Eden Forest (Part one of the Saskia Trilogy) (29 page)

We nearly won; there are only five men left. Neve is left lying

on the ground, but he’s unconscious.

The door opens and the remaining guards leave the hut. One

stands out from the rest. He has a bald head and is a large

man, but there is a look of savagery and cruelty about him. He

claps his hands as he walks towards us smiling. “You came,

Sarajane.” He looks at the guard. “Release her.” The blade is

taken from my throat. How does he know who I am? Then

again, everybody seems to know me. “I will take great pleasure

in killing you slowly.”

I swallow. “The queen said if I showed my face my sister

would live.”

The bald-headed man smiles with pleasure. “Bring the girl out.”

A guard goes to the hut and carries Jessica in his arms. When

he reaches us, he lays her at my feet. I fall to my knees and run

my fingers along her neck, checking for a heartbeat. It flutters

under my fingers; she is alive.

“No one said anything about you living.” The bald man

looks down at me. He is really enjoying this.

“Taurus, Bellona gave her word that you or any of her men

would not harm Sarajane. Or maybe you are willing to disobey

your queen,” Morrick says in a king’s voice.

Taurus laughs cruelly and looks at Morrick with hate. “She

is not my queen. But I do enjoy her body every night.”

Morrick’s face remains impassive at this comment. “This is your

last warning, Taurus. Call these men off now or you will feel my

full wrath.” Morrick’s voice is as hard as steel. I would be afraid if

his threat was towards me, but it just seems to anger Taurus.

He grabs me by my hair, dragging me off my knees. My scalp

burns with pain. I let out a screech. He looks at Tristan then,

smirking. “Maybe I will have her body before I kill her.” He

runs a rough hand across my chest. Fear rolls through me. I feel

repulsed by the motion. Tristan’s jaw clenches, his hands balled

into fists at his side.

I look down at Jessica. At least I’ve saved her. Her eyes open

and she looks up at me. She reaches her hand towards Taurus’s

foot. What is she doing? Before she touches him, she smiles at

me through bloody lips. Taurus screams and wheels back, but

it only lasts for a second. Then he looks at Jessica and kicks her

in the stomach so hard her body moves a foot away. I scream

with anger and run for Taurus. When I touch him, his body is

flung into the hut. I can’t stop. Only one thought runs through

me. Kill him.

Arrows are fired at me, but seem to bounce off an invisible

shield. I don’t look left or right but move straight into the hut

and grab Taurus. He looks afraid. It is my time to smile. I feel

as if my hands are on fire. I push them against Taurus’s chest.

He screams in pain as the smell of burnt flesh rises. I don’t care.

I just want to destroy this man who has hurt my sister.

The hut is vibrating around us. I let my hands sink farther

into his chest. The roof rips off in a gale-force wind and the

walls are being torn apart around us. Taurus is roaring, but I

can only see his mouth moving. His face is twisted with pain

as tears flow from his eyes. I don’t stop. I look at him through

hair that is being whipped across my face by the wind. I can see

something purple shine under my hand. I pull it. I know it’s his

soul and I want nothing more than to crush it.

“Don’t, Sarajane. You are not like him. Let it go,” Morrick

says so softly beside me it knocks me out of my zone. The wind

reduces and I open my hand, releasing Taurus’s soul.

I sit there on top of Taurus, shaking. Someone pulls me off.

Then I’m in Tristan’s arms. He smiles at me. “You scared me.

I thought I was going to lose you.” I expected him to be angry.

I never get to answer, as I pass out.

I open my eyes slowly, feeling weak, and my head throbs.

Jessica is beside me. I sit up quickly. Blood rushes to my head.

“Not so fast. She will be all right.” Morrick reassures me.

I look at Jessica’s battered body. Oh God, what did she

endure?

“We heal quickly, Sarajane. She is partially like us.”

I look around for Tristan and Kiar, but I can’t see them.

“Where is Neve?”

Morrick’s face saddens. “He won’t make it, but he has been

asking for you.”

“Take me to him.” Morrick nods and lifts Jessica, taking her

with us.

Tristan and Kiar are on either side of Neve. I can see by his

colouring that he hasn’t much time left.

He forces a smile when he sees me. “Sarajane.” Tristan moves

so I can sit with him.

“Oh, Neve, I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. You brightened up my life when you walked

into it.” A lump rises in my throat. I’m the cause of his death

and we both know it. His hand squeezes mine. “Promise me

you will look out for Kiar.”

I look at Kiar, who is crying. Tears slide down my own face.

“I promise.” And then Neve is gone.

Tristan is beside me then. “You were a good friend, Sarajane.”

“Don’t. I got him killed.”

Kiar looks at me with anger. “He died in battle, the way we

will all go.”

I start to cry harder. Tristan pulls me into his chest. I let my

body give in to the horrors of today and silently beg Neve and

Kiar to forgive me. I caused so much.

Morrick carries Jessica and Tristan insists on carrying me,

but I refuse. I deserve the throbbing in my feet. It’s my fault

Neve has died. Kiar won’t leave Neve’s body behind. He slings

him over his shoulder and carries him as silent tears run down

his face.

Nobody speaks after walking for what feels like days. I

stumble and fall; my feet are too badly cut. Tristan scoops me

up. I don’t object, and he carries me the rest of the way. We

reach the edge of the forest an hour later. It’s easier leaving. We

don’t have to be quiet. When we reach the horses, Kiar removes

a bedroll and wraps Neve in it. He ties it at both ends and slings

him over the horse. We take off.

The next two days, we ride towards Aquaterra. The silence

isn’t uncomfortable, as everyone is lost in their own thoughts.

For me, Neve’s death takes the most. No matter what he said, I

still feel responsible. I’m feeling responsible for a lot lately. My

sister would never have been taken if not for me. My dad is in

danger. It feels like everyone was hurt because of me. Morrick

killing his son to save me. It makes no sense.

My powers—that’s something I push to the back of my mind.

I can’t comprehend it. I need to focus on getting to Aquaterra

and speaking to Mirium to see if my dad is all right.

We stop for food and rest and nobody speaks, not even

Jessica, even though she’s healing fast. On day two, we reach

Aquaterra.

Chapter Eighteen

Saskia

(Sarajane)

O
nce we arrive at Aquaterra, I go straight to my hut

without speaking to anyone. I just need time to myself.

Everything is too much right now. I lie down on my

bed. My tunic is crusted in dry blood from the guard I killed.

A knock sounds at my door. I take my face out of the pillow.

“Go away.”

“Sarajane, it’s me,” Jessica says. I sit up straight. She hadn’t

spoken one word the whole way from Eden Forest.

“Come in.” Jessica stands in the doorway, her face nearly

fully healed, but she is scared on the inside. I can see it. I open

my arms and she races into them. I pull the quilt over the two of

us and we curl up as she cries in my arms. I rub her hair and let

her feel safe in my arms.

We must have fallen asleep because when I wake, it’s dark. I

sit up and rub my eyes. Jessica lies fast asleep. A shadow in the

corner stirs. I light the candle beside my bed. My mother sits in

the corner, her eyes raw from crying, deep circles running under

them.

“Mum.”

She comes to me and sits on the bed. “Thank you, sweetheart,

for bringing her back safely.” Jessica stirs then and Mum rubs

her arm. “How do you feel, love?”

Jessica gives a big stretch and smiles at me. “Better now that

I’m here,” she says.

Mum looks away. I know she has bad news by the way her

shoulders are set. “Mirium wants to see the three of us in the

main barn.” My stomach tightens. This is about dad.

We walk to the barn, hand in hand. Jessica looks petrified,

but this is her real dad. I give her hand a little squeeze before we

enter the barn. Mirium sits alone at the head of the table and

gives each of us a kind smile as we sit down around him.

“Hi, Jessica, it is lovely to meet you.” Mirium reaches out his

hand, causing Jessica to flinch in her seat. Her reaction startles

us all. Then she straightens and takes his hand in hers. “You

have very unique talents, my child,” Mirium says while still

holding her hand.

“They helped me when I got myself in sticky situations.”

Jessica sounds so much older than eighteen.

Mirium gives her another smile before returning his attention

to us all. “Sarajane, Marta.” I swallow. This is it. “I went to the

mortal world and indeed, they had John held in the house by

two guardians belonging to the queen.” He pauses briefly. “I

am so sorry.” My mother lets out a strangled cry. “He was dead

by the time we reached him.” My mother sobs into her hands

and Jessica just looks frozen in her chair. Mirium stands. “I will

give you time alone.” He squeezes my shoulder as he passes me

before leaving the barn.

This is all too much. “Jessica.” I take her hand in mine.

She looks up at me and tears stream down her face. “They

killed Dad.” I nod my head. I don’t want to speak in case I burst

into tears. And Jessica has been through enough.

Mum takes her head out of her hands. “My baby girls, I am

so sorry.”

Jessica curls into Mum, letting my hand go. “It’s not your

fault, Mum.” And they cry.

I leave the barn for my hut after an hour of tears and

memories, feeling like my soul has been pulled out of me. Jessica

is staying with Mum tonight. When I arrive in my main room,

Alana is waiting on me. I don’t say anything. It feels so good to

see her face.

She hugs me. “I am sorry.”

I look at her. She’s done so much for me. “Thank you, Alana—for everything.”

She looks me up and down. “You stink.”

I laugh through tears. “Thanks for that.”

She links her arm with mine. “Come on, you need a wash

and food.” She has the tub filled and I strip robotically. I don’t

want to think about anything. “You had a visitor today,” Alana

says from where she sits on the bed.

I stir in the tub, looking over at Alana. She looks tired.

“Who?”

She raises an eyebrow. “A little girl around eight with big

brown eyes.”

“Mei,” I say fondly.

“Yes, she called here every day looking for her princess.”

The poor little child. “I will see her tomorrow.” I lie there

and let the water relax me.

“What happened to Neve?” Alana asks, her voice cracking

on his name. I get out of the bath and wrap myself in a towel.

“Here, I will brush your hair.”

I sit down as Alana untangles the mass of curls. “He died in

Eden Forest. He lost too much blood.” Alana keeps brushing

my hair. “How is Kiar?” I ask.

Her hand freezes. “Not good, Sarajane. But in time he will

heal.” She continues brushing the knots out.

“It is such a mess. I wish…” I stop speaking. I don’t know

what I would prefer. If I never came here, then I would’ve never

met Alana, Tristan, Neve and Kiar. I would’ve been blind to

who I was.

Alana stands back. “All done.”

I turn and face her. “What happens now?”

She purses her lips in thought. “Now we bury Neve and look

out for Kiar.”

She is right. Kiar will be hurting the most. “Yeah, you’re

right.”

I get dressed in clean travelling clothes. I don’t want to be in

a dress. Alana and I eat in my main room. The early hours of

the morning are creeping in.

“You need rest, Sarajane.”

I give her another hug. “Thanks again, Alana.” I go to bed,

but my dreams are haunted by too many dead faces, taunting

me the whole night long.

When I awake a few hours later, I feel as if I haven’t sleep at

all. Banging on my hut door awakens me.

I open the door. Mei stands there, swaying back and forth,

looking up at me. She is adorable. “Hello, Mei, come on in.” I

open the door farther. She looks around and then climbs up on

a chair, her legs tangled from the height.

“I couldn’t find you, princess,” she says.

I sit across from her. “I had to do a job, but I’m back now.”

She bobbles her little head in understanding. Then she twines

her hands together, looking shy. “Granddad said you are sad.”

A lump rises in my throat, but I push it back down. “Yes,

my dad died.” She bobbles her head again. “But he’s in heaven

now with God.” I’m not too sure if the child understands what

death is.

“My mammy and daddy are in heaven too. I will ask Mammy

to take care of your daddy.” She sounds so matter of fact.

“Thank you, Mei. That would be lovely.”

She beams and climbs off her chair, coming over to me. I

don’t know what to do, but she climbs into my lap and curls

into me. Her little hands wrap around my neck. “Don’t be sad,

princess. I will be your friend.” My hands hang loosely at my

side, but I hug her back, her words giving me strength.

“Mei.” I hear Ndee calling her name.

I take her off my lap. “Come on, we better get you home.”

She places her little hand in mine as we leave my hut. I have to

face the world; I can’t hide out forever.

Ndee gives Mei a stern look. “Mei.” And then her eyes fall on

me, full of sadness. “I am so sorry, princess.”

“Thank you, Ndee.” The settlement is quiet. “Where is

everyone?”

Ndee picks up a reluctant Mei. “It is our day of mourning

for the dead.”

I am touched by this act of kindness. They didn’t know my

dad or Neve that well, yet they mourn for them. “Thank you,

Ndee.”

“Princess, Musa requests your company in the main barn.”

I nod and then give Mei a kiss on the cheek. “I will see you

later, Mei.” She waves until her hand nearly falls off.

“Okay, princess.” Her little face makes me smile as I cross

the settlement to the main barn. Everyone is waiting inside—

Mirium, Musa, Morrick, Tristan, Alana, Jessica and Mum.

They sit around the large table. Mirium has taken the head

chair and to the left of him, Musa sits with Tristan, Jessica

and Mum. Morrick is to his right with a space beside him. I sit

down, Alana on the other side of me.

“Now that we are all here, we shall get started,” Mirium

says. I’m unsure what all this is about, but I will find out soon.

Mirium turns to me. “I know this has been very hard on you,

Sarajane, and you have not been told the reason you are here,

but…” He looks at Morrick and Musa. “We spoke and agreed

that you are strong enough for the truth.” I shift in my chair

before Mirium starts. “This world was created by four fallen

angels. It was their punishment. But after centuries, they were

forgiven. So God allowed them passage back into heaven, but

they still remain here.”

There is an intake of breath from everyone around the room.

Obviously, not everyone knew this. That makes me feel a bit

better. I’m not the only one in the dark.

“The four of them can only return to heaven when they join

together, but there is one angel missing that will not complete

the circle.” This all sounds like a child’s story. “So God created

a vessel that he filled with great powers beyond our beliefs. This

vessel would vanquish Lucian, the angel who has turned to the

dark world, and help the other angels return to heaven, giving

Saskia back to the people that now live here.” Mirium stops

to let this all sink in. I was following perfectly, but just don’t

get what this has to do with me. “The vessel would come in

the form of a young lady who would not live in this world, but

would pass through fire to get here. The door would be closed to

her until her destiny is complete.” I squirm in my chair, feeling

uncomfortable with the way Mirium is looking at me. “You,

Sarajane, are the vessel.”

I am finding it hard to breathe. It makes too much sense; I

can do too much. “I’m only a girl, Mirium. I’m emotional, and

I can’t fight or make sense of a lot of things. I can’t be…”

Mirium gives me a sad smile. “You are the one, Sarajane.”

I look at my mother, who looks absolutely horrified. “You

expect my daughter to go up against Lucian? Mirium, you know

what he is like. I won’t allow it.” My mother rises, her body

visibly shaking. “Sarajane, Jessica, we’re going home.” Then she

looks at Morrick. “I won’t loose her, Morrick. I’m sorry.”

Morrick stands then. “Marta, Saskia will no longer exist.

The longer the angels are here, everyone will die.”

My mother lets out a tortured scream. “I don’t care! I will

not lose my daughter. No.”

Morrick really loves my mum. I can see by how torn he is

when he looks at her. “Marta, she can’t leave.”

My mother moves around the table, grabbing my arm. “You

can’t stop us.” She tugs me to get up.

“Marta, she can’t leave because the door is closed to her. You

can try, but she has to stay here.”

Fear runs all over my body. My mother lets me go and hits

Morrick. “How could you do this to her?” He stands there as

she repeatedly hits his chest, and then she crumbles in his arms.