Eden Forest (Part one of the Saskia Trilogy) (16 page)

“Love, this is a lot to take in, so that’s enough for now.” I

go to speak, but she gives me her don’t cross me look. “It is all

going to be fine. Now we will eat.”

Right on cue, Alana appears and starts stirring a large black

pot that sits above the fire. It reminds me of a witch’s cauldron.

My mother sets the table for seven people. I stay in my armchair,

lost in thought, trying to piece this together. I have so many

questions.

Three guards and a powerful-looking man arrive then. I scan

their faces for Tristan and a pang of disappointment touches my

chest when I don’t see him. The powerful-looking man sits on

the armchair that my mother vacated. I study him. He has black

shoulder-length hair that frames a strong face and alert grey

eyes. He wears all black—a simple plain tunic, black trousers

and boots, but it doesn’t take away the air of power about him.

He reaches out his hand towards me. His fingers are long

and look like he’s never done a hard day’s work in his life. “I

am Morrick.”

I take his hand and am surprised by the callouses that push

against my palm. “Sarajane.”

My mother watches us from across the table. She smiles and

then busies herself helping Alana serve the three men who are

now seated at the table. I drop Morrick’s hand realising I’ve

been holding it far too long.

He gestures to the table. “Shall we?” The food is great,

a stew made with vegetables, some I recognise and some I

don’t. Morrick introduces me to the three men. “These are my

guardians.”

Then he gestures to the one nearest to him and introduces

him as Kiar. Kiar has blond hair to his ears and puppy dog

brown eyes. There’s softness in him. He’s broad and tall, just

like the next man I’m introduced to. His name is

Liber. He doesn’t smile, just nods. He has a plain face and

expression. The last man is the odd one out. His name is Neve.

He’s thin and pale, with a shiny bald head and a crooked nose

that looks like it was broken repeatedly. His expression is open

and a wide smile greets me. I like him already.

We all eat after the introductions. Neve and Kiar are best

friends since childhood and they tease each other playfully,

making everyone laugh. Kiar seems to be the older of the two

and the smarter one, as Neve is not the sharpest tool in the box.

“Neve, remember the time you were trying to impress Gem,”

Kiar says, already laughing.

Neve grumbles, “Leave it out, Kiar.”

But Kiar launches into the story. “He was trying to impress

Gem with his fire affinity, saying it was a level three.” I notice

a stiffness has fallen around the table, but Kiar doesn’t seem to

pick up on it. “And he burnt all his hair and eyebrows off; none

of it ever grew back.”

I can’t help but laugh at the mental image of Neve with

his hair on fire, but no one else seems to find the story funny.

“Mum, what’s wrong?” I ask.

Her smile is strained. “Nothing, love.” Everyone becomes

very focused on their stew.

“What is a fire affinity level?” I ask Kiar. I’ve never heard of

it before. Maybe it’s a different way of explaining sticks on fire

in this world.

My mother answers. “I don’t want to overload you with

information, but since Kiar mentioned it…” Kiar gives a sorry

look. “We are all born with an affinity, which means we have

the ability to control an element—fire, air, earth or water. And

the level is how good you are. It’s just one through three.”

Wow, this is scary, yet amazing. “What do you mean by

control? Do I have one?”

My mother looks relieved at my response. “Control isn’t the

right word, really. It’s more like working with it, and you should

have one.”

This was all very hard to believe. “What can you do?” I ask

her.

“My affinity is fire.” She raises her hands. “I promise

I will show you tomorrow, but for now you need to rest.”

Disappointment courses through me.

I’m ushered to my room. My mum tucks me into bed like

I’m five. I don’t mind her fussing over me. I fall asleep to her

humming a haunting yet beautiful melody that could only

belong to this world.

Chapter Nine

Saskia

(Bellona)

I am expecting Clive, Taurus and Felix back soon. I pace my

room, waiting for their arrival. Excitement courses through

my body. Soon I will have the girl in my grasp and then

immortality will be mine. I examine my face in the mirror.

Lines have started to show around my mouth and eyes. Ageing

is not something I take in stride. Beauty is youthful. I grin at my

own reflection.

“I will fix that for now.”

Locking my chamber door and retrieving my pendant from

its box, I kiss the purple stone, then let my breath linger on it,

causing the gem to come to life. The purple starts to swirl as

if a tornado has erupted inside. Bethany’s soul swirls with the

vortex, her face still frozen in horror. I place my lips around the

stone and inhale deeply, feeling Bethany’s soul coursing through

my body, my blood, making me look and feel more youthful.

I open my eyes and walk back to my mirror. Raising my

head, I examine my face more carefully this time. Yes, I look

younger—no lines, just a flawless face. My sacrifices are paying

off, but they only last so long and then I will show even more

signs of ageing again. I smile. Soon I will not have to worry

about that.

A knock at my chamber doors pulls me away from my

reflection. I open it and Taurus is standing there. “We have her,

my lady.”

I pull the door open fully for Taurus to enter. “Where are

Clive and Felix?”

He gives me a wicked smile. “I told them to guard the girl

while I debrief you.” He reaches back and locks the door. I

unclasp the silver broaches on my shoulders that hold my

dress up and let it fall to the ground. I can see by the hunger

in Taurus’s eyes that he is pleased. My breasts are firmer

than before and my buttocks tighter. “Make your queen

happy.”

Taurus crosses the room and lifts me off the ground with

one strong arm while placing me on my bed. He strips off his

armour, black tunic and trousers. He is all muscle—a real man.

I dig my nails into his back until I draw blood and he gasps

in pain. He likes rough sex, as do I. He bites my shoulder, pain

shoots down my arm, and then he takes me. Giving me all of

him, he thrashes hard, making my back arch.

Afterwards, I dismiss him. “I will be down shortly. Have the

girl ready for me.”

“Yes, my lady.” The sex is great, but the company boring.

I sit at my dressing table and brush my hair out. It is almost

white, but not with age. I was just born that way.

I leave my chambers and proceed to the holding cells. Clive is

walking towards me. “Son.” I kiss both his cheeks. “You have

made your mother very happy.”

Clive tilts his head back, hunger for approval in his eyes. “I

only live to please, mother.” I incline my head towards him and

hold out my arm for him to take.

Taurus and Felix stand on either side of the gate while Clive

remains by my side. The girl is tied in the centre of the room to

a large wooden pole. She sits on the ground, her eyes alert, fear

visible in them. Yet she just studies me as I study her. She has

long, jet-black hair with a full fringe, large green eyes and full

lips. She looks like Marta. This is the girl.

I move around her in a full circle, saying nothing. Images of

my childhood flash in my mind, stopping me in my tracks. Then

they’re gone. I look at the girl. Sweat is trickling down her face

as she concentrates. Is she making me remember? Impossible.

My mother’s face is there then, humming a song as I look up at

her craving for attention. I close my eyes. “Stop it.”

Taurus is beside me then. “My lady?”

I walk to the girl. “Stop it now.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she says while

giving me a look that tells me she knows exactly what I am

talking about.

“What are you?” I have never seen a gift like this.

The girl’s face softens and she looks lost. “I don’t know.” She

is telling the truth.

“What is your name?” The girl closes her eyes as if in

meditation. Lucian’s face flashes in front of me. The image

widens. I can see myself and I look petrified. He throws me on

the ground and the image ceases.

The girl’s eyes shoot open. “What do you want with her?”

Her voice is full of emotion as she pulls against her restraints.

Taurus moves to silence her rage, but I stop him. I am not

sure if she can harm us. I look at Clive. “Make sure she is tied

correctly. I don’t want her getting loose.”

Clive sneers. “Yes, this little girl could harm us.”

I give him a look of ice that silences him. “Check it now,

Clive.” I watch as Clive strolls towards the girl, smirking. He

moves around the pole that she is tied to.

Kneeling down, his face stiffens with anger; then he looks at

me. “She nearly has them off.”

The girl’s eyes are closed, her face relaxed. I am not too sure

what she can do, so I take a small step back. Clive is struggling,

trying to retie the knots, even though he tied them in the first

place. I can see the girl stretch out her fingers, but before I can

warn Clive, her fingers brush his. Clive howls back in pain,

holding his side. We all jump. It is over after a moment. Clive

is panting, staring at the girl with wide eyes. She is covered in a

layer of sweat, her energy drained.

“Taurus, tie her.”

Clive starts to protest, but I cut him off. “She has no power

left; she is drained.” Taurus reties the girl as instructed.

Clive gets off the floor. “You knew she would hurt me?” He

questions with hurt in his voice.

“Don’t be so petty, Clive. Is there a mark on you?” He lifts

his top, examining his side that is untouched.

“Taurus, lift her top up.”

The girl's eyes flutter open, the exhaustion visible on her face.

“Please” she pleads. When Taurus lifts her top, I know exactly

what I will see. Her swollen skin is black and blue with bruises.

The door leading down to the cell opens and Taurus leaves

to see who it is. When he returns, his face is sombre. “Sorry, my

lady, but you have a guest waiting in your chambers.”

I raise an eyebrow to invite Taurus to continue. He doesn’t

respond. It can only mean one thing, at last.

I leave and return to my chambers. “Ah, Liber”

He bows. “My lady.”

“Sit.” I gesture to the armchair beside the fireplace and sit

across from him. “You are late.”

“I know, my lady, but I was unable to leave,” he says.

“Proceed.”

“I was at the Amour Caves, guarding Marta.”

My face twists with disgust. “I knew he took her.” But I

didn’t need her now anyway.

“My lady, Tristan and Legis returned from the mortal world

with the child, Sarajane,” Liber says.

I rise abruptly. “That is not possible. Do not lie to me, Liber.”

His face freezes in terror. “Never, my queen.”

I go along with it, not sure what to believe just yet. “So tell

me about her?”

He swallows. “She is unaware of this world or her magic,

but she is indeed Marta’s daughter. The resemblance is visible”.

“Stay here, Liber. I will be back shortly.” I leave and return

to the cell.

The girl is still tied to the pole, her eyes closed. She must be

still drained. I kick her awake. “What is your name? And don’t

push me, child, or you will live to regret it.”

Her eyes drop closed. She is unable to keep them open, but her

cracked lips open slightly as she gives me her name. “Jessica.” It

is barely audible, but it is enough.

“You fools, she is not the one.”

Clive’s face turns a crimson red. “She is, Mother.”

I strike him across the face with all my force and he lands

against the wall. Blood trickles from a cut at the corner of his

mouth. “Do not lie to me,” I roar. “Taurus, explain.” I look at

him from the corner of my eye; he is still standing beside Clive.

“Sorry, my lady, I have no excuse.” He doesn’t flinch away

from me.

I leave and return to my chambers. Liber is still sitting there.

I start to pace the floor.

“My lady, she—”

“Hush, Liber. Leave.” He bows and leaves. I don’t need to

hear his babble. I have too much to do. I am leaving for my

secret chambers when a knock comes from the door and my

daughter Luna enters.

“Darling,, what a lovely surprise. But I am very busy.” I try

to keep the irritation out of my voice. I never know when she

may come in handy.

“Mother, I will make it brief. Where is Father? I have not

seen him around the castle.” She blushes slightly. “It is just… I

need to speak with him.”

“He is gone on business and will be back shortly. Is that all?”

I raise an eyebrow.

She curtsies “Yes, Mother. Sorry for disturbing you.”

I enter my secret chambers from the winding stairs. Suis is

asleep in her cage. I don’t need her now, but she still might be of

some use, and she helped Marta escape so punishment is all she

deserves. I light all the torches, waking Suis.

“Bellona, please, I know nothing else.” I know she doesn’t;

she told me everything.

“Hush, I am busy.”

“Please.”

I kick her cage, making her jump back. “Be quiet, child, or I

will feed you to the demons.”

Her eyes widen with fear, making me laugh. I spread a large

piece of cloth in front of the altar and kneel down with the

knife in my hand. A bowl of water sits at my knees. I start my

incantation for calling Lucian.

The first time he came to me was an accident. I had called

upon the demons, but Lucian showed up instead. I knew the

moment I saw him that he was very powerful.

I slowly slice my left palm and watch as my blood falls from

my open hand into the bowl of water, each drop causing the

water to turn red. On the sixth drop, the hair rises on my neck.

He is coming. He always scares me, but I hide it as best I can.

I place my hand in the bowl to quicken the healing of my

palm. Lucian loves blood and I don’t need to entice him.

“Bellona.” A shiver of fear and pleasure runs through my

body as he speaks my name.

I fall on my hands, bowing. “My king.”

His long black tendrils lash out and grab my wrists, pulling

me up. When he retracts them, slime is all over my arms. Lucian

laughs when he sees the distaste on my face. He is in spirit form

tonight. Sometimes he takes human form and he is quite tasty

to look at, but his eyes are always blood red. He reaches out and

wraps his tendrils around my body, pulling himself towards me.

His red eyes move closer. I can hear Suis whimper with fear in

her cage. I don’t blame her. Lucian is terrifying. He has shown

me what he can do.

When he is beside me he flicks out a long black tongue that