Daughter of Earth (Tales of the Guardian) (18 page)

“It’s not too soon for you?” he asked hesitantly, not wanting to sound like he was opposed to the idea.

He needed to be sure of what she wanted.

“We’ve known each other for six months. That is four months longer than my grandparents knew each other before they were engaged. They were married six months after their first date and went on to have one of the happiest marriages I’ve ever seen. My grandma always told me when you find the someone you’re meant to be with, you just know it, and no amount of time can change it. I’ve known I wanted to be with you since our first walk in Central Park. I know I’m young, but women used to get married young all the time. Some still do. It doesn’t make sense to me that just because I’ve been raised in the 21
^st
century I have to conform to society’s beliefs and wait until I’m older to commit. You and I both know what forever means for us. If history teaches us anything, it’s that standards change all the time. And what is a social stigma at one point is bound to change at another.”   

She took a deep breath and then added, “I’m old enough to know my heart.”

 She hadn’t meant to ramble, but she was nervous. She had no doubt he wanted to marry her but it was a little nerve-wracking to convince him to propose. Or was she the one proposing to him?

Alexander brought her hands to his mouth and kissed them gently. He slowly flattened them against his chest so she could feel every beat of his racing heart.

Gazing into her eyes, he softly whispered, “Then marry me.”

Chapter 14

The continual drip sounding in the background went unnoticed. The dampness of the entire compound was ever present and so one small drip did not seem to annoy any of its inhabitants.

The fire from overhead torches fought against the moisture lingering in the air. Or it was possible the flame struggled against the very darkness it was supposed to illuminate. But how could it when it was feeling suppressed by what surrounded it?

The tall figure leaned over the long banquet table, his eerie and frightful gaze meeting each one sitting within the poorly lit room. “You think these ridiculous preparations are good enough?!” Ambrose’s voice seethed with anger and disgust.

Everyone present began shooting nervous glances at one another. There was no way of telling what Ambrose would do. The only constant about him was he was unpredictable.

“You come before me with these pitiful offerings and call them preparations? Your simple pleasure and acceptance of mediocrity insults me,” he spat like hot coals popping in a fire.

“Your Excellency,” one of the braver Ancient Ones spoke up, “we are only trying to show you we’ve been successful in our efforts to have spirits of The Opposition take complete and solid form. These mere one hundred are just an example of all that is to come.”

“You think I do not know that?” Ambrose shouted, his outburst forcing the Ancient One to shrink back into his stone seat.

“You think I am a fool? We do not have time on our side; in fact time sits among us right now laughing in each of your faces. We must have more of these soldiers if we are to take Eden’s gates, and at the pace these silly rituals of yours are going, we will only have a few thousand. It is not enough!”

Ambrose’s chest rose and fell in a steaming huff. “And while you amuse yourselves with your delicate creation ceremonies, the girl grows stronger every day, as does her bond with the Guardian. What are you doing to stop that? Tell me!”

Everyone lowered their eyes, unwilling to speak up. Finally, Sandros stepped forward from the shadows. He had been leaning against the cold, stone wall, watching the proceedings from a safe distance.

“My Lord, I assure you all hope is not lost. In fact, our hope silently inserts itself deeper and deeper each day. Like vines of ivy, it’s spreading. It will not be long until it fully takes hold,” Sandros offered with complete confidence.

“And then what? I was under the impression this hope of yours would have taken hold quite some time ago,” Ambrose hardly tolerated the optimistic statement coming from this servants lips.

 “And then we will watch as Eden destroys itself from the inside,” he said in a relaxed manner. He was not intimidated by Ambrose’s authority nor his doubt. “These new soldiers will only be needed for cleanup. It is in the small and discreet ways have always operated and it by those ways we will have victory. ”

Sandros was smooth, charismatic. He had the ability to talk someone into anything and he prided himself on it.

“You underestimate our enemy. It is not just a battle or a single human we are after. We fight against a prophecy, an event which was written in the beginning. If we are to change the course of The Eternities themselves we must take drastic measures in every area,” Ambrose shot a challenging look at Sandros, then began pacing around the table.

Everyone in the room could feel the rising tension.

“My Lord, I agree we must strategize all angles of our attack, but our greatest gains have come through manipulation of the human mind and heart. This is how we have always led the spirits of The Opposition to influence humankind. In fact, this is how we developed this hybrid of supernatural soldiers standing before you.”

Sandros pointed out the large crescent window. One hundred soldiers stood as still as statues in the field below.

Another in the room now voiced his concerns. “But how are we to get to the girl when she lies within Eden? Even if she does emerge from its protective gates, we cannot attack her. The Seer will send visions of our plan. Alexander will be by her side, as will hordes of other Guardians. They all now know she is imperative to the future. You speak of small and simple tactics, but I believe that was Dante’s plan. We have all not yet forgotten what happened to him.”

“Our brother did not die in vain!” Sandros let a momentary flare of emotion escape. “We now have a stealthy snake in the grass as a result of his very efforts. Dante knew his role in all of this. I would ask if you know what is yours!”

The contention in the room became palpable and all looked to Ambrose to rein in the heated discussion before it turned in to a bloody mess, as it often did.

“Sandros has a point,” Ambrose said, taking control of the conversation with his overpowering presence. “I am willing to give it merit. And that is why I will leave it up to you to carry out these deceptions, these prickly thorns placed along the rose.”

Ambrose slowly made his way to the other side of the room where Sandros stood. He now stopped only inches from his face.

“But, if you cannot bring about great things with this plan, if you fail me…” he paused for emphasis. “Your fate will match that of Dante’s. Though rest assured it will not happen by Alexander’s hand, but mine.”

Sandros did not cower. He stood his ground. “I will carry it out, My Lord. Dante made a mistake by deviating from the plan of coercion. I will not make the same mistake.
I
will succeed.”

Chapter 15

   “So instead of just hiding the truth, you also make up new rules I suppose! Is there nothing left that holds true with you anymore, Damarus?” Alexander’s voice grew more intense with each word. “The scene in front of me does not match what I’ve always been taught, what you yourself preached to me for centuries.” Alexander threw his hands up in front of him, motioning to the crate housing numerous weapons. “‘Do as I say not as I do’, is this your newfound logic?”

     It had been two weeks since Alexander’s return to Eden. His first day back was wonderful and had even ended in his proposal to Emily. It came as a shock to everyone and Eden became so alive with excitement most everyone had forgotten about Alexander’s previous peculiar behavior. He had also kept his emotions in check, not giving any reason for anyone to make discussion about his new abrasive personality. That was no longer the case, his outburst was proving now nothing had really changed for him.

     “Alexander, you forget things are evolving. The rules we hold in place regarding conduct with humans still remain. However, what Emily faces is different and therefore her preparations are to be, as well. She is human and consequently is not bound by our code,” Damarus explained gently. He did not react to Alexander’s fury.

     “Why is Lexington here? Why does he stand there with sword in hand?” Alexander shot out without even a hint of respect. No, his admiration for his leader had been extinguished weeks ago. He thought he had successfully suppressed his distaste for his Elders, but now the building anger erupted like a volcano after a long dormancy.

     “Lexington is here only as a sparring partner. Emily’s instruction needs to come while I stand at her side. Having Lexington here allows me to coach Emily without the distraction of being her opponent.” Damarus shook his head. It was apparent he was disappointed with Alexander. “I do not know what you expected by way of Emily’s training, but if she is to defend herself, if she is to take part in this coming war, then she must learn to use a weapon.

     “I do not have the luxury of time as I did when teaching Guardians. She has learned to access her core and draw strength from it, but for her to perfect it would take decades. Weapons will give her the advantage time will not allow.”

     “I don’t know what I expected,” Alexander said through his clenched teeth. “But, it certainly wasn’t this. Why is it so important for her to take part in this war? Why must a human battle against forces greater than their own?”

     Emily had been standing quietly to the side, nervously watching the confrontation. She’d been so stunned with Alexander’s explosion she was left speechless.

     “
I thought things were better. But here it is again, anger and fear. Alexander doesn’t believe in me.”
Emily tried to gather her wits and think clearly.

     “As I have explained before, this war is to be initiated and led by a human. It is the way it is. The Opposition and its forces are not in fact our enemy but rather the human’s. We are simply the soldiers, the watchmen who guard and protect. The fight against evil and the Ancient Ones must be led by the human race. It is not our place to change or determine the course of the future, it is theirs,” Damarus motioned to Emily.

     “You really believe that? Or is this just another cover for the truth?” Alexander spat. He then turned to her, his posture was hard and tense. “You don’t have to do this. Don’t believe him.”

     He was being as bold and rebellious as he had the night in Emily’s room. There was an uneasiness creeping back into the air surrounding them and it frightened her.

     “Why don’t you trust Damarus?” It was a desperate plea, but deep down she knew she could not pull him back.

     There would be no saving this moment. He had just revealed there was no true change within him; it had only been masked to hide his ever-growing anger, a deception which could no longer be hidden

     “He’s broken my trust and has yet to do anything to gain it back. Why do you so quickly rely on him, and believe all he says?”

     A sound of surprise and disappointment, forced its way from Emily’s chest. The insult cut her deeper than any blade could. This was not the Alexander she knew, the one she’d agreed to marry just weeks ago. His words cast away what had taken months to build between them. She suddenly wondered if this was the real Alexander, and the man she had fallen in love with was a sham.

     Had his chivalry, respect and constancy all just been some sort of lie? The thought didn’t sit well with her, nor did it ring true. But it was hard to dispute the reality now staring her in the face. 

     How could all of her hopes and dreams be slipping away so easily? How could such a small matter be snowballing into such a large problem?

     Emily held back the urge to raise her voice. It was the first time she’d ever felt like shouting at him. Truthfully, she wanted to grab his massive shoulders and shake him and yell, “What is going on with you?”