Eden

by C J Singh

  After some more time of sliding up and down small mounds and tree trunks, Brian shot up a hand to stop us.

  Stop!

  Jace looked pale with shock; he had gotten the same message. I stifled a giggle, remembering how I felt when getting used to the voices in my head. The only person who looked confused was Tristan.

  “Why did you st—”

  “Shhhh,” I whispered. “Something is here.”

  Tristan glanced around. “I don’t see anything.”

  Annoyed, I turned to him to tell him to be quiet once again when I saw it, a scourge flying through the air toward his back. I was too slow to push him out of the way before it landed on his shoulders. Tristan screamed out, in fear or pain I don’t know, but they toppled to the ground. Grabbing my bow, I nocked in an arrow but stilled to watch the two roll in tangled limbs. Old Bob had taught Tristan to fight, and he was strong, so he could handle himself. I lowered my bow an inch but kept the arrow nocked in, just in case. Ropes from its limbs swung through the air, hitting the ground in loud thunks. It was the same scourge we had captured.

  “Eden!” Jace called as he and Brian sprinted toward us. The light shone off the sharp knives in their hands.

  I looked back at Tristan and the scourge rolling on the ground. The scourge, smarter than expected, tried to use the ropes to its advantage, twisting it around Tristan’s body, trying to inhibit his movements. Tristan pushed, kicked, and rolled, trying to get out of its hold. My breath got a bit shallow, and I swallowed. Unsure of my decision, I lifted my bow again and aimed, but Jace moved into my view, his knife out and ready. When Tristan saw him, he rolled onto his back, placing the creature above him. Jace quickly stuck his knife into the side of the scourge’s throat. Thick, black blood poured out over Tristan, and the scourge released him to grab at his throat. As he did so, Jace pulled him off Tristan, tossing him to the side. Tristan, covered in blood, sat up panting and turned to watch the scourge gap its mouth like a fish out of water. Tristan blanched and turned away, horror flashed in his eyes.

  It was unnerving how human it seemed watching us, almost pleading for help. Tristan stood, moving next to us, as we all silently watched the life leave its familiar eyes.

  Pulling the arrow from my bow with shaking hands, I turned and inspected Tristan. He held his side, but no blood other than a few scratches and bruises. Most of the blood that caked his body was from the scourge. I took a small step toward him, but he stepped away.

  “Well, now what?” Tristan asked. “Our guide is dead.”

  Brian took a step toward the dead creature. “We do our best to find them on our own.” Kneeling down, he slowly pulled the knife out of its neck. Thick blood gushed onto the ground, mixing with the wet mud to a dark burgundy. He stood, handing the knife back to Jace. “Open your senses. See if we can find anything left by them. Smells, prints, or even better, one of them.” He turned to Tristan. “You OK?”

  Tristan rubbed his neck and shoulder. “Yeah. I’ll be fine.” He looked to Jace. “Thank you.” I could see the pride in his face falter. He hated the fact that Jace saved him; Jace only nodded in acceptance. I let out a small breath, relieved he didn’t say one of his smart remarks.

  Guilt built in my belly. I had just watched. I didn’t think he would struggle as much as he did. He was always strong when fighting with Old Bob, so it was a shock when he was almost bested by a scourge. My insides dropped to a pool on the ground at the betrayal on his face when he glanced at me, then he turned around and walked into the woods.

  Turning away, I followed Brian, swallowing down the lump in my throat, focusing on the hazy ground in front of me.

  We walked until the rumbling of thunder rang in the distance, and the smell of a storm was in the wind. Brian stopped.

  “We should stop and create a shelter if we can’t find one.”

  Searching our surroundings, I noticed we were near the small cave where Jace and I had stayed. Before I could speak, Tristan spoke up from behind. “I know of a cave not too far off.”

  Jace and I turned to him.

  “You do?” I asked.

  Tristan kept his eyes on Brian. “Yeah. We found it when we were out searching for you. I think you were there too, were you not?”

  I nodded.

  “Yeah. We stayed in the same cave. This way,” Jace said.

  We arrived just as the first few sprinkles of rain started and the thunder rumbled louder. I let out a sigh of relief as we entered the cave. My clothes were damp and dirty from my clumsiness all morning. I wanted nothing more than to change into the clean pair Derek had put in my pack, but with the pouring rain, I decided against it. I would rather keep that pair clean for later.

  “I am going to go rinse off,” Tristan said walking out into the rain. He turned the corner for privacy. The thought of letting fresh rainwater wash over me was tempting, but I doubted he wanted my presence. My heart ached at the hurt in his face. He couldn’t even look at me.

  I walked as far into the cave as I could without being totally consumed by darkness and sat down, feeling the cool stone wall on my back. When my hand dropped, instead of being met by Ash’s soft fur, it hit the hard stone. I yearned for my friend’s warmth and security. I took the same hand and raised it to Ellie’s necklace. Tears welled in my eyes at the feeling of her loss and now that I may be losing my friend, my brother.

  “You all right?” Jace sat down next to me.

  “Yeah.”

  As he studied me, I was relieved the darkness hid my lie.

  “You just watched him. You didn’t even try to help.” He paused. “You sure you’re OK?”

  My throat constricted. “Yeah.” I turned my face toward the deep darkness of the cave, hiding the tears threatening to escape.

  Jace leaned a little closer, lowering his voice. “Eden, I know something is wrong. Maybe if you just tell me, we can figure it out together. It’s not good to hold things inside like this.”

  Irritation at his pity built up inside me. I turned to him and snapped, “Why do you care?”

  “What?”

  Thankfully, I couldn’t see his hurt face in the darkness, but his voice held unmistakable pain. “Why do you care?” I repeated.

  The discomfort in his voice hardened. “I just want to make sure you are up to this. I mean, our lives... my life depends on if you are willing to step up and defend and fight for the people of your group. Today, it sure didn’t look like that.”

  This time I couldn’t keep the tears from slipping. They wet my cheeks, and I was thankful for the blanket of darkness. He was right, but... “You’re just like them.”

  “What?”

  I turned to him. “You’re just like them. You don’t think I can handle any of this.”

  “I never said that...”

  “You didn’t have to. It’s implied in your words, the way you look at me.”

  The outline of his eyes widened. “Well, don’t you think you know everything about everyone? I’m not sure where all of this is coming from. I didn’t say anything like that, nor did I think that. I was just concerned about you and wanted to make sure everything was OK. You don’t seem like yourself, but it seems that you’re able to handle it on your own.” He stood and walked away, his feet scuffing the rocky ground.

  I groaned, pulling out the blanket from my pack to make a little bed. Tristan came back in, dripping wet, and left me alone, finding a spot near the opening of the cave to rest. I lay down and the sound of rain on the trees and the soft rumbling of thunder lulled me to sleep.

  Chapter 30

  Eden

  The next morning, I woke before anyone else and crept outside for some fresh air. The woods smelled fresh and damp from the night of rain, and the cool breeze made the leaves sing, joining the song of the birds. I walked to the ravine that led down the stream. The crisp, cool water looked so inv
iting I almost slipped down the hill in anticipation. Crouching down, I washed my face and neck, letting out a sigh of pleasure as the mud and grime washed away. I fought the urge to slip into the stream and let the water roll over me, washing away the events from the day before. My stomach knotted at the memory of Tristan’s betrayed look. I had never seen him look so hurt, but I didn’t know what I could do or say to make it better.

  Just then, a familiar feeling of contentment and happiness hit me. I jumped up to search the area, as my heart slowly increased to a fast pulse that warmed my skin. Ash. I smiled as anticipation built of seeing my best friend. I stepped through the shallow ice water downstream, careful not to slip on the stones. I neared him; the feeling grew along with my smile. I increased to a jog and let out a giggle, but when I rounded the bend in the stream, I stopped, my smile vanishing. At the top of the ravine staring down at me were two adult wolves and three pups. Frozen, we stared at each other, unsure of what the other would do. Their eyes, gold like Ash, didn’t show anger or fear, but uncertainty.

  I smiled. “It’s all right. I won’t hurt you.” I spoke so quietly I hardly heard myself over the trickling water of the stream.

  They tilted their heads in confusion, unsure if they understood me correctly or not.

  A stick breaking echoed behind me, and I spun around. Tristan stood with an ashen face, his eyes glued on the wolves.

  “Eden.”

  “It’s OK, Tristan. Just go back to the cave.”

  “What? I’m not leaving you here with a pack of wolves to fend for yourself.” He took another step toward me, pulling a growl from both adult wolves. Their eyes moved between Tristan and me unsure if he was a threat or not. Their pups cowered between their legs. The annoyance of Tristan’s protectiveness resurfaced, and I glared back at him.

  “Tristan! Listen to me, please! They will not hurt me, but they may hurt you, so for your safety, please leave.”

  Tristan shook his head, and I ground my teeth. Idiot.

  “Eden, have some sense. They are not Ash. They are not wolves you raised from a pup. They’re wild, and if you aren’t careful, they will hurt you.”

  A growl started in my throat. “If you don’t back down, I will make you.”

  Not paying me any attention, he kept his eyes on the wolves and slowly reached for his dagger. My hair almost whipped back when anxiety hit me along with the sound of their growls. I quickly looked at them, their hackles raised and muzzles twitching to show the tips of their fangs. The pups stepped back further so they were fully behind their parents.

  “Tristan, don’t do that. They will attack you.”

  Again, he ignored me, continuing for his dagger. When his hand brushed it, the male wolf jerked, letting out a snarl. Without a second thought, I bolted up the hill tackling Tristan. We both fell, rolling in the twig-and-needle-covered ground. Our grunts echoed through the morning breeze.

  “What the blazes, Eden!” he barked, pushing me off him.

  “I told you to back off!” I looked back and saw the wolves watching us, their hostility slightly calmer. I let out a breath of relief as the tension blew away.

  “What in the world...” Brian’s voice faded as he took in the situation. His eyes darted from the wolves to Tristan and me. “What’s going on?”

  “Eden’s about to get herself killed that’s what!” Tristan stood, brushing himself off.

  “I told you already, they mean no harm. I was in the stream when they showed up. They have done nothing but watch me.” I stepped in the path of the wolves just in case someone got the grand idea to try and attack again.

  “They are not Ash, Eden!” Tristan yelled.

  “I know! I heard you the first time.”

  “They were growling!” Tristan pointed at the wolves who were still monitoring the situation.

  “Only because you were going for your knife!”

  Brian sucked in a deep breath, putting up his hands. “All right, all right, let’s relax.” He continued to snap short glances toward the wolves but did well not to make any threatening movements toward them or me.

  “Relax? No. This ends now,” Tristan snapped. He grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the cave. “We are packing up and moving on. No more destructive actions. I told Tate and Old Bob nothing would happen to you.” His grip was tight and demanding.

  I tugged my arm back, but his fingers bruised into my upper arm. “Let go of me! I can handle myself!” His grip held tight.

  I felt them coming; the wolves. They charged through the stream and were halfway up the hill by the time Tristan’s grip loosened enough for me to turn around. Standing between the wolves and the others, I put up my hands and yelled.

  “STOP!” My voice sounded like a predatorial snarl.

  Immediately, the two wolves skidded to a halt. The sweet sounds of the morning woods were drowned out by the sound of my panting breath. They listened to me. I don’t know how I did it, but they listened. I watched them with wide eyes, listening to their uncertain whimpers. They paced back and forth, watching and waiting for my command. I fisted my hands to keep them from shaking. My body trembled with a combination of excitement and power.

  “What in tarnation?” Brian mumbled.

  “What just happened?” Jace asked.

  “You got me,” Brian replied.

  I smiled, taking a step toward the wolves. “I think I just made some friends.” My voice was much stronger than I felt.

  “Friends? Those wolves just tried to kill me!” Tristan yelled.

  Narrowing my eyes at him, I said, “You, maybe”—I turned back to my new furry friends—“but not me. If you would keep your hands to yourself, then they wouldn’t have attacked you.” I felt a wave of embarrassment flow through the air, and without a word, he stormed back to the cave.

  Brian stepped forward, his eyes still on the wolves behind me. “Eden, I don’t...”

  “Stop. I don’t want to hear it.” Smiling, I glanced back to the wolves who were turning to leave. “I had everything under control, so I don’t need your opinions.” Brushing past them, I headed back to the cave. For the first time in a while, I felt proud of myself.

  Chapter 31

  Jace

  Brian took the lead tracking the scourges as best he could. As we moved through the woods, a squirrel scurried up a tree, stopped, and watched us. I locked gazes with its beady black eyes and started to reach out toward it. Its nose twitched as it tasted my scent in the air, but I halted halfway and pulled my hand back. What was I thinking? Shaking my head, I continued forward. I was becoming more comfortable with the woods and the inhabitants, but I wasn’t as impulsive as Eden. What happened earlier was... downright crazy.

  Shaking off my thoughts, I hollered to Brian, “So how you tracking the scourges right now anyway?”

  Eden looked back at me. “It would have to be by smell since your hollering will either scare them off or invite them for a tussle.”

  “Ha. Ha. I don’t notice much of a smell that could be tracked.”

  “That’s because you’re untrained,” Brian replied.

  “Untrained? What exactly am I to be training for?”

  Brian laughed. “For yourself. You have new... talents that need to be learned.”

  I chuckled, sure, talents, that’s a nice description of what was happening to me. I watched Eden’s hair swish with her movements and took in a deep breath. Lavender and cedar floated from her trail; it was... relaxing. I pulled in another long stream of her scent, and she snapped her head back to me.

  “You can keep your thoughts to yourself, please,” she said quietly so the others didn’t hear. “I already know what I smell like. I don’t need your comments about it.” She quickly stomped after the others.

  Had I said that out loud? No, no I hadn’t. “Hold up!” I jogged after her, stepping in her path. “Can you
hear my thoughts?” Memories of Derek and Brian’s voices in my mind came to me. Was that what I sounded like to her?

  Watching me a moment, she closed her eyes. “Get out of my way, Jace.”

  “Not until you answer me. Can you hear my thoughts?”

  She avoided my eyes, chewing on her cheek. I laughed. “Holy Hazelnuts! I’m going to have fun with this new... talent.”

  She scoffed, pushing past me, but her touch wasn’t as rough as I expected. Lavender filled my nose and a tingle went up my spine.

  No. I can’t think that way.

  “What new talent?” Tristan asked. He had paused to let Eden catch up.

  Ignoring him, we walked past him, catching up with Brian. I pushed out my next thought.

  Big idiotic birdbrain.

  “Jace!” Eden snapped, causing me to let out a huge fit of laughter and do a little jig.

  Brian stopped. “All right, you two. That’s all fun, but you need to start to take this seriously. It can be used to your advantage.”

  Tristan jogged to catch up. “I’m confused. What are you talking about?”

  “Don’t worry about it, pretty boy,” I said.

  “Excuse me?” His face tightened in anger and he took a step toward me. I taunted him by wiggling my eyebrows.

  “That’s enough!” Brian bellowed. “There won’t be any more of this bickering. We’re here to do an important job. I don’t need fighting between you all. I need you serious and alert.” He turned to Tristan. “There are some things you won’t understand because they don’t pertain to you. It is just something you will need to deal with and not ask questions.” He didn’t let Tristan respond before he turned back to Eden and me. “You two. You will listen and learn. You will take it seriously.” His eyes landed on me, then he turned to Eden. “And you will cool it. You have been very on edge lately, and you need to relax.”

  “Understood.” Eden stared at her feet.