Eden's Mark (14 page)

             
So then “husband,” why did I not get a honeymoon?

             
Well, “wife,” I thought our little meadow was as good of a place as any for a so-called “honeymoon.” That word makes no sense at all, if you want to get right down to it.

             
Gregor sat up and put on his serious face.

             
Do you really need to go to a different location to moon over your honey? I ask you; can you not show admiration to your loved one in your own home? This makes no sense to me.

             
Gregor, it’s not like that. The honeymoon gives you a chance to be together in a place that makes you happy without everyone and their brother getting in the way. You know, it’s your own piece of heaven for a while. Besides, you are right.

             
I am?

             
Yes you are, our meadow was the perfect place. I want to put a house there for us. It will be perfect and ours alone.

             
Ours.

             
I yawned as he spoke to me.

             
Let’s try to get some actual sleep, my heart, the rain is still coming down and we cannot do anything but rest and wait.

             
We snuggled down together and I imagined a down comforter the color of Gregor’s eyes. As it covered us, I let the song from the earth sing me to sleep.

Chapter Twenty

             
Two days passed while we stayed dry in our little cave underground, wondering when the storm was going to lighten up. I couldn’t complain too much. Snuggling with Gregor every night was amazing.

             
I knew that we would have to make a plan, no matter how much I was enjoying my vampire cuddle time. The second night we all gathered to discuss our new strategy.

             
“When the storm passes, we could shift into flying forms and fly the rest of the way. It would be easier and Gregor, you could ride. It makes sense.” Koren passed around strips of salted dried meat and small red fruits that tasted like kiwi.

             
“We will be too exposed in the air if Gregor rides. I think it is wise to continue as we were until we reach the forest; it can’t be more than a few hours from here. The real question is, once we get to the forest, how will we pick up Amend’s trail?” Maiya took a small sip from her waterskin and looked at Gregor for answers.

             
I looked at my three traveling companions and felt guilty for dragging them into this. Who knew if we would actually find Amend, or what would happen if we were attacked? This was turning into a hot mess very fast.

             
“Koren has a point with flying. The three of you could fly to the forest edge and I could catch up at dusk. You wouldn’t be out of place nor would you look suspicious to anyone traveling nearby. Once I reached you, we would try and pick up a trail from there. If we cannot, our best bet would be to spread out and comb the forest. Each night we agree to meet at a rendezvous point and share what information we have gathered.” Gregor made eye contact with each of us as he spoke. “Does anyone have any qualms with what I have said?” He sat quietly waiting for a response.

             
“I do.” I gazed at my vamp across from me. “I don’t think I am comfortable splitting up. I am still new to my powers and let’s face it, I tend to get into trouble. I would feel safer with everyone together. Also, why leave in the morning? I say we leave at dusk and you can follow under us or I try a cloaking spell and you can ride. It is worth a shot.” I want to show that I can strategize as well. It is hard being around people that always know more and can do better than you all the time.

             
“She has a point, Gregor. Eden has been targeted. There is no telling what is tracking her. If she were to get attacked, who would be able to get to her in time if we are all separated?” Maiya gave me a quick wink that no one else seemed to notice. I knew she would understand.

             
“I had no intentions of letting Eden out of my sight. She will be with me no matter what. I will not allow anything to harm her.” Gregor set his smoky gaze on me causing my body to heat. “We will leave at dusk tomorrow and we will try the cloaking spell. If that does not work, I will travel on the ground and you will fly ahead of me. Are we agreed?”

             
In unison, we all agreed. We tried resting and repacking for hours to get us through until dusk. By the time we were ready to leave, we were all a little stir-crazy. The cave opened up and we each stepped out one by one, thanking the earth for her protection and shelter.

             
The crisp night air blew around us, making a whistling sound. Something felt off to me. I pushed it to the back of my mind, but my wrist flared up in alarm. Danger was lurking somewhere, I could feel its slimy essence in black shadows.

             
Gregor, do you sense what I do?  I have a horribly uneasy feeling.

             
What do you feel, Eden? I am not sensing anything, but if you tell me something is amiss, then I believe you.

             
I can’t put my finger on it, but something is out there. I just know it. We need to cloak and right now!

             
Do it, I am here to protect you. Koren…Maiya…be ready to shift when Eden cloaks us. She senses something foul out in the dark.

             
We will be ready.

             
I nodded at my companions and raised my hands in front of me. Grounding myself, trying to ignore the stench, I repeated the phrase in my head taught by Val. I felt the burn take over my body and the funnel of energy surround me cloaking us. Maiya and Koren were already birds in the air flying towards the forest. As the heat and energy dissipated, two shadows came at our location. They sniffed around trying to pick out our distinct smells from the sulfuric stench given off by the blue rocks.

             
Sweat beaded my forehead as Gregor and I quietly worked our way through the rock piles away from the shadows. I was nervous, to say the least. I worried that my steps were too loud.

             
Easy, Eden. Do not get worked up. Slow and steady. Just follow in my exact steps.

             
I am trying.

             
You are doing great, my heart.

             
A drip of sweat fell from my brow and hit a rock sending my scent into the night air. The shadows’ heads went up as they caught my smell. Frenzied wails came from their overly-stretched mouths, signaling others. Shadows came out of nowhere, tracking my scent, coming right at me.

             
Gregor, go! I will keep them busy.

             
Absolutely not! I will not let you become bait. I will busy them and you get out of here.

             
They want my scent. Get to the forest and I will lead them to you.

             
I allowed myself to be seen by the shadows. Almost immediately, they were frantic to reach me. I took off in my super-speed, hoping to get them away from Gregor.

             
Eden, you must shift, it will be safer. They can’t reach you in the air.

             
Gregor was following behind me and we raced on towards Yoli Forest.

             
I can’t focus enough to change. Go around me, Gregor. I won’t let them hurt you.

             
I am not leaving you! You have to train yourself to change no matter the circumstances. It may be the one thing that saves your life! Now do it!

             
Gregor…I want to, but at the moment I am a little busy trying to run.

             
All I cared about was getting the shadows away from Gregor and towards my friends to help me fight. My pulse was rapid under my skin and my mark burned, wanting to release the built-up energy coursing through my veins.

             
Eden…NOW! You must, my heart, it is the only way.

             
I chanced a peek behind me and saw shadows emerging from unknown places extending claws as we rushed past them. Gregor was right; I had to be able to shift at a moment’s notice. I tried to focus on a large bird, a hawk. I pictured a huge golden hawk in my mind with fierce talons and a razor-sharp beak. I pushed at myself to focus and call on my energy. I felt the change happen and I began to take flight. I dropped the bags on the ground and made my way towards the shadows that were filing in behind Gregor.

             
EDEN! Don’t go after them. Just fly to Koren and Maiya. Stay safe!

             
I will not let them have you!

             
I yelled this so all would hear me. I got their attention long enough to confuse them just a bit. I flew at one using my lethal talons to grab his arms. My claws sunk deep and the shadow screamed at me scratching my hawk legs with his own vicious nails. I raised him high above the ground and dropped him, bones crunching as he hit. Gregor seethed at me from below. There was no time to deal with that now.

             
I felt the shade’s poison in my scratches. I pushed the weakness down and summoned my energy to help block the pain. My vamp was in trouble and I was going to help. I went after another but he ducked away from me and I let out a scream of frustration. My hawk whipped around to come at the shadow from the left.

             
The cloaking spell I put on Gregor kept him just outside their reach, but it would soon wear off and then we would be in trouble. I continued to dive at the shadows and injure them with my beak and talons. We were approaching the forest edge when I heard two large birds come to our aide.

             
We are here to help, Eden, what do you want us to do?

             
Get them away from Gregor! The cloaking spell is fading!

             
As soon as I passed that on to my friends, a shadow raked his infected claws down Gregor’s back, leaving a bloody trail. I watched my vampire turn in mid-run and grab the shadow by his throat. The fetid flesh melted off the shade’s throat, around Gregor’s hand, locking them together. It took everything I had not to lose my form and vomit right there. Gregor reared his head back and called on Mother Earth for help. Army ants and botflies materialized under the shadow, crawling up his leg and over his rotting flesh. Before my eyes, they devoured the shadow until nothing remained.

             
I lost my train of thought as I watched the insects eat the shadow. I fell from the sky towards the earth in my human form. Maiya was quick to catch me. I fell onto soft feathers as she continued the assault on the remaining two shadows. Gregor ran up beside her and I leaped into his arms. We ran to the edge of the forest and watched the last two shades ripped apart by Koren and Maiya.

             
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.