Unexpected Eden (5 page)

“That’s a rather non-committal prophecy.” The words slipped through uncensored before she could stop herself.

“You mean, is it an era of promise, or an era of decline?” He smirked, more playful than catty.

Lexi kept her silence. For all she knew, this dude was the high potentate of this beautiful place. He sure talked like someone official. She’d bet last week’s paycheck he was related to Ludan though. The height, build, and eyes were too close not to share DNA.

“Many people have pondered that over the years. Some are the very epitome of gloom and doom. I choose to anticipate a change for the better.” He held out his hand, his smile a dead-ringer for Ludan’s. “My name is Graylin Forte. I’m Ludan’s father.”

Lexi shook his hand. Dad was definitely more easy-going than the kid. “Lexi. Lexi Merrill.”

Graylin’s eyes sparkled, mischief crinkling the corners. “I know who you are. Eryx’s been looking for you for years.”

Chapter 5

Eryx bailed on Ludan and Ramsay and their plans to find Maxis, and bee-lined across the room to make sure his meddling mentor shut the hell up.

“You’re the second person to say he’s been looking for me.” Lexi shot a sidelong scowl at Eryx and crossed her arms.

“I told you I’d answer your questions and I will.” What he wanted was to touch her. To stroke the back of her neck and kiss the tension right out of her. The PDA wouldn’t phase anyone else in the room, but he doubted Lexi was ready for a dunk in Myren culture.

“Ludan told you about her?”

Graylin frowned. “I served your father for the better part of my life with the same devotion as my son now serves you. Did you think I wouldn’t give my support? Your secret is safe with me.”

Lexi perked up. “Secret?”

Eryx palmed her neck before he could check the action, the simple contact grounding him in a way he wasn’t sure he’d ever understand. “Secret makes it sound like something I’m ashamed of. Necessarily covert is more accurate.”

Lexi leaned into his touch and her eyes softened. So natural. Like they’d been together for years instead of hours.

The front door swooshed open and his sister strode through the door. Her waist-length auburn hair was tangled from flight, and her black tunic and leggings smudged with garden dirt. In less time than it took most people to state their name she scanned him then Ludan, still standing at the door. “Ramsay said you’re hurt, but I don’t see any blood.” She focused on Ludan’s hands and grinned. “A little on the crispy side though. Who’d you piss off?”

“Had a little run-in with Maxis,” Eryx said.

Lexi stepped away. “His shoulder’s hurt.”

Galena glided across the room, checked Eryx’s shoulder for all of three seconds, and shrugged. “He’ll keep.” She zeroed in on Lexi and pulled her into a quick, tight hug. “You must be Lexi. I’m Eryx’s sister, Galena. Let’s get the brutes healed and we’ll chat. I’m sure you’ve got lots of questions and men always take forever with answers.”

Lexi had barely returned the embrace when Galena stepped back and motioned toward the kitchen. “Eryx, you’re up first.”

“No, heal Ludan.” Things were too far out of control. Maxis on the loose and his long-stifled desire for Lexi wouldn’t change overnight, but he could damn sure put a lid on his meddling friends and family and see to Lexi’s needs. “If anyone’s answering Lexi’s questions, it’s me.” He steered Lexi toward the hallway, striding past Ramsay still stationed near the entrance. “I want a search status every two hours.”

Ramsay opened his mouth, took one look at Eryx, and snapped it shut. With a nod and an unrepentant wink at Lexi, he shot out the open door.

They rounded the corner to the kitchen, the scent of fresh brewed coffee filling the cozy space. Eryx pulled out a chair at the far side of the maple-wood table and motioned Lexi to sit. “Graylin, I hate to ask on short notice, but Lexi hasn’t eaten. If you can get her something to tide her over, I’ll ask Orla to come and handle the rest of the cooking while we’re here.”

Lexi slid into her chair. The morning sun angled through the picture window behind her, the blue undertones of her dark hard glinting as she scanned every window and exit. “I’m not hungry.”

Graylin pulled out two large platters. “Nonsense. You’ll need your strength if you’re to be awakened. That requires both food and rest.”

“Awakened?”

Well, that was one way to get her mind off escape. Eryx glowered at Graylin, pulled a chair close to Lexi’s, and pointed at the one in front of Galena. “Get your ass in the chair,” he said to Ludan. “I want you healed and ready in case we get any more surprises.”

Nostrils flared and shoulders pulled back, Ludan pushed away from the stone island. “As you wish.” He plopped in place and the chair groaned beneath his weight. “Malran.”

“What’s a malran?”

Interfering jackass. “A loose interpretation would be leader,” Eryx answered before Ludan could do any more damage.

The room went uncomfortably silent, both Galena and Graylin sporting baffled expressions. Eryx settled his arm along the back of Lexi’s chair.

Ludan arched an eyebrow.
“You’re not going to tell her?”

“Not yet. And I’d appreciated it if you and your father stayed the hell out of my personal life.”

Lexi’s lips were drawn tight, fists clenched atop the scarred, honey-stained tabletop. All things considered, she’d been a hell of a trooper. Sharing his day job on top of everything else didn’t seem like an intelligent next step.

Galena clasped Ludan’s burned hands, and Ludan averted his face with a growl. “Hold still, Ludan.”

“What’s she doing?” Lexi whispered the question, a bit of her tension easing.

Eryx leaned close to her ear, and lowered his voice—not that his sister needed such a courtesy. With Galena’s skill she could heal a near fatal wound in the middle of a riot. “She’s an empath. She’ll take his wounds into her body and then heal herself from the inside out.”

Lexi edged forward another inch or two. “Does it hurt?”

Eryx followed Lexi’s gaze, focused on how Ludan refused to watch. “No. Not for him anyway. Galena will feel what he feels, but to a lesser degree. He just hates to watch her take the wound. We all do.”

For the next few seconds, Lexi’s scrutiny fell to Galena.

The burns along Ludan’s arms faded and reappeared on Galena’s sun-kissed forearms without so much as a whimper passing his sister’s lips.

Lexi sat back, a mix of respect and awe on her face. “That’s amazing.”

Graylin set two platters of food before them as Ludan shoved to his feet.

Galena laughed and picked a ripe, pink berry off one of the plates. “I’m fine, Ludan. Really.” She popped the fruit between her lips and motioned for Eryx. “Come on, Eryx. Let’s get you done.”

Eryx shook his head and nudged the platter of fruits and cheeses closer to Lexi. “Rest for a minute. We’ll let Lexi have a go with her questions.”

Head cocked, Lexi stared at her plate. Cheese that was really blue and kelly green fruits weren’t everyday fare in Evad.

The room grew silent.

She looked up and blinked. “Let her heal your shoulder. I can wait.”

Not the most convincing statement he’d ever heard, but given the night she’d had, he didn’t blame her. “I’m fine. Galena can use the time to rest and you deserve answers. Where do you want to start?”

Lexi nudged a slice of cheese along the side of her plate. “You called this place Eden. As in
the
Eden?”

Considering Maxis’ attack, it was the last place he’d expected her to start, but a logical choice all the same. “We’re Myren, a race that’s existed for over six thousand years. The Great One—God, in your definition—created both humans and Myrens here, in Eden.”

Lexi splayed her hands flat on the table, fingertips white against the wood.

“Humans came first, then Myrens a bit later,” he said. “While we’re similar at our core, our race has greater abilities. Think of us as version two with major upgrades.”

“So, why aren’t humans still here?”

Eryx accepted a glass of strasse from Graylin, the potent burn of the clear liquor something he could use right about now. He passed a cup of black coffee to Lexi. “When you put two similar races together and one is more powerful, what do you suppose would happen?”

Lexi lifted the cup to her lips and blew across the surface. Bits of steam danced at the rim. “That depends.” She rested her elbows on the table, mug nestled between her hands. “What does more powerful mean? Flying?”

He shook his head. “Flying is just a matter of using our minds in conjunction with the energy around us. It’s a fairly unobtrusive gift. The ones with the potential to cause problems are those tied to the elements—fire, water, earth, wind, and storm. Every Myren is born with one or two of them.”

She took an absent sip of her drink then pulled back with a jerk.

Eryx slid the sweet cream closer to Lexi. “A little stronger than what you’re used to?”

She added enough her cup almost overflowed. “That stuff makes espresso taste like hot chocolate.” She stirred and took a tentative taste. “I thought there were only four elements.”

“Not for us. You’d know the element of storm as lightning or electricity, but we can manipulate it the same as other elements.”

She traced the table’s wood pattern. “Myrens tried to hurt the humans didn’t they?”

“The Great One separated us, creating Evad—what we call the human realm—for them and leaving Eden for us. Evad has only the amount of energy needed for humans. It’s why we can’t stay there long. We get weak. Over time we end up at the same level as humans.”

“An equalizer for a Myren who stays too long.” She rolled her lips together as if mulling over the concept. “But if you can go back and forth between the two places, what’s to keep Myrens from bringing humans here? Your power doesn’t drain here, right?”

Pride flared white-hot in Eryx’s chest. With her quick wit and common sense she’d make a perfect malress. “Our laws and warriors keep things in check. We’re held to two sacred tenets. One forbids divulging our race to humans. The other bans any interference with human destiny.”

“And the penalty?”

“Death.”

Silence settled around them. Galena toyed with her food, and Ludan and Graylin stood motionless.

“That’s why looking for me was a secret.” Lexi’s slate-blue gaze locked onto his, daring him to say otherwise. “You’re not sure I’m Myren. I could be human and if anyone finds out, you’re toast.”

“It’s possible you’re human, but I doubt it. My dreams have been too pointed. For you to be anything other than Myren makes no sense.”

“Dreams?” Her single-word question paired with an expression Eryx couldn’t quite catalog. Curiosity for sure, but wary too.

“Yes. For about ten years now. They helped me find you.”

Nibbling her lower lip, she gazed at the tabletop. Distant.

Not a good sign. When sharp women like Lexi went silent it usually went hand in hand with plotting, bad assumptions, or both. He had enough obstacles to jump where she was concerned without her spry mind adding more to the equation.

“Eryx, why don’t you let me take care of your shoulder and give Lexi a minute.” Galena stood behind the chair Ludan had vacated. “Lose the shirt, please.”

Maybe Galena was right. Maybe Lexi was just overrun with information instead of plotting her escape.

He stood and stripped off his ruined shirt, wincing when a piece of burned-in fabric ripped his flesh.

Lexi snapped to, assessed what was going on, and shifted to sit in front of him. “We can talk if you want.” She shrugged awkwardly. “You know, keep your mind off of it.”

It took two, maybe three beats before he realized his mouth hung slightly open. She wasn’t plotting to run. Or if she had been, she wasn’t now. This woman, this brave, stubborn female who’d been carted off to a realm she’d never known existed, with a man she barely knew, was looking out for him. He cleared his throat. “What else do you want to know?”

Her attention drifted to Galena. “What are the other differences between us?”

Galena probed the burnt skin at his shoulder, and he sucked in air. “We’re faster and stronger than humans, can move objects with telekinesis, and can communicate telepathically with those we’re linked to.”

Her gaze brightened and she sat an inch or two taller. “That’s how you talked to Graylin and Ramsay before we got here.”

“Exactly. Families are born with telepathic links between them. Think of it as a being able to pick up the phone and call or find your immediate family without needing the phone.”

“But it’s only between families?”

“To start with.” He covered her hand. “But we can form links with others if we choose.” One touch and his thoughts went screaming into dangerous territory. “Mates always form a link.”

She shivered and yanked her hand out from under his. No matter how agitated she might be over her circumstances, her body answered to his in the most primitive of ways.

“All done.” Galena tapped his healed shoulder and stepped away with a huff. “If you boys could stay out of trouble, I’d appreciate it.” She frowned at Ramsay. “And do me a favor. Try not to make the next call sound like an emergency if there’s no gushing blood or internal injuries. You know I always think the worst.”

Drying his hands with a worn hand towel, Graylin stepped away from the counter where he’d been putting away utensils. “Eryx, why don’t you take Lexi to your room.” He nodded toward the windows and the rapidly rising sun. “It’s darker below ground and she could probably use the rest.”

The mere thought of Lexi anywhere near a bed sent a fresh charge of heated thoughts through his head.

“Don’t get any bright ideas.” Smirking, Galena lifted a vibrant yellow mug from a hook below the cabinet and poured herself coffee. “If Lexi’s Myren, you could trigger her awakening, so keep your hot and heavy to a minimum.”

Lexi stood, grabbed her mug, and stared out at the lake beyond the windows. Her elbows were tucked close against her sides, her back ramrod straight. “You didn’t cover the awakening thing.”

“We can talk about that after you’ve had a chance to rest.” He cupped her shoulders and pulled her back against his chest. “A few hours couldn’t hurt and you’ve already got a lot to process.”

Lexi nodded, a tiny movement that didn’t match her vibrant personality.

“I appreciate you letting us stay,” he said to Graylin. “I’ll get Orla to come help out while we’re here.”

Graylin waved his thanks off and headed toward his bedroom at the other side of the cottage. “Have her contact me if she needs anything. I’ll make a run into town for supplies.”

Galena held her mug to one side and half-hugged Eryx before pulling Lexi into another. “Eryx’s right,” she said to Lexi. “Rest before you bite off anymore information. You’re safe here and have plenty of time to catch up on what you need to know.”

She stepped away and gave Ludan a saucy pat on the shoulder. “I’m off to get cleaned up, but I’ll be back later.”

A straight shot of strasse fisted in one hand, Ludan situated himself in a kitchen chair. “I’ve got things here. Go.” He lifted his chin toward the rear staircase and pushed the chair back on its rear legs. “Your woman looks like she’s about to fall over.”