of us with Quinn kissing Alex in the background. I saw it earlier and couldn’t figure out why you’d posted it, but now I get it. Wherever Eden is, she can check social media. You wanted to make her think we’re happier without her. You don’t want her to come back.”

  “I posted it so she’d see it, but that’s not why.” Kai was emphatic. “Eden was adamant that you and Quinn let her go. I wanted her to think you had. If Eden is the person you say she is, she’s been wracked with guilt for leaving. If that guilt distracts her from whatever it is she needs to do, it could get her killed.”

  “So, you were trying to help her?” Sarah’s voice was filled with skepticism.

  “In my own very messed up way, yes.” Kai sighed, clearly frustrated and spent. “I know how powerful the Council is—what you’ve told me anyway. They’ll find her. But I’m not sure that’s a good thing.”

  “And you suddenly care about Eden’s wellbeing.”

  “Of course I do. You think I want something bad to happen to your best friend? Who do you think I am?”

  The hurt was plain on Kai’s face, and Sarah knew she should take it away—to assure her Sarah knew what a good person she was, and that she’d only been doing what she thought was right, just like they all were.

  But Sarah couldn’t manage those words. If she didn’t know who she, herself, was, how could she really know Kai or pretend to understand her motives?

  All that she’d experienced when the harbinger had passed through her came rushing back, a single word rising above the others.

  Betrayal.

  Chapter 30

  Dappled sunlight warmed Eden’s face and pulled her from sleep. It took a moment for her to realize where she was, to remember what had happened.